Sivananda daily reading for 15th January - Self-reliance

SELF-RELIANCE

Pure reason urges a man to do what is the best. The asuric (lower) nature of man fights and struggles against the higher nature of the man. The impulses of a man who has not undergone the ethical disciplines run counter to his reason. All advice, all rebuke and exhortation, all admonition found in the scriptures of the world testify that the irrational part is not amenable to reason.

The basis of good manners is self-reliance. For this reason, the great founders and eminent teachers of all religions have repeatedly proclaimed the need for recognising the Godhead within and for self-reliance in the last resort, rather than texts, persons or customs.

Self-control is greatest in the man whose life is dominated by ideals and general principles of conduct. The final end of moral discipline is self-control. The whole nature of man must be disciplined. Each element requires its specific training. Discipline harmonises the opposing elements in him. Self-control will enable the aspirant to know the truth, to desire the good, and to win the right - and thus to realise the reality.

Discipline is the training of our faculties, through instructions and through exercise, in accordance with some settled principle of authority. You must discipline not only the intellect but also the will and the emotions.

A disciplined man controls his actions. He is no longer at the mercy of the moment. He ceases to be a slave of his impulses and senses (indriyas). Such mastery is not the result of one day's effort. It is acquired only by protracted practice and daily self-discipline. You must learn to refuse the demands and impulses of your lower nature. A self-controlled man is able to resist wrong actions, towards which a worldly man is most strongly impelled. *

Discipline yourself and grow strong. Stand unshaken. Rest in the Atman (the immortal blissful soul). Perfection is not impossible of achievement. It is within the easy reach of human endeavour. All desires are fulfilled after Self-realisation.

If you lack wisdom, ask God sincerely and he will give you wisdom. Physical health, intellectual understanding, moral integrity and spiritual wisdom lead to ultimate perfection.

Taken from: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sivanandadaily/

Sivananda Gurugram: December 2009

OM NAMAH SIVAYA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace dwells in Silence. Silence is Brahma, the Absolute.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves – 

We are glad to inform you that in the month of October Swami Mahadevanandaji visited Japan with Mani Chaitanya, for an intensive one week program, which was a great success. Now there are plans to do a TTC only for Japanese students in Thailand. The search is on for a suitable location. If any one can help in finding a place please get in touch with us.

We are glad that 2009 is been a very successful year with two other new centers: opening one in Luthuania, another in Milan, Italy. Also there were many new TTC's around the world. The momentum is picking up for the World Wide Sivannada Yoga Teachers’ Reunion at the Yoga Camp in Val Morin in summer 2010. 
Pranams to all. 


To live in perfect goodness is to dissolve in the Infinite.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SIVANANDA YOGA FAQ ~~~ Frequently Asked Questions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q1: Can prayers cure diseases when doctors fail? Is it true that more things are wrought by prayers than the world could dream of?

A: Doctors and medicines are only instruments in the hands of God. Unless God wills, none can cure, or get cured. Man should do his best, with initiative, enterprise and perseverance, but depend on God's grace for everything. To bear with suffering, and accept it as a blessing of God in disguise, is great wisdom. Prayer invokes the inner potentialities of the individual, which flow only from God, and can certainly work miracles.

Q2: What are the methods to develop unruffled serenity and mental composure under all conditions of life? Is absolute serenity possible?

A: Yes. Develop Atma Vichar Sakti. Identify not with the mind, senses and intellect or with any of the other modifications of the mind. Always be engaging yourself in the thought of the Divine. Have no thought of yourself or the surrounding world. Be absolutely indifferent to yourself, as you ought to be towards the surroundings, the various daily happenings and the worldly repercussions. Knowledge of the Self, when once attained, absolves one of all mental disruptions and psychic derangements. Where there is firm-grounded knowledge of the Self in the spiritual seeker, where there is the 
consciousness in him that "all indeed is Brahman, Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma" and that he is none other than that Supreme Brahman, and where he understands that all happenings-- good, bad or mixed-- are but passing phases on the screen of the world, there can never be any ill-balanced mental life. It is the mind that is the sole cause for bondage or Moksha. 

The mind is the substratum behind pleasure or pain, happiness or misery, success or defeat. Rise above the pairs of opposites by resorting to a Guru and his instructions. Study the lives of saints who underwent various trials and the books by realized souls. Develop the spirit of true surrender wherein you have no thought of body or bodily needs or self-protection even in the slightest degree and wherein you forget the idea of life and death altogether. Serenity is merely mental. Therefore, cultivate mental equipoise by gaining spiritual knowledge.

Think truly. Speak truly. Live truly. Act truly.
- Sri Swami Sivananda


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HATHA YOGA TIP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SHALABHASANA – Locust Pose - Level one

Lie on your belly with your arms by the sides of your torso, palms up, forehead resting on the floor. Turn your big toes toward each other to inwardly rotate your thighs. Exhale and lift your head, upper torso, arms, and legs away from the floor. You’ll be resting on your lower ribs, belly and front pelvis. Reach strongly through your legs, first through the heels to lengthen the back legs, then through the bases of the big toes. Keep the big toes turned toward each other. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and stretch back actively through your fingertips. Imagine there’s a weight pressing down on the backs of the upper arms, and push up toward the ceiling against this resistance. Press your scapulas firmly into your back. Gaze slightly upward, being careful not to jut your chin forward and crunch the back of your neck. Keep the base of the skull lifted and the back of the neck long. Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then 
release with an exhalation. Take a few breaths and repeat 1 or 2 times.

