Gurugram October 2019 | Preface

Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya

Greetings from the Sivananda Ashram Headquarters Val Morin.

By the grace of Master and Swamiji this year at the Yoga Camp we had a very successful season with many guests participating in a variety of activities offered through summer months, along with many new projects shaping up for the convenience of the guests. We are very fortunate that Hurricane Dorian’s effect was very minimal at our Ashram in Bahamas, even though nearby islands were hit very badly. Yoga Retreat put some immediate plans in place to help those who got affected. For information about relief efforts for the northern islands of the Bahamas, you can visit this link on our website: https://www.sivanandabahamas.org/september-2019-hurricane-dorian-update/

Our Vietnam Ashram is growing with rapid phase, thanks to all the staff under Swami Sitaramanandaji working hard to impart the knowledge of Swamiji to that part of the world.

And very good news, our LA center has a permanent home now. On the 11th of October there will be a grand inauguration:
LA CENTER GRAND OPENING 2019
Friday, October 11th
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center
3741 W 27th St, Los Angeles, CA

European Sivananda Centers and Ashrams have been busy as ever. Ashrams and Centres on the east coast of United States are busy with students, doing a lot to promote environment and climate change while working closely with the United Nations.

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.

Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm and support 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 blessings be with you all always. Pranams to all. Be calm.

Be cheerful. Be courageous. – Sri Swami Sivananda

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

Learn lessons of equal vision from the sun, the fire, the river, the flowers and the air. – Sri Swami Sivananda

Chapter I: “Samadhi Pada – On Contemplations”

I.17. VITARKA-VICHAARAANANDAASMITAANUGAMAAT SAMPRJNAATAH

‘Samprajnata samadhi (samadhi with consciousness) is accompanied by reasoning, discrimination, bliss and an awareness of individuality.’

Commentary:
The third kind of Samprajanta Samadhi is saananda, where the elements, whether in or out of time and space, have all been progressively merged in the mind. As its own object of meditation, the mind rests in this state of bliss. One may not want to proceed further, for the ecstasy is supreme. But this is only a taste of the Ultimate Bliss, for there is still identification with the fruits of meditation in Samprajanta Samadhi. Evidence that duality still exists is in the very enjoyment of the blissful state.

Dispassion is the secret of spiritual progress. – Sri Swami Sivananda

The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, narrated in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata. The Bhagavad Gita is comprised of eighteen discourses, with a total of 701 Sanskrit verses. The timeless scene takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Sri Krishna, through a swift conversation with Arjuna, reveals profound, sublime and soul stirring spiritual truths, plus, rare secrets of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti and Karma. Those who study, and endowed with Faith, can reap the full benefits of the Bhagavad Gita, and the science of the Soul.

Over the next few months we will review Swami Sivananda’s summary of each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

Chapter I – The Yoga of the Despondency of Arjuna – A summary by Swami Sivananda.

The great Mahabharata war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas took place on the holy plain of Kurukshetra. After the failure of Lord Krishna’s peace mission, when He Himself went to Hastinapura as the emissary of the Pandavas, there was no other alternative for the Pandavas but to engage in war for their rightful share of the kingdom. All the famous warriors from both sides had assembled on the battlefield. Tents and wagons, weapons and machines, chariots and animals covered the vast plain. Lord Krishna arrived on the scene in a magnificent chariot yoked by white horses. He was to act as the charioteer of Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes. The din of hundreds of conches, blaring forth suddenly, announced the commencement of the battle. Arjuna blew his conch “Devadatta”, while Bhima, his brother, sounded the “Paundra”. All the other great warriors blew their respective conches. As the two armies were arrayed, ready for battle, Arjuna requested Krishna to place his chariot between them so that he might survey his opponents. He was bewildered by the scene before him, for he beheld on both sides, fathers and grandfathers, teachers and uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, relatives and comrades. Confusion reigned in Arjuna’s mind. Should he participate in this terrible carnage? Was it proper to destroy one’s relatives for the sake of a kingdom and some pleasures? Would it not be much better for him to surrender everything in favour of his enemies and retire in peace? As these thoughts rushed into his mind, a feeling of despondency overtook Arjuna. He had no enthusiasm to engage in this battle. Letting his bow slip from his hands, Arjuna could do nothing but turn to Lord Krishna for guidance and enlightenment.

Do not worry about obstacles. They will pass away. – Sri Swami Sivananda