Amma is coming to London

Namaste,

till thursday 17th, at Alexandra Palace, North London.
Amma is coming to London, programme begins tuesday 15th Nov through

Check http://www.amma.org.uk/  for more details.

Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi, is a Self Realized Soul who sees All as
One, and has made it her mission to bring Love and Compassion to
everyone. She travels around the world giving her Blessings, Darshan.
Popularly known as the Hugging Saint. A Hug from her is unlike any
other Hug. We melt in her lap. Ordinarily, we have to make great
effort to go on a pilgrimage, to see Great Souls. It is rare to meet a
Living Saint, and she makes it easy for us by coming to our own
country and city. Its a beautiful unforgettable experience.

Give yourself plenty of time. It will be busy and you will have to
queue for a Darshan Token(free). Once you have your token, you can
relax, browse the stalls, find out about Amma and her humanitarian
work and spiritual teachings, have a massage, probably yoga, hot chai,
drinks, indian and western snacks and meals available most of the day
and night. There'll be chanting, divine music and singing. Amma will
sing evenings tuesday and wednesday. Thursday she blesses all through
the night in special Devi Bhava, finishing friday morning, showering
us all with Love and rose petals.

You can volunteer while you are there, it is much appreciated and a
great way to learn more.Here's a few clips to give
you a taste of Amma,
Om Shanti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JjCOpx_zPM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPjC-T3LWe0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCJB4gRp_jU

Vishnu Swami sent to the West to teach Hatha Yoga, 1957

Vishnu Swami in the scorpion in front of Master Sivananda and fellow Gurubais.

 H.H. Swami Sivananda said to his young disciple, "Vishnu Swami, one day you must go to America. People are waiting there for you to teach them Yoga."  With Faith and Devotion, Vishnu Swami set off on his mission in 1957, arriving first in Sri Lanka where his Gurubai Swami Satchidananda (who later founded Integral Yoga Institute) had a centre in Colombo. Throughout his journey, disciples of Swami Sivananda and devotees took care of him and arranged programmes so he could teach Hatha Yoga and conduct Satsang.

He travelled to Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia. In Indonesia he taught the police force and they were so grateful, they gave him an International Driving Licence! From there he went to Australia, Hawaii and finally landed in San Francisco, where he was met by Mr and Mrs McRury of Oakland.  He conducted yoga classes and taught himself to drive. He was the subject of many tests at UCLA, testing muscle strength, changes during pranayama and meditation and so forth. This earned him $50 a day which was a lot of money for him. With only fruits, nuts and water in an old banger, he drove around America getting to know the place and the people. He visited Dr Marcus Bach, Professor of Religion at Iowa University who later wrote the foreword in Swamiji's "The Complete Ilustrated Book of Yoga".

Swamiji was also hosted by Mr and Mrs Massey in Ottawa. Mrs Massey was the daughter- in- law  of the Governor General of Canada. He travelled to Montreal in 1959. Dora Henritt attended his first lecture in Montreal. She became his disciple Swami Ramananda and worked with him throughout her life. Sylvia Heck arranged all of Swamiji's programmes and became the first Secretary when the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers became officially established in 1959. The first Center was established in St. Lawrence Blvd where it is still thriving. Though his students wanted him to make Montreal the HQ, he travelled to New York thinking this would be his home base. Here, he began drafting an outline for "The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga". One student took this to a publisher and arranged an advance of $200  for him which Swamiji said literally saved his life and created the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers around the world. Swamiji was now travelling back and forth between Montreal and New York, and decided to get himself a plane and teach himself to fly thinking he would save on commuting expense! That plane is now in the Peace Museum at the Sivananda Yoga Camp in Val Morin, near Montreal.

While in Montreal, he noticed classes dropped dramatically in the summer months and learnt that Canadians were going to the Laurentian Mountains weekends and holidays. He had the idea of arranging a Yoga Vaccation. The first one was held in 1961 at Sylvia Heck's parents summer home in St Hyppolite. It was a new experience for Swamiji to see westerners shunning the comforts of their home to sleep roughly and live simply in their eagerness to learn yoga. He knew they were ready to learn.
While meditating, he often felt drawn by a magnetic energy towards Val Morin and knew something important would happen there. Sure enough, the following year, the first camp was held in Val Morin. Swamiji wanted a permanent site for the yoga camp and came to the current site in Feb 1962. It was a dense forest of maple trees and conifers, but Swamiji knew intuitively that this was to be his camp base. Along with students, Swamiji worked hard chopping trees, clearing up space and preparing for the opening day of the Summer Yoga Camp. Since that time, the Yoga Camp has welcomed yoga students from all parts of the globe, myself included. I first went there in July 1988 to take my Yoga Teachers Training Course, and this was an important turning point in my life. Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the Sivananda Yoga Camp in Val Morin.

