Sthita Prajna

Guru Vandana

yo guruh sa shivah prokto yah sivah sa guruh smatau vikalpam yastu kurveta sa naro gurutalpagah

Understand that Guru is Shiva as Shiva is Guru. Any person who differentiates is doing a great crime. Guru Gita

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3 CONTENTS

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 1 Sub Page No. • GURU VANDANA 3 • EDITORIAL 5 • MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER 6 • MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 9 • PRAJNANAVANI – THE ART OF SILENCE 11 • NAVAKALEBARA 17 • THE QUALITIES OF WISDOM 18 • PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY 20 • VALUABLE VOLUMES PRACTICE OF MEDITATION 22 • DATES TO REMEMBER 26 • TEACHINGS OF THE MASTERS 27 • MYSTICISM OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS 28 • STORIES TO LIVE BY ALEXANDER THE GREAT 30 • THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT 32 • MYTHS AND METAPHORS 34 DEVI MAHATMYA • YOGASUTRA OF PATANJALI 42 • ATMA-VIDYA – PURSUING SELF-KNOWLEDGE 44 • TEMPLE OF PEACE - NEW ASHRAM 47 • PEACE FROM MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE 49 • THE BIRTHDAY OF THE BHAGAVAD GITA 51 • AROUND THE WORLD 52

Printed and Published by Swami Achalananda Giri on behalf of Prajnana Mission, Printed at Graphic Art Offset Press, at Nuapatna, Manglabag, Dist : Cuttack (Orissa) and published at Prajnana Mission at Nimpur, P.O. Jagatpur, Cuttack-754021, Orissa. Editor : Swami Achalananda Giri

4 FROM THE EDITORS : “The beauty in life is not living for oneself; it is giving, sharing, and caring. Let us try to offer all of our goodness to others, not our sorrow and misery. Let us share our knowledge, skill, and positive thought; let us relieve others of their suffering.” Paramahamsa Prajnanananda Year 2014 was a year of great events. Celebration of Gurudev’s 40 years of coming to West ,Opening of a New ashram in USA and several other celebrations and retreats at the gurukulam and world wide. We move on to welcome year 2015, a very special year in the history of Puri, the year of Navakalebar of Lord Sri Jagannath. “Message of the Master” talks of the significance of maha mrityunjaya mantra a beautiful mantra dedicated to the one who has conquered death. “Prajnana Vani” talks of silence as yoga. Qualities of Wisdom talks of Ahimsa as the noblest of virtues. Devi Mahatmya elaborates on mantras 29-42 of Devi Suktam. Patanjali Yoga Sutras comment on Memory as recapitulation or comprehension of past experience. Kaivalya Upanishad discusses the state of one who knows himself as different from the triputi, who lives like the sakshi- separate from the triputi. Excerpts from some of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda’s seminal works continue to elaborate on meditation. The significance of prayer before meals is commented upon. We bring you the Christmas and New Year message of Guruji and excerpts from other messages. Around the world covers the happenings and highlights of ashrams across the world and upcoming events. Sthita Prajna wishes the readers a happy and prosperous New Year and thanks the sponsors for their continued support. *** 5 MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA

the fear of death. One who has conquered death is mrityunjaya. One who helps to get rid of this fear of death is also mrityunjaya. He is Lord Shiva. The maha mrityunjaya mantra is the mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva to dispel the fear of death and to grant immortality. The mantra is as The Vedas, in general, follows: and the Upanishads in particular, om trayambakam contain countless mantras, yajamahe sugandhim hymns, and prayers. They pushthivardhanam, speak of high spiritual truth that urvarukamiva bandhanat can be experienced through chanting and contemplating their mrityormukshiyamamritat meaning. It is also meditation “O Lord, You have three when one can chant with deep bodies.” Meaning: I worship love and remember these and adore him with three eyes, beautiful meanings. One of the who can give me nourishment most beautiful mantras is maha and vitality. He will also, as the mrityunjaya mantra. cucumber is detached from the The literal meaning of the creeper, make me detached and title of the mantra is that which free from death. He is granting makes you free from great immortality. danger and difficulties, such as Tryambakam: One who death. Or it can also be has three eyes. Who has three explained as the mantra eyes? Ordinarily we think that dedicated to the one who has we have two eyes. The two conquered death. eyes represent the eyes of People live with constant duality. We live in this world of fear. The most common fear is duality, pleasure and pain, success and failure, loss and 6 gain, winter and summer, and becomes more beautiful and so forth. We all have been fragrant with good and divine blessed with the third eye, qualities of love, compassion, which is also called the spiritual and kindness. When a fruit eye. This eye allows the ripens or a flower blooms, its experience of unity. To be free aroma develops and it is or liberated, we must be free attractive to others. The ripe from all dualities, and we must fruit is nourishes in every way experience unity everywhere. and gives nourishment to others This is an epithet of Lord Shiva, too. This part of the mantra Mother Kali, Durga, and so on, speaks of human perfection. who have three eyes too. This is possible through living a Yajamahe: I love Thee: disciplined life of prayer and I want to love Thee. I want to meditation. One prays to God, know Thee. Here the mantra O God, my Lord, You will speaks of developing intense remove my all evils, and I will love for God. When one who remain in truth; only the loves God and perceives God fragrance will remain, and everywhere, one is free from people will say that I am divine. all miseries and suffering. Yaj I am divine. I am divine in three in Sanskrit means to adore, to bodies. My life will be a worship, and to express love and complete life.” welcome. It is the art of love Urvarukam iva and welcoming God into life. bandhanat mrityor When one establishes a mukshiyamamritat : I will be relationship with God, then detached from the creeper like one’s attachment decreases, a cucumber, and I will be one feels more loving, and thus immortal, free from death. This free from fear. Yaj is the quality cucumber is a special variety of a seeker or a devotee who of cucumber. In India it is brings and welcomes God into mostly used as a fruit from life. Thus, a person becomes which a nice drink is prepared. one with God. While it grows on a tiny, thin Sugandhim creeper, the farmer covers it pushtivardhanam: One with with straw to protect it. The fragrance and who gives only way to see whether it is nourishment. Human life ripe or not, is to see whether it 7 is detached from the creeper. Mrityor mukshiya “O Lord, just as the cucumber mamritat: “O Lord, I have a when it ripens into a fruit, humble prayer. I know detaches itself from the plant, attachment is death, and you will separate me from evil detachment is liberation. So and give me truth. Give me from my daily death of freedom.” emotional attachment, make me A cucumber is compared free. Make me free from to a human life. The creeper is ignorance, because of which I the world of attachment. We am forgetting Thee. Lead me have to live in the world, where from death to immortality.” we grow, as the tiny cucumber Immortality is amrit, derived grows on the creeper. Like the from the root word rita. Ri farmer who takes care of the means going. My talk is going. cucumber, as well as the plant, Ta means staying, sthiti, gati. the teachers help the students Who is going? Am or soul is to grow and to be free from going from my mouth, entering negatives. through your ear, and staying in Urvarukamiva the brain. This is am-rita or bandhanat: bandhana is immortality. “O Lord, please bondage. The fruit separates make me free, give me constant itself from the bondage of the awareness of the inner-Self, tree. Similarly, each human and I will feel constant being should try to be free from immortality and liberation.” This all sorts of emotional bondage is the meaning of this beautiful and attachment in order to be mantra, when this mantra is truly liberated. “O Lord, make practiced in the right manner, me detached from bondage. I with proper contemplation of its will remain compassionately meaning, one is free from detached. I have compassion misfortune, difficulties, accident, because I have a body, but I and diseases, and one perceives will remain detached.” constant immortality.

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8 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

Loving and Divine Soul, pathato nasti murkhatvam Let the choicest blessings japato nasti patakam of God and the masters be upon jagratastu bhayam nasti you all. kalaho nasti mauninah I pray for all of you while “One who studies is free the entire world celebrates from ignorance. One who Christmas and prepares to remembers God or chants the welcome the 2015 New Year. divine name is free from Let these festive days create a downfall. One who is always spirit of joy, peace, and love, alert is free from fear. One who not only at this time, but during observes silence has no conflict every breath, for all time to with others.” come. Remember that success In this verse, there is in life is possible due to sincere insistence on practice, whether effort and divine grace. The it is study, japa, alertness, or grace of the Divine is more even observing silence. available to those who dedicate 1. Study is not an occasional their lives to hard work with a entertainment; it is a positive and prayerful attitude. regular habit. One who Gurudev often reminded us that studies knows. I have life is not an empty dream. seen my Gurudev with a Discipline, dutifulness, few scriptures next to his and devotion are the three pillow, which he could determinants of our success in read whenever he any field. As a regularly cleaned wanted. Study also copper pot shines brightly, in the includes meditation. Study same way, when we work is the door to knowledge sincerely and diligently, we that removes ignorance experience the crowning from our lives. We should achievements. study every day. A good A beautiful verse in book is a good friend and Sanskrit says: gives us good company. 9 2. Japa means chanting the less and reflects more. divine name, praying, Too much talk breeds meditating, or practicing conflict and confusion. any other spiritual We should use the discipline. Japa is also special art of speaking in observing the breath our daily lives to live while giving thanks to better, more peaceful God (ajapa japa). lives. Someone who practices New Year is coming. We this will be free from make many new resolutions, but downfall; the divine as Gurudev said, “An ounce of power will protect this practice is better than tons of person during difficulties. theories.” We must be regular We should maintain our and diligent in our practices. spiritual practices, Time is constantly, incessantly especially observing the flowing; it never waits for breath while giving anyone. When we use time thanks to the Lord. well, we have more opportunity. 3. Alertness or Vigilance: A Let us live prayerful and vigilant proverb says, “Eternal lives. Let us be worthy vigilance is the price of instruments in the hands of the liberty.” Constant Lord. awareness of the inner This year in India two Self (“who I am”) special events are going to produces an inner occur: the Navakalevara of awakening and freedom Lord Jagannath, when the forms from all fear, including the of the Lord change, which fear of death. hasn’t happened for nineteen 4. Silence is an art and a years, and the Kumbha Mela science. It is a dynamic of Nasik, which hasn’t occurred philosophy in practice. in twelve years. Unknowingly, we On the occasion of observe silence every Christmas and the New Year, I day during deep sleep. am sending my love and best Knowingly, we practice it wishes to all of you, and I am during meditation. One praying for all those in need in who is intelligent speaks this creation. With Love, *** Prajnanananda 10 PRAJNANAVANI - THE VOICE OF WISDOM THE ART OF SILENCE

