The Making of a Devotee
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The Sage of Vasishtha Guha - the Last Phase
THE SAGE OF VASISHTHA GUHA - THE LAST PHASE by SWAMI NIRVEDANANDA THE SAGE OF VASISHTHA GUHA - THE LAST PHASE by SWAMI NIRVEDANANDA Published By SWAMI NIRVEDANANDA VILLAGE : KURTHA, GHAZIPUR - - 233 001. (C) SHRI PURUSHOTTAMANANDA TRUST First Edition 1975 Copies can be had from : SHRI M. P. SRIVASTAVA, 153 RAJENDRANAGAR, LUCKNOW - 226 004. Printed at SEVAIi PRESS, Bombay-400 019 (India) DEDICATION What is Thine own, 0 Master! F offer unto Thee alone c^'-q R;q q^ II CONTENTS Chapter. Page PREFACE 1 THE COMPASSIONATE GURU 1 II A SANNYASA CEREMONY ... ii 111 PUBLICATION OF BIOGRAPHY ... ... 6 IV ARDHA-KUMBHA AT PRAYAG ... ... 8 V A NEW KUTIR ... 12 VI ON A TOUR TO THE SOUTH 13 VII OMKARASHRAMA 10 VIII TOWARDS KANYAKUMARI ... ... 18 IX THE RETURN JOURNEY ... ... 23 X THE CRUISE ON THE PAMPA ... ... 24 XI VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF BIRTH ... ... 27 XII GOOD-BYE TO THE SOUTH ... ... 28 XLII RISHIKESH - VASISHTHA GUHA ... ... 29 XIV TWO SANNYASA CEREMONIES ... 30 XV AT THE DEATH-BED OF A DISCIPL E ... 32 XVI THE LAST TOUR ... 35 XVII MAHASAMADHI & AFTER ... 30 XVIII VASISHTHA GUHA ASHRAMA TODAY ... 48 APPENDIX ... 50 Tre lace T HE Sage of Vasishtha Guha, the Most Revered Skvami Puru- shottamanandaji Maharaj, attained Mahasamadhi in the year 1961. This little volume covers the last two years of his sojourn on earth and is being presented to the readers as a com- plement to "The Life of Swami Purushottamananda," published in 1959. More than twelve years have elapsed since Swamiji's Mahasamadhi and it is only now that details could be collected and put in the form of a book. -
The Vision a Monthly Journal Started by HH Swami Ramdas in 1933 DEDICATED to UNIVERSAL LOVE and SERVICE
Rs. 40/- ANNUAL The Vision A monthly journal started by HH Swami Ramdas in 1933 DEDICATED TO UNIVERSAL LOVE AND SERVICE VOL. 84 APRIL 2017 NO. 07 ANANDASHRAM, P.O. ANANDASHRAM - 671 531, INDIA VOL. 84 APRIL 2017 No. 07 FULLNESS OF GOD THE world is not there for me. For me the world is God — Every part of it is Divine, There is none but He and I. I! Where is ‘I’ when all is He? I, you and He are one in Him. ‘Tis all one life, one thought, one form, One is the sound and one is the strain. One is the sun and one is the light. In the silence of all-embracing space Thrills one sole rapture of peace. The air breathes and swings To one immortal tune. Fullness of God — perfection of Truth Alone revealed everywhere In pomp, power and glory. — Swami Ramdas Vol. 84 April 2017 No. 07 CONTENTS From The Editor - 5 Knowledge Makes For Freedom - Swami Ramdas 7 Words Of Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas- 9 Words Of Pujya Mataji Krishnabai - 11 Words Of Pujya Swami Satchidananda- 13 ‘I’ And ‘Mine’ Are False Ideas - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj14 The Illusion Of Ownership - Eckhart Tolle 16 The Discipline Of Universal Love - Swami Sivananda 19 ‘I’ And ‘Mine’ – Cause Of Unhappiness- Shri Brahmachaitanya Maharaj Gondavalekar 21 Misery Comes From ‘I’ And ‘Mine’ - Swami Vivekananda 23 Epistles Of Swami Ramdas - 25 Dear Children - 28 Swami Padmanabhanandaji’s Visit - 30 Anandashram News - 34 THE VISION A Monthly Magazine Anandashram PO Anandashram 671531, Kanhangad, Kerala, India Phone: (0467) 2203036, 2209477, 2207403 Web: www.anandashram.org Email: [email protected] [email protected] For free edition of “THE VISION” on the web, please visit: www.anandashram.org Apr 2017FROM THE EDITOR 5 FROM THE EDITOR There is a marvelous Sufi story that may inspire us to think deep about who we are and where we belong. -
Christopher Isherwood Papers
http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8pk0gr7 No online items Christopher Isherwood Papers Finding aid prepared by Sara S. Hodson with April Cunningham, Alison Dinicola, Gayle M. Richardson, Natalie Russell, Rebecca Tuttle, and Diann Benti. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Manuscripts Department The Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2191 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org © October 2, 2000. Updated: January 12, 2007, April 14, 2010 and March 10, 2017 The Huntington Library. All rights reserved. Christopher Isherwood Papers CI 1-4758; FAC 1346-1397 1 Overview of the Collection Title: Christopher Isherwood Papers Dates (inclusive): 1864-2004 Bulk dates: 1925-1986 Collection Number: CI 1-4758; FAC 1346-1397 Creator: Isherwood, Christopher, 1904-1986. Extent: 6,261 pieces, plus ephemera. Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Manuscripts Department 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2191 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org Abstract: This collection contains the papers of British-American writer Christopher Isherwood (1904-1986), chiefly dating from the 1920s to the 1980s. Consisting of scripts, literary manuscripts, correspondence, diaries, photographs, ephemera, audiovisual material, and Isherwood’s library, the archive is an exceptionally rich resource for research on Isherwood, as well as W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender and others. Subjects documented in the collection include homosexuality and gay rights, pacifism, and Vedanta. Language: English. Access The collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department, with two exceptions: • The series of Isherwood’s daily diaries, which are closed until January 1, 2030. -
