7/30/09

My "Sadhana Vidyala"

Namaste,

I'm CM Shrinidhi, studying class VI from Sadhana Vidyalaya.

On the ocassion of First Anniversary of Sadhana Sangama e-Newsletter, I would like to share few of my experiences about my school - Sadhana Vidyalaya.

I come from a rural background and children of my age group are fond of play and whiling away our time in the vast open areas. Schooling was never in our life. When Guruji uncle started Sadhana Vidyalaya, we came to know that schooling is fun too.

Presently, my school has up to standard 6th. Around 240 children are studying in my school. My school has a very peaceful and clean environment. The teachers are extremely polite and loving and they use easy methods to make us understand what is taught in class. We learn things through fun. My school has a play area wherein we have swings, sea-saw and open space for football and running around during play hours.

My school also has a vast open area wherein all children assemble and learn yoga. Its really fun learning all the yogasanas. we enjoy the yoga session with the teacher.

All children also sit in Meditation Hall and practice Meditation. Morning Prayers is also part of our daily schedule.

During lunch time, my school provides good, hygienic food to all children, teachers and other staffs. Myself and others relish the tasty food that is being served every day.

My school has 4 buses that brings us to the school from our homes. I enjoy my school because all the children spend our time like we do at our homes. I thank Guruji uncle for providing me this wonderful experience called Sadhana Vidyalaya.

With Love
CM Shrinidhi

Hello! How are you?...

VASHA-SHAVA-SHIVA

Our ancestors categorised days/moments for prayers, for personality development / transformation and for attaining the true Self within. The observance of such performance on a particular day / moment is called vrata. Shivaratri has been given a special importance to move from darkness to light.

Shiva means auspiciousness. In order to reach ‘Shiva state of being,’ we need to follow the process of attaining that. If you jumble the Sanskrit letters in shi-va, it can be combined to get the word va-shi, meaning ‘gripped by’ or ‘in the grip of’. We are in vasha, in the grip of certain things. Whose grip? One needs to ponder dispassionately in order to understand that. If you jumble the letters in va-sha, one can coin sha-va. Then, what is shava? What is Shiva? What is vasha?

If one observes one’s life-style, one would realise that everybody is in the grip of sensory organs. We are immersed in the grip of sensory pleasures. We have forgotten ourselves, as we are under the grip of desires, under the grip of greed. Our bonded life, filled with rajas, has made our life miserable. With the grace of the Lord, the Guru, the awareness of ‘I am none of these’, ‘my state is something else’ dawns on sadhakas often. When you are gripped by anger, when you are immersed in the depth of greed, when you are caught by passion, in those situations if you realise that ‘I am none of those’, ‘It is not my true nature’, then, you are in the ‘Shiva state of being.’

Who am I? Under whose grip am I? How did I enter those grips? Such thoughts would lead you to Shiva Consciousness. That is the state of Shiva. In order to attain the Shiva Consciousness, in order to identify that, the dance of prakriti attached to it should be stopped. The life engrossed with prakriti should cease to exist. Becoming ‘shava’ is that.

I need to become Shava, a corpse, in order to become Shiva. Shiva-Shakti means the combination of nature and consciousness. We are struggling to have harmony between within and without. We are trying to lead a happy life. We are not able to attain that. It is a tragedy. In order to be free from the dance of sensory organs, an awareness of ‘I am none of these’ is a must. We should also be aware that whatever happens is with the Grace of the Lord.

In order to attain the Shiva state of being, may we live in that awareness.

Finally, With this issue we have entering second year of publishing Sadhana Sangama E-Newsletter. We sincerenly believe that you have cherished the contents of this newsletters. Many seekers, who attended my programs wanted the contents of the programs they attended in a written form so that they could remind themselves of the path again and again. In a way, in the 12 issues brought out, we hope you could find out sections more relevant to you.

In service of Guru Parampara,
Sri Pattabhiram

Guru Poornima Celebration

Guru Poornima was celebrated at “Kala Yoga” Headquarter of Sadhana Sangama Trust with great enthusiasm. Sadhakas participated in the function with fervor and enthusiasm in large numbers.