Chitram vata tarormule vriddhah sishyah gurur yuva Gurostu mauna vyakhyanam sishyastu chinnah samsayah Beneath the Banyan tree the disciples are old and the guru preceptor is young. The guru is teaching in silence and the doubts of the disciples are disappearing.

One art of living is how a newborn baby keeps the known as ‘silence.’ In the eyes closed most of the time Bhagavad Gita (10:38), Lord and keeps the tongue active. Krishna says, maunam The tongue is different in that chaivasmi guhyanam: I am the it has a special quality. The eyes silence among all secrets. So only have one action, which is God is saying ‘I am silence.’ to see. The ears only hear. The So what does silence mean? tongue has double the work, to Does it mean not to speak? taste and talk. In Sanskrit, there Does it mean to speak is a proverb: intelligently? jihvyagre vardhate When we all were born, laxmi - Prosperity comes the tongue was the first sense organ to become active. Notice through your tongue.

11 jihvyagre mitra to speak. When the child is bandhava - You get many growing up, the child listens to friends through your tongue the sound from others, jihvyagre bandhan especially from the mother. The praptah - You get many baby creates and imitates many enemies and difficulties through types of sound, just like we your tongue. might speak to a parrot. Gradually the parrot remembers jihvyagre mrityu and reproduces the sound. From nischaya - Death might come childhood till today, we have because of your tongue. been talking. Human beings are This tongue can give two considered as a talking and types of things: friends and thinking animal. We speak a lot, enemies; good health and from morning till night. Not only disease; bring prosperity and that, some people also speak death. To keep the tongue under while sleeping. When you control, there is another Sanskrit analyze your life, what type of proverb: talk do you entertain day and so jihvya na vasir night? Is it really useful or do yasya bhojane jalpane tatha: you speak because of a habit? one who does not keep one’s If you analyze your life notice own tongue in control while that even if there is nobody talking and while eating present, you start speaking. When people look at a dog they bhavanti dukhino speak. They look at a picture nityam: always becomes and speak. Then there is sorrowful and suffers a lot. speaking on the telephone. Keeping the tongue People feel so helpless and under control is depicted in the lonely if nobody is there to image of Kali, the Hindu speak with. We speak day and goddess, who is holding the night. tongue with both teeth and I remember a professor biting. Spiritual life is a life of of philosophy who was a very discipline and includes keeping popular speaker in Orissa. One the tongue under control. day he honestly confessed, “I What is silence? Silence have spoken so much. in Sanskrit is mauna. The Everyday I have been invited simple meaning is not to speak. to give lectures. Sometimes, But God has given us the mouth two, three, four talks a day in 12 different parts of the State. I observed silence for long spoke a lot and people loved it. periods of time. Year after year If my words would have been they did not speak. There are put in air balloons, they might some who have even stopped have covered one ocean. But speaking for their entire life. I if I look within, I see my life is don’t say that you shouldn’t an empty life. I spoke a lot, speak, nevertheless, you should people enjoyed a lot, but my bring discipline to your speaking. achievement is nothing.” He We lose energy through said this nearly fifteen years ago every sense organ. Of all the when he was in his fifties. He sense organs, most of the said, “Looking at you, I energy is lost through the eyes compare myself and I see that and mouth. If you look a lot, you are on the right way and I the eyesight becomes weak. So, was on the wrong way.” The if you watch television and the purpose of telling this story is computer a lot, your eyes will that we speak day and night, be weaker. If you listen a lot to but what is the use? We created music or loud talk, slowly you some friends, but more enemies will find that the quality of your and we repented, “Why did I listening decreases. We also lose speak like that? I could have a lot of energy through speaking. stopped talking like that. I was The mouth, or the tongue, foolish to speak like that.” regulates two sense organs: The There is a proverb: after organs of speech and the the thief is gone, man becomes genitals. Those who keep the intelligent. So we repent after tongue under control can easily committing a mistake. An regulate and bring moderation intelligent person is one who to these two sense organs. stops committing mistakes. An Let us develop a habit of average person is one who observing silence daily. repents after the mistakes. The Sometimes we do this during foolish one never repents that retreats, observing silence for “I made a mistake.” Keep your two, three, or four days. In the tongue under control. beginning, people might feel a In our spiritual life the little restless because the tongue primary necessity is to have wants to talk. But those who control over speech. Many observe it, at the end, they feel great spiritual masters have the benefit.

13 Mahatma Gandhi I remember when observed silence once a week. Gurudev was new to the West; Even though he was a popular somebody telephoned to have leader and he was working day an appointment with him and and night, he still observed asked how much money he had silence once in a week. If in to pay for half an hour our daily life, we can find the appointment. Baba said there time once in a week to observe was no need to pay and to just silence, it is very good. come. The man thanked him Any discipline in our life and hung up the telephone. But needs determination. We must he didn’t come. Then Baba use our will power and have asked his host why the man did the attitude of: “I will not speak not come. The host asked Baba at any cost.” In the beginning, what he had said and Baba you may find it a little difficult. replied that he told him to come But later on, you will find that and not worry about paying everybody adjusts with you. money. The host replied, “You Every day try to observe one made a mistake. Because you or two hours of silence. said there was no charge, that Those who are famous man thought that you had painters or poets, for example, nothing to offer. If you had said are mostly contemplative. They that you were charging a lot of observed silence and through it, money, then that man would discovered a new creation. have thought that you were Silence is yoga. And if really valuable.” This is the you want to be a yogi, you Western mind set. Without should know how to remain money, you have no value. silent. There is a saying, that So, how can you use when we speak, because of the your tongue in the right way? slip of tongue, we commit Suppose you want to write mistakes. To keep your tongue something on a blackboard. free from slips you must First, you have to clean it. After remember with whom you you clean, it should be clear speak, on what you speak, when, how and where you enough to write something. speak. Similarly, in order to speak intelligently, try to know how to Intelligent people speak be silent. One who knows the less. art of silent living is the most 14 successful person. Ordinarily observe silence. You can even people react over little things. try to stay silent for half a day If there is a little less salt in the or a full day. When you attend food, the tongue reacts. If the retreats try to stay silent every thing is not done in the right day. It is an opportunity to see way, the mind reacts. Generally how you live when you don’t people live a life of reaction. talk. People think they are tired When I was a boy of because of work. But the eleven or twelve years nobody tiredness is mostly because of taught me about silence. their reaction. Actions make you Reading the life of Gandhi, I active; reaction makes you decided not to eat and not to reactive and ultimately tired. talk every Sunday. It was not When you work with an easy work. My brothers whole-heartedness, when you would try to motivate and tempt work with love, when you work me to eat and to talk. It was a with dedication, when you work test. It was a test of will power, with devotion, even though you but I was successful. I might have worked for hours continued to observe this kind and hours, you will not be tired. of silence for about fifteen If you don’t like something or years. In the beginning my you don’t accept the parents were worried because surroundings, you will be easily I was so thin, but they accepted tired and irritated. So, to live in it. If we really make a decision the right way and to speak in and convince others that we are the right way begins just like doing this for a good reason, cleaning the blackboard, which others will accept it. is to know how to live silently. We should try to We should all observe transform our life with love. silence daily. Every day we can Observe silence daily for one have one or two hours of or two hours. Observe silence silence. Even while living a for half a day or one day in the family life and being at home week. Observe silence one should decide not to speak occasionally in retreats. You can for this amount of time. Create wear a label saying, “I am in this understanding with family Silence” and no one will talk to members so that you can you. 15 This silence, mauna, your life more beautiful by comes from mind, mana. If you bringing self-discipline. In the want to have control and following issue, we will discuss discipline over your mind, how silence helps in our daily observing silence is a good tool. life. Silence can increase our Practicing khechari mudra - physical and mental strength, keeping the tongue rolled up, bring success in our life, and helps us keep the tongue under we can overcome troubles and control. Through this we difficulties in our life. conserve a lot of energy in the Life is a gift of God. God body and mind. There is a yogic has given us a human body. God belief, “Those who have control has given us ten sense organs over their tongue, those who — eyes to see, ears to hear, speak truth, they are established nose to smell, tongue to taste, in truth. Whatever comes out skin to touch, mouth to speak, of the mouth becomes true. It hands to give and take, the is a yogic siddhi- a success.” genitals for procreation and When they say, “God bless pleasure, feet for movement, you,” people get the blessings. anus for excretion. We also If they say, “Let you be have four inner instruments — healed,” people are healed. Use mind to think, intellect to decide, memory to remember, ego to the tongue in a truthful way. think, “I am”. These fourteen Observe silence daily. instruments should be properly Those who observe utilized. We should utilize every silence and keep the tongue sense organ moderately and under control, they are known with self-control. Keep the as muni. mana, mauna and tongue under control. Observe muni — they sound similar. silence. Speak less. Speak Muni means the person of slowly. Speak truthfully. Speak meditation, contemplation, and with love. Do not bring ego into intelligence. your life. Bring moderation and Starting from today speak discipline yourself. We should less. Speak when it is think, speak, and work with necessary to ask something and love, in God consciousness. speak quietly so that only the ( From the talks of Baba person to whom you speak can Prajnananandaji at Kriya Yoga hear, not others. You can make Institute) *** 16 NAVAKALEBARA