Everybody is invited, see http://www.sivananda.org/camp/?page_id=2401
.
The International Yoga Vedanta Centers worldwide have flourished with the Grace of Swami Sivananda and the pure devotion, brilliance and sheer hard work and sacrifice of my Guru, Swami Vishnu devananda. He dedicated his life to serve his Guru, and fulfill the  Mission given to him by his Swami Sivananda, bringing Yoga to the West. He has enabled thousands worldwide to benefit from the teachings of Hatha Yoga, the wisdom and knowledge disseminated by Swami Sivananda, and all the Sages and Saints of India before him. We take it for granted now that we can go to yoga classes, learn meditation, go to a satsang and chant sanskrit mantras, go to an ashram for a yoga vaccation and learn many workshops and courses relating to the topic of Yoga. The organisation is non-profit and is run almost entirely by volunteers who have come and gone over the years, some are still around. Many people's lives have been touched by the work of this dynamic devoted Yogi, Swami Vishnu devananda, and the Universal Love and profound wisdom of Swami Sivananda. Swami Vishnu devananda never declared himself to be above anyone. In fact he always said he wasn't perfect and made mistakes. It can't have been easy for a young Indian man to arrive in the west with no money, no formal education or work, very few contacts and to quickly familiarise himself with the cultural differences of the western people and facilitate their learning of ancient yogic teachings. He was pragmatic and visionary, slowly introducing them to the practice in a form which they could assimilate into their daily lives. Unstoppable in his service to humanity, nothing was impossible. Understanding that humanity is One, he facilitated the coming together of people from all cultures, celebrating "Unity in Diversity". His work continues in all the Sivananda Yoga Vedanata Centers and Ashrams around the world and through the service of thousand of students who have taken the teachings home into their own communities all over the world.

Youtube video, camp 1962 and 1964

Available in http://www.yogastall.com/

"The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga" by Swami Vishnu devananda
"The Yogi, Portraits of Swami Vishnu-devananda" by Gopala Krishna

Reference: "YogaLife Spring 94" by the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers.
http://www.sivananda.org/

Interview with Swami Sitaramananda

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Jyotish-Star-May-2011-Issue.html?soid=1102987427278&aid=NGj8aaik1PE

Sivananda Gentle Open Class

Gentle Sivananda Open Class


Resuming on Sunday May 15th


3.30-5pm

@ Southfields Community College
     337 Merton Road
     Wandsworth SW18 5JU

http://www.yoganearby.com    

This class is beginner level and is suitable for complete beginners or for those who require a more gentle class.
The class involves pranayama(breathing exercises), asanas(yoga postures) and relaxation.
Booking not required. If you book 5 sessions in advance, there is a discount. The classes are organised by the Tamil School of Southfields and everybody is welcome to join us. Wear comfortable clothing. Mats are available but it is preferable to bring your own.

Please email Uma on yogastall@gmail.com for any further information.

Sivananda Yoga Beginners Course

SIVANANDA YOGA BEGINNERS COURSE

Starting on May 14th

Saturdays 11-12.15pm

http://www.aspirecentre.com
(Please note: The start date has been put forward to
May 14th)

http://www.yoganearby.com

This course will be 8 sessions.
We will learn the Sivananda Open Class which consists of 2 breathing exercises, a warm up and a sequence of 12 Asanas(Yoga Postures) and Relaxation. There will be a general introduction to yoga theory following Swami Vishnu devananda's 5 Points;

Proper Exercise
proper Breathing
proper Diet
proper Relaxation
Positive Thinking and Meditation

This course is suitable for complete beginners and also students who want to refresh or get back into their practice. Please email Uma if you have any queries on yogastall@gmail.com

Sivananda Yoga Intermediate Course

SIVANANDA YOGA INTERMEDIATE               COURSE
 
Starts May 7th saturdays 9.30-11am

Southfields Community College

http://www.aspirecentre.com


http://www.yoganearby.com


Suitable for yoga students who have either completed a beginners course or who have some experience of yoga practice. The course consists of 10 sessions and follows the Sivananda Yoga Class Structure with a warm up, Sun Salutation, Pranayama(Breathing exercises), a sequence of Asanas(Postures) and Relaxation. During this course we will be developing strength, flexibility and concentration through advanced variations and longer holding of asanas.
The Beginners Course will start the following week on May 14th.
Any queries you can contact Uma directly at
yogastall@gmail.com

Meeta Gajjar Satsang

This is hugely inspiring video, made by a disciple of Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnu devananda. Its one hour long, really worth making the time for it.

Yoga Teachers Training Course

Learn to teach Yoga in the Himalayas, India

Sivanandapeetham.org

Dear Woman

Khol Darvassa. AMMA BAJANS

Song "Ganesh Is Fresh" by MC Yogi

Peace Mantra {Subtitles} Relaxing

Lalitha Sahasranamam- Dhyanam

Jai Maha Kali Ma - Lalita Sahasranama (Thousand Names of Lalita)

Shiva Shambho - Nasmaté

April 2011 Forecast

Vedic Astrology forcast for the month April 2011

http://www.mydailyastrology.net/join/news/4022

Positive Psychology

Lecture on positive Psychology

This is a long lecture, but worth listening. How to develop Happiness.

