Bio Data DR. JAYADEVA YOGENDRA

4NCE

Whenever we see Dr. Jayadeva, we are reminded of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra:

"When one becomes disinterested even in Omniscience One attains perpetual discriminative enlightenment from which ensues the concentration known as Dharmamegha (Virtue Pouring Cloud)".

- Yoga Sutra 4.29

He represents a mind free of negativity and totally virtuous. Whoever comes in contact with him will only be blessed. The Master, Dr Jayadeva, was teaching in the Yoga Teachers Training class at The Yoga Institute. After the simple but inspiring talk, as usual he said. IIAnyquestions?"

After many questions about spirituality and Yoga, one young student asked,

"Doctor Sahab how did you reach such a high state of development?"

In his simple self-effacing way he did not say anything.

Theyoung enthusiast persisted,

'Please tell us.II

He just said, "Adisciplined mind."

Here was the definition of Yoga of Patanjali, "roqa Chitta Vritti Nirodha" Restraining the modifications of the mind is Yoga. Naturally the next sutra also followed "Tada Drashtu Svarupe Avasthanam".

"So that the spirit is established in its own true nature."

Recently, there was a function to observe the 93fd Foundation Day of The Yoga Institute which was founded by Dr. Jayadeva's father, Shri Yogendraji - the Householder Yogi and known as "the Father of Modern Yoga Renaissance". At the end of very "learned" inspiring presentations, the compere requested Dr.Jayadeva." a man of few words" to speak.

Dr.Jayadeva just said,"Practise Yoga.II

Top: Mother Sita Devi Yogendra, Founder Shri Yogendraji, Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, Patanjali Jayadeva Yogendra. Bottom: Gauri Patanjali Yogendra, Soha Patanjali Yogendra, Dr. Patanjali Jayadeva Yogendra, Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra" Ican sum up my philosophy in saying that: Fools learn One scripture especially by their own experience, but the wise man learns from influenced me. It was the the fool's experience. Although this saying is quite Bhagavad Git« which appropriate, itcan make a person very unpopular and describes a life of self- infact Ienjoy tremendous unpopularity! control and self-discipline. Infact, this work insists that a As young children my brother and Iattended a school which was quite a distance person who wishes to from our home. Obedience develop himself must scrupulously avoid all sense - was instilled in us at a very objects. I took this advice early age. We were forbidden, for example, to take food or very seriously, being the sort of person who attempts to learn from other people's experience. So when the drink during the day other than that which we brought chance came for me to join in the finals of mixed from home. That was law. In doubles in badminton,I refused because I did not want anything to do with women. This incident the afternoon hours most of became a joke in the college as that year I won the the children in our class would meander on their way singles and the doubles and could easily have won home, taking advantage of the food and drinks which the mixed doubles as well. were readily available. My brother and I abstained In my spare hours in the evening, Iwould seek out my however, and maintained silence, studied silence. professor carrying under my arm a huge volume of We suffered greatly for this as the other children made the Gltii, which weighed about 20 pounds. It was fun of us. But we maintained our silence and never during these times when all the other students were attempted to justify what we were doing.We did not enjoying themselves that I learned a lot about spiritual capitulate either. wisdom. I read a great deal, especially philosophical and religious works. I remember in my Eventually I graduated with first class honours and a fourth year at high school we were E:::'~--~;---- good chance of getting into the ...... prestigious Indian Civil Service. asked to write about our happiest moment in life. Icarefully wrote down However, I rejected the opportunity, an essay about sitting in meditation since I was more interested in further and thinking about God. The teacher study. At that time, my friends was very surprised because the commented, 'All the good things other students had written of sitting in have been wasted on you; you don't the moonlight with their lovers. Infact, deserve a first class honours!" Later the teacher decided I was mentally on, I completed my Doctorate. My imbalanced, and sent me to the supervisor, who understood me a Principal with my essay. Luckily the little, gave me four hundred very Principal appreciated it and had it difficult chapters of traditional circulated around the school. In scripture for a thesis subject. He these ways I kept up my lonely introduced the topic in the following journey watching many people way: "These chapters have been failing in one way or another.They considered by authorities to be the were making mistakes and suffering ravings of mad people. Get busy and as a result. I was trying to carefully see if you can make sense out of tread a narrow path. them". Ph i losopby- 0 lili"'-<-- ~~

When one lives in this fashion, he feels himself as the agent of a larger process, He should contribute to his maximum, enjoy and participate and yet not feel troubled by allthe problems that normally haunt every human being,

Some of the thoughts which I have developed are a result of the background I have enjoyed, My father founded The Yoga Institute in Bombay, He belongs to a traditional school of Yoga, and he instilled in my brother and me some of ,------=,,---,...... --..-., those qualities which work to influence the selection of one's course in life, I also ~~!I~~.~ Inthese writings, Ifound much that was very touching belonged to an Indian and deeply philosophical, One chapter describes a tradition for all those who are person who was wise and serene, tranquil and interested in higher contented, The ruler of that time, the king, was development, The impressed by this man and asked him:"How is it that Upanishads say: "The face you maintain your poise and tranquillity?" The man of truth has been covered by a thin golden veil, the replied: "Well, I am the python man, The python is a golden veil of materialism, We have to tear it aside to large serpent which does not take food for a period of see the truth behind", This type of learning came very several days, It lies idle, So I follow the philosophy of easily to me in my childhood and consequently my the python, I don't run after my prey, I don't try to have belief in God or a higher process continued to grow, ambitions, cravings, and desires, Ijust accept things as they come and when the opportunity comes I am If I may diverge to a very personal fact in my life, to ready for it. I take my fill and again wait until the right mention that I have had the fortune to marry a person opportunity comes", This was a very strange with a very similar outlook to my own, In fact we were philosophy, but it appealed to me very much, It married only one year ago, Many people were keen occurred to me that the more we desire, the more we that I should have married earlier, but I stood by my create and organize, and the more we get involved, principles, believing that at the right time the right the more we suffer, If one could sit loose to life and person would come along, In fact I got the right learn to accept things as they come, one would not person, So, absolute faith is also something that can only be able to live more fully, but also be able to guide us, contribute to the maximum good of others, Itwas also during this time that I read the Bhagavad Gftii in great detail. An important principle described in this work is that an individual should accept something larger than himself if he wishes to live happily, If one considers himself to be the final arbitrator of the universe, he creates untold suffering both for himself and others, One has to learn to function as best he can within his own capacity, He should contribute his maximum, but he should leave it there, He should not be unhappy if what he plans does not take place, It is possible to cultivate a philosophy of life, and it is when we realize that we have not actually participated not only by experience, by privations and in the drama at all. We go without understanding the deprivations that an individual learns. One can also reason why we came, what we have done and why decide from a very early time as to what form his life we are going back. There are many people who think will take. This has been explained very beautifully by as I do and have the opportunity to reorganize their a great teacher, Ramakrishna. It is the story of a lives to gain a certain amount of satisfaction from their villager who heard that something very exciting was to living. take place in the adjacent village; a drama company I feel also that there are a few people who share the was going to perform. This is a very exciting event in a same outlook as I do; that it is possible to cultivate a villager's life, because these performances only philosophical outlook from very early in life and who occur annually. So the villager decided to get there could educate people in the same way, to bring them early, and so arrived with a mat long before the troupe to the maximum good. arrived. Since he was very early, he sat down to rest,

- A talk delivered by Or. Jayadeva in 1974 in Australia.

and as he rested he fell asleep. When he awoke he was shocked to find that the drama company had already arrived, given their performance and were walking away.

Ramakrishna very beautifully says that this is the story of each one of us. We come into this world to participate and enjoy but it is always time for us to go "Rivers pour into the sea, bringing in huge quantities of water, but the sea is calm, unperturbed. The man without desires is able to take whatever comes in his stride. Pleasure or pain does not make him lose his balanced state, so he enjoys peace."

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference". -Robert Frost "Peace is a simple word, but it is not easy to achieve peace. No sooner a little quietness is available, we tend to lose it. So the preliminaries have to be mastered. These consist of forgoing desires. So long as there are desires, problems will remain. The ordinary kind of disinterestedness is shortlived. One has to overcome even the slightest craving.This can happen only when r the sense of'l'is overcome. In fact, this is the essence of spiritual [ ' practice - being free from the 'I'sense and yet conscious of duties. When this happens, there is no attachment or mental disturbance. Peace is the final Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, born the outcome of this whole exercise." Shri Yogendraji and 27th of April, 1929 as the first born child Smt Sitadevi Yogendra "Practicallyworking on emotions is the real key, and this means actions. One may find oneself in a situation that normally causes excitement, and yet he would not get excited. l The senses may be in the sense objects, but the desire for pleasure is absent One is involved in work, but the desire for the result in work is absent. When this becomes a permanent state of the mind, one is never affected. Rather one enjoys being permanently in this state of Brahmisthiti." Childhood Memories: Dr. Jayadeva and ViJayadevji with their In the picture, Dr. Jayadeva with Grandfather, Shri Haribhai Jivanji Founder and his younger brother Desai, who was Founder's father. Vijayadevji Yogendra with Mother.

