5th Mruthyunjaya Homa & Whole night meditation

6th Satchintana - Goa Satsang

7th - 9th Premadhara - Silent meditation with Poojya Guruji

17th - 20th Kundalini Beejamantra camp

23rd - 27th Kriya Yoga Camp [English & Kannada]

20th Kundalini Beejamantra Punashchetana camp

12th & 27th Kriya Yoga Punashchetana camp

1st Satchintana - Mangalore Satsang

2nd - 4th Premadhara - Silent meditation with Poojya Guruji

7th Ballet - Descent of Yogivarenya at Mangalore.

14th & 22nd Kriya Yoga Punashchetana

15th Kundalini Beejamantra Punashchetana

16th to19th & 24th to 30th Shakti Prerana Camp (Refer Page no.12)

Programmes for April 2012

Programmes for May 2012

SATSANG SPECIAL

Camp on Conscious Living

As per request from our Dhyanabandus, Poojya Guruji will

conduct camps on how to face difficult situations beyond 2012. The

camps will be conducted in Kannada on April 11th & 12th and in

English on April 13th & 14th at Ashram. There is no fee for the

camp. Your Donations are gracefully accepted. As per

Dhyanabandhu’s request Poojya Guruji will give a discourse on

selected topics during Satchintana Programme held at Ashram

(Afternoon).

(Refer page no.15)

SHRI SHAKTIDARSHAN

Question & Answers 05 - 07

Love & Peace 10

Guru Kripa 11

Jnana Vrikshas 12

Saints & Saintliness 13 - 15

Secrets of Hindu Tradition 17 - 18

Where am I? 19 - 20

Mind grows in Magnitude 08 - 09

Do what u can 21 Sayings of Samartha Ramdas 22 Silence is the Answer 23 A Sufi Story 24

Programmes - Feb 2012 Page no. 27

Beyond the power of positive 26

thinking

April - 2012

April 2012

Issue - VII

Contents:

April 2012

Dear Dhyanabandhus,

ON April 4th we are celebrating Mahaveera Jyonthi Lord Mahavira is often

credited with the advent of Jainism in India. However, Jainism existed even

before Lord Mahavira was born. He is supposed to be the twenty-fourth

(last) Tirthankara according to the Jain philosophy. A Tirthankara is an

enlightened soul who is born as a human being and attains perfection through

intense meditation. For a Jain, Lord Mahavira is no less than God and his

philosophy is like the Bible. Born as Vardhamana Mahavir, he later came to

be known as Bhagvan Mahaveer. Read the short biography of Lord

Mahavira to know the intriguing life history of Bhagvan Mahaveer.

Lord Mahavira was born in the royal family of

Bihar in 599 B.C. His father's name was King Siddhartha and mother's name

was Queen Trishala. Known by the name of Vardhamana, the young boy was

a very bright and courageous lad who showed extraordinary skills at a very

young age. Though he had all the luxuries of life at his command, he led a

very simple life. He left all his worldly possessions after his parents expired

and became a monk. He gave up all pleasures and left his family for the

purpose of attaining enlightenment. For twelve years, he deeply meditated in

order to overcome his desires and cravings. Once while meditating, he was

bitten by a deadly snake. Still he did not develop any kind of hatred for the

snake and kept meditating. After twelve years, he attained divine knowledge

and self-realization. His perception about everything was crystal clear and he

paved the way for spiritual pursuit for future monks. The attainment of this

spiritual knowledge was known as keval-jnana. Once he realized this

knowledge, he traveled to the remotest places in India preaching whatever he

had learnt. All through his wandering, he was barefoot and refrained from

eating too often. His simple living and high morals attracted believers from

all walks of life, which included kings, paupers, priests and untouchables.

His teachings were based on the concept of self-realization for ultimate

attainment of Moksha. He taught people how to gain freedom from misery,

pain and the cycle of birth and death. Lord Mahavira was known to be

omniscient, which means he knew everything about past and future. II Jai Guru Dev II

1. How do we know that a person is

meditating well. Whether another

senior meditator can come to know

about this ?

Ans 1: Meditation is a thing in which

mind is transcended. You cannot

therefore measure with your mind even

if your are a senior meditator. It is

possible to a Deeksha guru or a Sadguru.

Better not to venture into this futile

effort.

2. It is said “Sajjanara sangha hejjenu

savidanthe” (The company of noble

people is like tasting honey). Who

are these noble persons ?

Ans 2: The one who conducts “Satsang”

with great joy and interest is a Sajjana.

Sajjana need not be a Satvik person.

The persons who have understood

theTRUTH that God exist in every

being and who LOVE everyone in their

speech, action always. Never leave

Satsang and there will be spiritual

progress.

3. What is your opinion about

Religion, caste and isms ?

Ans 3: These are all man made and

subject to the specific time and space.

They are true for

the time in which

they exist and hence

you can call them as

temporary truth.

Mind is the basis of

creation of all these

things and hence change is the essence

of religion created by man. However,

the religion created by the almighty

never changes. For eg. Dhyana Yoga is

natural religion and all religious

persons accept this as the real path for

salvation.

4. Can you tell the difference between

Guru, Deeksha Guru and Sadguru ?

Ans 4: We learn from everything we see

and from which we learn is equal to a

Guru. We can learn LOVE from Sun,

ever changing mind from Moon,

patience from Earth, detachedness from

air. These are nothing but Gurus.