Message of Hope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_YOG3jMlV4

Powerful Message of Hope in this period of Great Change.

Choose to LOVE, Meditate every day. We create our world with our thoughts.

United we Stand, Divided we Perish.

Youtube channel, Sivananda Yoga Center, Toronto

 Check out this new youtube channel, clips of satsangs from the Sivananda Yoga Center in Toronto, Canada

http://www.youtube.com/user/SivanandaYogaToronto

Shanti Mantra ( Peaceful )

petition for nuclear free energy

http://www.foe.co.uk/_any/java/LettersHttpServlet

***Official*** Message from the Hopi Nation about Japan, Amazing and His...

The Dhammaraja Project: Teaching Yoga in Vietnam

This is a beautiful blog/project carried out by a Sivananda Yogi friend from California.

The Dhammaraja Project: Teaching Yoga in Vietnam: "Salutations to the Guru! Blessings and Peace to All! Enjoy these images from my 6 week experience teaching and serving with the Intern..."

Shivaratri in London, March 2011

SHIVARATRI celebration at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, London, UK

We were extremely blessed in that we had a lovely priest to conduct the first 2 pujas/abhishekham of the night. I ended up translating from tamil, as best as I could!
The first abhishekham involved bathing the Lingam with Ganga water and milk.
The second was with yoghurt and ganga water.
Third, ghee and hot ganga water.
Fourth, honey and hot ganga water.
Final abhishekham is with panchamritam, made with ghee, honey and fruit, normally mango, jack fruit and banana.
The yoga centre are blessed in that they do actually have a bottle of Ganga water, so we add some to each pot of water.



After each abhishekham, the Lingam is lovingly wiped dry, dressed and garlanded with flowers and rudrakshya mala beads. Prayers are offered, reciting the names of Lord Shiva and chanting the Lingashtakam.(youtube video)
 This prayer was sung by lord Rama, when he worshipped the Shivalingam at Rameswaram before departing for Lanka. In all the Sivananda Vedanta Yoga Ashrams & Centres, this is sung on sundays along with other Ram prayers.
 For the lyrics and meaning, see lingashtakam

We offered rice and flowers to the Lingam.
Prasad, cooked sweets, fruit and rice was offered up to Shiva, and then shared out to all devotees.
We started at 8pm and finished at 5am the following morning with cooked breakfast.

Shiva is known as the destroyer-he removes our negative qualities and impurities in the mind, he is powerfully transforming, enabling us to be receptive to sublime truth. As Pasupati, he is the lord and lover of all animals, nothing is beneath him. He is easy to please and worship to receive his Grace and Punya, blessings. He wipes out our karmic debt, thereby freeing us from bondage. It is said that anyone who keeps vigil on Shivaratri and worships the Linga, will be liberated.
Throughout the night we chanted the mantra of Shiva, Om Namah Sivaya.  
This is a powerful practice, uplifting and transforming. We were free to get ourselves a herbal tea or water, I did a little washing up in the kitchen, which is a good way to stay alert in the early hours.
We had a good crowd throughout the night though some people had to leave after the second abhishekham. The Sweet priest told them they had the blessings of Shiva because they made it to at least those 2 pujas, even if they couldn't stay up the whole night.

The Lingam is a symbol of Shiva, and for the night we had 5 Lingams, each one made from a different medium. Sadly, the Linga has been misconstrued over the years. Those of you who are interested in learning more about the Linga, see www.truthlingo.co.uk

Looking at the big Shivalingam being bathed in milk and yogurt, it really made me think of Mount Kailash, the snow capped mountain which is the abode of Lord Shiva. When the Lingam is bathed in the Ganga water, and you see the water swirling around the base of the Lingam, I cast my mind back to the possible original representation, the Rock in the Himalayas, giving rise to the great River Saraswati. When this great river dried up due to tectonic shifts in the Himalayas (around 2000-1900 BC) and the people had moved into the Ganges Basin, over the years they would have naturally supplanted the River Ganges in place of the Saraswati. Lord Shiva is portrayed with the river sprouting from his coils. In the final arathi prayer from the Rig Veda, the great river Saraswati is still remembered, and since the River Saraswati gave rise to the Vedic Civilzation, it seems befitting that she is worshipped as the Goddess of wisdom and learning.

Word Press Blog on Shivaratri

Om Namah Sivaya
 
http://umayogini.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/shivaratri-the-night-of-shiva/

Shivalinga As We Know It – Part 4 of the Om, Swastika and Shivalinga Mini Series

Shivalinga As We Know It – Part 4 of the Om, Swastika and Shivalinga Mini Series

This gives the best explanation of the Shivalinga, symbol of Lord Shiva from ancient times.

Review of "IN SEARCH OF THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION ".

                           "IN SEARCH OF THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION" 
                       by Georg Feuerstein, Subhash Kak & David Frawley

I found this book easy to read, clear and concise. It is written in two parts.

Part 1 deals with the ancient history of India in the light of modern evidence and critical research of ancient documents and artifacts, chiefly the Vedas.