"Selfishness means thinking of one-self only.This will not work. We are all inter-related. One should no doubt provide for onself and enjoy but one should think of others. Man should get 11 involved in some activities where there is •.. no personal gain." .

"Action is the f. essence of this ~ Universe. The actions are therefore a part of this larger arrangement. There is a general He commenced his education at a Hindi primary school in Bombay, followed by an interdependency on .; English Parsi school - them." A Road Less IC8\{8 8:.....,~ ----.

"Experiencing a balanced state of mind is in a way the highest That is how we get the phrase Samatvam Yoga Uchyate. What is termed as the very highest at its best is pure awareness."

"When a person is in such a state permanently, then the worldly activities will carryon, but the In his fourth year at high school, when the students were asked to write about their individual does not happiest moment in life, Dr. Sahab carefully wrote down an essay about sitting in identify with the meditation and thinking about God.The teacher was surprised and decided that happenings because he was mentally unbalanced and sent him to the principal with the essay. Luckily this identification the principal appreciated it and had it circulated around the school. creates imbalances. It is really Prakriti that is doing all things. Spirit or the soul is just directed to itself It remains aware and College Days: conscious of itself all In the picture, Dr. Saheb the time. This on the left near the pillar, awareness does not undergo any change. along with his friends. He It just remains a attended a college in spectator, while variety Gujarat and later went to of external activities go Wilson College in on. This can happen Mumbai from where he even in day-to-day life completed his MA in where a person for the Sanskrit and Prakrit and moment gets deeply stood 1st in the University involved in an activity. and received the During such moments B hag wan d a s the activities carryon. Purushotamdas prize for The person is involved Sanskrit. only in his awareness of the activity." "The spiritually oriented person believes in the powerful process of life itself. He knows very well that the Prakrti or the Gunas are continuously active and carryon non-stop their activities. One may say that because of one's wishing or willing this or that happens. But this is not really true. The realized person basically internally knows that he does nothing. And in spite of this the things will go on happening."

He had a good chance of getting into the prestigious civil service, however, he rejected 'Whatever the the opportunity since he was more interested in further studies, At that time, his friends superior person does, would comment, 'All good things have been wasted on you, You don't deserve a 1st class honour," the inferior follow.There are some superior persons in the society , and the society recognizes them. They could be teachers of strength. People are not only attracted to such individuals but they are also appreciative of whatever they do. That is why it is said that the superior person should Later he completed his doctorate and was also awarded the set an example. If he Hargobindas Scholarship for PhO does a good act then it which was conferred upon him in is likely that the 1955 and since then he is referred subordinates would to as Dr, .layadeva. After follow.When the completing his PhO, Dr, Jayadeva individuals are of worked as a lecturer, teaching superior character the Sanskrit to BA students for about society benefits by one year at the Khalsa College, imitating them." Bombay, A Road Less

"The Gita took up the cause of duty and action. However, the key word was disinterestedness. "

"We should feel like being part of this larger process. In fact we are instruments in the hands of God.We After that. he worked ceaselessly at The Yoga Institute. should not stop His Shri Yogendra in the early fifties handed over to work but remain Dr. Jayadeva the responsibility of organising various relaxed to allow Him to educational and training programmes. In 1958, he was work through us." appointed Principal of The Yoga Institute when the Government of Maharashtra gave special recognition to the Institute as a special teacher's training institute of . "Many times the yoga and yoga research. concept of selfless, disinterested work was not prominent. Only if someone who is tall had begun such action, others would have followed. If the leader does things without any personal interest, the effect is electrifying. Today we are at a time when we are attracted by the sensory things and not attracted by the supersensory. We are all interested in money but are not interested in Hansaji was a student at the Institute. God. We are interested We can see in the picture Hansaji in nuclear family, not in sitting to the extreme right inwhite. joint family.We are interested in becoming prominent but are not interested in selfless work." In 1973, Dr. Jayadeva got married to Hansaji Patni. "In the Yoga Sutra it is mentioned, that in the presence of a person who has no Some of the marriage photos selfishness and violence others do respond in a similar way." Some pictures with Patanjali. " Ite should not get into the habit of "holier than thou" attitude. One should not criticize those who are terribly attached to their work out of ignorance. Let each one carryon work according to each one's 'nature. Once they think that you are not criticizing, they may listen. Even before listening to you they will see you involved in your work in a disinterested way.They will see that you have no axe to grind even if you are occasionally helping him. This may make them more willingto listen to you, when you tell them about a larger purpose behind our existence. It can happen that in On the 15th of July, 1975 a son was A picture of the complete family with course of time they may born to Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji Founder, Mother, their two sons and become your student Yogendra. And he was named daughters-in-law and grandchildren. and start appreciating Patanjali. your helping others. In the end the person may even learn to work disinterestedly and have you as a model. So the moral is that instead of criticizing others who are terribly attached according to their nature one should support them while they are in trouble and let them see a good model in you who is in a disinterested way of helping."

"In yoga one understands the basic - the Gunas. They are the ultimate, they are called as Reals.Against them the so called external world is changeful and temporary. A Road Less IcaveJ 8~~ ----.

" Learn to give up. Learn to let go.The highest understanding of life can come only when you learn to let go."

"Spirituality may consist of some healthy routine, some self- development exercise and some experiencing of quietude." I. "Faith is like a mother that nurtures the child as he grows. "

Dr. Sahab and Hansaji made a number of trips abroad in the year 1974, 1994, etc. "Yoga is the culture of In the picture are workshops conducted in North America. consciousness." "Awareness is the answer for the control of the personality." "By restraining one's outgoing tendencies, one gains a positive state of mind." "One should maintain purity in thoughts, words and actions." "Be happy with what you have. Don't covet another's possessions. " "Have fortitude to bear the small inconveniences of life." "Surrender to the will of the absolute."

"Our mind is nothing In Ottawa, Canada but various states of thoughts and memories we are building around A Teacher practises what he teaches the material reality." "Our mind with various thoughts and emotions, creates the little world that we live and die in."

"To study self is to study Truth as against ignorance."

"To study self is to know the way to peace as against having passing attitudes born out of emotions." "Knowing and feeling are but two aspects of the modification of the same entity, mind." A practical demonstration of the technique of relaxation, "Knowledge appears when concentration is at its best"

"Objectivity and the highest disinterestedness are the keys to the world of realization." "The possibility of continuously enjoying a balanced mind may be a distant proposition yet we can consider it in small ways."

"If we worry about things then that itself means that we do not have faith in God."

''lust choose to enjoy Or, Sahab taking a class at the every situation in life Institute, instead of getting hurt from it"

"A good human being is always caring and he can always change." "If we worry about things then that itself means that we do not have faith in God."

"If a human does not have any direction, he remains at a very low and dull level, a lethargic, tamasic level. This is the level where all the diseases set in."

"When one takes Clockwise from top : Dr. Sahab and Hansaji at the Sunday Satsang, Dr. Sahab responsibility for his giving suggestions at the Saturday Samattvam and Dr. Sahab and Hansaji at the actions, that brings daily Parisamwada. more enthusiasm in life, which brings direction in life and takes one further." "Faith is like a muse/e. It must be exercised to grow strong." "It is only through Faith in God that we can conquer our Kleshas. "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes for happiness." "The happiest people do not get the best of everything but they make the best of everything."

"The spiritual path is not for cowards. It is for the strongest"

Dr. Jayadeva participating in a recreation activity. Incidentally, "More the attachment Dr. Jayadeva used to be a badminton champion in his college days. more the problems." "Faithis the very foundation of all human endeavors. A man is what his faith is."

'The Sattvic attitude (pure calm) is a desirable attitude. This Clockwise from left Dr. Sahab taking a approach results in workshop for the mill workers of the National self-abnegation and Textile Mill, Dr. Sahab teaching at a university, faith in a higher and Dr. Sahab, Hansaji and Mother at the reality." seven day rejuvenation yoga camp at Lonavala. "Anything done without the right attitude, without the right feeling, would be a waste of time and it would be a wrong action."

'True satisfaction does not come by merely possessing things.True happiness is our own subjective feeling devoid of any objects or things."

"A tranquil state of mind is a product of right discrimination (Viveka)".

"Ifwe are good, we are good because we can't be bad, so we are good."