Mother is the first Guru. Father is the

second. The teacher who clears the

darkness of mind is the third Guru.

Deeksha Guru is only one. The one who

can show the path and make us a

“Brahmin” in the real sense and guide us

in the path is a Deeksha Guru.

Question & Answers

April 2012

Usually, the Kundalini is raised by a

Deeksha Guru.

Sadguru is a special Guru. He has

realized the TRUTH and he is always in

a state of bliss. He keeps spreading joy

and bliss without anybody's knowledge.

Wherever he is, there is peace and joy.

Wherever he stays there is Satsang and

spiritual progress through his presence.

5. Who is a Yogi and How he should

be ?

Ans 5: One who lives in tune with

nature is a Yogi. He is an epitome of

discipline and nature supports him.

Because of the Dhee shakthi of a Yogi,

his mind works in tandem with the

intellect and keep him equipoise. He

has a clear knowledge that the

happiness and unhappiness are two

sides of the same coin. This is a state of

equanimity and a hall of mark of a Yogi.

6. Is there any name in Sanskrit for

Kriya Yoga ?

Ans 6: The first kriye is Bandha Bedhana

kriye, second is Prayashchitha Bedhana

Kriya. The third and fourth kriyas are

Gnana Bedhana Kriye.

07. What ever I do, I am not able to

reduce EGO ? What should I do ?

Ans 7: If you have understood that

there is EGO, this itself is a symptom of

reduction of EGO. What ever you

achieve in life, treat it as God given and

remember that nothing belongs to you.

Slowly, you can contain EGO.

08. If we do everything with love and

peace, do we need to meditate

separately ?

Ans 8: If we can do it this way, it is very

easy to reach a state of thoughtlessness.

We can later on sit for meditation and

become shoonya. However, whatever do,

it is only for the external world. It is

complementary to get inside but it

cannot be a complete meditation. Only

way to get inside is to meditate, by

relinquishing the external world.

There is no other way.

09. I attended five day camp and

learnt 'Agnihotra'. At home I started

doing it regularly and felt that there

is a great change. Slowly, arguments

started at home. Is it because of

Agnihotra ?

Ans 09: The positive vibrations would

be created by Agnihotra and hence the

atmosphere at home should improve.

April 2012

If there are arguments it might be a

coincidence and Agnihotra could not be

the reason. Practice agnihotra

continuously for six months and see the

difference.

10. For the progress and development

of our society and nation, what

should the meditators should do ?

Ans 10: We should be cleared of all

superstitious beliefs and believe in God

alone. Destiny, luck, evil, spirit, tantra –

mantra are all the play of mind required

to be forgotten. My Conscience is my

GOD and to strengthen it is the real

purpose of life. Self esteem is the most

powerful tool to achieve success. More

than 1800 years ago, Diocinis, a greek

philosopher has said this. Its

translation in Kannada is as under:

Daiva kathegala nenedu manake kalavala

beda

Savenu navakavacha; jeevakalaveda

Pourushada yatnadindolitha

sadhisalahudu

Meer i baha keduka dha ir yade

salahisalahudu

(D V Gundappa) This is what required

today. Wisdom, courage and friendship

is the essence of LOVE and Liberation.

11. Why do we bend backwards while

meditating ?

Ans 11: When we concentrate on Agna

chakra, we bend backwards. When we

concentrate on Heart chakra (Hridaya

chakra) we bend forward. It is better sit

straight while meditating.

12. How many varieties of “Gurus”

are there ?

Ans 12: Normally Guru can be classified

as i) Shiksha Guru and ii) Deeksha Guru.

In tantric terminology, qualitatively

there are eight kinds of Gurus i) Vachaka

Guru, Bodhaka Guru, Nishidha Guru,

Vihitha guru, Karana Guru, Parama Guru,

Paratpara Guru. Paratpara Guru is

nothing but the almighty God,

Paramatma.

There will be Sangeethadindha

Dhyana (From music to

meditation) on the fourth

Saturday of every month between

2pm to 5pm. There will be

classical music programme

conducted in presence of Poojya

Guruji. Those who are interested

to participate may contact

Ashram’s Office.

April 2012

Dear Dhyanabandhus,

The first mental faculty is that the mind

thinks: it discovers and invents newer

modes of thinking, with concentration -

- that is, the mind meditates. If it is done

in a methodical way, the result of

thinking is certainly positive: a negative

result is achieved only in rare cases. But

if it is not done in a methodical way, the

general result is negative: only in rare

cases do we get a positive result. So

students should be taught how to think

in a methodical style, otherwise there

will be wastage of mental potentialities.

Regarding thinking with concentration,

that is, meditation – it is another, still

subtler, science. Meditation should be

performed knowing fully well the

location of different glands and sub-

glands and also the different cells in the

human brain. And people should not

only know the location of these glands

and sub-glands, they should also be

acquainted with their respective

systems of hormone secretion,

otherwise their meditation will not

produce any fruit. So for this system of

meditation, knowledge of biology is

essential. We need to progress and grow

to do methodical thinking and

meditation based on the location of

cells, glands and sub-glands, and their

secretion of specific quantities of

hormones.

