It is important because it deals with our emotions. We are all born with wonderful soft emotions. Every child even at the age of two days looks at your face and gives a wonderful smile. In fact, the intellect is born not yet born in the child. It develops much later, maybe after one or two years of being in this world and interacting with this world. That is why Indian philosophy says we are all born with emotions and intellect is what the world gives us. We have other soft emotions like compassion and the sense of wonder along with love.
Every child is born with that sense of wonder. When you look at the child eyes you can find that, whatever the child is looking at, you would notice that sense of wonder. We were also born with love compassion and sense of wonder. When the child smiles, there is not reason behind it, whereas, as we grow up we have lost that smile on our face. Today if some one smiles, we start to wonder why he is smiling. That means our smile and other soft emotions are buried under our intellect. Now, opposite of this soft emotions like love compassion and sense of appreciation we have violent emotions like anger, hatred, and jealousy. Often people think that not only soft emotions but also violent emotions are also spontaneous. We have these two emotions – one set is soft emotions like love, compassion and sense of wonder, on the other side there are violent emotions like anger, hatred, jealousy and selfishness. Both appear to be spontaneous but they are not. The feeling of love comes spontaneously; the feeling of compassion comes spontaneously. Spontaneous means that which does not require any reason to be. On the other hand, anger, hatred, jealousy, and selfishness are not spontaneous.
Anger comes up because he did not do the way that ‘I’ wanted it to be done. Greed comes because he has it and ‘I’ don’t have it and that is why ‘I’ am greedy. Hatred comes because he did not behave the way that ‘I’ wanted him to behave so I hate him. You can see that every violent emotion is born out of that ‘I’ which is very important. Whenever one is in soft emotions, this ego is dissolved but when one is in violent emotions, this ego is very important. The most important form of this ego is attachment. Wherever this attachment is, there it leads us into anxiety. The mind becomes restless, and the restlessness results into uncertainty and further leads to anxiety. When the same ego further deepens into us, it leads us into confusion. And this confusion continued for a long time leads us into depression. When you look at whether it is depression or confusion, the deep routed problem is ego. Today most of our sickness is born out of mental disturbances. Yoga is a technique and a state of peace of mind. Peace of mind is our own nature.
Unfortunately, in the world today we have come away from our nature due to our ignorance and due to the influence of the world around us which has no education to go back to our nature. By developing the inner self control and discipline, we can go back to our nature and this is called Raja Yoga. The method of self sacrifice is called Karma Yoga to go to that same inner peace. By using the self analysis at the intellectual level, it is called Jnana Yoga. The problem which gives rise to disturbances of our mind as looked at from the angle of Bhakti Yoga is this ego or I. by becoming humble and surrendering this ego out of love, we can go to the state of satisfaction or love. Thus, the essential practice of Bhakti Yoga is to dissolve this ego. Now the most important aspect of Bhakti yoga is not to find god but to dissolve our ego. Whenever we are in the experience of soft emotions like love and compassion then with out any effort from our side we find our ego is dissolved. In love, our consciousness rises far above the level of ego. At that point-of-time, our experience is blissful.
In day to day life, there are two different occasions, when the ego is dissolved and one is resting in self. One experience is when one is in the state of love and the other is in the deep sleep state. When one is in the state of love, then ‘I’ is not important but the other is important. The moment one is in the state of love the other’s comfort becomes more important than of oneself. Normal experience in the world is we take something and we get happiness. On the other hand, when one is in the state of love, comfort of oneself is not giving comfort but the others comfort is giving comfort. The same is the case with compassion. When you are in the state of compassion, you would like to see that the other person is in the state of comfort at the cost of your own discomfort. Therefore in the soft emotions the ego is completely dissolved. And in these soft emotional states, you are very comfortable and very blissful. Similarly, another state where you have absolutely no ego, which is the deep sleep state. While you are in the deep sleep state, you know nothing because you are not there.
Therefore, the experience of happiness is there when the ego is dissolved. But later on the moment the ego comes up then the soft emotions get corrupted. Ego is like cancer. It poisons the love into lust. You have something which you appreciate but the moment ego come up then it turn into possession. Whenever you are in the experience of soft emotions, you become expansive and slow. Ego is of the nature of constriction and speed. This speed and constriction you can recognize in all the violent emotions like hatred and jealousy, selfishness etc. Another very important point is that these soft emotions give us health but violent emotions give us sickness. Love and compassion give us happiness where as jealousy and hatred gives unhappiness. Often people advice don’t be angry don’t be jealous. Anger and hatred are only outer manifestations but the cause is always ego which is deeply hidden behind. If we don’t want to give up ego but want to give up anger and jealousy it will not be possible.
If you don’t give up ego but we want to give up the anger all that we do is to suppress the anger. Bhakti Yoga is not about suppressing anger, hatred, or jealousy but it is to get dissolved. Surrender the ego. Often, people wonder how and where to surrender the ego. In the world, we cannot surrender ego to somebody else because that person also had ego. That is why Bhakti Yoga says, think of god, and surrender your ego to god. People have all kinds of questions such as, does god exist, is he taking care of us and where is he.
-to be continued
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Bhakti Yoga -part 1-
Bhakti Yoga Seminar in Nagoya/Japan
November 21, 2007
I bring the greetings from the Vivekananda yoga university, Prashanti Bengaluru
for all the people interested in the field of yoga, one very important text on the philosophy of yoga is Bhagavad-Gita. ‘Bhagavad’ means divine and Gita is poetry. Often people understand that ‘Bhagavad’ means said by god but I feel that it is more meaningful to say ‘divine’ knowledge. You may question why do I call it as divine knowledge and what is non divine knowledge? Is all non divine knowledge bad? What is the difference between ordinary knowledge and divine knowledge? What is that knowledge which is ‘bad non divine’ knowledge and what is ‘good non divine’ knowledge? Even to deceive some one and to cheat some one it requires knowledge and we can find people who can be experts in that and they are not only smart in doing so but they can also make it appear right to do that way. All this belong to the category of bad and non divine knowledge. Ordinary or non divine knowledge always deals with right and wrong good and bad and in the language of duality and further it will advice you to do right, and not to do wrong. This is an important knowledge in a society where people are not following right and following wrong! This knowledge given in Bhagavad-Gita is not a knowledge that talks about duality. This is not a kind of a text that tells us that what is right and what is wrong and do right always and not wrong. In order to tell this we don’t need a text like Gita. A simple book of law is sufficient. A book like Gita is one which must be giving us the knowledge of higher dimension. We will know more about this knowledge when we go into the understanding of this subject matter.
The episode of Gita in the historical event of Mahabharata has happened 5100 years ago. It is a discussion that goes on between Krishna and Arjuna in the battlefield where Krishna is a wise person and Arjuna is a confused person. The whole philosophy of yoga followed and taught is influenced by the teaching of Bhagavad-Gita that if you would have gone to our center Prashanti, you would see this statue there of Bhagavad-Gita.
Gita is part of a big book called Mahabharata. It is written by a sage called Veda Vyasa. The gist of the story is that, war that took place between the good and bad people. The good people are Pandavas and Arjuna is their leader in the war. The bad people are Kauravas and the leader is Duryadhana. In fact, it is very interesting that in all our lives there are several situations where we have a freedom whether to do right or to do wrong. For example, let us see the act called telling truth or untruth. Maybe we come across several situations where we can tell the truth but we can also tell the lie. Such situations would be there. We come across several situations in life where we can be helpful to others and we can hurt others. In that way life offers several situations, where we can do right and do wrong too. Many situations we chose the side of right. But many times, we also chose the directions of wrong. If you ask yourself then why did we take the side of wrong, we know very clearly it is all because we have inner weakness. The greatness of Arjuna was that every situation that he could take the side of right or wrong and he always chose the side of right. That means Arjuna is good by very choice. On the other side, we have Duryodhana who always chose the side of wrong. To cut the long story short let us come to the situation that the war is taking place between Pandavas and Kauravas and Arjuna is the leader of Pandavas and Duryodhana who is on the side of wrong. Another interesting aspect is that these bad people Duryodhana and others are also cousins and relatives of Arjuna.
When Arjuna came to the battlefield to fight the war, he saw his cousins and relatives on the other side waiting to fight the war. When he saw his own people on the other side, he has a doubt or confusion as follows. If he fights this war, he will be killing his own people. On one side, he is here to fight the battle and on the other side if he is fighting, he has to kill his own cousins and relatives. He tells Krishna, “Why should I fight this war where I know I am going to rule the kingdom which is drenched by the blood of my own people. I don’t want this war, I don’t want to kill people let me run away into the forest”. So on one side his mind says to fight the war and on the other side, another part the mind says, ‘don’t fight the war’. Whether he should fight the war or he should go the forest and meditate, he was not able to decide and had confusion.
The confusion whether to fight the war or not has happened to Arjuna but not for Duryodhana. Duryodhana was a bad person but he did not have any problem in fighting the war but Arjuna who was goodness personified, had a problem fighting the war. Bhagavad Gita is a message given to Arjuna who is a good, and not Duryodhana who is the bad person. Arjuna was already right and therefore this message of Bhagavad-Gita can not be a message asking him to do right. This message therefore must be higher than good and bad. That is the reasons why, this knowledge is a divine knowledge higher than the pairs of opposites like right and wrong. When you try to look at Arjuna, who tried to go to the forest and meditate, it appears, similar to the situation of Buddha who also wanted to go to the forest and meditate. When you closely watch there is a lot of difference between Arjuna and Buddha. Buddha was truly interested in peace and wanted to mediate to go to peace. Buddha had no sort of confusion in his mind. On the other hand, Arjuna had confusion in his mind. Arjuna’s confusion is because his interest in not in peace. His question was, ‘should I kill my own people for the sake of winning the war. It is not that he in not interested in the war but he is not interested in war with his own people. He has no hesitation to fight the war if the people in front were not his own people. Whole life he is trained to fight the war, he is educated to fight the war, and he is always the best student in the school at the time of learning and now he came here to fight the war. So in principle he has no aversion for war. All his aversion is of fighting a war against his own people. Therefore, his interest is not in peace like Buddha’s interest, but his interest really is in not killing his own people. To say ‘my’ people, ‘my’ relatives, ‘my’ kingdom etc, are all ‘my’ - attachments. It is this attachment, which brings about this confusion or despondency. Which is given in the first chapter is the Gita. And the whole message of Gita that Krishna gives is to see that this mental depression of Arjuna is removed. To remove this mental disturbance, the technology, the methodology used, is called yoga. The scope of yoga is far more than just doing some physical postures and Pranayama practices. Though, all the chapters and slokas in Bhagavad-Gita Krishna tried to convey the idea of peace of mind and mastery over mind, there are some chapters that are concentrated especially on some particular topic of yoga. How we can bring about the concept of peace of mind in the work that we do is given in the third chapter called karma yoga. Human being has wonderful tool called the intellect and all the development we see is due to the intellect. Using this intellect to go to the peace of mind is given in the fifth chapter called Jnana yoga. The sixth chapter is giving the method of discipline called the Raja yoga. Of all the chapters the smallest and the simplest is twelfth chapter, where Krishna gives the method in which we use emotions to go to peace of mind and this is called, the Bhakti Yoga. Bhakti Yoga is the most important chapter, and it is the point of discussion for today.
-to be continued...