"Our consciousness, which is with us all the time, is sometimes more Clockwise from left at the Friends of Yoga Conference, with M. Balamuralikrishna and and sometimes less. This with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the World Householders Yoga Conference on the occurs because of the birth centenary of Founder. inherent and structural defects of the mind." A Road Less Travelle_"'-__ -----,

"Yoga as a process of education of the total personality helps in steadying the mind."

"Restraint is a very important trait very necessary for building up one's own personality as well as for progress in Yoga."

At the recent meeting of the Indian Yoga Association at The Yoga Institute. "Unless the learner is that deeply interested in bringing about a big change in himself, the learning just doesn't start" 'The learner has to have sincerity, devotion and dedication. Only then, will the teachings make sense." 'What Yoga is really interested in, is to constantly maintain a higher level of consciousness." 'We don't see things as they are. We see them as we want them to be."

"A strong opinion about things in life 'Among thousands of men, one per chance strives for perfection, even among creates problems. You those successful strivers, only one per chance knows Me in truth." like something, then The Bhagvad Gita, XI1.3 you hate something else and it goes on." 'The work of The Yoga Institute < carries on silently, spreading fragrance all around'

The International Association of Yoga Therapists presented a special award to Dr Jayadeva Yogendra and Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, Director, in recognition of The Yoga Institute, founded in 1918 by Shri Yogendraji, the > oldest organized Yoga Institute in the world, for its pioneering work in Yoga Therapeutics, Yoga Education, and Research'. Hansaji went to USA to receive this award in September 2011 . Interview

When and how did you start living the yoga way of What is yoga? life? Ultimately you go to the definition, that is total See, I was born in the family where yoga was being stoppage of the chitta. taught and Iwas in a way put into that kind of a group What is faith and God? association where I did some of these things and Faith is an important ingredient in any learning and taught it also. I took up a subject, academic subject, learning a subject like yoga, definitely it is important. where also I had to study yoga for my masters and for God is not a question about belief. It is something my PhD I gathered information, but it was more deep in us which sooner or later comes, meaning external.The internal is when an individual transforms, consciousness. Higher forms of consciousness and this is a life-long process. Fine, going on. possibly. Itis an absolute state. That's what it is. What made you decide to dedicate your life to yoga What do you consider as your Dharma? and its propagation? Whatever Ihave understood, Ifollowed. See, somehow such situations, circumstances, they have made this possible. It was not a clear decision. Do the concepts of yoga clash with the work and Ijust flow. house life of a householder? If not, how can one follow yoga while still living in the material world? What hardships did you have to face when treading I was born in a house which was practising a little this path? yoga and I married a person who was interested in Well,Ihad decided not to get interested in the present yoga, so that way there was no clash. If you have culture so that may be appearing like hardships, but a decision was made. beliefs and faith, you carry on. Not making big announcements and accepting things as they are, Who was your inspiration and how? but stillholding on to what you consider right. I studied a lot from the literature. I studied more and more, understanding is more. Then individuals who Can you give us a few incidents of your childhood were of that kind, sharing and the yoga practices that life where the higher perspective attained through Ilearned, the experiences. That's the extent. yoga helped you? Some sentences in my old Gujarati books were there. Any books/works that inspired you? A train and the engine, when it pushes the wagons See I read many books, but when Iwas in my second and they roll on and on and on, on the length, and or third standard, about 10 years old, 11 years old, I ultimately the momentum is over and they come to a read a book, not really read a book, but it was stop. So material kind of interests push and then you prescribed. It was by a person who was a little come to a state where you understand and have no spiritual, so reading that it definitely influenced and it interest and then slowly it makes you to come to a keeps on coming. stand still.

What qualities does a true guru of yoga have? Hansaji, please tell us what you thought of He practises, with a very, very deserving person. He Dr.Jayadeva's personality when you met him. shares and he lives that life. Least interested in I met Dr Jayadeva when I was coming here and I spreading and teaching. found him to be a very disciplined person, a very Who do you think is a true student of yoga? controlled person a very sincere person, a thinker Here I came across a tailor who was sincere and his with deep profound knowledge. Most humble. He is life also was very yogic. He did not go for making a person, who speaks very little.These qualities were money, name, nothing. So, like this, some person, very obvious. Ifound that he's untouched by modern ordinary person not necessarily yogic. life, modern people. I could see just purity in him. He was untouched by external glamour, even good in one you are good in everything, so that's fashions, and keeping up to date with external looks, what I found in him, His concentration is good, All this was not there, So I would find him very memory is very good, When talking with someone, different. It was like a challenge for me to see such a it's as though he can see through the person, Very personality, To see such people also exist in this few words, When he's doing something he has no world, And how to make him more related to the other thoughts, His emotions are totally under his world, this was a challenge for me, He was himself control. He is very protective with us, He doesn't talk and he had nothing to do with the world and people, about likes or dislikes, He doesn't mix with wrong He would protect himself, keep away from girls, not people, If some people are there who are gossiping, look a them, Look down and talk, no expressions he will just sit with his head down, not go away to while talking and I would wonder what is this show that he dislikes it. He will just take the situation, personality? He will never show that he doesn't like someone or likes someone, He is quite balanced, So, everything What were the qualities in him that differentiated is yoga, He is yoga, Yogah citta vritti rirrodhan. him from others? Balanced state of mind, These are the things which I could see were absolutely different. I would wonder how to even Certain asanas he does, like getting up and communicate with him since unfortunately I'm a girl stretching, For half a minute or one minute, and he would not even look at me with his eyes open symbollically he'll do some asanas, lying on stomach and I said, "Well, it's a challenge," I would get some and bending backward. Very minimal, but he will do flowers and give them to him so he had to stretch his Bhujangasana, Makrasana, legs stretching, that's all, hand to take the flowers and he would have to look up He will sit with his eyes closed for some time, not long to take the flowers and then he would look down and time, maybe 3 minutes maximum. But his life reflects say "thank you," He would come to give a talk and yoga, The technology part I hardly see in him, but the you could see that he was a personality that was living rest is in him. As a wife, I can see that he has a very what he was teaching, An experienced person; deep miraculous body, Even at the age of 83, he has no down experienced, I've seen many good speakers cataracts, His eyes are better than mine, He had who talk very convincingly and people get attracted, blood tests and every parameter is absolutely Dr, Jayadeva was very humble but he would speak perfect. No back pain or knee pain, Earlierwhen we from his heart and it had a very deep effect on others, got married, he used to get colds, puffy eyelids, but So, different from the modern people and even the very soon that also went away with both of us taking modern so-called gurus, He never tried to show that care, Doing certain things he would show me and he was into spirituality, Simple man. That reflected then also do with me, Definitely he sits in the sun for 5 very strongly on me. Common man where nothing is minutes, max 10 minutes, definitely for everything, common. Everything is uncommon in him, He was But time is very funny, Sometimes at 2pm, but very likethat. religiously he goes up to terrace, takes a mat, sits on the floor with back in the sun because sitting and Please comment on his practice of yoga as a way of writing is his job, so he takes sun on his back, After a life? few minutes, he comes down and puts the mat away. Well Dr. Jayadeva is nothing else but yoga, His Even if there are clouds, symbollically he will go, everything is yoga. There is nothing else in his life, He Routinely he does it very definitely until now. But thinks, analyzes, understands, and then says I always feel that his everything is miraculous something, In his young age I have seen him because until now he has not suffered from any old performing certain asanas, even purna age problems, He has slowed down, He's very rnatsyendrasana His body was supple, Everything careful that he doesn't fall, very careful about was good. Good table tennis player also,If you are everything, For example, once he had to hold very Interview