This year is the formless Attribute less Brahma Navakalebar year of Lord Sri is imminent in all forms with Jagannath of Puri. This attributes. The installation of elaborate ritual of Navakalebara worshipped Brahma sakti or occurs when there is an extra brahmavastu of the old idol month of ashadha ( months of which is beyond touch, sight and June – July) once in about 8, knowledge in this special way 11, or 19 years based on is Navakalebara which is a very astrological calculations. The special festival of Srikshetra. last Navakalebara occurred in What does this the year 1996. Year 2015 marks Navakalebara signify? the Navalkalebara after 19 The ritual symbolizes the years in Jagannath Puri. death of the body and the What is Navakalebara? transmigration of the soul. The Navakalebara literally body is subject to constant means a new body or new change and flux. The atoms, embodiment. During this molecules and cells of the body elaborate ritual of three and a are always changing. Within this half months the old vigrahas ever changing and perishable (idols) along with their coverings body the imperishable and are buried after taking out the changeless soul is ever present. holy divine object known as Change and brahma vastu out of the idols transformation of human being and installing it in the new idols is Navakalebara. Along with in a secret ritual by a daita darshan of Navakalebara or the sevak who is blind folded and new body of the Lord, if one whose hands are padded, so he realizes that every moment does not perceive the hidden Navakalebara or new body is object. It is a complete renewal being formed in each one’s life of the idols. New wood is along with new thoughts one collected and new idols are can change his life. By strong made following the observance determination, with good and performance of specific company and sadhana every rituals during the six week moment can be made God period beginning with snana conscious. In every work one purnima. The temple is closed can realise Lord Jagannath as for public during this time.The the sole doer. *** 17 THE QUALITIES OF WISDOM

In the previous issue we peace is absent in people, discussed amanitvam (absence families, and society. Every of pride) and adambhitvam human being has a moral (absence of vanity or responsibility to preserve and stubbornness) as described in protect creation. Humans have the Bhagavad Gita, chapter 13 ample skill, knowledge, and titled Kshetra Kshetajna opportunity to support creation Vibhaga Yoga (“the Yoga of instead of destroying nature and Knowledge of the Body Field other living beings. and its Knower”). In verses 7- As a result of the 11, the Lord offers practical temptation of the tongue, the teachings about how to grow in greed in the mind, the desire to knowledge and understanding. possess more,and the desire for The third quality that every pleasure, human beings exploit individual could contemplate is nature and kill many. Evidence ahimsa (non violence). of violence among humans Creation is divine. It is toward nature and toward other God’s creation. Among all living beings is everywhere. created beings humans are What is the solution? considered the best ; therefore every individual has great Since time immemorial, responsibility. Human beings saints and sages have should be cultured and well advocated the practice of non trained. Developing noble violence. The Vedas and other qualities such as love and anscient texts including the Yoga compassion will result in peace Sutra of Sage Patanjali and the and harmony everywhere. Bhagavad Gita elaborately Unfortunately, there is describe ahimsa (non violence). clear evidence of cruelty, anger, Ahimsa means we should not aggression and hatred in human hurt, injure, or kill. conduct, both in individuals and Ahimsa is a very on a collective level. As a result practical and broad concept. It

18 does not refer only to physical harmful feelings towards violence; real ahimsa includes others. non violent thoughts, words and 6. We should respect the activity. rights of animals. Let us think how we can 7. We should speak less practice ahimsa in a practical and reflect more. manner: 8. We should practice love 1. Our eating habits should and compassion in daily minimize violence. life. 2. We should minimize 9. We should understand unnecessary desires, that all creation is one which will minimize family, and we are all exploitation of nature and related to each other. natural resources. 10. We should pray for 3. We should live simply so peace in creation and live our greed and peacefully. possessions can be Ahimsa is the noblest of regulated. values and practicing it expands 4. When speaking with our hearts, minds, and thinking. others, we should use It will create inner peace and humble words and loving spiritual emancipation. expressions. (Paramahamsa 5. In our thoughts we Prajnanananda’s Message from should not entertain Kriya Yoga International)

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One who is blessed with the eye of wisdom is free from all doubts, confusion and duality. Truth means not to allow any falsehood in thoughts, words or deeds. Without patience one cannot progress on spiritual path Srimat Sannyal Mahashaya

19 PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY SCRUBBING MY WAY TO LIBERATION Jyothi Bathina

Long ago, when my service, so I would be freed from parents would tell me cleanliness this burden and continue to have was next to godliness in an a clean home. attempt to get me to clean my Last summer, tired of room, I would roll my eyes and giving up my Friday mornings stuff all my clothes into the to the cleaners, who would closet, shoving loose papers and arrive at 7:30 a.m. and take over scattered toys under my bed. As the house for the next three I got older, and I had places to hours, forcing me and the dogs go and things to do, the piles to sit outside while they cleaned, would continue to build in my and resentful of the fact that my closet and the dust would gather husband and I often spent the on my neglected belongings. night before rushing to get the Once I was married and then a house ready for cleaning, I mother, the dishes would often decided that we would be better pile up in the sink, and the off cleaning our own house. My laundry would be neglected as I husband agreed to take over the attempted to put meals on the vacuuming, while I took on the table and finish my degree, while bathrooms and the kitchen, the taking care of my family. mopping and the dusting. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve While I dreaded the work resented the fact that once in a at first, once I began, I found it while, when the piles get too big strangely satisfying. As I went and I can no longer find what I from room to room throwing need, I have to take precious out garbage, dusting the time from creative activities to furniture, arranging the pillows, clean and scrub and organize. I scrubbing the toilets and mopping felt it was beneath me to do the floors, I began to feel a menial housework when I could wonderful sense of better spend my time writing or accomplishment. It was more teaching or conducting research. than mere pride however, that Eventually, when I could finally made me feel so elated. I found afford it, I hired a cleaning that as I cleaned the house, I 20 felt a simultaneous inner before we rinse them off and cleansing. The more my then decorate them with bathrooms sparkled, the more sandalwood paste and vermilion. light filled my own heart. As I It is that same process of inner scrubbed the shower on my cleansing that takes place as we hands and knees, reaching for immerse ourselves in cleaning every corner, working extra hard the prayer room, an act that bring on the grout between the tiles, I great peace and calm to the mind felt that I was scrubbing away before we begin prayer and the dark spots in my soul as well, meditation. making them vanish, and leaving It has been nearly six a spotless surface behind. months since I have let my I remember reading long cleaners go. I have no intention ago, in a book written by a of bringing them back. While it Buddhist monk, that any job done gets tough sometimes, when with mindfulness is meditation. there are pressing deadlines or He described the act of washing we have to travel every dishes as a moment of bliss and weekend, and I start to complain joy. “Try it,” he urged. “The next about my overwhelming time you wash the dishes, be workload, once I pick up that mindful of every sensation, the sponge and fill the bucket with lovely warm water on your Pine-sol, I forget my frustrations hands, the soft suds, the smooth and immerse myself in the plates, how can it be anything moment. Each swish of the mop but pleasurable?” It’s true. When wipes away another layer of one cleans mindfully, the act of greed or anger, each flick of the cleaning takes on a significance duster eliminates another flaw. and affords a deep inner pleasure It is an experience I refuse to that is otherwise missed. sacrifice to the all- consuming It made me realize why need for more time. How many there is so much pleasure in the hours do I spend mindlessly rituals of worship as well, when surfing the internet, filling my we carefully wipe the altar, and mind with useless facts? How clean the idols, when we adorn much more valuable is it to spend the frames with fresh flowers, a few hours each week, cleaning and put a fresh cotton wick in my house and my mind, making the oil lamp, and when we bathe them both spotless, and the idols with water and milk, scrubbing my way to liberation? *** 21 VALUABLE VOLUMES

