Sthita Prajna

Guru Vandana

dhruvam devi mumuksunam nasti tattvam guroh param guroraradhanam kuryat svajivatvam nivedayet

O Devi! It is the firm truth that the essential nature of the guru is supreme for the seeker of freedom – nothing is greater. One should worship one’s guru preceptor with complete dedication.

– Guru Gita

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3 CONTENTS

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1 Sub Page No. • GURU VANDANA 3 • EDITORIAL 5 • MESSAGE FORM THE MASTER 6 • PRAJNANAVANI 8 • CHAKRAS IN THE LALITHA SAHASRANAMA 13 • PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY 16 • DATES TO REMEMBER 19 • TEACHINGS OF THE MASTER 20 • TENTH MAHASAMADHI DAY OF GURUDEV 21 • MYTHS AND METAPHORS 22 • THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI 25 • VALUABLE VOLUMES • VISHUDDHA CHAKRA 30 • THE CHANGING NATURE OF..... 34 • MYSTICISM OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS 37 • STORIES TO LIVE BY THE SINGING BIRD 40 • ATMA-VIDYA - PURSUING SELF KNOWLEDGE 42 • BALASHRAM HIGHLIGHTS 44 • 53RD BIRTHDAY OF BABA PRAJNANANANDAJI 47 • AROUND THE WORLD 49 • NEW BOOK RELEASES 2012 54

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 :

“Life is a boat and love is the water. The boat of love can sail smoothly in the water of love.” Paramahamsa Prajnanananda In this issue “Message of the Master” talks of the Marvelous power of God and realizing it by meditation.In “Prajnanavani”, Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji elaborates on the question of faith. Practical spirituality discusses a tangible way to incorporate ahimsa or nonviolence into one’s daily life through diet. Rama Katha takes us to Sri Rama building the bridge on the ocean (Setubandhana) to cross over to Lanka and regain Sita. Paramahamsaji explains what real setubandhana is. Kaivalya Upanishad our series on Self Knowledge talks of the impermanence of the body and the permanence of the soul. Relevant excerpts from some of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda’s seminal works, “The Universe Within” and the “Changing Nature of Relationships”, continue elaborating on chakras, and multiple relationships. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali talks of the distinction between vritti nirodha and vritti laya. We bring you news of the Birthday celebrations of Guruji, the15th foundation day of the Mother Center USA and of the activities of Prajnana Mission worldwide. Hope you enjoy this issue and those to come.

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5 MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER THE MARVELOUS POWER OF GOD

Everywhere the open the coconut in a single marvelous power of god is motion, as they do in India. But, remaining. According to the you must know also that the Bible, in Genesis (1:27), “he coconut has three “eyes”: two made man and woman in his eyes in the front and one on own image.” this means that the top. The tree grows from you are the image of God—he the “third eye,” the one on top. has incarnated in the material If an iron rod is inserted at that world. In your whole body, god location, the rod will easily is remaining everywhere within penetrate in a moment’s time. you from the day you are born, Yet, if you push anywhere else, yet you do not feel that way the rod will not penetrate. Once because it was not taught. the rod has penetrated and is Imagine a coconut. If moved from side to side, the there was no shell to cover the entire coconut will open up. coconut, then there would be Your life is like the no coconut. The hard shell coconut, encased in its shell, protects the coconut, and, ready to be opened from the although you might not know it, top. Keep your attention there, there is a technique for breaking at the fontanel, all the time. open the coconut shell. Using Whatever you are doing, it is the technique, you can crack being done by him.

6 Since you do not feel that Rakshasim asurim cai ‘va the almighty father is hiding in prakritim mohinim shritah you, you must meditate. Moghasha means Meditation is so nice, so extreme desire, such as for beautiful, so divine, but you money. Moghakarmana means meditate very little. So, you forgetting god and doing work, should fix your attention in the and moghajnana refers to acting fontanel and remain there. according to one’s own mind Always make yourself with false knowledge. ready for god-realization. At every moment, you should ask So you should always your conscience where you are, watch. Watch the heaviness at whether you are there in the the top. Feel the pulsation fontanel or below the eyebrows. moving from top to bottom. See You should watch very the divine light and concentrate carefully, because, if you remain on the inner sound. Your whole below, then you cannot get god- body is god. You should watch realization. You must stay on the it. Without that power, you are top—that is your life. Otherwise a dead body. So your everything you are fiends (rakshasa) and is like god. When you forget demons (asura), as written in your whole body and the entire the bhagavad gita (9:12): world, then your whole Moghasha moghakarmano meditation is complete. moghajnana vicetasah

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Watch him day and night in your every thought, word and action. Constant alertness is necessary; if you do this you will have a positive and quick result. Paramahamsa Hariharananda

7 PRAJNANAVANI - THE VOICE OF WISDOM A QUESTION OF FAITH

Prayer is the key to For some seekers of truth establishing and building our other questions may arise such relationship with God. Yet the as, “Does God really exist? If question comes up: “How can God exists, how can I know that I establish a relationship and He exists? Where is He? Or is feel love for someone I don’t He a She? A few days ago even know? How can I pray to someone forwarded me a very God?” These are very interesting e-mail, which I legitimate questions. Truly, the passed along to several people. only thing holding you back It was a story from the life of from this relationship is your a man who was a former own skepticism. So, if you are president of India. He was a skeptical, you must keep very prominent scientist and a analyzing your own questions wonderful man. At the top of until you have put all your this e-mail was written “Please doubts to rest. Then you can read this word for word. If you strongly affirm, “Yes God, I miss one word, you will miss believe and trust in You.” It is something.” The content of this at this point that your e-mail consisted of a lovely relationship will begin to dialogue between a professor flourish. and a student, and this student 8 was none other than the scientist stable, demonstrable protocol, who later on became the science says that you have no president of India. The brain, Sir.” This went on until professor, who was an atheist, the professor’s head began to posted the question, “Does God reel. Finally the professor exist?” Before the student gave declared that one has to take his response, the professor had these on faith. This ended the systematically justified, step by student’s string of questions, and step, why God cannot possibly he simply stated, “That is it exist. He was stating that Sir… The link between man and according to empirical, testable, God is faith. That is all that demonstrable protocol, science keeps things moving and alive.” says God doesn’t exist as He He was basically saying to the cannot be seen, heard, felt, professor that if he wanted to smelled, or tested by the sense know whether there is a God, organs. all he could say is that it is a With rapt attention, the question of faith. It will always other students sat silently, remain a question of faith since listening to the professor as he there is no one who can prove stated his case, all the while or disprove the existence of they were eagerly waiting to God, hear their classmate’s rebuttal. There is another When the professor finished wonderful story that also makes presenting his position the this point. Perhaps you have student began his response with heard the story of the wise man a counter question. Then, who was invited to give a talk without offering any of his own one evening at a local hall. opinions, he continued to ask Because he was so renowned question after question about for his wisdom and intellect, concepts and things we believe people came to hear him speak exist. For example, he asked, from far and wide. The hall “Is there anyone here who has was soon packed, and when it ever heard the professor’s was time for his talk to begin, brain, felt it, touched or smelled he stood up and told the it? No one appears to have done audience, “I have a question so. So, according to the that I would like to ask all of established rules of empirical, you. Do you believe in God?”