The second mental faculty is that the

mind remembers: it discovers or invents

different systems of remembering or

memorizing. While remembering, the

mind should know how to associate the

object to be remembered with psychic

pabula of a similar nature. And we

should know how to select these which

have similarity or proximity to the

object that they want to remember. In

the case of memorizing there should be

both a physical, psychic and spiritual

approach. For the purpose of

memorizing, we should avoid use of

different sub-glands producing inimical

hormones. Committing to memory

should be associated with qualities and

roots of different plexi of the body.

The third faculty which we should know

is the process of transmutation and

diversion of different psychic pabula in a

scientific manner. This may vary from

one person or group to another, from

animal to animal, from bird to bird.

April 2012

Mind Grows in

Magnitude- Collections

April 2012

challenges and create a new world in all

the three emanations of life – physical,

psychic and spiritual.

B e y o n d

enlightenment is

only beyond ness.

Enlightenment is

the last host,

beyond i t a l l

b o u n d a r i e s

disappear, all experience also

disappear.

Experience comes to its utmost in

enlightenment. It is the very peak

of all that is beautiful - of all that is

immortal - of all that is blissful,

but it is an experience.

Beyond enlightenment there is no

experience at all, because the

experiencer has disappeared.

Beyond enlightenment, there is

only nothingness; you will not

come again to a point which is

transcribed.

Experience that the experiences

and enlightenment, all have been

left behind. You are part of the

tremendous nothingness that is

infinity.

And for this, there should be specific

training that teaches how to transmute

and divert different psychic pabula, and

this should be open to all.

The fourth one is to create more scope

for rationality and rationalisation on the

different planes of existence – physical,

psychic and spiritual.

If we want to encourage rationality and

rationalisation at the physical level, we

must avoid thought waves which

originate on the physical plane and

concern physical objects. On the psychic

level, avoid various psychic forms, ideas

and movements, and also those aspects

of telepathy or clairvoyance which

originate on the psychic plane.

However, there are certain phenomena

which occur on a blended plane, for

instance on a blending of the psychic

and spiritual planes. Only the thought

wave which emanates from the spiritual

plane could save us from the devastating

influence of dogma, which separates

one person from another, which creates

hindrances in the remoulding of human

society into a single existence. This

process of rationalisation should be

developed through the intrinsic human

potential of remodelling every aspect

of mind. We need to overcome

- Courtesy : Speaking Tree

ENLIGHTENMENT

- A. Dias

April 2012

Once a truly empty man lay down for a

short nap under a tree. When he woke

up, he stood up and Picked up his

belongings and begging bowl. He saw

many beings sitting around him, they all

stood up And said “Thank you very

much for sat sang”.

“But I did not speak a word to you I was

sleeping.” Yes sir, this sat sang we

cannot get in heaven. We are all gods of

different heavens, and we have to come

to have your sat sang. This Sat sang is

not happening even in the heavens. “We

are very busy and chattering all day, so

much from there, so much fun and

enjoyment that heaven cannot even

think of. We were very busy in our

enjoyments. We wanted some peace. We

looked around, Searching for where we

could have some peace of mind.” The

gods from the heavens looked around,

and on the earth they found this man

who was sleeping. A MAN WITH NO

THOUGHTS IN THE MIND IS

EMITTING RAYS OF PEACE AND

LOVE. Everyone is attracted to the

person who has no concept in the mind.

“So we have come because here is the

place of love and peace. Thank you for

this Sat sang”. As they returned to their

abode, they showered on this man,

and the tree also come into bloom and

dropped flowers on him. Just keep quiet

and see what happens. All nature will

love you, you will be better taken care of

than by your own mother who gave

birth to you and put you in all this

trouble. But his other mother –

consciousness, if you know that she is

your original mother, she will take care

of you and give you peace and happiness

and deathlessness also, no other mother

can give you this.

Deathlessness is eternity. This mother

we do not recognize, and so we get into

trouble. When you love, you love all

beings, when you eat; everybody is

eating off your plate, even the beings

who have died and the ones who are yet

to be. When you see, all the eyes

collected together are seeing through

this retina. Sit quite in your house and

send a message of peace from within the

heart, in silence to all beings this world

.BE HAPPY.

Dear Dhyanabandhus,

Kundalini Beeja Mantra camp will be held from 17th to 20th May 2012.

Kriya Yoga Camp in Kannada & English will be held from 23rd to 27th May 2012. To enroll please contact Ashram’s Office.

Love & Peace

Spiritual wisdom – Jnana is acquired

through Guru Parampara (tradition)

only. It is possible to acquire this Jnana

through a Guru only. A Guru can

transform his disciple in various ways.

For example, by looking at disciples eyes

-that too within a flash of a second, by

touch, through deliberations, through

the medium of sound etc. A guru

blesses his disciples with his Shakti by

any one of the above ways or the

medium. Guru by his own personal

experience sees that his disciple secures

the “Jnana”. The life of such a Guru is

itself a teaching for the disciple. Guru

initiates and awakens the Yogabandhus at

his time and place and passes the shakti –

which is with the Guru to the disciple

with this wonderful principle of Guru

Tatwa, Guru takes the disciple to the

highest states in life.