IN THIS ISSUE WE HAVE EXCERPTS FROM THE UNIVERSE WITHIN AND THE CHANGING NATURE OF RELATIONSHIPS BY PARAMAHAMSA PRAJNANANANDA

PRACTICE OF MEDITATION (From THE UNIVERSE WITHIN)

The Weed-Covered Pond Keeping the Channel Open There is a parable which This temporary insight illustrates the necessity for and then the return of illusion is constant spiritual practice, and exactly what occurs during the easily camouflaged nature spiritual practice. Even if we of spiritual endeavor. get some inner peace and In a certain village there happiness during meditation, the was a big water pond. The weeds of delusion quickly choke water was covered with so it up. Opening the Sushumna many weeds, that it looked like channel and more importantly solid ground. Someone who keeping it open, are not physical didn’t realize this was about to processes. The Sushumna is a walk across. Another person subtle pranic channel in the warned him about the water spine. Practicing meditation below and showed him what lay regularly helps keep the underneath by pushing the Sushumna open. Whenever we weeds aside with his hands. experience inner peace, joy and The moment he removed his calmness, we need to recognize hands, however, the weeds it as the opening of the moved back into place and Sushumna channel. The covered up the water again. external sign of an open The first man went on his way, Sushumna is the even thankful for his narrow escape. exhalation of the breath from

22 both nostrils. Normally, the corresponding chakra helps to breath changes from one nostril remedy the imbalance. to another during the day. It When the mind is changes from right to left and extremely restless while trying left to right in a cyclic way and to meditate, we can look at a there are brief periods in picture which we love and between when it is equal in repeat or sing the name of God. both the nostrils. To keep this This is a temporary solution like breath flowing through both the taking a medicine. But we must nostrils for a long period of time, not be too attached to the form meditation is crucial. But or the mantra. When we focus remember, any practice should our attention on the light and be regular and continuous. sound, slowly other things will The Physical Benefits come. Meditation is not If we have time, we visualization or imagination. should practice morning, noon, Through our concentration, our and evening. When we experience gets deeper. When concentrate on each chakra, we meditate for extended the endocrine glands function periods, our breathing becomes more efficiently. When we very light and we experience concentrate in the fontanel, the inner tranquility. The experience pineal gland becomes activated. of meditation cannot be The pituitary gland is energized described in words. by concentrating in the soul Indescribable Joy center. Concentration in the Each individual throat center activates the experience is completely thyroid and parathyroid glands, personal and cannot be the heart center stimulates the expressed. It is like feeding a thymus, the navel center mute man with delicious food energizes the liver, spleen and and asking him to describe the pancreas and the sacral and taste. Although he cannot coccygial centers benefits the describe it, his face shows his gonads. Chakra meditation enjoyment. Similarly our face keeps the entire human system shows whether we are healthy. When we suffer from meditating or not. We are the any endocrine dysfunction, witness of our own experience. concentrating in the Our transformation is the visible 23 result of our experience and we separate entities when in fact are the inner judges of our own we are destined to merge with progress. To maintain this the Absolute. To experience experience is another task. To who we are, is to experience get wealth may be easy but to God. protect it is extremely difficult. The Four Stages of Spiritual The only way to maintain what Evolution we gain is to continue practicing There can be four stages steadily. of evolution. What is gained through 1. When the creative knot scriptural study is only indirect of the Brahmagranthi is knowledge. By practicing crossed ( when one gets meditation we gain direct control over the lower knowledge which is then three centers) we begin transformed through experience to see the presence of into wisdom. The study of the God everywhere. chakras helps us to understand our own activities and emotions 2. When we go a little better. It also helps us to higher, we can perceive systematically go beyond them. God’s presence with eyes open or eyes The Ocean and the Waves closed. One who strives through 3. Finally when we reach self-effort is the real spiritual the summit, we realize seeker. Spiritual life is not for that we are already dreamers. Spiritual treasures always united with God. are hard-earned and are harder There is no separation. to maintain. The joy and bliss we get through them cannot be 4. When we go even taken away by anyone. We all beyond that, we attain are formless, yet dreaming that the state of Nirvikalpa. we have a form. We are like When we attain this the waves of the divine ocean. state, we become free There are big waves and small from all inward waves, gentle waves and attachments and live in crashing waves, but all of them the world like a free soul. are really a part of the ocean. Is our individuality lost in Our human egos tell us we are that state? On the 24 contrary real individuality final reward of Amrita, which is gained. We discover was far superior to these. At who we are. last the Amrita or Nectar of Churning the Ocean of Life, Immortality and Bliss emerged and the devas and asuras lined Once the Devas or gods up to receive it. They soon fell and the Asuras or demons to fighting among themselves, decided to churn the ocean of greedy to get the largest share milk in order to obtain the until once again Lord Vishnu nectar of immortality which lay came to the rescue by taking buried deep within its waters. the form of a celestial nymph To do this they needed a strong Mohini and arousing the base on which their churning demons’ lust and destroying rod could rest and so they them so that only the devas prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. were allowed to drink the He agreed to serve as the base nectar and achieve eternal bliss. by taking the form of a giant Churning of the ocean is, turtle, and resting on the bottom like most stories from Hindu of the ocean. For the rod they myth, about the self and its used the highest mountain, quest for realization. The giant Mandhara Parvath. Next the turtle represents the ability to Devas and Asuras needed withdraw the sense organs, for something strong enough and only turtles can withdraw their large enough to serve as the limbs at approaching danger. churning rope. They approached The senses too, should be the giant snake Vasuki, who withdrawn from the dangers agreed to help them. The gods and distractions of Maya or on one side and the demons on illusion. Mountain is the spine the other, began churning the which is used as the churning rope in unison .Beautiful rare rod to churn the life with the and incredible riches began rope of breath. The mind turns emerging from the waters. this way and that toward the Kamadhenu, the cow who gave devas, who are good endless milk, and even Laxmi, propensities and then toward the goddess of wealth rose the asuras who are evil glittering from the foaming propensities. Turning first one waves. Still the devas and way, then another, the mind asuras churned, intent upon the begins spewing venom, and the 25 churning brings forth the poison Wealth, prosperity, material which lies at the surface, years satisfaction, comfort and luxury, of bad habits, thoughts, and name and fame and many impulses begin to be churned powers may come to us, but to the surface and released. In like the devas we should not be the initial stages of meditation, distracted but continue with our just such a cleansing occurs and labor until at last we obtain the the release of toxic impulses and nectar of bliss or self- desires can often be a painful realization. We should be and disturbing experience. It is careful at that final moment not only after the surface dirt is to feed the demons of our evil cleared, that we begin to find propensities but to strengthen priceless treasures within. the good and emerge victorious.

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DATES TO REMEMBER January - March, 2015

January 5 : Birthday of Paramahamsa Yogananda January 14 to 20 : IIKYS January 18 : Mahasamadhi of Sannyal Mahashaya January 20 : Birthday of Sannyal Mahashaya January 24 : Saraswati Puja February 17 : Maha Shivaratri March 7 : Mahasamadhi of Yogananda March 9 : Mahasamadhi of Shriyukteshwar

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26 Teachings of the Masters “The door of Kriya Yoga is open only to earnest seekers and sadhakas.” Mahavatara Babaji

“Forget your past suffering and troubles. If you set your mind on selfrealization and work towards your spiritual uliftment, you will receive immense benefits.” Lahiri Mahasaya

“Every day do regular swadhyaya coupled with meditation and study of spiritual books and scriptures.” Swami Shriyukteshwar

“When one practices breath-control through Kriya, one enjoys a blissful state and one becomes free from ego.” Sanyal Mahasaya

“Think and plan well before you take action, do not jump into anything at once.” Paramahamsa Yogananda

“Make an effort to study the scriptures related to self-knowledge and to discuss the teachings of the Masters.” Swami Satyananda

“If while you work you feel that wo-rk is worship and the material world is the living presence of God, you will get liberation.” Paramahamsa Hariharananda

“Prayer is the expression of one’s love for God through the senses while in meditation all the senses are introvert.” Paramahamsa Prajnanananda 27 MYSTICISM OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS PRAYER BEFORE MEALS

Religious people pray to energy, which will give you all- God. Spiritual people do round development. When everything in love for God and praying to God, we pray to offer every action to God. Food purify the body and food is a natural necessity of every because the food not only living being. People who love nourishes the body, it also God offer their food to God, and nourishes the mind and thoughts then eat. In the holy Bible, Jesus and gives us spiritual says, “Give us our daily bread.” development. To wash yourself and to pray In the Taittiriya before eating are good habits. Upanishad (3:2:1), it is said: In cleaning the body, one must annam brahma iti vyajanat, wash the hands, wash the feet “Know food as God.” You if needed, wash the mouth, and should eat food with prayer, and then sit and eat. Cleaning your in every taste of food you hands, feet and mouth brings a should not ignore or forget God. cooling effect to the body and During meals people talk, mind. forgetting God; however, it is When sitting to eat, good to eat in silence and in a always remember that it is not prayerful mood. In ancient times just time to eat, it is a time to people sat on the floor and ate. pray. To eat in a peaceful mood, Hindus used to practice praying without tension, anxiety, or fear, before meals by taking water and to eat with love is practical in their hands, and while praying prayer. Before eating food, to God, making a circle around pray to God and offer the food the plate. This practice is known to God. Food is brought from as chalu. When a circle is made different sources and cooked by around the plate, the insects that different people. The food is crawl on the ground usually will sanctified when you pray to not come closer to the plate. It God. With your thought, with is a form of protection. When your prayer, you invite positive they eat, they offer a little of 28 the food to God at the side of the stomach. In this way no the plate so that if there are food will remain in the any ants or other insects, with esophagus, it will go to the this food which is offered to stomach; and when it is done God, they will take their share. with prayer, it brings more love So you also give a little food to and peace in life. them. Avoid eating in between When you sip a little meals. Remember to pray and water before eating food, it eat, even while drinking a glass lubricates the passageway, and of water. Offer it to God and you can eat easily. After the drink. This offering is a beautiful meal there is also a special practice and habit. Accepting prayer, and then water is everything through offering sipped, which cleans the food develops the attitude of passageway from the mouth to surrender in the life of a seeker.

