Gurugram January 2018 | Preface
Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
In 2017 the Sivananda staff worked hard all year, diligently propagating Swamiji’s teachings. For example, the newest of the Sivananda Ashrams in Gudur, Andhra Pradesh, India is presently offering rejuvenating Yoga Vacation programs to a plethora of guests since its opening in September 2017. In 2018 the Sivananda Organization will continue to provide even more opportunities for the enthusiastic and eager student of yoga. This can only be accomplished through the guidance and grace of Master and Swamiji, plus your continued support. We wish you all a successful Sadhana for the coming year. May Master and Swamiji’s blessings be with us always in 2018.
May we all honour Swami Vishnudevananda on his birthday celebration day – 31st December.
Pranams to all.
A saint’s life is one long prayer. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
| 2018
Jan 04 – Jan 31/18 Jan 04 – Jan 31/18 Jan 06 – Feb 04/18 Jan 06 – Feb 02/18 Jan 06 – Feb 02/18 Jan 07 – Feb 03/18 Jan 07 – Feb 03/18 Jan 07 – Feb 03/18 Jan 20 – Feb 18/18 Feb 03 – Mar 02/18 |
Feb 11 – Mar 10/18 TTC – English Madurai, Tamil Nadu, South India www.sivananda.org/Madurai Feb 17 – Mar 17/18 Feb 24 – Mar 25/18 Feb 24 – Mar 24/18 Mar 03 – Apr 01/18 Mar 04 – Apr 01/18 Mar 07 – Apr 03/18 Mar 11 – Apr 08/18 Mar 18 – Apr 14/18 |
See the full list of international courses and events:
http://www.sivananda.org/ttc/schedule.html
http://www.sivananda.org/programs/international/index.html
Where there are kindness, humility and purity, there spirituality springs up, saintliness shines, divinity descends and perfection manifests itself. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Raja Yoga
From Discourse I: “Samadhi Pada – On Contemplations”
I.14. SA TU DIIRGHA-KAALA-NAIRANTARYA-SATKAARAASEVITO DRDHA-BHOOMIH
‘Practice becomes firmly grounded on being continued over a long period of time without interruption and with sincere devotion.’
Commentary:
If there are interruptions in the practice of stilling the mind, or if the effort is not continued over many years, the results will only be temporary, and all progress will fade. Practice must be constant. It must also be done with an attitude of earnestness. Only when there is true desire to reach the Goal is success assured.
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 X: The Yoga of Divine Manifestations
X.41. YADYAD VIBHOOTIMAT SATTWAM SHREEMADOORJITAMEVA VAA;
TATTADEVAAVAGACCHA TWAM MAMA TEJOM’SHASAMBHAVAM.
(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
Whatever being there is that is glorious, prosperous or powerful, that know thou to be a manifestation of a part of My splendour.
X.42. ATHAVAA BAHUNAITENA KIM JNAATENA TAVAARJUNA;
VISHTABHYAAHAMIDAM KRITSNAMEKAAMSHENA STHITO JAGAT.
But of what avail to thee is the knowledge of all these details, O Arjuna? I exist, supporting this whole world by one part of Myself.
HARI OM TAT SAT
ITI SRIMAD BHAGAVADGEETAASOOPANISHATSU BRAHMAVIDYAAYAAM
YOGASHAASTRE SRI KRISHNAARJUNASAMVAADE
VIBHOOTIYOGO NAAMA DASHAMO’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 tenth discourse entitled: “The Yoga of the Divine Glories”.
Always do good to others. Be selfless. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Quick Links
Spiritual Calendar
| JANUARY 2018
02 Full Moon |
| FEBRUARY 2018
11 Ekadasi |
Glossary
SATSANG: Satsang is a combination of two words – sat and sanga.
Sat means absolute existence, it is the essential nature of Brahman, it is permanent among the ever changing and it upholds the world of appearance.
Sanga means company or union. To be established in Brahman is the literal meaning of the word Satsang. As long as ignorance remains, direct realization of Brahman is impossible. When ignorance is replaced by wisdom, the real nature reveals itself. This is the highest Satsang.
Satsang means ‘association with the wise’.
The glow and power of Satsang is indescribable. The spiritual vibration and the powerful currents of a developed adept produce a tremendous influence on the mind. Satsang elevates the mind to noble heights. Knowledge originates in those whose faults have been washed away by the force of Satsang. Satsang is the easiest and quickest way to change the mind of a worldly person towards the spiritual path and to thoroughly overhaul negative samskaras.
The other possible interpretation is when we feel such devotion for God that He has to come to us in a form according to our desire. The means to this realization is also called Satsang. The company of the wise leads to the realization of Brahman and, therefore, is also termed Satsang. In this sense, Satsang means the company of those who have realized truth, as well as those who are aspirants after truth. The association with holy sages is quite enough to instill wisdom and love. Service to such a person purifies the mind rapidly.
Satsang is the heart of the yoga practice. Sitting together in a group setting creates a strong spiritual atmosphere which allows a deeper experience of meditation. In Satsang, people of different levels practice together – from newcomers to experienced yoga teachers. Regularly scheduled Satsangs are offered at Sivananda Ashrams and Centres, consisting of:
• 30 minutes of silent group meditation
• 30 minutes of meditative chanting of mantras and kirtan
• An easy-to-follow lecture on yoga philosophy or psychology
It is not the Atman or the body that has any type of relative experience, though the body is a gross means of experience; it is the mind that has all this. – Sri Swami Sivananda