On the occasion, Guruji spoke briefly about the importance and significance of Guru Poornima and taught us a new method of meditation on Guru. He said Gurupoornima is an important day wherein all sadhakas meet and pledge their faith and belief in the Guru Tatva and seek the blessings of the Guru and the Guru Parampara on the auspicious day.

Adhi Guru is Shiva. Shiva means auspicious light. Shiva Swaroopa is in our breathing in the form of “Soham”. This soham becomes mantra when awareness follows this breathing. Then it takes the form of energy – Hamsa. We should try to focus and stay with that divine light – shiva swaroopa.

In the Himalayan Tradition, the Gurutatva started with Hiranya Garbha – Golden Womb supposed to be Brahma’s Manasa Putra. From there on the Guru lineage is continuing through Aadhi Sesha and Vyasa without any break and working in the entire universe. Pujya Swami Rama is the recent link in our Tradition. This Guru Tatva takes the form of Guru with a definite Mission on earth and works, by joining and uplifting sincere souls that are interest to uplift themselves..

It is much easier for us when the Guru energy takes form of a human being, to see, relate, talk, discuss and communicate and get connected with that energy. When the Guru is not limited by the human form becomes the Mantra, the Mantra, then becomes the Devatha and all the three – Guru, Mantra & Devatha become one.

The emotion that obstructs in relating with the Guru energy should be given up. This message of the Masters should be remembered and reinforced within us by all of us on the occasion of Guru Poornima. .

Our experiences in the Sadhana & Mantra should translate into Bhakthi. This Bhakthi should become Shakthi – Strength and this Strength should become the weapon for destroying all the obstacles in the path of Sadhana. For this to happen we should create proper environment that will facilitate the Guru Kripa to flow uninterruptedly. We should become the magnet attracting the Guru Tatwa and for that there should be a clear and sustained transformation in our nature, habit pattern and attitude.

Anybody can invoke Guru Kripa, provided one strives sincerely for it to happen.

Life is a procession, a parade. Ups and downs are part of life. We have to seek the grace of the Guru to give us strength to retain our individuality and not be affected by the ups and downs of life.

The celebration ended with puja and arati to Guru Swami Rama and after partaking of Prasadam.



Discipline Means Self Commitment


You have to light your own lamp. No one will give you salvation. I am talking of enlightenment. All individuals have the responsibility to enlighten themselves. Do not think you cannot do it. You have that spark. You are fully equipped. You simply need to discipline yourself. Discipline is not a prison. It simply means practice.

Patanjali says that you have the capacity to unfold yourself and lead yourself to a state of tranquility. Then you will understand things as they are. Otherwise, you create darkness for yourself and you are not able to see things clearly. The human mind remains clouded because the external world does not provide correct data. In the external world everything is fleeting. The moment you want to study something in the external world, that thing changes its name and form and you cannot study it. First, you will have to remove the clouds of ignorance from your mind. When you have clarity of mind, then you can study things as they are, and there will be no confusion.

Thus, when Patanjali says, “Atha yoganush-asanam,” he means that if you really want to unfold yourself, you first should learn to discipline yourself. People are afraid of the word “discipline.” Discipline is not a punishment. You will enjoy it once you know it. Discipline means self-commitment. When you commit yourself to your progress, then slowly you will find that the light is within you. These external lights—the sun, moon, stars, and electric lights—are superficial lights. The Upanishads say again and again, “hiran-mayena patrena satyasyapihitam mukham, tat tvam pushann apavrinu satya dharmaya drishtaye.” (Isho-panishad 15). “The face of Truth is hidden by the golden disc. Oh Lord, help me so that I can see the Truth within.” You keep trying to find Truth in the external world, but it is not there. Those who have found Truth within themselves can express that same Truth in the external world, and they are considered to be great people.