Benefits: 
• Strengthens the muscles of the spine, buttocks, backs of the arms and legs 
• Stretches the shoulders, chest, belly and thighs 
• Improves posture 
• Stimulates abdominal organs 
• Helps relieve stress 

Do as you would be done by. This is the gist of ethics. - Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOGA SANSKRIT GLOSSARY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ANANDA – Bliss, happiness, joy

HIRANYAGARBHA - Cosmic intelligence, the Supreme Lord of the Universe; also called Brahman

Jnana Yoga is the subtle and analytical path of wisdom. Mental purity is of paramount importance for Self-realization. - Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAJA YOGA 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Discourse II: "Sadhana Pada - On Spiritual Disciplines"
II.37. ASTEYA-PRATISTHAYAM SARVA-RATNOPASTHANAM

'When non-stealing becomes firmly established, all wealth comes to the yogi'.

Commentary: 
The more a yogi flees from material objects, the more they seem to come to him. The purpose of this natural law is two-fold. The first is so that he may be tested and confirmed in his renunciation. The second is so that he, as a wise person, may appropriately dispense the wealth to benefit mankind.

Seek internal peace of the Eternal, which will destroy all sorrows and pains and lead to final emancipation. - Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VEGETARIAN CUISINE - from 'The Yoga Cook Book'
– a collection of recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Centres
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SWEET POTATO with PINEAPPLE – This lovely dish is part of the Yogic Feast for the Winter Festival in the Sivananda Yoga Cookbook. Serves 4 -6

Ingredients: 
5 large sweet potatoes, total weight about 1.4kg (3¼lb)
25 g (1oz) butter
1 very ripe fresh pineapple, about 1 kg (2¼ lb) 
150ml (5 fl oz) orange juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt

Preparation: 
1. Preheat oven to 190C/375 F.
2. Scrub the sweet potatoes and bake them for 1- 1 1/2 hours until soft. 
3. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and reduce the temperature to 
140C/275F.
4. Leave the potatoes until cool enough to handle.
5. Peel and mash them with the butter.
6. Peal & core the pineapple using a sharp knife. Cut into small pieces.
7. Combine the mashed sweet potatoes, pineapple and all the ingredients.
8. Transfer to a baking dish. 
9. Bake for about 40 minutes. 

Serve hot.

Wisdom of the Self is the ripe fruit of the beautiful flower of virtue.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

Previous recipes can be found at:
http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/diet/recipes.html


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPIRITUAL CALENDAR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DECEMBER 2009

02 - Full Moon
12 - Ekadasi
16 - New Moon
28 - Ekadasi
31 - Full Moon ( Swamiji's Birthday)

With the wings of love and wisdom, fly to the immortal abode of Brahman.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

Sivananda daily reading for 24th November

MOST IMPORTANT SADHANA

Man is a mixture of three ingredients. These are the human element, the brutal instinct and the divine ray. He is endowed with a finite intellect, a perishable body, a little knowledge and a little power. This makes him distinctly human. Lust, anger and hatred belong to his brutal nature.

The reflection of cosmic intelligence is at the back of his intellect. So he is an image of God. When the brutal instincts die, when this ignorance is rent asunder, when he is able to bear insult and injury, then he becomes one with the divine.

A thirsting aspirant is one who practises self-denial. He always tries to feel that the body does not belong to him. If anyone beats or cuts him, either his hand or throat, he should remain quiet. He should not speak even one single harsh word - because the body is not his. He starts his sadhana (practice) saying: "I am not this body. I am not this mind. Chidananda Rupa Sivoham." One harsh word throws a man off balance and a little disrespect upsets him. How weak he has become, despite his boasted intellect, his high position in society, his degrees, his diplomas and titles.

Bear insult; bear injury. This is the essence of all sadhana. This is the most important sadhana. If you succeed in this, you can very easily enter the illimitable domain of eternal bliss. Nirvikalpa samadhi (super-conscious state) will come by itself. This is the most difficult sadhana. But it is easy for those who have burning vairagya (dispassion) and true yearning for liberation.

First you must become like a block of stone. Only then you will be established in this sadhana. Now nothing can affect you. Abuse, ridicule, mockery, insult, persecution - none of these can have any influence on you. -

Life is God in expression.

Life is joy.

Life is the flooding bliss of the spirit.

Life is the fight for fullness and perfection.

Life is a battle for attaining supreme independence.

Taken from: Sivananda daily emails – sign up here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sivanandadaily/

Anniversary of Swami Vishnu's Mahasamadhi

Today marks the anniversary of Swami Vishnu Devananda's Mahasamadhi, with his Jalasamadhi in 2 days.

And a reminder from Swami Sivananda to look for the best in every situation, grow stronger and march forward like a hero:

"Every failure is a stepping-stone to success. Every difficulty or disappointment is a trial of your real faith. Every disease is a Karmic purgation. Every unpleasant incident is a test of your trust in God.  Every temptation is a test of your spiritual strength. Therefore Nil Desperandum. Be ever bold and  cheerful. March on courageously. Be sincere and earnest in all your endeavours. March forward like a hero." - Swami Sivananda

Viveka / Discrimination:

Discrimination is the faculty which distinguishes between the real and the unreal. The whole world outside and the universe that is inside, are unreal. Earth, water, wind, fire, the sky, the ocean, our bodies and the vital force animating them, our minds, our consciousness of ourselves - all are but airy nothingness. The only real thing is the Atman (Self) or Brahman, the Absolute.

