Gurugram October 2015 | Preface
Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
With the grace of Swamiji, the Sivananda Organization continues to grow, finding a way to give inspiration and propagate Yoga, Meditation and spiritual growth.
We are very happy to inform you, by the grace of Master and Swamiji, we just opened another Sivananda Yoga Centre near New Delhi, India, adding it to the two already existing centres in that city of 9.9 million. The new Sivananda Centre is located in Noida, across the Yamuna River from New Delhi. The asana classes in the new Centre already picked up very quickly after the inauguration. In China, a first-ever TTC course just started, with a full schedule of Swamiji’s teachings. This special opportunity is the first time philosophy lessons by any organization has been offered in China. We are very glad that Swamiji’s teachings are spreading to the places where Yoga is never heard before.
As well, all other Sivananda Ashrams and Centres continue to grow stronger, both with an ever growing number of students and Karma Yogis.
We thank you for your continued support toward the expansion the Sivananda Organization.
May Master and Swamiji bless us always in our Sadhana and service.
Pranams to all.
Ruthlessly break all barriers that divide or separate man from man. You will enjoy indescribable joy and supreme peace. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
| Sep 26 – Oct 24/15 TTC – English, 中文 Chengdu, Sichuan, China http://www.sivanandayogachina.org/en/topic/ttc_chengdu_chinaSep 27 – Oct 25/15 TTC – English Netala, Uttar Kashi, North India www.sivananda.org/uttarkashiOct 04 – Nov 01/15 TTC – English 日本語 ภาษาไทย 中文 Phu Chaisai, Chiang Ria, Thailand http://www.sivananda.com.sg/thailand_ttc/index.htmOct 17 – Nov 14/15 TTC – English Grass Valley, CA, USA www.sivananda.org/yogafarm Oct 17 – Nov 15/15 Oct 18 – Nov 15/15 Oct 26 – Nov 10/15 |
Nov 08 – Dec 06/15 TTC – English Neyyar Dam, Kerala, South India www.sivananda.org/neyyardamNov 15 – Dec 12/15 TTC – English, Français, Español Val Morin, QC, Canada www.sivananda.org/campNov 20 – Dec 19/15 TTC – Français Orleans, France www.sivananda.org/orleansNov 22 – Dec 20/15 TTC – English Madurai, Tamil Nadu, South India www.sivananda.org/madurai Nov 28 – Dec 26/15 Dec 04 – Dec 31/15 Dec 12/15 – Jan 10/16 |
Raja Yoga
From Discourse IV: “Kaivalya Pada – On Realization”
Introduction to the Fourth Chapter – The final chapter of Patanjali’s Raja Yoga Sutras discusses ‘kaivalya’, liberation or independence. The full-blown yogi develops perfect discrimination, or the ability to distinguish the Real from the unreal. He is no longer addicted by the three gunas of nature, and can distinguish ‘Purusha'(Soul) from ‘Prakriti'(nature).
IV.1. JANMAUSADHI-MANTRA-TAPAH-SAMADHI JAH SIDDHAYAH
‘”Siddhis” are attained as a result of birth, medicinal herbs, Mantras, austerities or “Samadhi”(Super-Consciousness)’.
Commentary:
Siddhis that are brought into the present life by birth indicate their attainment in a previous life, but it does not guarantee that the individual is making proper use of them in this life. Those gained through chemical means are not necessarily associated with any level of spirituality at all, and can be easily governed by the ego. Siddhis achieved by Mantra repetition or tapas, austerities, are generally of a very high order as long as they are performed for attaining God-Realization rather than personal or material gain. Powers that come from ‘Samadhi’ are the purest, for they come to the aspirant without being desired. It must be remembered that siddhis are not the aim but a by-product of the path to God-Realization.
Only a sincere and earnest Sadhaka or spiritual aspirant knows the value of Satsanga or association with saints and sages. Satsanga gives the aspirant inner spiritual strength to face the struggle, overcome temptations, kill inner cravings, and fill the mind with positive divine thoughts. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita Quote
Chapter VI: The Yoga of Meditation
VI.13. SAMAM KAAYASHIROGREEVAM DHAARAYANNACHALAM STHIRAH;
SAMPREKSHYA NAASIKAAGRAM SWAM DISHASHCHAANAVALOKAYAN.
(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
Let him firmly hold his body, head and neck erect and perfectly still, gazing at the tip of his nose, without looking around.
VI.14. PRASHAANTAATMAA VIGATABHEER BRAHMACHAARIVRATE STHITAH;
MANAH SAMYAMYA MACCHITTO YUKTA AASEETA MATPARAH.
Serene-minded, fearless, firm in the vow of a Brahmachari, having controlled the mind, thinking of Me and balanced in mind, let him sit, having Me as his supreme goal.
The true inner Yoga is the transformation of the essential nature of man. The lower human nature should gradually give place to an illumined divine nature through a process of spiritualization of the entire being. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Quick Links
Spiritual Calendar
OCTOBER 2015
08 Ekadasi
12 New Moon
13 Navarathri Starts
23 Vijaya Dasami
24 Ekadasi
27 Full Moon
NOVEMBER 2015
07 Ekadasi
09 Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi
11 New Moon
11 Swamiji’s Jalasamadhi
22 Ekadasi
25 Full Moon
Glossary
VIJAYA DASAMI – “10th Day” – is celebrated on the tenth day, which follows nine days of Durga Puja. Durga Puja or Navaratri commences on the first day and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of Aswayuja (September-October). It is held in commemoration of the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. In Bengal her image is worshipped for nine days and then cast into water. The tenth day is called Vijaya Dasami or Dussera (the “tenth day”). Processions with Her image are taken out along the streets of villages and cities.
The mother of Durga (that is, the wife of the King of the Himalayas) longed to see her daughter. Durga was permitted by Lord Shiva to visit her beloved mother only for nine days in the year. The festival of Durga Puja marks this brief visit and ends with the Vijaya Dasami day, when Goddess Durga leaves for her return to Mount Kailas. This is the view of some devotees.
Sri Rama worshipped Durga at the time of the fight with Ravana, to invoke Her aid in the war. This was on the days preceding the Vijaya Dasami day. He fought and won through Her Grace.
In days of yore, kings used to undertake ambitious expeditions on the day of the Vijaya Dasami. Those kings who did not go on such expeditions used to go out hunting in the deep forests. Even up to this date India people arrange mock attacks on a fort on Vijaya Dasami in Rajputana.
The tenth day, Vijaya Dasami, marks the triumphant ovation of the soul at having attained liberation while living in this world, through the descent of knowledge by the Grace of Goddess Saraswathi. The soul rests in its own Supreme Self or Satchidananda Brahman. This day celebrates the victory, the achievement of the goal. The banner of victory flies aloft. Lo! I am He! I am He!
On the Vijaya Dasami day, all aspirants are given initiation into various Mantras according to their tutelary Deities. Deserving aspirants are initiated into the holy order of Sannyas. Initiation in the study of the alphabets is given to young children. New students commence their lessons in music, etc. During the morning Satsang the books which were worshipped on the ninth day are worshipped again. A chapter from each of the principal scriptures like the Gita, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavatam is recited.
Renunciation is the bestower of peace and immortality. – Sri Swami Sivananda