tightly because the grandchild was about to fall, so he keeps the students in mind. The human needing to held very tightly. He felt pain in one finger the next day improve is important to him. Like we had one person so he took a hot water bag and then it felt fine.After it who was a doctor, but very shy. He couldn't open his stopped paining he continued to take hot water bottle mouth to anyone else. He could only write for caution. These things he does very regularly. prescriptions. Dr Jayadeva created work for him. Before it goes bad he takes care so no diseases have We had free 2-days programs for doctors, and he set in. All this is yoga: prevention, being alert, was to go and meet all these doctors in Mumbai. He immediately attending to areas that are a little bit not became a very strong person while meeting all these normal and correcting it. His food is a miraculous doctors in Mumbai. And this doctor became a very thing. He is a person who eats chapatti and a little milk strong person from this. We had a program and he for breakfast even for snack and for dinner. Afternoon conducted that program here for doctors. In case for lunch is chapatti, vegetable, very little dal, very little a person is weak, Dr. Jayadeva says he has to do rice, 2 teaspoon or rice and dal, and that's his food. A certain things here for that. He is a very caring guru, plate of fruit in the morning with breakfast Never have gives guidance. He feels for the students. He wants we found that there is a deficiency. After that mosquito them to change and improve. He frequently tells us thing he took a multi-vitamin for some time. It was that people don't improve that fast, so he handles just difficult to gulp because he wasn't in the habit, but he a few. Very good guru but the person has to mastered it He doesn't want to take it regularly. Once surrender. in a while he respects my decision, but Idon't push. Can you tell us some incidents that brought forth What is your opinion of Dr. Jayadeva as a guru? the discipline, patience and spirituality in He is the person whom' people should call guru. Dr. Jayadeva? I don't see any other in the world for that But he is a When I met him he was all that He was a model of person who is very direct and sometimes students spirituality. What made him this way, I have no idea. can't take it. They need more explanation which Dr. With me, the spirituality part, patience part, all this was Jayadeva refuses to do. He says either you have faith there in him and was examined. When a wife comes, or no faith, but then he doesn't want to elaborate why and how. He has said it and he wants it to be followed. a child comes, problems come, he would still not get That is it Now-a-days teachers are there who will disrurbed. How that was developed in him, no idea. explain why they are telling a student to do this, this, I'll take his qualities one-by-one: and this. From him there won't be that. He just says "go" and you have to leave. He is a tough guru and Discipline - He can straight away say "No" If he that's why me as a wife makes things a little easier, doesn't want to go, he won't go. In food, discipline is more explaining. He is happy about it He doesn't at its height, but he doesn't want us to get hurt either, mind because he knows that I have undesrtood him so he will take it and throw it away.Time conscious. very well. My explanation will be to the point and not I would wait and let students collect and then go, but outside the point he will not. No one is there and he will still go. Iwill tell him keep the purpose in mind then go. He says "No, Dr. Jayadeva is not just a guru telling you what to do. If time is there." Very, very strict, absolutely. you have surrendered yourself to Dr. Jayadeva in a sense you come and take the guidance always. But Patience - He has patience only with others. He then you want to spend more time at The Institute. So knows that others are what they are. When they will Dr. Jayadeva creates a situation here so that your change is their problem. He tolerates them. So many personality is helped according to your weaknesses. students come, they don't change a bit He doesn't He doesn't run the Institute for the needs of the tell them "out". He has enough patience and he Institute. Rather he runs it to care for the students. He carries on with them. He has tremendous patience because he has full faith. About everything. With things. This is how he brings me forward. Since he people he has patience. Patience is reflected with doesn't want to talk much, say anything much, be in people. the lime light. If we force him he would be bothered. He won't be happy. Ifyou pull him on to stage, he will Spirituality - Life is spirituality.Everywhere you find say one word and be quiet, which we have seen. We that spirituality is reflected in patience because have to tryand trywith him and do what best we could unless you have patience, it is not possible. He has to take him out. We should be satisfied with his two patience that everything will be fine. words. Entirewordly things, Ivery quickly understood Can you comment on Dr. Jayadeva's style of that I can't make him an up-to-date person externally. teaching? He is very very unique. I told him, you are the only I did mention earlier how he teaches. Like my model God has made. Even coming to 50% of you, I daughter-in-law came to me and said, "Tell me won't find anyone in the world. That's it. Difficult something about the yoga sutras." I told her I am otherwise to talk about him. available always, but go to Dr.Jayadeva. She went to him and asked. Immediately he said "Very fine. When do we start?" She said, "Whenever you want." He said, "Now." So she ran and got a pencil. And they started. One by one they went. Very religiously. He spoke and she wrote and then she would come to me. I'm not available so easily, but she would come The Devoted Couple - and ask for my anecdotes, examples, and this is how Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra and she learned. So teaching is available. Student has to Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, inspiring all. be prepared and be ready. Teacher is ready. He wants to see that sincerity. Once or twice it happened that Gauri was not there, she forgot, and he was sitting there waiting on time. And she felt very bad. Good this happened before baby came. He writes his time table and keeps it with him and sticks to it. That's how his teaching goes on.

Apart from these questions, anything that comes to mind that you would like to say? He is a personality who until now, doesn't believe in externalizing anything, be it spirituality, as people show it. "I have to wear a particular tikka, wear a Gujarat, particular clothes ... " or any particular style of talking, certain words, using always "atma ...you are god and I'm god ... " He doesn't do any of that. But because of his personality, anyone wants to click photos he doesn't like. He discourages all of this. Because of that, one doesn't know him. People don't know him. And we very often feel that world should know that here is someone who exists and is living a yogic life. A living guru. But he would not cooperate. He would not even allow. He is very strict about these A Model -Sadhaka's comnbuuo Q

As a Son I remember his father,Shri Yogendraji the Founder, Mother Sita Devi, his once referring to Doctor as mother, said that he had "little .Iayadeva". There been different from anyone must have been looks of else even as a child, surprise because Founder Dr, Jayadeva was very added;"I call him little respectful and obedient. Jayadeva because he can He wanted to become a be as gentle as little doctor, however as a Patanjali," Patanjali, Doctor responsible son he and Hansaji's son, was at obeyed his father and that time little more than an studied Sanskrit and later infant. These words carried forward the touched me much, the Institute's work, more so as someone told me that Founder had also Once as Dr, Jayadeva was referred to Doctor as being climbing the steps at his a greater Yogi than himself, home, Shri Yogendraji mentioned looking at him, "He is the Real Yogi - He never gets angry",

, \ ;; -I •

A Unique Place

So it was a most unique place that I had found at last. After stays of weeks and months there in different years, I went to stay for one and a half year in 1984, So there was the founder of the Institute, Shri Yogendra, 87 years of age then, his wife and partner, Sita Devi, 72, their son Dr, Jayadeva, 55, and the latter's wife, who was later to be addressed as Hansaji, 36, each one a strong personality in his or her own way, and all dedicated to the same cause: spreading and teaching a Yoga that would help people to become healthier, clearer and less self-obsessed, Because the goal of yoga as stated in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, citta vritti nirodhah, "restraining the chitta from taking on modifications" or "total control of the personality-complex" WELCOME THE YOGA"'NSTil as Dr, Jayadeva has interpreted it, too, stands at the end of a long, THE HEART ( long path, But while treading this path, the learner has to change MODERN YOGA RENAl: ISTO Itl' many old patterns and bad habits of his, or in the words of Doctor, as we Western students called him in short, one has to first decondition and then recondition himself, to become healthier, stronger, more balanced and less materialistic, Each of the family members seemed to me to have their own approach towards this goal, each could be a model person for different kinds of students, My guiding star was Dr. Jayadeva very soon, As a Father Is He a Jnana Yogi Only?

When Dr. Patanjali Jayadeva Yogendra was young, one day while So Doctor certainly is a Jnana Yogi, but I wonder he was sleeping Dr. Jayadeva, his father, made a beautiful scene whether he is a kind of Bhakta, too, not one who with lego blocks of a toy man on a bike waiting for him to play depends on rituals, but one who adores the with. As soon as he got up from his sleep and came to the living room he was delighted with this toy and the gesture of his father. "One without a Second". I assume that Doctor As a father, as he preaches, he had never shouted or scolded at maybe sees everything and everyone Justas his child. Dr. Jayadeva took out time from his busy schedule to sparks from one brazing great Fire, as spend time often with his son, PatanJali,and a beautiful bond emanations or manifestations of that adorable developed between them. One that alone matters, no matter what a single manifestation might do or behave like. Asked about Bhakti, Doctor said that it helps to channel emotions and is related to training and managing As a Teacher all one's inner expressions. Asked further whether Bhakti IS needed on the spiritual path his answer Once there were only two students in the class, a Frenchman was that at least awareness of the limitations of and Harry. One day, the Frenchman did not come for the class, so Harry suggested not having the class that day. Dr. Jayadeva the ego must be there. If faith in God is denied to said, "It is my duty to teach even if there is only one student." a person then submission to a Guru is also a and the class was conducted. valid way to learn to subdue the ego. A Model

As a Guru

What is a guru? In its highest form, a guru is a teacher who guides deserving students on a spiritual path. What differentiates a guru from a teacher in the common sense of the word is that a guru must have not only tremendous knowledge in many areas but even more so he needs to have the rarest human qualities, such as altruism, love of man, determination, truthfulness, courage, neutrality, integrity, clarity, discipline, humility, detachment, disinterestedness in worldly gains and more. A guru helps a learner not just in one special field as a common teacher does, but in an all-round way. The aim is evolution and culture of consciousness so that in the most fortunate case the disciple will realize the ultimate goal of Yoga. This is realizing oneself, meaning that a disciple reaches an experience where he can discriminate face-to-face between what is matter in himself. although of the most subtle kind in the form of Buddhi, and what is Consciousness Absolute, also called Purusha in the classical Yoga after Patanjali, or called God for those who follow Bhakti. So what a guru conveys and guides to is an education not just of the intellectual level as at schools or universities, but of the physical, the emotional, the mental, and most importantly the spiritual levels, too. So for this the learner also needs certain qualities if he wants to make the most of and really permanently benefit by what the guru has to teach. He needs qualities such as discipline, devotion, obedience, sincerity, receptivity, humility and the fullest application of what he has learnt and understood to what he practically does.