~ Sri Swami Sivananda

Sivananda Gurugram: November 2009

OM NAMAH SIVAYA

This month:

-          a new centre opens in Lithuania

-          Swami Sivananda explains the benefit of pilgrammage

-          PURVOTTANASANA – Upward Plank Pose

-          Understanding Jalasamadhi

-          How to make wheat free crepes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPIRITUAL CALENDAR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOVEMBER 2009

02 - Full Moon
09 - Swamiji's Mahasamadhi
11 - Swamiji's Jalasamadhi
12 - Ekadasi
16 - New Moon
28 - Ekadasi

You cannot realize the Infinite by mere metaphysical speculation.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

Html formatted version of this guru-gram available at
http://www.sivananda.org/gurugram

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Love all, because all are the manifestations of the One Self.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blessed Self, Om Namah Sivaya,
In the spirit of expansion of the Sivananda Organization, the 4th of October 2009 saw the opening of the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Eastern Europe in Vilnius, Lithuania. On the most full moon of the year the new Sivananda Centre attracted over 250 people for an Open House day. Yoga Acharyas Swami Durgananda and Swami Atmaramananda blessed the Centre with uplifting talks on Swami Vishnudevananda, sharing their love and enthusiasm with all. The organization is very blessed to be instruments of the Masters, for bringing the 
teachings to this new part of the world.

In His Service,
Swami Durgananada, Swami Atmaramananda, Bhima 


The Atman neither dies, nor is born, nor has any modifications.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SIVANANDA YOGA FAQ ~~~ Frequently Asked Questions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q 1: Does the mental equilibrium of an advanced Yogi get affected when attacked by some serious disease? How does he/she react on such occasions?

A: Never. If there is any thought of the body or the disease or the bodily affliction or something that cannot be tolerated by the fleshy frame, remember that he is no advanced Yogi or saint or Sannyasin. He who has no thought of himself or the surroundings or the world, he who is centered in his own Self or his beloved Ishta Devata or gracious Guru, and he who is entirely oblivious of limitations of any sort, and identifies himself with the limitless, disease-less, unconditioned, all-pervasive Brahman, is a true and advanced Yogi or Bhakta or Jnani; and not otherwise. He can have no match in the whole world in the matter of utter indifference either towards his disease or towards his limited, perishable body or the whole world. He always remains in his own Self and he never loses his balance under any circumstance. He firmly believes that he is the Infinite, the Absolute Brahman. He firmly believes that death awaits all and snatches away everyone at one time or the other and that the six Urmis Shoka, Moha, Kshut, Pipasa, Jara and Mrityu-- are but common to all the Jivas, 
not necessarily mankind, and that he is the deathless, imperishable and eternal Brahman. Hence there can be no mental upset for him even amidst crucial tests.


Q 2: How are people benefited by a pilgrimage?

A: This question has to be answered by each pilgrim for himself. The spiritual benefit always depends entirely upon the heart's faith. Faith is the life-breath of the spirit in man. No spiritual endeavour can be fruitful without it. With it, no spiritual achievement is impossible. If a pilgrim heartily believed, was convinced, and was certain-at-heart that all his sins would be washed away, that he would attain Moksha and get beyond the wheel of Samsara, there is absolutely 
no reason why it should not actually prove to be so. A pilgrimage like Badri-Yatra can wash off all your sins and enable you to take great strides towards the Great Goal-- Self-realization--if you have firm faith in its glory. But, remember, the test of this faith is what you are after you return from the pilgrimage; if, after the pilgrimage, you prove that you have been thoroughly 
purged of all your sins, that all the evil Samskaras have been washed away by the holy waters of the rivers you have bathed in, and that you have been filled with the spiritual vibrations of the sublime atmosphere you have sojourned in, and if you live a pure life of righteousness, devotion, truth, love and purity, you have certainly been liberated. The pilgrimage has served its supreme purpose. Some pilgrims do rise to such spiritual heights, though their number may be small, and though they may not advertise their achievements.


Banish all barriers/boundaries from your mind. Barriers and boundaries are illusory products of Avidya/Ignorance. - Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HATHA YOGA TIP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PURVOTTANASANA – Upward Plank Pose

Sit in Dandasana (Staff Pose) with your hands several inches behind your hips and your fingers pointing forward. Bend your knees and place your feet on the floor, big toes turned inward, heels at least a foot away from your buttocks. Exhale, press your inner feet and hands down against the floor, and lift your hips until you come into a reverse tabletop position, torso and thighs approximately parallel to the floor, shins and arms approximately perpendicular. 
Without losing the height of your hips, straighten your legs one at a time. Lift your hips still higher without hardening your buttocks. Press your shoulder blades against your back torso to support the lift of your chest. Without compressing the back of your neck, slowly drop your head back. Hold for 30 seconds. Sit back down in Dandasana with an exhale.

