Gurugram October 2021 | Preface

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

As the summer season came to an end and we entered into Autumn and the attention shifted to welcoming the Sivananda students back after their vacations. Centres and Ashrams continued to adapt to various country’s regulations regarding the COVID pandemic while serving their students the best they can within the constraint of the restrictions. It still continues to be an exercise in “Adapting, Adjusting and Accommodating” for everyone. It seems we need to continue to adjust to the changes and reinvent ourselves. This is a challenge, but also an golden opportunity to develop strength, resilience and flexibility. May we seize this opportunity and support each other in this task.

September was also a month of joyful celebrations. We celebrated Ganesha Chaturthi with lively Pujas in all our Centres, praying to Lord Ganesha for the removal of the obstacles on our path to peace. The 8th of September marked the anniversary of Swami Sivananda. All could feel his guidance, protection and the power of his love.

On a sadder note, the Sivananda Organization has the regret to announce the passing of Sister Leona, the dear friend of Dr Marilyn Rossner. Sister Leona had been sharing her pure heart and voice with the staff and guests of the Yoga Camp and the Yoga Retreat in Nassau Bahamas for over 40 years. She used to melt our hearts with her singing and playing the piano for our Christmas celebrations or other festive occasions. The world will miss a very pure soul. May she rest in the light in the higher planes.

A new program: We are very excited to announce the launching of the Sivananda Academy in Europe, with the inauguration of its first program, a 9 month course of 400 hours, called “Practical Vedanta Training”. The course is offered to serious sadhakas (TTC graduates) who want to dive into the study of the Vedantic scriptures and commit to a yogic lifestyle for the duration of the course. Each participant will have a mentor. The group will meet regularly on Zoom for lively discussions and sharing. The first course started very well and is a source of inspiration for all involved.

Other student news: A recent TTC gathered students from Eastern Europe (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia) with translation in the various languages. It came to a successful conclusion in the Ashram in Reith, Austria.

Online classes, courses and Satsangs continue to find a way into people’s lives and living spaces worldwide, to the joy of the many participants. One student shared how she was daily participating in one online Satsang from her car and found it most helpful and inspiring, especially in a traffic jam!

We send out heartfelt wishes for good health and inspiration on your path to peace.

Om and Prem,
Swami Kailasananda for the Acharyas of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Join us for our monthly Meditation for the Planet on Sunday October 3rd 2021 at 2pm CET. Check our websites for information.

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 Ashram or Centre.

Peace inside will lead to peace outside. If you want the World to have peace, start with yourself. – Sri Swami Sivananda

2021 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 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/

Bhava or mental attitude is more important and not the object on which you meditate. – Sri Swami Sivananda

From Discourse III: “Vibhuti Pada – On Divine Powers”

III.19. PRATYATASTA PARA-CITTA-JNANAM

‘(by performing “samyama” on) another’s mind its mental images are known’

III.20. T SLAMBANAM TASYAVISAYI-BHUTATVAT

‘But other mental factors which are not the subject of “samyama” can not be known’.

III.21. KAYA-RUPA-SAMYAMAT TAD-GRAHYA-SAKTI-STAMBHE CAKSUH- PRAKASAMPRAYOGE ‘NTARDHANAM

“Samyama” performed on one’s physical body suspends the ability of another to it; the reflected light (from the body) does not come into contact with another’s eyes, hence the power of invisibility’.

Sense-control leads to peace and happiness. – Sri Swami Sivananda

Chapter XVIII: The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation

XVIII.4. NISHCHAYAM SHRINU ME TATRA TYAAGE BHARATASATTAMA
TYAAGO HI PURUSHAVYAAGHRA TRIVIDHAH SAMPRAKEERITAH

(Arjuna speaking to Krishna)

Hear from Me the conclusion or the final truth about this abandonment, O best of the Bharatas; abandonment, verily, O best of men, has been declared to be of three kinds.

COMMENTARY: Significantly, a question asked by Arjuna asking what is true Sannyasa and true Tyaga (renunciation). In reply to this important and crucial query, the blessed Lord makes it clear to us that real Sannyasa or renunciant lies in renunciation of selfish actions, and even more in the renunciation of the desire or greed for the fruits of any action. The sages understand Sannyas to be the renunciation of action with desire; the wise declare the abandonment of the fruits of all actions as Tyaga. The true and proper renunciation is giving up of selfishness and attachment while performing one’s legitimate duties. This is called Sattwic Tyaga.

The renunciation Tyaga of egoism, selfishness and attachment in your activities is declared as true renunciation. Karma does not accumulate and bind one who is thus established in such inner renunciation. – Sri Swami Sivananda