Clock Work!

Work seemed to simply flow out of him as naturally as water flows out of an open tap. He lectured and taught, yes. But from what I could observe, teaching took up least of his time. Because at that time he was responsible for the maintenance of his parents, wife and son and he was an employer to a bookkeeper, clerk, gardener, cook, cleaning help and three doorkeepers. (Now there is more staff.)The postman brought big piles of letters each day that had to be attended to. The Institute comprised of two 2-floor buildings, a big hall, a hostel and a garden. (Construction had to go on to accommodate the growing number of classes over the following years.) But nonetheless there was no house manager or administrator of any kind.And even the water-pump was looked after by Dr Jayadeva, too, because very often there was nobody else to do it. And with all the work that I watched him do I never saw him in a hurry, and he was always punctual. He was like the sun in that - and in many other - respects. Because what more visible symbol of punctuality can there be than the sun!

AChange in Personality I was a very shy and inhibited person when I joined Teachers' Training Course at the Yoga Institute. I would be very nervous whenever i had to speak in front of the class. After finishing my TIC, Dr. Jayadeva gave me the responsibility of compering satsangs. It was a shock to me but maybe he wanted me to overcome my fear of facing people. Few years of handling sunday satsangs definitely helped me to overcome my fear....transformed my personality from a shy and inhibited person, to a confident person which helped me throughout, in my career and in my personal life. As a Raja YogiB A Different Person

Being a Karma Yogi alone does not define Doctor because he must be a Raja He was so overwhelmingly different Yogi, too, with a most concentrated, alert sharp and flexible mind that is fully from any other person I had ever met in under control and in the Nirodha state at will. In his younger years he must my life. To describe him many qualities also have been a Hatha-Yogi, because he once said that Karma-Yoga without come to my mind which are usually Hatha-Yoga, i.e. the knowledge of the working of the body, was insufficient. considered as opposite, such as And after all, much of his teaching was also about Hatha-Yoga, that aspect of motherly and manly; adamantine and Yoga which attracts most students, at least in the beginning. What he said gentle, strong and complaisant and about it could not have been gathered from books, but must be known from always forbearing. I wondered, how experience. Thus he said that Asanas lead to steadiness and strength; could one single person contain in Pranayamas lead to quietness, and Kriyas direct the attention to the internal. himself so many different qualities and, They have an effect on many nerve ganglia and thus lead to overcoming fear at the same time, seem without a fixed and reaching self-dependency All this he personifies. He is strength, personality, yet at the same time again, quietness, fearlessness and utter dependence on himself in person. Already was so very uniquely himself, one who in his young years he must have learnt what he told us, namely that we must would stand out in millions of people as know the effects of the different techniques on us and use them throughout being distinctly himself and not similar the day to stop unwanted feelings and create contrary ones. It is the slow to anyone else. In time to come he once execution of Asanas that leads to most learning, relaxation and lastly said that one has to become like an awareness. I do not think that Doctor did Asanas beyond his younger years, empty vessel, i.e. free of all opinions, because it says in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika that Hatha-Yoga is meant to lead ideas and prejudices, nay, more than to Raja-Yoga. So having reached Raja-Yoga there would be no meaning in that the whole ego had to be rejected continuing with the former. for one to become empty. For this, and as a prerequisite for reaching Samadhi, disinterest and egolessness must be there to some degree right from the start of practising Yoga.

Ceaseless Work

So at those early times Doctor was a Karma Yogi for everyone to see, turning out loads and loads of work and never looking back at what it brought him in return or would bring him in the future. When asked by students to explain more about work in the spirit of Karma Yoga, he said that every single action and any work that comes legitimately one's way were included in Karma Yoga. Work was just a means and one had to be happy and balanced about it and recognize and accept that we are all part of a larger design, subject to larger laws; small cogs in a vast wheel. Without faith in this larger whole it was difficult to act. Yet with faith and ensuing concentration on each work in hand one could lose one's sense of I and become an instrument in God's hands. The highest stage in Karma Yoga, he said, is when hands, legs and eyes are working, but the person is not. Then God would work through him. If this is experienced superficially, it could get lost again. Yet if intensity of work and feeling is created, then the impressions of it would see to it that that high state lasts.Needed in the beginning are a sense of duty and devotion without looking right or left and leaving out too much emotional involvement. A Model

As a Yogi left. There could be two Yogis under the same roof after alii And under this same roof there was also Sita Devi During that 1-week-course he talked to us twice a day for a Yogendra, the person who had given birth to the one Yogi little while. His father, Sri Yogendraji, who had founded the and shared the other Yogi's life for 62 years of happy Institute way back in 1918, was a Yogi. That was for sure. marriage full of team work for a most noble cause. And this But what was Dr. Jayadeva then? I did not stop wondering. cause was clearing Yoga of its wrong reputation as Because at that time I simply could not believe that there uncanny and inimical to life in society, teaching it on the could be two proponents of this very rare species, called contrary as an art and a science of physical health, ethical Yogi, at one and the same place. That seemed like a conduct and cultivation of consciousness. And if this waste to me under a larger perspective. Because there would be followed by more and more members it would were so very few real Yogis, and so many, many people certainly elevate the level of the society at large and bring a searching for solutions for their kinds of problems which, in little more harmony into it. The cause of the parents was my opinion, no specialist of any kind can solve, but only carried on by the son, albeit with a different emphasis Yogis, i.e. persons who have transcended themselves and since Dr. Jayadeva included faith in God, not a certain form thus are beyond wrong perception and selfishness. So of God, but God as that power that is transcendent to having not one but two persons of this kind at the same everything and who has lastly to be relied upon. In this he place was something I could not imagine. But when I went was later helped by his young wife Hansa, who at that time to the Institute again four years later, there was no doubt was still newly wed and a husband's student.

As a Jnana Yogi

But what is most certain is that Doctor must be a Jnana Yogi, too, with his tremendous knowledge, discerning at a split second what is important or unimportant, relevant or irrelevant, pressing or able to wait, fleeting or more lasting, ultimately real or unreal. The notes I took during his talks and lectures are all reflections of the tremendous knowledge that he must have all realized by himself and not only studied academically or in the Scriptures. Yoga abolishes the wall between the subconscious and the conscious, he said once. But before this happens the subconscious can hardly be reached. The way to tackle it is to create positive impressions that can take care of undesirable subconscious contents. Another way to affect the subconscious is to regulate living and thinking at the conscious level very well by following helpful routines and techniques and seeing to the right thought food. One also has to watch oneself carefully to understand the mainspring of one's emotions. If one is angry, one has to clearly realize that one is angry. If one does, then one will slowly come to remember and foresee the consequences of one's anger, so that one can stop expressing it. Once someone has become a Yogi in the true sense of the word he is aware of what and why things happen and their future effects. While one is still on the way to becoming a Yogi, the intellect should be used rather than emotions. Truth could only be seen after the stoppage of the mind, but before this could happen, one had to learn to use the mind. One should think first and not act at once unless something was urgent. Yet thinking alone could not solve any problem. only doinq and experiencing would lead to awareness. One had to learn to appreciate facts instead of thoughts and imaginations. As a Karma Yogi As a Writer and Editor So what Doctor has taught about Karma Yoga was lived by him My book-shelves at home remind me of how many for all of us to see down to the smallest detail. All work is equal.All books and editions of the monthly magazine "Yoga work can be worship, depending not on what kind of work it is but and Total Health" he has brought out as a publisher, on the attitude with which it is done and the excellence one editor and writer throughout the years. What a reaches in whatever the work may be. All could see how he worked treasure-grove of knowledge and wisdom they are, with utter detachment, making no difference between high or low and suited to solve so many problems in so many work, pleasant or unpleasant work, displayable work or work that areas, such as education of the young and the old, stayed forever in the background, work which people would credit treatment of the ill, prevention of disease, solution to him for or work that others took credit for. Again, I wondered, how marriage problems, handling of stress, depression could he do so much and invest so much talent, knowledge, and other ills arising from the fast pace of modern wisdom and time of his life in the work he did without getting very life and many more aspects. Of course, all the much appreciated for it, since not everyone could gauge his books besides bringing a wealth of information, greatness and uniqueness. This was at least the impression that I basically aim at inviting readers to enter a less got. The work done should itself yield enough satisfaction to the materialistic path which might lead on to a spiritual doer, according to Karma Yoga. "Wise men possessing an path. This was the main message of every activity equipoised mind, renouncing the fruit of actions and freed from the connected in whatever way with Doctor. This was shackles of birth, attain the blissful supreme state. It says in the and still is his teaching and the ultimate solution to Bhagavadgita. But who can really leave all wishes and every problem, for which he is living proof. Yet all expectations, let alone cravings, and work in this spirit, these wonderful books that could help millions - if unreservedly renouncing money, appreciative words, power, name followed and not just read once and then put aside and fame and stay so much in the background instead! For this - are a tiny drop only in today's sea of book- alone I consider him as so very great, apart from all his other publishing that widely rests on global marketing, great qualities. colourful advertising, brain-washing and profit calculations instead of on contents, knowledge and spirit. It takes the attitude of a Karma Yogi, I think, to go on working tranquilly in the face of these facts, unaffected by outcome, such as number of readers and editions and number of copies sold. As an Educator & Attitude Trainer

