Shankara Jayanthi & Gurudev's Birthday

Gurudev was born on Shankara Jayanthi and got the name as well ..

Happy Birthday Guruji .. :-)

Shankara Jayanthi ..



Shankara Jayanthi falls on the 5th day of the bright half of Vaisakh (May-June). On this day, study his works, pray and meditate. May you be showered with his blessings!

Adi Shankaracharya, India’s greatest philosopher-saint, the incarnation of Lord Shiva, reverently known as Srimath Adi Shankaracharya.

What can we take him for except the Lord Himself, who proclaims authoritatively and undauntedly: “I am the Self of all; I am the all; I am transcendent; I am one without a second; I am the Absolute; I am the infinite Consciousness; I am homogeneous bliss”.

Shankara is our Vedanta Guru. He was God incarnate. He was born at a time when Indian thought and culture were decaying; when they underwent sore distraction; when ethical glory and the widespread influence of the Buddhistic cult was gradually dying; when there was complete chaos and confusion; when innumerable sects sprang up and, with their own individual doctrines, confounded the masses; when evil social influences and blind superstitions, garbed falsely in the clothes of religion, attracted the credulous masses into a frenzy, and ambushed them into complete ignorance of the ultimate Reality. There were no less than seventy-two cults and sects of this type which carried away people from the right path.

The advent of Lord Krishna rejuvenated Hindu religion and saved many a soul from complete ruin, souls which would otherwise have subjugated themselves to passivism due to the misinterpretation of the Vedas and the Upanishads. In the same way, Shankara appeared on earth to deliver very many struggling souls. He set them free, and enlightened them through his peaceful, unostentatious persuasion and loving propaganda. Through his irresistible logic, he planted the triumphant banner of unique intellectual conquest over all other schools of philosophy. Before him, all other theories proved to be phantoms and fallacies.

It was only Shankara who gave the unshakable concrete form to Hinduism and established the unity and purity of enlightened Hindu thought and culture. Superstitions and corrupt practices melted away in no time.

The age-long six systems of theism which were suppressed by the prattlers re-emerged in their original glory only through the concerted efforts of Shankara.

His victory over other systems of philosophy was not due to a stubborn grip onto his own faith and reasoning without considering the pros and cons of others. He had mastered even the minutest intricasies of the other theories. The underlying currents of his thoughts were the foundations of the other systems. It is for this reason alone that his philosophy was recognised with much reverence by all the other schools of thought, despite differences in their superstructure.

The secret of his conquest and the charm therein lay in his most apt and reasonable illustrations in every case. He never based his arguments on theoretical axioms and untestified hypotheses, but entirely on integral experience. Further, all his arguments were based upon the Vedas as well, which are genuine and authoritative.

Shankara never entered into hot discussions to substantiate his case or disprove others’ theories. With his gigantic intellect he poured out his masterly exposition in simple and clear terms with the same supreme authority of the Gita, Upanishads and the Brahma Sutras, the self-evident validity of the Sruti Pramana, and so on.

Above all, the philosophy of Shankara is not restricted to the highly intellectual. It is within the easy reach of even the layman. With his profound knowledge, all-comprehensive learning, keen intuitive insight and convincing explanations, he has erected the strong edifice of Vedanta, equally accessible to the scholar and the layman. How effectively he prescribed “Bhaja Govindam” to the scholar who was racking his brains in committing various scriptures to memory!

Vedanta is not the only aspect of philosophy he has preached to the world. He has entered the heart of every earnest seeker after truth. He encourages the worship of various forms of the Lord and greatly advocates Bhakti. Without a tinge of partiality to one form or the other, he has composed innumerable hymns, each brimming with devotion and philosophical truth, each inculcating divine ecstasy and perennial joy even in the tender undeveloped mind. His untiring work for the welfare of mankind marks him out as a veritable, dynamic Karma Yogi, too.

At the background of all these, his devotion to his Guru is supermost. Mark what he says: “Any person who realises ‘I am That Brahman’ through the unparalleled mercy and glance of the Sadguru, loses all feelings of doubt and, with his mind free from illusion, attains liberation even while living in the body”. How much efficacy and glory lie in devotion to the Guru!

Reference: "Hindu Fast and Festivals" by Swami Sivananda.

The mechanics of sankalpa

We have heard of this beautiful word - sankalpa. It has been used and misused many a time. In this sutra (a succint, crisp exposition on some subject) guruji talks about the mechanics of how sankalpa works and how we can make it stronger. This was in a talk given at Aurangabad to the delegates of NIPM - National Institute of Personnel Management - on March 3rd, 2009.

Sankalpa mein shakti hai. Hamesha negative sochoge to wahi hoga. Kuch kaam karna ho to apne bhitar ek sankalpa zabardast uthna chahiye. Aur woh pranayam aur dhyan se hi hoga.

In sankalpa there is power. If you think negative all the time, then thats what is going to happen. If you want to achieve something, then you have to have a strong intention that comes up within you. And that will happen through pranayam and meditation.

The word sankalpa itself means - good intention. And for the power of the intention to be stronger you need to make the mind stronger. And the way to do this is to take the mind deep in meditation. And when many minds get together to meditate, it becomes so much more powerful. One would say ‘easier said than done’ and so the ancients devised another way. This is puja.

Etymologically puja comes from - purnat jayate iti puja - that which is born out of fullness is puja. In the process of puja, the sadhak starts with pranayam. The mind is brought to the present moment by taking the awareness from the vastness of time and space to here and now. Symbolically, the sadhak surrenders his sankalpa to a higher power. This is usually done by taking some flowers and rice in the hand and dropping it using water. Here the water symbolises love, flowers symbolise the fullness and rice shows continuity or ‘unbroken-ness’.

Lets take an example. Suppose you want to go to the theatre to watch a movie. You need two things to get into the theatre - one, a ticket to the movie and two, the willingness to surrender your ticket at the door. Having a movie ticket is like having a sankalpa. Giving up the ticket at the door is the process of surrender. To have a strong sankalpa you need a strong mind. To surrender you need an even stronger mind. Thus for the whole process to work, you really need to be established in meditation.

There is a saying -

Rishinam yatachittanam vacham arthanudhavate.

When a saint expresses - the meaning runs behind the words.

When a saint says something events work out to make it true.

Posted by: http://www.kashikar.net/2009/03/14/the-mechanics-of-sankalpa/

Seva

There are five types of seva.

The first type of seva is when you do not even know that you are doing seva. You do not recognize it as seva because it is your very nature - you cannot but do it!

The second type of seva is what you do because it is needed in that situation.

You do the third type of seva because it gives you joy.

The fourth type is done out of your desire for merit - you do seva expecting some benefit in the future.

And the fifth type is when you do seva just to show off, to improve your image and to gain social or political recognition. Such seva is simply exhausting, while the first type does not bring any tiredness at all!

To improve the quality of your seva, regardless of where you start, you must move up to higher levels of seva.

HOW TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY

Today many are anxious about how to deal with their anxiety!

Here are some of the ways you can manage your anxiety:

1. Sing, dance and celebrate. The very intention to celebrate will pull you away from anxiety to a more harmonious state.

2. Think about what you can do for others rather than just about yourself. Energize yourself with some service activity.

3. Combined practice of yoga, breathing and meditation.

4. Know the impermanence of the world.

5. Having faith and surrendering to the Divine and knowing that there is a supreme power who loves you. The supreme power is behind you and accepts you totally. The sense of security comes with the sense of belongingness.

6. Valour/courage: Invoking the lion within you and having an attitude of sacrifice will rescue you from anxiety.

7. Reminding yourself that you are committed to a greater goal will keep the anxiety away.

8. Being unpredictable for a while. Anxiety is always related to some anticipated action. Do something completely irrelevant and unpredictable.

9. Readiness to face the worst will leave you with stability in the mind.

10. Remembering a similar situation in the past when you were able to overcome your anxiety.

Chanakya : If none of theses work just come and be in the presence of the Master. (laughter)

WAR: WORST ACT OF REASON

Worst Act of Reason is War.

Every war has a reason, and the reason justifies the war. Those who engage in war, reason it out. But reason is limited. As reason changes, justification falls apart.

All the reasons for every war appear to be justifiable to some limited minds and for limited time. Hence, war becomes inevitable on this planet.

War is limited to human beings. No other species in creation engage in war or mass destruction, as they have no reason. Animals have their prey and let everything just be. But mankind, from time immemorial, has been engaging in war because Man lives on reason. Man gives reason to every act of his and justifies it. As reasons change, his justifications fall apart.

Man has to transcend reason, and only then can he realize the Divinity. Then he does not engage in war. Only when people become sensible, rise above hatred and have heightened consciousness can the war be stopped.