Indian history was written by European scholars, who arrived in India with fixed views on the birth of creation and humanity. It was firmly believed the earth was created in 4004 BC, and it was considered that the Vedas, the oldest scriptures, could not be older than 2000 BC. The content of the Vedas were considered to be mainly religious myth, and verifiable historical references to the geography of India, natural history, linguistics and astronomy were ignored.

The authors detail historical clues found in the Vedas, and with modern scientific evidence from geology, genetics, linguistics and satellite photography, they have traced the continuous history of India back to its roots. 

 "Our reexamination of the early history of India, the land of the sages and seer-bards, has led to a view of ancient times that is radically different from text book versions."
  
Formerly the great river Saraswati, glorified in the oldest Veda, the Rig Veda, was considered to be mythical, but has been proved true since its former channels have been identified with satellite photography. This great river, longer and larger than the Ganges, dried out completely around 1900 BCE(3900BP). The authors detail the findings of Harappa, Mohenjo- Daro and other cities which were clustered along this river. More than 2500 settlements have been found. The photograph shows the 'Great bath' in Mohenjo-Daro and a typical street.


 
 Artifacts include soapstone sculptures, terracotta figurines and metalwork. Numerous seals were found, with various motives and writing, yet to be deciphered. One famous seal clearly shows a figure in a seated yoga pose, surrounded by animals. This is considered to be an early portrayal of Lord Shiva, also known as Pasupati, lord of animals. The book traces the possible beginnings of the Vedic people, their extensive trade and exchange with other cultures and countries via land and sea, their rich culture which they preserved and wrote down for posterity and all of humanity in the Vedas. 

Part 2 of the book details the content of the Vedas, the spiritual heritage of India, and the Vedic contribution to the West. They give us a glimpse of the wealth of knowledge contained in the 20,358 verses of the four Vedas.

"Whence this creation arose, whether it created itself or whether it did not? He who looks upon it from the highest space, he surely knows. Or maybe He knows not. " Rig-Veda x.129.7

Based on their findings of ancient India, the authors question our current way of living.
“Are we moving in a positive direction towards a better world, or are we in danger of destroying ourselves because the prime values of our society are out of sync with the laws of life?”

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learnt a great deal from it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to understand the past, our connections to the Vedic Civilization and their contribution to humanity.



For more information on Vedic Culture, see The American Vedic Institute  http://www.vedanet.com
The Director is David Frawley, one of the authors of this book. 
He has also written  more books on the Vedic Civilization;

"From the river of heaven"
"Gods, Sages and Kings"


 These books can be purchased through http://www.yogastall.com/ 

Sivananda Upanishad, Plain Living and High Thinking

 "Sivananda Upanishad" compiled by Swami Vishnu devananda

  ॐ

1st September 1949

Sri R.C.Bannerjee, Calcutta

If you have no dispassion, if there is no strong aspiration, if there is no purity of heart, you will fail to attain God-realisation.

Comfort, luxury and sensual pleasures dull the mind and incapacitate it for higher intellectual and spiritual work. Therefore shun comfort, luxury and pleasures. Have plain living and high thinking.

Om tat Sat,

Sivananda

The "Sivananda Upanishad" is a compilation of Swami Sivananda's correspondence with followers all over the world. They are in his handwriting which is not always easy to decipher! This book was compiled by my Guru, Swami Vishnu devananda, founder of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organisation. Alongside the letters, he has arranged photographs of Master Sivananda, some of them with captions. It's a wonderful book to keep by your altar or bedside. Every page is filled with inspiring messages. In the back of the book, there is a section on Swami Sivananda's biography. This book can be obtained through the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams and Centres worldwide. 

Please check through their websites in your nearest centre http://www.sivananda.org/

Save women's shelters in afghanistan

 Save the womens shelters in afghanistan from being taken under govt control.Women and girls who are already fleeing abuse/violence will have to undergo invasive examinations to test their virginity and to determine if they have committed adultery. An examining panel will decide their fate eg jail, returned home(to abuser) or the shelter.

 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/savetheshelters/

The Zeitgeist Movie

I stayed up to watch this, its worth it. Invaluable, informative and very well made. Keep watching, after they spell out the problems inherent in our way of living, they come up with a solution. It can be done, but we all need to act together. Consider what's going on now in the middle east, that's what will happen all over the world, when people decide they've had enough of being exploited, impoverished and robbed by a handful of greedy selfish individuals.

Further Yoga Teachers Training Weekend

Further Training this weekend for Sivananda Yoga Teachers.
Feb 19-20, 2011

http://www.sivananda.co.uk/further_training.html

This further training is open to teachers who have completed the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course(TTC). With Dynamic Asana classes, uplifting satsangs given by Swami krishnananda, the Director of the London Centre. Swamiji, originally from the United States, certainly knows how to give a dynamic advanced class, done with good humour and precision.
The training on teaching Yoga for pregnancy will be given by Sita, Co-director of the Hamburg Centre in Germany. Sita is herself a mum with two kids, is incredibly strong and flexible in her asana practice, warm affable personality and a great teacher.