Guru has acquired Atma Jnana or Atma-

Prakash on the basis of his personal

experience. One cannot become a Guru

merely by studying books only. Only a

personality which is Jeevan Mukta, can

become Sad guru. There is a big

repository of knowledge in guru. In

that there are oceans of compassion and

blessings. He drives away the darkness

which envelops a disciple and

graciously grants Shakti to the disciple

for ending the difficulties which may

confront him in his future life. Guru

takes all the disciples who come to him

to a world of peace and bliss by giving

the elixir of “Jnana” without showing

any siddhi or miracle to the disciple. To

the real disciple this Guru Krupa makes

the eye of Jnana open as his intellect

gets sharper. In order to acquire Guru

Krupa a disciple must acquire

eligibility. The first eligibility is that

he must be humble and trustworthy.

He must completely dedicate himself

to the Guru. If the disciple accepts all

the orders given by the Guru with total

joy and obeys it every moment, then he

will get BLISS (ANANDA). He must

submit himself to Guru after getting

all his doubts cleared. These doubts

are like poison which appears in life and

unless it is removed, we cannot and will

not surrender ourselves at Guru's feet.

Non-violence, truth and mind control

are the features of Guru-Tatwa.

When the disciple is able to practice

the above, then only it is possible for

him to become the real disciple.

Whatever work the Guru does for the

disciple is very, very important. At

present everybody tries to bind Guru

GURU KRIPA

April 2012

- Contd to Page No. 20

Children Space: Shakti Prerana Camp

This summer, delve into the world of medicinal herbs that laid the

foundations of Ayurveda, challenge your endurance while seeking a hidden

prize with an adventure-laden treasure hunt through acres of pristine

jungle and plantation, spend the night in self-constructed tents before a

campfire in the wilderness, create crafts from seemingly worthless

materials around you, develop an attitude to conserve the natural

environment and its denizens, and experience all these while imbibing the

ancient Indian art of spiritual strengthening through meditation. Be one

among a special group of youngsters guided by a group of teachers,

researchers and enthusiasts specializing in their own respective fields,

sharing their knowledge in a week’s worth of fun, games, treks, outdoor

skills and learning through a camp initiated by the Shakthidarshan

Yogashram, Kinnigoli.

Juniors: Students of 5th, 6th 7th & 8th Standard from 16/04/12 to 19/04/12

Seniors: 9th, 10th, 1st & 2nd Puc from 24/04/12 to 30/04/12.

To Enroll Contact Ashram’s office.

April 2012

Jnana Vrikshas

Crossword Puzzle?

1

3

4 5

6

2

Down:

1. A policeman

3. A bird’s home

5. Ringing instrument used for communication.

Across:

1. The ship of the desert

2. A writing instrument

3. A big, fat animal

6. A night bird.

Ma Anandamayee is the most shining

diamond in the luminous Crown of

Contemporary Indian spiritual life.

“ B o r n i n Fo r t B e n ga l { n ow,

Bangladesh}, She is known as the

miraculous compassionate MATA

Anandamayee”. Her ashram is at

Vanarasi, North India. She traveled

length and breadth of India spreading

the message of love, infinite peace and

happiness.

1) In the first stage to sit for meditation

causes uneasiness or pain in one’s limbs.

When small children start to learn

reading they cannot concentrate. How

many books they destroy, how many

they tear to understand their value. But

slowly & gradually, as they acquire

fluency in reading, it gives them joy. At

first people study in the hope of

becoming rich, but later they come to

understand the value of knowledge.

By laboring hard, practice is required.

With how much zeal do you learn in

order to pass, your examinations, finally

you become B.A s and M.A s. But here

concerned with supreme knowledge

(Brahmavidya). At first mind does not

become steady and one cannot find any

delight in the repetition in the Name of

god or in meditation. The mind is

concerned with bodily comforts, just as

children spoil their books By japa,

meditation or other spiritual exercises,

one’s thinking has to be brought under

control. By practice, the mind becomes

steady.

2) Wherever God may keep you at any

time, from there itself you must

undertake the pilgrimage to God-

realization. In all forms, in action and

non-action it is He, the one Himself.

While attending to your work with

your hands, keep yourself bound to

Him by sustaining japa, the constant

remembrance of Him in your heart &

mind. In God’s Empire, it is

forgetfulness of Him that is

detrimental. The way to face life is the

remembrance of Him and Him alone. A

traveler on the path to God-realization

has to obey his Guru’s instructions so

that his journey may be crowned with

success, however, in case where there

are no such instructions, one should,

April 2012

- Collections

Saints & Saintliness

April 2012

according to the dictates of one’s heart,

keep one self occupied in calling out to

God in prayer or meditation, if someone

prays to him with a sincere and a simple

heart, God will fulfil his cherished desire.

To yearn for him with his whole being is

men’s duty.

3. When mind is full of worldly desires,

it is their very nature to make the mind

confused; this is why effort is necessary.

So long as you do not become absorbed in

dhyana and japa, effort is to be done by

constant endeavor. To be moderate in

eating, sleeping and the like is imperative.

Look, when you go on a journey, you take

with you only as much as you need. You

don’t carry all that is in your home.

Similarly you should take only as much

food and supply as will help you to live

always in the presence of God. There is a

saying, “As one eats, so one becomes.”

Thus, withdraw the mind from outer

things and make it turn within.

