Gurugram March 2022 | Preface

Om Namah Sivaya
Blessed Self
Greetings from all staff in the Sivananda Centres and Ashrams!

February 2022 witnessed an increasing level of unrest in the world. Today feels important however not to yield to fear and instead to remember the power of thought. Remember we can call upon divine help and protection through our prayers and intense mantra chanting. Swami Sivananda says that faith can move mountains and that the power of the Divine Name is unfathomable.

It seems humanity has put itself in such a tight spot that only higher forces can break the spell. Each one of us needs to do our part though, in the form of counteracting the negativity with goodwill, positivity and the trust that, in the end, good always prevails. The positive always wins over the negative, and the battle between these 2 forces is an opportunity given by God to develop strength, faith and ultimately the vision of the unity beyond duality. This battle has been raging forever, both outside and within the mind of every human being.

May we rise to the occasion and see it as a chance to deepen our commitment to our practice and serve humanity selflessly and untiringly, as our Teachers showed us through their own example.

May we also remember that we are not on this physical plane forever. We are passing pilgrims on this planet, learning many lessons with the highest lesson to stop identifying with our physical body and to remember we are the immortal Self.

In this midst of it all, the Sivananda Centres and Ashrams continue to be beacons of peace and light, helping many to remain calm and steady in their faith. Pujas are being done daily at the Ashrams, helping to raise the vibratory level and keep the mind positive.

The power of collective Sadhana is immense. Let us do our part. Please join us this coming Sunday March 6 for our monthly online mantra chanting for peace. We also hold Pujas online several times a week. https://sivanandaorleans.org/unite-for-a-healthy-planet

May you and your family remain healthy, strong and positive.

With our heartfelt wishes for inner peace,
Om Shanti,
Swami Kailasananda for the Acharyas of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

Join us for Sivananda monthly Meditation for a Peaceful Planet on Sunday March 6th 2022 at 2pm CET. Check our websites for information. https://sivanandaorleans.org/unite-for-a-healthy-planet

Donations: With many of the International Sivananda Yoga Centres and Ashrams teaching online, finances are a concern, so if this is at all possible for you, your financial support would be very gratefully received by contacting any Sivananda Ashram or Centre.

Truth stands even when there is no public support. – Sri Swami Sivananda

2022 COVID-19 Update:
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 2022 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/

Control of the mind is the highest Yoga. – Sri Swami Sivananda

From Discourse I: “Samadhi Pada – On Contemplations”


I.25. TATRA NIRATISAYAM SARVAJNA-BEEJAM

“In him lies the seed of omniscience”.

Commentary: 
God, or ‘Ishwara’, is not just all knowing, but is knowledge itself. In uniting with Him, the highest knowledge is obtained. This does not refer to intellectual knowledge of the entire universe through the eye of wisdom and intuition.

Fears make you limited and powerless, cultivate courage. – Sri Swami Sivananda

From Discourse III: “Karma Yoga – Yoga of Action”

III.5. Na hi kashchit kshanamapi jaatu tishthatyakarmakrit;
Kaaryate hyavashah karma sarvah prakritijair gunaih.

Verily none can ever remain for even a moment without performing action; for, everyone is made to act helplessly indeed by the qualities born of Nature.

COMMENTARY: The ignorant man is driven to action helplessly by the actions of the Gunas–Rajas, Tamas and Sattwa.

III.25. Saktaah karmanyavidwaamso yathaa kurvanti bhaarata;
Kuryaad vidwaam stathaa saktash chikeershur lokasangraham.
As the ignorant men act from attachment to action, O Bharata (Arjuna), so should the wise act without attachment, wishing the welfare of the world!

III.33. Sadrisham cheshtate swasyaah prakriter jnaanavaan api;
Prakritim yaanti bhootaani nigrahah kim karishyati.
Even a wise man acts in accordance with his own nature; beings will follow nature; what can restraint do?

COMMENTARY: Only the ignorant man comes under the sway of his natural propensities. The seeker after Truth who is endowed with the ‘Four Means’ and who constantly practises meditation, can easily control Nature if he rises above the sway of the pairs of opposites, like love and hate, etc.

Pay attention to Kusanga – bad company. It includes too much indulging in the social, endless chattering of self and others. – Sri Swami Sivananda