Chair based Yoga

 My students at the
 Milaap Multicultural Community        Centre in Kingston.

I love teaching there. They really enjoy the yoga class, though I do make them work hard. We do a little pranayama(breathing exercises). Usually 3 rounds of Kapalabhati. We practise modified anuloma viloma(alternate nostril breathing) without  retention, as some of them have breathing dfficulties/heart problems.The pranayama is hugely beneficial at all ages, and especially as we become older, ensuring a good supply of prana (vital life force), oxygen, removing stale air from the respiratory system, releasing tension, strengthening the lungs and most of all, strengthening and calming the mind. Pranayama facilitates concentration and meditation.


We do a variety of yogic exercises and asanas. I encourage them to focus and breathe deeply. We almost always practise squatting. This exercise is necessary particularly for one of my students who has one leg only(doctors orders!).

We sometimes do eye exercises, neck exercises. We always do a little forward bending, gentle backward bend, lateral stretch and twist. Exercises are in the chair and standing, although there are a few students who find it difficult to be on their feet, so they adapt and practise in the chair. 

They love the simhasana, Lion. We always have to finish with that!



Class starts with chanting the Universal mantra AUM and some mantras or sthotras(prayers). 
We finish the class with a relaxation in the chair followed by chanting AUM and prayers.
Milaap serve a delicious indian meal afterwards. 

Swami Vishnudevananda: Part 2

Vishnu Swami as he was fondly called by Swami Sivananda, was made the Hatha Yoga Professor at the ashram. He did not receive any training. He said "My Master touched me and opened my intuitive eye. All this knowledge returned to me from past lives."

Many people visited the ashram from all over the world and Vishnu Swami taught them hatha yoga. The Master sent him around India to give demonstrations.
Vishnu Swami recalled feeling important as the first Hatha Yoga Professor at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy and since he was small and thin, he decided to grow a beard and long hair.
One day, Swami Sivananda passed by him and said " Yes, Vishnu Swami, the beard suits you. Yes, it is true, we must all make a good appearance and impress people. Yes, yes, keep on with it." Vishnu Swami learnt never again to put on airs and graces to impress people! He immediately shaved.
Vishnu Swami spent a period of 3 months doing intense sadhana(spiritual practice). He retired into a small hut which he built for himself in the forest, living only on kitchari(rice & lentils), and doing intense pranayama(breathing exercises) and meditation. In so doing, he became a dynamo, and came back to serve the Master with increased vigour.
He was made the personal secretary of the Master, and thus he was able to observe closely how Swami Sivananda lived and worked.
Swami Sivananda was nicknamed Swami Givananda, as he was so generous and loving. Swami Sivananda made it his life's mission to disseminate the wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads and spiritual epics of India, making it available to everybody all over the world. For this reason, he made sure the printing presses kept running even when the ashram didn't have enough money for food. Swami Sivananda wrote more than 300 books, all of them sublime and elevating. He printed many pamphlets which were handed out freely.
No-one was barred from the ashram. As you will hear in the video, many people who were suffering mentally came to the ashram. Swami Sivananda saw God in everyone and everything.

Vishnu Swami worked hard in the ashram. He said, on many occasions, he only had time to do his asanas(yoga postures) at midnight after all his chores!
One time, the Master said to him "Vishnu Swami, one day you must go to America. People are waiting there for you to teach them Yoga."  Vishnu Swami laughed thinking he might as well have said he'd be going to the moon! In 1957, the Master did indeed send him to the West to take his message to the people of America and all over the world. He gave him 10rupees and sent him forth with the words, "People are waiting."
That 10 rupee note is now framed and kept in the HQ Sivananda Yoga Camp, Val Morin in Quebec, Canada.

References:
"Sivananda YogaLife 1994 Special Commemorative issue"-The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
Photo from "A pictorial guide to Swami Sivananda"-The Divine Life Society"


Hatha Yoga Pradipika with commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda, based on his own experience.
Swamiji created a programme of "Sadhana Intensive" for yogis who already have experience practising yoga and meditation, and wish to develop further. This programme is offered by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams. Please click on link below for further information.

http://www.sivananda.org/courses/sadhana-intensive.html


http://www.yogastall.com/yoga_books.html

Lord Shiva

Amma talks on Lord Shiva and his worship.

His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj

His Holiness Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj

Lord Shiva

Yoga Stops Traffick 2011

Yoga Stops Traffik 2011

Swami Vishnudevananda: Part 1

Swami Vishnudevananda was born in 1927, in a village called Kannimangalam in Kerala, South India and named Thankaswamy. He had a scientific mind and was interested in engineering and travelling. He thought he could fulfil these interests by joining the navy. Thus, he went along to enlist, lying about his age(he was only 16) but failed the medical examination. Disheartened, while waiting for his train home, he met an older boy who persuaded him to join the army in Madras. There he was accepted and enlisted into the Engineering Corps.
During his army service, while searching for a lost piece of paper in the bin, he came across a pamphlet "Sadhana Tattwa" by Swami Sivananda.

