Gurugram October 2020 | Preface

Om Namah Sivaya
Blessed Self

Greetings from all staff in the Sivananda Centres and Ashrams!

The transitional seasons of Fall, or Spring depending on the hemisphere you reside, have arrived as we continue to learn to adapt to the worldwide COVID situation.

As many Sivananda Ashrams and Centres remain closed, resident staff tirelessly continue to offer enriching and abundant number of classes, courses and Satsangs for at home Sadhana. We hear from many it is a relief to be able to receive the uplifting teachings of yoga in their home. The reach of Yoga has come closer.

As the pandemic shutdown in the World continues to be very uncertain and the stress and trauma level is on a constant rise, it becomes clearer and clearer that Yoga is a refuge and a shelter. The whole situation seems to teach us the only direction to peace and security is within oneself. Where else can we turn for a solution?

We often need to be forced, by unforeseen circumstances, to make important decisions in our lives. It seems it is a time to make strong decisions, to return to the essence, to find new strength and to connect with the space of light and the peace within. Divine help is always available, but we need to connect to it ourselves.

This is a time to clear old mental blocks, work on our fears and renew our commitment to our Yoga Sadhana practice. This requires will power, but not only. It requires the courage to face our resistances and allow the Divine to fill our hearts and become the ruler of our lives. May this Antaryamin, this indweller of our hearts, melt our ignorance and lead us to a clear understanding of who we are and what our life duties are. May we surrender to our Swadharma and shine as dynamic yogis on the battlefield of Life. May we remember the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna on the Kurukshetra : “Arise, Awake, O Arjuna!”

We wish for you to find a way to keep a high level of physical and mental immunity and to find relief and meaning in your Sadhana.

For those looking to deepen their practice the Teacher Training Courses are still available. Three Online TTCs were successfully taught, each through the Yoga Farm Ashram, the Neyyar Dam Ashram and in Asia (course offered in Chinese, Japanese and Korean). The Ashram in Reith, Austria was even able to offer an onsite TTC during the month of September.

Please accept this invitation to join us for the Unite for a Healthy Planet worldwide meditation – Every 1st Sunday of the month at 2PM Continental European Time, for 30 minutes. https://sivanandaorleans.org/unite-for-a-healthy-planet
on Sunday October 4th at 2pm CET. Let us all connect and create a powerful wave of peace and harmony. It will be streamed on youtube. Information on sivanandaorleans.org

Many of the International Sivananda Yoga Centres and Ashrams are still closed and are only teaching online. Finances are a concern, and, if this is at all possible for you, your support would be very gratefully received.

With Om and Prem,
The Acharyas of the Sivananda yoga Vedanta Centres

If you are established in Ahimsa (Non-Violence), you have attained all virtues. – Sri Swami Sivananda

COVID-19 Update:
Some Ashrams have opened, while others remain closed. Please check with each TTC/ATTC location whether COVID-19 has affected your selected course.
The SIVANANDA YOGA Teachers’ Training Courses are available both online (TTCOL) and in residence. Please check with each TTC/ATTC location whether your selected Teacher Training Courses are online or in residence. Thank you for your patience as schedules change.

View all 2021 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/

You cannot practice Ahimsa (Non-Violence) without practicing Truth. – Sri Swami Sivananda

From Discourse II: “Sadhana Pada – On Spiritual Disciplines”
II.33. VITARKA-BADHANE-PRATIPAKSA-BHAVANAM

“When negative or harmful thoughts disturbs the mind, they can be overcome by
constant pondering over their opposites.”

Commentary:
The yogi is ever alert, watching his mind. When he sees useless thought waves
arising, he immediately replaces them with positive thoughts, thus creating new
mental habits that are conducive to spiritual growth.

A pure heart is necessary to know the Will of God. – 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.

We continue reviewing Swami Sivananda’s summary of each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

The Yoga of Distinction Between The Field & the Knower of the Field. Summary of Thirteenth Discourse

In this discourse we have one of the most significant, most illuminating, most inspiring and most mystical portions of the Bhagavad Gita. The Lord gives us a wonderfully revealing insight into the human individual. It is the metaphysics of man, the unknown. The immortal Soul, with its physical embodiment, is the main theme of this discourse. The supreme transcendental Spirit, which is the eternal substratum beyond both, is also described in a wonderful manner. The knower of the Supreme Reality is instantly liberated.

The blessed Lord tells us that the knowledge of the Field and the Knower of the Field is the true knowledge. This highest and the best knowledge grants us divine wisdom and spiritual illumination that lead to divine beatitude. This body is the Field. The Immortal Soul (yourself), dwelling in the body is the Knower of the Field. Verily, it is the Supreme Being who has projected Himself and assumed the form of this Knower of the Field within this body. This self is none other than That. Thus, Lord Krishna explains the mystery of the individual soul dwelling within this mortal body. This knowledge constitutes the main subject matter of all the scriptures and the highest philosophical works.

The five elements, the ego, the mind, intellect and the ten organs, desire and aversion and such factors constitute the Field. Next follows a wonderful summing-up of what constitutes true knowledge. Then follows the declaration of the Supreme Soul, the knowledge of which grants us immortality. That Supreme Reality is the one universal Essence present everywhere. It pervades all. It shines within the inmost chambers of our heart, it is everything, it is the one seer, the witness, the guide, sustainer, experiencer and Lord of all. One who knows this mystery is not bound by activity even in the midst of life. When we perceive this supreme Presence dwelling in all beings we cannot injure anyone. Krishna asks us to see and know the difference between the Field (body or Prakriti) and the Knower of the Field (Spirit or Purusha), and thus reach the Self. This is the teaching and the message of this illuminating discourse.

Empty yourself of you egoism then the Divine will fill your heart to the brim. – Sri Swami Sivananda