Hungry for Power

Why are people hungry for power?

People are hungry for power because they want attention and recognition.

Power is a means, just like money. Passion is for an end. People who do not see power or money as a means, but see it as an end in itself, they do not live, they simply exist.

If you do not realize that you are THE power -- that is to say that you are enlightened, then you crave for power.

You crave for attention and recognition if:

# You don’t have any talents,
# You have no love or passion,
# You are not innocent and childlike.

If you don’t have any talent and you are not contributing anything substantial to society, like an artist or a scientist, or an Art of Living teacher or volunteer, then you are hungry for power.

If you don’t have love or passion to bring about transformation in the society, then you are hungry for power.

If you are not innocent and childlike and don’t have a sense of belongingness with the whole world, then you are hungry for power.

Those who do not have any of these four, like some politicians, crave for power.

The true power is the power of the spirit; real confidence, strength and happiness all spring from the spirit. And one who knows this and has this is not hungry for power at all.

Weekly Knowledge #320 Bangalore Ashram 30 Aug 2001 India

GURU IS THE GOAL

Guru is nothing but wisdom and love.

Guru is that principle which is wisdom and love, and that is awakened in each one who has stepped onto the path. You also call that person a Guru in whom there is no gap between life and wisdom and love.

Often one recognizes wisdom but sees a gap between wisdom and one's own life. The purpose of becoming a disciple is to bridge that gap. Being with the Guru means spontaneous integration of life and wisdom.

Jai Gurudev

SATYAM PARAM DHIMAHI

"Satyam Param Dhimahi --
Truth and the Divinity of the transcendental I uphold in my awareness."

It is the intellect that divides the world, and the same intellect can bring it together by soaking itself in Divinity. When the intellect discusses mundane things, it starts dividing the existence. When the intellect starts discussing Knowledge, Wisdom, Truth, then it starts uniting. It brings forth the transcendental. It re-discovers its true nature, which is non-dual.

Whether you complain, compose a poem, or speak Knowledge, you are a witness to the flow. Suppose someone is complaining or justifying. They are simply saying things spontaneously. In the same way, when you speak knowledge of the Self, or spontaneously compose a poem out loud, there is a flow from the intellect.

Anything can flow from the intellect, and you are a witness to the flow, whether it is garbage or wisdom. And all that you can do is pray to the Divine, "Let Wisdom, Divinity and Truth flow through this intellect."

Exercise -- "Give away your names": Give the same name to all the members of the satsang, for one whole month. The name is up to you. You could choose a name like Chris, Michel or Krishna that could refer to anybody.


Weekly Knowledge #213 Lake Tahoe, California 21 Jul 1999 USA

Six Signs Of A Seeker

1. Acknowledging that one knows very little.

Many people think they know, without knowing or they get stuck in their limited knowledge. So they never learn. So the first thing is to acknowledge that one knows very little.

2. Willingness to know.

Many people acknowledge that they do not know, but they are not ready to learn.

3. Being non-judgmental and open-minded.

Some people would like to learn but their judgmental attitude and close-mindedness does not allow them to learn.

4. Total commitment and one-pointedness to the path one has chosen.

Some people are open-minded but lack commitment and one-pointedness. They keep shopping here and there and never progress.

5. Always putting truth and service before pleasure.

Sometimes even committed and one-pointed people stay away from the path in pursuit of momentary pleasures.

6. Patience and perseverance.

Some people are not swayed by pleasures and are committed and one-pointed, but if they lack patience and perseverance, they become restless and dejected.

CELEBRATING THE SILENCE

One who has given everything has also given freedom: Honor the freedom first and make good use of all things given to you.

Your sankalpas (intentions) and desires separate you from God.

Offer all the desires and your sankalpas to the Divine... then you are divine... you are God... you are free... lacking nothing.

Effort is the key in the relative,

Effortlessness is the key to the Absolute.

Your mind does not belong to you. Don't blame it.

Let the BIG SELF embrace it.

Jai Gurudeva

Alone, yet not lonely

If you think nobody loves you, know for sure that you are loved. The earth loves you; that’s why it is holding you upright. The love of the earth is its gravitational force. The air loves you; that’s why it moves through your lungs even when you are sleeping. The Divine loves you very dearly, deeply. Once you realize this, you will never feel lonely.

Someone's company cannot fill your loneliness. Even if it does, it is very short-lived. You can still feel lonely in spite of being in company. In a real sense, loneliness can only be filled by being alone. If you could be comfortable being alone for some time, then you will not feel lonely. When you don't feel lonely, you can spread joy to people around you.


If you enjoy being with your Self, you will not be a boring personality. If you are lonely, then you can be boring to others. And that will make you more lonely! And if your own company bores you, how much more boring must you be to someone else?


Those who are in company all the time look for the comforts of solitude and those who are in solitude feel lonely and want to be in company. Everyone is looking for a perfect balance. That perfect balance is like a razor’s edge and can only be found in the Self. If you take out some time, say one week in a year, to be with yourself and observe our own thoughts and emotions, then you will get a sense of what quietness means.


From time to time, keep a little distance from whomsoever close to you and take some time off for your own space. From the moment you wake up in the morning, you are always with people and your mind is caught up in worldly thoughts. So sometime during the day, sit for a few minutes and get into the cave of your heart. Then you will not feel lonely even when you are alone.


Live your life well. If you are useful to people all your life, there will be hundreds and millions of people to take care of you. Mother Teresa and Acharya Vinoba Bhave, for example, were sick in bed for a long time. Do you think there was nobody to give them company? There were hundreds waiting to take care of them and all they did was to be useful to people around them.


When you make service your sole purpose in life, it eliminates fear, brings focus in your mind, purposefulness in action, and long-term joy. Every time you are unhappy or miserable or lonely, you are just coming in touch with your own boundaries. It is limitation and boundary that is the real cause of your disturbance. You are peaceful and happy until come in contact with your boundaries. The moment you come in contact with it, then the mind goes on a trip and you move out of your centre. At that moment what can you do? You can just be grateful and pray for peace. That very moment, you will start smiling and however hopeless the situation is, you will walk through it.

Learn and unlearn from the past and move on with creative zeal and enthusiasm. The trying time brings out the best out of you. The rewarding time gives the best of the world to you. Life is a combination of both.

Posted by WisdomfromSriSri

Guru Poornima

Significance of Guru Purnima

The following is a message from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the significance of Guru-Poornima.

“Among the 12-13 full moons in a year the vaishakha full moon is dedicated to Buddha (his birth and enlightenment), jyeshtha full moon to mother earth and the aashadha full moon is dedicated to the memory of masters. This is Guru-Poornima.

It is the day when the disciple wakes up in his fullness and in the wakefulness he can’t be but grateful. This gratitude is not of dwaita (you and me), but of advaita. It is not a river moving from somewhere to somewhere, but is the ocean moving within itself. So, gratefulness on Guru-poornima symbolizes that fullness.

The purpose of the Guru poornima celebration is to turn back and review and see in this last one year how much one has progressed in life. For a seeker, Guru poornima is a day of significance. It is the day to review one’s progress on the spiritual path and renew one’s determination and focus on the goal. As the full moon rises and sets, tears of gratitude arise and repose into the vastness of one’s own self.”






Jai Gurudev :-)

Eternity Process

Hope you all have heard about Eternity process in Art of Living ..

Eternity Process
A past life regression technique that provides a tool for reliving about any event that is the root of a pattern. The pattern can be mental or physical. It can be something that needs to be changed or merely understood. A past life regression also provides a gateway to a vast resource of information on previous times, places, and cultures. It helps the individual clear mental impressions that may be blocking ones progress.

Last May '08 I had a privelege to go through this process in Bangalore Ashram and since then my life has never been the same ..

Yesterday I came across a beautiful book "Only Love is Real" which is so similar to our Eternity Process

here's the link ... "Only Love is Real"

April 14th..New year Celebrations: Puthandu, Vishu, Baisakhi, Bohag Bihu..n my B'Day

The Tamil New Year follows the Nirayanam vernal equinox and generally falls on April 14 of the Gregorian year. April 14th marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar and this remains a public holiday in both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

Tamil calendar begins with the same date which is observed by most traditional calendars of the rest of India as in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab etc not to mention Nepal, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The 60-year cycle is also ancient and is observed by most traditional calendars of India and China, and is related to 5 revolutions of Jupiter according to popular belief, or to 60-year orbit of Nakshatras (stars) as mentioned in Surya Siddhanta.