"An ounce of practice is worth tons of theory" from Sadhana Tattwa

This pamphlet was full of simple and pragmatic wisdom which inspired him to seek out the author. He took two days off and travelled to the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh in the Himalayas.

In India, when you meet a holy person, it is traditional to prostrate, bow down. When he saw Swami Sivananda coming up the steps in his direction, Thankaswamy did not want to prostrate, so he moved out of the way.

"Master saw me and headed in my direction. He asked me who I was and where I was coming from. Then he bowed down and touched my feet!! My whole body began to shake violently. With all my heart, with all my life and love, I learned to bow without any type of reservation. He touched my heart not with miracles or shows of holiness, but with his perfect egoless nature."

This was his first lesson from Swami Sivananda.

On another occasion, he saw Master and his disciples perform arathi(waving the light) and worshipping the Ganges river. Why were they worshipping water? His sceptism was dispelled when he saw the river become a mass of divine light. He realized that everything was sacred.

Swami Vishnu in scorpion

In august 1947, he received an invitation to attend Swami Sivananda's 60th birthday celebrations. Though he planned to go for a few days, he had a feeling he would not be returning home.One of his duties at the ashram was to take care of the lentils put out to dry in the sun, by keeping away the monkeys. As he was doing this, Swami Sivananda passed by. He looked at Thankaswamy and said "Stay." He immediately replied "Yes Swamiji."  Thus, he became the disciple of Master, who initiated him into Brahmacharya, and later in March 1948, he was ordained into Sannyas, with the name
Swami Vishnu-devananda.

The photograph is taken from "Glorious Vision: A pictorial Guide to Swami Sivananda"
by the Divine Life Society.

Traditionally, in hinduism, life is divided into four stages(ashrama).
The first stage is Brahmacharya. A child lives and acquires knowledge and right conduct from the Guru(Gurukula tradition), and practises discipline and control of all the senses as well as celibacy.
The second stage is Grihastha, the life of a householder. This involves marriage, begetting children, taking care of family and society.
The third stage is Vanaprashta, after children have grown up, gradual withdrawing from worldly duties, more time on spiritual practice and preparing for the last stage of life.
The fourth stage is Sannyasa, complete renunciation from worldly life, full commitment to spiritual practice, striving for moksha(liberation) and self-realization.

On becoming a disciple of a Guru, Brahmacharya is the first step followed by Sannyas if the Guru feels the disciple is ready for this.

In this clip from Youtube, you can hear Swamiji talking about his early life. The picture shown does not correlate with the talk! That's a picture of his students in Savasana, relaxation pose.

The Orion Conspiracy

This is an interesting clip.
http://www.theorionconspiracy.com/

I am aware that there are many findings which are kept hidden, and 'news' is edited and distorted.

With regard to ancient civilizations, Graham Hancock has written on marine archeology revealing 'huge built structures' under water off the coast of countries such as Japan and India in
"Underworld: The Mysterious origins of Civilzation".

He, along with Robert Bauval,  has published an excellent book called "Keeper of Genesis" regarding the antiquity and purpose of the Sphinx and Pyramids of Egypt.

http://www.grahamhancock.com/

Much of our history has been written based on the old biblical belief that the earth was created in 4004 BCE, and based on the eurocentric presumption that civilization began in Sumeria. There is a great deal of revision to be made in the light of modern research. We were all told that mankind originated in Africa, but new research suggests that "Asia and not Africa may be the birthplace of humanity" after scientists found 39million year old fossils in Libya.

American Vedic Institute

American Vedic institute newsletter

Article on the meaning of Maya(delusion) by Dr David Frawley(Vamadeva Shastri), director of the institute.
Details of the ganga retreat.
Article on the aghamarshana suktam by Yogi Baba Prem.

Vishnudevananda Upadesa

Reading from

"Vishnudevananda Upadesa: Teachings of Swami Vishnudevananda."

One must struggle to reach meditation and struggle even harder to reach samadhi, the superconscious state, through self-surrender. In all religions Truth becomes diluted, and for the masses it becomes an external object to be sought after rather than an inner state of consciousness which is its true nature. The essential attitude to be taken in any religion is one of taking refuge, of confession, prayer and ultimate surrender to a higher power. It is with this inner state of consciousness that Bhakti Yoga(yoga of devotion) matures. Without its presence all of the paths of yoga and any true spiritual progress will fall short of the mark.
God is not an external object. People think that that is the yoga of devotion but the Bhakti Yogi knows that the God he is worshipping is not outside, He is within. Although he is not seeking God outside, yet he offers flowers and follows all of the nine steps so that he can realise God's presence everywhere, always, in all. All of the techniques of Bhakti Yoga are a means to an end. Eventually the means become important and you forget the end, and that is why religious people fight.
Don't stop at ritual. Move on and on until you reach self surrender, 'Everything is His will; the world moves because of His will; I exist because of His will; even duality exists because of His will; non-duality exists because of His will. Everything is; there is no more care, no more worry, and God, you are the one devoted.' That is called Bhakti Yoga. A Bhakti Yogi makes use of gross forms and rituals as aids to self-surrender but altars, statues and pictures are not in themselves objects of worship. Like the Christian cross which stands for Jesus, they are symbols of the omnipresent Lord. The Lord is as present in the image as everywhere else. The image is merely used as a focal point for worship. Symbols like altar pictures are only necessary in the beginning of Bhakti Yoga. The highest devotion is self-surrender.

