Gurugram March 2019 | Preface

Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
Greetings from the Yoga Camp Sivananda Headquarters in Val Morin, Canada.
We are very pleased to report the positive momentum of the Sivananda Rural Hospital Medical Camp. In furthering the endeavors of our Masters Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda toward building a better and habitable world, the role of being healthy is of prime importance, as suggested by the renowned motto of ‘Health is wealth, peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way’. Keeping this aim in view, the free Medical Clinics set up by Meenakshi Ashram, in association with Vikram Hospital notably received tremendous positive response from people in neighbouring villages to the Ashram.

The goal of the monthly medical clinics is to provide assistance and education to the public, thwarting the age old beliefs and practices of curing. This is not easily accomplished, particularly taking into consideration the weight of one’s wallet. Lack of proper awareness and, above all, financial instability makes the vast majority of villagers stick to old treatment methods. Dispelling faith in traditions created to suit the needs in times of yore, is like grappling for glimmer of light in darkness. Ever since the inception of Sivananda Rural Hospital, and with the blessings and guidance of our teachers, we have come a commendable distance ahead in this direction. Starting off humbly as a medical camp, the medical services and education were offered and slowly found its foothold amongst the masses. The weekly medical camp was recently upgraded as a rural hospital with monthly to weekly to daily basis consultations and check ups.

In February 2019 we were happy to announce the inauguration of a Naturopath Hospital in close proximity to our Rural Hospital. This inauguration was graced with the esteemed presence of three of our prominent Executive Board Members: Swami Durgananda ji, Swami Sivadasananda ji and Prahlada ji. Swami Durgananda ji suggested how blessed we would be to cure diseases without medicines and how privileged we would be to live in tune with Nature. Swami Sivadasananda ji elaborated on how natural elements work in close relation in Yogic science as well. Our Acharya, Prahlada ji, took this opportunity to thank the family of our trustee, Sri Narayanasamy, who initiated the concept of building a Sivananda Ashram in Madurai. Because the February 2019 India Directors Meeting was at the Meenakshi Ashram, all the Directors of India’s Ashrams and Centres, along with the trustees, also bore witness to the ceremony. We pray to our Master and Guru to guide us in molding a community where one’s natural immune power takes the reigns of health.

We thank you all for your continued support and encouragement with Sivananda Organization’s endeavours.

May Master and Swamiji’s grace guide us in all ways.
Pranams to all.

Do not bother about spiritual experiences. Go ahead with your Sadhana. Knowledge dawns
of its own accord. – Sri Swami Sivananda

2019 TTC courses can be viewed here on the NEW Sivananda website.

See the full list of other international courses and events: https://www.sivananda.org/

Crave for a thing, you will get it. Renounce the craving, the object will follow you by itself. – Sri Swami Sivananda

From Chapter I: “Samadhi Pada- On Contemplations”] I.9. SHABDA-JNAANAANUPAATII-VASTU-SHUNYO VIKALPAH
‘Verbal delusion is caused by the identification with words that have no basis in reality.’

Commentary: A great Hindu holy man was once insulted in front of his disciples by a non-believer who spat upon his face several times. Not one muscle twitched, nor did his calm facial expression change, because he did not identify with his physical sheath. His mind was Centreed in God.

Can you imagine the strength of that mind? Swami Sivananda prostrated before that man who tried to kill him, and Jesus forgave those who crucified him. No matter what was done to them, they responded with one thought, that of pure love. A true master will not react in anger, for to him insult and praise are the same. Restraint of thought waves does not mean suppression. Suppression dams up violent emotions. For various reasons, people suffer abuse, suppressing anger or pain by smiling and carrying a stiff upper lip. The restrained thought waves must be given an outlet. They must be sublimated and channeled into such uplifting activities as Mantra repetition, exercise, singing and meditation on opposite, positive thoughts. Exchange love for anger and joy for sorrow.

There is no greater joy than that of a life of renunciation of egoism and desires. It is a grand life. Tyaga Renunciation alone can make you fearless and happy. – Sri Swami Sivananda

Chapter IV: The Yoga of the Division of Wisdom

IV.6. AJO’PI SANNAVYAYAATMAA BHOOTAANAAM EESHWARO’PI SAN;
PRAKRITIM SWAAM ADHISHTHAAYA SAMBHAVAAMYAATMAMAAYAYAA.

(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
‘Though I am unborn and of imperishable nature, and though I am the Lord of all beings, yet, ruling over My own Nature, I am born by My own Maya.’

IV.7. YADAA YADAA HI DHARMASYA GLAANIR BHAVATI BHAARATA;
ABHYUTTHAANAM ADHARMASYA TADAATMAANAM SRIJAAMYAHAM.

‘Whenever there is a decline of righteousness, O Arjuna, and rise of unrighteousness, then I manifest Myself!’

COMMENTARY: That which elevates a man and helps him to reach the goal of life and attain knowledge is Dharma (righteousness); that which drags him into worldliness is unrighteousness. That which helps a man to attain liberation is Dharma; that which makes him irreligious is Adharma or unrighteousness.

Do not allow the mind to wander about in sensual objects. Practice Nirodha/self-restraint. – Sri Swami Sivananda