Benefits:

* Strengthens the arms, wrists and legs
* Stretches the shoulders, chest, and front ankles
* Relieves fatigue

Moksha is in the heart of every human - free from hatred, lust, egoism, greed and desires.
- Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOGA SANSKRIT GLOSSARY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JALA SAMADHI – The ceremony of merging a body with sacred water. Swami Vishnu-devananda attained Mahasamadhi on November 9, 1993. His body was then placed into the Ganges at the Sivananda Kutir, and the rite named jalasamadhi was performed, merging the abandoned body with the water.

Knowledge reveals itself. It is not taught. It embraces everything in its fold. - Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAJA YOGA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Chapter II: "Sadhana Pada - On Spiritual Disciplines"
II.14. TE HLADA-PARITAPA-PHALAHPUNYAPUNYA-HETUTVAT

'They have pleasure or pain as their fruit, according to whether their cause is virtue or vice'.

Commentary:
Understanding this, the yogi strives to do only good actions and to accept peacefully the ill that comes his way so that all his seeds of Karma are burned and no new ones are known.


The love you bear to anything is an aspect of the love that you bear to Brahman. Things are dear, because the Self is mirrored in them. - Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VEGETARIAN CUISINE - from 'The Yoga Cook Book'
– a collection of recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Centres
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEAT-FREE CREPES – For breakfast or a snack these light crispy crepes are so 
good that they can be served plain or with maple syrup. For a festive breakfast, 
serve them with Baked Bananas. They can also be filled with either a sweet or 
savoury filling, folded and topped with syrup or sauce. 
Serves 4 -6

Ingredients:

100g (4oz) soy flour
225 g (8oz) rice flour
3 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
350ml (12fl oz) water
1-2 tsp honey
4 tbsp oil
oil for frying
maple syrup or raisin sauce to serve

Preparation:

1. Combine the soy flour, rice flour, baking powder and salt

2. Add the water a little at a time, stirring so that the mixture is smooth
3. Gradually beat in the honey and the oil – the mixture should be quite runny
4. Heat a heavy frying pan over high heat, reduce to medium heat and brush with oil.
5. Add a ladleful of the mixture to the pan and flatten out thinly with the back of the spoon
6. Fry until the centre bubbles, turn it over and cook until golden brown
7. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make 10-12 crepes
8. Serve hot, with syrup or sauce


Equip yourself with these ingredients. The four means of salvation: Viveka (discrimination between the real and the unreal); Vairagya (dispassion); Shad Sampat (six-fold virtues) and Mumukshutva (eagerness for liberation). Then add Hearing, Reflecting and Meditation. Then alone you can have an integral experience, Self-realization. - Sri Swami Sivananda

SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 29 OCTOBER

BRAHMAN AND MAYA Like the pot and clay, waves and the sea, ornaments of silver and gold, the universe is non different from Brahman. The cause does not lose its being by appearing as the effect. The world is not an illusion, but it is non different from Brahman. Like heat is inseparable from fire and identical with it, so the universe which is of the nature of Brahman is identical with it.

The world is dependent on Brahman and independently the world is nothing. The play of cit (consciousness) alone shines as this universe. The universe was, is and always will be. There is no beginning or end to creation.

Behind the impermanent material world there is the invisible source of all things, pure, unchanging spirit or Atman. In the presence of God, maya (illusion) creates the world, even as in the presence of the superior officer, the subordinates do their work. Just as a carpenter cannot work without the instruments, and the instruments themselves also cannot do any work without the carpenter, so also, Isvara (God) cannot create the world without maya, nor can maya create the world without Isvara.

This world is an overflow of the love of God. This is the view of a bhakta (devotee). This world is an overflow of the bliss of Brahman. This is the view of a vedantin or sage. Love and bliss are one; God and Brahman are one. This world is nothing but the expression of God's love for Himself. This world is an expression or manifestation of God. It is the outcome of the spontaneous play of love and joy. God expands Himself and manifests as the world.

Atmic sankalpa (the will of the self) makes this universe shine and constitutes it. Every object is surcharged with divine significance. Everything in this world has got a spiritual message to convey. Learn from everything. All is Brahman. When this truth is intellectually recognised and intuitively realised, then all feelings of differences end forever.

Subscribe here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sivanandadaily/

Gurudev Swami Sivananda's birthday: 8th September

Sept. 8 is Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj's 122nd birthday anniversary. In celebration of this occasion the Divine Life Soceity have uploaded several articles on Gurudev. They are:

1) "Practised Before Preaching" by Sri Swami Chidananda

http://www.dlshq.org/saints/practicepreach.htm

2) "Swami Sivananda's Philosophy" by Sri B.S. Mathur

http://www.dlshq.org/saints/siva_philo.htm

3) "Treatment of Visitors" by Sri Swami Venkatesananda

http://www.dlshq.org/saints/treatmentvisitor.htm

Sivananda Gurugram: September 2009

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is in the nature of man to strive for happiness, but all the happiness which he can gain by his actions is only of limited duration. The enjoyments of the senses are transient and the senses themselves are worn out by too much enjoyment.

- Sri Swami Sivananda

We are glad to inform you that a great project, undertaken by Swami Sivadasanandaji, to present Swami Vishnu-devanandaji's available recorded lectures, at a count of over 2000. More information about this can be found at

www.sivananda.org/media/listen.pdf

Know the value of time. You cannot salvage a second spent in worthless ways. - Sri Swami Sivananda ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frequently Asked Questions

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q 1: Do you believe in heaven and hell existing as some independent planes apart from this earth-plane of ours?