9 Since they all wanted to they thought, after hearing that please their esteemed speaker answer he would have to talk a everyone in the audience little longer to justify God’s unanimously replied, “Yes!” existence. Then, with a gracious The gentleman agreed to smile, he folded his hands, come, and soon it was time for bowed and said, “Thank you. I the program to begin once thank all of you for your belief. again. Just as he had done Please continue to live with that before, he walked onstage and belief. I have nothing more to asked, “Do you believe in God? say.” And then he left. Thinking they had surely Soon, the hall was filled outwitted him, they all replied with the murmurings of the “No!” astounded audience. “O God! Then, after answering his What just happened? He no question, they all settled back sooner walked on stage and in their seats, anxiously waiting the next thing we know, the talk for his lengthy response. is over!” As you are aware, on Unfortunately things did not go most program flyers detailing a as planned, because he simply lecture schedule, a specific time replied, “Thank you. If all of is given for the talk, which is you do not believe in God, I usually binding. However, no have nothing more to say.” And specific times had been given before the audience could for this talk, so he had done comprehend what had just nothing wrong by leaving after happened, he was gone. just five minutes. Undeterred by this little Since the audience was setback, they became even so disappointed that they had more determined to find a way missed the opportunity to hear to make him speak. This time this gentleman speak, they all they were sure they had come vowed to come up with a plan. up with a foolproof plan. So They decided to invite him to another invitation went out, and come and speak again, but this the gentleman again agreed to time, they all agreed to make come and speak at the lecture one major change. If he asked hall. Just as had happened them if they believed in God, previously, he stepped onto the they would all say no. Surely, podium and asked the expected 10 question, “Do you believe in time trying to persuade them God?” Feeling confident that that God does not exist since they would soon be listening to they already held this belief, nor his lecture, they all happily gave could anything be said to him their prepared response: one dissuade them from their belief, half said they believed in God, since it is a well-known fact while the other half said they that “a man convinced against didn’t. his will, is of the same opinion “Thank you for your still.” interesting answer,” he said with The wise man’s reaction a smile. “However, I have just to the third response, when the one thing to say. If you wish, audience was evenly divided in those who don’t believe in God their belief about the existence can try to convince the ones of God, shows the same who do why they are wrong, acceptance. Had he offered his and those who believe in God opinion, one side would have can try to convert the others been in agreement with him, who don’t.” That being said, he while the other would have walked out of the hall. disagreed. Essentially, the In all three cases, the audience would have remained wise man chose to say only divided and nothing would have very little. In the first instance, been gained. His suggestion when the audience had that the audience should attempt professed their belief in God, to convince each other of the the wise man accepted their rightness of their beliefs would belief, since it would have been have taught them that they had futile to convince them otherwise. Furthermore, there embarked on an impossible was no need to try to convince mission, since the argument them of something in which cannot be resolved as it is they already believed since this ultimately a matter of personal would have been preaching to faith. Since belief in God is a the converted. The same applies matter of personal faith, it to the second talk, where the cannot be determined by anyone people had stated that they did else, which makes any not believe in God. Again, it argument about the existence would have been a waste of of God pointless. 11 Now I will tell you about In this world there are a real incident that happens two types of people: those who many times in India. There are say they don’t believe in God some states in India, even now, and those who say they do. that are ruled by a Those who don’t believe in God democratically elected feel there is no need for Him in Communist government. The their lives. Yet, this should not people who belong to the concern us, because we have Communist party do not believe the right to live with our own in God. When they have their beliefs. Prayer is for those party conference, usually about people who do believe in God, a half million people attend. Do and live in God. It begins with you know where these half believing in God, and when we million people go when the pray, our belief begins to come conference is over? They go to alive. Since we all breathe, we the temples since the know that our breath is real and conference is held in one of the essential to life. When we pray, major holy cities in India. God becomes just as real, vital, Although they belong to a party and clear to us as our breath. that endorses atheism, they still Remember: just as our breath come into the temples and bow is real, God is real. Or, in the down to God. words of Gurudev, “God is our breath.”

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“The shield of faith protects against delusion, illusion and error.”

12 CHAKRAS IN THE LALITHA SAHASRANAMA

Divine Mother in one of be of interest to one who is her forms as Lalitha is practicing Kriya Yoga. The worshipped with the Lalitha goddess is addressed as Sahasranama or the thousand Mahashakti and Kundalini. names in Her praise. Lalitha She is also addressed as Sahasranama is a part of the Pranada and as one residing Lalitopakhyana, in the latter half in fifty syllables. The devotee of the Brahmanda Purana - A performs inner worship of dialogue between Hayagriva, mediating and invoking the (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) energy in each chakra that and the great sage Agastya. It travels through the subtle is believed that this hymn of passage of Sushumna piercing Lalitha Sahasranama was through the brahma granthi composed by the goddesses of (muladhara) ,Vishnu granthi speech at the behest of the (above the manipura) and rudra Divine Mother Lalitha herself. granthi (ajna chakra ) .The This worship is also known as Goddess is also addressed as Sri vidya. It is said that if a Shambhavi, devotee recites this out of pure Description of the chakras devotion to the Mother without with the presiding deities any material desire he will be In the Muladhara or the free from all bondages and lotus at the bottom of the spine, attain Brahma jnana. It is of four petals with the four customary for some people to syllables va, sa,sha, sa recite these names during the salutations are offered to the worship of Navaratri mother known as Shakini with In this sacred hymn five faces She presides over the there is a section that refers to bones in the body. In her hands the worship of mother as the she holds the elephant hook, energy residing in the seven lotus, book and the sign of chakras or the lotuses in her jnanamudra. She is attended different aspects which could by four shaktis -. She is fond 13 of the offering of cooked rice offerings of sweet preparations mixed with pulse. made with jaggery. In the Swadhishtana or In the Anahata, the lotus the lotus of six petals between of the heart, with twelve petals the navel and the muladhara, with the letters ka, kha, with the letters ba, bha, ma, ga,gha, nya,cha, chha ,ja, ya, ra, la representing the jha, jnya, ta, tha of the shaktis bandhini, bhadrakali, Sanskrit alphabet for the twelve mahamaya, yasasvini , raka shaktis – Kalaratri, Khandita, and lamboshti seated on the Gayatri, Ghatakarshini, six petals of the lotus as her Ngarna, chanda Chhaya, attendants, salutations are Jaya, Jhankarini, Jnanarupa, offered to the yogini named tankahasta and Thankarini kakini with a golden hue , with seated on the petals surrounding four faces, who presides over her, salutations are offered to the ingredient of Medas or fat. yogini Rakini of dark She holds the weapons – of complexion with two faces, who trident, a noose, a skull and an wears a rosary and weapons elephant hook. She likes the and who presides over the offerings of honey and yogurt ingredient of blood in the human rice. body. She likes food prepared In the Manipura, the in ghee such as ghee rice and lotus of the ten petals at the blesses highly qualified naval with the letters da,dha, na, devotees. ta, tha, da,dha, na,–pa, pha for In the Vishuddha at the the ten shaktis Damari, base of the throat in the Dhankarini, narna, thamasi, luminous chakra of sixteen sthanvi,dakshyayani, dhatri, petals with sixteen vowels with Nari, parvati and phatkarani the bindus representing Amrita, seated on the petals, Akarshini, Indrani, Isani, salutations are offered to the Uma, Urdhvakesi, Rudra, yogini Lakini of deep red color, Rikara, Likara, with three faces, presiding over Lukara,Ekapada, the bodily flesh. The weapons Aiswaryatmika,Omkara, are vajra, shakti and danda Aushadhi, Ambika and in the three hands and abhaya Akshara seated on the sixteen pose in the fourth. She likes the petals in the clockwise order 14 surrounding her, salutations are 100 by positions in the serial offered to the yogini Dakini, and the reverse order, and of light red color who has one become thousand when face, with three eyes, holding multiplied by ten seats for each weapons of club, a bedpost, corresponding to the thousand sword, trident and shield in each petals. She uses every kind of hand. She is the presiding deity weapon. She presides over the of the skin. She is fond of the vital fluid and has faces in every offering of rice cooked with direction. She is pleased with milk. She throws into fear those the offerings of all kinds of food brutes who do not see the true and is the mother of all identity of the soul and God. creatures. In the Ajna chakra, in The Mother divine is said the middle of the eye brows to be seated on the top of the with two petals with the six chakras as the Mahasakti syllables ham and ksham, for or kundalini and is said to be the attendants Hamsavati and moving through the six chakras Kshamavati seated on the through the subtle passage of petals salutations are offered to sushumna in the spine from the Yogini known as Hakini of muladhara at the bottom of the spotless white complexion, who spine to the sahasrara or the has six faces, who is the thousand petal lotus at the top presiding deity of the bone where the soul resides. marrow. She likes food The six chakras are the flavored with turmeric or place of energy and its saffron. manifestation, action and In the Sahasrara center enjoyment. But beyond the in the lotus of thousand chakras is the unmanifested (innumerable) petals located in absolute, that can be realized the skull above the other six through Shatchakrabedha or centers, the mother is penetrating the veil of energy worshipped as Yakini. She and going to the state of shines in all colors, surrounded chakratita beyond everything. by 50 deities or 50 mystic that is the union between god syllables of the alphabet known and energy the state of absolute as the matrukas which become awareness *** 15 PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY AHIMSA : MY STEP TOWARD NON VIOLENCE Jyothi Bathina