He practiced what he preached.Attitude is everything in life. Attitude decides the direction and the quality of one's life. Positive attitudes bhavas have been incorporated in his teaching. These are Dharama, Jnana, Vairagya and Aishvarya. Dharma Faith One evening during a session Dr.Jayadeva asked the class "Do we have faith in God?" Everybody nodded and said "Yes,yes." The next question "How strong is our faith?" All of us started giving 'proof' of our faith, the parameters, how we measure it, etc. Someone said 'I fast so many days a week', 'I donate so much money every year' said another, 'I go to the temple/ church/ mosque etc. every day/ week' said some. This went on for a while and we were all feeling great about being such wonderful Yoga Sadhakas having 'strong faith' in God. Then Dr. Jayadeva asked the final question, "Do we ever get negative thoughts?" Obviously, each one of us said yes [ "That", he said, "was the real parameter to check how strong our faith is. Ifwe truly have faith in God, nothing can disturb us, nothing can make us negative. How often we get negative shows us how strong our faith is." This has been one of the greatest lessons I have learnt at The Yoga Institute. Tranquil State of Mind We hardly experience a state of peace of mind for long, when no thoughts disturb. However, it is when the mind stops thinking, that consciousness which is mixed up with our thinking becomes available in its pure form. We then become conscious of consciousness itself. It is when we touch the depths of awareness that we are close to the Universal concepts like God, Self,Atma, Brahma etc. There is no need for verbalized descriptions of that awareness. Itis enough to know that we have a mind, that the material world is there, and above it all, Pure Awareness or God is there. If one wishes to reach Pure Consciousness, Yoga like techniques are necessary. Mind and the material world are there on one side. Consciousness or God is there on another side and Yoga is there to get us away from material world to reach PureConsciousness. Ahimsa Once, a man walked angrily into the reception of The Yoga Institute. Dr. Jayadeva, the Director ofThe Yoga Institute at the time and receptionist were at the receiving end of his outburst while.The receptionist was aghast as to how could someone be talking to Dr.Sahab in such a manner. Dr.Jayadeva merely sat and listened without any agitation. The man went on talking for fifteen minutes in an abusive manner and then dramatically touched Dr. Jayadeva's feet and left.

This reminded one of the people becoming non- violent in presence of one practicing Ahimsa as if mirrorimaging them. Transformation I had all the bad habits-drinking, smoking, road- rage, etc. And top of alii was heavily into drugs. My family was very frustrated with my behaviour. My wife and my mother always persuaded me to get rid of these habits. But I was not in the condition to listen to anybody. One day, on the insistence of my beloved I decided to tryYoga. Ijoined The Yoga Institute. Initially I found everything meaningless and funny. One day, I can't explain how, I started praying from my heart. Things started to change and I established unshakable faith in myself and the higher reality. Today, I'm a responsible family man and a Yoga teacher and all credit goes to The Yoga Institute and Dr.Jayadeva and Hansaji. Control of the Senses Emotions have a tremendous relationship with energy; we are continuously experiencing a variety of emotions. We are very liberal, allowing emotions to come and go. We don't recognize that the emotions are also draining this energy reserve. So the attempt As an Educator & Attitude Trainer

of a Yogi is to see that he catches this emotional aspect. Ifyou get angry you can see the change in the breathing, you start breathing very fast. On the contrary, the individual who is absolutely at peace, his breathing will be very different. The Yogis would go right at the bottom in understanding emotions. So wisdom lies in trying to tap that energy source, learning how not to allow emotions to take charge of us. Pranayama Itwas the very first day at the seven day camp held at the institute.Not being a morning person Igot up with a great deal of difficulty and managed to drag myself into the first session with Dr. Jayadeva.He then began with a question, "What is it that you are seeking?" Each one pitched in: Happiness, Love and Peace. The list went on. Then Dr. asked, "Have you been doing anything about acquiring that? How are you going about achieving allthose goals?" Er.... and how do we achieve that the collective voice seemed to speak. Very softly, as is his characteristic manner, he elaborated, "There is a power within all of us. And that power is with us all the time. Its presence is what keeps us alive. When it exits, we exit the world as well. When a person dies you must have heard people say that someone breathed his last. It is the breath within us, which we often take for granted, that when attended to, can incredibly change the way we perceive the situations around us. We can develop a sense of detachment to the result while still performing our various duties. The study of the various techniques of breath management is a vital part of Yoga and it is called Pranayama. BeaWitness We may not easily understand technical words of philosophy and metaphysics, but practical life teaches the true meaning of these words in course of time. We are, for example told that the world as manifest before us is inert. But this inert inanimate material world is after all not so useless, it is very helpful. In fact this inert world provides us experiences and teaches us the best lessons in life. Actions Speak Louder Than Words An incident happened on the 26th July 2005. The heavy rains and floods that ravaged Mumbai did not spare the institute as well. Because it was raining heavily and there were reports that the trains had stopped working, there was flooding and major traffic jams, a few of us decided that it was best not to return home but to stay back at the institute itself. As we sat chatting in the main hall, someone came and said that there was some problem in the main office building (the residence of the Yogendra family) and that there was water everywhere. When we went there we were told that there was some blockage in one/ all of the rainwater drainpipes of the terrace. Hence the terrace was full of water and it had started overflowing into the house through the stairs. Patanjali son of Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji was on the terrace, trying to figure out a solution. There was ankle deep water everywhere. There were other students already at work, and we jumped right in trying to throw out as much water as possible. The rains just wouldn't relent and the water from the terrace kept gushing down. The more water we threw out, the more it came down the stairs. As I moved in to reach one of the inner rooms, I saw Dr Sahab. He was busy filling up a bucket with water to be thrown out. He didn't stop even after he saw us even after we persuaded him to stop and said that we students would take over...... when Hansaji insisted, he stopped for a bit and when she went to check on something else, he got back to filling another bucket. At this point it was only me and Dr Sahab in that room. I shut up and got to work because Ijust happened to figure out what was happening. The water flowing in was a big problem. Even though there were quite a few people there, he knew that we needed as many hands as we could and he was just doing his part.

y , As an Educator & Attitude Trainer

No big words, no instructions, just appropriate and Our Motivations effective action. The post office had given a date 10 mail our magazine Another very important lesson learnt. Yoga and Total Health on the 6th of every month as it was bu Ik posti ng. A little while later Patanjali solved the problem on the terrace and the water stopped flowing in. We There was no one to take the two heavy bags to the students helped in cleaning up the house and the post office that day so Or Jayadeva who was the office. Director of The Yoga Institute carried the bags to the post office for mailing. They say that actions say a lot about a man ..... his actions spoke louder than his words. As he reached the Santacruz east post office there was an unusual scene; in the usual hustle and bustle To me Or Sahab is ..... trulywise and deeply spiritual. of the post office on this day there was hardly anyone Training inAwareness at the counters on the public side. Or took the parcel to the first window and said. "Please can you take the Awareness is all about greater mindfulness in which journals for posting? you develop a 6th sense of being observant of things around and within you. It is the development of a The man at the counter was curt and said, " Udhar consciousness about how things around and in you jao". Go to the next counter. function. Awareness can enter every facet of life. Or. picked up the bags and went to the next counter. What often seems to others as a miracle may be the The man there also said" Udher jao" Go to the next development of the power of awareness in counter. somebody. This was repeated six times. Finally doctor very The power of awareness is best illustrated by a Sufi calmly asked one of the counter clerks saint. It was his practice to lie down at night, with all his disciples around him. He was known for his minute observation of details. To test him out one day his students, in his absence, removed a small layer of his mattress. That night when he lay down, and they gathered around him, he asked his favourite disciple 'Abu, hasn't the sky descended tonight by 1;2 inch?" A Balanced Mind It needs a very balanced mind to break the chain of action, reaction feelings, desire and again action. Such a balanced mind weakens the props which contribute to this vicious circle; the props being the variety of objects and situations that arouse feelings in us. Our own mind again acts like a prop, being itself in a confused state, activates past impressions. The motives that we bring in while doing our work also contribute to this vicious circle. "They quoted quite a large sum, Dr asked "What is the usual thing that would happen now'?" They said "Wedo not know.", Dr said "How would it be ifwe put up a notice that something like this has happened and we could collect money The staff member said we would have to ask the Post Master, The Post Master was a wise man and he said that he would put up a notice and if anyone would like to give Re 1 or more they would try, They did this and at the end of three days they had collected the large sum of money, 'Aaj kya hoa hai What has happened today'?" What was the motivation of Dr to give this The man said, Something strange happened today, suggestion? There was no monetary gain involved for One of the counter clerks was counting money, There him--no Anha. There was no pleasure (Kama), but it was a lot of money on the counter and in her hands, was selfless service (Moksha) where there was no A man came from outside and grabbed this huge sum and ran away, People tried to catch him but he seemed to have vanished, Since this incident has happened, we are shocked and we do not want to do anything with money, " Dr listened to this very patiently and said, "We understand your difficulty but please could you help us post this as today is the 8th and ifwe do not post today you and us both will have a problem,"

