Gurugram August 2019 | Preface
Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
Greetings from the Sivananda Ashram Headquarters Val Morin where the much anticipated summer program is now in full swing. By the grace of Master and Swamiji, the Headquarters/Yoga Camp is doing very well for the month of July with an ongoing TTC, Ayurvedic program and a strong guest program. We had a very successful Kaavadi Festival at the Subramanya/Ayyappa Temple where we had more than attendees than previously any year. Devotees participating in the festivities left very happy and appreciative of Swamiji and the Sivananda Organization’s efforts to provide this uplifting event each year. Now that it is August we are ready for the annual Family Week, an Adaptive Yoga Course and the Ayurveda Week courses, plus a new and popular Teen Camp and a TTC Refresher course.
In India, the Dhanwantari Ashram in Neyyar Dam submitted a friendly and informative page onto the Google Arts and Culture online platform, through which the public can view and access high resolution images. On the Dhanwantari page there are exhibits of our Gurus; a description of The Four Paths of Yoga, the 12 basic asanas and a beautiful 360° walk through Neyyar Dam. Here is the link:
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/sivananda-yoga-vedanta-centres-ashrams
From the Meenakshi Madurai Ashram, India, a new video has been created, showing the activities and goals of the Swami Sivananda Rural Hospital in Madurai, India.
The Hospital, supported by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres worldwide, provides free medical care, medicine and specialist consultation to seven underserved villages surrounding the Ashram. The hospital and Ashram plan to expand the service to thirty villages in the future. For more information and to assist, visit: www.sivananda.org/serveallWith the increased interest of incorporating Ayurveda into our daily lives, the Panchakarma services provided by our Ashrams has become very popular. Panchakarma Ayurvedic treatments are designed to restore the body’s natural balance while eliminating toxins and strengthening its immune system. Panchakarma treatments are designed to meet the needs of each client, with personal checkups from our Ayurvedic physicians, followed by dietary, medicinal and massage components that are all completely customized. Selecting a Panchakarma Program vacation is a wise and most beneficial way to spend time away from the busy life. Panchakarma in an Ashram setting is a unique opportunity to cleanse and care within a yogic environment, benefiting from the Ashram’s nurturing atmosphere within the daily program of yoga classes, meditation sessions, pure foods and change of pace. Here are some links to just some of our Sivananda Panchakarma programs:
http://sivananda.org.in/sih/panchakarma-detoxification-programme/
http://sivananda.org.in/madurai/panchakarma/
https://sivanandacanada.org/camp/panchakarma/
https://sivanandayogafarm.org/siva-wellness-center/
https://sivanandayogaranch.org/wellness-center/
We recommend searching for “Panchakarma” on your local or destination Sivananda Ashram website and book your sessions before arrival.
Notice the main Sivananda Organization website – www.sivananda.org with its new design, newsletters, quotes and schedules and most importantly, the ability to apply for Teacher Training Courses online.
Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm towards Swamiji’s teachings and his mission. It is through your continued support, Sivananda teachers are able to share Swami Vishnudevananda’s mission. We strive to do so without compromising the authenticity of the message, carrying the same devotion and dedication as Swamiji.
May Master and Swamiji’s grace guide us in all ways.
Pranams to all.
Study thoroughly, prayerfully and unhurriedly with an alert mind and without interruption. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
| Aug 31 – Sep 28/19 TTC – English London, England Register Here Sep 01 – Sep 29/19 Sep 07 – Oct 05/19 Sep 08 – Oct 05/19 |
Sep 29 – Oct 27/19 TTC – English, 日本語, ภาษาไทย Phu Chaisai, Chiang Ria, Thailand Register Here Oct 12 – Nov 09/19 Oct 13 – Nov 09/19 Oct 19 – Nov 17/19 |
More 2019 TTC courses can be viewed here on the NEW Sivananda website.
See the full list of other international courses and events: https://www.sivananda.org/
Strive, strive, strive. This is the sacred Mantra to success in everything. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Raja Yoga
Chapter I: “Samadhi Pada – On Contemplations”
I.15. DRISTAANUSHRAVIKA-VISHAYA-VITRISHNASYA VASHIIKAARA SAMJNAA VAIRAAGYAM
‘Vairagya, or non-attachment, is that state of consciousness in which the cravings for objects both seen and unseen are controlled through mastery of the will.’