November 21, 2007
I bring the greetings from the Vivekananda yoga university, Prashanti Bengaluru
for all the people interested in the field of yoga, one very important text on the philosophy of yoga is Bhagavad-Gita. ‘Bhagavad’ means divine and Gita is poetry. Often people understand that ‘Bhagavad’ means said by god but I feel that it is more meaningful to say ‘divine’ knowledge. You may question why do I call it as divine knowledge and what is non divine knowledge? Is all non divine knowledge bad? What is the difference between ordinary knowledge and divine knowledge? What is that knowledge which is ‘bad non divine’ knowledge and what is ‘good non divine’ knowledge? Even to deceive some one and to cheat some one it requires knowledge and we can find people who can be experts in that and they are not only smart in doing so but they can also make it appear right to do that way. All this belong to the category of bad and non divine knowledge. Ordinary or non divine knowledge always deals with right and wrong good and bad and in the language of duality and further it will advice you to do right, and not to do wrong. This is an important knowledge in a society where people are not following right and following wrong! This knowledge given in Bhagavad-Gita is not a knowledge that talks about duality. This is not a kind of a text that tells us that what is right and what is wrong and do right always and not wrong. In order to tell this we don’t need a text like Gita. A simple book of law is sufficient. A book like Gita is one which must be giving us the knowledge of higher dimension. We will know more about this knowledge when we go into the understanding of this subject matter.
The episode of Gita in the historical event of Mahabharata has happened 5100 years ago. It is a discussion that goes on between Krishna and Arjuna in the battlefield where Krishna is a wise person and Arjuna is a confused person. The whole philosophy of yoga followed and taught is influenced by the teaching of Bhagavad-Gita that if you would have gone to our center Prashanti, you would see this statue there of Bhagavad-Gita.
Gita is part of a big book called Mahabharata. It is written by a sage called Veda Vyasa. The gist of the story is that, war that took place between the good and bad people. The good people are Pandavas and Arjuna is their leader in the war. The bad people are Kauravas and the leader is Duryadhana. In fact, it is very interesting that in all our lives there are several situations where we have a freedom whether to do right or to do wrong. For example, let us see the act called telling truth or untruth. Maybe we come across several situations where we can tell the truth but we can also tell the lie. Such situations would be there. We come across several situations in life where we can be helpful to others and we can hurt others. In that way life offers several situations, where we can do right and do wrong too. Many situations we chose the side of right. But many times, we also chose the directions of wrong. If you ask yourself then why did we take the side of wrong, we know very clearly it is all because we have inner weakness. The greatness of Arjuna was that every situation that he could take the side of right or wrong and he always chose the side of right. That means Arjuna is good by very choice. On the other side, we have Duryodhana who always chose the side of wrong. To cut the long story short let us come to the situation that the war is taking place between Pandavas and Kauravas and Arjuna is the leader of Pandavas and Duryodhana who is on the side of wrong. Another interesting aspect is that these bad people Duryodhana and others are also cousins and relatives of Arjuna.
When Arjuna came to the battlefield to fight the war, he saw his cousins and relatives on the other side waiting to fight the war. When he saw his own people on the other side, he has a doubt or confusion as follows. If he fights this war, he will be killing his own people. On one side, he is here to fight the battle and on the other side if he is fighting, he has to kill his own cousins and relatives. He tells Krishna, “Why should I fight this war where I know I am going to rule the kingdom which is drenched by the blood of my own people. I don’t want this war, I don’t want to kill people let me run away into the forest”. So on one side his mind says to fight the war and on the other side, another part the mind says, ‘don’t fight the war’. Whether he should fight the war or he should go the forest and meditate, he was not able to decide and had confusion.
The confusion whether to fight the war or not has happened to Arjuna but not for Duryodhana. Duryodhana was a bad person but he did not have any problem in fighting the war but Arjuna who was goodness personified, had a problem fighting the war. Bhagavad Gita is a message given to Arjuna who is a good, and not Duryodhana who is the bad person. Arjuna was already right and therefore this message of Bhagavad-Gita can not be a message asking him to do right. This message therefore must be higher than good and bad. That is the reasons why, this knowledge is a divine knowledge higher than the pairs of opposites like right and wrong. When you try to look at Arjuna, who tried to go to the forest and meditate, it appears, similar to the situation of Buddha who also wanted to go to the forest and meditate. When you closely watch there is a lot of difference between Arjuna and Buddha. Buddha was truly interested in peace and wanted to mediate to go to peace. Buddha had no sort of confusion in his mind. On the other hand, Arjuna had confusion in his mind. Arjuna’s confusion is because his interest in not in peace. His question was, ‘should I kill my own people for the sake of winning the war. It is not that he in not interested in the war but he is not interested in war with his own people. He has no hesitation to fight the war if the people in front were not his own people. Whole life he is trained to fight the war, he is educated to fight the war, and he is always the best student in the school at the time of learning and now he came here to fight the war. So in principle he has no aversion for war. All his aversion is of fighting a war against his own people. Therefore, his interest is not in peace like Buddha’s interest, but his interest really is in not killing his own people. To say ‘my’ people, ‘my’ relatives, ‘my’ kingdom etc, are all ‘my’ - attachments. It is this attachment, which brings about this confusion or despondency. Which is given in the first chapter is the Gita. And the whole message of Gita that Krishna gives is to see that this mental depression of Arjuna is removed. To remove this mental disturbance, the technology, the methodology used, is called yoga. The scope of yoga is far more than just doing some physical postures and Pranayama practices. Though, all the chapters and slokas in Bhagavad-Gita Krishna tried to convey the idea of peace of mind and mastery over mind, there are some chapters that are concentrated especially on some particular topic of yoga. How we can bring about the concept of peace of mind in the work that we do is given in the third chapter called karma yoga. Human being has wonderful tool called the intellect and all the development we see is due to the intellect. Using this intellect to go to the peace of mind is given in the fifth chapter called Jnana yoga. The sixth chapter is giving the method of discipline called the Raja yoga. Of all the chapters the smallest and the simplest is twelfth chapter, where Krishna gives the method in which we use emotions to go to peace of mind and this is called, the Bhakti Yoga. Bhakti Yoga is the most important chapter, and it is the point of discussion for today.
-to be continued...
Lecture at Bangalore
Topic: "Seva: A Spiritual Sadhana" lecture by NV RAGHURAM
Place: Venue Vijaya teachers Training college South end Circle
Time: Sunday, Jan 6th, 4pm to 5pm
The lecture will be followed by the organizational meeting of Youth for seva, Bengaluru.
It is organized by YOUTH for SEVA organization, Bengaluru.
All are welcome.
Place: Venue Vijaya teachers Training college South end Circle
Time: Sunday, Jan 6th, 4pm to 5pm
The lecture will be followed by the organizational meeting of Youth for seva, Bengaluru.
It is organized by YOUTH for SEVA organization, Bengaluru.
All are welcome.
Monday, December 17, 2007
NV Raghuram received YogaShree Award
Raghuramji is honored with Yoga Shree award in the field of yoga. His award was presented by the chief guest M.N.Vekatachalaiah, Chief justice of India, in Bengaluru on 3rd of December, 2007.
YogaShree Award is a special award of excellence in yoga, which is handed out by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India every year.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Raghuramji's sister passed away
MY BELOVED SISTER SHAILAJA RAMPRAKASH LEFT THE MORTAL BODY WITH A GRACEFUL SMILE ON HER FACE ON OCTOBER 18, 2007 THURSDAY IN BANGALORE. LET US JOIN IN PRAYING FOR HER AND FOR HER FAMILY MEMBERS FOR PEACE.
RAGHURAM
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Sahanavavatu mantra chanting
To read the article of Sahanavavatu Mantra written by Sri NV Raghuramji, please visit the links below:
Mantra Part 1
Mantra Part 2
Mantra Part 3
Mantra Part 4
Mantra Part 5
Surya Namaskar Philosophy
Total duration: 7 min
Upload date: Jul 14, 2006
To read the articles about the practice of Suryanamaskara written by Sri NV Raghuramji, please click on the following titles:
Suryanamaskaras
Annamaya kosha and Suryanamaskara
Kundalini and Suryanamaskaras
Practice of Suryanamaskaras
Monday, October 08, 2007
Ayurveda Conference in Rishikesh
Dear all,
Sri NV Raghuramji is invited to Ayurveda Conference as a keynote speaker, beside of Sri Swamini Mayatitananda Sarasvati, Dr. David Frawley, Shri. Pattabhi Jois, Dr. Hari Sharma, Dr. Robert Svoboda, Dr. J. M. Sampath and H R Nagendra.
The conference will be held in Rishikesh, India, on February 21-28, 2008.
For more information about the conference, please visit conference web site.
Sri NV Raghuramji is invited to Ayurveda Conference as a keynote speaker, beside of Sri Swamini Mayatitananda Sarasvati, Dr. David Frawley, Shri. Pattabhi Jois, Dr. Hari Sharma, Dr. Robert Svoboda, Dr. J. M. Sampath and H R Nagendra.
The conference will be held in Rishikesh, India, on February 21-28, 2008.
For more information about the conference, please visit conference web site.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Dear All,
Above you may find the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra as chanted by Sri NV Raghuram with his Turkish Students at a workshop in Istanbul, in year 2006.
We would like to invite you to take a part in International Japa Yajna of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, that will be held on Saturday, November 10th, 2007, from 00.00 to 24.00 hours GMT, which will be dedicated to all children's spiritual, mental and physical health.
You can visit this page to get more information and join this mantra repetition.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Guru party in Tampa/USA
Hello everybody,
Our dear Guru friend Raghuram from the Yoga Kendra in Bangalore is coming to Tampa.
You are invited to a Guru party at our home home this Sunday, 9/23/07 at 5:00 PM.
- Tasty Indian food and other delicacies will be served at 6:00.
- Raghuram will give a talk about the messages of yoga at 7:00,
- followed by yoga meditation.
Location:
11502 Louvre Place, Temple Terrace, 33617 - in Theresa Arbor.
From USF on Fowler, past 56th St and the next traffic light, turn Right at Moffat (middle of long brick wall), then a quick Left on Queensway, and next Right on Louvre to third house on Right.
-Phone: 988-5477
josephdebaldo@hotmail.com
Looking forward to a wonderful evening, food will be both veg and non-veg. Come to all or part of the evening. No need to bring anything unless you have some little specialty or dessert you wish to share, and a little voluntary donation basket will be available to help support the Guru.
Hope to see you then,
Joe and Ann
Our dear Guru friend Raghuram from the Yoga Kendra in Bangalore is coming to Tampa.
You are invited to a Guru party at our home home this Sunday, 9/23/07 at 5:00 PM.
- Tasty Indian food and other delicacies will be served at 6:00.
- Raghuram will give a talk about the messages of yoga at 7:00,
- followed by yoga meditation.
Location:
11502 Louvre Place, Temple Terrace, 33617 - in Theresa Arbor.
From USF on Fowler, past 56th St and the next traffic light, turn Right at Moffat (middle of long brick wall), then a quick Left on Queensway, and next Right on Louvre to third house on Right.
-Phone: 988-5477
josephdebaldo@hotmail.com
Looking forward to a wonderful evening, food will be both veg and non-veg. Come to all or part of the evening. No need to bring anything unless you have some little specialty or dessert you wish to share, and a little voluntary donation basket will be available to help support the Guru.
Hope to see you then,
Joe and Ann
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
September 11 - Good wishes and Radio Show
Dear all,
Please find below Raghuramji's message about September 11.
