“I Vow to Practice Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga”

“I Vow To Practice Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga”

A Study Guide for The Feast of Ruchira Avatara Purnima July 2001

A Course for Members of All Congregations of Adidam

1 NOTE TO THE READER

All who study Adidam (the Way of the Heart) or take up its practice should remember that they are responding to a Call to become responsible for themselves. They should understand that they, not Avatar Adi Da Samraj or others, are responsible for any decision they may make or action they take in the course of their lives of study or practice. The devotional, Spiritual, functional, practical, relational, cultural, and formal community practices and disciplines referred to in this book are appropriate and natural practices that are voluntarily and progressively adopted by each student-novice and member of Adidam and adapted to his or her personal circumstance. Although anyone may find them useful and beneficial, they are not presented as advice or recommendations to the general reader or to anyone who is not a student-novice or a member of Adidam. And nothing in this book is intended as a diagnosis, prescription, or recommended treatment or cure for any specific "problem", whether medical, emotional, psychological, social, or Spiritual. One should apply a particular program of treatment, prevention, cure, or general health, only in consultation with a licensed physician or other qualified professional.

I Vow To Practice Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga is formally authorized for publication by the Ruchira Sannyasin Order of the Free Renunciates of Ruchiradam, as an educational course for formally acknowledged devotees of the Divine World-Teacher, Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj. (The Ruchira Sannyasin Order of the Free Renunciates of Ruchiradam is the senior Spiritual and Cultural Authority within the formal gathering of formally acknowledged devotees of the Divine World-Teacher, Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj.)

This course was written by Rebecca Plunkett.

NOTE TO BIBLIOGRAPHERS: The correct form for citing Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj's Name (in any form of alphabetized listing) is: Adi Da Samraj, Ruchira Avatar

Copyright © 2001 The Da Love-Ananda Samrajya Pty Ltd, as trustee for The Da Love-Ananda Samrajya. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher.

The Da Love-Ananda Samrajya Pty Ltd, as trustee for The Da Love-Ananda Samrajya claims perpetual copyright to this book, to the entire Written (and otherwise recorded) Wisdom-Teaching of Avatar Adi Da Samraj, and to all other writings and recordings of the Way of Adidam. Printed in the United States of America

2 “I Vow To Practice Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga”: A Study Guide for the Feast of Ruchira Avatara Purnima July 2001

How to Use this Course:

This course combines readings, recitations, memorization, and cultural discussions about the Celebration of the Feast of Ruchira Avatara Purnima and the practice of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga to prepare you bodily for the upcoming celebration. This course can be used in conjunction with education classes and sacramental occasions, or for private study for first and second congregation devotees. You may tailor the readings and exercises to fit your schedule and focus, or your region's schedule and focus .

Give Beloved Adi Da your whole-bodily surrender of attention and enjoy the Grace that follows.

About the Feast

The Feast of Ruchira Avatara Purnima, also known as “The Purnima Feast of the Ruchira Avatar, Adi Da Samraj”, celebrates the Guru-devotee relationship between Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj and His devotees. Like Guru Purnima in the Hindu tradition, the Feast of Ruchira Avatara Purnima is celebrated when the moon is considered to be the brightest of the year, during the full moon of the Hindu month of Ashadh. Traditionally, Guru Purnima celebrates the appearance of the Spiritual Master. Often this celebration coincided with the beginning of the summer monsoons in India, making travel difficult or impossible. So devotees busily worked to create the most attractive environment for their guru, hoping to attract him or her to their village for the celebration, and, thus, for the entire monsoon season. (For more information about the traditional worship of the Guru and Guru Purnima, see Love of the God- Man, pages 529-542)

In the Adidam tradition, the Prasad for this Feast is flower petals from Avatar Adi Da's sacred Padukas. And the Gift of this Celebration is Ruchira-Avatara Bhakti, The By-Me-Given Gift Of Devotion (and The Gifted Calling, and The By-Me-Given Responsibility, For Devotionally Responsive Practice Of Fully Felt, and Inherently ego-transcending, Heart- Devotion To Me, and For Fully Activated, and Effectively ego-Forgetting and ego-Transcending, Devotional Surrender Of Separate and Separative self to Me) . . . (The Dawn Horse Testament Of The Ruchira Avatar, from the Epilogue)

The Significance of the Guru’s Feet

The Prasad of flower petals from Beloved Adi Da’s Padukas reflects the importance of the Sat-Guru's Feet. The Guru has the capability to release the devotee from the bondage of self- attention:

Because He Is the Great and Only and Very One, devotees should surrender and forget themselves at the Feet of the Divine Heart Master. Because He Is the Great and Only and Very 3 One, the Graceful Radiance that Flows from the Divine Heart-Master's Feet Releases attention from the ego-“I” and the world.