Commentary: Non-attachment is a state of mind. It is indifference to objects of the world. It involves being unaffected by the pull of likes and dislikes. Whenever the mind acquires a taste of a particular sensation of pleasure, it becomes attached to it. The mind recalls the experience and desires repetition of it. It is this craving that creates pain. The state of vairagya does not necessarily mean the cessation of life in society; it involves separating oneself from the binding emotions of that life.
Renunciation is a great aid to the attainment of vairagya. By giving up objects of the senses, the mind is quickly stilled. But it is best to remember that non-attachment is not synonymous with not having. One can own nothing and yet be full of desires. If a person is fond of cherry ice cream, binding his hands and taping his mouth will not keep his mind from dwelling on this treat. The basis of vairagya is the internal realization of the worthlessness of the external world. Objects and desires then automatically fall away. But renunciation does not mean running away from society, duties, and responsibilities, as is sometimes assumed.
It means carrying on with ones duties in a dispassionate, unattached way.
Hear the voice of the Silence. Enter the Silence. Meditate. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita Quote
Chapter XI: The Yoga of the Vision of the Cosmic Form
XI.11. DIVYAMAALYAAMBARADHARAM DIVYAGANDHAANULEPANAM; SARVAASHCHARYAMAYAM DEVAM ANANTAM VISHWATOMUKHAM.
(Sanjaya narrating to Arjuna’s cosmic vision to King Dhritarashtra)
Wearing divine garlands and apparel, anointed with divine unguents, the all-wonderful, resplendent (Being), endless, with faces on all sides.
XI.12. DIVI SOORYASAHASRASYA BHAVEDYUGAPADUTTHITAA; YADI BHAAH SADRISHEE SAA SYAADBHAASASTASYA MAHAATMANAH.
If the splendour of a thousand suns were to blaze out at once (simultaneously) in the sky, that would be the splendour of that mighty Being (great soul).
Be calm. Be cheerful. Be courageous. Be self-controlled. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Spiritual Calendar
| AUGUST 2019
01 New Moon SEPTEMBER 2019 02 Ganesha Chathurthi Seek the immortal Atman hidden in the cave within your heart. – Sri Swami Sivananda |
Glossary
VAIRAGYA – Non-attachment; Dispassion
Commentary from Swami Vishnudevananda –
“What is the cause of all problems, individual as well as universal?The root which everything spreads out? Attachment. Attachment is the cause of all pain. For example, this glass is very special. I bought it at an auction and it was used by King George 100th!! King George 100th used this glass. It is MINE. D. said, “Is that so Swami-ji? Can you give it to me – I would also like to have it.” “No way,” I said, as I held it tight. When I go to sleep I lock it up in a special vault with a special lock and put on a special electronic alarm, so if anyone tries to touch it I will know. I am unable to sleep because of this glass. Any sound I hear I think someone is after my glass. L. is coming over. She is only trying to be friendly because of the glass. I trust no-one now. I ask Swami P. to check on D. to see what he is up to, but later I see Swami P. and D. outside talking together. Oh my God, they are plotting against me for my glass.
What we call love – L.O.V.E. becomes completely depleted because of attachment. This applies to anything. I just took an example of the glass, but it could be to anything, to money, to anything. Our main problem is that we get attached to various objects. And why do we get attached? Two things are the cause of attachment. The two causes of attachment are I-ness and Mine-ness. You want an object because you think you can get happiness from it. You then get attached to it. ” It is mine. I own it.” I-ness and Mine-ness are the root cause of all problems.
Swamis and Yogis also get into problems. ” This is my Yoga Centre, my disciples, my money.” They also get attached, but to different things. The purpose of life is to get rid of this problem. But we do not even know that we have it as a problem. We do not recognize the level of our attachment to things. Nor do we recognize the trap of attachment. Slowly Maya (illusion) binds us.
Attachments can come slowly. We are not aware that they are slowly creeping up on us. The movement is very subtle. This is why an aspirant should have purity, so he can understand and become aware of the subtle attachments, by which he can so easily be trapped. This problem is not because you are living in society. People who live in the Himalayas, the forest or in the jungles may not have attachment to the same objects as a city dweller, but they become attached to their kamandalus (water pot). They decorate them, put their initials on them and become possessive or envious of another’s. Attachment is not about having or not having, a house or a big car. You can get attached to even the smallest thing and the same problem, the same pain, will result.
Overcome the self by the Self. Become a yogi. – Sri Swami Sivananda