I’ve always loved meat. the fresh warm bread and A couple of weeks ago, we savored the creamy tomato received a gift certificate in the bisque. Finally the steaks mail to a famous local arrived, on 500-degree plates to steakhouse. It was perfect keep them warm, slathered in timing because our son was butter and dripping with juices. leaving for medical school and My husband and son both dug the $100 certificate would be in and for a while the table fell helpful since it was a very silent as we all worked on our expensive restaurant. I made dinners. The first bite was good reservations and we all dressed and I continued eating, but up and went to dinner. I had strangely I was not able to eat read on the reviews that some the whole thing. In fact, after people found the meat too just two or three bites I felt put gamey there, and this was off. The meat, cooked medium apparently because they were rare to keep it tender, did taste used to over spiced and over very “meaty” with no sauces seasoned, overcooked meats. or seasonings to distract me The steak connoisseurs from the fact that this was an explained that this was how real animal’s body. With each cut meat tasted: farm grown and of the knife, I felt progressively unprocessed, still fresh and full worse and finally said I couldn’t of blood, fat, and flavor. I was eat any more and asked that a little put off by that description the rest be packed up. but was excited just the same The next morning I sliced to be going to such a nice place the steak into strips and gave it with such famous steaks. to my son for breakfast. I Once we got there we simply wasn’t interested in enjoyed the ambience, devoured having anymore. I wasn’t quite 16 myself for at least two days While the video may afterwards and told my husband have focused on the worst and my mother that I wanted possible conditions and not all to cut down on eating meat. slaughterhouses may be as Since then, I have cut cruel as the factory farms down drastically on my meat shown, it made me realize that no slaughter of innocent consumption, not even eating creatures can be humane. my usual chicken and having These are intelligent sentient only an occasional egg. But beings that feel pain. It was yesterday, I saw a video posted interesting to hear that the on Facebook, a YouTube video raising of livestock for our called Glass Walls narrated by consumption actually produces Paul McCartney and I can more greenhouse emissions never in good conscience even than vehicle exhaust. It was think of eating meat again. It also enlightening to hear how was one of the hardest 13 inefficient the process is, taking minutes I have ever had to 13 pounds of feed to create just endure and I often had to close one pound of edible meat. Not my eyes or turn away from the only is it cruel beyond words, most harrowing scenes. As raising and consuming meat is McCartney says in the video, if also destroying the planet and slaughterhouses had glass walls, is incredibly inefficient at most of us would be vegetarian. battling world hunger. To witness the horrific cruelty So why do we continue that is perpetuated on animals to do it? For me it has always raised to be consumed by been the taste. I have always humans is unbelievably painful. loved meat, chicken, fish, lamb, Cows still clinging to life, while goat, and occasionally beef. hanging with throats slit from And honestly, I have never rafters, pigs given electric really thought about where my shocks, chickens stomped on meat came from. In India, I and abused, it is truly unbearable knew that it came from the to watch. butcher shop but chose not to

17 think beyond that. And here in spreading through the flesh I America, I am even more would soon be eating. I have removed from the process, lived a long time and been a buying my meat in clean, meat eater for all those years, sterilized, plastic wrapped all the while considering myself packages. It looks nothing like to be a gentle and nonviolent an animal when it finally gets person. I have known at the to me and I see only dinner, to back of my mind that eating be cooked with onions and meat was a choice and that garlic or coconut milk and many considered it an green chilies. For me, it is the unnecessary violence. My curry the meat is cooked in that parents have been vegetarians provides the taste and the flavor now for many years as are more than the actual flesh itself, many of my relatives. Yet it gravy bursting with wonderful simply never sank in, never felt spices, the creamy coconut so wrong that I had to stop. milk, fresh cilantro, ginger, There is no real way to wipe cinnamon and cloves. Which away the bad karma I’ve makes me wonder, did I really accumulated over the years ever need that flesh in the first through my actions, but as with place? Would it have tasted just any wrong action, I can only as good without? stop the moment I become Last night I spent a convinced that it is wrong, and sleepless night mulling over my refuse to commit that action complicity in the sheer torture ever again. of so many creatures just so I Of course, it is not for could have a tasty meal that me to dictate what others should clogged my arteries and do, or to judge them for not increased my cholesterol. I converting immediately to thought of the pain and suffering vegetarianism simply because I and agonized cries of the finally see the light. After all, it helpless animals being led to took me over half my life slaughter, the fear coursing before I was convinced. My through their veins and gentle Guru leads by example,

18 but has never once condemned decision once they view the me for my inability to follow, video. I am only thankful that I waiting patiently for me to happened to encounter it, at a come to the realization myself. time when I was already Far be it from me then, to turn reconsidering my choices and around and point fingers at feeling the need to change those who are not yet them. convinced. But I do hope that For me, personally, this readers, especially those like me marks my first genuine step to who have no clue what journey a life of true ahimsa or our meat takes on its way to nonviolence, one I intend to our table, will make an informed follow for the rest of my days.

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DATES TO REMEMBER October 15-23 : Navaratri 9 day festival of Divine Mother October 24 : Vijaya Dashami November 13 : Deepvali – Festival of Lights November 17 : Birthday of Swami Satyananda Giri December 3 : 10th Mahasamadhi Day of Gurudev December 23 : Gita Jayanti – Birthday of Bhagavad Gita December 24-25 : Christmas Celebration December 31 : New Years Eve

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19 “Patience, ceaseless efforts and strong determination make everything possible.” Mahavatara Babaji

“While perceiving Brahman, try to always have the conviction that “I am Brahman.” Lahiri Mahasaya

“Like removing one nail with the help of another nail, the evil propensities can be weeded out by good samskaras.” Swami Shriyukteshwar

“One who is blessed with the eye of wisdom is free from all doubts, confusian and duality.” Sanyal Mahasaya

“By drawing and observing the graph of your mind, your can see whether everyday you are making any progress in your life or not.” Paramahamsa Yogananda

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

“When your breath becomes very feeble, then you are really practising Kriya. You are established in truth.” Paramahamsa Hariharananda “Life is for progress and evolution and one should listen to the promptings of God with rapt attention in order not to get into problems.” Paramahamsa Prajnanananda 20 TENTH MAHASAMADHI DAY OF GURUDEV Dec 3, 2012

transitory but precious life to develop God consciousness. If we cultivate love and devotion for God during a practical spiritual life, our lives will be beautiful. Gurudev taught to love in every breath. With his beautiful smile, kind words and practical teachings Gurudev continues to live on in our Already 10 years have hearts motivating us to move passed since the Mahasamadhi forward. On this special day of the Great Master, our we should contemplate on the beloved Gurudev Baba life and teachings of Gurudev Hariharanandaji. with special gratitude. We He always said that should also sincerely pray to human life is extremely have enough strength to follow temporary. his footprints. th Every human body is The 10 Mahasamadhi prone to disease, decay, and day of Gurudev will be death. But this body is not for observed as a special event in misery and suffering; it is for all ashrams and centers across emancipation and love. He the world, with special worship, explained how to use this prayers and meditation.

Baba Hariharanandaji is the embodiment of spiritual truth, love and compassion. Not even the holiest scripture can substitute the encompassing influence of an enlightened Master. – Paramahamsa Prajnanananda

*** 21 MYTHS AND METAPHORS RAMAYANA Sri raghavam dasaradhatmajamaprameyam sitapatim raghukulanvaya ratna dipam. ajanu bahum aravindadalayataksham ramam nishachara vinashakaram namami

Salutations to Sri Rama, the son of Dasaratha, the jewel of the Raghu lineage, of long arms and beautiful eyes like the lotus petals, the husband of Sita, and the destroyer of the rakshasas.