Sri Gurudeva Swami Sivananda

Beautiful puja of Swami Sivananda, seated by the Ganges, Divine Life Society Ashram, Rishikesh, Himalayas.
The main pujari(the person doing the puja) is Swami Venkatasananda. Swami Vishnudevananda comes into the frame to assist with items of puja. The chants over puja is sung by Swami Chidananda.
Then, there's a gorgeous slideshow of photos of Swami Sivananda, with the bhajan Deva Deva Sivananda being sung over it. The clip ends with more old video footage of Swami Sivananda.

About me: Part 4

After taking my Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course, I started teaching straightaway at the Sivananda Yoga Centre, which at that time was in Notting Hill, London. My first class was the overflow class and I forgot to do the Sun Salutation! Fortunately that was the only time that happened.
Everyone living at the centre followed a daily routine, getting up 5.30am for meditation at 6am, chanting and reading. We had time afterwards to do our own hatha yoga practice, before staff meeting, where we'd go over the schedule and tasks for the day.
 The residents, like myself were required to do some regular karma yoga(selfless service). My tasks were usually teaching, cooking and cleaning. I used to man the stand at the Mind Body Spirit Festival every year.
In those early days, I found it really hard living in the centre and often found myself clashing badly with other residents! It wasn't easy getting up everyday 5.30 either, though we had a lie in on sundays till 6.30!

I moved out after a year. I preferred living out, though I spent as much time as I could visiting the centre.
In 1990, since the Notting Hill place was rented, the Sivananda group found a place to buy in Putney, and I remember viewing this with my Guru, Swami Vishnu-devananda. I have no idea how they were able to envision the beautiful centre that exists there now. At that time, it was a paint shop at the front, and at the back, there was a long hall which was a carpentry workshop. We did a lot of hard work on those buildings every weekend coming up from Sussex. The new Sivananda Centre was inaugurated in september 1990. Since the kitchen was not ready for use at the new place, I cooked for about 300 people back in Notting Hill, and the food was taken over by car.

We had a big procession that day through the high streets of Putney to announce the opening of the new centre.
Karma Yogis(volunteers) were demonstrating yoga asanas on the back of one lorry, and myself and others were chanting on the second lorry. Students were handing out flyers in the high street.
That evening, there was a special Satsang(meditation, chanting & discourse), concerts with Indian and classical musicians and dancing. I'm afraid I missed all this since I was busy in the kitchen, but the hall was packed and everybody enjoyed the occassion.
Many students have passed through the Putney Sivananda Yoga Centre.
I used to teach a lot of beginners courses and cooking workshops.

I loved cooking at the centre, and used to make big feasts for all the special festivals and concerts. I had the honour of cooking for my Guru, when he passed through London. I made rice, dhal and ladies fingers for him.
Sometimes Swamiji would gaze directly at somebody, and you knew he could see and knew everything about that person. There's nowhere to hide, though when he did that to me, I had to look away!

At Heathrow

He was open and powerfully loving. He made everyone feel at home. He always enquired after us and would ask how we were, even when he was bedridden and having dialysis 4 times a day. This didn't stop him from visiting all the ashrams and going on pilgrimages to the Ganges and to the temples of  South India. He was shining, with silver hair, beautiful skin and large open eyes, tremendous prana(vital life force). His mind was very sharp, and we would be given the honour of reading the newspaper. Swamiji always liked to know what was going on in the world.
     


Once, while reading the Ramayana(epic tale from India), I was reading the section where Hanuman had found Sita in the Asoka Grove, and he was up in the tree. Inorder to gain the trust of Sita before giving her Rama's ring, he sang the glory of Ram. Swamiji was crying like a baby, tears gushing out, he was so deeply moved. He loved the Ramayana and the Srimad Bhagavatam. The Ramayana relates the story of Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, representing the ideal Son, Brother, Husband and King. The tale in itself is fantastic with colourful heroic characters and there are deeper esoteric meanings behind the tale from which we can learn the right way of conducting ourselves in life. The Srimad Bhagavatam relates the glory of Lord Vishnu and his incarnations particularly the avatar(incarnation) of Krishna. It is one of the great Puranas and demonstrates the importance of  Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. It is inspiring and uplifting to hear these epic kathas(tales) chanted, as Swamiji loved to do on a regular basis.