“Jeevan Phal Pavae”

“Aur Manorath Jo Koyi Lave

Soyi Amith Jeevan Phal Pave”

This is a verse from, Hanuman chalisa, the

boon of Sri Tulasidasji, where it says,

even if the chalisa is recited for getting

fulfilled some trivial desire of the

tmundane world, ultimately it will so

happen that he inner being will get

awakened to its glory. Sri Ram Krishna

Paramahamsa states “God is like the

kalpataru, the celestial tree, which gives

whatever one asks of it. So one should

be careful to give up all worldly desires,

when one’s mind has been purified by

spiritual practices.”

This also is truthfully applicable to

sadgurus. So many come to our

Ashram to get some physical ailment

cured by doing Yoga. Still others come

to get the mental equilibrium through

Pranayama and meditations. The other

day somebody told me, “I come to

Ashram, but I don’t know what I get, still

I keep coming.” I said “Every time you

come here, you are taking with you a

tiny Jewel tucked in some where, quite

unaware and it keeps you going joyful

for sometime. Again when you want

recharging you comeback to Sri

Guruji!”. She immediately agreed.

Again another person told me a couple

of years back, “I started going to

Ashram with an intention of curing my

headaches and not for Moksha or

sadhana. Now see I have taken a U turn

and I am going to the inner realms with

the help of Sri Guruji.” So many

come….so many go away. But a

good number of blessed ones, the

gifted children of God who get the

grace of God, toil and toil, put in hard

efforts, feeling the presence of Sri

Guruji in them, seeking his grace

achieve and still march forward

blissfully…. Human life itself is a

sheer blessing from God, got out of

his supreme compassion. Smother

this precious life in bliss so that we can

distribute bliss where ever we are.

This life is an opportunity extended

to us to do Purnsharth sadhana, just to

get our “Soyi Amith Jeevan Phal.”

A book in Kannada has been published by Ashram,

(Dharegilida Yogivarenya Sadguru Sri Devbaba) a biography on

Poojya Guruji, written by Sri V. Ramadas. This book is

about Poojya Guruji's birth, education, employment and his

spiritual sadhana and his various experiences. Based on this

book, taking mainly the spiritual experiences, a Ballet is being

presented by Surya Kalavidaru, Bangalore on Saturday, the 7th

April 2012 at 5pm at Town Hall, Mangalore .

For further details please contact Ashram’s office.

April 2012

GOOD NEWS FOR DHYANABANDHUS

QUOTES KORNER

Do you know who 'god' is? God is not

Vishnu or Shiva or Brahma; not the wind,

the sun nor the moon; nor the brahmana or

the king; not I or you; not Lakshmi or the

mind. God is without form and undivided

(not in the objects); that splendor which is

not made and which has neither beginning

nor end is known as god, or Lord Shiva,

which is pure consciousness. That alone is

fit to be worshiped; that alone is all.

- SAGE VASISHTHA

April 2012

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April 2012

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Pratuthana: Rising to welcome a

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Namaskaara: Paying homage in the

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elders or teachers.

Shaashtaanga: Prostrating fully with

the feet, knees, stomach, chest,

forehead and arms touching the

ground in front of the elder.

Pratyab ivaadana : Returning a

greeting.

Rules are prescribed in our scriptures as to who should prostrate to whom. Wealth, family name, age, moral strength and spiritual knowledge in ascending order of importance qualified men to receive respect. This is why a king though the ruler of the land, would prostrate before a spiritual master. Epics like the Ramayana and

Mahabharata have many stories highlighting this aspect.

7. Why do we wear marks (tilak,

pottu and the like) on the forehead?

Ans: The tilak or pottu invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and others. It is recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour vary according to one's caste, religious sect or the form of the Lord worshiped. In earlier times, the

four castes (based on varna or colour) -

Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra

- applied marks differently. The brahmin

applied a white chandan mark signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly

or academic nature. The kshatriya

applied a red kumkum mark signifying

voleur as he belonged to warrior

races. The vaishya wore a yellow

kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth.

The sudra applied a black bhasma,

kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as he supported the work of the other three divisions. Also Vishnu

worshipers apply a chandan tilak of the shape of "U,” Shiva worshipers a

tripundra of bhasma, Devi worshipers a

red dot of kumkum and so on). The tilak cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as the Aajna

Chakra in the language of Yoga. The

tilak is applied with the prayer - "May I remember the Lord. May this pious feeling pervade all my activities. M a y I b e r i g h t e o u s i n m y

- Hari Om

Secrets of Hindu

Tradition Contd

deeds.” Even when we temporarily forget this prayerful attitude the mark on another reminds us of our resolve. The tilak is thus a blessing of the Lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces. The entire body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves - the forehead and the subtle spot between the eyebrows especially so and causes a

headache. The tilak and pottu cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes the entire

forehead is covered with chandan or

bhasma. Using plastic reusable "stick

bindis" is not very beneficial, even though it serves the purpose of decoration.

8. Why do we not touch papers, books

and people with the feet?

Ans: To Indians, knowledge is sacred and divine. So it must be given respect at all times. Nowadays we separate subjects as sacred and secular. But in ancient India every subject - academic or spiritual - was considered divine and

taught by the guru in the gurukula.

The custom of not stepping on educational tools is a frequent reminder of the high position accorded to knowledge in Indian culture. From an early age, this wisdom fosters in us a deep reverence for books and education.

