Gurugram July 2023 | Preface
Om Namah Sivaya
Blessed Self
The highlight of this month was the celebration of the international Yoga day. Most centres and Ashrams organized special events, some programmes were held in conjunction with the Indian Embassies. Classes and asana demonstrations were held in many cities. The teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda were received with much interest and gratitude.
There was a sadhana intensive course at the Yoga Farm and the Yoga camp as well as a successful teen as well as Kids Camp at the Dalat Ashram.
A TTC refresher was held at the Orleans Ashram, bringing together over 75 TTC graduates from all over Europe. It was a time of great inspiration and renewal for all staff and teachers. The Sivananda academy year also ended with the last retreat and all students happily graduating.
May you stay inspired in your sadhana. We look forward to seeing you this summer in one of the Sivananda Ashrams!
OM and prem
Swami Kailasananda for the Acharyas of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.
Join us for the monthly Sivananda “Meditation for a Peaceful Planet” on Sunday 3rd September, 2023 at 2pm CEST. Check our website for information. https://sivanandaorleans.org/unite-for-a-healthy-planet
Donations: Your donations and financial support would be very gratefully received by any of the International Sivananda Yoga Centres and Ashrams. Please contact any Sivananda Ashram or Centre on how to proceed.
Hold the torch of discrimination. Walk in the path of meditation. Keep the guide of dispassion. You are sure to attain illumination. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
2023 Update
SIVANANDA YOGA Teachers’ Training Courses are available both Online (TTCOL) and in-person in residence. Please check with each TTC/ATTC location for any TTCOLs.
Please check with each TTC/ATTC location whether COVID-19 has affected your selected course.
The SIVANANDA YOGA Teachers’ Training Courses are available either online (TTCOL) or in residence, depending on the location. Please check with each TTC/ATTC location whether your selected Teacher Training Course is available online or in residence as some Ashrams have opened, while others remain closed. Thank you for your patience as schedules change during COVID.
To view all 2023 TTC/ATTC/SI courses on the Sivananda website: https://sivananda.org/teachers-training/programme-calendar/
See the full list of other international courses and events: https://www.sivananda.org/
Beginning and end are mere illusions. Endless and Beginningless is the Soul or Atman. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Raja Yoga
From Discourse IV: “Kaivalya Pada – On Realisation”
IV.10 tāsāṃ-anāditvaṃ cāśiṣo nityatvāt
There is no beginning to them (desires), for the will to live is eternal.
Commentary:
This gives a scope of how long man has been through birth and rebirth. He has been reincarnating as long as there has been desire. It is desire that brings him to the physical plane, and there is no beginning to desire.
The conscious mind works in the waking state, the subconscious in the dream state and the unconscious in the deep sleep state. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita Quote
Chapter VI: The Yoga of Meditation
VI.28 Yunjann evaṃ sadātmānaṃ yogī vigata-kalmaṣaḥ
Sukhena brahma-samsparśam atyantaṃ sukham aśnute
The Yogi, always engaging the mind thus (in the practice of Yoga), freed from sins, easily enjoys the infinite bliss of contact with Brahman (the Eternal).
Commentary:
By Yogic practices such as the withdrawal of the senses, concentration and meditation he loses contact with the objects of the senses and comes into contact with Brahman or the immortal Self within and thus enjoys the Infinite Bliss of Brahman.
Sensual pleasures are transitory or fleeting but the bliss of Brahman is uninterrupted, undecaying and everlasting. That is the reason why one should attempt to realise the Self within.
The Yogi removes the obstacles that stand in the way of obtaining union with the Lord and thus always keeps the mind steady in the Self.
He who sows generosity reaps love divine. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Spiritual Calendar
| JULY 2023 03 Full Moon 03 Guru Purnima 13 Ekadasi 14 Swami Sivananda Mahasamadhi 17 New Moon 29 Ekadasi AUGUST 2023 Thoughts of God cheer up the body, mind and spirit. Names of God soothe the nerves. Love of God bestows peace and joy. Knowledge of God breaks the fetters of Karma. – Sri Swami Sivananda |
Glossary
GANESH CHATURTHI
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday and the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world. Clay figures of the Deity are made and after being worshipped for two days, or in some cases ten days, they are thrown into water.
Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God. He is worshipped first in any prayers. His Names are repeated first before any auspicious work, or any kind of worship is begun. He is the Lord of power and wisdom. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and the elder brother of Skanda or Kartikeya. He is the energy of Lord Shiva.
Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and his help nothing whatsoever can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without his support, Grace or blessing.
Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom and bliss. He is the Lord of Brahmacharins. He is foremost amongst the celibates. He has as his vehicle a small mouse. He is the presiding Deity of the Muladhara Chakra, the psychic centre in the body in which the Kundalini Shakti resides. He is the Lord who removes all obstacles on the path of the spiritual aspirant and bestows upon him worldly as well as spiritual success. Hence, He is called Vigna Vinayaka. His Bija Akshara (root syllable) is Gung, pronounced to rhyme with the English word “sung”. He is the Lord of harmony and peace.
Lord Ganesha represents Om or the Pranava, which is the chief Mantra among the Hindus. Nothing can be done without uttering it. This explains the practice of invoking Ganesha before beginning any rite or undertaking any project. His two feet represent the power of knowledge and the power of action. The elephant head is significant in that it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol for Om.
The significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism. The holding of the ankusha (goad) represents his rulership of the world. It is the emblem of divine Royalty.
Ganesha is the first God. Riding on a mouse, one of nature’s smallest creatures and having the head of an elephant, the biggest of all animals, denotes that Ganesha is the creator of all creatures. Elephants are very wise animals; this indicates that Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom. It also denotes the process of evolution–the mouse gradually evolves into an elephant and finally becomes a man. This is why Ganesha has a human body, an elephant’s head and a mouse as His vehicle. This is the symbolic philosophy of His form.
On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel his Presence in it. Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.
May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!
From Hindu Fasts and Festivals by Swami Sivananda