"my best wishes to all for the "Universal Brotherhood day" on 11th september. On this day in 1893 Swami vivekananda spoke at the parliament of world religion and became world-wide known. Let us pray god on this occasion to give wisdom to the people and especially the leaders that they work for establishing Universal Brotherhood Day
Love,
Raghuram"
Below you may also find the details on the radio show where Raghuramji will be talking on Yoga and Ailments. Please participate actively by calling in if you have questions.
This week (september 10-16, 2007) highlights below:
Vanakkam, from itsdiff show
6 - 7.00 am devotional/ carnatic/ hindusthani music
7 - 7.30 am - we will play from the archives
7.30 - 8.30 am- Special interview with Raghuram - Yogamaster - (Topic: Yoga for stress relief) (interviewed by Ashwini Surpur)
8.30 - 9.00 am - listeners choice.
to listen to our program live via Internet - click here http://kzsulive. stanford. edu/ and choose one of the streaming depending on your Internet speed.
To listen to recorded program (archives) of our most recent shows are on the web site www.itsdiff. com
Hindi Archives - http://www.itsdiff. com/Hindi. html
Tamil Archives - http://www.itsdiff. com/Tamil. html
Kannada Archives - http://www.itsdiff. com/Kannada. html
Life and Spirituality - http://www.itsdiff. com/Life. html
Let us know your feedback and song requests please.. - thanks
It's different - News, Views and Music - Radio show
Every Wed 6 - 9 am KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM
www.itsdiff.com
Please find below Raghuramji's message about September 11.
"my best wishes to all for the "Universal Brotherhood day" on 11th september. On this day in 1893 Swami vivekananda spoke at the parliament of world religion and became world-wide known. Let us pray god on this occasion to give wisdom to the people and especially the leaders that they work for establishing Universal Brotherhood Day
Love,
Raghuram"
Below you may also find the details on the radio show where Raghuramji will be talking on Yoga and Ailments. Please participate actively by calling in if you have questions.
This week (september 10-16, 2007) highlights below:
Vanakkam, from itsdiff show
6 - 7.00 am devotional/ carnatic/ hindusthani music
7 - 7.30 am - we will play from the archives
7.30 - 8.30 am- Special interview with Raghuram - Yogamaster - (Topic: Yoga for stress relief) (interviewed by Ashwini Surpur)
8.30 - 9.00 am - listeners choice.
to listen to our program live via Internet - click here http://kzsulive. stanford. edu/ and choose one of the streaming depending on your Internet speed.
To listen to recorded program (archives) of our most recent shows are on the web site www.itsdiff. com
Hindi Archives - http://www.itsdiff. com/Hindi. html
Tamil Archives - http://www.itsdiff. com/Tamil. html
Kannada Archives - http://www.itsdiff. com/Kannada. html
Life and Spirituality - http://www.itsdiff. com/Life. html
Let us know your feedback and song requests please.. - thanks
It's different - News, Views and Music - Radio show
Every Wed 6 - 9 am KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM
www.itsdiff.com
Sunday, September 09, 2007
US Contact information
Dear all,
Sri NV Raghuramji is going to be in his US Trip until October 20th, 2007.
You can reach him through his mobile phone 00 1 713 591 3817.
With love...
Sri NV Raghuramji is going to be in his US Trip until October 20th, 2007.
You can reach him through his mobile phone 00 1 713 591 3817.
With love...
Monday, August 20, 2007
My India - by Paramahamsa Yogananda
Below please find the poem which is written by Paramahamsa yogananda, in 1957 three days before he died. This poem two of our YIC students Mr. Henry and his dear wife gave me to read on the independence day celebrations in Prashanti. I acknowledge my thanks to them through this newsletter.
With love,
Raghuram.
My India
Not where the musk of happiness blows, Not where darkness and fears never tread;
Not in the homes of perpetual smiles, Nor in the heaven of a land of prosperity
Would I be born If I must put on mortal garb once more.
Dread famine may prowl and tear my flesh, Yet would I love to be again
In my Hindustan.
A million thieves of disease
May try to steal the body's fleeting health;
And clouds of fate
May shower scalding drops of searing sorrow -
Yet would I there, in India,
Love to reappear!
Is this love of mine blind sentiment That sees not the pathways of reason?
Ah, no! I love India, For there I learned first to love God
and all things beautiful.
Some teach to seize the fickle dewdrop, life, Sliding down the lotus leaf of time;
Stubborn hopes are built
Around the gilded, brittle body-bubble.
But India taught me to love
The soul of deathless beauty in the dewdrop
and the bubble -
Not their fragile frames.
Her sages taught me to find my Self,
Buried beneath the ash heaps
Of incarnations of ignorance.
Though many a land of power, plenty, and science
My soul, garbed sometimes as an Oriental,
Sometimes as an Occidental,
Travelled far and wide,
Seeking Itself; At last, in India, to find Itself.
Though mortal fires raze all her homes
and golden paddy fields, Yet to sleep on her ashes and dream immortality,
O India, I will be there!
The guns of science and matter
Have boomed on her shores
Yet she is unconquered.
Her soul is free evermore!
Her soldier saints are away,
To rout with realization's ray
The bandits of hate, prejudice, and patriotic
selfishness;
And to burn the walls of separation dark Between children of the One, One Father. The Western brothers by matter's might have conquered my land;
Blow, blow aloud, her conch shells all!
India now invades with love,
To conquer their souls.
Better than Heaven or Arcadia
I love Thee, O my India!
And thy love I shall give
To every brother nation that lives.
God made the earth;
Man made confining countries
And their fancy-frozen boundaries.
But with newfound boundless love
I behold the borderland of my India
Expanding into the world.
Hail, mother of religions, lotus, scenic beauty,
And sages!
Thy wide doors are open,
Welcoming God's true sons through all ages.
Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men
dream God -I am hallowed; my body touched that sod.
- P.Yogananda - From Songs of The Soul
With love,
Raghuram.
My India
Not where the musk of happiness blows, Not where darkness and fears never tread;
Not in the homes of perpetual smiles, Nor in the heaven of a land of prosperity
Would I be born If I must put on mortal garb once more.
Dread famine may prowl and tear my flesh, Yet would I love to be again
In my Hindustan.
A million thieves of disease
May try to steal the body's fleeting health;
And clouds of fate
May shower scalding drops of searing sorrow -
Yet would I there, in India,
Love to reappear!
Is this love of mine blind sentiment That sees not the pathways of reason?
Ah, no! I love India, For there I learned first to love God
and all things beautiful.
Some teach to seize the fickle dewdrop, life, Sliding down the lotus leaf of time;
Stubborn hopes are built
Around the gilded, brittle body-bubble.
But India taught me to love
The soul of deathless beauty in the dewdrop
and the bubble -
Not their fragile frames.
Her sages taught me to find my Self,
Buried beneath the ash heaps
Of incarnations of ignorance.
Though many a land of power, plenty, and science
My soul, garbed sometimes as an Oriental,
Sometimes as an Occidental,
Travelled far and wide,
Seeking Itself; At last, in India, to find Itself.
Though mortal fires raze all her homes
and golden paddy fields, Yet to sleep on her ashes and dream immortality,
O India, I will be there!
The guns of science and matter
Have boomed on her shores
Yet she is unconquered.
Her soul is free evermore!
Her soldier saints are away,
To rout with realization's ray
The bandits of hate, prejudice, and patriotic
selfishness;
And to burn the walls of separation dark Between children of the One, One Father. The Western brothers by matter's might have conquered my land;
Blow, blow aloud, her conch shells all!
India now invades with love,
To conquer their souls.
Better than Heaven or Arcadia
I love Thee, O my India!
And thy love I shall give
To every brother nation that lives.
God made the earth;
Man made confining countries
And their fancy-frozen boundaries.
But with newfound boundless love
I behold the borderland of my India
Expanding into the world.
Hail, mother of religions, lotus, scenic beauty,
And sages!
Thy wide doors are open,
Welcoming God's true sons through all ages.
Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves, and men
dream God -I am hallowed; my body touched that sod.
- P.Yogananda - From Songs of The Soul
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
India's Independence Day & Prashanti Kutiram's Anniversary
Dear All,
Today please join our joy, as we are celebrating two events; India's Independence Day and also the Founding Anniversary of Prashanti Kutiram, of SVYASA, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University.
Please take a moment to remember and show respect to the ones, who made these happen.
With love...
Today please join our joy, as we are celebrating two events; India's Independence Day and also the Founding Anniversary of Prashanti Kutiram, of SVYASA, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University.
Please take a moment to remember and show respect to the ones, who made these happen.
With love...
Monday, July 16, 2007
Yoga Bharati USA Program
Yoga Bharati welcomes you to discover the treasures of Yoga.
http://www.yogabharati.org
Swami Bodhananda Saraswati
http://yogabharati.org/fliers/S.Bodhananda%20-%202007%20Flier.pdf
The Awakening of Inner Powers
5 Unique Meditation Techniques (Meditation Workshop - Theory & Practice)
Date/Time: July 23rd to 27th, 7:00am to 8:30am
Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Community Hall. 420 E Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Minimum donation $25 per person
Parenting Today
(How to cultivate values and raise kids today)
Date/Time: July 28th, 8:00am to 3:00pm
Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Community Hall. 420 E Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Minimum donation $25 per person
(Couples with kids welcome)
Relationship Management
(How to interact in an ever-changing world)
Date/Time: July 29th, 8:00am to 3:00pm
Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Community Hall. 420 E Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Minimum donation $25 per person
(Adults and Kids/Parents welcome)
Sri NV Raghuram
Residential Yoga Retreat on Sanatana Dharma
http://www.yogabharati.org/yogaretreat/index_content.html
We invite you to an eagerly awaited 3 day 'Yoga Retreat' with Sri Raghuramji on 'Sanatana Dharma'. This retreat will provide deeper understanding of various dimensions of 'Sanatana Dharma' with guidance as to how 'Science of Yoga' can take us on the path of Dharma in our daily life. Starting with 'What is Dharma', sessions will explore its various attributes including how Dharma can guide us in our interactions. Sessions will also unfold the question 'Purpose of Life' through details about 'Purushartha', go into details about role of rituals and many more questions.
Date/Time: August 31st evening (arrival 6 PM) to Sept 3rd afternoon (departure 1 PM)
Venue: YMCA Camp Loma Mar. 9900 Pescadero Rd, Loma Mar, CA 94021
Fees $200 per adult ($150 for kids over 3 years and FREE for those below 3 years old)
Yoga Instructor Certificate Course (YICC) 2007
http://www.yogabharati.org/yicc/index.html
Our most popular capstone course is based on a well-researched curriculum developed
by Vivekananda Yoga University. You will gain a deeper understanding of yoga and related topics. As a certified instructor, you will be able to teach yoga confidently to groups of people with varying needs.