Tamil New Year

The month of Chittrai (April - May) embarks the time of festivities in Tamil Nadu. Tamil's New Year Day " Puthandu" is celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year (according to the Gregorian Calender). People greet each other "Puthandu Vazthukal" which means Happy New Year. This auspicious day is also popular as Varusha Pirappuv. As per the Hindu mthyical legends, Lord Brahma started creation of the universe.

Highlights of the Festival
New Year's day is a gala time for all Tamils. The main focus is on the food eaten on the day. 'Maanga Pachadi' is the pulse of the festival. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery, neem flowers which tastes sweet, salt, sour and bitter. This entails different colors of life. It depicts that life has to face everything from success to defeat. At the time of New Year festivities, a grand Car Festival also takes place at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. At some places, Chitthirai festival is also celebrated. It is said on this day, Goddess Meenakshi got married to Lord Sundareswarar.

Puthandu Rituals
In Tamil Nadu, people follow some strict rituals in a belief to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view Kanni at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. People start the day by watching some auspicious items like gold and silver jewelery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. Following the rituals, Tamils take bath, wear fresh clothes and visit the temples to pray for success in life. After this, Panchangam (almanac) is read.

Many people get their houses painted to mark the renewal of life. Ladies adorn their houses with fresh mango leaves and Kolam (rangoli)designs. Sometimes, a decorated lamp kuthuvillakku is placed in the center of colorful Kolam to bring light to the house.

People in the advent of merrymaking and feasting exchange gifts with each other. Children are highly excited at the time of Puthandu as they receive small gifts or cash from their parents and relatives.


Vishu in Kerala

The festival of Vishu is celebrated with joy and mirth on the first day of Malayalese month of Medam. This corresponds to the month of April-May according to Gregorian calendar. The occasion holds a lot of significance for Hindus as Vishu marks the Astronomical New Year Day.

The traditional people of Kerala practice a lot of colorful rituals and customs on Vishu. Most of these traditions are based on a belief that Vishu must be celebrated well as the good things of the first day of the New Year will continue for the rest of the year too.

Rituals and Traditions
Most important ritual of the day is called 'Kani Kanal', the literal translation of this is 'first sight'. In Kani Kanal there is a prescribed list of items, which a person must see first thing on a Vishu morning to bring good luck. This include a cadjan leaf book, gold ornaments, fresh white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts and yellow cucumber. All these things are kept in a big pot and behind this pot is kept the bell metal mirror and a garlanded deity of Lord Krishna. Two standing oil lamps are also placed before the deity.

Preparations of Kani are done a night before by the lady of the house. Master of the house is the first person to Kani and then the other family members follow. Children are brought blind folded from their rooms to see Kani Kanal, the first thing in the morning. Vishu Kani is later distributed amongst the poor and needy people. Reason behind this ritual is the strong belief of the people that the fortune of the rest of the year depends on the first object they see on the Vishu day. There is also a tradition to give small amounts of cash to children of the family. This tradition is called Vishu Kaineetam. People believe that this custom will ensure prosperity for their children in future.

A large number of people prefer to see Vishu Kani in temples. A huge rush of devotees can be seen in the temples of Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha and Sabarimala where special prayers are organised to mark the day. People stay overnight in the courtyards of these temples a night before Vishu so that they see Kani, first thing on Vishu in the temple. Devotees close their eyes and set their eyes on Kani and deity so that when the doors to the deity opens at 2:30 am, the first thing they see is Kani.

Celebrations
A grand sadya (feast) is prepared by women of the house and the whole family sits together at lunch to relish it. Dishes are usually prepared from jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins, and gourds besides other vegetables and fruits, which are in plenty at that time of the season. People also wear kodi vastram (new clothes) on this day. Patassu (fire crackers) are burst in the midst of dancing and merry to mark the day.

A group of young men and women dress up as 'chozhi' , wearing a skirt of dried banana leaves and masks on their faces and go from house to house in the village dancing and collecting small amounts of money. On Vishu, these entertainers get good rewards for their performances. The money is spent on the Vishuwela (the New Year Fair).

Punjabi / Sikh (Nanakshahi) New Year
Baisakhi Festival, also called Vaisakhi, holds great importance for the Sikh community and farmers of Punjab. Baisakhi falls on April 13 or 14, the first day of the year according to the Nanakshahi Calender. Sikhs also celebrate this day in honor of their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Baisakhi commemorates the day when the Sikh Guru eliminated caste differences and founded Khalsa Panth in1689.

For the large farming community of Punjab and Haryana, Baisakhi marks the harvest time. Farmers celebrate it with immense fervor as they are loaded with cash at this time. Men and women run over the fields shouting "Jatta aayi Baisakhi" .

Baisakhi Traditions and Rituals
It is in the blood of every Sikh to follow the tradition of Baisakhi earnestly. They get up early in the morning, visit gurudwaras and offer prayers. Some people prefer to visit Golden Temple or Anandpur Sahib where Khalsa Panth was recognised.

In most of the gurudwaras, the holy books of Sikhs is cleansed with milk and water. The granthi of the gurudwara reads the Sikh holy scripture and the gathering of devotees listen to it seriously. Following the tradition from the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, an amrit is prepared in an iron vessel. The gathering of devotees sip this amrit five times. Later on, ragis sing devotional songs and perform a kirtan which is leaded by an ardas in afternoon. After performing all the religious traditions, the Karah Prasad is distributed amongst the congregation. The religious ceremony accomplishes with a Guru - ka - Langar. This is meal consists of Dal Makhani, any vegetarian dish, curd, salad and a sweet dish like semonila.

Baisakhi Celebrations
Traditional songs and dances boosts the spirit of the Baisakhi festival. After performing rituals in gurudwaras, people of Sikh community take out processions. The holy book of Sikhs is taken out in the processions. It is read in the holy book that the Sikh Guru asked five volunteers to sacrifice their lives, then he took each one of them into a tent and every time came out with a bloody sword but he actually sacrificed a goat. Thus, the procession is headed by five men to honor the Panj Pyaras.

Fervor and vigor of the festival can be seen in these hours long processions passing through various localities of the city. Sikh men and women wearing gaudy clothes perform the famous bhangra and gidda dance. Mock duels are also performed during Baisakhi processions. People carry forward the procession by chanting various hymes like 'Jo Bole So Nihal', 'Deg Teg Fateh' and 'Satnam Shri Wahe Guru'. Vaisakhi celebrations are escalated by dramatizing sword fight, beating drums and bursting crackers. In some places, early morning Prabhat Pheris also take place.

At the end of the day, people express feelings of brotherhood, love, unity and also hope to celebrate the festival with same energy and enthusiasm every year.

Assamese New Year
Bohag Bihu is the national festival of Assamese as it marks the beginning of the New Year. Rituals and customary practices of Bohag Bihu starts from April 13. There are three forms of a Bihu festival namely Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu (in the middle of April), Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu (middle of January) and Kaati Bihu or Kongali Bihu (in October/ November).

Bohag Bihu is the most important day of all the three Bihu festivals. This day begins with the sowing of seeds, Kaati Bihu marks the complete process of sowing and transplanting of paddies, and the Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvesting period.

Bohag Bihu
Bohag Bihu reflects the coming of spring and usually falls on April 15 every year. It is celebrated with distinctive Bihu dances. People are in full form and dance on various Bihu geets called husuris. This festival lasts for several days. People wear new and traditional clothes like dhoti, gamocha and saadar mekhela.

Bohag Bihu Celebrations
The first day of Bohag Bihu is called Goru Bihu or Cow Festival. Cow being the holy Hindu animal is washed, bedecked and worshiped on this day. On the eve of Bohag Bihu, the womenfolk clean clothes and prepare special Bihu delicacies like 'Chira' & 'Pitha' while men collect necessary items like 'Tara Pogha' (ropes for the cattle). This day is followed by Manuh (human) Bihu on April 15, the New Year Day on which homage is paid to elders and relatives. The next day after this is called vGosain Bihu. On this day religious activities take place.

Bohag Bihu is a dance festival. Groups of boys and girls beat drums and perform their traditional dance. Bihu fairs are organised to perform Bihu songs, theatrical performances and dance. Best woman dancer is awarded the title of Bihu Kunwori. Bihu festival has become such a major festival that even books, audio and video cassettes have come up in large numbers narrating the festival events.

Courtesy: www.newyearfestival.com

You will be taken care of -- be a Guru's Flower !

There was a young flower in the desert where all was dry and sad looking...It was growing by itself...enjoying every day...and saying to the sun "When shall I be grown up"? And the sun would say "Be patient"---Each time I touch you, you grow a little"...And she was so pleased.

Because she would have a chance to bring beauty to this corner of sand...And this is all she wanted to do---bring a little bit of beauty to this world.