A: Why not? They are also planes of existence just like ours. They are as real as the earthly plane. All the worlds (Lokas) and all the Tirthas (sacred rivers) are existent in the human being him/herself, if he/she has belief in the scriptures. One can enjoy heaven or hell in this birth, on this planet, if he/she so wishes. The greater the grossness, the more intense will be the torture and suffering until such time as the individual is refined and fit for the descent of the Lord's grace by repeated calcinations or purification processes.

If you want to enjoy heaven on earth, go on purifying yourself by controlling the lower mind, the desires and cravings. All is bliss, all is joy, all is happiness then. If you allow a free rein to the horses of the senses and yield to the prompting of the devilish mind, if you follow the path of Adharma, then hell itself will prevail, not elsewhere in some incredible region, but here on this earth itself.

Q 2: If we are tools in the hands of God, are not men free?

A: Man becomes free only when his individual will becomes merged in the Divine Will. Licentiousness and autocracy must not be mistaken for spiritual freedom. By becoming a tool (Nimitta) in the hands of God, the Bhakta destroys the egoism or the little false 'I', but gains all the Divine Aisvarya or the Siddhis of the Lord. He becomes perfectly free. He has become one with God now.

Beloved aspirant! Detach yourself mentally from everything else. Intensify your Vairagya/dispassion. - Sri Swami Sivananda ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HATHA YOGA TIP

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GOMUKHASANA - Cow Face Pose Sit in Dandasana (Staff Pose), then bend your knees and put your feet on the floor. Slide your left foot under the right knee to the outside of the right hip. Then cross your right leg over the left, stacking the right knee on top of the left, and bring the right foot to the outside of the left hip. Try to bring the heels equidistant from the hips: with the right leg on top you'll have to tug the right heel in closer to the left hip. Sit evenly on the sitz bones. Inhale and stretch your right arm straight out to the right, parallel to the floor. Rotate your arm inwardly; the thumb will turn first toward the floor, then point toward the wall behind you, with the palm facing the ceiling. This movement will roll your right shoulder slightly up and forward, and round your upper back. With a full exhalation, sweep the arm behind your torso and tuck the forearm in the hollow of your lower back, parallel to your waist, with the right elbow against the right side of your torso. Roll the shoulder back and down, then work the forearm up your back until it is parallel to your spine. The back of your hand will be between your shoulder blades. See that your right elbow doesn't slip away from the right side of your torso.

Now inhale and stretch your left arm straight forward, pointing toward the opposite wall, parallel to the floor. Turn the palm up and, with another inhalation, stretch the arm straight up toward the ceiling, palm turned back. Lift actively through your left arm, then with an exhalation, bend the elbow and reach down for the right hand. If possible, hook the right and left fingers.

Lift the left elbow toward the ceiling and, from the back armpit, descend the right elbow toward the floor. Firm your shoulder blades against your back ribs and lift your chest. Try to keep the left arm right beside the left side of your head.

Stay in this pose about 1 minute. Release the arms, uncross the legs, and repeat with the arms and legs reversed for the same length of time. Remember that whichever leg is on top, the same-side arm is lower.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOGA SANSKRIT GLOSSARY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NAVARATRI

Navaratri is the festive occasion of the 'nine-day-worship of Maha-Kali, Maha-Lakshmi and Maha-Saraswati' the Divinity of the Universe adored in three ways.

Saraswati is Cosmic Intelligence, Cosmic Consciousness, Cosmic Knowledge. Worship of Saraswati is necessary for Buddhi-Shuddi, Viveka-Udaya, Vichara-Shakti for Jnana for Self-illumination. Lakshmi does not mean mere material wealth like gold, cattle, etc. All kinds of prosperity, glory, magnificence, joy, exaltation or greatness come under the grace of Goddess Lakshmi. Final Liberation is "Moksha Samrajya Lakshmi." Hence worship of Lakshmi means the worship of Divinity, the power that dissolves multiplicity in unity. The worship of Devi is therefore the explanation of the entire process of spiritual Sadhana in all its aspect.

During Navaratri, observe strict anushthana, and purify your inner spiritual nature. This is the most auspicious time in the year for Mother-Worship. Read Sapthasathi, or Devi Mahatmya and Lalita Sahasranama. Do Japa of the Mantra of Devi. Perform formal worship with purity and sincerity and absolute devotion. Cry for the Darshan of Mother Devi. The Divine Mother will bless you with the knowledge, the peace and the joy that know no end. May the Divine Mother bless you all! - Sw. Sivananda

The different stages of spiritual progress are reflected in the sequence of celebrations during Navaratri. During the first three days, Durga is worshipped. She personifies that aspect of shakti which destroys our negative tendencies. The process of trying to control our senses is akin to a war for the mind which resists all attempts at control. So the stories in the Puranas symbolically depict Devi in the form of Durga as waging war and destroying the asuras.

However, getting temporary relief from the clutches of vasanas does not guarantee permanent liberation from them. The seeds of the vasanas will remain within in latent form. Therefore, we should supplant them with positive qualities. The Bhagavad Gita refers to these qualities as daivi-sampat, literally "Divine wealth." Correspondingly, we worship Lakshmi during the next three days. Lakshmi is not just the giver of gross wealth or prosperity; She is the Mother who gives according to the needs of Her children.