This is also the reason why we worship books, vehicles and instruments once a

year on Saraswathi Pooja or Ayudha

Pooja day, dedicated to the Goddess of Learning. In fact, each day before starting our studies, we pray:

Saraswati namasthubhyam

Varade kaama roopini

Vidyaarambham karishyaami

Sidhirbhavatu me sadaa

O Goddess Saraswati, the giver of Boons and fulfiller of wishes,

I prostrate to You before starting my studies. May you always fulfill me.

9. To touch another with the feet is

considered an act of misdemeanor.

Why is this so?

Ans: Man is regarded as the most beautiful, living breathing temple of the Lord! Therefore touching another with the feet is akin to disrespecting the divinity within him or her. This calls for an immediate apology, which is offered with reverence and humility.

Disease is the tax which the soul pays for

the body, as the tenant pays house-rent for

the use of the house.

- Ramakrishna Paramahansa

April 2012

April 2012

God has provided the three Sadhans –

Body, mind and intellect to do Sadhana.

Sadhana is the most beautiful practice a

human being can undertake. This is

the only effort worth-while doing in

life. This is the only endeavor which

will give us an evergreen feeling, joyful,

peaceful and blissful life in ripe old age.

Every moment becomes worth-living

when we master the art of living in His

precious presence. If a Sadhak can stay

at the core, which continuously

emanates divinity, which is our

Anteryami – The eternal principle – the

base of our existence, his mind will

never get externalized unnecessarily in

the outer world. The mind will

internalize the moment outer business

gets transacted. Why linger around

unnecessary in the trivial, temporary

matters ?

“Where am I ?” keep on questioning.

The mental ripples will be around

either body or mind most of the time.

With great care bring it back to the

inner pool of divinity. To start with,

this is to be done constantly. As the

time passes there is no need for this.

Just watch out,

“where I am?”

'I' am there

only. The

consciousness

l i n g e r s

a r o u n d

d i v i n i t y .

Whenever the consciousness has to

slip out, it distributes peace & joy to all

around. Such a consciousness is a

diminished one. How does it happen ?

If the consciousness is in the present

while interacting, then there is no need

to drag it to the core. It is there ……

To live in the present means to live in

His presence. The attitude towards life

becomes positive, living in an attitude

of gratitude and in an attitude of

abundance. “Where am I ?” “Where

am I ?” repeat this and go through life

when the negative feelings assault,

when the trying situations wrap

around and when adverse conditions

prevail. When we have mastered the

art of internalization, then only we

will get enough devotion and live in

our hearts and experience of the spirit

of oneness. We will get totally

transformed to see, hear, smell, taste

and feel only auspiciousness.

“WHERE AM I ?”

Physical layer-------------

Mental layer--------------

Intellectual layer

The core ---------------

God has provided the three

Where am “I”

April 2012

The Sadhaks whose consciousness sinks

into the core of divinity effortlessly are

blissful. Solitude and silence are their

companions. Solitude and silence offer

purity to the Anthakarana.

There is nothing to seek to such

souls. They are ever satisfied and

fulfilled.

- Hari Om

A rich man asked a Zen master to

write something down that could

encourage the prosperity of his

family for years to come. It would be

something that the family could

cherish for generations. On a large

piece of paper, the master wrote,

“Father dies, son dies, grandson

dies.”

The rich man became angry when he

saw the master's work. “I asked you

to write something down that could

bring happiness and prosperity to

my family. Why do you give me

something depressing like this?”

“If your son should die before you,”

the master answered, “this would

bring unbearable grief to your

family. If your grandson should die

before your son, this also would

bring great sorrow. If your family,

generation after generation,

disappears in the order I have

described, it will be the natural

course of life. This is true happiness

and prosperity.”

- Collections

Continued from Page : 11

to themselves due to problems in

mundane life. But the main duty of the

Guru is to awaken the peace and joy

inside his disciple. When a disciple

walks on the higher state of

spiritualism he gets inner peace. The

disciple doesn't get disturbed when he

faces small problems in life. When he

faces great sorrows in life the disciple

will have that personality also which

has the power to repel it. It is very

difficult to understand the relationship

between Guru and disciple through the

medium of words. We can be with the

Guru only when one has got inner

inspiration, devotion and trust. He

must have earnestness, too. Also when

a disciple has these tatwas in him then

he requires Guru Kripa.

- K Dinesh Rao, Kasargod

Zen StoriesProsperity

April 2012

We don’t need unlimited funds to do our

bit for others. All it takes is the right

intention Not everybody is a

billionaire. Just as not every billionaire

spends millions to help others. But for

those who have a little to spare – could

be very little, as a matter of fact –

happiness can lie in giving it away to

those who need. The thought might

sound stereotyped, perhaps mundane,

but come to think of it. How many of us

do our bit for others, believing that such

a selfless gesture can make one, a better

person? We preach, yes, we do. Whether

or not we extend a helping hand to

people and other living beings, many of

us make pompous proclamations of

generosity that are rooted to hypocrisy

and, at times, complete lies. But, we do

not help. Buying a new outfit seems

much more attractive than giving a

little money to somebody whose son

needs to buy books. Whether or not we

scream about our broad mindedness

from the rooftops – with a microphone

to magnify our voice – our hearts seem

to shrink when we think of sparing

what we can. And, so easily at that.