One day the hunter came by---and stepped on her.---She was going to die---and she felt so sad. Not because she was dying ---but because she would not have a chance to bring a little bit of beauty to this corner of the desert.

The great spirit saw her, and was listening.---Indeed, he said ...She should be living...And he reached down and touched her---and gave her life.

And she grew up to be a beautiful flower...and this corner of the desert became so beautiful because of her.

If aim of life is divine …every thing else in life is being taken care off !!!

Have trust , have faith …. Carry on being a part of divine's work ..rest everything will be taken care of !!

Quote: Don't be a product of your environment …..develop your environment as your Product

LEGENDS

Legendary is the love that withstands rejection. It will be free of anger and ego.

Legendary is the commitment that withstands humiliation. It will be one-pointed and will reach the goal.

Legendary is the wisdom that withstands turbulence. It will be integrated in life.

Legendary is the faith that withstands a million chances of doubt. It will bring perfection (siddhis).

Legendary are the events that withstand time. They will become morals for the millions.

PROBLEMS? ONE MORE

The first solution to the problem is not to have the problem at all. (Laughter)

The second thing is to willingly accept the problem and see it as a challenge.

Third, know that the problem is a boogey man, it is not real.

I AM NEITHER HONEST NOR HUMBLE!!

A lady - I want an honest and humble man in my life.

Sri Sri - I am neither honest nor humble. (Everyone shocked)

Sri Sri - I cannot tell everyone I am God, as not everyone will understand.

So I am not honest. I am not humble - how can God be humble!

If I am humble I am not honest.

If I'm honest I can not be humble!!! (Laughter)

Jai Gurudeva

Om Namah Shivaya....

People have been asking me ( Bawa ) why we do Om Namah Shivaya chanting… and why we do it 108 times.

Namah, read backwards is manah, the mind which is directed outwards and confused, dull, etc… you turn the mind inwards, it becomes Namah, and when you go inwards, what do you find? Shiva! The embodiment of Bliss, peace and tranquility… So we chant the Om Namah Shivaya to turn ourselves inwards to the Bliss and tranquility of the Being…



Other than this there are 3 more reasons:

1. Like we take a bath everyday (hopefully:)), and that cleans our physical body, we need to take a “mantrasnaan”, a bath with mantras, this rejuvenates and cleanses our subtle body.

2. There are 12 zodiac signs and 9 planets. As the 9 planets move through the 12 signs, their positions affect us either negatively or positively. Chanting the Om Namah Shivaya 108 times (12 x 9 = 108 duh!), nullifies any negative effects and enhances positive effects of the planets on us! You will suddenly find yourself becoming very lucky and notice that things that were troubling you will simply vanish

3. Chanting Om Namah Shivaya is sooooooo nice!!!

Make this a part of your Sadhana everyday… it doesn’t take more than about 10 minutes or so… and you will really feel very nice

Happy Chanting!

Sri Ashta Lakshmi – God as Mother of Prosperity By Swami Adhyatmananda

Following post was shared by Amit @ community..

checkout Videos part(1-8)ASHTA LAKSHMI


http://www.divyajivan.org/ashtalakshmi/ashtalakshmi_adhyatma.htm

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Almighty Lord Sri Narayana or Mahavishnu is known for looking after the welfare and well being of the phenomenal world or the creation. The power or energy of Sri Narayana is Sri Lakshmi. Mother Lakshmi is always identified with the Lord, and hence they are known as Sri Lakshmi Narayana. Mother Lakshmi is a mother of prosperity, peace and illumination. Without Her grace one can’t have inner peace or perennial joy.

Lakshmi is commonly known as Goddess of wealth. Wealth is not only the money. Tradition and values of life is also wealth. Our family and progress is also wealth. Our belongings such as land, properties, animals, grains, etc as well as virtues like patience, persistence, purity etc in the form of a character are nothing but our wealth and so also glory or victory. Thus this eightfold Sri Lakshmi is known as Sri Ashta Lakshmi.

Mother Lakshmi is the source and provider of the following enumerated well-known sixteen types of wealth and many more. (1) Fame (2) Knowledge (3) Courage and Strength (4) Victory (5) Good Children (6) Valour (7) Gold and other gross properties (8) Grains in abundance (9) Happiness (10) Bliss (11) Intelligence (12) Beauty (13) Higher Aim, High Thinking and Higher Meditation too (14) Morality and Ethics (15) Good Health (16) Long Life. Let us glance upon the glory of mother Ashta Lakshmi’s individual nature and forms.

1) Adi Lakshmi: Mother Lakshmi resides with Lord Narayana in the Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Narayana. She is known as Ramaa, means bringing happiness to the mankind. She is also known as Indira (who holds lotus or purity in the hands or heart.) Divine Mother’s this form is normally seen serving Sri Narayana. Lord Narayana is omnipresent. Adi Lakshmi or Ramaa Lakshmi serves Sri Narayana is symbolic of her serving the whole creation. Though Sri Narayana is attended by innumerable devotees, still she personally loves to serve the Lord. Actually mother Adi Lakshmi and Narayana are not two different entities but one only. Many a place we see her form sitting in the lap of Sri Narayana.

2) Dhanya Lakshmi: Dhanya means grains. This includes all kind of purified food containing all essential vitamins, minerals, protein, calcium, carbohytrade and so on. With the grace of mother Dhanya Lakshmi one gets all essential nutrients grains, fruits, vegetables and other foods.

3) Dhairya Lakshmi: This form of mother Lakshmi grants the boon of infinite courage and strength. Those, who are in tune with infinite inner power, are always bound to have victory. Those who worship mother Dhairya Lakshmi they live and lead a life with tremendous patience and inner stability.

4) Gaja Lakshmi: In the holy book of Srimad Bhagavata the story of the churning of the ocean by Gods and demons is explained in detail. Author, the Sage Vyasa writes that Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). So she is known as a daughter of the ocean. She came out of the ocean sitting on a full-bloomed lotus and also having lotus flowers in both hands with two elephants by her sides, holding a beautiful vessels filled with milk and pouring it over Sri Lakshmi. Many a time we see Sri Lakshmi standing in the lotus and elephants are pouring nectar over her. During the festival of the lamps or the Deepavali along with Sri Lakshmi the Ganapati or the Elephant God also gets worshipped; that signifies the protection from evils as well as abundant grace and blessings for additional prosperities!

5) Santan Lakshmi: In the family life, the children are the greatest treasure. Those who worship this particular form of Sri Lakshmi, known as a Santan Lakshmi, are bestowed with the grace of mother Lakshmi and have wealth in the form of desirable children with good health & long life.

6) Vijay Lakshmi: Vijay is victory. Vijay is to get success in all undertakings and all different facets of life. Some are strong physically but weak mentally while others are economically rich but poor in their attitude and cannot exert any influence. Vijay is to have all encompassing victory. Vijay is to rejoice glory of our real nature – Vijay is to conquer the lower nature. Vijay is the victory in external and internal wars and of course eternal wars! Hence those, with grace of mother Vijay Lakshmi, have victory everywhere, at all time, in all conditions. Victory to Vijay Lakshmi !!

7) Dhana Lakshmi: Dhana is wealth. But as per Rigved’s Purush Shukta Dhana is not only a wealth in coins and currency. Even Sun and moon, fire and stars, rains and nature, oceans and mountains, rivers and streams, all these are our wealth, so are the progeny, our inner will power, our character and our virtues. With the grace of mother Dhana Lakshmi we will get all these in abundance.

8) Vidya Lakshmi: Vidya is education. Education is not mere studies to receive the degrees and diplomas certificates from the educational institutes or universities. Rev. Sri Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj says:

Serenity, Regularity, Absence of Vanity, Sincerity, Simplicity, Veracity, Equanimity, Fixity, Non-irritability, Adaptability Humility, Tenacity, Integrity, Nobility, Magnanimity, Charity, Generosity and Purity are the eighteen “itis” that only can give immortality.


Education, which cannot give peace to the soul or cannot give the knowledge of the Self and the inner satisfaction, is not education. Education, which cannot wipe the tears of others, known or unknown, is not education. Education is the understanding the situation and silence or art of living and leading the life that can make the life, the Life Divine, where the ultimate Goal of the life is the God-Realisation.

Such Education can come only through discrimination and dispassion. One can have abundant amount of money, but if he does not know how to make good use of it, it will work to his disadvantage. If an alcoholic or a drug addict gets a big sum of money, it will only hasten his downward journey to destruction. Vidya Lakshmi is the understanding and the knowledge to mold the ordinary life into the Divine Life. A life of Service, a life of feeling for a fellow being, a life of charity and generosity, a life of purity, a life for seeking a soul within the soul and a life with an ultimate aim of the realisation of the ABSOLUTE is the only real education, which can come only with the grace of Vidya Lakshmi.