Building the Bridge float on the water it is Rama’s work and it will float.” Rama reached the shores of the ocean with Then Rama thought: Sugriva and the vanara army. “With my name the stone is Rama, with the help of his floating, let me try it.” He took army, wanted to build a floating a small stone and threw it into bridge and was wondering how the water and it drowned in the to do it. With the name of Rama water. Rama was surprised at on their tongue and with their this. Hanuman was standing hearts filled with devotion to behind Rama and laughed as Rama the vanara army worked he watched this. When Rama day and night to construct the asked him why he was laughing, bridge over the ocean. There is Hanuman said, “Because I was an interesting story in this looking at your play. The stone connection that illustrates the drowned, because that which is power of faith in God’s name. rejected by you (God) will It is said that one vanara said drown in the ocean of the he knew a trick that would float world. It floated in the other stones on water. Rama asked case as the person had him how. He said: “I just take immense faith and love for your the name of Rama and say – name and he believed that with

22 the name of God anything could Vibhishana’s Surrender happen. Where there is love, In the meantime in there is belief and trust.” The Lanka, Vibhishana tried to floating bridge was completed advise Ravana that he would successfully. not be able to win the war There is another against Rama and to surrender interesting fact. Before the setu to Rama. Ravana was very bandhana it is said that a Shiva angry and drove Vibhishana out Linga was installed and that of Lanka for trying to Ravana himself was invited to discourage him from war with be the priest for worship and Rama. Vibhishana came to Ravana agreed. This is the Rama seeking refuge. Sugriva greatness of Ravana. Ravana was hesitant to give shelter to knew that Rama was coming the enemy but Rama accepted to destroy him and constructing him and asked for the water of a bridge but when invited as a the ocean to be brought to priest he obliged. Setu bandha annoint him as the king of pratishta and Rameshwara Lanka. Sugreeva objected –as pratishta were done. to how Rama can promise the What is the meaning of kingdom of Lanka to setu? In the Upanishad it is said, Vibhishana even before Ravana ãtma vai setu. was defeated. Rama replied that In the ocean knowledge if they lose the battle with of the soul is the bridge. Ravana, then Vibhishana would What is the setu still be the king, as he would bandhana? The main land is then give him Ayodhya. Sri the body and the island is the Rama said, place in between the eyebrows. sakrud eva So to come from the body to prapannaya tavasmitica the mid point of the eyebrows yacate you need a link. Here again abhayam sarva comes the link of breath. So bhutebhyo daddmyetad they crossed over to Lanka vratam mama using the bridge. 23 To any one who asks for ananyaschintayantomam shelter saying, “I am yours”, I ye jana paryupasate give my pledge of protection tesham from all beings nitya bhiyukta n a m One of the greatest yogakshemam vahamyaham virtues of Sri Rama is One who can surrender protecting anyone who with devotion and faith like surrenders and asks for Vibhishana can be assured of shelter.Lord Krishna assures in the Lords protection. the Bhagavad Gita on similar lines.

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Balashram Blessings Day – Art and Craft Exhibition

24 THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI

Sutra 2 and that the term is widely used Yoga is the cessation of in various contexts to refer to Thoughts spiritual practice, physical exercise, mathematics, yogah cittavrtti nirodhah ||2|| astrology, astronomy and Word Meaning ayurveda. Yoga also means “an yogah – yoga; citta-vrtti opportunity.” But in this – thought in the mind or immediate analysis, yoga is memory; nirodhah – cessation, used in reference to the spiritual suppression, elimination realm, where it is the means as Translation well as the end: yoga is the Yoga is the elimination, process of meditation annihilation and suppression of (technique) and yoga is the the modifications of the mind. achievement of meditation (realization). Yoga is the Commentary by Shri Lahiri beginning and end of Mahasaya everything. All the waves of chitta Chitta-Vritti are completely and naturally eliminated. Although chitta is simply translated as “mind,” and vritti Metaphorical Explanation means “thought waves,” this In this sutra, there are concept has still an even three words: yoga, chitta-vritti deeper, inner meaning. In order (a combined word, made of to know what yoga really is, chitta and vritti), and one needs to understand chitta nirodhah. This most beautiful (mind) in detail. sutra, in merely three words, Each human being is sums up a scripture and endowed with the thoroughly describes a antahkarana –chatushtaya, meditation technique. four inner instruments: manas Yoga (mind), buddhi (intellect), In the explanation of the ahamkara (ego), and chitta first sutra, it was noted that (mind-stuff or memory). Mind yoga is a very broad concept is not only a subject matter for 25 spirituality; it is also a topic The fourth faculty is discussed in psychology, in chitta (memory). The scriptures medical science, and in many say that chitta is other fields of human activities. anusandhanatmika or The simplest meaning of smaranatmika, the investigating manas (mind) is “the doubting faculty, or the faculty of faculty.” The scriptures say, memory. Mind is the product samshayatmika manah: “The of experiences that are mind always doubts.” The mind preserved in the midbrain as is always suspicious, curious, memory. Thus the midbrain is and doubtful. The mind loves the storehouse of all human confusion, and the mind lives in experiences. This memory is confusion. The mind cannot the cause of all thoughts. No thought can come to one’s mind decide what is good and what if it is not based on a specific is bad, what is right and what memory. An unknown or is wrong. The mind is like a unperceived idea cannot enter person standing in a shop, the mind. A thought cannot looking at garments and thinking come out of nothing. This chitta that every piece of cloth is is born out o human experience beautiful. through the mind and, in turn, Superior to the mind is the mind becomes activated buddhi (intellect). The from memory. Chitta is the scriptures define buddhi as computerized memory of the nishchayatmika buddhi, brain. meaning that the intellect is the This can be explained by deciding faculty of human a simple example. Chitta can beings. Buddhi discriminates be compared to the ocean, and between what is good and what the mind to the waves. When a is bad, and then decides what man tries to sit silently, should be done. immediately a whole chain of The third faculty or inner thoughts, one wave after the instrument is ahamkara (ego). other, is the chitta-vritti. The The scriptures define human mind is always restless. ahamkara as abhimanatmika A mind without restlessness is ahamkara. This egoistic faculty really no mind at all. Mind and claims “I am the doer. I am…. restlessness are two sides of I am….” This is ego. the same coin. 26 These chitta -vrittis are chitta. In the Hatha Yoga created out of ignorance. An Pradipika (2:2), it says: ignorant person searching for cale vate calam cittam happiness in the material world niscale niscalam bhavet goes from place to place, person Yogi sthanutvam apnoti to person, object to object, tato vayum nitodhayet trying to get peace and happiness. Real happiness is not “When the breath is outside, but inside. He does not restless, the mind is restless. know it. He collects and gathers When the breath is calm and various experiences and quiet, the mind is no longer impressions, which are then restless. stored as memory. This So, by controlling the material memory is the source breath, the yogis attain the state of all thoughts, chitta-vritti. of inner tranquility.” Nirodhah Yogi Patanjali is saying Nirodhah is made of the that yoga is the way that helps prefix ni (completely) and rudh to make the restless and (to close). Nirodhah means turbulent mind extremely calm, confinement, locking up, peaceful, and still. enclosing, and covering up, People, especially in this restraint, check, suppression, electronic age, are aware of the control, or elimination. many names, forms, and Yoga as the Means formalities of yoga. They are all the branches of one yoga: Yoga is the means of Kriya Yoga is the tree of yoga, annihilating the waves of the which is called the Royal mind. Now the question arises: Science and Royal Secret by Why are so many waves of Shri Krishna. thought continually arising in the mind? Think of a lake. The Yoga as the End water in the lake is tranquil. People practice different When the wind blows, the water techniques of meditation and in the lake is no longer still; it is different forms of yoga. If they full of waves. Wind is the cause ask their own conscience, they of the waves in the lake. can easily know whether they Similarly breath is the cause of are really free from mind, thought waves in the ocean of thought, intellect, ego, body 27 sense, and worldly sense. If not, manifestation of unity with the their practice is adulterated. Supreme, Who abides in us. Yoga is that process which This is the union of body and brings the state of inner silence soul, human being and God, and tranquility. When the state individual self with the Supreme of yoga really dawns, the mind Self. One breath is the indication becomes automatically quiet. o that unity and we must realize Yoga is complete cessation of it. If we realize this unity restlessness. constantly in every breath, then Before the achievement all restlessness will disappear. o such a state, there is In this sutra, one thing restlessness. Once this state of must be clearly understood: the union is achieved, there is no distinction between vritti distraction or deviation. Yoga is nirodha and vritti laya. Vritti that state of union: union o the nirodha means restraint and two – the merging of the river control of vritti. Vritti laya with the ocean. The river is means complete dissolution of restless when it has not yet met vritti. In vritti nirodha, the the ocean. Once it meets the meditator is completely free ocean, the limited river loses its from all restlessness and ups name and form and becomes and downs. Even after arising one with the formless and vast from meditation, his inner ocean. tranquil state continues, as he God is the ocean and works and lives in the world every individual is the river. The compassionately detached. source of the river is the ocean. When the state of realization The water of the ocean is dawns, ignorance disappears drawn up by the sun, then completely; he lives like a precipitates as snow or rain, and liberated soul. Although chitta- ultimately becomes a river. vritti, the play of memory, When the river meets the remains, there are no more ocean, it simply goes back to restless or overpowering its original source. desires. In vritti-laya, there is no rise of vritti. Vritti-laya, or Yoga enables us to go complete dissolution of vritti, is back to our source, God, the possible only at the time of Absolute. Yoga is a natural death. state of union. Yoga is the 28 O Seeker! Do you really the ocean. Ocean and waves want to be a yogi? Do you are one and always have been really want inner one. transformation? A piece of iron O Seeker! Perceive this associated with a magnet is constant yoga, this unity, changed into a magnet. It association, identity, and behaves like a magnet. If you oneness with Him. Your really want the beauty of yoga, everything is God. Every aspect then be constantly associated of your life is God. Please with God. There is no follow your master. Practice the separation between you and technique of Kriya Yoga daily, God. Can a wave ever think regularly, and sincerely. This that it has a separate existence technique is itself divine. It will from the ocean? The wave is make you more divine and born in the ocean, lives in the realized. ocean, and ultimately merges in