Long time ago, a friend, an ordinary guy

with ordinary aspirations, had told me,

“Try it Try it just once”. The thought

stuck in my mind, however simple it

might have been. I had hired a domestic

help during those days, an elderly lady

whose sons were studying in college.

My budget wasn’t a big ocean: instead,

it was highly conservative and each

hundred-rupee note needed to be spent

with circumspection. So, I started in a

modest manner, that is, by giving away

my old clothes which one of her sons

could wear and some books which

another could use.

The satisfaction that I experienced

cannot be explained in mere words. Let

me say I was happy, and a little bit more.

Time has flown since then. Like many

others like me, I find a little time to feed

a cat whom I have seen the days it was a

toddler. I also have a stray dog buddy

who waits for me for a daily meal. There

is another dog I have befriended

recently: a female who is, kind of, shy

and doesn’t eat till I persuade her to do

so. When I give away my old clothes and

money to people who need help, I feel

nice and contented.

Do What U Can

- A Seeker

- Collections

April 2012

Atmaram consists of 183 verses. These verses are like deep Spiritual Ocean,

wherein you learn to dive and find out shells full of radiant pearls. Let us see a few

verses. Ramada's explains to his disciples, “I am the supreme universe, the

inspiration of energy. The same inspiration of energy is manifested in various

forms in the universe. This is the awareness of equanimity and equality i.e.

Atmanivedan.

8 This is the state of enlightenment, which does not allow unhappiness to enter

your mind. The feeling of you and me vanishes from your mind. This is called

Advait. In this era scientists have successfully tried to explore space. Samantha

Ramada's advises through his valuable work, to find out the space in your

Deep inner mind. He wants you to design your life more beautifully in an Artistic

way, filling it with pure happiness and peace! “To know yourself. To find out your

hidden self is knowledge”

Sayings by

Samartha Ramdas Contd- Collections

Kum. Spoorthi USA

Cow’s Name : Mythili

Breed : Rathi Breed : Gir

Cow’s Name : Gargi

Kum. Druthi USA

Dattu

Nidhi

April 2012

There was once a very advanced, great

seeker. Many people used to come to

him for advice, but he would not advise

anybody. He always used to say, "If you

want to come and meditate with me in

silence, I am more than willing to

meditate with you. But I will not tell you

anything."

People were satisfied with this. They

were all gratitude to him for giving

them the opportunity to meditate with

him. Always they felt a kind of intense

delight when they meditated with him,

and tremendous inner joy used to

envelop them. Sometimes during

meditation he would smile at them most

soulfully, but he would never talk to

them.

One day a young man came to him and

touched his feet, pleading with him for

advice. "I am in trouble. I have all kinds

of emotional problems. You have to

save me.”

The advanced seeker finally opened his

mouth and said, "Look, my boy, why do I

not talk? If I tell the truth, the world

hates me. If I don't tell the truth, God

d o e s n o t

l o v e m e .

Now where

do I stand?

T r u t h i s

painful for

humanity. I

can't tel l

the truth or

humanity will have ill will. And if I tell

lies, I displease God. I want to please

both man and God. So I remain silent.

“If I am deeply absorbed in silence,

God is pleased with me. At the same

time, humanity sees that I am not

involved in anybody's affairs, either

individually or collectively. To

everyone I am the same. I pray for

humanity inwardly, but if I were to

become involved outwardly, I would

have to open my mouth. And the truth

humanity finds impossible to accept.

Therefore, I remain silent to please

both humanity and divinity. Silence is

the answer to please the higher worlds

and the lower worlds at the same

time."

Silence is the Answer

- Collections

As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.

- Chanakya

April 2012

Mulla Nasruddin is appointed as the

prime minister of a king because he was

known to be very wise; somewhat weird

was his wisdom, but still, wisdom is

wisdom. The first day when they went

to have their dinner together, a certain

vegetable called bindhi was made by the

cook, stuffed with Eastern spices. It is a

delicacy.

The king appreciated the cook, and after

that Mulla said, in appreciation of the

bindhi, “This is the most precious

vegetable in the world. It gives you long

life, it keeps you healthy, it gives you

resistance against diseases,” and so on

and so forth.

The king said, “I never knew that you

know so much about vegetables.”

The cook heard about it, so he thought

if bindhi is such a thing that our king can

live long and healthy and young… Next

day again bindhi was made, and again

Mulla praised it, going even higher than

the first day. The third day bindhi was

made and Mulla went still higher. The

fourth day bindhi was made and Mulla

was going higher and higher.

The f i f th

day Mulla

even sa id

that bindhi is

a divine food

— God eats

only bindhi.

But the king

was bored.

He threw

the plate of bindhi and told Mulla

Nasruddin, “You are an idiot. Bindhi…

and God eats bindhi every day? You will

drive me mad!”

Mulla said, “Lord, you are getting

unnecessarily hot. I am your servant;

you said bindhi was good, I simply

followed you, and when I do something

I do it perfectly. I am not a servant to

bindhi, I am your servant. The truth is

that bindhi is the worst thing in the

world — even devils don’t eat it. You

did well that you threw it.”

He threw his plate farther away than

the king. He said, “You should always

remember that I am your servant, and

you are always right. And I am a

consistent man; I will remain

consistently your servant, whatever

happens.”

A SUFI STORY

A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.