Inauguration: (FREE & open for all) September 7th, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Part 1: Theory Sessions September 8th – September 16th
Weekends Only – 7:00am to 3:00pm
Part 2: Practice Sessions September 22nd – November 18th
Weekend Mornings – 7:30am to 11:00am
Venue: Tri-City Physical Therapy Studio 2805 Whipple Rd, Union City, CA 94587
Fee: $800 per person
Please visit the website at http://www.yogabharati.org or email at info@yogabharati.org
Contacts: sharat@yogabharati.org (408) 988-8871
vani@yogabharati.org (510) 487-8248, krupali@yogabharati.org (650) 571-1293
Yoga Bharati is a non-profit 501(c)3 Tax-exempt organization spreading Health (at physical level), Happiness (at mental level), Knowledge (at intellectual level) and Peace (at spiritual level) in everyday life. Please donate generously and be part of Yoga Bharati revolution. All funds collected will be used for Yoga related activities. This is a 100% voluntary effort. If you want to volunteer at any effort level, please send an email to ybvol-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.yogabharati.org
Swami Bodhananda Saraswati
http://yogabharati.org/fliers/S.Bodhananda%20-%202007%20Flier.pdf
The Awakening of Inner Powers
5 Unique Meditation Techniques (Meditation Workshop - Theory & Practice)
Date/Time: July 23rd to 27th, 7:00am to 8:30am
Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Community Hall. 420 E Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Minimum donation $25 per person
Parenting Today
(How to cultivate values and raise kids today)
Date/Time: July 28th, 8:00am to 3:00pm
Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Community Hall. 420 E Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Minimum donation $25 per person
(Couples with kids welcome)
Relationship Management
(How to interact in an ever-changing world)
Date/Time: July 29th, 8:00am to 3:00pm
Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Community Hall. 420 E Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Minimum donation $25 per person
(Adults and Kids/Parents welcome)
Sri NV Raghuram
Residential Yoga Retreat on Sanatana Dharma
http://www.yogabharati.org/yogaretreat/index_content.html
We invite you to an eagerly awaited 3 day 'Yoga Retreat' with Sri Raghuramji on 'Sanatana Dharma'. This retreat will provide deeper understanding of various dimensions of 'Sanatana Dharma' with guidance as to how 'Science of Yoga' can take us on the path of Dharma in our daily life. Starting with 'What is Dharma', sessions will explore its various attributes including how Dharma can guide us in our interactions. Sessions will also unfold the question 'Purpose of Life' through details about 'Purushartha', go into details about role of rituals and many more questions.
Date/Time: August 31st evening (arrival 6 PM) to Sept 3rd afternoon (departure 1 PM)
Venue: YMCA Camp Loma Mar. 9900 Pescadero Rd, Loma Mar, CA 94021
Fees $200 per adult ($150 for kids over 3 years and FREE for those below 3 years old)
Yoga Instructor Certificate Course (YICC) 2007
http://www.yogabharati.org/yicc/index.html
Our most popular capstone course is based on a well-researched curriculum developed
by Vivekananda Yoga University. You will gain a deeper understanding of yoga and related topics. As a certified instructor, you will be able to teach yoga confidently to groups of people with varying needs.
Inauguration: (FREE & open for all) September 7th, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Part 1: Theory Sessions September 8th – September 16th
Weekends Only – 7:00am to 3:00pm
Part 2: Practice Sessions September 22nd – November 18th
Weekend Mornings – 7:30am to 11:00am
Venue: Tri-City Physical Therapy Studio 2805 Whipple Rd, Union City, CA 94587
Fee: $800 per person
Please visit the website at http://www.yogabharati.org or email at info@yogabharati.org
Contacts: sharat@yogabharati.org (408) 988-8871
vani@yogabharati.org (510) 487-8248, krupali@yogabharati.org (650) 571-1293
Yoga Bharati is a non-profit 501(c)3 Tax-exempt organization spreading Health (at physical level), Happiness (at mental level), Knowledge (at intellectual level) and Peace (at spiritual level) in everyday life. Please donate generously and be part of Yoga Bharati revolution. All funds collected will be used for Yoga related activities. This is a 100% voluntary effort. If you want to volunteer at any effort level, please send an email to ybvol-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Friday, June 08, 2007
The meaning of "Bramarpanam" Mantra - 3
The ghee is also Brahman; it is identified as self. There is a great significance to ghee. It is a product of milk. When you pour milk onto a fire, even if there is ghee in it, the fire will die. The milk has to go through an entire process; the first step is to boil the milk and cool to a suitable temperature. Then the milk is curdled and must pass through the whole process of churning to become butter. The butter is then simmered in low heat with a lot of patience and then the ghee will be separated from the rest of the butter milk. After the processing of the milk, the ghee assists in increasing the strength of the fire while also decreasing the amount of smoke.
The example of the Ghee is analogous to our Vasanas and Samskaras or tendencies or bondages. Like milk, we are unprocessed and raw. We are not useful to kindle the fire within; we cannot even recognize the fire, or Brahman within. In order to merge into Brahman we must remove our tendencies of attachment, likes and dislikes. We need to go through the Tapasya. The ‘tapas’ are symbolically presented in stages. The first stage to make ghee is boiling milk; similarly we need to go through the deep urge for the journey of spirituality. Then we need to shift our environment and priorities. This is followed by churning which symbolizes the discipline such as yoga and other practices. Then the product of these stages will be heated on the fire to remove the remaining dirt; this is the final dissolving of the ego. Once we purify ourselves with this purification process that comes from within, we are fit to be an offering to Brahman.
In our journey of spiritual growth, we attempt to initially give up our likes and dislikes. For example, when we eat, we discontinue eating to satisfy our desires and instead, we feed only our hunger. Maintaining this awareness helps us refrain from abusing our body through food and allows us to eat in harmony with our hunger and thus, our body. By remaining in harmony with our body we do not eat in excess nor do we under-eat; this is Yagna, otherwise we are violent to our bodies.
I was watching the animal channel on television one day. There was a tiger resting comfortably after just having eaten. Directly in front of the tiger was a deer grazing in the grass, oblivious to the tiger. Having heard the sound of the deer, the tiger raised his head and looked at the deer. The deer then noticed the tiger and looked at him with suspicion. Usually the deer would be food for the lion, but now since his stomach is full, the tiger just yawned and went back to resting without harming the deer. The deer also continued to graze. The commentator made a point worth noting; he said the tigers are not violent; they eat food when they are hungry. This is an example of how eating food when you are not hungry is violence, and this violence is not against anyone but against your own body. Our body totally depends on us, and if we abuse it, who else can save it? Both, under feeding and over feeding harms our body and this can be avoided only if we are aware that eating is not to fulfill our desires and ego, but it is Brahma Karma. Thus, let us make it a point to recite this mantra before every meal to remind ourselves of Brahma Karma. The concept of Brahman and the discipline that we should not be violent against our body does not belong to any religion, thus this mantra does not belong to any religion per se, it belongs to mankind.
Love,
Raghuram.
The example of the Ghee is analogous to our Vasanas and Samskaras or tendencies or bondages. Like milk, we are unprocessed and raw. We are not useful to kindle the fire within; we cannot even recognize the fire, or Brahman within. In order to merge into Brahman we must remove our tendencies of attachment, likes and dislikes. We need to go through the Tapasya. The ‘tapas’ are symbolically presented in stages. The first stage to make ghee is boiling milk; similarly we need to go through the deep urge for the journey of spirituality. Then we need to shift our environment and priorities. This is followed by churning which symbolizes the discipline such as yoga and other practices. Then the product of these stages will be heated on the fire to remove the remaining dirt; this is the final dissolving of the ego. Once we purify ourselves with this purification process that comes from within, we are fit to be an offering to Brahman.
In our journey of spiritual growth, we attempt to initially give up our likes and dislikes. For example, when we eat, we discontinue eating to satisfy our desires and instead, we feed only our hunger. Maintaining this awareness helps us refrain from abusing our body through food and allows us to eat in harmony with our hunger and thus, our body. By remaining in harmony with our body we do not eat in excess nor do we under-eat; this is Yagna, otherwise we are violent to our bodies.
I was watching the animal channel on television one day. There was a tiger resting comfortably after just having eaten. Directly in front of the tiger was a deer grazing in the grass, oblivious to the tiger. Having heard the sound of the deer, the tiger raised his head and looked at the deer. The deer then noticed the tiger and looked at him with suspicion. Usually the deer would be food for the lion, but now since his stomach is full, the tiger just yawned and went back to resting without harming the deer. The deer also continued to graze. The commentator made a point worth noting; he said the tigers are not violent; they eat food when they are hungry. This is an example of how eating food when you are not hungry is violence, and this violence is not against anyone but against your own body. Our body totally depends on us, and if we abuse it, who else can save it? Both, under feeding and over feeding harms our body and this can be avoided only if we are aware that eating is not to fulfill our desires and ego, but it is Brahma Karma. Thus, let us make it a point to recite this mantra before every meal to remind ourselves of Brahma Karma. The concept of Brahman and the discipline that we should not be violent against our body does not belong to any religion, thus this mantra does not belong to any religion per se, it belongs to mankind.
Love,
Raghuram.
Monday, June 04, 2007
The meaning of "Bramarpanam" Mantra - 2
The concept of yoga is unique with Sanatana Dharma; it indicates that all aspects of creation should be looked upon with a holistic point of view, or ‘Samhita way of the universe.’ Modern science has been developed with the idea of ‘divide and conquer’ while Indian wisdom has looked at everything as a unit with all of its possibilities. For example, the human being is not looked upon as only a physical personality but also as a holistic being at all five levels, referred to as ‘Pankta’ or ‘Panca Kosa.’ Similarly, another concept is that of the five bhutas or the basic elements we find in the nature called the earth, water air, fire and space which are the basic ingredients of the created universe. Interesting thing in this space is also a part of the gross substance and is connected with fire air etc and not mind or Prana indicating Prana or mind do not belong to the category of space or its modifications.
The sutra also indicates that Yagna is also a part of Brahma Karma. Yagna is a unique concept in Indian philosophy. Yagna is a concept developed to determine the various harmonious combinations of creation. A fire ceremony is used to symbolize this concept during Hindu rituals. The ritual may be anything from a house warming to a festival or even someone’s death. In all of these rituals, the fire ceremony is an important aspect. During a fire ceremony, a small fire is created and clarified butter, or ghee, is spooned in while chanting mantras. This is called Yagna. The moment an activity is accompanied by these rituals it obtains a spiritual significance.
Although the sutra originated in the Bhagavad-Gita, it has been adapted by many as a peace chant before eating. We are reminded of the spiritual Sadhana, or discipline, that is a part of experiencing Brahman. The offering process of eating food is Brahman. The food is being offered by Brahman and there is no ego of ‘I am eating.’ This whole process is Brahma Karma, or the activity of Brahman.
- to be continued...
Love,
Raghuram
The sutra also indicates that Yagna is also a part of Brahma Karma. Yagna is a unique concept in Indian philosophy. Yagna is a concept developed to determine the various harmonious combinations of creation. A fire ceremony is used to symbolize this concept during Hindu rituals. The ritual may be anything from a house warming to a festival or even someone’s death. In all of these rituals, the fire ceremony is an important aspect. During a fire ceremony, a small fire is created and clarified butter, or ghee, is spooned in while chanting mantras. This is called Yagna. The moment an activity is accompanied by these rituals it obtains a spiritual significance.
Although the sutra originated in the Bhagavad-Gita, it has been adapted by many as a peace chant before eating. We are reminded of the spiritual Sadhana, or discipline, that is a part of experiencing Brahman. The offering process of eating food is Brahman. The food is being offered by Brahman and there is no ego of ‘I am eating.’ This whole process is Brahma Karma, or the activity of Brahman.
- to be continued...