The man seemed to see some sense, There was no anger no showing off of authority, just a soft request. No reaction, just responding to a situation, The journals were posted, That was his duty and he did it. (Thatis the first motivation dharma, After they were posted Dr asked 'About how much money has gone in the theft?" As an Educator & Attitude Trainer

atom of selfishness involved. It was there to help except the breath I was not able to do it. So I told my someone. This going beyond selfishness can be teacher that I could not do it. Then finally Iwent to talk very liberating and this is what Dr does all the time. His to Dr.Jayadeva and told him I lacked concentration sense of duty is very acute and it is coupled with and was not worthy of practicing Yoga. His words karma yoga, doing things to the best of one's were "There is ample concentration but not on one capacity and then leaving the results to God. single object" and thereafter I was able to cut off distractions to a minimum and focus on one object Dr. Jayadeva always says that for a Yoga enthusiast only, either sounds or breath, which reduced the path of Duty (Dharma) and altruism (Moksha) thoughts significantly. should be paramount and money (Artha) and pleasure (Kama) should be there in the right Compassion proportion without greed or lust. On 9th May 2011 . On our way to Pune the driver was Let God under mental duress, slightly in his own world, speeding along with emotions that could not be held I had a business dispute with one of my partners, and steadfast. In the heat of the moment, he knocked I had all the documents required to teach the partner down a man crossing the street but could not be a lesson. I wanted to do it. But Dr. Jayadeva advised seen due to a passing bus. The man was injured; the to return the documents to the partner and forget driver took him to a hospital with the help of some about the issue. The dispute was resolved. This was strangers and later reported at the local police station. a true lesson in Vairagya and Aishwarya. What happened after that was no less than an ordeal. Change of Perspective A whole day to write down the FIR, put the driver I remember an incident here. An argument was going behind bars, taking into custody the accident vehicle, on between a small boy and a counter clerk. taking the statement of the opposite party etc. A lot of It was all about a rupee that fell short in calculation. physical as well as mental harassment. Around 03:00 One said he paid, the other said he did not receive. pm there was a call from Hansaji asking whether we A crowd gathered and the chief himself a tall burly were on our way to Pune! person was crying hoarsely at the little boy. "I will teach The Yoga Institute has been offering free of cost you the lesson of your life I" training to police in Mumbai since over two years. Suddenly, a person in khadi, with a Gandhi cap came Hansaji's personal interaction with police personnel and prostrated fully before the big boss. His head was paying rich dividends to us. A by-product of her was on the feet of the big man. He said,"Sir, here is goodwill showering blessing in disguise on us? one rupee. It is our mistake and we are sorry. Please What followed for the next few days was all goodwill! accept the money." It was like an anticlimax, the Monies being returned to us, all paper work being crowd was dazed. The boss was the most affected. expedited, release of the driver on bail and of course, He raised the person with tears in his eyes,"No, no I the car being handed back to us. Hansaji personally will not accept your money. We call it quits. I am so spoke to the driver and tried to talk him out of his sorry I lost my temper." stressful mental condition. Sometimes, more than words, actions and feelings What touched me is the fact that would any of us have work, In yoga, you work on these experiences. You try gone to such great lengths to help anyone? to be in one of the four states of consciousness- A Sangam of Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha lies , Dharma, Jnana,Vairagya, Aishvarya. right here. Concentration When I joined The Institute and was asked to sit in Sukhasana and asked not to think about anything With the most humble smile I've ever seen, so peaceful, tranquil, serene, He graces us with his presence, His mind so clear-so clean Blessing us with an opportunity to learn when he speaks, Thoughts of pure clarity shine with words-so succinct.

And every time he asks, 'Any questionsT I contemplate, Yet, glancing at him once more,

My doubts slowly dissipate, Yoga is so simple; this is all he is trying to portray.

If we just free our minds of any inhibitions, All of the questions will soon fade away, Yet, we want to return to our comforts, Techniques and methods for when we are in need, When pondering on yoga as a lifestyle, We can look at him and realize we can succeed, It's simple-Only if we let it be, Bio data

DR. JAYADEVA YOGENDRA ABOUT ... A scholar, a visionary, a philosopher, a Guru to thousands. Dr.Jayadeva Yogendra is many things to many people. Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra was born to Shri Yogendraji - the Father of Modern Yoga Renaissance - and Smt Sitadevi on 27th April 1929.Shri Yogendraji wasn't just a father to Dr. Jayadeva, he was also his Guru, and it is under his influence that he took to Yoga. Dr. Jayadeva is a pioneer in the field of Yoga. Of his many contributions, he is most renowned within the Yoga community for his integration of all the 4 positive Bhavas, these Bhavas are: Dharma, Jnana,Vairagya and Aiswarya with all yogic practices. Dr. Jayadeva is presently the President of The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, and director of the International Board of Yoga. He is the person responsible for introducing the methodology of teaching Yoga to different groups with specially customized syllabi and programmes. EDUCATION ... • Garda College, Gujarat • M.A. in Sanskrit with Honours from Wilson College • PhD in Philosophy at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan under Mumbai University. RESEARCH ... • Carried out research, in 1951 along with Harvard Scientists and UNESCO Experts on Yoni- Mudra. • Research on History of Yoga in 1966, tracing Vedic Upanishadic pre and post Patanjali's Yoga. • Together with Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homeopathy, in 1970, where medical practitioners from different disciplines examined the patients and the therapy was based on Yoga. • The Central Government recognized the Yoga Institute as a special training institute of Yoga and research and requested The Yoga Institute to conduct a survey of yogis in India, results publish in the book Yoga the modern life. • Research in 7 schools in Bombay in 1986, to assess personality development before and after exposure to Yoga. • First Coronary Care Camp in 1987 with eminent cardiologists • Yoga for Asthma and Bronchitis in 1988 (Results published in the book -Yoga Therapy in Asthma Diabetes and Heart disease) • Yoga in Diabetes in 1988 ( Results published in Yogic Life - Control of Diabetes) • Yoga and Orthopedics in 1990 (Results published in Yoga for Back and Joint Disorders.) • The Caring Heart Project in 2000 with eminent cardiologists (Results published in How to Reverse Heart Disease the Yogic Way - Research facts and Program & Journal of The Association of Physicians of India(JAPI) April 2004 ). • Research on "Weight Management through Yoga" in 2005. CONTRIBUTION ... Or. Jayadeva has endeared himself to thousands of his students by his self- effacing ways and ready guidance. Most of all he inspires all by the purity of his life in which he practices what he preaches. • Carried out a survey of Yogis in India and history of Yoga literature published in 'Yoga in Modern Life' 1961. • Collation and Publication of Hatha Yoga Pradipika in 1963. • Organized All India Conference on Yoga in 1972. • Set up an All India Board of Yoga • Went abroad on invitation of learned bodies and Universities to Melbourne, Frankfurt, Nuremburg, Geneva, Bilibad, Karachi etc in 1974. • Helped establish Yoga Centres abroad in Australia, Canada, USA, Beirut, Spain, Finland, United Kingdom in 1975. • Edited 'Yoga Today' for Macmillan Co. • Helped in setting up first museum on Yoga in 1987, which was inaugurated by the Honorable President Of India - Giani Zail Singh. • Organized workshop on Self Development, Concentration, Relaxation and Memory Training. • Approached by NCERT for preparing a syllabus for teaching Yoga in schools in 1991 . • Organized Pregnancy, Pre and Post Natal Camps in 1991 . • Formulated different programs and syllabi to teach Yoga in its Holistic form to all groups of people. • Organized the World Householders Yoga Conference (WHY) which was presided over by H.H. Dalai Lama in 1997. • Organized a 'Yoga for Youngsters' programme for students of Std X. in twelve Mumbai Municipal Corporation Public Schools in 2008. • Organized special projects for Orphans, Runaway Children and Dyslexic Children in 2008. • Conducting ongoing program for Mumbai Police in 2010. • Set up series of health camps - Cardiac &Hypertension, Diabetes, Respiratory problems, Stress Management, Orthopedics Problems, Pregnancy, Women's Health and Weight Management. ACCREDITATIONS ... • Director of the International Board of Yoga. • Director of The Yoga Institute • Now the President of The Yoga Institute • With the Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homeopathy in the Governing Body. • Member of Scientific Advisory Board of Yoga which funded the research project highlighting the advantage of Yoga Techniques in the treatment of Diabetes. • Editor - 'Yoga and Total Health' since 1961 Bio data