Only one endowed with daivi-sampat is fit to receive the knowledge of the Supreme. Accordingly, the last three days of Navaratri are dedicated to worshiping Saraswati, the embodiment of Knowledge. She is depicted as wearing a pure-white sari, which symbolises the illumination of the Supreme Truth.

VIJAYA DASAMI or DUSSERA"10th Day" - is celebrated on the tenth day, which follows nine days of Durga Puja. Durga Puja or Navaratri commences on the first day and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of Aswayuja (September-October). It is held in commemoration of the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. In Bengal her image is worshipped for nine days and then cast into water. The tenth day is called Vijaya Dasami or Dussera (the "tenth day"). Processions with Her image are taken out along the streets of villages and cities.

The mother of Durga (that is, the wife of the King of the Himalayas) longed to see her daughter. Durga was permitted by Lord Shiva to visit her beloved mother only for nine days in the year. The festival of Durga Puja marks this brief visit and ends with the Vijaya Dasami day, when Goddess Durga leaves for her return to Mount Kailas. This is the view of some devotees.

Sri Rama worshipped Durga at the time of the fight with Ravana, to invoke Her aid in the war. This was on the days preceding the Vijaya Dasami day. He fought and won through Her Grace.

In days of yore, kings used to undertake ambitious expeditions on the day of the Vijaya Dasami. Those kings who did not go on such expeditions used to go out hunting in the deep forests. Even up to this date India people arrange mock attacks on a fort on Vijaya Dasami in Rajputana.

The tenth day, Vijaya Dasami, marks the triumphant ovation of the soul at having attained liberation while living in this world, through the descent of knowledge by the Grace of Goddess Saraswathi. The soul rests in its own Supreme Self or Satchidananda Brahman. This day celebrates the victory, the achievement of the goal. The banner of victory flies aloft. Lo! I am He! I am He!

On the Vijaya Dasami day, all aspirants are given initiation into various Mantras according to their tutelary Deities. Deserving aspirants are initiated into the holy order of Sannyas. Initiation in the study of the alphabets is given to young children. New students commence their lessons in music, etc. During the morning Satsang the books which were worshipped on the ninth day are worshipped again. A chapter from each of the principal scriptures like the Gita, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavatam is recited.

Cling not to the intellect. Enquire. Transcend the intellect. Enter the realm of Illumination and Enlightenment.

- Sri Swami Sivananda ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RAJA YOGA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Chapter II: " Sadhana Pada - On Spiritual Disciplines "

II.23. SVA-SVAMI-SAKTYOH SVARUPOPALABDHI-HETUH SAMYOGAH.

'The purpose of the union of Purusha and Prakriti is that the former gains awareness of true nature and realizes the powers latent in him and in Prakriti'.

Commentary: Here Patanjali answers the very basic question as to why the sole must pass through the trials of worldly existence at all. Purusha here refers to the Soul which, though universal, has its individual manifestations. The Soul incarnates in order to experience Prakriti, to learn its lessons, and to comprehend and actualize its natural powers. Do your duties well. Study the scriptures again under your Guru. Aspire intensely for Self-realization. Serve your Guru whole-heartedly. Then alone will you attain Self-realization.

- Sri Swami Sivananda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SPIRITUAL CALENDAR

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEPTEMBER 2009 02 - Onam 04 - Full Moon 08 - Master Swami Sivananda's Birthday 15 - Ekadasi 18 - New Moon 19 - Navarathri starts 28 - Vijaya Dasami 29 - Ekadasi

Dispassion and faith are pre-requisites for spiritual Sadhana.

- Sri Swami Sivananda

Adaptability, A Means To Peace by Sri Swami Sivananda

Taken from Sivananda Day-to-day. To subscribe to this mailing list please go to: http://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi Adaptability is a virtue or noble quality by which one adapts or fits himself with others, whatever their nature may be. The man of adaptability accommodates himself with others, whatever their temperament may be. This is a most desirable quality for success in life. This has to be developed slowly. The vast majority of persons do not know how to adjust themselves with others. Adaptability is a peculiar knack or pluck to win the hearts of others by a little bending.

The wife does not know how to adapt herself with her husband. She displeases her husband always and makes quarrels in the house and gets a divorce. The clerk does not know how to adapt himself with his boss or superior. He quarrels with the superior and gets an immediate sack. The disciple does not know how to adapt himself with his Guru. He misbehaves, and leaves the Guru. The businessman does not know how to adapt himself with the customers and loses his customers and business. The Diwan does not know how to adapt himself with the Maharajah. He has to leave the State Service. The world runs on adaptability. He who knows this art or science of adaptability pulls on quite well in this world and is always happy under any conditions of life.