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Do not be attached to the passing dreams of life. Live only for God and God alone. As a mortal being you are limited but, as a child of god you are unlimited. Calmness is the living breath of God’s immortality with in you. Paramahamsa Yogananda

29 STORIES TO LIVE BY ALEXANDER THE GREAT

When Alexander the then said to Alexander, “Why Great set out to conquer the do you want to be an world, he first went to get the obstruction to someone’s joy?” blessings of his master. His Alexander moved out of the master blessed him and then way. expressed a wish to see a monk Speaking with a tone of from India, asking him to please authority, Alexander introduced bring one back with him when himself as the conqueror of the he returned. whole world. Then he said it Alexander journeyed as was his desire to take the monk far as modern day Pakistan and with him. However, the monk then he stopped to rest at a did not consider that as an small kingdom. While there, he option. So Alexander tried to remembered that his master lure him into coming by offering wanted to see a monk. So him great wealth and royal keeping his promise, Alexander honors. “You do not set out to see if he could find understand,” said the monk. “I one. After searching for many don’t need anything and I will days to no avail, someone not go.” pointed to a monk who was Alexander, who was not sitting under a nearby tree. It used to being defied, became was winter time and the golden enraged. “I am Alexander the sunlight illumined the monk’s Great,” he said. “I am an body, and he appeared the very emperor. If you do not follow essence of peace and serenity. my orders, I will cut you in Straightaway, Alexander went two.” with his men and stood in front “You are lying,” said the of the monk, obstructing the monk. “You cannot cut me in sunlight that so beautifully two. You are not an emperor; surrounded him. The monk you are the slaves of my gestured for him to move away, slaves.”

30 Although Alexander felt trembled. But I know the truth insulted, at the same time he – you cannot cut me. You can wanted to know why this monk cut the body, but I am not the was talking to him in such a body. The body can die, but I bold manner. He demanded an am the soul, and I am eternal.” explanation. Reflection The monk calmly said, “I One who conquers the have conquered anger and inner enemies like anger, greed, anger is my slave. You yielded and desire, and knows his true to your anger, becoming the identity, is greater than the slave of my slave. You said you great. One who knows the soul will cut me into pieces. Anyone is immortal is not afraid of else in my place might have death. ***

Baba Prajnananandaji with Yogacharyas at Denver Ashram Inauguration

31 THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Message of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda

Let the choicest blessings upon their strength, they of God and the masters be upon expand. Knowledge, love, you all. I take the opportunity compassion, and action are the to pray for you during this functions of the head, heart, and festival time. hands, and they are not limited; Every year, the new they are felt, seen, and manifest moon in the month of October- in all directions. November is the Deepavali How should we live? It Amavasya, the day of the is said that we should live like Festival of Light. People in India a burning lamp. A burning lamp decorate their houses, temples, gives light to all and illuminates and so forth with lamps. itself. A burning lamp can kindle Who does not love light? other lamps with its flame. The beauty in life is to live for others All living beings love light. Some with love, with caring and can sleep well in daylight, then sharing, and as a result, emerge to work in the dim light goodness is spread in all of night. Day and night are the directions. play of light and life. If we look at a burning lamp or a candle, A Sanskrit verse states: we will observe that the heat paropakarakam of the flame rises. The warmth yesham jagartim hridaye is felt only right above the satam nashyanti vipadah flame, but the light travels in all tesham sampadah syuh pade directions. The heat of the pade flame is the path of life, which “For those whose hearts should always be for our are always eager to serve, evolution; that is why it is difficulties are eradicated and moving up. The warmth of love, prosperity arises in every step compassion, action, and of life.” knowledge, like the light, move We should learn to live in all directions, and depending for others. When we live for 32 others, our hearts and minds are love multiply when shared. purified, and love and When a lamp lights many other compassion flow more deeply. lamps, a flood and festival of One who serves others seeks light ensues. opportunities to help others. Just as we light lamps in When we walk at night our homes, let our body-houses with a lamp in hand, walking is be decorated with light. In easy, and we can help others every door of the body house, see. When I was young, many the sense organs, the inner people would walk to the local chamber of the heart, the mind, market and return in the let our lives be filled with evening with the help of a knowledge, love, and actions flashlight held by one person. that make our lives beautiful and There was no electricity, and productive. many could not afford a During this time, let us flashlight. When I remember all pray for world peace by the evening walk of the village cultivating inner peace, people, I remember how to live compassion, and lives of a life of sharing. Knowledge and service. ***

National Kriya Yoga Retreat at Cali.