BOOKS AUTHORED ... Dr, Jayadeva is a prolific writer and has authored several books and edited the mammoth Yoga Encyclopedia Series, • Yoga of Caring • Insights through Yoga • Problems and Solutions • Your Words Our Path • Inspiration • Reflection • Master Strokes Volume I , II , III , IV • Thoughts on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali of Dr, Jayadeva Yogendra as recorded by Hansaji and the Sadakas,

Books edited by him include the mammoth project of ... • Yoga Cyclopedia Volume I ~ Asanas and hundred topics starting with letter A • Yoga Cyclopedia Volume II ~ Letter B and Yoga Education for the child and the adult. • Yoga Cyclopedia Volume III~ Stress Management and Mental Health, • Yoga Cyclopedia Volume IV ~ Mystics and Mysticism • Yoga and Modern Life • Yoga Today

RECOGNITION ... • Bhagwandas Purshotamdas Prize for Sanskrit. • Har Govindas Scholarship for PhD • Mentioned in Who's Who? • Times of India September 27th 2009. • The Asian Age 8th January 2009 • Times of India December 27th 2008 • AKS India Enriched Mumbai 24th December 2008 • Times of India October 9th 2002, • The Indian Express November 1997 • Loksatta 24th July 1990 • Times of India 7th November 1986, Dr Jayadeva Yogendra, pioneer of The Yoga Institute, Santacruz has created a name with his teaching in yoga as a pure form, finds Swati Soni

Dr, Jayadeva, born in1929 was influenced and attracted to Yoga, right from his early childhood under the influence of his illustrious father Shri Yogendra, the founder of The Yoga Institute and mother Smt. Sitadevi, a pioneer in teaching Yoga to women, He had everything going for him, a great opportunity to train people and create awareness of the pure form of Yoga, He was offered one of the most coveted positions in the government department. But this simple at heart gentleman, untouched by popularity, declined the prestigious offer deciding instead to impart the knowledge of Yoga to students,

The epitome of Karma Yoga, he is currently the Managing Director of The Yoga Institute, Santacruz and past President of the International Board of Yoga, "He was offered the opportunity influential people, but he decided not to take that up because his perspective was wider," says Hansaji, his wife, He has done his PhD in philosophy and often combines philosophy with Yoga which is what makes his teaching unique, He was one of the pioneers in setting up the first museum in yoga in 1987 in India, "For me, life has always been duty bound, For me, my family comes first and Iam not the kind of person who would get swayed by politics" said Dr, Jayadeva. So much was his dedication to the basic principles and lifestyle of Yoga that he declined a job offered by the Health Ministry too,

The extremely knowledgeable Dr, Jayadeva has also authored several books on Yoga and Health and has been the Editor of the magazine Yoga and Total Health, since the past 65 years,

"He is not affected by any ups and downs and he sees life as a witness and shows no reaction at all," says Hansa Jayadeva,

His students have only one thing to say- He has altered many lives but most of all he inspires all by the purity of life in which he practices what he preaches,

This article was published in Times of India, West Mumbai (Sunday 19th September 2010) The Yoga Institute - Activities'------ti

Yoga Teachers' Training and Therapy Certificate Courses: Intensive Yoga Teachers' Training in theoretical and practical aspects of yoga. These courses are recognized by the Government of India and also internationally. 1 Month Yoga Teachers' Training Course: 7 Months Comprehensive Yoga Teachers' Training Course (English): 1 Year Comprehensive Yoga Teachers' Training Course (Hindi): Pre-requisite for 1 year and 7 months Yoga Teachers' Training Courses is either a 7-day Health Camp, or the 1 Month Yoga Teachers' Training Course. 3 Months Comprehensive Full Time Yoga Teachers' Training and Therapy programme: Either Residential Or from 6.30 a.m to 8.00 p.m. The period of the 3 months will be: Feb/Mar/Apr; May/June/July; Aug /Sept/Oct: Nov/Dec/Jan Prerequisite of the course: a 7 days Health Camp starting on the fourth Saturday of the month. Parisamvada: Free interactive session with Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Director Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 7.20 a.m.. 11.30 a.m., and 6.20 p.m.. Saturday 8.00 a.m. Free Satsang: Every Sunday 9.30 a.rn. to 10.30 a.m. Interesting presentation on different topics. Samatvam: Individual guidance for life management. Every Saturday 2.00 p.m. Special Regular Classes: These classes are of one hour duration. They can be started on any day. They consist of Asanas, Pranayamas, Kriyas and Yogic lifestyle instructions. 21 - Day Better Living Course for Holistic Living Children's Class Couples' Class 7 day Health Camp 2 day Health Camps for Pregnancy, Stress Management, Weight Management, Respiratory problems, Orthopedic problems, Hypertension, Diabetes, etc. PREGNANCY PARENTHOOD & YOGA

OGA HERAPY IN AWFHMA. JlIARF:TF:S &. HEART DISEASE

JnJighb Through Yoga Life School

Is there a Life School where one learns how to live? The objective of such a Life School of course will not be in helping acquire money or power or pleasure but rather in sharing and teaching of the art of a healthy way of life at physical, mental and spiritual levels, Caring and mindfulness and discipline would be its hallmark rather than it possessing tall buildings and expansive campus,

All activities that go on herein including interpersonal relationships in classrooms and administrative offices will lend to a spiritual awareness, Emotional tensions will get resolved against a larger understanding of incomprehensible and irresistible twists and turns of life,Whether it is learning of asanas or the learning of the Yoga Sutras the learning would go on adding to sattvic experience,

The need for specific techniques will diminish in the face of changing values motivations, attitudes and habits, Yogic living will re- establish the homeostatic balance and treatment of diseases will be a by-product of a yogic life, The faith in higher reality would instill a positive approach to life and will definitely lead to a reduction in floating states of anxiety which are responsible for many psychosomatic and neurotic conditions, One would learn to participate fully in any and all activities all day,

This would lead to joy in living and give meaning to life, The Life school would prepare men and women to live well in the world again, They would not only learn this but would teach itto others as well through sharing,

Can we dream of such centres of learning in the country? It does not matter if we call these Life Schools The Yoga Institute or call them by other names, There is an overwhelming need today for such Life Schools in the society, What we seem to lack are not various skills involved in our work or massive information related to it but in actual living models and in living experiences in the fullness of life, OUR APPROACH TO YOGA

Established in 1918, nearing a 100 years, The Yoga Institute is one of the oldest organized centres in the world propagating the ancient traditions of yoga. It is a non-profit organization run by many dedicated students and the Yogendra family. Situated in the heart of Mumbai city, very close to the domestic Airport and spread over one acre of lush green land, with Mango, Coconut and Kailasa trees and flowering bushes, The Yoga Institute consists of over 100 workers and a 1000 students daily.

Classical/Ashtanga Yoga is taught here. Through our four intense teacher training courses recognized by the state government, and our various health camps, we educate people on how to manage and prevent all sorts of health problems. We believe that yoga is much more than physical exercise. It is about keeping a balanced state of mind; yoga is there in everything we do.

The Institute carries out scientific research, publishes the same in scientific journals and has published over 70 books, some in their 6th edition, translated into 6 languages. Some of our regular activities include classes for Children, Young Adults and Senior Citizens and Health Camps for Pregnancy, Stress Management, Diabetes, Orthopaedic problems, Obesity, etc.

Shri Yogendra Marg, Prabhat Colony, Santacruz (East), Mumbai - 400 055, India. Tel.: +91 222611 0506/26122185 • Email: [email protected]@yogainstitute.org Website: www.theyogainstitute.org

Santacruz Railway Station (East) D

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