January-December - 2012
JANUARY-DECEMBER - 2012 January 2012 AVOID CONFUSION This world appearance is a confusion as the blue sky is an optical illusion. It is better not to let the mind dwell on it. Neither freedom from sorrow nor realization of one’s real nature is possible as long as the conviction does not arise in us that the world-appearance is unreal. The objective world is a confusion of the real with the unreal. – Yoga Vasishta THE MIND: It is complex. It is logical and illogical, rational and irrational, good and bad, loving and hating, giving and grabbing, full of hope and help, while also filled with hopelessness and helplessness. Mind is a paradox, unpredictable with its own ways of functioning. It is volatile and restless; yet, it constantly seeks peace, stillness and stability. To be with the mind means to live our lives like a roller- coaster ride. The stability and stillness that we seek, the rest and relaxation that we crave for, the peace and calmness that we desperately need, are not to be found in the arena of mind. That is available only when we link to our Higher Self, which is very much with us. But we have to work for it. – P.V. Vaidyanathan LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE: Not everyone will see the greatness we see in ourselves. Our reactions to situations that don’t fit our illusions cause us to suffer. Much of the negative self-talk is based upon reactions to a reality that does not conform to our illusory expectations. We have much to celebrate about, which we forget. -
Swami Vivekananda
Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Volume 9 Letters (Fifth Series) Lectures and Discourses Notes of Lectures and Classes Writings: Prose and Poems (Original and Translated) Conversations and Interviews Excerpts from Sister Nivedita's Book Sayings and Utterances Newspaper Reports Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Volume 9 Letters - Fifth Series I Sir II Sir III Sir IV Balaram Babu V Tulsiram VI Sharat VII Mother VIII Mother IX Mother X Mother XI Mother XII Mother XIII Mother XIV Mother XV Mother XVI Mother XVII Mother XVIII Mother XIX Mother XX Mother XXI Mother XXII Mother XXIII Mother XXIV Mother XXV Mother XXVI Mother XXVII Mother XXVIII Mother XXIX Mother XXX Mother XXXI Mother XXXII Mother XXXIII Mother XXXIV Mother XXXV Mother XXXVI Mother XXXVII Mother XXXVIII Mother XXXIX Mother XL Mrs. Bull XLI Miss Thursby XLII Mother XLIII Mother XLIV Mother XLV Mother XLVI Mother XLVII Miss Thursby XLVIII Adhyapakji XLIX Mother L Mother LI Mother LII Mother LIII Mother LIV Mother LV Friend LVI Mother LVII Mother LVIII Sir LIX Mother LX Doctor LXI Mother— LXII Mother— LXIII Mother LXIV Mother— LXV Mother LXVI Mother— LXVII Friend LXVIII Mrs. G. W. Hale LXIX Christina LXX Mother— LXXI Sister Christine LXXII Isabelle McKindley LXXIII Christina LXXIV Christina LXXV Christina LXXVI Your Highness LXXVII Sir— LXXVIII Christina— LXXIX Mrs. Ole Bull LXXX Sir LXXXI Mrs. Bull LXXXII Mrs. Funkey LXXXIII Mrs. Bull LXXXIV Christina LXXXV Mrs. Bull— LXXXVI Miss Thursby LXXXVII Friend LXXXVIII Christina LXXXIX Mrs. Funkey XC Christina XCI Christina XCII Mrs. Bull— XCIII Sir XCIV Mrs. Bull— XCV Mother— XCVI Sir XCVII Mrs. -
Conversations with Swami Turiyananda
CONVERSATIONS WITH SWAMI TURIYANANDA Recorded by Swami Raghavananda and translated by Swami Prabhavananda (This month's reading is from the Jan.-Feb., 1957 issue of Vedanta and the West.) The spiritual talks published below took place at Almora in the Himalayas during the summer of 1915 in the ashrama which Swami Turiyananda had established in cooperation with his brother-disciple, Swami Shivananda. During the course of these conversations, Swami Turiyananda describes the early days at Dakshineswar with his master, Sri Ramakrishna, leaving a fascinating record of the training of an illumined soul by this God-man of India. His memories of life with his brother-disciples at Baranagore, under Swami Vivekananda’s leadership, give a glimpse of the disciplines and struggles that formed the basis of the young Ramakrishna Order. Above all, Swami Turiyananada’s teachings in the pages that follow contain practical counsel on many aspects of religious life of interest to every spiritual seeker. Swami Turiyananda spent most of his life in austere spiritual practices. In 1899, he came to the United States where he taught Vedanta for three years, first in New York, later on the West Coast. By the example of his spirituality he greatly influenced the lives of many spiritual aspirants both in America and India. He was regarded by Sri Ramakrishna as the perfect embodiment of that renunciation which is taught in the Bhagavad Gita Swami Shivananda, some of whose talks are included below, was also a man of the highest spiritual realizations. He later became the second President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. -