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Balashram – Art and Craft Exhibition

29 VALUABLE VOLUMES

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

VISHUDDHA CHAKRA (From THE UNIVERSE WITHIN)

The Vishuddha is the religion. Religion is the practical center of religious and aspect of philosophy. But over intellectual activities. The a period of time, religions intellect can be used for material become overly dogmatic, success as well as spiritual forgetting their true progress. Most intelligent people significance. Religion means use their skill and talent to reunion or evolution from the achieve name, fame and lower centers to the higher material prosperity. A few centers. All religions of the realize the intellect’s potential world are the petals of the same for inner evolution and develop beautiful flower, the flower of love, compassion, detachment life. They should be and understanding. The complements and not expression of these qualities competition to one another. through speech and the written Religious Intolerance word result in the development Three people were of philosophy, which is an art travelling in a crowded train in as well as a science that probes India. A Hindu priest, a Muslim into the meaning of life. priest and a Christian minister. People develop love for The three of them were seated God through this center. They on the same bench each study and listen to scriptures, thinking he and his religion were intellectualize them and practice superior to the others and trying 30 to keep a distance and not even compartmental and brings looking at each other. Across disharmony. People who from them was sitting a meditate deeply understand the journalist who was amused at spirit of religion and the inner their behaviour and wondering unity of all faiths. how people become so The cleansing and dogmatic .It was getting late at purification of the mind are the night and sleep was over main activities of the neck powering the three men. When center, which is located in the one is on the threshold of sleep spine behind the throat. the gross body becomes According to the Vedas, there apparently inactive the subtle are eight holy places within the body becomes weak and the throat, the region of purity, causal body takes over. The liberation and knowledge. three of them started dozing and Hindus believe that by taking a falling on each other but would dip in holy rivers like the Ganga quickly check themselves and or Yamuna they become pure. sit straight again. Finally they The body no doubt gets cleaned all fell asleep and ended up lying and because of their strong with the head of one touching belief, the mind also gets the feet of the other. The purified to some extent. But journalist seizing the opportunity this is a temporary cleansing. took a picture of the three with A Dip in the Ganga his polaroid camera. In the Once a disciple came to morning when they got up the the great saint Sri Ramakrishna three men quickly moved away and asked, “People believe that from each other and again tried they will be totally free from to maintain their airs of sins and negative qualities by superiority. The journalist taking a bath in the river Ganga. quietly showed them the Is it true?” Ramakrishna photograph with a smile. replied, “There is no doubt about Body conscious ness it.” The disciple argued, “My creates many differences. master, I have seen people Religion becomes taking a bath in the Ganga 31 everyday and yet committing bathing in external holy rivers, the same sins again and again.” what the Vedas extolled was Sri Ramkrishna said with a inner purification through smile, “When a person enters bathing in the internal oases of the Ganga, all the sins do leave the self, located in the Visuddha him because at that time he has chakra. The eight tirthas (holy love for God. They leave his places) of Visuddha are body but sit on a nearby tree or described as: truthfulness, housetop. When he comes out forgiveness, compassion, of the water and is his old self knowledge, straightforwardness, again, they all descend on his purity of the Self, and liberation. head and he commits the same All these eight virtues are in mistakes.” the neck center. When we dive If we look at our own into these eight holy rivers, as life, we can see the same they are called, we will be free pattern emerging. We vow to from the eight kinds of human reform ourselves, we make bondage. The causes for human new resolutions at least once a bondage include: shame, hatred, year, we begin with great fear, sorrow, jealousy, pride, ego, energy and spirit, yet we and prejudice. resume our bad habits, our All human beings are addictions, and our faults very strongly bound by these eight quickly. There is a simile in qualities, which are like strong Sanskrit, gaja snana vat, ropes keeping us tied down. By meaning like the bath of an bathing or filling ourselves with elephant, which is used to the eight divine qualities, we can describe those who never purify our minds and escape the escape their bad habits. An bondage we are in. elephant takes an elaborate Nilakantha- Blue Throat bath, filling its trunk with plenty of water and pouring it over its The Hindu god Shiva is body repeatedly to cleanse it the presiding deity of the throat thoroughly. But as soon as it center. Shiva once inhaled emerges from the river, it rolls poison which threatened to in the mud again. Rather than engulf the universe.. But he 32 knew that if he swallowed the the center of speech, which can poison, he too would be be extremely powerful. With destroyed. Unable to swallow our speech, we can either and uable to spew out the create harmony, love and venom, Shiva kept it locked understanding or hatred, within his throat. His throat, bitterness and pain. The throat which held the poison, took on thus has the potential to contain a permanent blue hue, earning poison or nectar. We need to him the name of Nilakantha or speak with the understanding Blue Throat. that our speech is powerful. Like Hindu myth always Shiva, we need to swallow the contains an underlying bitter and refuse to hurt others metaphor. Here, the throat is through our words.

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Birthday Celebrations at Miami Ashram

