Gurugram January 2015 | Preface
Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya, Blessed Selves,
We wish you all a healthy and prosperous New Year 2015. The coming year seems to be very bright for the Organization with a new Satsang Hall and Temple being inaugurated at our Madurai Ashram in India; the Organization reaching to China and Taiwan with Swamiji’s teachings and teacher trainings; a popular increase of Advanced Teacher Trainings worldwide: a new permanent place for our San Francisco Centre, presently in the works and the acquisition of new land in Austria for a permanent Sivananda home. All this translates to Master and Swamiji’s teachings reaching more and more people on their way to health, peace of mind and happiness.
In 2015 the Organization will continue to strive and provide more opportunities for enthusiastic and eager new students. It is accomplished through their enthusiasm plus the guidance and grace of Master and Swamiji. We thank all of you for the continued support. We wish you all a successful Sadhana in the coming year. May Master and Swamiji’s blessings be with us always.
Pranams to all.
Character is what you are, reputation is what people think you are. The best treasure of humanity is noble character. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
| Jan 04 – Jan 18/15 Sadhana Intensive – English Madurai, Tamil Nadu, South India www.sivananda.org/maduraiJan 04 – Jan 31/15 ATTC – English Nassau, Bahamas www.sivananda.org/nassauJan 04 – Jan 31/15 TTC – English Nassau, Bahamas www.sivananda.org/nassau Jan 11 – Feb 08/15 Jan 11 – Feb 08/15 Jan 11 – Feb 08/15 Jan 18 – Feb 15/15 Jan 24 – Feb 08/15 Feb 03 – Mar 02/15 Feb 15 – Mar 15/15 Feb 22 – Mar 22/15 Feb 28 – Mar 29/15 Feb 28 – Mar 29/15 Feb 28 – Mar 29/15 Feb 28 – Mar 28/15 Mar 01 – Mar 28/15 Mar 01 – Mar 29/15 Mar 10 – Apr 06/15 |
Mar 22 – Apr 19/15 TTC – English Neyyar Dam, Kerala, South India www.sivananda.org/neyyardamMar 29 – Apr 26/15 TTC – English Namchi, Sikkim, Himalayas, North India sivananda.org.in/sikkim.htmlApr 05 – May 03/15 TTC – English Netala, Uttar Kashi, North India www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi Apr 09 – May 06/15 Apr 26 – May 25/15 May 02 – May 30/15 May 09 – Jun 05/15 May 02 – May 17/15 May 09 – Jun 07/15 May 10 – Jun 07/15 May 18 – Jun 15/15 May 31 – Jun 28/15 Jun 14- Jun 28/15 Jun 02 – Jun 30/15 Jun 14 – Jul 12/15 Jun 28 – Jul 25/15 Jul 03 – Jul 31/15 Jul 03 – Jul 31/15 Jul 05 – Aug 02/15 |
Raja Yoga
From Chapter IV: “Kaivalya Pada – On Realization”
IV.19. NA TAT SVABHASAM DRSYATVAT
‘Nor is it (the mind) self-luminous, for it is in the realm of perception.’
Commentary:
The mind is something that can be observed as an object, and not the source of knowledge, just as the moon is not a source of light but a reflection of the sun.
IV.20. EKA-SAMAYE COBHAYANAVADHARANAM
‘It cannot perceive two things at once.’
Commentary:
Even though thoughts are formed in but a split second, still only one thought-form can exist in the mind at one time. So it is impossible for the mind to be perceiving itself while it perceives something else.
Philosophy deals with man, God, Brahman and Universe. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita Quote
Chapter III: The Yoga of Action
III.20. KARMANAIVA HI SAMSIDDHIM AASTHITAA JANAKAADAYAH;
LOKASANGRAHAM EVAAPI SAMPASHYAN KARTUM ARHASI.
(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
‘Janaka and others attained perfection verily by action only; even with a view to the protection of the masses thou shouldst perform action.’
III.21. YADYAD AACHARATI SHRESHTHAS TATTADEVETARO JANAH;
SA YAT PRAMAANAM KURUTE LOKAS TAD ANUVARTATE.
‘Whatsoever a great man does, that other men also do; whatever he sets up as the standard, that the world follows.’
You can elevate others only if you have elevated yourself. This world can be saved only by those who have already saved themselves. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Spiritual Calendar
| JANUARY 2015
01 Ekadasi FEBRUARY 2015 03 Full Moon |
Glossary
MARGA: Path
Nivritti Marga – the path of renunciation
Preyo-Marga – the path of ignorance / the path of pleasure.
Sreyo-Marga – the path of knowledge.
Pravrittimarga – the path of action or life in the worldly society
Bhakti-marga – the path of devotion
Jnana-marga – the path of knowledge
Nivrittimarg – The path of renunciation or Sannyasa; the path of return to Brahman.
Archiradi-marga – The path of the gods; the northern path; taken by the Jiva after death through which the Yogi ascends to the world of Brahman.
MAYA: The illusive power of God.
Maya is powerful. Except, in very rare cases, where the Samskaras are very strong, a taste for a life of contemplation does not manifest itself in man. The Avarana of Avidya /the veil of ignorance is so thick that spiritual practice is not sufficient to easily pierce it. Life then only creates Samskaras which take shape in future births. No doubt, Satsang, Japa and Dhyana help a Sadhaka a lot. But, if at the same time you do Vichara, develop Viveka and cultivate Vairagya, then the progress is extremely rapid. Vairagya and Viveka are absolutely necessary. Without these, no amount of Satsang, Japa or Dhyana will produce immediate results. Because Maya is extremely powerful: she can be annihilated only through Dridha Vairagya, only through intense dispassion.
Live in the present, forget the past. Release hopes of the future. – Sri Swami Sivananda