To live in the service of the Divine Heart-Master is the Secret of the Way of Truth. His Body Is the Tree of Life. His Feet are Planted in the Heart of every being's heart--and anything offered at His Feet is Returned in the Form of Radiant Blessings. [Ruchira Avatara Gita, verses 43 and 46]

This Gift of Beloved Adi Da’s Radiant Blessings becomes even more precious when the devotee recognizes the Sacrifice made by the Guru. A devotee of Nityanada found that “his Master's feet were considerably swollen, and asked him what the matter was. He told her, 'All people come here for seva. They also deposit their desires and difficulties at the feet and while the ocean of divine mercy washes away much of the effect, a little has to be accepted by the body, which has been assumed only for the sake of the devotees.’” (Nityananda, the Divine Presence [Hatengdi, 1984], p. 100)

Readings on the Guru-devotee relationship and Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga:

What, Where, When, How, Why, and Who To Remember To Be Happy: “How to Practice Whole-Bodily Devotion to Me, pp. 176-186 “The By-Me-Given Three-Part Practice of 'Conductivity'”, pp. 142-145 “Surrender the Faculties of the Body-Mind to Me”, pp. 159-175

Hridaya Rosary “I Am The Inherently egoless Divine Heart Itself, Appearing To All and all As The Divine Heart- Master—Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj”, from In My “Bright” Revelation . . . (p.106) to . . . Self-Revealed, In Person, To You. (p.108)

Ishta: “How Magical! How Profound!”, 171-175 “The Secret of Devotion to Me”, 266-267 “The Basic Principle”, 162-164 “The Devotional Yoga of the Breath”, 167-168 “The Foundation Practice” 169-70

4 Study Questions and Exercises

1. Why is devotion so fundamental to the Way of Adidam? (p. 171-175, Ishta)

2. Define Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga. Why is it considered a discipline in the Way of Adidam? How is Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga a devotional response to Beloved Adi Da?

3. What is the specific practice of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga for surrendering the faculty of mind? the faculty of emotion? the faculty of breath? the faculty of the whole body? (pp. 176-181, What, Where, When, How, Why, and Who To Remember To Be Happy)

4. The practice of the Way of Adidam is built on two devotionally responsive exercises. What are they? (p. 142, What, Where, When, How, Why, and Who To Remember To Be Happy) Why is “conductivity” in the Way of Adidam a secondary practice, and one to be used both in meditation and in daily life, by all devotees of all ages? Describe in detail and demonstrate to others the technical practice of the three-part exercise of “conductivity”. Based on your study and practice of the three-part exercise of “conductivity” this week, how does this practice support your devotional responsiveness to Beloved?

5. In the daily Ruchira Avatara Murti and Paduka Puja this week, listen with extra attention to The Vow Of moment to moment Practice Of The Divinely Revealed Supreme Yoga Of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti. (attached at end) What is the significance of this vow? How did you fulfill it today? In your parishes, communities, households, or devotional groups, read this vow aloud. Discuss how you can live this vow more fully. How can the living of this vow of practice can make our lives together more profound?

6. What is the limitation on your practice of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga? (page 159, What, Where, When, How, Why, and Who To Remember To Be Happy)

A. Write out a list all the circumstances that make the practice of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga difficult or seemingly impossible in your case. (You may wish to set aside 20 to 30 minutes for this part of the exercise.) B. Read Beloved Adi Da’s Talk, “Surrender the Faculties of the body-mind to Me” (pp. 159-175, What, Where, When, How, Why, and Who To Remember To Be Happy) C. Discuss formally with others (in devotional or household groups) your original list. Describe the situations that seem most difficult to surrender. With their help and support, make specific agreements to enable you to surrender body, mind, emotion, and breath in the circumstance that most binds your attention egoically. D. Report back to your friends in a week or two about the results of this practice.

7. What is the result of fully practicing Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga moment to moment, according to Beloved Adi Da? (p. 108, Hridaya Rosary) What is your experience of this? 5 Optional questions

8. Avatar Adi Da Samraj: "Always make your life, your body-mind, a garland. Always be stringing the flowers." (p. 267, Ishta) Consider with your devotional group, household and intimates ways in which you can individually and collectively make your life into a gift for Beloved Adi Da through specific changes.