There are numerous versions of these epics available. I have selected a few links here, including a Srimad Bhagavatam that is available for the kindle.
www.yogastall.com

                                         















   

Vishnudevananda Upadesa

                      
                    ॐ           
 From "Vishnudevananda Upadesa"

by The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre

We think that our life depends upon oxygen. Oxygen in the air supports and helps the maintenance of the gross physical body, but it is the prana coming from the astral body to the physical body which makes this body alive.

What is the difference between a live body and a dead body? A live body contains prana. Chanting, worship, meditation, pranayama and asanas recharge prana. Negative thought depletes prana. Before you go to sleep, increase your vibration level with a little pranayama, meditation and japa, or repetition of mantra. Don't drop off directly into bed without lifting your vibration level. When you get up, you will see that you have been fully recharged. Otherwise, your body is under tension and, like a tap dripping water, it will drip prana unnecessarily so that when you wake up, you won't even have the energy to get up.

 

Pilgrimage to Gangotri with Swami Vishnu-devananda

In 1991, I went on a pilgrimage to India to spend some time with my Guru, Swami Vishnu-devananda. From Delhi, we travelled to Dehradun where we met up with the rest of the small group and Swamiji.
As well as travelling to the Southern temples, Swamiji was most fond of pilgrimage to the Ganges and Himalayas. We travelled in 2 cars from Dehradun to our first stop at the Divine Life Ashram of Master, Swami Sivananda, in Rishikesh. Here, with Swamiji, we paid our respects at Master's Samadhi shrine.

From Rishikesh, it's a long day's journey up the winding mountain roads to Gangotri, where Swamiji has his Guha(cave) by the River Ganges.
It was getting dark and the drivers were understandably anxious about driving in the dark on those narrow steep roads, so they urged Swamiji to stop. I don't know how Swamiji did this, but he told them exactly where to pullover. It was the most perfect spot for us. A short climb up the side of the mountain, there was a small plateau, just enough to put up a couple of tents, and a stream down the side of the mountain. We camped there t under the Himalayan night sky, which was the most amazing memorable experience. The stars were magical. Swami Mahadev taught me the correct, Indian way to eat a mango! You squeeze and gently roll it in your hands till its soft, bite a little hole, then drink the delicious juice.
Swamiji was always on the move, and I don't know if he slept at all. I was just getting comfortable in the tent, just about to nod off, when we were woken up and told Swamiji was getting ready to go. There was barely a chink of light!

So we continued our journey and on the way we stopped at Ganganani, natural hot springs where we all had a wonderful hot bath.
Gangotri is in the Ganges valley, about 12,000ft, 3,700m elevation. The temple is by the banks of the Ganges.

Swamiji's Guha(cave) is a short trek up the road, along the Ganges. The mighty Ganges, although it is not vast in breadth, is very noisy as she tumbles down the valley from Gomukh, the Glacier, source of the Ganges.
         
There is a beautiful tale of how the Goddess Ganga was brought down from heaven through the tapas(penance) of Sage Bhagiratha, to absolve the sins of his predecessors. And because of her might and power, Lord Shiva caught her in his coils as she tumbled down from heaven, thus slowing her down.

Swamiji prostrated to Mother Ganga.
We set up camp for the night in front of Swamiji's cave. In this Guha, cave, Swamiji used to practise his sadhana(spiritual practice). The energy at Gangotri is immense. To be honest, I freaked out initially, it was too much for me! I was given a very special karma yoga, service to perform. I was asked to make sweet rice for Swamiji. Swamiji's cave was a big slab of rock. There was a small section next to it where Pandiji would cook for Swamiji and look after him whenever he came to stay at the cave. Pandiji was an old Indian man from the local area who was a beautiful humble spirit. I remember going into the cook hut and wondering how I was going to make sweet rice over the little fire without cardamom and cashew nuts, very different from the kind of kitchen I'm used to! I don't know how it tasted but I did my best.
The food is normally very simple, usually kitchari or rice, dhal and a vegetable sabji if you're lucky. Fresh food supplies are only available when brought up the mountain. I slept in my tent that night listening to the terrific roar of the divine Ganga. The next day Swamiji set off for pilgrimage. He instructed me, Chandra and Swami Mahadev to stay behind. We stayed at Swamiji's Guha, by the ganges for one week.
 My memory after all this time, is a little hazy, but I do remember
practising asanas, reflecting on life and studying some spiritual books I had with me. Initally, Swami Mahadev and Chandra both had a stinking cold, so I was left to do my own sadhana(spiritual practice).
When they were well, we trekked the 18km to Gomukh, source of the ganges and one of the holiest sites for Hindus(out of 4).


The trek is gently climbing in altitude. Most of the way, we passed cedar trees, amazing fresh mountain springs, little wild flowers and even some cows. I remember it being very green. The streams were the most pure water I have ever drunk. It is an arduous trek and not easy if you suffer from fear of heights. The path is sometimes very narrow or non-existent if its been washed away by a landslide, which happens often in those parts. The last 5 km, the landscape changed quite dramatically. it made me think of a lunar landscape, barren and rocky.It's an incredible experience when you finally arrive at Gomukh(Cow's Mouth).