33 THE CHANGING NATURE OF RELATIONSHIPS

The Compromise of Love and rhythmic, directed by a God made man and singleness of purpose. woman in order to continue His To love someone does creation through them. Each not mean to be possessive, one is incomplete without the which is a negative feeling other. A close relationship derived from insecurity. Love between two individuals, based is to allow the other to grow. in mutual love, will help them Doubts are great obstacles to a grow emotionally, mentally, healthy relationship. Once doubt intellectually and spiritually. It enters the heart and mind, is necessary, however, to forget confusion and bitterness will that two separate beings are follow. involved and merge in oneness. The first goal in a Success depends upon that relationship is to promote the unity. betterment o the other. If there is true love, there Selfishness only breeds will be no misunderstanding. To destruction. It is important in a live close to someone, in relationship to help each other harmony, takes a certain amount overcome negative impulses. of compromise. A relationship Everyone has some form of becomes stronger when both weakness or another. sides sacrifice their inner ego. A fault-finding person It is important to co-operate can be very destructive. Since with each other in every our eyes look outwards, we can possible way. When one partner easily detect each other’s is stressed or depressed, the mistakes. It is only when we other should create a neutral start to turn inwards, that we environment to bring relief from begin to be aware, with a certain anxiety and tension. To be humility, of our own failings. To successful, the journey together have a healthy relationship, we must be like a ‘three-legged must learn the art of digesting race’, the steps must be equal mistakes done by others. If we 34 really want a person to correct our relationships, never be their negative behavior, we diminished by them. should address the problem in The Freedom to Grow an atmosphere of privacy, in a Human relationships are straight-forward and clear designed for us to grow in love, manner, so the message is not and to experience freedom. The misunderstood. The Koran ultimate goal of a relationship teaches us not to speak badly is to be free. This does not of others, spreading stories or pertain to economic or social gossip brings harm to everyone freedom, but to the freedom of concerned. the spirit. With every Nevertheless, if a relationship we are to grow in relationship is negative, and a positive direction. brings about constant In the vegetable unhappiness, it should be kingdom, we sometimes find a severed; nothing in life should parasite plant growing alongside stunt our overall growth. a healthy tree, and feeding from A relationship between it. A parasite will not let the two people that love each other original plant grow and will, if becomes more solid when it is the suffocating relationship is focused in spirituality. When allowed to continue, be the divinity is present within us, cause of its destruction. many of life’s tribulations are In animals and humans more easily accepted and we also find parasites buried understood. Sometimes when deep in the intestinal tract, one partner follows the spiritual causing illness, pain and path before the other, it is seen digestive problems. as a threat. Meditation is wrongly portrayed as In the course of our life, withdrawal. Through patience we must never foment these and good communication, a parasitic relationships. One compromise can be reached. In partner must never lean on the my case, no-one should ever be other, without making adequate allowed to stand in the path of return. In a healthy, loving our spiritual progress, which is relationship, we must help the the backbone of our personal other grow, in every aspect. The development. We must grow in mutual gain from giving the 35 maximum to each other will Communication is manifest itself in a thousand essential to the development ways. and maintenance of a positive A relationship blooms relationship, but we must speak when we do not obstruct each with love, consciously and other’s positive development. carefully, taking into account We should never stand in the each other’s feelings. A wrong way of spiritual practice, even word can bring about if we are not ready to walk misunderstanding. It is best not along the same path. to say all that we think, but to Relationships will flourish when think all that we would say. A we encourage positive activities lie, an untruth, can be highly in each other. detrimental as once faith is diminished, it is almost The bond of love should impossible to re-establish trust. be a long-lasting commitment, capable of surviving all types’ A good environment and o situations, especially in times good company are healthy of hardship. To face difficulties foundations for building a together brings about relationship. Common activities staunchness of heart. Moral like reading to each other, support, in times of distress, cooking together, playing fortifies a relationship since together, or helping others, are problems are a test of all highly beneficial. We should endurance. Once they are strive to build strong, firm roots, successfully overcome, a born out of love, and mutual relationship acquires a stronger understanding. foundation.

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36 MYSTICISM OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS BE LIKE A FLOWER

One may question is compared with the flower. A whether it is just a courtesy to blooming bud should open bring flowers when greeting completely or it should bloom people, meeting guests, or when to become a fruit. This is the visiting the temple or a friend, beauty of the flower. The or if there is some truth, flower becomes a medium and message, or instruction behind vehicle of God’s creation. The it. What does it really mean? flower attracts both the human The flower is one of the most mind and butterflies. Similarly, beautiful creations of God. It is the poets and mystics of India not possible to find even a tiny prayed: “Let the bee of my flower that is ugly. The tiny blue mind be attracted towards the flower called “Forget-me-not” blue lotus feet of the Divine reminds us not to forget the Mother.” One who has created The flower symbolizes everything. When looking at the the heart and life. The flower flower, we should remember has five beautiful qualities, the One who has created this which can easily be cultivated universe, including us. If this in human life. These five flower is so beautiful, then think qualities are beauty, purity, of how the Creator is even softness, honey within, and more beautiful than the creation. smell or aroma. When we take the flower to Beauty: The beauty in remember the Creator, to flowers symbolizes our efforts remember God, it acquires more to cultivate beauty in our lives. meaning for our lives. If there is beauty in our life, it The meaning is that the becomes nice and peaceful. It flower symbolizes our heart and is not the beauty of outer life. It is said in many Hindu physical form, color or scriptures, hridaya kamala – complexion, but it is the beauty hridaya, the heart, is compared of one’s nature, beauty of love, with the lotus or flower, and life beauty of compassion, and so 37 forth. When a person truly has Aroma or fragrance: love in the heart, it is beautiful. Many flowers have fragrance. Purity: The flower is It is a common experience that pure. It blossoms with inner the flowers that bloom at night beauty, readiness to be a are usually blessed with a reminder of God’s presence. beautiful aroma. Roses, jasmine, Because of this natural quality and many other flowers have a of the flower, it gives joy. The nice fragrance. Being like purity brings real joy in life and flowers in the garden of God, thus, one should try to cultivate we should have a lovely aroma purity in thinking, speaking and of life, symbolized through our acting in daily life. good qualities or values. When the flower is blooming, its smell, Softness: The petals of its aroma, goes far and wide. the flower are nicely organized. Similarly, we should develop Botany calls it the floral ourselves to cultivate good structure. These petals are so character. As a result, the value beautiful and tender; even when of an individual should spread we touch them with our hands far and wide. We all are or cheeks we get joy. The children of God and we all flowers’ softness is a reminder should have divine qualities. that we should be free from rudeness and rough behavior in We should bloom like our hearts, and that we should beautiful flowers and try to be tender, sympathetic and bring these five qualities of the compassionate so that our lives flower into our lives. Then will be more beautiful. when we decorate the altar with the flowers, look at their Honey within: Honey beauty, it brings joy. The symbolizes sweetness. The bee flower’s beauty and aroma have is attracted to the flower a purifying effect. They beautify because of honey within, and it the place, sanctify the place, and collects honey from the flowers. we feel divine joy when we Similarly, if we have sweetness offer flowers. of love, sweetness of joy in our lives, then our lives will truly Offering flowers when be attractive and fruitful. Let we greet people symbolizes that us cultivate sweetness in our “my flower of life is for you, daily life. and let us be like flowers, let 38 us love each other, let us not life, my heart, is offered to God, have anger, hatred and to the masters on the altars in jealousy.” This is the real the temple. The offering is: “O flower, the flower of our heart God, O Masters, my life is for and life that we should offer at you. You have given this life to the temple. Offering flowers at me and I am dedicating this life the temple also means that my to you again.”

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Birthday Celebrations at Tattendorf Ashram

39 STORIES TO LIVE BY THE SINGING BIRD

There once was a poor the man and, while perched on hunter who trapped birds in the his hand, began to sing. The forest, put them in small cages, bewildered man stared in and then sold them to earn his disbelief, as the most exquisite livelihood. However this hunter pearls dropped from the beak was not aware that in the very of the bird. Afraid any quick forest where he hunted every movements might set it to flight; day lived a very unique and he carefully clasped his hands gifted bird. Not only did this bird around the bird and gently put enchant the forest with its it in a cage. The bird was beautiful melodies, when it sang, puzzled why this man, instead precious gems, like pearls and of taking it home and becoming diamonds fell from its beak. rich, chose to put it in a cage to Every day the bird sadly be sold at the marketplace. watched the hunter capture That day when the man many of its friends. This man arrived at the marketplace, he would mindlessly toss the birds placed a large sign next to the into a ragged canvas sack and gifted bird’s cage. The sign then haul them off to the stated that the bird had marketplace to be sold. The wondrous, magical powers; gifted bird thought, “This poor therefore it would be sold to man has chosen an unrighteous the highest bidder. Soon the way to earn a meager living. If news of this amazing bird he had enough money, he would reached the king, who promptly no longer have the need to trap sent his messengers to bring the all these birds. If I go to this bird and the hunter to the palace man and stay with him, he to verify whether the hunter’s would soon become rich and claim was true. this would save many birds By now the magical bird from being caught.” determined that his plan had So the noble bird, hoping taken a turn for the worse. He to save its friends, flew over to realizes it was unwise to allow 40 himself to become imprisoned The king and the in the king’s palace. So when minister are both fools to the hunter placed his cage have let me out.” before the king and commanded Then, just as it reached it to sing, it just opened its an open window, a steady mouth and let out a ghastly stream of priceless gems began squawk. Thinking the hunter falling from its mouth – and it had tried to trick him, the king was never seen again. angrily ordered the bird to be Reflection set free. When the cage door opened the joyful bird spread We should not waste our its wings and began to sing: time trying to transform those who cannot understand the “ I was the first fool to value of our words and actions. get myself trapped. It is foolish to help foolish The hunter was the people. second fool who did not believe in me and wanted to sell me. ***

Dhouli Art Competition

41 ATMA-VIDYA PURSUING SELF KNOWLEDGE KAIVALYOPANISHAD The Guru continued his teaching on self knowledge further to answer Asvalayana’s question. This verse explains that awareness or consciousness is everything. There is nothing else other than this. Mantra 9 sa evasarvam, yadbhutam yaccabhavyagm sanatanaμ jnatva tvaμ mrityuμ atyeti nanyaà pantha vimuktaye

