Gurugram December 2017 | Preface
Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
This year 2017 the Sivananda Ashrams and Centres were very successful in supporting a plethora of inquiries from new and old students arriving eagerly to immerse themselves in the teachings and guidance from Master and Guru. The Sivananda staff worked hard all year diligently propagating Swamiji’s teachings, plus, doing their own Sadhana.
This summer the Yoga Camp had Otto brought his camera and drone to produce some beautiful footage. Please take a look:
Yoga Camp Tour
TTC – Yoga Camp
Kaavadi – Yoga Camp
We thank all of you for the continued support and looking forward to serving you even better in coming New Year. May Master and Swamiji’s blessings be with us always.
Pranams to all.
Let your life be a radiance of purity, love, sacrifice and selfless service. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
| Dec 04 – Dec 31/17 TTC – English, עברית Nassau, Bahamas www.sivananda.org/nassau |
Dec 16/15 – Jan 14/17 TTC – English, Deutsch Reith, Tyrol, Austria www.sivananda.org/tyrol/en |
Raja Yoga
Discourse II: “Sadhana Pada- On Spiritual Disciplines”
II.29. YAMA-NIYAMA-ASANA-PRANAYAMA-PRATYAHARA-DHARANA-DHYANA-SAMADHAYO
‘STA ANGANI.
‘”Yama”, “niyama”, “asana”, “pranayama”, “pratyahara”, “dharana”,
“dhyana”, and “Samadhi” are the eight limbs.
The eight limbs can be translated as:
- A) Yama: Abstentions or restraints
- B) Niyama: Observances which cultivate positive qualities
- C) Asana: Yoga postures
- D) Pranayama: Yogic breathing
- E) Pratyahara: Withdrawal of senses
- E) Dharana: Concentration
- F) Dhyana: Meditation
- G) Samadhi: Superconsciousness
Commentary:
Raja Yoga is sometimes called ‘Ashtanga Yoga’, or Yoga of eight limbs. They translate, in the order given above, as self restraints, observances, postures, regulation of breath, withdrawal of the mind from sense objects, concentration, meditation and the superconscious state.
Atman is the fountain of all bliss. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita Quote
Chapter IX: The Yoga of the Royal Science and Royal Secret
IX.19. TAPAAMYAHAMAHAM VARSHAM NIGRIHNAAMYUTSRIJAAMI CHA;
AMRITAM CHAIVA MRITYUSHCHA SADASACCHAAHAMARJUNA.
(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
(As the sun) I give heat; I withhold and send forth the rain; I am immortality and also death, existence and non-existence, O Arjuna!
IX.20. TRAIVIDYAA MAAM SOMAPAAH POOTAPAAPAA
YAJNAIRISHTWAA SWARGATIM PRAARTHAYANTE;
TE PUNYAMAASAADYA SURENDRALOKA-
MASHNANTI DIVYAAN DIVI DEVABHOGAAN.
The knowers of the three Vedas, the drinkers of Soma, purified of all sins, worshipping Me by sacrifices, pray for the way to heaven; they reach the holy world of the Lord of the gods and enjoy in heaven the divine pleasures of the gods.
Language is imperfect and finite. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Quick Links
Spiritual Calendar
| DECEMBER 2017
03 Full Moon JANUARY 2017 02 Full Moon |
Glossary
FIVE PRANAS: Prana assumes five forms viz., (1) Prana, (2) Apana, (3) Samana, (4) Udana and (5) Vyana. Of these five, Prana and Apana are the chief agents. The principal Prana is called Mukhya Prana. The Prana, joined with Ahamkara, lives in the heart.
The seat of Prana is the heart; of Apana, the anus; of Samana, the region of the naval; of Udana, the throat; while Vyana is all-pervading. Vyana moves all over the body.
The function of Prana is respiration; Apana does excretion; Samana performs digestion; Udana does deglutition (swallowing of the food). It takes the Jiva to sleep. It separates the astral body from the physical body at the time of death. Vyana performs circulation of blood.
You need not try to become the Self or the Atman. You are already the Self. The Atman. – Sri Swami Sivananda