33 MYTHS AND METAPHORS DEVI MAHATMYA

ya devi sarvabhuteshu means to reduce something. chhaya rupena samsthita, Chhaya has multiple meanings Namastasyai namastasyai including “shadow,” “image,” namastasyai namo namah and “darkness”; metaphorically, ||29-31|| this means ignorance. Translation 1. Chhaya means Repeated salutations to “shadow” or “shade.” Chiyati the Devi who abides in all living chhinatti surya-deh beings in the form of reflection. prakasham nashayati iti arthah: “That which cuts or Metaphorical Explanation takes away the light of the sun O Divine Mother! We all or destroys brilliance and bow to you as chhaya, present brightness is shadow.” The in all beings. soul-sun is within, but ignorance Chhaya is derived from covers the soul like a cloud. the root verb chho, which means 2. Chhaya means “to cut,” “to cut asunder,” “to “image,” like a reflection. An mow,” and “to reap.” It is a object is in the image. The Bible 34 (Genesis 1:27) says that God is Translation the object, and creation, Repeated salutations to especially human beings, are the Devi who is in the form of images. strength of all living beings. 3. Chhaya means Metaphorical Explanation “darkness” (ignorance). O Divine Mother! You Chhaya creates darkness or is are shakti, the power, strength, darkness. Darkness has veiling and ability in all beings, including power. Metaphorically, it is us. We bow to you again and ignorance. again with humility and love. According to Shri Adi Shakti is derived from Shankara, chhaya is the jiva, the root verb shak, which the embodied being. However, means “to be able” and “to be all these meanings of chhaya competent.” Shakti as power, are nothing but the presence of ability, capability, strength, and the Divine Mother. She is the energy. It can be classified as creator and creation. She is the follows: object and the image. She is knowledge and ignorance. She 1. Indriya shakti (the is everything. Like thousands of power of the sense organs): O suns, she cannot be glanced at. Divine Mother! When looking Therefore, she is chhaya, at the body in a contemplative shade, that allows a devotee, a way, it is found that the body is child, to behold her presence. the play of energy. The ability O Seeker! Behold the to see, to hear, to smell, to taste, glory of the Divine Mother. She and to touch are the powers of is the soul within and the body. perception (jnana-indriya). She is the entire creation. She The ability to give and take is the creator of all. Gradually (hands), the ability to move try to experience the Divine (legs), the power of speech Mother, her beauty and love. (vak-shakti), and the power of Then you will be a worthy child. excretion and pleasure are the powers of the organs of action ya devi sarvabhuteshu (karma-indriyas). In the gross shakti rupena samsthita, body, digestion, assimilation and Namastasyai namastasyai circulation proceed. Ya devi namastasyai namo namah. sarva-bhuteshu shakti rupa: ||32-34|| 35 “The Divine Mother who is the 5. Kriya-shakti (creative strength in all beings.” “O power): Every living being has Divine Mother! I thought it was creative power. A tiny sparrow me, seeing, hearing, speaking, can build a very delicate nest walking, and so forth. Now I hanging from a palm tree. The realize, everything is done by beehive creates wonder. What you. I bow to you. about the creativity of human 2. Manasa- shakti beings! Poetic ability (kavitva- (mental power): The mind shakti), scientific ability, or deliberates, cognizes, and even the delicious food cooked confuses. The mind generates by a mother are amazing. The thought. Thought has Divine Mother is behind all tremendous effect on the body these creative talents. and life. This thought has the 6. Jnana- shakti (power ability to keep a person calm or of knowledge): jnanam asti restless. O Divine Mother! You samastasya: “all have are thought. You are behind the knowledge.” (Chandi I: 47) mind. I bow to you again and Rishi Medha declared that again. everyone is blessed with knowledge. This knowledge can 3. Buddhi-shakti be worldly or spiritual. It can (strength of intellect): buddhir- bind you to the world or bless yasya balam- tasya: “One who you with freedom. O Divine has intelligence is powerful.” Mother, you are jnanamayi. Intellect is the ability to make You are the manifestation of the right decision at the right divine knowledge. I bow to you time. O Divine Mother, you are again and again. buddhi in me. Please help me 7. Mantra-shakti (power during every step of life. of mantra): Mantras or the 4 . Ichchha-shakti mystic prayers are revealed to (willpower): Creation is the the rishis in deep meditation. The result of divine will. Every mantras, used properly, can individual is blessed with this grant desired results, either the willpower. With willpower, we fulfillment of material wishes or can achieve success in life. O divine emancipation. The Divine Divine Mother, please guide this Mother is mantramayi: “She is will within me. the mantras.” 36 8. Sadhana-shakti 13. Jada-shakti (energy (power of sadhana, spiritual in matter): Matter is nothing but discipline): Every sadhana the power of Divine Mother. generates energy in the body, Modern scientists, without strength in the mind, and deep realizing the presence of the devotion. Divine Mother, convert matter 9. Maha-shakti (the into energy such as thermal great power): The Divine power, hydropower, atomic Mother pervades this great power, and so forth. universe; she is the creator, 14. Chetana-shakti sustainer, and destroyer of the (power of consciousness, chit): universe. Consciousness is continuously 10. Adi-shakti (the playing in many ways. Chit- primordial energy): Before shakti- vilasha (play of creation and after dissolution, consciousness) manifests inside the power and energy that and outside the body and remains static and unmanifest everywhere. is none but the Divine Mother. 15. Bhagavati-shakti 11. Para-shakti (glory or prowess of the Divine (supreme power) : Every Mother): She is the source of seeker, through prayer and all power. She is omnipotent. meditation, through love and She is the cause behind every devotion, realizes that there is effect. I bow to Bhagavati as nothing but the Divine Mother. shakti or energy. She is para-shakti, the O Seeker! Watch in a bestower of para- vidya contemplative mood. You will (supreme knowledge) and find only her presence paravastha (the supreme state everywhere. With little power of spirituality). and strength, people become 12. Atma-shakti (power egotistical. However, her power of the soul): The soul, like the knows no bounds. With humility moon, reflects the power of the bow to her again and again, and Divine Mother. The power of surrender everything to her the soul makes the body alone. beautiful, active, and energetic. ya devi sarvabhuteshu The power of the soul is present trishna rupena samsthita, in all beings. 37 Namastasyai namastasyai it. O Divine Mother! The thirst namastasyai namo namah. for material fulfillment is ||35-37|| unending. Realizing this, I have Translation only one thirst, to have you as Repeated salutations to my loving mother. I do not want the Devi who is in the form of to be separate from you, desire or thirst in all living distracted by playing with toys beings. of worldly pleasure. Please Metaphorical Explanation bless me; I bow to you again and again. O Divine Mother! You are trishna (thirst) in all living O Seeker! Cherishing beings. We bow to you again worldly desires and greed, you and again with devotion. have been crushed with torture Trishna is trishyati and turmoil for how many lives! akamkshati iti: “Trishna is Be careful. Be sincere. Watch thirst or desire.” It is derived the Divine Mother who is thirst from the verb trish meaning “to herself. If she is pleased, she be thirsty,” “to wish,” “wish can quench your thirst. Seek excessively,” or “to be eager realization and nothing else. or greedy.” Hence, trishna is Bow to her again and again. also “greedy,” “strong desire,” ya devi sarvabhuteshu and “desire for gain.” The kshanti rupena samsthita, ordinary meaning of trishna is Namastasyai namastasyai thirst; it is associated with namastasyai namo namah. desire to drink. Plants, insects, ||38- 40|| animals, humans, and even Translation celestials have thirst. Repeated salutations to Unfulfilled wishes are the Devi who is in the form of present everywhere. Everyone forgiveness and patience in all is craving fulfillment. Life after living beings. life, there is fulfillment, but Metaphorical Explanation unfulfilled desires accumulate as well. It seems impossible to O Divine Mother! You fulfill all the wishes. It is like a are kshama (forgiveness and burning fire that cannot be patience). We bow to you extinguished by adding fuel to repeatedly.

38 Kshanti ksham bhave iti O Divine Mother! Not to is derived from the root verb mention earlier lives, in this life ksham, which means “to I have neglected your love and suffer,” “to pardon,” “to kindness. O ever-forgiving forgive,” “to be patient,” and Mother of mine! You are always “to endure.” Kshama and watching me with your kshanti are similar, implying unblinking eyes. Still, I commit patience, forgiveness, the earth, mistakes. When will I be free number one, an epithet of from my mistakes? There is no Durga, forbearance, and the end of your forgiveness. Bless state of saintly quality. In the me to constantly perceive you Bhagavad Gita, kshama is used everywhere. three times (10:4, 34; 16:3), and O Seeker! Bow to the kshanti is used two times (13:7; Divine Mother, who personifies 18:42). The Argala Stotram forgiveness and patience. You (verse 2) says, durga shiva must cultivate forgiveness. kshama dhatri: “You are Forgive, forbear, and forget the Durga, Shiva, Kshama, and wrongdoings of others. Dhatri.” Kshama (forgiveness) Intensify your love and devotion is the willingness to not harm for the Divine Mother. Do not an enemy, in spite of the ability be ungrateful to her. and opportunity. ya devi sarvabhuteshu O Divine Mother! In jati rupena samsthita, every living being you are Namastasyai namastasyai present in the form of namastasyai namo namah. forgiveness, more or less. It is ||41- 43|| the ability to silently forbear and Translation tolerate the wrongdoing of Repeated salutations to others, without retaliation. We the Devi who is in the form of usually tolerate our relatives and the genus and gender in all living near and dear ones, but a seeker beings. expands the domain of forgiveness with patience. Keep Metaphorical Explanation us as the image of kshama on O Divine Mother, You are your lap. Let us not react. Let in the form of jati (genus and your forgiveness expand to gender). We bow to you with envelop the entire creation. utmost love and devotion.

39 Jati is derived from the 5. Jati is class, genus, root verb jan, which means “to species. In biological be born.” Thus, one who is born nomenclature, living things such has a jati. What is jati? as plants, animals, and human 1. Jati is birth: Anyone beings are classified. who is born (jata) has a jati. 6. Jati is the jasmine O Divine Mother! You have flower. The flower of aroma given birth to everything. You and fragrance is dear to the have created names for Divine Mother. everything that is born. You are O Divine Mother! You present as everything that has manifest in all these names and been born. forms. Just as I am the child of 2. Jati is race, family, my loving Mother, I am also and lineage: When we are born, male or female, brahmin or we receive a particular family shudra, and so on, but these according to the law of karma terms are only for self- that speaks a particular identification: O Loving Mother, language, and has a specific you hold all forms in your lap. culture and nationality. All I bow to thee with love and multiplicity and distinctions are adoration. the play of the Divine Mother. O Seeker! Consider 3. Jati is gender: In creation. There is distinction and natural creation plants and difference. Differences should animals have gender. Humans not create a sense of inferiority and even celestials have gender. or superiority in you. Let there It is all due to the law of karma be no trace of ego. Everything and the process of creation. is the divine play of the loving 4. Jati is the castes of Mother. Behold her in your the Hindus. In Sanatana heart. Experience this identity Dharma, four primary castes within. exist: the brahmins (the ya devi sarvabhuteshu intellectuals), the kshatriyas lajja rupena samsthita, (the warriors and rulers), the Namastasyai namastasyai vaishyas (the farmers and namastasyai namo namah. businessmen), and the shudras (the attendants performing || 44-46|| services). 40 Translation refrains from negative and Repeated salutations to immoral activities, it is a the Devi who is in the form of protection from the Divine modesty and shyness in all Mother. living beings. Modesty and glamour: It Metaphorical Explanation is an aspect of beauty that O Divine Mother! You makes a person more manifest as lajja (shyness and appreciated. It creates self- modesty) in the hearts of others. discipline, self-control, speaking We bow to you again and again. little but with propriety, and Lajja in Sanskrit is appreciated behavior. derived from the verb lasj Covering up: It is the vridane, which means “to be nature of creation to conceal. ashamed of,” “to appear or Truth is covered up with the shine,” and “to cover or dazzling nature of names and conceal.” Hence lajja is forms. However, we should shyness, modesty, glamour, have a vision of freedom, with concealing, and covering up. Let nothing to hide, nothing secret. us look further at these different O Divine Mother! Even meanings. in worldly life, there might be Shyness: Every human something to hide, but give us being endowed with shyness to the strength to reveal everything some extent. Shyness is a virtue to you. You are in the form of as well as a vice. The feeling lajja (shyness and modesty). of shyness frees us from Free us from restlessness and temptation to do blemishing temptation. activities, thus making us better. On the other hand, shyness can O Seeker, do not feel be weakness, a fear of ashamed to state your expressing feelings or weakness to the guru-preceptor. experiences. Exploitation may Do not feel shy near him. Be be the result. When shyness near and clear to him.