Substance yad bhutam- that which He alone is everything was in the past. Butam means that was there in the past, is which was in the past. Another now and that would be the meaning of bhutam is all that future, is ever new. Knowing has manifested. this, one crosses death, there is Yacca- what is now no other way for liberation. Yat bhavyam – that is Commentary also the future. Few years ago Sarvam includes viditam there was no house here. After –known and aviditam – some years there will be no unknown. We normally know house here. But house or no some things and do not know house this space was and the some other things. We do not space will be. When we claim to know everything. But remove the walls of this hall one who knows he is the the space is still there. With the awareness knows he is sarvam walls back the space is still as there is nothing other than there in the hall. Just as the awareness. He is everything. space is unchanged and the Sarvam also means the walls are changing and the senses. He is in all the sense house is changing this body is organs looking through the eyes changing through infancy and and hearing through the ears. adulthood but the soul is

42 unchanged. Everything is just a death. One who knows that the play of nature. body will die and the soul is sanatanam – eternal or immortal overcomes death. One, changeless. sa eva nitya who knows that the world will nutana- snatana –what is ever come to an end but he is the new is sanatana. The body Lord beyond death –I am free becomes old, the mind becomes from death, crosses death. old we talk of age of the body, Tarati shokam atma vit or clothes or ornaments based says the Chadyoga Upanishad. on a number of years but who nanyah pantha can say how old the soul is. vimuktaye- there is no other The soul is ageless and is called way to freedom or liberation. sanatana. One who wants to jnatva tam –knowing overcome death should that experience this truth. There is m^tyuμ atyeti- one no other way. crosses death or overcomes

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Balashram Scout students welcoming the Guest

43 BALASHRAM HIGHLIGHTS CELEBRATION OF THE 9TH BLESSINGS DAY

Hariharananda He was accompanied by Sri M. Balashram, a brain child of Gourinath, retired chief Paramhamsa Prajnananandaji conservator of forest, Odisha. became reality on 29th July The guests were welcomed by 2004, with a view of providing Pabitra Mohan Das, Tehsildar education to the destitute or of Pattamundai along with our underprivileged children of student scout troop. Sumitra society. It celebrated its 9th Mandal, a student of class VII foundation day on 29th July was the Master of ceremonies. 2012 with daylong activities. The Principal P.P.Singh The morning program presented the annual report of had a display of yogasanas, the school which detailed the human pyramid and music. A progress of Balashram and high light was a drama enacted about its different activities by the care takers of the conducted throughout the year. children. Swami Achhalanandaji, secretary of Prajnana Mission The afternoon hosted an gave his views on Balashram Arts and Crafts exhibition and its future mission. demonstrating the creativity and Describing the road ahead the talent of the children. A new secretary of Prajnana Mission scout room for the growing gave more emphasis on man number of scout activities was making is the primary objective also inaugurated. Guests also of Balashram. Swami visited the recently opened Shuddhanandaji, President of Computer lab that had forty Prajnana Mission showered his five computers installed for the blessings defining the concept training of the students. behind the logo of Balashram. The evening program Swamiji emphasized on was inaugurated by the chief character building of the guest Dr. Aurobindo Behera students and making them a IAS, member board of revenue. good citizen of our society. Dr.

44 Aurobindo Behera, chief guest and Guides unit is named as gave a very inspiring speech. Anandamayee Guide Company. He was touched by the concept There are three patrols in behind formation of the Scouts and Guides respectively. Balashram and its activities. 19 Scouts and Guides attended Commenting on the prevailing a district camporee at education system where Mandapara on 3rd April 2012 students are taught only to for two days. They won several secure higher marks and getting prizes in various competitions. good jobs, he said “Education Best Guides captain was also should be a spontaneous awarded to our school guides process”. He advised the captain. students on patience and Art & Craft, Singing, perseverance and congratulated Dancing and Tabla classes : them and the members of Art & Craft, Singing, Balashram for the progress they Dancing and Tabla classes are have made introduced as a part of Then came the variety extracurricular activities. All the entertainment of song, dance, students have regular art and and drama by the students that craft classes. Each student thrilled the audiences. This was would also learn any two of followed a festive dinner in Odissi classical dance, Odissi which was attended by more classical singing and Tabla. The than 2000 people. Balashram is school is tied up with the gradually rising up to new Pracheena Kala Kendra, a heights of excellence. The preferred university under program was appreciated by all CBSE for the above courses. the guests and audiences. In the exams conducted by Extra Curricular Activities them, all our students have Scouts and Guides passed with high merit. On 19th November 2011, Children have displayed Bharath Scouts and Guides exceptional talent in art and investiture happened at craft exhibitions arranged on Balashram with many students special occasions. taking oath. Scouts unit is Community Work & named as Sriyukteshwar troop Spreading awareness :

45 During autumn of 2011, intended to cultivate noble students participated in various qualities such as courage, flood relief operations. Most of honesty, humility, fearlessness, the boys were involved in etc. packing the relief material for National Art Exhibition at the affected people. Some Dhouli college of Arts and students from higher classes crafts Bhubaneshwar. even went to sight along with On 22nd July 2012 a other volunteers to distribute the National Art Exhibition was relief packages. organized by Dhauli college of In the summer of 2012, Art and Crafts, Bhubaneswar, there were several fire Odisha. The competition was a accidents in the district of national level competition and kendrapara. Our scout children students from different parts of actively participated in the relief the country had participated. activities on 9th, 13th and 14th Four of our Balashram students of June during which relief was were selected for awards for provided to affected in villages. their paintings On Earth day, 22nd of The students are March 2012, a cycle rally was 1. Srimant Budhia, class VII, conducted by scouts in order to spread awareness in nearby 2. Meghnad Gahiri, class VII, villages. Students carried 3. Sandhya Mandal, class IV, various message placards and 4. Sanjay Palia, class III. spoke to many villagers about The students went to conservation of resources on Bhubaneshwar to attend the earth. festival and receive the awards Value education and while there participated in Value based education is a spot painting competition in imparted to the children. This which Sandhya Mandal won is with an aim to induce moral another prize. values into children. It is also

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46 53RD BIRTHDAY OF BABA PRAJNANANANDAJI

“mahajano yenah gatah sa Prajnananandaji as his pantha” designated successor and our “That is the Path which is spiritual guide he was keenly directed by the Realized.” aware that this great soul would carry his mission forward and – Mahabharata guide countless kriyavans God and Masters are so toward their real spiritual kind. With humble gratitude, we attainment. should always cherish those On this blessed day we words in our hearts. The commemorate the birth of this promise of our Kriya Yoga rare and beautiful Master, our lineage, as expressed in the beloved Guruji, who is the symbol and aphorism that perfect embodiment of Kriya Swami Shriyukteshwarji Yoga as expressed by Sage established, is that there would Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra always be a Realized Master (Sadhana Pada, sutra 1), tapah to guide sincere disciples on this svadhyaya ishwara path “across the worldly pranidhanani kriya yogah: ocean.” meditation, self-study, and It is hard to imagine how surrender to God, together, many lives were transformed constitute Kriya Yoga. Each under Gurudev’s love and moment of his life he is the guidance. Though he may have personification of discipline left his mortal body a decade (tapah), self-study (svadhyaya), ago, in truth he never left us and deepest love and devotion alone. Faithful to the tradition (ishwara pranidhana). of an unbroken legacy, he During this special time handpicked a disciple who that Guruji has chosen to be in represents the highest caliber of seclusion for deep meditation selfless spiritual dedication. and prayer, we lovingly and When he named Paramahamsa wholeheartedly await his return. 47 In the meantime, what have we kriyavan! Only this gift from the learned from his living example heart truly honors Guruji and all of Kriya Yoga in daily life? How the Masters of the Kriya Yoga can we best express our lineage, giving verifiable proof appreciation for all of his that we have absorbed the dedicated help and guidance? teachings to the best of our There is only one way to show ability and applied them in our him our love. Practice. Practice practical life. lovingly. Practice sincerely. Let On this auspicious day, our practice embody tapah, honor this magnificent Soul with svadhyaya, and ishwara your deepest love and gratitude. pranidhana. Bring more Bowing ceaselessly at his holy discipline, study, and love into lotus feet. your life and vow to be a real

