Divya Jivan Newsletter

Sivananda Ashram

May 2018

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OM Namo Bhagawate Sivanandaya!      
OM Namo Bhagawate Chidanandaya!
OM Namo Narayanaya!
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The Power of " Satsanga" -  Swami Sivananda

The Meaning of Satsanga
The word ‘Satsanga’ is the combination of the two words ‘Sat’ and ‘Sanga.’ ‘Sat’ means existence absolute, which is Brahman. ‘Sat’ is the essential nature of Brahman which is permanent in things that change, which is the only reality that upholds the world of appearance.  The same ‘Sat,’ with the accidental attributes of omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence is called Isvara or Paramatman. In brief, ‘Sat’ refers to Isvara as well as Brahman, both ultimately being the one and the same reality.  ‘Sanga’ literally means company or union. To be always in the company of the Lord, or to be established in Brahman, is the literal meaning of the word ‘Satsanga.’ But, as long as ignorance or Avidya remains, the direct realization of Brahman is impossible. When ignorance is destroyed by wisdom, the real nature reveals itself. This is the highest Satsanga.

The glow and power of Satsanga, association with the wise, saints, Yogis, Sannyasins and Mahatmas is indescribable. Even a moment’s company is quite sufficient to overhaul the old vicious Samskaras of the worldly people. The magnetic aura, the spiritual vibration, and the powerful currents of developed adepts produce a tremendous influence on the minds of worldlings. Service of Mahatmas purifies the minds of passionate men very rapidly. Satsanga elevates the mind to magnanimous heights. Just as a single matchstick burns huge bundles of cotton in a few seconds, so also, the company of saints burns all thoughts and Samskaras of passion within a short time. The only potent specific for inducing burning Vairagya and burning desire for liberation is Satsanga and Satsanga alone.- Swami Sivananda  << Read More>>

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Early Morning Meditation Talk from " Ponder These truths" by Swami Chidananda

We Live in  a Friendly World  - "We live in a friendly world in which everything that exists is eager to assist us. Everything seen, heard, touched, tasted, smelled, thought about, imagined are all eager to help in our evolution. As a matter of fact, they are not only there to help evolution, but you have been put here amidst them in order to assist and achieve your own evolution unto perfection. Everything wishes to help us; all things are part of our evolution. This is the Truth ".........

" Fire is indispensable in the kitchen; otherwise, we cannot cook food. A sharp knife is also indispensable for cutting the vegetables. And if we use the indispensable factors of fire and steel with caution, they will help us, and we will benefit from them day in, day out, year after year.".......

"Pondering this truth, one will behold the world as God, behold the world as angelic and not demonic. And it will arouse in one a great joy, a great hope, a great feeling of gratitude, a great feeling of friendliness to all life around, for all things around, animate and inanimate. For God made them all and put us amidst them. May this truth enlighten your onward march towards the great Goal!" - Swami Chidananda  << Read More>>

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Learning of  "Jeevan Yog" from a Yoga Acharya Swami Adhyatmananda
Through TV episodes of "Jeevan Yoga" Series by Doordarshan Girnar

Prana - "The true meaning of Prana is not only breath. The Prana is energy. It is universal power, brightness, light andintelligence. All these cosmic energies are named as Prana."Yatkinchit Jagat Sarvam Drishyate Shruyatepiva..This Prana is filled in all that we see and hear, the inside and outside of all things, all movement etc. in this world.
 
The Prana is the source of all capabilities and the power in the universe. Prana is the only power behind the normal functioning of the system of respiration (inhalation and exhalation), blood circulation, digestion, excretion of urine and stool, system producing semen, structure of our bones and also the nervous system.The working abilities of sensory organs and motor organs improve as each cell  gets extra nutrition. The secret of beauty of skin, shining of the face, brightness of the eyes, intelligence power and development of mental power is the result of the practice of Pranayama. The practice of Pranayama means oneness with cosmic energy. Pranayama Sadhana opens the doors of subtle life from the gross life "-  Swami Adhyatmananda

  << More>>

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Highlighting the news and upcoming events

 

Maa Sri Ashtlaksmi - Adipeeth Chandi Yajana / Utsav Ganga (April 28, 2018 - May 3, 2018 )

 

A Birthday Greetings to H. H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj ( May 3, 2018) Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad invites you to join with us in  "Aayush Homam" & satsanga with Mahatmas organized on happy occasion of  69th Birthday Celebration of Pujya Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj on May 3, 2018. We pray to the Almighty Lord, Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Gurumaharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj for Pujya Swamiji’s good health and long life so that He could be a guiding light to spiritual aspirants all over. Pujya Swamiji is the embodiment of the teachings of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. He is a tireless karma yogi who utilizes every second of His day in rendering the highest service to Mankind.

 

41 ^st Yoga Teachers Training Course (YTTc) through SIVA (Sivananda International Vedanta-Yoga Academy):  You can still enroll contact the ashram for the details, visit our SIVA Yoga Center  /registration form / Guest Info page

News & Activity Report for the month of April 2018

Divya Jivan /  March 2018/ April 2018

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Q & A on Spiritual Life and Sadhana from “May I Answer That?”- by Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj
What is the difference between Bhakti and Jnana?

Bhakti is devotion. It is a means to the end which is attainment of Jnana. People of emotional temperament are fit for this path. It demands self-surrender or Atma-nivedan. It is the cat-Yoga. The kitten cries aloud and the mother cat runs at once to catch it by the mouth. So also, the devotee cries aloud like Draupadi and Gajendra and the Lord Krishna runs immediately to rescue him and shower His grace. The Bhakti Marga demands only sincere, intense devotion, blind faith and strong conviction as Prahlad had. There is no necessity for learning. Illiterate people like Tukaram who could not sign even their names had realized God. There is no need for vast learning or study. A Bhakta wants to eat sugar-candy. He wants to sit by the side of the Lord.

Jnana is the Yoga of self-expansion. It demands self-reliance. Only people of an intellectual temperament with Vichara Sakti or the power of discrimination and ratiocination are fit for the path of Jnana or knowledge. It is the monkey-Yoga. The young monkey does not cry, but itself clings tenaciously to the body of its mother wherever the mother runs. This Yoga demands a vast study of Vedantic literature, a sharp intellect, bold understanding, gigantic will and courage. A Jnani wants to become an embodiment of sugar-candy, instead of tasting sugar-candy. A Jnani wants to become identical with the Existence (Eka Aikyam).
 

Birthday Greetings to H.H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji  Maharaj

Gurudevarpanmastu!