- Mahatma Gandhi

April 2012

ANGULIMALA CONTINUED

And that very day when Angulimal went to beg in the city, the same cowards who

had stopped even going on the road that passed nearby Angulimal’s place locked

their doors, stood on their terraces with large piles of rocks, and started

throwing rocks at the poor man. He fell down; blood was flowing from all over

his body. Buddha was informed, and he came. Just a few more minutes and

Angulimal would be gone.

Buddha said to him, ”Remember one thing, that this act of yours – that you have

not in any way reacted to the hostility of the people – is enough. You are dying as

a truly awakened man.” Smiling, touching Buddha’s feet, Angulimal died. Don’t

be afraid of people’s hostility. Just be aware of your compassion, your love, and

nothing is going to be wrong.

Poojya Guruji has been observing silence for one year

from Jan 2012. He will be in Ashram & in Meditation.

It is an opportunity for all Dhyana Bandhus to

meditate in the presence of Poojya Guruji. He will not

respond to any Phone calls, letters / E mails & there

shall be no Public meets. Let us all extend our co

operation whole heartedly in his sadhana.

Come to Ashram & meditate and you can feel the effect

of group meditation. Let us all meditate more & more

for our own spiritual progress and welfare of the

mankind.

A Humble Request

April 2012

You are told by teachers, parents to live

positively but question is - can human

being live in positivity. Until and unless

you move into present moment it is

impossible to live positively. Mind keeps

on drifting from negative to positive all

the time. This tendency gives rise to all

troubles. We live with ego not with our

real self. The egos need are endless. It

feels vulnerable and threatened; so lives

in fear and want. Ego loves this - you

being scared, trembling all the time. But

once you have seen this dysfunction

there isn’t really much else to learn or

understand. Once you have understood

the basic mechanics of unconscious

state, identification with mind, which

creates false self – ego as a substitute to

your real self rooted in being. You

become strong and then it is impossible

to have problems if your eye is on

attentiveness, consciousness – on Now.

If your full attention is in present

moment then there is no room for

complications or complexities of mind.

Positive attitude can soon change into

negative if we haven’t changed our way

of living. Living not in the past -

not for future ; but being here - fully;

gives us the key to create our paradise.

And if you don’t have right state of

being then if you are given admittance

in paradise, it won’t be long enough

when you will say…. If only, all is good,

Yes….. but…’ Ultimately it comes to

you how you live - not where you live,

how you see things not how things are.

Once you have learnt this there is no

chance that you will ever suffer. Positive

attitudes are not meant to be cultivated

directly as there is a huge chance of

your mind creating this tilt to

negativities every now and then. This

habit is so old that you will be like a

pendulum moving from negativity to

positivity all the time. Once you have

learnt ways of meditation then you

have secured a comfortable zone, where

you move into your being which is ever

blissful. Just use your sense more. Be

where ever you are – fully. Look around-

just look do not interpret. See the lights,

shades, textures, and fragrances,

breathe air. Be aware of space that

allows everything to be. Listen to the

sounds do not define it, listening purely

without being judgmental. Observe

rhythm of your breath, feel the air

going in and out, feel the difference of

temperature. Feel the energy inside

Beyond the Power

of Positive thinking

April 2012

your body. Allow everything to be, within and without. Move deeply in now and see

the miracle all happiness joy, positivist will be there. Leave the dead world of past

behind and see God is now right here with you.

Be present - as the watcher of your mind – of your thoughts and emotions as well as

reactions in various situations. Notice how you bring past in present and that is time

when you are troubled. Being in moment fills us with so much that mind won’t ever

bother about things. We can’t change people but we can change ourselves. So use this

Midas’s golden touch and live gloriously and savour every minute of your life.- Collections

Programmes held for the month of Feb 2012

4 th - 3pm to 7 pm: Mruthyunjaya homa was performed in presence of Poojya

Guruji. The Homa was sponsored by Sri Deepak Shenoy, Sri Srinivasan, Smt

Renu R Valvarkar, Sri Kenan Samsan, Smt Trupthi Patel, Sri Anand Koushik.

Later Sanjeevini pranayam was conducted. After light refreshment, whole night

meditation was held in the presence of Poojya Guruji.

5th: “Satchintana” Programme was conducted by Mumbai Satsang members. At

9.30am Poojya Guruji and Dhyanabandhus inaugurated the programme by

lighting the lamp. Smt Meenakshi Balachandar rendered prayer. Master

Siddarth garlanded Poojya Guruji. Sri Gurunath Shenoy explained the activities

of five satsangs of Mumbai. Till 11am Silent Meditation was held. After Juice

break meditation continued along with Poojya Guruji’s Violin & Sri Vivek

Shenoy flute recitals till 1pm. After lunch Satsang members sang Bhajanas.

Nearly 90 Dhyanabandhus attended the programme.

11th & 26th: Kriya yoga Punaschetana camp was held in which 6 & 18 participants

respectivly attended.

19th : On the Mahashivarathri day Mruthyunjaya Homa was performed in

presence of Poojya Guruji. The Homa was sponsored by Kum. Vasudha, Kum.

Vedha, Kum Gowri & Dr. Gayathri Prabhu. Later Sanjeevini Pranayama was

conducted. After light refreshments whole night meditation was held in

presence of Poojya Guruji.