9. Select a devotional activity this week you rarely engage for an experiment. (Choose from memorization, full-feeling prostrations, laying on of hands, chant, recitation, mala-making, lakita japa, Devotional Prayer of Changes, or the own-body Yogic sexual practice.). Select one that seems attractive or interesting enough to commit the time to participate in the experiment. Commit the appropriate amount of time to involve yourself in this practice at the beginning of the week. (For example, set aside 10 minutes a day for memorization; 15 minutes on three days during the week for full-feeling prostrations or chanting, etc.) After each session of practice, jot down responses to these questions: What results did you notice in your devotional responsiveness to Beloved Adi Da? What apparent limitations arose? What enjoyment arose? At the end of the week, write out a summary of your conclusions. On the basis of this experiment, what was the effect of turning your attention to Beloved Adi Da in this way for this period of time?

6 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Readings from the Great Tradition:

Light on the Path, Swami Muktananda

Fifty Verses of Guru-Devotion, Avaghosa

“The Worship of the Feet of the Sat-Guru, the Epitome of self-Surrendered Devotion”, James Steinberg, Love of the God-Man, p. 529-542

Chant: Ruchira Avatara Gita, chanted by Trivedi Naamleela Free Jones

Audio Recordings "Use Your Advantage" audiotape "Do this Yoga in all Your Parts" audiotape

Recitations Hridaya Rosary:

“The Divine Way of Adidam Is heart-recognition of Me, and heart-response to Me”, p. 251-263 “I Am The Way to Transcend the Illusions of Broken Light”, p. 270-280

Da Love-Ananda Gita:

“Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Sara (The Essence of Devotion To Me)”, p. 251-261

Suggested Memorization :

Never forget Me

Never forget Me. Never. Never break the "Bond" with Me. Never dissociate from Me. The functions, the life-circumstance, the ordinary relatedness that you are involved in by your daily choices--all of that is about "bonding" to the world, "bonding" to another, "bonding" to function, and so forth. And all of that, in itself, is the forgetting of Me, the breaking of the "Bond" with Me, and (altogether) the activity of dissociation from Me. Therefore, you must convert every mode and fraction and moment of your daily existence to ego-surrendering, ego-forgetting, and (more and more) ego-transcending devotional Communion with Me. Such is the essential practice of the only-by-Me Revealed and Given Way of Adidam. (Ruchira Avatara Gita, p. 267)

7 8 The Vow Of moment to moment Practice Of The Divinely Revealed Supreme Yoga Of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti

<> The Divine Heart-Master, Ruchira Avatar Adi Da Samraj, Speaks To every Heart:

The Only-By-Me Revealed and Given Way Of Adidam Is, In every moment, Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga--or The Surrender, The Forgetting, and The Transcending of your Separate (and Separative) self By Entering Into Communion With Me, The Non-Separate One. Therefore, Practice Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga moment to moment (In every circumstance, every function, and every relationship), As Real Devotion To Me, The Beloved Of The Heart.

Now Let Us Offer The Vow Of moment to moment Practice Of The Divinely Revealed Supreme Yoga Of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti.<>

(All Present Raise hands In The Gesture Of Invocation and Beholding)

>< Divine Heart-Master, Adi Da Samraj, I Vow To Rightly and Consistently Practice The By-You-Given Yoga Of Ruchira Avatara Bhakti--in every moment, and under all circumstances.

Divine Heart-Master, Adi Da Samraj, I Vow To Practice Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga As Total psycho-physical Devotion To You, and Devotional Communion With You—Always Devotionally Recognizing You, and Always Devotionally Responding To You.

Divine Heart-Master, Adi Da Samraj, I Vow To Practice Ruchira Avatara Bhakti Yoga As The moment to moment Fulfillment Of Your Great Admonition To All Your Devotees (To Always Invoke You, Feel You, Breathe You, and Serve You)—and I Vow To Constantly Exercise This Great Admonition By Surrendering, Forgetting, and Transcending the self- Contracted body, and self-Contracted emotion, and self-Contracted mind, and Even every self- Contracted breath, and (Altogether) Even all of Separate (and Separative) self, In moment to moment (and Unlimitedly Heart-Felt, and whole-bodily Receptive, and Fully breathing, and Only-By-You Distracted) Devotional Remembrance Of You and Direct Devotional self- Surrender To You, The “Bright” Divine Incarnation Of The Heart Itself. ><

(Full Devotional Gesture Of Heart-Surrender To The Ruchira Avatar, Adi Da Samraj, the “Bright” Divine Incarnation Of The Heart Itself)