Sri Ramakrishna, Modern Spirit, and Religion
SWAMI PRABHAVANANDA RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY Sri Ramakrishna, Modern Spirit, and Religion SWAMI PRABHAVANANDA mongst the students of religion who men alive. Yet the state of samàdhi still are acquainted with the life of Sri remained to him an abnormality. ARamakrishna, perhaps only a few In this connection one may also mention regard his life in all its phases as historically Professor Max Muller, and Romain Rolland, true. To these few, what appears to the rest biographers of Ramakrishna, and two of the as belonging to the class of legend and greatest thinkers of our age. They were mythology becomes living spiritual truth. To attracted to and admired the superior spiritual them even the lives of Krishna, Buddha, or genius of the man Ramakrishna, yet viewed Christ which seem lost in the mist of myth many of the incidents of his life as legendary, and legend become true and living in the and some of his spiritual experiences as light of the life of Ramakrishna. But apart delusions, or mental aberrations. from these few, however, to most people Let us, therefore, analyse why there is who have drunk deep of the modern spirit, this contradiction in the estimation of who refuse to accept anything as true which Ramakrishna; why he is accepted as a is beyond the realm of their personal spiritual genius by those very people who at discoveries and thus are circumscribed by the same time reject some of the most their own limitations, much that is told of Sri important experiences of his life— Ramakrishna’s life appears as legendary, experiences which made him what he was. -
Recent Biographies of Ramakrishna – a Study
RECENT BIOGRAPHIES OF RAMAKRISHNA – A STUDY RUCHIRA MITRA Research Scholar, PP ENG 0054 Rayalaseema University, Andhra Pradesh (INDIA) [Ex HOD, English, Shadan Degree College for Boys, Hyderabad Ex Lecturer, Post Graduate College, OU, Secunderabad] (AP), INDIA. The spiritual giants are the most tangible form of divinity through which people find solace in difficult times. Their biographies perpetuate their memory as well as promote devoutness and spirituality. Biography of saints is again becoming popular nowadays. It also throws light on the problems in writing a biography of a saint because most of the drama of a saint’s life is lived within; and charting the inner dimensions of a saint has always been a challenging task. Such studies are often inspired by veneration instead of deep understanding. On the other hand, there may be a biography written by a detractor in which sublime ideals and transcendental thoughts are trivialized. This becomes evident if we do critical appreciation of some famous biographies. Ramakrishna, who, more than a century after his death continues to dominate secular Hindu consciousness, was a key figure in what is considered to be the Hindu Renaissance of the 19th century. His biographies will be used to show the wide range of perspectives - from abjectly critical to totally objective to rank idolatry - – taken up by the authors. A big problem in interpreting a person’s character arises when the biographer belongs to a different culture. Two foreign interpreters of Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita Malcolm McLean and Jeffrey Kripal fall under this category. In Kali’s Child Kripal takes to the hermeneutic of suspicion as he claims to reveal the secret that has been hidden for over a century: that Ramakrishna was a conflicted, unwilling homoerotic Tantric. -
Christian and Hindu Swami Ranganathananda Moulding Our
358 MARCH - APRIL 2011 Monastic Spirituality: Christian and Hindu Swami Ranganathananda Moulding Our Lives with Sri Ramakrishna’s Teachings Swami Bhuteshananda Divine Wisdom MASTER: "Once a teacher was explaining to a disciple: God alone, and no one else, is your own.' The disciple said: 'But, revered sir, my mother, my wife, and my other relatives take very good care of me. They see nothing but darkness when I am not present. How much they love me!' The teacher said: 'There you are mistaken. I shall show you presently that nobody is your own. Take these few pills with you. When you go home, swallow them and lie down in bed. People will think you are dead, but you will remain conscious of the outside world and will see and hear everything. Then I shall visit your home. "The disciple followed the instructions. He swallowed the pills and lay as if unconscious in his bed. His mother, wife, and other relatives began to cry. Just then the teacher came in, in the guise of a physician, and asked the cause of their grief. When they had told him everything, he said to them: 'Here is a medicine for him. It will bring him back to life. But I must tell you one thing. This medicine must first be taken by one of his relatives and then given to him. But the relative who takes it first will die. I see his mother, his wife, and others here. Certainly one of you will volunteer to take the medicine. Then the young man will come back to life.' "The disciple heard all this. -