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SILENCE Silence brings inner peace. In Silence Truth is revealed. Nature speaks in silence, Silence is divine. Silence is an art of living, an art of learning and an art of exploring the source of peace through experiencing divine love. Silence is the best means of communication.By entering the temple of silence to commune with God we experience ecstatic perennial joy. – Daily Reflections

48 AROUND THE WORLD

INDIA mahaprasad at the temple. PRAJNANA MISSION Amarkantak Ashram : 53rd Birthday of In Amarkantaka ashram Paramahamsa celebrated the birthday with a Prajnananandaji Maharaj, lot of love and devotion. Eighty Aug 10 devotees participated and a Hariharananda Gurukulam special Sadhu Bhandara was held. Forty five Sadhus graced Our beloved Baba the occasion.. Prajnananandaji‘s 53rd birthday was celebrated at the Durg Ashram : gurukulam with a special At Durg ashram there gurupaduka puja at Sri Guru was special Puja and Mandir followed by satsang and meditation. Large number of meditation. people attended to show their There was also a satsang reverence inspite of a heavy in the afternoon rain.. More than 100 disciples Balashram : participated in the event of Balashram kids hoisting a flag in the Neela celebrated with great love the Chakra at the top of the Lord birthday of their beloved Baba Jagannath temple in honor of and were treated to a special this special occasion. lunch on the occasion. A special ghee lamp was Kriya Programs and lighted in the name of Baba in Retreats the sanctum sanatorium Several programs were (Garbha Gruha) of Lord conducted from August through Jagannath for blessings on this September in the cities of special occasion. Beautiful Hyderabad, Nagpur, Raipur, ornamental dresses were Jabalpur, Bhopal, and Indore by presented to the Deities on this Swami Samrpananandaji with occasion. About hundred and other monks and Brahmacharis fifty people took part in the of the mission. Several sadhana

49 camps were also conducted in Schmidtke and Claudia the cities of Cuttack and Cermers.There was a Bhubaneshwar on a regular gurupaduka puja in the morning basis giving the disciples a and an evening satsang. chance to intensify their Disciples watched a video of sadhana. the Birthday celebrations of ASIA year 2005 .This was followed Sept 7-9 Kriya Program, by the chanting of Guru Gayatri Hong Kong, China Mantra and guided meditation. The program came to an end Swami Samarpananandaji with dinner. All those present conducted a Kriya Intensive could feel the love and blessings program at Hong Kong of Baba on the auspicious day. Aug 2- 5 Dubai special event September 5-10 Dubai disciples had a A Kriya Intensive special event of talks and program was held at Kriya guided meditations with Swami Yoga Center Vienna, Austria Samapananandaji with Swami Atmavidyananda August 10 - Birthday and Swami Mangalananda Giri. Celebrations Kriya initiation programs Dubai disciples were held in centers of many celebrated the Birthday of Baba countries throughout Prajnananandaji with a special Europe. Guru Paduka Puja , Satang and meditation followed by dinner. August 13-16 EUROPE A retreat was held at Latvia with Swami Vienna Ashram, Tattendorf Mangalananda Giri August 10 - Birthday of August 20- 24 Paramhamsa Prajnanananda Retreat at Poland Guruji’s birthday was celebrated as a special event Upcoming events include at Tattendorf under the loving Oct 12-14 guidance of the yogacharyas Higher Kriya Retreat at Christine Jacobsen,Uschi Sterskel, Holland

50 Nov 14-18 Paramahamsa Frankfurt Retreat Prajnananandaji’s Birthday Dec-03, celebration –Aug 10 -12 Special Event The 3 day event marked Paramahamsa the birthday of our beloved Hariharanandaji’s Mahsamadhi Guruji Baba Prajnananandaji Commemoration service who is spending time in silence and seclusion this year. Dec-24 to Jan-01, 2013 The Birthday of Guruji Retreat Christmas / New coincided (Aug 10) with the Year Seminar, Kriya Yoga Birthday of Lord Krishna (night Centre Vienna, Austria of 9th Aug) this year making it AMERICAS doubly auspicious. The Birthday North America of Baba was celebrated at the Mother Center – Mother center on the 10th of Homestead FL August with special worship Mother center has been along with worship of Lord busy with increasing number of Krishna, Guru and Govinda initiations and disciples coming were worshipped together. for meditations. Daily resident Gurupaduka puja and havan discourse schedule and Group were performed followed by Gita study based on the Gita meditation and a festive lunch. discourses of Guruji are The seminar continued on followed on a daily basis by the Saturday and Sunday with residents. classes and guided meditations, Intensive for the Residents devotional songs and bhajans. During the stay of Swami Residents and the disciples Atmavidyanandaji at the ashram shared their love and a weekly intensive for the experiences with the guru. resident monks and There was a feeling of great Brahmacharis was introduced. joy great and everyone felt the Swamiji conducted the intensive presence and the blessings of that included 8 hours of the guru. Swami meditation (in three sessions). Atmavidyanandaji and It was also a day of silence at yogacharya John Baba the ashram. conducted the program assisted 51 by the other monks and featuring photos and stories Brahmacharis of the Ashram. from disciples, Swamijis, and Annual Fall Retreat and Yogacharyas bringing fond Foundation Day, September memories of Gurudev Baba 19-24 Hariharanandaji, the great Master who transformed the The Annual Fall Retreat ashram grounds and the hearts at the Mother Center was well of the devotees with his love. attended by national and international participants. Swami Kriya Vedanta Gurukulam, Atmavidyanandaji conducted Joliet IL the retreat along with Birthday of Paramahamsa Yogacharya John Thomas Baba Prajnananandaji and Birthday and the resident monks and of Lord Krishna Brahmacharis. Swami Lord Krishna’s Birthday, Atmavidyanandaji gave on the 9th of August and Gurujis discourses on the Cosmic Birthday on 10th of August Science of Vedic Astrology and were celebrated together at our its Relevance to Life. The six Joliet Ashram on the 12th. The day retreat of several guided resident monks and meditations, and inspiring Brahmacharis conducted the discourses intensified the program along with Yogacharya practice of Kriya disciples. Durga Ma, with worship of September 22nd, the 15th Guru and Lord Krishna followed Foundation Day by chanting, songs and spiritual The Mother center also discussion. The program celebrates the 15th Foundation concluded with a special lunch. day of the Homestead Ashram Retreats and Programs this year. Programs were held in many This day, fifteen years centers of the country in the ago, Gurudev founded this month of August which spiritual center, which was also included initiation programs his home where he stayed and the following retreats. continuously and guided us. August 17-19 A special souvenir book East Coast Retreat will be released on this day

52 August 24-26 Oct-26 to Oct-28, West Coast Retreat 2012 Initiation Program Chile, South America Dec24-25 Dec-07 to Dec-09, Gurudev’s 10th 2012 Initiation Only Bogota, Mahasamadhi Day Seminar Colombia Dec 30-Jan1 2013 Dec-10 to Dec-16, Christmas and New Year 2012 Retreat Armenia, South America Colombia Upcoming Events Australia and New Zealand The following events are In the month of planned with Swami September initiation programs Atmavidyananda Giri and were held at Perth, Sydney, Yogacharya Bhadrayu Pandya Melbourne, and Canberra. Oct-03 to Oct-08, Upcoming events include 2012 Initiation Program Oct 5-7 Brasilia, Brazil Intensive at Auckland Oct-09 to Oct-15, 2012 Oct 8-14 Initiation Program Sao Paulo, Brazil Retreat at New Zealand Oct-19 to Oct-21, 2012 Initiation Program Buenos Aires, Argentina ***

HARIHARANANDA GURUKULAM BALIGHAI, PURI, ODISHA, INDIA Announces the 6th Residential Brahmachari Training Course RBTC-2012 For three months - December 6, 2012 to March 10, 2013 Conducted by Swami Shuddhananda Giri. For details contact please visit our website : kriya.org, prajnanamission.org

53 Visit our web site: www. prajnanamission.org For current information. E-mail : [email protected] / [email protected]

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS For available Books on Yoga, Philosophy & Spirituality. Please visit our websites.

For India – www.prajnanamission.org For USA – www.kriya.org For Europe – www.kriyayoga-europe.org

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