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41 THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI

Sutra 11 - Memory To understand this sutra anubhûta vishayâsam clearly, one must first pramoshah smruti ||11|| understand asampramoshah clearly. A-sam-pra-mosha: a is Word Meaning “not,” sam is samyak, or anubhûta experienced; “completely,” pra is prakrishta, vishayâ – any object or topic; or “nicely,” mosha is “to take asampramoshah - not away, to steal.” Thus, the forgotten, not lost, not stolen, meaning of asampramoshah is elimination; smruti - memory not complete elimination, not Translation completely stolen. When experienced Why is the verb “to objects or thoughts are not steal” used in this sutra? The forgotten and come back to life mind is a playground of thoughts or mind, it is [called] memory. and desires. Every moment Commentary by Shri Lahiri there is a flow of thoughts in Mahasaya most people. One thought appears, then at the next Memory is recapitulation moment, as if that thought is or comprehension of past stolen away by someone, a new experience. thought appears. Again under Metaphorical Explanation the proper conditions and The eleventh sutra factors of place, people, and highlights the fifth vritti – the time, it comes back into the thought wave defining memory screen of chitta (mind-stuff). – smriti. Not being free from When a thought disappears, it the impression of an does not mean that these experienced object or topic is thoughts are eliminated memory: the remembrance of completely. The impression of past things, experiences, or experience remains in a very events. subtle state in the midbrain. It is stored or deposited in the

42 memory bank without the All these vrittis are knowledge of the person. To classified into five types. Except explain this condition, the word in the state of yoga and asampramoshah (not stolen meditation, the witnessing away), is used. From the consciousness (soul) is merged memory bank, at various times, in all the vrittis. Ordinary different thoughts arise. This people forgot this state of memory is always nurtured by separation. The soul can exist our experiences and activities. without thoughts, but thoughts There are two types of cannot exist without the soul; smriti (memory): memory of the the ocean can remain without wakeful state and memory of waves, but waves have no the dream state. In the memory separate existence without the of the wakeful state, all things ocean. either heard or seen through O Seeker! See the direct experience or imagination presence of the soul in every are stored up. Such memory thought and disposition. In the might consist of likes and Devi Mahatmya, Durga dislikes (which are discussed in Saptashati (chapter four), there Sutras 7 and 8 in the second is a prayer to the Divine Mother part of this book) and provoke who remains in every being in painful feelings and painful the form of thought waves. Out feelings create painful of these five vrittis, or thought memories. Many dreams are waves, only the last two, nidra caused because of past (sleep) and smriti (memory) memories. Not only is the are directly considered part of experience of the dream clearly reflected in the physical body the Divine Mother’s play. during sleep, the effect of the Through sleep, the soul pulls our dream is remembered often in mind towards the experience of the wakeful state. Thus, Samadhi. Through smriti memory plays a vital part in the (memory), it brings us the experience of the wakeful and remembrance of “who I am.” dream states. ***

43 ATMA-VIDYA PURSUING SELF-KNOWLEDGE KAIVALYOPANISHAD Mantra 18 trishu dhamasu yad bhogyam bhokta bhogasca yadbhavet tebhyo vilakshanam sakshi cinmatroham sada sivam

Meaning midpoint of the eyebrows to the navel and the portion below the trishu -three, dhamasu- naval. The three abodes can in the abodes, yad-that, also be the three avasthas of bhogyam-enjoyable, bhoktah- wakeful, dream and deep sleep enjoyer, bhogasca-the states. enjoyment, yad –that, bhavet- becomes, tebhyah-from them Here there are three vilakshanam- different, words used, bhogyam-the sakshi- witness, cinmatra- object of enjoyment, bhokta- awareness, aham-I am, sada- the enjoyer, and bhogah- always, sivam-auspiscious enjoyment. In the Vedanta language this is known as the Substance triputi- Suppose one is looking What is enjoyable, at a flower- we have the enjoyer and the enjoyment in flower-the object of enjoyment,, the three abodes, I am different the one who is seeing the from them, I am the witness, flower- the enjoyer, and the the pure awareness and the art of seeing- the enjoyment - eternal auspiciousness Seer, seen and the sight. Commentary Whatever we see in this world What are the three it is always these three. In the dhamas or abodes? People talk three planes of existence, in the of svarga , martya and patala three states of being, in the – heaven, earth and three abodes we have the Netherlands. It can also be the triputi. three parts of the body –from When one is in deep the midpoint of the eyebrows meditation when there is no to the top of the head, from the body, no mind and no senses 44 one is completely merged. But responsibility to oneself and one will not stay in that state always blames the others for long, one will come down. One his failure. The spiritual attitude who knows himself as tebhyah is I am not doing anything, vilakshana - different from the everything is going on and I am triputi, comes to the body level only a witness. This is a higher and perceives everything how level of consciousness. It does does he act? He lives like the not mean a state of inaction. In sakshi- separate from the this state the ego is diminished triputi, like a special witness, and the mind is tranquil. In this observing everything as a state everything will be witness. For example the food accomplished nicely. Food will is on the table. The eyes are be there and one will enjoy food seeing the food, the nose is observing every taste and every smelling the food, the hands are bit and observing who is touching the food and taking enjoying. The thought will go them to the mouth, the teeth on but one will observe how are chewing the food, the the thought is coming and stomach is digesting the food communicated through words. and the intestines are This is the sakshi bhava and assimilating the food – now tell sakshi chaitanya observing me who is enjoying the food? everything, even the movement The realized person only of the body. At this stage one observes everything with a is identified with the witnessing consciousness. One consciousness. Spiritual life is retains that in the wakeful state not a life of inaction but also. perfection in action. It is only There are two possible when ego is less and approaches to life. I do love is more. everything and I enjoy The three planes of everything is the egocentric existence –can be the gross, approach. Because of ego and astral and causal worlds in attachment we suffer. With little which the soul exists every day. success the ego multiplies and The three can also be explained with little failure I become as the past present and the unhappy and sad. A person with future. Whatever is there to be ego never takes the enjoyed, enjoyer and enjoyment

45 are all coming from one. To what it is witnessing and a develop that attitude of witness, witness does not get involved. observing with a sense of This sakshi bhava gives detachment. During meditation calmness and love and instead of following a thought consciousness expands. In just observe the thought and spiritual life one should expand then it will not take you out. from individual to family to One definition of sakshi is society and eventually to nishedhavadhi sakshi- that cosmic consciousness. which remains after everything Expansion is life and is removed is sakshi . sakshi contraction is death. does not have the qualities of

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Inauguration of EYE OPD at Hariharananda Charitable Health Centre, Jagatpur

46 TEMPLE OF PEACE- NEW ASHRAM INAUGURATED IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

A new ashram, The founded in Joliet Illinois which Temple of Peace, ( 5925,W 1st just completed its – foundation Ave ,Lakewood ,CO 80226 ) day in July 2014. was inaugurated on the 3rd of Now the Mountain region October on the auspicious ashram has come into being Vijaya Dashami day ( the day following the vision of Guruji. of victory following Navaratri The three day celebration was the 9 day festival of divine of great festivity which brought Mother. Paramahamsa together disciples from all over Prajnananandaji was present the country and even from for the occasion. Europe to participate and be in In the year 2008 Baba the divine company of the expressed his wish to have four Master. New Ashrams – Midwest, The event started with Rocky Mountain area, Dallas Peace Invocations and a havan Austin area in Texas and the on the morning of West Coast in addition to the Vijayadashami conducted by Mother Center in Miami. Swami Atmavidyananda Giri. The Midwest Ashram Propitiating Lord Ganesha , the became a reality in 20…when 9 planets , the lineage of the Kriya Vedanta Gurukulam or Gurus and Mother Gayatri – the Temple of Harmony was goddess of wisdom to promote 47 peace and for the well being of Habitat for Humanity of Metro the ashram. Several Denver and , Kim Grogan from Yogacharyas and monks from Animal Assisted Therapy the Miami and Joliet ashrams programs of Colorado. Swami were present. The days were Atmavidyananda Giri of Kriya filled with guided meditations Yoga Institute spoke on The three times a day, spiritual Impact of Meditation on Peace. discourses, Question and Each of the speakers gave answer sessions and devotional unique presentation of singing and Bhajans. Promoting Peace in their own The discourses of Baba perspectives. A question and Prajnananandaji were answer session followed. enlightening and instructive. In his closing comments A public program was Baba Prajnananandaji hosted by the Temple of Peace commented on how each of us at the Lakewood Recreation can do our share by center . The theme was - commitment to any one ideal to Practical Peace: how promote peace. But most of all Individuals Promote Peace. The he said, to be understanding panel of speakers of the Denver and accepting each other with area consisted of Professor a smile is the greatest way to Ved P. Nanda of University of promote peace. Denver – International Law, Dr It was a great event and Olixin Adams who spoke of well organized by the Denver Peace from a medical disciples who did a great job of perspective, Jim Reuteler of hosting the event. *** If man does not remain in God, his down fall is imminent. Control of senses through KarmaYoga or Kriya Yoga is preferable to indifference towards the senses. The life of householders should be like that of a river serving others Swami Shriyukteshwar