The Contemplative Life – Most Revered Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj
The Contemplative Life – Most Revered Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj. Most Revered Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj was the 15th President of the world -wide Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. In this article Most Revered Maharaj provides guidelines on how to lead a contemplative life citing many personal reminiscences of senior monks of the Ramakrishna tradition who lead inspiring spiritual lives. Source : Prabuddha Bharata – Jan 2007 SADHAN-BHAJAN or spiritual practice – japa, prayer and meditation – should play a very vital role in the lives of all. This is a sure way to peace despite all the hindrances that one has to face in daily life. The usual complaint is that it is very difficult to lead an inward life of sadhana or contemplation amidst the rush and bustle of everyday life. But with earnestness and unshakable determination one is sure to succeed. Sri Ramakrishna has said that a devotee should hold on to the feet of the Lord with the right hand and clear the obstacles of everyday life with the other. There are two primary obstacles to contemplative life. The first one is posed by personal internal weaknesses. One must have unswerving determination to surmount these. The second one consists of external problems. These we have to keep out, knowing them to be harmful impediments to our goal. For success in contemplative life, one needs earnestness and regularity. Study of the scriptures, holy company, and quiet living help develop our inner lives. I have clearly seen that all the great swamis of our Order have led a life of contemplation even in the midst of great distractions. -
Yoga and Education (Grades K-12)
Yoga and Education (Grades K-12) Compiled by: Trisha Lamb Last Revised: April 27, 2006 © International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) 2005 International Association of Yoga Therapists P.O. Box 2513 • Prescott • AZ 86302 • Phone: 928-541-0004 E-mail: [email protected] • URL: www.iayt.org The contents of this bibliography do not provide medical advice and should not be so interpreted. Before beginning any exercise program, see your physician for clearance. NOTE: For Yoga classes and other undergraduate and graduate Yoga-related studies in the university setting, s ee the “Undergraduate and Graduate Programs” bibliography. “The soul is the root. The mind is the trunk. The body constitutes the leaves. The leaves are no doubt important; they gather the sun’s rays for the entire tree. The trunk is equally important, perhaps more so. But if the root is not watered, neither will survive for long. “Education should start with the infant. Even the mother’s lullaby should be divine and soul elevating, infusing in the child fearlessness, joy, peace, selflessness and godliness. “Education is not the amassing of information and its purpose is not mere career hunting. It is a means of developing a fully integrated personality and enabling one to grow effectively into the likeness of the ideal that one has set before oneself. Education is a drawing out from within of the highest and best qualities inherent in the individual. It is training in the art of living.” —Swami Satyananda Saraswati Yoga, May 2001, p. 8 “Just getting into a school a few years ago was a big deal. -
Sri Ramakrishna & His Disciples in Orissa
Preface Pilgrimage places like Varanasi, Prayag, Haridwar and Vrindavan have always got prominent place in any pilgrimage of the devotees and its importance is well known. Many mythological stories are associated to these places. Though Orissa had many temples, historical places and natural scenic beauty spot, but it did not get so much prominence. This may be due to the lack of connectivity. Buddhism and Jainism flourished there followed by Shaivaism and Vainavism. After reading the lives of Sri Chaitanya, Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and direct disciples we come to know the importance and spiritual significance of these places. Holy Mother and many disciples of Sri Ramakrishna had great time in Orissa. Many are blessed here by the vision of Lord Jagannath or the Master. The lives of these great souls had shown us a way to visit these places with spiritual consciousness and devotion. Unless we read the life of Sri Chaitanya we will not understand the life of Sri Ramakrishna properly. Similarly unless we study the chapter in the lives of these great souls in Orissa we will not be able to understand and appreciate the significance of these places. If we go on pilgrimage to Orissa with same spirit and devotion as shown by these great souls, we are sure to be benefited spiritually. This collection will put the light on the Orissa chapter in the lives of these great souls and will inspire the devotees to read more about their lives in details. This will also help the devotees to go to pilgrimage in Orissa and strengthen their devotion.