Thus all these eightfold Sri Lakshmi is ultimately one single power only. That is Adishakti.

The perennial and unchangeable, ever lasting, eternal truth or the absolute is this Supreme blessedness, the mother Adishakti. She is the origin. She is the light. She is the power, the wisdom and the strength. She is the Supreme Joy, peace, bliss and illumination.

May Mother Adishakti’s and Sri Ashta Lakshmi’s grace be ever upon we all, to receive Her divine grace for being befitting servant of the mankind in Her cosmic kingdom. Om Shanti.

Education has five aspects

1. Information -- Often we think information is education, but it is only one aspect of education.

2. Concepts -- Concepts are the basis for all research. You need to conceive in order to create.

3. Attitude -- An integral aspect of education is cultivating the right attitude. Proper attitude at the right time and place determines your actions and behavior.

4. Imagination -- Imagination is essential for creativity, for the arts. But if you get stuck in imagination, you may become psychotic.

5. Freedom -- Freedom is your very nature. Only with freedom, do joy, generosity and other human values blossom. Without freedom, attitudes become stifling, concepts become a burden, information is of no value and imagination becomes stagnant.

There are six distortions that do not exist in the Self.

Weekly Knowledge #237 Bad Antogast 20 Jan 2000 Germany

1. Expansion -- Prasarana. Expansion indicates there is already something into which something expands. That which expands cannot be the basis for expansion.

2. Contraction -- Akunchana. Contraction means something shrinks from something else. Self does not withdraw or shrink from anything, so contraction does not exist in the Self.

3. Evolution -- Vriddhi. Evolution is becoming something which it is not already. Self is the same, so it cannot evolve.

4. Decay -- Kshaya. There is no devolution or decay in the Self. It doesn't get old or stale. That's why, when you are close to your Self, you don't feel that you are aging.

5. Beginning -- Anaadi. Self has no beginning. If God has a beginning, then He is no God.

6. Lack -- Abhava. Self has no lack. Whatever lacks something is not complete. Self does not lack anything, it is complete. Lack indicates existence of something outside itself. That doesn't exist for the Self. So if you feel you have not grown at all, don't worry, you are close to the Self. (Laughter)

When your mind is with the Self, then you don't worry about evolution. If you are thinking about evolving, then you are stuck in the mind. And mind is part of the matter, and matter evolves and decays.

And that is how the experience of contraction and expansion is all play and display of the mind. Mind expands and contracts. When it expands, it comes close to the truth, which has no expansion.

Are you still evolving? Good luck!!

An Experience my sister had ...

hey friends....
this is an experience ma sis had...
for both of us guruji is our best friend... we talk to him as if talking to a buddy....
once we organised a nava chetna shibir and we had cooked khichdi for the participants... after the class was over , we started serving the khichdi... during this time ma sis, jub went out for something.... when she came back, the khichdi was completely over....
there was not even a spoon of food left in the bowl.... she looked at gurujis face...smilingly she said.....kya yaaar guruji.... this is not fair.... i m so hungry.... n u didnt leave even little food for me.....
after this we started folding the carpets...all the people had left... and while cleaning the hall....in the corner of the hall...we found a closed tiffin...
when we opened the tiffin..
.... there was some khichdi...lil pickle and a spoon.... kept in a way ...as if ready to serve... we asked everybody...who kept it there.... nobody had an answer...... tears filled her eyes...she looked at gurujis pic....it was as if he was having a mischevious smile on his face....and saying...."see i had already kept the food aside for u"

this may sound as a v simple experience...or a mere coincidence.... but coincidences may happen once...twice....but not everytime....
gurujis grace is so much.... everything is taken care of....even the smallest detail..... just have faith......
Jai Gurudev

Miracles on DIVINE'S B'DAY

JAI GURUDEV ALL LOVING SOULS,
I WISH TO SHARE SOME BEAU. MOMENTS DURING THE CELEBRATIONAT THE GUJRAT ASHRAM.
ENCHANTING GURUPUJA WAS DONE BY SWAMI SHIVCHAITANYAJI, FOLLWED BY A GRAND SATSANG.
THE ENERGY OF THE DEVOTEES WAS SO HIGH , EVERYONE DANCED TILL RADHARAMAN.IT SEEMED AS IF ALL OF US WERE ADVANCE COURSE PARTICIPANTS.
SOME DEVOTEES BROUGHT PRASAD. ONE OF THE PRASAD WAS A BIG CARTON ,INDICATING IT CONTAINED A BIG CAKE.
IN THE MID OF THE SATSANG WHEN 4 TEACHERS CLIMBED UP THE STAGE TO CUT THE CAKE, THEY WERE IN DIELLEMA ,AS TO WHO SHALL MAKE THE FIRST CUT. WHEN THEY OPENED THE BOX THEY WERE AMAZED, THERE WERE FOUR CAKES INSIDE ONE LARGE BOX.!!!!!!!!!


I WENT ALONG WITH MY NAANY. SHE HAS SEVERE ARTHRITIS, THYROID,B.P,BREATHING PROBLEMS AND HEAVY WIEGHT.THOUGH I WANTED HER TO DROP NEAR SHAKTI KUTIR SO THAT SHE REMAINS AT EASE, THE NAANY INSISTED TO GET DOWN FROM THE CAR NEAR THE MAIN GATE. I WAS WONDERING HOW SHE 'LL WALK THRU.BUT TO MY SURPRISE SHE NOT ONLY WALKED BUT ALSO CLIMBED UP THE STAIRS RIGHT UP TO GURUJI'S KUTIRS MAIN DOOR. THIS WAS MIRACULOUS. MORE AMAZEMENT WAITED FOR ME ON THE 14TH WHEN I CALLED UP TO KNOW HER WELLBIENG SHE SAID SHE IS PERFECTLY ALRIGHT, NO SEVERE MUSCLE PAINS AND NO SWELLINGS.
TRULY IT WAS THE MOST BLESSED DAY OF THE YEAR FOR ALL OF US.
THANKYOU SOOOOOOOOO VERY MUCH GURUJI FOR BIENG WITH US ALWAYS.


the best form of 'puja' is to be happy, to be grateful. SRI SRI


posted by: MONIKA PATEL
source: http://www.esatsang.net/

JAI GURU DEV...

This miracle during long kriya in part-1course

This miracle has taken place during an basic course of art of living in Ambala Cantt, Haryana

At Durga Mandir Hall, Sartia Didi (AOL Teacher) was taking the Part I Course & process of long Kriya was going on.

The people were doing the long Kriya, on that moment the power has gone and all the microphone, speakers and fans and tubes were blown off.

As soon as the Sarita Didi Ji, raised her hand to stop the tape recorder she was amazed to see that the cassette in the tape recorder was still playing on its full volume without any battery back neither in the hall nor in the cassette recorder.

The long Kriya in the divine voice of Sri Sri was flowing in the hall at its fullest without any power supply …..WOW!!!

It's the live miracle which we all have experienced .…SRI SRI is always and forever present at every single steps of our life and this incident is the solid proof that's during the long Kriya the presence of Sri Sri omit all hurdles which comes in process.

Sri Sri I am bowing my head on your divine foots with heartiest best
regards and whole of myself.
Sri Sri Bless all.
Jai Guru Dev
Sanjeev

The miraculous healing power of Sudarshan Kriya

Jaigurudeva! Another experience posted on sree_artofliving@yahoogroups.com


This is my experience with the miraculous healing power of Sudarshan Kriya. This experience will not only benefit those who have not done the basic part I course but also to those who have done the course but are irregular with the follow up kriya or having slight doubt in their mind regarding the benefits of the Sudarshan kriya:

