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Spiritual Growth
Vishwanath told a nice story in Satsang at the Yoga Vidya Ashram in Bad Meinberg this morning. It is a story about spiritual growth, about the small steps you have to take.
1. You walk along a street. There is a big deep hole in the sidewalk. You do not see it and you fall in it. You don't know where you are. It's not your fault! It takes an endless time to get out again.
2. You walk along the same street. There is a big deep hole in the sidewalk. You do not see it and you fall in again. You know where you are. It's not your fault! You get out quicker.
3. You walk along the same street. There is a big deep hole in the sidewalk. You see it but you fall in nonetheless. You know where you are. It is your fault. You can easily get out again.
4. You walk along the same street. There is a big deep hole in the sidewalk. You see it and you walk around it. You don't fall in this time.
5. You take another road.
Non-violent Protest In Germany And Burma
Om Namah shivaya!
Today is the 17th annivarsary of the german unification. After a long period of suppression and fear, a non-violent revolution led to the reunification of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic (DDR). There are lots of arguments if it happened too fast and therefore brought along lots of financial problems. But the people all over Germany and all over the world were impressed how the citizens of Eastern Germany could change so much by just showing their opinion non-violently. Nobody thought this was possible. But now the german chancellor is not only a woman, but a woman from the former DDR.
Germany before and after the unifcation
When I thought about what this day means to german people, the people in Burma were coming in my mind. At the moment there are people trying the same thing there. Buddhist monks and citizens of Burma are demonstrating peacefully on the streets for democratic elections and freedom. But they are not only thinking about high ideals - there is not enough to eat in Burma, they are fighting for a future.
They are risking their lives because the military junta decided to fight the demonstrations. It is important to show support and sympathy all over the world. Because of this reason, bloggers started the "Red Shirt Friday". You can show your support by wearing a red shirt every Friday which is the color of the monks' clothes. The monks need every positive energy and support.
Support the monks, wear a red shirt every Friday
This blog supports "Free Burma!" You can read more about it if you click on the picture below.
Mozart On Bottles And Rollerblades
Check out this video of an asian guy who plays a well-known tune of Mozart. But not just like everyone - he uses water-filled bottles and hits them with sticks fixed to his rollerblades. Take a look, it's amazing...
Finding The Perfect Guru
A young man told Swami Sivananda: "I want to find the perfect Guru."
"Are you a perfect disciple?" questioned Swami Sivanada.
The answer shocked the young man, so he stammered: "No, Swamiji. I quite realise that I'm full of defects."
"Then how can you find out a perfect Guru? What right have you to judge the Guru when you yourself are so full of imperfections? Anyone will do for you at this stage. Go to any one of the Mahatmas (great master, serve them and learn." Swami Sivananda
What You Really Are
There is a bridge between time and eternity - this bridge is Atman, the immortal soul of man. Chandogya Upanishad
Let Go, Let God
What a comfort it is to know that I can let go and let God lead me in all matters and in all that matters.
How We Could Look At The World
This is a speech of Swami Sivananda which he gave on his tour through India and the countries around it in 1950. He spoke to people in Sri Lanka which was already relatively westernized in comparison to India. In my view, it applies to us western people as well.
You admire the little electric lamp on your table.
Have learnt to admire the glorious sun which sheds the light in the whole universe?
You admire a bottle of French parfume.
Have you learnt to admire the fragrance of the rose or jasmine?
You admire the paintings of artists and the little toys made by craftsmen.
Have you ever thought of the beautiful creation of the Lord – this glorious earth itself – which is only an infinitesimal part of His creation?
You glorify the little man who digs a small swimming pool.
Can you glorify the Lord for His creation of oceans, lakes and rivers?
You deify the sculptur who carves some figures out of the stones; you deify the scientist for his superficial knowledge of the inner human mechanism.
Can all the scientists in the world produce a human being?
The intelligence with which the scientists have invented so many things is itself a spark of the Divine.
Man is a drop in the ocean of Consciousness.
His ego is a point in the limitless truth of Existence. Swami Sivananda
Free Books by Swami Sivananda
Om namah shivaya!
My name is Lalita Devi, I'm one of the two newest AYA affiliated teachers and a student of Swami Atma. I live in Witten which is in the Ruhr Area in Germany. From now on you will find some blog posts published by me once in a while, hope you enjoy it! Om shantih!
It was always most important for Swami Sivananda to spread the yoga teachings. Therefore he distributed the books he wrote to everyone for free, he shipped them all over the world. When his disciples told him one day that the Ashram will run out of money soon, he just answered: "There is no way we will stop distributing books and pamphlets to interested people, even if we have to stop buying food!"
The Divine Life Society which was founded by Swami Sivananda still acts in this tradition. On their homepage you can find many books written by Swami Sivananda to download and print them for free.
Swami Sivananda