The man must be pliable if he wants to adapt himself. It does not need much wisdom or ingenuity for developing adaptability. If the clerk understands well the ways and habits and temperament of his superior and adjusts himself nicely to suit his ways, his superior becomes a slave of the clerk. You will have to use some kind, sweet words. A little lubricant to soften his heart is needed. That is all. Speak gently and sweetly. Carry out his orders to the very letter. Never retort him. "Obedience is greater than sacrifice." Remember this maxim at all times. The superior wants a little respect. Say, Hanjhi, Hanjhi. Ji huzur, very well Sir." It costs you nothing. Then your superior becomes your slave. He has for you a soft corner in his heart. You become his pet. He will do whatever you want. He will excuse your mistakes. Humility and obedience are necessary for developing adaptability. An egoistic, proud man finds it very difficult to adapt himself. He is always in trouble. He always fails in his attempts. Egoism and pride are two important obstacles in the way of developing adaptability.

When one student does not know how to adapt himself with his fellow-mate who is living in the same room, friction comes in and their friendship is broken immediately. Adaptability makes friendship last for a long time. Students fight for little things. One student says, "I gave Mr. X tea for several days. I took him to cinema on my own account for several days. I asked him to lend me the book "Boswell’s Life of Johnson" for reading. He has bluntly refused now. What sort of friend he is? I do not like him." The friendship is broken now. A simple thing upsets the mind. Adaptability is a strong catgut ligature that links people in unbroken love and friendship. A man of adaptability can pull on with anybody in any part of the world. People unconsciously love a man of adaptability. Adaptability gives immense strength and profound joy. Adaptability develops will.

A man of adaptability has to make some sacrifice. Adaptability develops the spirit of sacrifice. It kills selfishness. A man of adaptability has to share what he has with others. He has to bear insult and harsh words. A man of adaptability develops the feeling of unity or oneness of life. For Vedantic Sadhana it is of great help. He who practises adaptability has to destroy the feelings of Ghrina and contempt and the idea of superiority. He has to mix with all. He has to embrace all. Adaptability develops universal love and kills the feeling of hatred.

A man of adaptability has to put up with the unkind words and harsh treatment of his friends. He has to develop patience and endurance. These virtues develop by themselves unconsciously when he tries to adapt himself with others. A man of adaptability can live in a cool place. He can bear the heat of Benares or Africa. He develops balance of mind. He can bear extreme heat and cold. Adaptability brings eventually Atma-Jnana. He who has this noble virtue is a great man in this world. He is always happy and successful.

TTC March 2009, Madurai

We are very happy to display the graduates of the TTC this March/April 2009. A late addition to the ashram calendar, our eighth so far at Madurai, had more than it’s fair share of auspiciousness, those that found their way here started the course very much with Gurudev’s blessings and a group trip to the birthplace of Swami Sivananda. In one week we had the good fortune to enjoy a Mrityunjaya Homa, an eggciting easter egg hunt around the ashram and climaxing in Vishu, local New Year celebration, where all the residents were woken individually at dawn and led blindfolded to the temple for their first sight of the New Year to be one of divinity, auspiciousness, beauty and abundance. We were very blessed to share the ashram with these Yogis. A small group, we got the opportunity to share some great experience and learn more from them than they can imagine.

HAPPY VISHU TO ALL,

Vishu is the harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated when the Sun transits into the first sign of the Indian astrological zodiac. Vishu generally falls around the 12th, 13th or 14th of April in the Gregorian calendar. An altar of a Krishna statue or picture is decorated with auspicious articles, like fresh fruits and vegetables, flower garlands, yellow Kani Konna flowers (Cassia Fistula), nine different grains, Coconut, legumes, betel leaves, betel nuts, bananas, fresh linen, coins, lamps and a mirror. The eldest in the family prepares the altar the previous night and leads the family members blindfolded to the Vishukkani altar so that the very first thing they see on Vishu morning is one of divinity, auspiciousness, beauty and abundance. A day of family reunion, family members receive a gift in the form of coins and new clothes, and share a big traditional feast made by the female members of the family. Praying that this vision of spiritual and material abundance remains with us throughout the year and is reflected in our thoughts, words and actions, we hope to share this wealth of love and happiness with all around us.

What is the nature of the Self? – Sri Ramana Maharshi

Q: What is the nature of the Self? A: What exists in truth is the Self alone. The world, the individual soul and God are appearances in it. Like silver in mother-of-pearl, these three appear at the same time and disapper at the same time. The Self is that where there is absolutely no 'I-thought'. That is called 'Silence'. The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is 'I'; the Self itself is God; all is Siva, the Self. Sri Ramana Maharshi

ATTC Feb 2009 The first ever ATTC with all the 92 students passing the course concluded successfully. The graduation ceremony was preceded by a Gurupuja performed by the priests and the students. Running every two years, the next ATTC will be jan/feb 2011. During the week there was a Devi puja which was liked by all. Ananda lead a group of 25 students and staff to a 2 day trip to Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti after the ATTC. A yoga vacation programme with 10 people started immediately on Mar 8th. The registration for the next TTC starting on Mar 22 is going on well. The main teachers and many staff especially came for the ATTC assisting left the ashram immediately. Swami Tatwarupananda went back to his ashram in Trivandrum . Swami Govindananda and Prahlada left for Neyyar Dam for the India director's meeting. Swami Gayatriananda went back to Neyyar Dam. Dr Padma ( now Swami Padmapadananda ) was initiated into sannyasa deeksha by Swami Mahadevanandaji on Sivaratri day. Satyadev left for Uttar Kashi to continue as staff there. Sita, Ambika , Panchavarnam , Durairaj, Surendran , Indiradevi , Br. Sajith, Annapurna and Zdenik Hanus left as staff. Satya went to Srilanka to to renew her Indian visa to come back to ashram for another year as staff. Jyoti came back to the ashram after getting a new Indian visa from Srilanka. Sridevi ( Wei-Chi - Taiwan ) joined as staff after her ATTC. Mani Chaitanya and Vijay from the Delhi centres graced the graduation ceremony in the ashram on their way to Neyyar Dam for the Indiadirector's meeting. We are very grateful to all the staff who left after helping the ashram wholeheartedly during this busy season. May Gurudev's Blessings guide them always. Staff : Swami Govindananda, Swami Padmapadananda, Ananda , Chiman Chang, Satya ( Srilanka ), Nirmala, Narayani, Mahendra Kumar, Yogiswar , Sara O Connel, Jyoti , Brahmaswaroop, Karuna Kumar, Mahalakshmi, Sridevi, Tara, Lakshmi, Deepakdas, Iswara , Anjani , Veena, Sridevi.

