Gurugram March 2017 | Preface

Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya

2017 brings us an opportunity to honour and celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Swami Vishnudevananda’s arrival to the West and his mission of bringing Yoga to the people.

The Sivananda Organization is getting ready to celebrate 60 years of Swami Vishnudevananda’s Yoga and Peace work throughout the World. In 1957 Swami Vishnudevananda started his journey to the West, sent by his Guru and teacher, Swami Sivananda while advising “People are waiting.” Swamiji had vowed to his Master that his mission of teaching Yoga and Meditation towards Peace would keep a strict adherence to the ancient Vedantic scriptures from India. Sixty years later, Swami Vishnudevananda-ji’s mission now embraces every corner of the World, reaching far and wide. Many countries and people who may have never heard of Yoga are now adopting the benefits, finding Peace and health in their lives and, in turn, spreading the knowledge of Yoga to others.

In addition, the Sivananda Organization strives towards offering the services Swamiji had always made a priority throughout his life with charitable works such as Ayurveda Medical Camps, Rural Medical Camps, outreach yoga classes in large cities, building houses for the poor and providing education for children. In 60 years, what began as small localized projects has now expanded to more areas and countries one could imagine. We thank you, the students and devotees, for the continued support to the Sivananda Organization so staff can continue Swamiji’s mission, impacting the peoples of the World on their search for Peace.

Pranams to all.

The self-effort of today becomes the destiny of tomorrow. – Sri Swami Sivananda

MEDITATION
This month Swami Vishnudevananda advises us on choosing the time and occurrence of meditation.

At the feet of Swami Vishnudevananda. Thoughts on Meditation.

Swami Vishnu-devananda would say that it is not possible to teach someone how to meditate, any more than it is possible to teach them how to sleep. Sleep overtakes us only when we detach our mind from its concerns. Meditation also cannot be forced, but unlike sleep, it is a conscious state. We need a degree of willpower to remain in the state of heightened awareness that occurs when we meditate. However, at the same time we need to relax, letting go of all expectations and desires. This subtle balance between the effort needed to sustain concentration on the one side and detachment from all distractions on the other is the art of meditation. We learn to focus the mind without struggle, yet maintain enough control to avoid a drift into reverie. To attain this state of relaxed awareness we need to prepare ourselves, and there are several steps that will help us. It is important to reiterate that meditation is a process, and as such, takes time. Be gentle and patient with your mind; do not expect miracles.

We continue with Swamiji’s guidance:

2 – THE TIME
The most effective times for the practice of meditation are at dawn and dusk, when the atmosphere is charged with special spiritual force. The most desirable time is Brahmamuhurta, the hours between four and six a.m. In these quiet hours after sleep, the mind and atmosphere are clear and unruffled by activities of the day. Refreshed and free of worldly concerns, concentration comes without effort. If this is not feasible, choose a time when you can retreat from daily activities and calm your mind. In the evening around sunset is also a good time or just before going to bed. With the mind freed from the tensions accumulated during the day and tuned to a higher state, you will quickly fall into deep sleep after meditating. At whatever time you choose, make sure you know you will not be disturbed by outside distractions.

3 – THE HABIT
It is important that you maintain consistency in your practice as well as meditating at the same time each day. The subconscious mind needs regularity to develop the habit of settling down and focusing easily. Start with fifteen to twenty minutes’ daily practice and gradually build up to an hour. If you can’t manage this, aim for thirty minutes daily. It is better to meditate every day for thirty minutes than once a week for two hours.
Even when you travel, meditate every day. As you establish the practice, you will actually feel the need to meditate every morning; if circumstances prevent you from practising, you will experience an inner discomfort, similar to how you feel if you start your day without washing. You will realize that meditation is a mental cleansing, necessary for mental wellbeing. You will find you do not want to miss even a single day of practice.

Hint: Face north or east to take absorb the favourable magnetic vibrations.

“Be gentle and patient with your mind; do not expect miracles. The more care and attention you give to the preparation, the more positive the results.” – Swami Vishnudevananda

Excerpt from the book: “Swamiji Said – A Collection of Teachings by Swami Vishnudevananda in His Own Words”

Hear what is auspicious. See what is auspicious. Do what is auspicious. You will soon attain Self-realization. – Sri Swami Sivananda

Chapter XIV: The Yoga of the Division of the Three Qualities of Nature

XIV.26. MAAM CHA YO’VYABHICHAARENA BHAKTIYOGENA SEVATE; SA GUNAAN SAMATEETYAITAAN BRAHMABHOOYAAYA KALPATE.

(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
And he who serves Me with unswerving devotion, he, crossing beyond the qualities, is fit for becoming Brahman.

XIV.27. BRAHMANO HI PRATISHTHAA’HAM AMRITASYAAVYAYASYA CHA; SHAASHWATASYA CHA DHARMASYA SUKHASYAIKAANTIKASYA CHA.
For I am the abode of Brahman, the immortal and the immutable, of everlasting Dharma and of absolute bliss.

HARI OM TAT SAT
ITI SRIMAD BHAGAVADGEETAASOOPANISHATSU BRAHMAVIDYAAYAAM
YOGASHAASTRE SRI KRISHNAARJUNASAMVAADE
GUNATRAYAVIBHAAGAYOGO NAAMA CHATURDASHO’DHYAAYAH

Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, ends the fourteenth discourse entitled:

“The Yoga of the Division Of the Three Gunas”

Be calm. Be Cheerful. Be courageous. – Sri Swami Sivananda