Love,
Raghuram
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The meaning of "Bramarpanam" Mantra - 1
Aum Bramarpanam brahma havih
Brahmagnau brahmanaahutam
Brahmaivatena gantavyam
Brahmakarma Samdhinaa
Aum Shanti Shanti Shantih
- Bhagavat Gita Chapter 4, slk 24
All of creation is a single, circular entity. This circular connection can be witnessed in nature when exploring water. Ocean water vaporizes into steam; this steam takes the form of clouds which condense and become rain; the rain becomes ice on mountain peaks which melt and become water; this water flows down a river and joins the ocean. This cycle continues. As water moves through this cycle, in its true sense the water is not different but takes various forms and gives us crops in the fields and turns into the Ganga river and other such sacred places. The changing forms of water bring to life flowing reality. Life is a combination of several such cycles and all of these cycles are part of one big cycle which we call “Brahman.” Brahman defined literally means ‘that which encompasses everything.’ Brahma- Karma is activity as a whole. The work is Brahman, the perceiver is Brahman, and the act of perception is also Brahman.
It is easy to logically understand the idea that everything is Brahman; however, there is a great gap between the knowledge of Brahman and the experience of Brahman. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna’s emphasis is not on the logical understanding, but more importantly, on the experience of becoming. The one facet that separates our understanding from experience is a thin wall within called ‘I.’ we hold on to this ‘I,’ thus we remain separated from the experience. Everything we are becomes our ego, and everything we do can also become our ego. If we do things for the purpose of strengthening this ego, then our actions will not be useful. Even the concept of ‘I see Brahman in everything’ can be attained to strengthen our ego. The idea that we say this is Brahman and that is Brahman and performing japa in this way will not make us realize that everything is Brahman. Realizing that all is Brahman does not progress in this way. It is not by sitting in front of a tree and repeating ‘This tree is Brahman’ that you will truly see the tree as Brahman because the ‘I am’ in the thought that ‘I am perceiving this tree to be Brahman’, is always the achievement. As long as I am looking at something as an achievement, something is lost and something is gained. There is not much difference between gaining and loosing; they are both part of the same duality. Without our knowledge, this duality further manifests in the form of Brahman and Abrahman, or God and the creation, or divine and devil. They are not two different things. In fact, even if we say that deep inside when we truly reflect, we find the Brahman in this world, and then we are acknowledging that there is a tree and somewhere hidden deep inside there is Brahman which is invisible to others, but I can see it. This is not the experience; the experience is that there is no such thing as the tree and Brahman. However, this concept of Brahman does not apply only to objects. Many people perceive Brahman to be person-like; thus, Krishna begins this sutra with the process of seeing, stating that even the process of seeing is also nothing but Brahman and this is Brahma Karma.
- to be continued...
Love,
Raghuram
Brahmagnau brahmanaahutam
Brahmaivatena gantavyam
Brahmakarma Samdhinaa
Aum Shanti Shanti Shantih
- Bhagavat Gita Chapter 4, slk 24
All of creation is a single, circular entity. This circular connection can be witnessed in nature when exploring water. Ocean water vaporizes into steam; this steam takes the form of clouds which condense and become rain; the rain becomes ice on mountain peaks which melt and become water; this water flows down a river and joins the ocean. This cycle continues. As water moves through this cycle, in its true sense the water is not different but takes various forms and gives us crops in the fields and turns into the Ganga river and other such sacred places. The changing forms of water bring to life flowing reality. Life is a combination of several such cycles and all of these cycles are part of one big cycle which we call “Brahman.” Brahman defined literally means ‘that which encompasses everything.’ Brahma- Karma is activity as a whole. The work is Brahman, the perceiver is Brahman, and the act of perception is also Brahman.
It is easy to logically understand the idea that everything is Brahman; however, there is a great gap between the knowledge of Brahman and the experience of Brahman. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna’s emphasis is not on the logical understanding, but more importantly, on the experience of becoming. The one facet that separates our understanding from experience is a thin wall within called ‘I.’ we hold on to this ‘I,’ thus we remain separated from the experience. Everything we are becomes our ego, and everything we do can also become our ego. If we do things for the purpose of strengthening this ego, then our actions will not be useful. Even the concept of ‘I see Brahman in everything’ can be attained to strengthen our ego. The idea that we say this is Brahman and that is Brahman and performing japa in this way will not make us realize that everything is Brahman. Realizing that all is Brahman does not progress in this way. It is not by sitting in front of a tree and repeating ‘This tree is Brahman’ that you will truly see the tree as Brahman because the ‘I am’ in the thought that ‘I am perceiving this tree to be Brahman’, is always the achievement. As long as I am looking at something as an achievement, something is lost and something is gained. There is not much difference between gaining and loosing; they are both part of the same duality. Without our knowledge, this duality further manifests in the form of Brahman and Abrahman, or God and the creation, or divine and devil. They are not two different things. In fact, even if we say that deep inside when we truly reflect, we find the Brahman in this world, and then we are acknowledging that there is a tree and somewhere hidden deep inside there is Brahman which is invisible to others, but I can see it. This is not the experience; the experience is that there is no such thing as the tree and Brahman. However, this concept of Brahman does not apply only to objects. Many people perceive Brahman to be person-like; thus, Krishna begins this sutra with the process of seeing, stating that even the process of seeing is also nothing but Brahman and this is Brahma Karma.
- to be continued...
Love,
Raghuram
Monday, May 28, 2007
Amritanshuram's wedding
My dear Friends
This is to cordially invite you for the wedding of my son Amritanshuram
love,
Raghuram
This is to cordially invite you for the wedding of my son Amritanshuram
love,
Raghuram
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
“Sanatan Dharma” Yoga Retreat - 2007
Yoga Bharati is pleased to announce a three days ‘Yoga Retreat’ with Discourse Series by Shri Raghuramji on the topic ‘Sanatan Dharma’.
For many years Shri Raghuramji has been visiting USA to bless us with his knowledge and insight of ‘Science of Yoga’. This great ancient science has its roots in ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and this aspect has been quite evident through many of his lectures.
Unlike many other spiritual teachings which are more mystic in nature, Shri Raghuramji’s discourse is always applicable in day to day life and we find useful solutions to normal human problems. He answers all kinds of questions most satisfactorily and convincingly. This discourse series will provide deeper understanding of various dimensions of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ with guidance as to how ‘Science of Yoga’ can take us to the path of Dharma in our daily life.
For the long weekend of ‘Labor Day’ there will be approximately 18 hours of discourse series that will include discussions, Q/A sessions. In addition there will be daily sessions of Yoga and Meditation. In order to better facilitate the discussion and Q/A sessions you are requested to submit:
Two Discussion Topics (select top two topics of your interest)
Questions – submit questions (on the attached form) for Q/A session
Time permitting your topics/questions will be included in the respective session.
When: August 31, 2007 to September 3, 2007 (3 days)
Where: YMCA Camp Loma Mar
9900, Pescadero Rd
Loma Mar, CA 94021
Phone (650)-879-0223
The attendees are expected to stay at the camp for the retreat. The camp facility has arrangements for lodging and boarding; registration package will include all the details. The site is approximately 40 miles from San Jose and San Francisco airports. Transportation details will be listed in the registration package.
Retreat fee: Approx $ 200 per attendee (approximate current estimate). Fee for children will be determined later
Registration: Register online www.yogabharati.org/yogaretreat and payment can be made thro’ paypal info@yogabharati.org and indicate “Sanatan Dharma yoga retreat” in the memo section.
Initial Deposit $100. Please mail the form in attached document and deposit check by June 15. Write check payable to Yoga Bharati. Camp fee is approximately $200 per person, full details available with registration package. Mail the form along with the check to either of the following address:
Anil Surpur
7630 Kirwin Lane
Cupertino, CA 95014
-or-
Sharad Dandekar
5777 Indian Pointe Dr
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Contact Details:
SFO Bay area
Sharat Joshi (408)-823-6986
Vijay Rayankar(408)-206-6194
Venkat Reddy (510)-386-3315
Anil Surpur (408)-646 3067
Los Angeles (LA) area
Rajendra Kelkar (818) 368 – 5336
Radhika Ambatipudi (661) 257 – 4781
Sai Pallaparty (805) 375 – 7238
Kanaka Ayyar (805) 877 – 9561
Ashok Sapre (562) 690 – 6355
Kartik Chandrasekaran (818) 366 – 5641
Sharad Dandekar (805) 584 – 1658
For many years Shri Raghuramji has been visiting USA to bless us with his knowledge and insight of ‘Science of Yoga’. This great ancient science has its roots in ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and this aspect has been quite evident through many of his lectures.
Unlike many other spiritual teachings which are more mystic in nature, Shri Raghuramji’s discourse is always applicable in day to day life and we find useful solutions to normal human problems. He answers all kinds of questions most satisfactorily and convincingly. This discourse series will provide deeper understanding of various dimensions of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ with guidance as to how ‘Science of Yoga’ can take us to the path of Dharma in our daily life.
For the long weekend of ‘Labor Day’ there will be approximately 18 hours of discourse series that will include discussions, Q/A sessions. In addition there will be daily sessions of Yoga and Meditation. In order to better facilitate the discussion and Q/A sessions you are requested to submit:
Two Discussion Topics (select top two topics of your interest)
Questions – submit questions (on the attached form) for Q/A session
Time permitting your topics/questions will be included in the respective session.
When: August 31, 2007 to September 3, 2007 (3 days)
Where: YMCA Camp Loma Mar
9900, Pescadero Rd
Loma Mar, CA 94021
Phone (650)-879-0223
The attendees are expected to stay at the camp for the retreat. The camp facility has arrangements for lodging and boarding; registration package will include all the details. The site is approximately 40 miles from San Jose and San Francisco airports. Transportation details will be listed in the registration package.
Retreat fee: Approx $ 200 per attendee (approximate current estimate). Fee for children will be determined later
Registration: Register online www.yogabharati.org/yogaretreat and payment can be made thro’ paypal info@yogabharati.org and indicate “Sanatan Dharma yoga retreat” in the memo section.
Initial Deposit $100. Please mail the form in attached document and deposit check by June 15. Write check payable to Yoga Bharati. Camp fee is approximately $200 per person, full details available with registration package. Mail the form along with the check to either of the following address:
Anil Surpur
7630 Kirwin Lane
Cupertino, CA 95014
-or-
Sharad Dandekar
5777 Indian Pointe Dr
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Contact Details:
SFO Bay area
Sharat Joshi (408)-823-6986
Vijay Rayankar(408)-206-6194
Venkat Reddy (510)-386-3315
Anil Surpur (408)-646 3067
Los Angeles (LA) area
Rajendra Kelkar (818) 368 – 5336
Radhika Ambatipudi (661) 257 – 4781
Sai Pallaparty (805) 375 – 7238
Kanaka Ayyar (805) 877 – 9561
Ashok Sapre (562) 690 – 6355
Kartik Chandrasekaran (818) 366 – 5641
Sharad Dandekar (805) 584 – 1658
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Panca Kosa 9 - Basics of Yoga Therapy
INTELLECTUAL PERSONALITY AND ITS WELBEING
Yoga is not something that you practice for an hour and then forget about. It is a way of life. The most important principle in yoga is that our nature is Anandamaya Kosa, or bliss. It means that we should consciously maintain a cheerful disposition. This is an important step in Patanjali’s astanga yoga as one of the niyamas. It means that we should not be bothered by successes or failures, praise or blame. Intellectually, we need to convince our mind that there is nothing more important than being cheerful. Everything else is secondary. The yogic philosophy says freedom is not just our birth right but is our nature. Nothing in this world can permanently take away our nature if we do not become ignorant. It is our ignorance which takes us away from our nature and we become vulnerable to even the smallest external stimuli.
Another area which can easily affect is the emotions.