Maha Sivaratri - February 23rd 2009

“The night of Shiva”, falling on the 13th or 14th day of the dark half of Phalgun (February – March), this festival honours Lord Shiva on the day he was married to Parvati. It is said by Swami Sivananda, that “He who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths.” Chanting the mantra OM Namah Shivya is a Kavacha, said by Swami Krishnananda in an address (full transcript available to read here http://www.dlshq.org/saints/krishnananda.htm) to be like armour to protect you, your family, your country, the whole world! “It can cease wars and tensions of every kind, provided you offer the prayers wholeheartedly from the bottom of your heart.” Worshipping the Shiva Lingam by washing it every 3 hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water, etc; worshippers fast during the day and night to focus the mind and control the senses. Swami Krishnananda explains why: “The idea is that we control the senses, which represent the out-going tendency of our mind, symbolised in fast, and we control also the Tamasic inert condition of sleep to which we are subject everyday. When these two tendencies in us are overcome, we transcend the conscious and the unconscious levels of our personality and reach the superconscious level. While, the waking condition is the conscious level, sleep is the unconscious level. Both are obstacles to God-realisation. We are shifted from one condition to another. We are shunted, as it were, from waking to sleep and from sleep to waking everyday. But the super-conscious is not known to us. The symbology of fast and vigil on Sivaratri is significant of self-control; Rajas and Tamas are subdued, and God is glorified. The glorification of God and the control of the senses mean one and the same thing. Because, it is only in God-Consciousness that all senses can be controlled. When you see God, the senses melt, like butter melting before fire. They cannot exist any more. All the ornaments become the solid mass of gold when they are heated to the boiling point. Likewise, in the furnace of God-consciousness, the sense-energies melt into a continuum of universality. On Sivaratri, we can “contemplate God as the creator of the world, as the Supreme Being unknown to the Creative Will, in that primordial condition of non-objectivity which is the darkness of Siva.” As an opportunity to practice self-restraint, self-control, contemplation, Japa and meditation, it is a period of Sadhana, recalling to our memory “our original destiny, our Divine Abode”. Swami Sivananda recites the Story of King Chitrabhanu on the night of Sivaratri and gives a commentary from the scriptures to explain it allegorically, click here to read in full http://www.dlshq.org/religions/shivaratri.htm

The Universal Prayer

O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love! Salutations and prostrations unto Thee. Thou art Satchidananda Existence-Knowledge-Bliss absolute. Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscent. Thou art the Indweller of all beings. Grant us an understanding heart, Equal vision, balanced mind, Faith, devotion and wisdom. Grant us inner spiritual strength To resist temptations and to control the mind. Free us from egoism, lust, greed, anger and hatred. Fill our hearts with divine virtues. Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms. Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms. Let us ever remember Thee. Let us ever sing Thy glories. Let Thy Name be ever on our lips. Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever. Om bolo sat Guru Sri Swami Sivananda - JAYA! Om bolo sri Swami Vishnu-Devananda - JAYA! HARI OM TAT SAT

Holding onto the thought ‘Who am I’ – Sri Ramana Maharshi

Question: What is the means for constantly holding on to the thought ‘Who am I?’ Bhagavan: When other thoughts arise, one should not pursue them, but should inquire ‘To whom do they arise?’ It does not matter how many thoughts arise. As each thought arises, one should inquire with diligence, ‘To whom has this thought arisen?’ The answer that would emerge would be ‘To me’. Thereupon if one inquires ‘Who am I’, the mind will go back to its source; and the thought that arose will become quiescent. With repeated practice in this manner, the mind will develop the skill to stay in its source.

Victory in the inner battle - Swami Sivananda

Even a little victory in the inner battle with your mind and senses will develop your will-power and give more assurance and courage.

But do not get swayed by success. Be humble and grateful

Swami Sivananda

Sadhana Intensive Jan 2009

We're very happy to display the recent graduates of our January 2009 Sadhana Intensive programme.

Following guidelines developed by Sri Swami Vishnudevananda from his many years of intense sadhana in the Himalayas, the course was an intense course of self practice and advanced pranayama, leaving all of our yogis looking very bright eyed and reluctant to leave the ashram!

TTC 2004 - YouTube Video

Did you see the video of our TTC in 2004 online. It has had over 26,000 views: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsilUNlM1YM