The discipline you need to learn this science, to follow the path for the inward journey, is not the discipline that you already have. You have to understand this subtle point. You had to have discipline in the colleges and universities to study things in the external world and to verify things in the external world. Learning in the external world is entirely different from yoga discipline. In the external world you move. However, when you want to go to the deeper levels of your being, stillness is important. In all other journeys you have to move. In this journey you do not have to move at all. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is a simple formula, but very difficult to apply. From your childhood onward you are taught to move. Nobody teaches you how to be still. You have to learn not to move. “Anushasanam,” the discipline that you have to follow, you have not yet learned. Since it is a completely new undertaking, it seems difficult.

To learn yoga science, which leads you to the highest rungs of life, which takes you to the summum bonum of life, which leads you to the kingdom of wisdom, peace, and bliss, and which leads you to freedom from all pains and miseries, you first have to discipline yourself. In modern education there is enough knowledge, enough books, and enough freedom, but there is no training program for discipline. No one tells you how to study yourself or how to practice. Patanjali says this is not the way. That knowledge which you consider to be knowledge is not fruitful or helpful. First, learn to discipline yourself.

At any age, at any time, you can discipline yourself. It is not too late. You have to discipline yourself. Discipline is real learning. Learn to say no to yourself. Listen to that part of mind that tells you “no.” If you really want to practice, for some time don’t listen to that part of mind that says “yes.” If you understand “no” well, you will understand yes easily. When you want to steal something, mind says, “Don’t.” Another part of mind says, “Oh, yes. Come on, do it. You’ll enjoy it. You’ll like it. You should have it.” Don’t listen to the “yes.” Listen to “no” first. Tell yourself you’re not going to do that. You have to understand the impact of “no” and learn to use it with yourself and not with others. Never use the word no with others, with those with whom you live, or with those whom you love. Learn to use that no for yourself. This will give you strength.

Discipline should not be forced by teachers or by others. Patanjali says the whole foundation of samadhi is anushasanam. You have to understand the word “anushasanam” in a practical way. Discipline means to regulate yourself on three levels: mind, action, and speech. Determine that from today you will begin to discipline yourself. It is a simple thing. Do not make big plans or too many rigid rules for yourself. Start with small things: “I will wake up at four-thirty.” One simple rule. “After that, I will go to finish my ablutions and do my exercise. Exactly at five-thirty I will sit down in meditation.” Discipline yourself. If you do not have the zeal, vigor, and determination to discipline yourself, you cannot follow the path. When you have decided something, you need determination to act according to your decision. If you lack determination, you will not be successful, even though you have decided. If you have decided that you will practice yoga, that decision must be supported by determination. “Yes. I will practice it every day. The day I don’t practice, I will not eat.” The next day you will say, “I have to practice because I have to eat.”

When a student comes to a teacher he wants to see a miracle. You yourself are a miracle. How did Christ change water into wine? Only a perfect yoga master could do that. Do you know what Christ did? There was an essay contest on this topic among the writers of Britain when I was studying in Europe. One person answered the question in one line and he won the prize. The line was, “When the master looked upon the beloved, she blushed.” When Christ looked at the water, the water changed its color. Anything around you is subject to change according to the way you look at it. The day you understand this principle your entire environment can be changed if you are really disciplined. Do not blame nature, God, or others. Ninety-nine percent of your problems are self-created. You know it, though you do not accept it.

You say you cannot get enlightened, you can never see God. You have a desire to see God, yet you have no concept or understanding of what God is, so nothing is going to happen. You are searching for enlightenment in the external world, but that is not the way. Are you prepared for the journey from the grossest to the subtlest aspect of your being? Are you competent enough to discipline yourself on all levels? Can you practice? Are you prepared to know life within and without? If you are, come along. How will you do it? “Now, yoga science is being expounded.” What is that exposition? How can you create a bridge between the external and the internal? How can you understand all the mysteries of life here and hereafter? How can you understand your relationship with the universe? How can you understand the purpose of your life? All this will be explained, but first you should understand mind and its modifications.

- Swami Rama

(Extracted from sites.google.com/site/swamiramateachings)

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