Since my childhood I have noticed that I have tremors in my hand. I could not hold objects properly. I used to literally struggle to write and which eventually end up with very bad hand writing. Normally pattern of hand writing is set some where around the age of 7-8 years; however in my case hand writing would depend on tremors in hand at that time. I was good in studies but in examinations I could not perform because I could not write the question papers in given time. These tremors would increase whenever I have to meet someone or there is any important event such as interview or facing new situations or persons. Because of this I was suffering tremendous anxiety in mind whether I could perform or not or what will happen if the opposite person see me with my hands shaking. This anxiety and nervousness would not allow me to speak properly in front of any new person and I would struggle to speak even few words to express myself though I might know the matter. This worry occupied major portion of my mind putting block on creative and clear thinking. This anxiety affected my sleep also. In my Board examination i.e. 11th Standards (year 1978), though I know how to solve all the questions papers, I could write only up to 80-75% with shaking hands. For god¢s sake, I could secure 71% and got admission in Engineering college.
In engineering college also I used to avoid interactions with teaching staff and other students except chosen few in order to hide my ailment. In verbal exams also I could not fare well because of anxiety and nervousness in spite of knowing the matter. Though I desired to do post graduate and appear in U.P.S.C. exams but I knew that I would not because of this serious shortcomings. I have to therefore settle down with government job which for god¢s sake I could able to secure. And I am grateful to god for that matter. In job also I used to avoid meeting top bosses. Many a times I
would think why this is with me. More I think more I get frustrated. Some time I used to think of committing suicide. I could not concentrate on any activities as always these thoughts would occupy my mind. In short these shortcomings were a great impediment to my growth in life and also seriously affected my day to working.
I have started looking for allopathic treatment since 1982 with the help of my sister, who was studying medicine at that time. The head of department, Neurology, Medical College, Indore, at that time opined that he can hardly do anything. In Mumbai, I first consulted one neurologist at Goregaon in 1989. He continued my treatment till 1995 by advising medicines for anxiety. Initially that helped a bit in the sense that my anxiety had reduced till I consumed medicines and I could have sound sleep. Not fully satisfied with the treatment, I have consulted one head of department of Neurology at Nanavati Hospital, in 1995. He also treated me till 1999. Finally I enquired about best neurologist of Mumbai. My search landed me to the head of department neurology at Bombay Hospital. I heard that not only he is best in Mumbai but probably in India. He is a very senior doctor awarded with ¡Padmashree¢ by Government of India. His treatment has offered me some relief to the extent that it reduced tremors little bit till I continued with the medicines.
After some duration with treatment, i.e. for nearly 3 years, he gave me a shock that I have to consume the medicines for entire life and for avoiding anxiety during stress causing situations, he advised me a small dose of ¡RED WINE¢.
During my allopathic treatment, I did some personality development courses including meditation courses. I had virtually gone for spiritual shopping. One of my friends suggested doing Art of Living course. Finally I landed up in Basic part I course in 1999. However I have not followed up thereafter. I did also not know venue for follow up. One day volunteers namely Raju, Minu and others came in our building and gave intro talk and told me to come for follow up. I wanted to avoid consuming RED WINE and hence this time I took up seriously and started doing Kriya regularly. I also started attending long kriya once a week. The benefits of Sudarrshan Kriya started showing results and after 3 months I completely stopped medicines which I was consuming since 1989. I meanwhile did Divya Samaj Nirman course and started doing Param Padma Sadhana regularly. DSN broadened my comfort zone. I also did Sahaj which is making me natural day by day. Everyday I could feel myself lighter and lighter and I could see the difference in myself on a day to day basis. Further guruji¢s knowledge tapes such as Ashtavakra GIta, Narad Bhakti stotra, Shiva Bhakti stotra benefited me a lot. Sudarshan kriya has cured my ailment completely but I think healing is only a by product of larger gain which I got namely peace of mind, unshakable faith, positive attitude towards life, increased awareness, focus towards life, increased confidence, better efficiency in work, better interpersonal relationship and above all it has brought my smile back. This is a rebirth to me and I am looking forward to every new day with lot of enthusiasm and energy.
From my experience, I am of the firm opinion that sudarshan kriya can cure any ailment be it developed in this life span or hereditary ailments, as was in my case, because the recovery effected is in most natural way, cleansing each and every cell. But the journey towards the recovery was not a
cat walk. I have not missed my kriya for a single day since last 2 years and param padmasadhana since last April (i.e. when I did the DSN). But that is a very small contribution from my side in comparison to treating a life long hereditary ailment for which I could not find any cure from any quarter during so many years. From my experience I can say that if you do sudarshan kriya daily including long kriya preferably once in a week and continue doing that, you get benefits which you have never thought off. With tears in my eyes, I am deeply indebted to Guruji, Art of Living Foundation, Thakre, who advised me for Basic Course, Nitin Kachalia, my basic course teacher, who is no more now, Raghu Raj Raja, my first advance course teacher, Dinesh Ghodke, my second advance course teacher, Rishi Nitya Pragyaji, my DSN course teacher, Bhanu didi, my Sahaj Meditation teacher, Vinaya Hegde, my third and fourth advance course teacher, teachers in my area, specially Dinesh Bhojwani, Seema, Sreekumar, Rohit, Shilpa for spreading valuable knowledge of guruji and all the volunteers from Mahakali, Andheri (E) area, who have been always very supportive. We have a great team in our area. Our beloved guruji Sri Sri Ravishankar is transforming lives of millions, my life is also transformed and I will see that my remaining life is put in use for some good cause.
Jai guru dev.
Santosh mujumdar
Contact santmujumdar@ gmail.com
Following is an experience of a devotee Santosh Mujumdar. I am posting his experience which was posted on sree_artofliving@yahoogroups.com

EXPERIENCE - REGAINED EYESIGHT

Regained Eyesight!

The following is a miraculous experience shared by Capt Brij Paul Singh an Art of Living teacher.

Another Miracle of Gurudev.s Kirpa (Grace) near Chennai, India Let me tell this wonderful story right from the beginning - Just before I was to board my plane at Bangalore airport after Silver Jubilee and was about to switch off my cell phone . it buzzed and Manjit (our Divine teacher from Vancouver ) was on line from Guruma Shanthima.s ashram near Chennai. She was excited and told me that Ma wants to meet Poojya Gurudev and her Sri Shirdi Sai Darshan Ashram to be used for AOL courses. I told her that we shall discuss this matter with our Dear Gurudev in Rishikesh as He was too busy in Silver Jubilee engagements. We discussed the matter with Poojya Gurudev in Rishikesh and eventually after seeking His blessings, I was in Ma.s ashram to start a Part I course for her devotees which she also joined and like any other participants, she too put her 100%.

As usual second day was the first Sudarshan Kriya where everyone had wonderful experiences. However the most amazing thing happened when I asked the participants to slowly open their eyes . while others were coming out of their life time heavenly experience . Ma also slowly opened her eyes. As she as she opened her eyes . out of sheer ecitement she starting saying . Oh! I can see!!!.. Oh! I can see!!!!.. . and I noticed her left hand was covering her left eye. All her devotees rushed towards her and in joy they couldn.t believe all this. I was speechless and was full of gratitude.

Well, initially I couldn.t understand what was going on. However soon I came to know from Ma and other devotees that for almost last three years Ma could not see anything from right eye because of Ratina detachment condition.
An escatsy of joy was among all the devotees and they started calling others devotees of Ma all over the world and this made the ashram telephone lines jam packed.

Next day Ma told me "Beta, at night I got up and keeping my left eye covered I walked the whole ashram ". to be doubly sure that it was true that she did regain the eye sight. 31st March, the day after the course finished, was Ma's birthday and she told me that Gurudev had already given her the most precious gift.
On 1st April Ma and Krishan Pada ( a very close devotee from California now an ashramite in Ma.s ashram) were in Bangalore ashram to meet our Poojya Gurudev. The first thing Ma told Gurudev . so you wanted me to see you with both my eyes and with your Kirpa (grace) cured my right eye with which I couldn.t see a thing for last almost three years. Krishan Pada expressed her gratitude by telling dear Gurudev that first time he had seen his Guruma receiving something as great as her eyesite otherwise he had seen her always giving to others. Ma told her experience to Guru Pooja course and then later in the evening Satsang. She had wonderful time in our ashram and discussed with Poojya Gurudev to start AOL courses in her ashram for which He blessed her to go ahead.

And before we left I shared with our dear Gurudev, a line from Jap Ji Sahib . " Dehnda Dey Lehnda thak pai " . The Giver (Satguru) continues giving (but) the recipients grow weary of receiving (First Prayer of Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji).

With Gratutude to our ever so generous Master

An wonderful MIRACLE in life of Sathya Narayanan

MIRACLE :-

I took my attention to my left hand, left shoulder…. Left thigh… I took my attention to my thoughts… my feelings..

NO I WAS NOT DOING PANCHAKOSHA MEDITATION!!! THE PANCHA – KOSHAS IN ME WERE COMPLETELY SHAKEN UP!!!

I Lay there in the middle of the road, wiggling in pain. At that moment all that was echoing in my mind was " Guruji, WHY…. " I was returning back home after assisting the Basic course in Jayanagar. I had just met with an accident and I was thrown off the bike. My BODY could not take the pain, my PRANA had drained, my FEELINGS, THOUGHTS and MIND were all over the place and I was in absolutely no state of BLISS!!!
I landed on my left shoulder and thigh and skid for about a feet or so on the wet road. My cousin who was riding with me was fortunate not to get hurt. He got me to my feet with great difficulty as I was expecting a dislocated shoulder and a badly damaged left side of my body!