48 PEACE FROM A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE Dr. Olixin Adams

To find the Health in the treatment plan that emerges patient is the osteopathic from the deepest wisdom with physician’s highest calling and in the patient, a treatment plan his primary duty. This is the that is unique to each individual most fundamental and essential patient. principle in osteopathy. To find The language of the health should be the object of Health is known to all but often the doctor. Anyone can find goes unrecognized. It is a disease. language that is nearly The Health that we incomprehensible to the logical should find is much more than mind but is very natural to the the absence of disease and heart, for the language emerges symptoms. The Health in from the wholeness of life and osteopathy is our indwelling demands that we see life and natural state of perfection. It our patients with a sense of is a living presence - a loving wholeness. It is a language wisdom and intelligence present where pauses, stillness and in all mankind that maintains silence carry great meaning and balance, harmony and potency. As we gain sensitivity homeostasis. Without the to the rhythms of nature, and Health we could not exist. her natural pauses, and we The art of osteopathic become more comfortable with medicine begins when the stillness and silence the physician learns to recognize, language of the Health begins feel and sense the Health in to have greater meaning in our himself and his patients. Over life. It is only then that our time the osteopath learns the insight and understanding into language of the Health as it the true nature of holistic speaks to him moment to medicine, that is a medicine that moment. He then co-operates moves the patient towards with the Health and follows a wholeness is no longer

49 intellectualized but is actually never atrophied. The skill given to us through the language required to synchronize with the of the Health. health is actually given to us in The idea of the Health the moment, by the Health its as a living principle and self. What is required of us is phenomenon that can be a willingness and a desire to palpated and accessed as a feel it. therapeutic force is unique to …..This requires a osteopathy. continual state of humility as we The Health is always must approach each moment present, in all, as an intelligent and each patient as a beginner. and precise movement Dr. Still Without a state of humility we called life. It is a therapeutic will never see the true nature force alive in the patient. With of the Health, without humility out the presence of the Health we will be left with nothing but healing would not be possible, our own projections and for the Health is a wisdom and limitations of the personal and intelligence that maintains limited mind. This blinds us to harmony and homeostasis, it the splendor and true nature of keeps all physiologic functions the Health. in balance, it heals a cut finger (Dr. Olixin Adams is a or injured bone to perfection, practicing osteopath, also a restoring the original form. longtime kriyavan. The above Much of osteopathy is is an excerpt from a book he dependent upon our capacity to is writing part of which was his feel and follow the intention of talk at the Community event this intelligent therapeutic force during the Inauguration of Our we call the Health. Ashram – Temple of Peace at It is a natural inherent Denver.) skill, that may be dormant but

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50 THE BIRTHDAY OF THE BHAGAVAD GITA December 2, 2014

Advaithamruta discusses how to be successful varshinim bhagavatim ashta in that struggle of inner life. dashadhyayinim Life is the Gita - the amba tvam divine song, sing it. When a anusandhadhami bhagavad child is restless and crying, the gite bhavahdveshinim. mother pacifies the child by “O Divine Mother, taking it into her lap and singing. Bhagavad Gita, who is giving Then the child and the mother out the nectar of non-duality, are both happy. God is singing consisting of eighteen chapters, the eternal song, the Song I invoke and meditate on you Divine, Bhagavad Gita. This repeatedly for your divine has to be listened to with a blessings. Through your grace, concentrated mind. This song I will be free from delusive has to be heard in deep force of nature”. meditation. This song is the Every year on Margasira anahata dhwani the Sukla Ekadashi we celebrate uninterrupted divine sound. God the birthday of the holy book is eternal, His song is eternal. Srimad Bhagavad Gita. We God is infinite and His song is celebrate by reading and infinite. The song is there chanting of the Gita before creation and is What is Bhagavad Gita? continuously going on. When Is it only a historic episode or a one meditates, one hears this mythological story? Was this song. When one listens to the real or the poetic imagination song in deep meditation, one of a saint? It is story, history forgets his own existence, the and mystery all together. It is mind becomes calm and quiet the story of each one’s life. with no restlessness. All the There is a constant struggle and desires of the mind are gone a constant friction going on in and it becomes pure and each one of us. The Gita concentrated. *** 51 AROUND THE WORLD

INDIA capable of handling more Prajnana Mission Activities specialised fields of medicine and serving more people. Kriya Yoga Programs Inauguration of Kriya Yoga programs Ophthalmology Department were held in close to 40 different places in centres all The latest is the over the country during the last inauguration of an year. Opthalmology department serving patients on an out Prajnana Mission patient basis. Hariharananda organized regular monthly Kriya Charitable Health Center Yoga meditation classes managed by Prajnana Mission (sadhana shibir) at various has added an Opthalmolgy places in Odisha. Authorized Department to the health Yogacharyas and monastic Center at Jagatpur, Cuttack. disciples of the Mission led the The Ophthalmology Department meditation classes in each of was inaugurated on August 30, these centres. 2014. The added facility would Kriya Yoga Programs be serving patients on an were conducted in Dubai, Kriya outpatient basis. On the day of Yoga Centre Tattendorf, Vienna inauguration more than 40 in Austria, St. Katharine’s patients were examined and Parmoor and London in UK, given medical advice by Dr. Kriya Yoga Centrum Sterksel Debabrata Sahani. Present on in Holland, Adelaide, Perth, the occasion were Swami Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Samarpanananda Giri, Vice Brisbane in Australia, Auckland president Prajnana Mission, and Wellington in New Zealand, Swami Achalananda Giri, Fiji Islands and in Ho Chi Minh Secretary Prajnana Mission and City, Vietnam. Chandrakantha Mishra, Health Center Activities Coordinator, Hand in Hand. Hariharananda Charitable Balashram Activity Health centres continue with Balashram with 438 addition of extra facilities students last year is progressing 52 on all fronts under the guidance interacted with the students and of the Principal, Mr. P. P. Singh. teachers. They encouraged This academic year (2013-14) creative ideas among the audio visual learning system students and shared their ideas was introduced which with teachers and students encourages the teachers and motivating them to develop students to integrate information technical projects and skills. and communication technology Kremen School of Education in their teaching-learning and Human Development, process. California State University, Students have Fresno participated in sports as well as A group of professors led arts and crafts competitions in by Dr. Jyothi Bathina visited house as well as by out side Balashram on 7th January 2014. organisations and have won They met with the Principal and many prizes. discussed on various academic The school has issues. They also visited the introduced vocational training classrooms, interacted with the for the students of Stds. VIII students and observed the & IX. The courses are teaching-learning process in the Plumbing, Tailoring, and school and were very impressed Maintenance & Assembly of with the progress of the school. Computer Hardware, Electrical Balashram Children’s Book House Wiring, Desktop Released Publishing and Go-Vijnana The book titled - The which is making of cow-based Flood, The Bear and The products. Dog, of real stories narrated The students are also and illustrated by the students required to select one of the of Balashram and compiled and following basic skill courses published by Dr. Jyothi Bathina such as Cycle Repair, Hair was released by the Chairman Dressing, Cooking, Standard of Education Dept of the First Aid and Exposure to Public Kremen school in the presence Service Utilities. of Baba Prajnananandaji and Indian Institute of other Mission members at a Technology – Professors from large gathering at The SB IIT visited the school and Women’s College at Cuttack.

53 Retreats at the Gurukulam IIKYS Retreats are organised at The 16th International the Hariharananda gurukuam Intensive Kriya Yoga Seminar from time to time on chosen (IIKYS) will be held from 14th topics to inspire and motivate to 20th January, 2015. disciples in their sadhana, to AMERICAS participate in group meditation and question and answer Mother Center USA sessions to clear their doubts was blessed to celebrate the and enhance their practice. Foundation day in the Divine A retreat was held from presence of Guruji August 13 – 17. The theme was Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji. Sadhana Panchakam of Adi KriyaVedanta Shankara. Two discourses of an Gurukulam, our Joliet hour each were given each day Ashram organized a along with chanting and guided Community havan during the meditations and the evening Navaratri festival. Over 200 arati at Deva Mandir. people participated in the havan Another retreat was held conducted by Swami in the month of October on the Atmavidyanandaji and other same lines. monks and brahmacharis in the New Delhi Programme - 7th divine presence of - 9th November Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji. Kriyayoga programme Denver Ashram - A was held in New Delhi with new ashram was inaugurated Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji. on October 3rd, the day of 81 people were initiated. Vijayadashami in the presence th The 12 Punyatithi Aradhana of Paramahamsa Divas Prajnananandaji. The Punyatithi aradhana The National Kriya divas of our beloved Gurudev, Yoga Reteat held in Cali, Parampujya Paramahamsa Hariharananda Maharaj was Colombia by Swami celebrated with Gurupaduka Atmavidyananda Giri was well Puja, havan and meditation from attended. 94 new initiations took 1st to 3rd December, 2014. place during the program. *** 54