Gurugram September 2019 | Preface

Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya

Greetings from the Sivananda Ashram Headquarters Val Morin. We are happy to announce the 60th anniversary of the Montreal Sivananda Centre was in August 2019. It goes without saying how grateful we all are for Swami Vishnudevananda’s focus and dedication to his Master’s mission while spreading and supporting the word of yoga throughout the World. The creation of Centres and Ashrams has enabled the enrichment of hundreds of thousands of people’s lives over these six decades, all because of the small vibrant seed planted back then.

Meanwhile, the video department of Sivananda Headquarters has been busy this year. We are fortunate to have such professional crews around the world to create vibrant social media for the Sivananda Organization.

Here’s a brand new inspiring video about the Madurai Ashram TTC courses.

Check out the multiple videos and photo exhibits of the Neyyar Dam Ashram, including 360 degree views and a 90-minute Sivananda class, created for us by Google Arts & Culture. The videos can be found in the gallery.

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/sivananda-yoga-vedanta-Centres-Ashrams

We would also like to share a video, highlighting the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Chennai, India. There’s an endearing section on family yoga.

You can now apply for Teacher Training Courses online on the new Sivananda Organization website – www.sivananda.org
Enjoy the new look and design, newsletters, quotes and schedules.

Here’s an inspiring report from Swami Sitaramananda, when recently in India:

By the grace of Gurus, the Himalayan Yaatra, led by Swami Sitaramananda, comprised of 12 people (7 Vietnamese staff, 3 Indian devotees, Swami Adi Parashakti and Hamsa Chaitanya from the Yoga Farm) was successful. All went well and the weather was perfect. (even during monsoon season) We visited Rishikesh DLS, Netala Ashram in Uttarkashi, and most importantly, the Sivananda Guha in Gangotri.

We celebrated Krishna Janmastami with a Puja in the cave; organized a feeding (bhandara) and gifts for 32 local sadhus in honour of Swami Vishnudevananda; celebrated twin Vietnamese staff Ganga Chaitanya and Saraswati birthday on Aug. 24 Krishna Janmastami. Last but not least, we had a Ganapati Homa in the Netala Ashram and a Brahmacharya initiation ceremony performed by Swami Sitaramananda where two Vietnamese staff took Brahmacharya vows and received new names: Daya Chaitanya (Durga from HCM Centre) and Priya Chaitanya (Dharmini from Dalat Ashram). We felt Swamiji’s grace and presence strongly throughout. We are presently in Delhi Centre where we had a Satsang with 25 Taiwanese from the Sivananda affiliated Ashram in Taiwan. We thank Prahlada ji and team for making this whole trip possible.

In His Service,
Jai Ganga Ma,
Swami Sitaramananda

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.

Wisdom of the true Self is the ripe fruit of the beautiful flower of Virtue. – Sri Swami Sivananda

More 2020 TTC courses can be viewed here on the NEW Sivananda website, under the tab “Upcoming Courses”.

God pervades the entire Universe and is the Soul of this World (Visva Atman). – Sri Swami Sivananda

From Chapter III: “Vibhuti Pada – On Divine Powers”

III.56. SATTVA-PURUSAYOH SUDDHI-SAMYE KAIVALYAM

‘Kaivalya (liberation) is attained when there is equality between “sattwa” (purity) and “Purusha” (the Soul)’.

Commentary: Liberation takes place when the mind has the same purity as “Purusha” itself. The purified mind recognizes its nature as “Purusha”. The essence of this nature is, and always has been, bliss, freedom, peace, Self- sufficiency and perfection.

The moment you turn your mind Godward, you will gain immense strength and peace. – Sri Swami Sivananda

Chapter XVIII: The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation

XVIII.49. ASAKTABUDDHIH SARVATRA JITAATMAA VIGATASPRIHAH; NAISHKARMYASIDDHIM PARAMAAM SANNYAASENAADHIGACCHATI.

(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)

He whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who has subdued his self, from whom desire has fled. He, by renunciation, attains the supreme state of freedom from action.

Commentary from Swami Sivananda: The mind of one who is free from attachment turns inwards towards God or the immortal Self. It is not attracted by the sensual objects of the world. It is filled with dispassion and discrimination, gradually establishing in his own Self which is of the nature of ExistenceKnowledgeBliss. Such a person who has knowledge of the Self attains to the highest perfection. Ignorance is destroyed by the attainment of the knowledge of the Self. There is cessation of activity. One may perform actions for the solidarity of the world and yet he will not be bound by actions as he has attained absolute freedom from action through the knowledge of the Self. The fire of knowledge has burnt the fruit bearing effects of Karmas or actions. He has no idea of agency as he is absolutely free from egoism as he has identified himself with the Supreme Being. Naishkarmya siddhi may also mean the attainment of the state of Naishkarmya. In this exalted magnanimous ineffable state of divine splendour and glory one remains as the action-less Self. This is the state of immediate liberation of the Vedantins (Kaivalya Moksha or Sadyomukti). This marvelous state is attained by renunciation or right knowledge or by the renunciation of all actions brought about by the attainment of the knowledge of the Self.

Study thoroughly, prayerfully and unhurriedly with an alert mind and without interruption. – Sri Swami Sivananda