My favorite white kurta now looked half BLACK thanks to the coal on the road, I looked no better than a Black & White TV broadcasting a Live DRAMA with the only cast of the show enacting a scene filled with agony and pain!! I was limping in pain from one side to the other like a caged Hyena as people on the road stood watching the whole episode. After a while, regaining my senses I thanked Guruji for saving me from a major disaster. But I still was in pain, unable to move my shoulder more than approximately 40% and could barely bend my leg – the thigh and knee refused to listen to me!!
I mounted the bike again and very carefully went back home. Thanks to my lovely wife I got medication on time with a proper balance of love & care! That evening we were supposed to take the participants to the Ashram as Guruji was there. I called my teacher Umaji and explained the unfortunate incident and told her I may not be able to make it to the Ashram. But In my sleep I remember saying these words – " Im not leaving you Guruji" and then I got up. It was around 4 pm. The aching left shoulder reminded me to be careful with my movements. I carried myself and the uninvited guest – THE PAIN to the ashram that evening.

The Mantap was flooded with happy souls as always. Guruji was at his Majestic Best answering questions. I had flowers in my hand, wondering how to give the flowers to him, how to get past the crowd with an aching body, I sat there on one of the window panes right at the back, listening to his soul stirring answers!!

I closed my eyes and I said to myself – " GURUJI CALL ME " – Don't ask me why I said it.. Because I really don't know even now!!

Now this is where I felt Guruji heard my silent whisper and he reached out to me.. In between the knowledge session for no apparent reason he asked :

" WHO ALL HAVE BODY PAIN HERE?? OR PAIN IN ANY PART OF THE BODY?? "
I felt the goose bumps all over my body!! I sprung up and raised my right hand, hoping he would see me. I wanted to wave both hands but my injured left shoulder did not allow me to!!
Many raised their hands, Guruji pointed to 2 foreigners and askd " WHERE IS IT PAINING ?" They replied – Headache. Now my INTELLECT started acting up!! I thougt to myself, how is he going to see me through this crowd especially when Im standing right at the BACK with hundreds of people in front of me.. Then Guruji proved me wrong –

HE LOOKED AT ME.. POINTED TOWARDS ME AND ASKED – " WHERE DO YOU HAVE PAIN? " . I screamed out saying – Guruji I met with an accident and my left shoulder hurts badly.

THE MASTER SAID – " COME ON STAGE ". When the MASTER called, the body and mind forgot the pain and I walked towards the stage finding my way through the crowd who's eyes were on me!! Slowly the line started to grow in length, people starting coming up on stage behind me. Of course who would not want to taste the medicine prescribed by the DOCTOR OF THE WHOLE WORLD!!!

He spoke to the 2 foreigners first and healed them and then as I could not sit down for long with my knees bent, I stood up waiting for my turn. MY TURN HAD COME – GURUJI STOOD UP AND LOOKED AT ME AND ASKED IN THE MIKE.. WHERE IS IT PAINING FOR YOU.. I GAVE HIM THE FLOWERS.. I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE ACCIDENT AND THE PAIN AREA ..

AFTER LISTENING TO ME HE JUST GLIMPSED AT MY LEFT SHOULDER AND ASKED – " NOW? ". THAT'S ALL HE SAID !!

To my amazement, the shoulder that did not allow me to even lift my hand over 40 degrees was now 360 degrees in full swing!!! I ROTATED MY HAND THERE ON STAGE IN FRONT OF THE THOUSANDS SEATED THERE..

Guruji putting the mike towards me asked – NOW?? I was all smiles and I said – " ITS GONE GURUJI!!!! " Then he nodded his head as though to say – " IM THERE WITH YOU AND I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED !!"
THE CROWD WERE AMAZEMED AND WERE ALL CLAPPING AT THE GRACE OF THE MASTER. After healing couple of more devotees he turned away saying " TODAYS DOCTOR DUTY IS COMPLETE!! " As though to say the whole setup was for ME!!! I felt so special and blessed.

I walked back with gratitude and joy that I was lucky to be healed by the MASTER himself. I went back sat down again with my eyes closed thanking Guruji for what had just happened. As I had my eyes closed, Guruji appeard to me with a crown and a peacock feather on his head like KRISHNA himself!!! To my amazement when I opened my eyes –

GURUJI WAS SINGING – KRISHNA GOVINDA WITH A CROWN WITH A PEACOCK FEATHER BEAUTIFULLY PERCHED ON HIS HEAD.. ONE OF THE DEVOTEES HAD CROWNED HIM, HE NOT ONLY HEALED ME, HE GAVE ME DARSHAN AS KRISHNA AS WELL.. JUST THE WAY HE HAD APPEARD TO ME WHEN I LOOKED DEEP INSIDE WITH MY EYES CLOSED.

Today a day after the accident, I don't even have any signs of any accident. I am 100% mobile and in shape J Thanks to MY MASTER!!

KRISHNA IS HERE.. LOOK NO FURTHER .. KRISHNA IS LIVING WITH US.. IN THE FORM OF THE MASTER HIMSELF..

With Infinite Love and Gratitude – Jai Gurudev.

- Sathya -

Miracle in Vishakapatnam Beach Satsang on 28th Jan

Jai Gurudev, dear family

I am posting this on behalf of Kiranji (esatsang user name "jgdkiran") who forwarded a set of photographs and image files. It contains scanned copies of 2 sheets of handwritten report of Beach Satsang held on 28th Jan 2007 in Vishakapatnam and 3 amazing photographs accompanying this report. This beautifully compiled report was signed by Ms Savitha Mahanti. Dont want to break the suspense here by revealing anything about the contents. Have a look yourselves (you will be stunned and ensure someone is around to pinch you to realize it is real).

I have compiled all of them into a single pdf file for my family to view, enjoy and be amazed at the miracles in AOL. Since the whole set cannot be shared through this site, I have uploaded elsewhere from where anyone can freely download the same.

Click Here Amazing But True Phenomenon
Press "Continue" to view or download the file and follow instructions on screen :-)

On behalf of esatsangis, I take the liberty of thanking Kiranji and Savitaji for sharing this, selflessly amongst the family. May Guruji' blessings be showered on them in abundance.

With loads of love
Ramesh (Message posted in esatsang by suresh)
http://ww.lifelivefm.com

2. Amazing Experience by Raju.. (Exp/Miracles)

Raju was a meti... gardner in local lingo... he tended plants and nurtured them... for long...
Those were the days, when guruji use to frequent Shimoga... 250 kms from Bengaluru... and BRP (Badra Reservoir Project) guest house was where guruji wud stay at... raju was always around...
Days when guruji was there... meditating in silence... and totally being hollow n empty... raju was around... seeing that he was not disturbed...
Our recent visit to BRP, we met raju again...accidentaly... he is a retired meti now.. but lives near by BRP... he took us around... showed us places where guruji stood... watched... was in meditation...
Raju was around continously when guruji sat for penance n fast pre SUDARSHAN KRIYA days... so i asked raju... what he had to say... "swami neevella nod dhirodu nanu nodidine... gotta... " (what u have not seen i have seen!!!).. yen adu...i asked.. (whats that!!!?)..nim gurugalu dhyaana madhta madhta nelad melinda 2-3 feet mel hog bid tha iddru!!! (your guruji use to be on meditative poise for long hours and use to raise above the ground sitting for few minutes, say 2-3 feet above!!!)... idella neev nodilla swami... (all this u have not seen sirs !!!)... eevathgu nan main yalla jum annuthey... (even today i get shock - when i visualise it)... and he bowed down to an empty rock near the siva temple at BRP!!!
SO wanna go to mars without a rocket...!!! go hollow n empty..he he he

1. HE is watching you...right now... (exp/miracles)

Experience shared by a Senior Teacher....