Emotions are another area that affects our inner harmony. Generally, there are two categories of emotions we experience. One is soft emotions and the other is violent emotions. Anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, etc fall under the category of violent emotions and love compassion, wonder, appreciation, and forgiveness are soft emotions. We can see that soft emotions can make us blissful, satisfied, and peaceful. In addition they can also strengthen our immune system. On the other hand, violent emotions disturb our peace and harmony, create health problems such as high blood pressure, and disturb our sleep patterns, affect digestion, and several other such effects take place which lead to unpleasantness. Though we all have the experience of these emotions we are ignorant of some facts in connection with these emotions which are listed below.
I. Soft emotions are spontaneous and every child is born with these soft emotions.
II. On the other hand, violent emotions, such as anger, appear to be spontaneous but they are not natural they are triggered and prompted by the ego.
III. Soft emotions can strengthen our immune system and violent emotions can trigger immune imbalances.
IV. Sot emotions bring people together and the other break the relationships of people.
V. Love, compassion, and etc are the qualities of our mind and they actually do not depend on the outside world. But if we do not notice, they appear to be dependent on the world outside. This ignorance misleads us and we become attached to the external object or person. This attachment brings about misery and then one starts seeing the soft emotion as bad but he does not recognize that the attachment itself is bad.
VI. In soft emotions there are no expectations where as violent emotions are born out of expectations.
VII. Recognize and be in the state of soft emotions which is our health and is very therapeutical. Leave violent emotions consciously.
SPIRITUAL WELBEING OR BLISS PERSONALITY
The human being has a capacity and innate quality to rise from the level of complaint to tolerance to acceptance to appreciation to development of respect. The degree of unhappiness and discomfort depends upon the amount of complaints we have. As we rise above the unhappiness, our degree of discomfort reduces accordingly. This fact leads to spiritual wellbeing.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. When we are doing practices, one has to observe slowness and leisureliness and even if there is some kind of muscle pain initially, slowly one should be able to over come that and enjoy the practices.
2. Uninterrupted discipline of practices is necessary to see results.
3. While doing the practices we have to have inner awareness so that we have the opportunity to listen to our body signals. We need to respect these signals without over exerting ourselves while doing these practices.
4. The same rule namely the inner signals are respected and we should not perform Pranayama and meditation practices in excess.
5. Health is our nature, but anxiety about health takes us away from our nature.
Love,
Raghuram.
Yoga is not something that you practice for an hour and then forget about. It is a way of life. The most important principle in yoga is that our nature is Anandamaya Kosa, or bliss. It means that we should consciously maintain a cheerful disposition. This is an important step in Patanjali’s astanga yoga as one of the niyamas. It means that we should not be bothered by successes or failures, praise or blame. Intellectually, we need to convince our mind that there is nothing more important than being cheerful. Everything else is secondary. The yogic philosophy says freedom is not just our birth right but is our nature. Nothing in this world can permanently take away our nature if we do not become ignorant. It is our ignorance which takes us away from our nature and we become vulnerable to even the smallest external stimuli.
Another area which can easily affect is the emotions.
Emotions are another area that affects our inner harmony. Generally, there are two categories of emotions we experience. One is soft emotions and the other is violent emotions. Anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, etc fall under the category of violent emotions and love compassion, wonder, appreciation, and forgiveness are soft emotions. We can see that soft emotions can make us blissful, satisfied, and peaceful. In addition they can also strengthen our immune system. On the other hand, violent emotions disturb our peace and harmony, create health problems such as high blood pressure, and disturb our sleep patterns, affect digestion, and several other such effects take place which lead to unpleasantness. Though we all have the experience of these emotions we are ignorant of some facts in connection with these emotions which are listed below.
I. Soft emotions are spontaneous and every child is born with these soft emotions.
II. On the other hand, violent emotions, such as anger, appear to be spontaneous but they are not natural they are triggered and prompted by the ego.
III. Soft emotions can strengthen our immune system and violent emotions can trigger immune imbalances.
IV. Sot emotions bring people together and the other break the relationships of people.
V. Love, compassion, and etc are the qualities of our mind and they actually do not depend on the outside world. But if we do not notice, they appear to be dependent on the world outside. This ignorance misleads us and we become attached to the external object or person. This attachment brings about misery and then one starts seeing the soft emotion as bad but he does not recognize that the attachment itself is bad.
VI. In soft emotions there are no expectations where as violent emotions are born out of expectations.
VII. Recognize and be in the state of soft emotions which is our health and is very therapeutical. Leave violent emotions consciously.
SPIRITUAL WELBEING OR BLISS PERSONALITY
The human being has a capacity and innate quality to rise from the level of complaint to tolerance to acceptance to appreciation to development of respect. The degree of unhappiness and discomfort depends upon the amount of complaints we have. As we rise above the unhappiness, our degree of discomfort reduces accordingly. This fact leads to spiritual wellbeing.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. When we are doing practices, one has to observe slowness and leisureliness and even if there is some kind of muscle pain initially, slowly one should be able to over come that and enjoy the practices.
2. Uninterrupted discipline of practices is necessary to see results.
3. While doing the practices we have to have inner awareness so that we have the opportunity to listen to our body signals. We need to respect these signals without over exerting ourselves while doing these practices.
4. The same rule namely the inner signals are respected and we should not perform Pranayama and meditation practices in excess.
5. Health is our nature, but anxiety about health takes us away from our nature.
Love,
Raghuram.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Pancha kosha 8 - Basics of Yoga Therapy
PRANAMAYA AND MANOMAYA KOSA WELLBEING
This will be followed by practice of Pranayama and meditation.
Pranayama practices can be simple practices such as nadi shuddhi, vibhaga Pranayama or sectional breathing, ujjayi, bhramari and other nada anusandhana techniques. Depending upon one’s physical condition, one can practice the rigorous practices such as kapalabhati or bhastrika Pranayama. The idea is not to get caught up at the body or Prana levels but to soften Prana and to come out of it and move further towards an inner journey for meditation. This is the way Patanjali designed his practices of Astanga yoga where in he gives the steps of yama niyamas followed by asanas and as next step. He gives pranayama which will be followed by pratyahara which is necessary preperation for dharana dhyana samadhi, roughly translated as meditation. All these things can be practiced in sequence from gross to subtle. In the case of patients who have serious health problems, such as cancer, need to practice those things which are more of a meditative and imagery type where they can influence recovery by developing harmony from inside out. Subtle practices like Pranic techniques, mind imagery techniques, and breath observing techniques can help. Similarly, the practices should be suitable to the person who is practicing and they should not be taxing. It is not that the disease governs the practice but the condition of the individual who is practicing is what takes priority and determines the techniques that should be used and more important is the techniques to be avoided.
-to be continued...
This will be followed by practice of Pranayama and meditation.
Pranayama practices can be simple practices such as nadi shuddhi, vibhaga Pranayama or sectional breathing, ujjayi, bhramari and other nada anusandhana techniques. Depending upon one’s physical condition, one can practice the rigorous practices such as kapalabhati or bhastrika Pranayama. The idea is not to get caught up at the body or Prana levels but to soften Prana and to come out of it and move further towards an inner journey for meditation. This is the way Patanjali designed his practices of Astanga yoga where in he gives the steps of yama niyamas followed by asanas and as next step. He gives pranayama which will be followed by pratyahara which is necessary preperation for dharana dhyana samadhi, roughly translated as meditation. All these things can be practiced in sequence from gross to subtle. In the case of patients who have serious health problems, such as cancer, need to practice those things which are more of a meditative and imagery type where they can influence recovery by developing harmony from inside out. Subtle practices like Pranic techniques, mind imagery techniques, and breath observing techniques can help. Similarly, the practices should be suitable to the person who is practicing and they should not be taxing. It is not that the disease governs the practice but the condition of the individual who is practicing is what takes priority and determines the techniques that should be used and more important is the techniques to be avoided.
-to be continued...
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Pancha kosha 7 - Basics of Yoga Therapy
PRACTICE OF YOGA
GROSS PERSONALITY OR ANNAMAYA KOSA
The most practical and useful, yet flexible and accommodating, program has been given by sage Patanjali. This program goes from gross to subtle and from outer to inner. Patanjali suggested some disciplines at the interactive and the individual levels called yama and niyama, so that the outer gross world does not affect our inner peace. According to one’s own tendencies and the environment one lives one can figure out what disciplines one has to incorporate into one’s lifestyle. Some of these things include: consciously being cheerful and not hurting others through words or even in thoughts.
Further, we need to perform physical exercises to maintain our physical being. When we are born, we are born with body parts which are designed to do a certain amount of activity in order to remain healthy. In that sense our body is not a mere physical structure but it is a part of the ‘mind – body – consciousness’ continuum. The exercise has to be done in such a way that we enjoy it and perform it smoothly. Exercises alone are not sufficient for efficient way of being. We also need to effectively and adequately relax We should do practices which will take us to a deeper level of relaxation than sleep, or any other unconscious methods of relaxation, can give us. This is where yoga plays a great role since yoga is the only known technique which can give us such deep relaxation which normally known sleep or external – agents – based – relaxation techiniques.
Some of the exercises recommended are:
1. Walking for 30 min – 1 hour, daily.
2. Walking up and down the staircase for at least twenty steps.
3. Sitting on the floor using our joints.
4. Hands stretch and hands in and out breathing exercises.
5. Some exercises for strengthening the back or spinal cord.
6. A set of three Suryanamaskaras or Sun salutations
All these things can be performed for half hour
The regiment of yoga positions such as asanas generally recommended is:
a. Standing poses such as ardha kati chakrasana, pada hastasana, ardha chakrasana, trikonasana and parivrutta trikonasana etc
b. Sitting poses such as paschimatanasana, ustrasana ardha matsendrasana, etc
c. Supine postures such as viparita karni, sarvangasana, halasana etc
d. Prone poses such as bhujangasana shalabhasana, dhanurasana.
e. All the asanas have to be followed at the end or when ever one feels necessary a long Shavasana, DRT or the corpse pose.
-to be continued...
GROSS PERSONALITY OR ANNAMAYA KOSA
The most practical and useful, yet flexible and accommodating, program has been given by sage Patanjali. This program goes from gross to subtle and from outer to inner. Patanjali suggested some disciplines at the interactive and the individual levels called yama and niyama, so that the outer gross world does not affect our inner peace. According to one’s own tendencies and the environment one lives one can figure out what disciplines one has to incorporate into one’s lifestyle. Some of these things include: consciously being cheerful and not hurting others through words or even in thoughts.
Further, we need to perform physical exercises to maintain our physical being. When we are born, we are born with body parts which are designed to do a certain amount of activity in order to remain healthy. In that sense our body is not a mere physical structure but it is a part of the ‘mind – body – consciousness’ continuum. The exercise has to be done in such a way that we enjoy it and perform it smoothly. Exercises alone are not sufficient for efficient way of being. We also need to effectively and adequately relax We should do practices which will take us to a deeper level of relaxation than sleep, or any other unconscious methods of relaxation, can give us. This is where yoga plays a great role since yoga is the only known technique which can give us such deep relaxation which normally known sleep or external – agents – based – relaxation techiniques.
