Sivananda daily reading for 9th January - The Peak of Perfection

THE PEAK OF PERFECTION

You can climb the peak of perfection through resolute will, intense dispassion, renunciation and rigorous Meditation. Sublime divine thought is very powerful, it is a dynamic transmuting force. Diligently seek the path of truth; tread it carefully and vigilantly, for you may slip and fall. Love is harmlessness, kindness, compassion. Nothing can tempt you if you are regular in meditation. He who is pure at heart has already found divinity. Renunciation of egoism is the direct way to the eternal.

Knowledge of the imperishable bestows perfect freedom and independence. Where egoism is, immortality is not; where immortality is, egoism is not. Concentration will give you great power. Collect the scattered rays of the mind. Lust and greed make you a spiritual bankrupt. Purity and meditation bestow on you inexhaustible divine wealth.

A yogi becomes the master-builder of the temple of truth. Pass through the gate of wisdom - you will reach the illimitable domain of eternal bliss. He who is endowed with discrimination and power and concentration climbs rapidly to the peak of illumination. Your real guru (preceptor) is your own heart - he is the indweller, the inner ruler.

Longing for final liberation is the hunger for the spiritual food of knowledge of the eternal. Mind is the mirror through which the eternal appears as the universe of names and forms. Be in the world - not of the world. This is the highest yoga. This is the eternal wisdom. The wise man is ever eager to learn, he never poses as a teacher.

This visible world is the mirror of the invisible Brahman. You are a slave of circumstances because you do not meditate regularly. You will easily get illumination in solitude. Solitude has its own charms - prepare yourself for life in seclusion. Control and preserve energy through silence, brahmacarya (celibacy) and pranayama (yoga breathing), - you will have wonderful meditation. Love that man who dislikes you - you will grow strong. Money wasted can be restored, but time wasted is lost forever. Find out your centre - that centre is perfect harmony, eternal bliss, your own immortal soul.

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

Sivananda Gurugram March

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THOUGHT OF THE MONTH

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Meditation is the very essence and life of all spiritual Sadhanas. -Sri Swami Sivananda

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TAPAS - (tapasya) - Austerity, practical (i.e., result-producing) spiritual discipline;spiritual force. Literally it means the generation of heat or energy,but is always used in a symbolic manner, referring to spiritualpractice and its effect, especially the roasting of karmic seeds, theburning up of karma.

HATHA YOGA TIP - DHANURASANA

TECHNIQUE - Lie flat, face downwards on the floor. Keep the hands atyour side. Breathe out and bend the legs at the knees, drawing thefeet above the thighs. Stretch the arms back and catch hold of theright ankle with the right hand and the left ankle with the left hand.Make secure the position of the hands, with normal breathing. Raisethe head, body and knees by tugging the hands and legs, so that thewhole weight of the body rests on the abdomen. Retain the posture fora few seconds. Gradually increase the duration. While remaining in theposture, concentrate on the abdomen, thighs and back muscles. Releasethe ankles, stretch out the legs and bring the legs, chest and head torest in a straight line on the floor. Relax in Makarasana for a fewseconds. Repeat this Asana two or three times.

BENEFITS - This Asana relieves constipation and tones up the liver,pancreas and kidneys. The vertebrae of the lumbar and sacrum bonesalso get toned up. Proper blood circulation is effected and thus goodhealth is promoted. This also renders the spine supple and elastic andminor pains in the spine are checked.

OATMEAL YOGHURT CREAM with maple syrup recipe

The Sivananda Yoga International Headquarters at the Yoga Camp in ValMorin, Quebec sits in the heart of a maple syrup harvesting area ofCanada. The Ashram always has ample supplies of maple syrup in hand.For substitute you can use barley malt syrup, rice syrup, date syrupor honey. Serves 3-4 people.

Ingredients:

50g (2 oz) almonds, finely chopped

50g (2oz) medium oatmeal (not flakes)

grated rind & juice of a lemon, or orange

2 tbsp maple syrup

300ml (10fl oz) creamy natural yogurt

1 tbsp chopped almonds, toasted

Directions: 1 - Preheat the grill 2 - Mix together chopped almonds & oatmeal. Spread out on a bakingsheet and place under a hot grill for about 2 minutes, stirringfrequently to brown evenly. Leave to cool. 3 - Mix lemon (orange) rind & juice with the sweetner & stir into theyogurt. Fold in the almond mixture. Spoon into individual dishes.Chill. 4 - Top with toasted almond mixture just before serving.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MARCH: 07- Ekadasi ; 11- Full Moon (Holi); 22- Ekadasi; 26- New Moon

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Sivananda Gurugram: July

 THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
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Let your eyes look with kindness, your tongue speak with sweetness, your hand
touch with softness.

-- Sri Swami Sivananda

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This month:
- Be reminded of the 14 points of meditation
- read about The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad, the eighty-sixth among the 108 Upanishads
- make chocolate chick pea mousse
- New moon 3rd July, full moon 18th, Ekadasi 13th and 28th July
- Swami Sivananda's Mahasamadhi 14th July

OM