It was a hard summer after noon and was with one AOL teachers residence for Lunch..
One teacher said- isnt it hot n humid today...so some one innovative mind decided to pour water on da floor and whole place was all wet flooded wid Water...eventually the whole rooom was cool!!!
suddenly the teachers Cell phone rings...He says- "Jai Gurudev"
Person over phone- "Jai gurudev"
Teacher- "Yeah-- Jai Gurudev"
Person over phone- "Jai gurudev"
Teacher- "Yeah-- Jai Gurudev"
Person over phone- "Jai gurudev"
Now the He looks at me and i smile..He says-- "GURUJI?????????"
Person over phone says-- "Yes, its me.."
teacher now - who was in Short's and T shirt stumbles and says "Yes Guruji - Jai Gurudev"
Guruji says- "Arey yeh kya tarikha hain baithne ka??? Theek se kapde pehno..get ready" He keeps the phone.
Teacher lookin at me-- Please get up and dress up.. Guruji says yeh kya pehna hain and He asked us to be ready.
Within seconds we all were in white clothes..and the floor was cleaned , water was drained and dried up ..Everything was lightening fast!!
Phone rings again- "Jai Gurudev"
Teacher- "Jai Gurudev Guruji!!"
Guruji--"Aah now you all look beautiful and fresh!!!"
Teacher - "Where are you Guruji?"
Guruji-- "I am in Germany!!"
Teacher "OK Guruji .."
Gurujis says "Get Ready " and hung up the phone.
After few minutes many people comes to the flat to enquire how and what AOL is...
Isnt it Amazing ??? Guru wants us to be at mark everytime...where ever you are you are representing AOL..so keep and maintain the grace..:)

be aware HE is watching you...right now...
Jai Gurudev

IS GURU RESPONSIBLE?

Is Guru responsible for your enlightenment?

If yes and you don't get awakened, then Guru is to be blamed.

And if you get freedom then also the Guru is to be blamed because he has

been partial to you.

If Guru could set you free, he could have done it to the whole world.

So Guru is not responsible for your awakening.

And yet freedom is next to impossible without Guru.

So Guru is responsible and yet not responsible. This is a mystery.

SKILL IN PRAISING

Often, when you praise, you praise in comparison to someone else. In order to praise one person, we put down someone else and when we want to point out somebody's mistake we praise another.

Some are stingy in praising, and some are shy.

And some others are simply not used to.

Some praise with motives, and some others just to elevate.

Others praise themselves in order to hide their low self-esteem.

The real praise dawns in a blossomed state of consciousness.

The praise that comes out of an elevated state of consciousness is simply its nature and is quite different. Normally praise comes out of craving and pride. The praise from a heightened consciousness is always out of fulfilment.

Praising can no doubt elevate the consciousness and bring enthusiasm and energy. At the same time it can also bring arrogance. Praising is a skill.

When someone praises you, do you take it without shying away?

Accepting praise without shyness, is also a skill.

People have various reasons to be with a Guru.

Broadly they can be put in these 5 catagories.

1. You would like to have your wishes fulfilled and because it is more pleasurable.
2. Everything else looks more painful to you and you come for comfort.
3. You want to evolve and become enlightened; you want to know higher Knowledge.
4. You have a vision or goal; you share a vision of the Guru. Missionary or visionary.
5. You are there to just serve and give comfort to the Guru.

You are with the Guru because you belong to the Guru. There is no choice.

How to be happy always?

Forget about always, then you are happy.

In wanting to be comfortable always, one becomes lazy.
In wanting perfection always, one become angry.
In wanting to be rich always, one becomes greedy
When we do not realise that only life is for always, then fear comes.

This projection of the nature of self which is "always", on the temporal

which can never be "always", is called Maya.

All ways do not lead you, only one way leads you.
If you remove always from your dictionary then everything is alright
Drop "always" and all will be right - that is intelligence.

Sri Sri..

Spiritual realms

Living the values that the spirit represents
Life is more than matter. If it were just matter, there would be no need for comfort. Matter does not feel comfort or discomfort; beauty or ugliness; love or compassion; joy or sorrow. Will a chair ever feel sorry or happy? No, matter does not have these finer values. They belong to the realm of the spirit. But life is also more than spirit. If it were just spirit, there would be no need for
water, food, or rest. Human life is a combination of both matter and spirit.

The nature of the spirit - Spirit experiences and expresses values.
Values are feelings and emotions — that which cannot be captured totally by words or understood by the intellect. The goal of the spiritual path is to understand the spiritual dimension of life and live fully all the values that the spirit
represents. What are those values? Peace, love, joy, beauty, unlimited knowledge, and the capacity to understand both mind and matter.

Comfort: A quality of consciousness
Whatever one does is directed towards one goal — happiness, or comfort. Often people think that comfort comes in a material way — through matter alone. No, comfort is a quality of consciousness. To some degree it does depend on matter, but to a greater degree it depends on attitude and understanding.
The true nature of the spirit is comprehension You listen, you understand and you absorb. Who is understanding? Who is absorbing? It is the spirit in your body that is taking in the knowledge. And this knowledge is not coming through
sight, sound, smell, taste and touch alone. It is also coming from inside as intuition.

The very nature of consciousness is knowledge
You can say that at every level of consciousness, knowledge is present. And consciousness is present! If it were nothing, it could not be present. It is something — yet it is not finite. You cannot measure consciousness, so it is present and infinite.

The nature of your consciousness is peace: You are love
Consciousness is peace. You are peace; you are truth; and you are energy — walking,
moving, talking, sitting. The self is energy and the self is knowledge, the knowing and the knower. This consciousness is love — you are love. Understanding and living this is the spiritual life. Life attains its richest form through the spiritual dimension. Without it life becomes very shallow and you are unhappy, dependent, depressed and miserable.

The effects of the spiritual dimension on society
This is a great sense of belongingness, responsibility, compassion and caring for the whole of humanity. The spiritual dimension — in its true form — smashes the narrow boundaries of caste, creed, religion and nationality. Wars will be eliminated only through spiritual understanding.

The spiritual path is not an escape from life
Actually, the spiritual path makes life more difficult! In India people think the spiritual life is easy — go to an ashram where you don’t have to work hard. No! The spiritual path is not an escape from hard work or sincere action, just as social service is not an escape to a comfortable life. In both situations you have to put your heart and soul into your actions and be ready to give of yourself hundred percent. The spiritual life will bring you enormous joy, more contentment,
more peace and more energy than you can find — but it’s not an escape. Remember that.
The spiritual path is not an escape from responsibility

The spiritual path means taking responsibility. If you think it is difficult to manage your children
and your husband or your wife, you will be given more people to care for. If you are ready to take responsibility for twenty people, two thousand people, twenty million people — then you are on the path. The spiritual path is not an escape from responsibility, but taking responsibility. The spiritual path is not an escape from hard work Intelligent, effective work is part of the spiritual life. When you are working hard you may think you deserve compassion. I say that if you are working hard and doing it with intelligence, then you need appreciation — not compassion. If someone is taking 5 hours to complete something that can be done in half an hour, it doesn’t need compassion.

Knowing peace
Another aspect of spiritual life is peace — knowing that peace is your nature. At any moment, in any place, you can just sit and let go, knowing inside you there is a pure clear space that’s vast and deep. That inner space is what you are. Feeling this is knowing your spiritual dimension. ‘‘I have come from peace, I am in peace, I will go back to peace. Peace is my origin and my goal’’ — this inner affirmation or experience makes you a seeker.

A sense of sacredness
Still another aspect of spiritual life is a sense of sacredness. When you have a deep sense of thankfulness combined with regard and respect for everything that comes to you in life — it brings a sense of sacredness. And in sacredness there is awareness. Your mind is fully present in fear, anger or sacredness.

Service and silence
Silence heals and rejuvenates. Silence gives you depth and stability and brings creativity. Service brings the dynamic experience of heart. It creates a sense of belongingness. Lack of service can land a person in depression. Service alone can bring contentment in life, but service without silence tires you. Service without spirituality will be shallow and cannot be sustained for a long period of time. The deeper the silence, the more dynamic the outer activity. Both are essential in life.

Why do you need a master?
You can be loving, compassionate, and live all the values of the spirit without a teacher or a master. Then what is the need for a master? You do not make your own cloth. Someone else makes the cloth and you wear it. It is the same with spiritual knowledge. Many ancient people have found valuable knowledge about breathing, pranayama (breathing exercises) and yoga asanas. The intelligent thing is to use these tools which have already been established.
And it is better to take a guide for your practice and progress on the spiritual journey.

Have confidence
Have confidence in yourself. One who does not have confidence cannot achieve anything
Confidence clears doubt. Doubt is the opposite of confidence. Once you eliminate the
negative, you will see that the positive has already happened. When doubt clears,
confidence appears. So to gain confidence in yourself, you must understand what doubt is.

The nature of doubt
If you observe the nature of doubt, it is always about something that is positive. You doubt the goodness of other people, never their bad qualities. You doubt your own capabilities, never your incapabilities. On the spiritual path, you learn to handle things with intuition and inner freedom. I don’t say don’t doubt. I say doubt as much as you can. That will help you get through it before progressing further.

Published in The New Indian Express - 11th January 2004