Some of the exercises recommended are:
1. Walking for 30 min – 1 hour, daily.
2. Walking up and down the staircase for at least twenty steps.
3. Sitting on the floor using our joints.
4. Hands stretch and hands in and out breathing exercises.
5. Some exercises for strengthening the back or spinal cord.
6. A set of three Suryanamaskaras or Sun salutations
All these things can be performed for half hour
The regiment of yoga positions such as asanas generally recommended is:
a. Standing poses such as ardha kati chakrasana, pada hastasana, ardha chakrasana, trikonasana and parivrutta trikonasana etc
b. Sitting poses such as paschimatanasana, ustrasana ardha matsendrasana, etc
c. Supine postures such as viparita karni, sarvangasana, halasana etc
d. Prone poses such as bhujangasana shalabhasana, dhanurasana.
e. All the asanas have to be followed at the end or when ever one feels necessary a long Shavasana, DRT or the corpse pose.
-to be continued...
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
An extraordinary newspaper clip
From www.hindu.com
MADHUBANI, INDIA, March 29, 2007: Rishiprada, a five-year old girl from Raima village in Madhubani District, Bihar, has memorized the entire Bhagavad Gita; she also knows many other Sanskrit verses that she recites with full clarity of the language. Dr. Awadhesh Prasad Chaudhary, Rishiparada's great grandfather said she has been fond of learning verses which in turn prompted him to teach her all the 700 verses of Bhagavad Gita and amazingly, she did not disappoint him. Her father, Shatrumardan Chaudhary, has suggested that in view of her unique talent, the Government should come forward to help for her education.
MADHUBANI, INDIA, March 29, 2007: Rishiprada, a five-year old girl from Raima village in Madhubani District, Bihar, has memorized the entire Bhagavad Gita; she also knows many other Sanskrit verses that she recites with full clarity of the language. Dr. Awadhesh Prasad Chaudhary, Rishiparada's great grandfather said she has been fond of learning verses which in turn prompted him to teach her all the 700 verses of Bhagavad Gita and amazingly, she did not disappoint him. Her father, Shatrumardan Chaudhary, has suggested that in view of her unique talent, the Government should come forward to help for her education.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Yoga Bharati Retreat - Discourse Series on "Sanatan Dharma" / Aug 31-Sept 3, 2007
Yoga Bharati is pleased to announce a three days ‘Yoga Retreat’ with Discourse Series by Shri Raghuramji on the topic ‘Sanatan Dharma’.
For many years Shri Raghuramji has been visiting USA to bless us with his knowledge and insight of ‘Science of Yoga’. This great ancient science has its roots in ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and this aspect has been quite evident through many of his lectures. The discourse series will provide deeper understanding of various dimensions of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ with guidance as to how ‘Science of Yoga’ can take us to the path of Dharma in our daily life
The ‘Retreat’ will be held from Aug 31 through September 3, 2007 in Northern California near San Jose (see attached information; details will follow soon).
For the long weekend of ‘Labor Day’ there will be approximately 18 hours of discourse series that will include discussions, Q/A sessions. In addition there will be daily sessions of Yoga and Meditation. This discourse series will explore in depth various aspects of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. In order to better facilitate the discussion and Q/A sessions you are requested to submit:
Two Discussion Topics (select top two topics of your interest)
Questions – submit questions (on the attached form) for Q/A session
Time permitting you topics/questions will be included in the respective session.
Attachments:
Outline of the following:
1. Retreat details – Program Outline, Dates, Time for arrival and departure
2. Registration details – Fees/Donations, ‘Intend to Attend’ form
3. Facility details – Accommodation, Commuting, Food
Details will follow soon; please send ‘Intend to Attend’ form so we can hold your place.
Retreat Details:
Program Outline:
Friday evening: Arrive at the facility
Friday night (Aug 31):
7:30 to 8:30 pm Registration
8:30 to 10:00 pm Inaugural session
Saturday and Sunday: Two full days with following routine-
6:00 am - Wake up
6:30 to 7:30 am - Yoga Sessions
7:30 to 9am - Morning chores, breakfast
9 am to 12:15 - Two sessions, 1-1/2 hour each with 15 mins break
12:15 to 2 pm - Lunch and rest
2 to 5:15 pm - Two sessions, 1-1/2 hour each with 15 mins break
5:15 to 6 pm - Personal time
6 to 8:00 pm - Round Table Discussion with Dinner
8 to 9:30 pm - Evening Session
9:30 to 10 pm - Meditation session
10 pm - Good night
Monday (Sept 3):
6:30 to 8 am - Morning chores and Breakfast
8 to 11:15 am - Two sessions, 1-1/2 hour each with 15 mins break
11: 15 to noon - Concluding session
Noon - Lunch and depart
Arrival and Departure:
Arrive on Aug 31 by 7 pm
Depart on Sept 3 by 2 pm
Registration Details:
Registration Package will be available by July. Please send us the ‘Intend to Attend’ form below so we can email you the package.
Facility Details:
YMCA Camp
9900, Pescadero Rd
Loma Mar, CA 94021
The attendees are expected to stay at the camp for the retreat. The camp facility has arrangements for lodging and boarding; registration package will include all the details.
The site is approximately 50 miles from San Jose airport. Transportation details will be listed in the registration package.
Note:
The topic of the discourse series is vast and deep. To facilitate the series better and enable all the attendees to attend without any interruptions attention it is required that you do not bring children under the age of 16 to the camp site.
Camp fee for the retreat (approximate current estimate):
$ 200 per attendee
Phone
(650)-879-0223
Fax
(650)-879-2101
Bay Area Contact Persons for Retreat:
Sharat Joshi (408)-823-6986 (Cell)
Savita Joshi (408)-988-8871 (Home)
Anil Surpur (408)-646-3067 (Cell)
Venkat Reddy (510)-386-3315 (Cell)
Vijay Rayankar (408)-206-6194 (Cell)
LA Area Contact Persons for the Retreat:
Rajendra Kelkar (818) 368 – 5336
Radhika Ambatipudi (661) 257 – 4781
Sai Pallaparty (805) 375 – 7238
Kanaka Ayyar (805) 877 – 9561
Ashok Sapre (562) 690 – 6355
Kartik Chandrasekaran (818) 366 – 5641
Sharad Dandekar (805) 584 - 1658
Form - ‘Intend to Attend’
Name:
Contact:
Email :
Phone :
Address :
# of Participants :
Volunteer:
Initial Deposit $100 – Please mail this form and deposit check by June 15
Write check payable to Yoga Bharati
(Camp fee is approximately $200 per person; full details available with registration package) Mail form along with the check to either of the following address:
Anil Surpur
7630 Kirwin Lane
Cupertino, CA 95014
OR
Sharad Dandekar
5777 Indian Pointe Dr
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Topics for discussion (at dinner time each day) –
1.
2.
Questions:
For many years Shri Raghuramji has been visiting USA to bless us with his knowledge and insight of ‘Science of Yoga’. This great ancient science has its roots in ‘Sanatan Dharma’ and this aspect has been quite evident through many of his lectures. The discourse series will provide deeper understanding of various dimensions of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ with guidance as to how ‘Science of Yoga’ can take us to the path of Dharma in our daily life
The ‘Retreat’ will be held from Aug 31 through September 3, 2007 in Northern California near San Jose (see attached information; details will follow soon).
For the long weekend of ‘Labor Day’ there will be approximately 18 hours of discourse series that will include discussions, Q/A sessions. In addition there will be daily sessions of Yoga and Meditation. This discourse series will explore in depth various aspects of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. In order to better facilitate the discussion and Q/A sessions you are requested to submit:
Two Discussion Topics (select top two topics of your interest)
Questions – submit questions (on the attached form) for Q/A session
Time permitting you topics/questions will be included in the respective session.
Attachments:
Outline of the following:
1. Retreat details – Program Outline, Dates, Time for arrival and departure
2. Registration details – Fees/Donations, ‘Intend to Attend’ form
3. Facility details – Accommodation, Commuting, Food
Details will follow soon; please send ‘Intend to Attend’ form so we can hold your place.
Retreat Details:
Program Outline:
Friday evening: Arrive at the facility
Friday night (Aug 31):
7:30 to 8:30 pm Registration
8:30 to 10:00 pm Inaugural session
Saturday and Sunday: Two full days with following routine-
6:00 am - Wake up
6:30 to 7:30 am - Yoga Sessions
7:30 to 9am - Morning chores, breakfast
9 am to 12:15 - Two sessions, 1-1/2 hour each with 15 mins break
12:15 to 2 pm - Lunch and rest
2 to 5:15 pm - Two sessions, 1-1/2 hour each with 15 mins break
5:15 to 6 pm - Personal time
6 to 8:00 pm - Round Table Discussion with Dinner
8 to 9:30 pm - Evening Session
9:30 to 10 pm - Meditation session
10 pm - Good night
Monday (Sept 3):
6:30 to 8 am - Morning chores and Breakfast
8 to 11:15 am - Two sessions, 1-1/2 hour each with 15 mins break
11: 15 to noon - Concluding session
Noon - Lunch and depart
Arrival and Departure:
Arrive on Aug 31 by 7 pm
Depart on Sept 3 by 2 pm
Registration Details:
Registration Package will be available by July. Please send us the ‘Intend to Attend’ form below so we can email you the package.
Facility Details:
YMCA Camp
9900, Pescadero Rd
Loma Mar, CA 94021
The attendees are expected to stay at the camp for the retreat. The camp facility has arrangements for lodging and boarding; registration package will include all the details.
The site is approximately 50 miles from San Jose airport. Transportation details will be listed in the registration package.
Note:
The topic of the discourse series is vast and deep. To facilitate the series better and enable all the attendees to attend without any interruptions attention it is required that you do not bring children under the age of 16 to the camp site.
Camp fee for the retreat (approximate current estimate):
$ 200 per attendee
Phone
(650)-879-0223
Fax
(650)-879-2101
Bay Area Contact Persons for Retreat:
Sharat Joshi (408)-823-6986 (Cell)
Savita Joshi (408)-988-8871 (Home)
Anil Surpur (408)-646-3067 (Cell)
Venkat Reddy (510)-386-3315 (Cell)
Vijay Rayankar (408)-206-6194 (Cell)
LA Area Contact Persons for the Retreat:
Rajendra Kelkar (818) 368 – 5336
Radhika Ambatipudi (661) 257 – 4781
Sai Pallaparty (805) 375 – 7238
Kanaka Ayyar (805) 877 – 9561
Ashok Sapre (562) 690 – 6355
Kartik Chandrasekaran (818) 366 – 5641
Sharad Dandekar (805) 584 - 1658
Form - ‘Intend to Attend’
Name:
Contact:
Email :
Phone :
Address :
# of Participants :
Volunteer:
Initial Deposit $100 – Please mail this form and deposit check by June 15
Write check payable to Yoga Bharati
(Camp fee is approximately $200 per person; full details available with registration package) Mail form along with the check to either of the following address:
Anil Surpur
7630 Kirwin Lane
Cupertino, CA 95014
OR
Sharad Dandekar
5777 Indian Pointe Dr
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Topics for discussion (at dinner time each day) –
1.
2.
Questions:
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
A question on Adhikara
Question:
While searching for explanation on Karma, Akarma & Vikarma, I found your essay on karmayoga. It is verylucid and informative. I had a question, you have mentioned that there is word for "Rights" in sanskrit but isn't ADHIKARA the word for "Rights" in sanskrit ? Please advice.
