blog On this Day the Adventure Began
published on Thu. May. 15th, '08 by Swami AtmaToday marks the 20th anniversary of my leaving France to become a full-time staff member in the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers.
My original commitment was for one to two years but it soon became obvious that I'd stay much longer than that. I ended up staying over 12 years. Twelve years of intense training in the different aspects of yoga, especially karma yoga.
I still see myself in the plane from Paris to Montreal. I did not speak a word of English. I had taken TTC the year before. I was as enthusiastic a yoga student as you can be and was very aware that I needed to learn much. Heartfelt thanks to all swamis and senior staff members who taught me so much.
I'm so happy I got to do this. No regrets whatsoever. Would do it again in a moment. I'm still as far to the goal as I was then though. So much work remains to be done.
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How to Become Happy & Peaceful
published on Sat. May. 10th, '08 by Swami AtmaWish good to all beings. This will enrich your life and make you happy and peaceful. Swami Sivananda
Samsara Goes On and On
published on Sat. May. 10th, '08 by Swami AtmaIn the last few days I have been doing some house sitting for a friend who has a couple cats. The female one just had kittens and I'm breaking the cardinal blogging rule of never publishing photos of one's cat :-)
These four kittens are about 3 days old and, according to the two ladies who saw them come to this world, are twice as big as when they came in.
Escaping Control
published on Sat. May. 10th, '08 by Swami Atma
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Photo Essay - Spring in Texas
published on Sun. May. 4th, '08 by Sita Chaitanya
marigolds and the sky
orange day lily
dew on lily leaves
the hardest worker
yellow and orange flower
nandina berries
spider on a marigold
All photos by Shakti, age 14, Austin, Texas.
Growing Your Willpower
published on Sat. Apr. 26th, '08 by Sita ChaitanyaUnruffled state of the mind, poise, cheerfulness, inner strength, capacity to turn out difficult works, success in all undertakings, power to influence people, a magnetic and dynamic personality, magnetic aura on the face, sparkling eyes, steady gaze, powerful voice, a magnanimous gait, unyielding nature, fearlessness, etc., are some of the signs or symptoms that indicate one's 'will' is growing.
The source of all life, the source of all knowledge, is Atman, your innermost Self. This Atman or supreme Soul is transcendent, inexpressible, uninferable, indescribable, the ever-peaceful, all-blissful. It is Omnipotent; the more you reflect upon its infinite Strength, and the more you are conscious of this inner Power of the Infinite in you, the greater is your will-power. Swami Sivananda
Swami Vishnu-devananda
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Get Rid of the Ego
published on Thu. Apr. 24th, '08 by Sita ChaitanyaAs long as there are thought impressions and tendencies, there will be more reincarnation. The tendency of the ego itself must be broken down, for it, too, is illusion. Maya projects qualities onto the individual, and he thinks that he is tall, fat, man, woman, talented or dull. When all such ideas, good as well as evil, have been overcome, the soul stands alone. Swami Vishnu-devananda
Swami Vishnu-devananda
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Vedanta and the Ultimate Reality
published on Mon. Apr. 21st, '08 by Sita Chaitanya
For you there is no birth or death,
for you there is no mind,
for you there is no bondage or liberation,
no good or evil.
Why do you weep, my child?
Neither you nor I have name and form. Dattatreya,
Avadhuta Gita
... and Happy Birthday, Swami Atma, 4-22-08.
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New English Language Yoga Newsletter
published on Wed. Apr. 16th, '08 by Swami AtmaAs many of you know I'm doing most of my teaching these days at the Yoga Vidya ashrams and centers in Germany. This will be the case until I settle in my own ashram in Slovakia.
Many international folks feel intimidated by the fact that German is the primary language at the ashram even though programs such as the TTC which I teach every Summer are fully in English.
Kirtan at the Bad Meinberg Yoga Vidya ashram
Well, the Yoga Vidya ashrams are holding more and more events in English and are making a determined effort to branch out to the whole world. There are internet ads running about the Summer TTC in about 15 countries.
The Yoga Vidya English newsletter is being revived so you can subscribe if you want to know the different possibilities and news. Here is the blog announcement.
Curiosity
published on Wed. Apr. 16th, '08 by Swami AtmaWhen you see a big red button at the gas station, what happens if you press it? Here is the answer.
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Unique Inspirational Message Parody
published on Wed. Apr. 16th, '08 by Swami AtmaThe Internet is full of these fake inspirational posters.
This one gives food for thought on the topic of ego and individuality.
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Elephant Painting - A Must See
published on Mon. Apr. 14th, '08 by Swami AtmaThis video will make your day. You won't believe how this elephant paints.
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Worship with Flowers
published on Sun. Apr. 13th, '08 by Sita ChaitanyaOfferings to God need not necessarily be rich and costly things. What did the lord of elephants (Gajendra) offer? Only a flower from the tank. Draupadi offered a vegetable leaf and Sabari some wild plums. But the Lord was pleased. It is the feeling of love for God that God takes into account and not the material that is offered. He is pleased even with leaves and mere water. Swami Sivananda
Swami Vishnu-devananda
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Quote on God plus Photo
published on Sat. Apr. 5th, '08 by Sita ChaitanyaWho is God? What is God?
Is there a God? Where is God?
How to realise God?
Man wants an answer to these eternal questions,
Certainly there is God.
God exists; He is the only Reality.
God is your Creator, Saviour and Redeemer.
He is all-pervading, He dwells in your heart,
He is always near you.
He is nearer to you than your jugular vein or nose.
He loves you; He can talk to you.
You cannot find God by the intellect,
But by feeling, meditation, experience and realisation. Swami Sivananda
Swami Vishnu-devananda
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A New AYA Affiliate in Zurich
published on Thu. Apr. 3rd, '08 by Swami AtmaI just arrived in Luxembourg and am in the middle of a teaching tour. My last stop was in Zurich where a Friday satsang plus a weekend intensive workshop on 'The Philosophy of Oneness' were held.
It all went well. I had a lovely time and there is a small group of enthusiastic yogis in Zurich which is developing into a strong community.
AYA Zurich
Gauri, who is running the Mandala Yoga Center, has decided to join the AYA family and to become an AYA affiliate. Welcome to Gauri. It's nice to have a connection with Switzerland. For several years Maria was teaching in Basel and Liestal but she has moved on to Australia quite a while ago already.
Friday night I will be giving a lecture and this weekend a whole weekend intensive on bhakti yoga at the Centre de Yoga 'La Source' in Walferdange, Luxembourg.
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