Answer:
Adhikara can not be translated into Rights because of two reasons. one is, Krishna mentions adhikara with reference to Karma. If Adhikara is supposed to be right, rights are always about the fruits of action or the remuneration you receive for the work you do and is not for work per say. Like you have an adhikara to work as doctor but you do not get any payment no law says it is ok. in fact Krishna specially mentions that no adhikara for phala which means what the Karma supposed to give us as returns or even the benefits. therefore Krishna is saying you have an adhikara to do the activity but not for the phala has to be looked at from different angle. Imagine the amount of contribution and role of the society in your becoming a doctor or engineer.the education is supported by the society in the form of charity they give for education. The amount of research went behind so many scientists earlier which has given us this science which we learned. we have taken the benefit of all this and therefore we have the responsibility on us to repay our debt.this we do it by serving the society as engineer. this is given as the Hippocrates oath in case of medical graduates. but what Krishna says this is the responsibility not only for doctors but for all who have earned the knowledge.i am blessed by all the people of wisdom who are all my elders about this knowledge and i have therefore responsibility to give this knowledge to others and i don't have any thing to look for the results or phala.
second point is Adi shankaracharya gives us the qualities of Adhikari in Viveka choodamani. who has read the scriptures and who have practiced shama dama uparati etc are adhikaris for the learning of the viveka choodamani, clearly indicating that adhikara means eligibility and not right. in the same way if you have graduated in medicine you have the adhikara or eligibility for practicing medicine. putting two together Adhikara means eligibility and responsibility and not right. therefore i mentioned Adhikara as responsibility and not as right and when i look at all the Indian languages i don't find any word Sanskrit based word, used for right and it is only hak, in other context in India adhikara used is for power. power is the distortion of eligibility and has to be relieved from the burden of right.
Raghuram
While searching for explanation on Karma, Akarma & Vikarma, I found your essay on karmayoga. It is verylucid and informative. I had a question, you have mentioned that there is word for "Rights" in sanskrit but isn't ADHIKARA the word for "Rights" in sanskrit ? Please advice.
Answer:
Adhikara can not be translated into Rights because of two reasons. one is, Krishna mentions adhikara with reference to Karma. If Adhikara is supposed to be right, rights are always about the fruits of action or the remuneration you receive for the work you do and is not for work per say. Like you have an adhikara to work as doctor but you do not get any payment no law says it is ok. in fact Krishna specially mentions that no adhikara for phala which means what the Karma supposed to give us as returns or even the benefits. therefore Krishna is saying you have an adhikara to do the activity but not for the phala has to be looked at from different angle. Imagine the amount of contribution and role of the society in your becoming a doctor or engineer.the education is supported by the society in the form of charity they give for education. The amount of research went behind so many scientists earlier which has given us this science which we learned. we have taken the benefit of all this and therefore we have the responsibility on us to repay our debt.this we do it by serving the society as engineer. this is given as the Hippocrates oath in case of medical graduates. but what Krishna says this is the responsibility not only for doctors but for all who have earned the knowledge.i am blessed by all the people of wisdom who are all my elders about this knowledge and i have therefore responsibility to give this knowledge to others and i don't have any thing to look for the results or phala.
second point is Adi shankaracharya gives us the qualities of Adhikari in Viveka choodamani. who has read the scriptures and who have practiced shama dama uparati etc are adhikaris for the learning of the viveka choodamani, clearly indicating that adhikara means eligibility and not right. in the same way if you have graduated in medicine you have the adhikara or eligibility for practicing medicine. putting two together Adhikara means eligibility and responsibility and not right. therefore i mentioned Adhikara as responsibility and not as right and when i look at all the Indian languages i don't find any word Sanskrit based word, used for right and it is only hak, in other context in India adhikara used is for power. power is the distortion of eligibility and has to be relieved from the burden of right.
Raghuram
Monday, April 23, 2007
SMET introductory talk on video
Dear All,
You may listen to SMET (Stress management for Excessive Tension) introductory talk from Sri NV Raghuramji at the below link:
SMET introductory talk
with regards...
You may listen to SMET (Stress management for Excessive Tension) introductory talk from Sri NV Raghuramji at the below link:
SMET introductory talk
with regards...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
US Tour Program in Q3-4 2007
Dear all,
Below please find the tentative tour program of Sri NV Raghuramji starting from September 2007.
August 30[Thu] arrival to USA from Bangalore
August 31[Fri]to September 3[mon] *Sanatana Dharma retreat*
September 7[Fri] to 16[Sun] YIC
September 17[Mon] to 20[Thu] LA retreat
September 21[Fri] to 25[Tue] Florida Programs in
University of South Florida
September 26[wed] to October 2[Sun] Atlanta
October 3[Mon] to 8[Mon] Jackson- Missisipi
October 9[Tue] to 19[Fri] YIC theory in Houston
October 20[Sat] *Yoga for peace conference* in Houston
October 21[Sun] to Bangalore
Below please find the tentative tour program of Sri NV Raghuramji starting from September 2007.
August 30[Thu] arrival to USA from Bangalore
August 31[Fri]to September 3[mon] *Sanatana Dharma retreat*
September 7[Fri] to 16[Sun] YIC
September 17[Mon] to 20[Thu] LA retreat
September 21[Fri] to 25[Tue] Florida Programs in
University of South Florida
September 26[wed] to October 2[Sun] Atlanta
October 3[Mon] to 8[Mon] Jackson- Missisipi
October 9[Tue] to 19[Fri] YIC theory in Houston
October 20[Sat] *Yoga for peace conference* in Houston
October 21[Sun] to Bangalore
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
The Family of Yoga Bharati Detroit
I feel it is so nice to share with you all, the way the whole team of Yogabharati in Detroit participated in all the programs during my visit.
The YIC is so enjoyable with very lively discussions. Most of the volunteers coming forward to share the responsibility happily like Vanita, Seeta, Sudha, Medel, Gayatri, Vasu Padma all of them bringing food for all of us and all the children coming and being with us made it like a family picnic every day. Mahesh,Mahavirji, Madanji, Deepaji, Madhviji and all others coming many days and participating in the programs, has given a feeling that it all belongs to all of us. Even at the programs at other places such as Ford company or the temple or the function at Deeptiji and at Subhashji's place or at the MS society many of them came and participated. Medel, Subhash, Pamela and others are always ready to give me a ride when ever it is necessary, these are only a few to name but apart from them all others who have contact one time or the other sharing the responsibility and participating shows that by God's grace this activity will be growing to include many more people of this area and Detroit becomes like a model organization. In spite of the fact his health is not alright Mr Sastry came and set up the things before people came and only after making sure that things are going on smoothly he went to doctor to attend to his health.Mrs Prdma sastry also realizing that she has to go to hospital with astrry made sure that he lunch lunch is ready and we have no problems, when we see all these things these people are real but silent yogis.With out the help of Seetha in planning and her organizational skills such an activity would not have possible.
I also should not forget the contribution of Sumedha and Aditya who have shown the maturity far beyond their age in helping us with computers related activity, adjusting their schedules so that thy are available for nay work and they would do with joy and immense interest.
Please pardon me if I have left any names but I always with all of you. I pray Swami Vivekananda, Thakur and Ma Sharada to bless this team or this family for the wonderful work going on.
love,
raghuram
The YIC is so enjoyable with very lively discussions. Most of the volunteers coming forward to share the responsibility happily like Vanita, Seeta, Sudha, Medel, Gayatri, Vasu Padma all of them bringing food for all of us and all the children coming and being with us made it like a family picnic every day. Mahesh,Mahavirji, Madanji, Deepaji, Madhviji and all others coming many days and participating in the programs, has given a feeling that it all belongs to all of us. Even at the programs at other places such as Ford company or the temple or the function at Deeptiji and at Subhashji's place or at the MS society many of them came and participated. Medel, Subhash, Pamela and others are always ready to give me a ride when ever it is necessary, these are only a few to name but apart from them all others who have contact one time or the other sharing the responsibility and participating shows that by God's grace this activity will be growing to include many more people of this area and Detroit becomes like a model organization. In spite of the fact his health is not alright Mr Sastry came and set up the things before people came and only after making sure that things are going on smoothly he went to doctor to attend to his health.Mrs Prdma sastry also realizing that she has to go to hospital with astrry made sure that he lunch lunch is ready and we have no problems, when we see all these things these people are real but silent yogis.With out the help of Seetha in planning and her organizational skills such an activity would not have possible.
I also should not forget the contribution of Sumedha and Aditya who have shown the maturity far beyond their age in helping us with computers related activity, adjusting their schedules so that thy are available for nay work and they would do with joy and immense interest.
Please pardon me if I have left any names but I always with all of you. I pray Swami Vivekananda, Thakur and Ma Sharada to bless this team or this family for the wonderful work going on.
love,
raghuram
Friday, March 30, 2007
Pancha kosha 6 - Basics of Yoga Therapy
ADHI AND VYADHI
We notice physical sickness when it manifests itself in the form of symptoms. Hence, present day medicine is based on symptoms. The patient is referred to specialists based on the area of the body affected. If the sickness is found to manifest in the heart, the patient is sent to a cardiologist, and if it manifests at skin he is referred to dermatologist etc. Whereas, the ancient texts have divided sickness, not into categories based on symptoms, but rather on the cause of sickness. The logic of this is simple: the sickness can be cured only when its origin, or root cause, is located.
The Yoga-Vasista further explores this logic. Vasista says to Rama that it is the disturbances at the subtle level that percolate into the gross level. For example, when we are angry, we can see the blood rushing up to the face and flushing our face red. When we are anxious over something, we immediately notice our heart beating faster. Or when we feel sorrow, we see tears filling the eyes. How does this happen? Whenever such disharmony occurs at the psychological level, it percolates onto the physical level through an imbalance in Prana. Prana is the inner movement. This movement has two different characteristics: rhythmic and speed. Prana that is rhythmic and slow is natural. Prana that is arrhythmic is not natural and is an imbalance. This Prana imbalance precipitates onto body level creating ajeernatvam, kujeernatvam and atijeernatvam. In simple English, this translates to indigestion, wrong digestion and over digestion. Usually when we consider digestion, we think only of food, but in this context digestion is not limited only to the food we eat but to everything that we do: the exercise we perform, the knowledge that we gain, the sleep that we experience, and the experiences that we encounter in our daily life. All of these things are referred to as food in the Vedanta and thus we must properly digest all of these things in order to stay healthy. If we do not, then any or all of them can cause illness and problems resulting in symptoms of sickness in our life. In such cases, the cause for the sickness is the deep rooted imbalances which have percolated within and these imbalances are referred to as ‘adhi.’ Such ailments that originate from adhi are called ‘adhi+ja’= adhija diseases. In Sanskrit we have similar expressions – born out of lotus is padma (lotus) + ja, born to mountain is giri + ja etc. On the other hand, there are certain other diseases where the cause for the sickness is external. Such sicknesses are called ‘na+adhi+ja’= anaadhija or not being caused by internal disturbances. They are sicknesses where the cause is external such as an injury or external abuse of the body such as eating too much sweets or improper food consumption. When the cause is external, the solution can lie at the external level, but when the cause is internal, the remedy is also internal where deep inner harmony must be created. Another side effect of internal sicknesses is that they can make our systems weak and vulnerable, causing additional external disturbances and illnesses. Again the remedy of inner harmony improves our inner stamina and tolerance, allowing us to overcome the unwanted external influence.
- to be continued...
We notice physical sickness when it manifests itself in the form of symptoms. Hence, present day medicine is based on symptoms. The patient is referred to specialists based on the area of the body affected. If the sickness is found to manifest in the heart, the patient is sent to a cardiologist, and if it manifests at skin he is referred to dermatologist etc. Whereas, the ancient texts have divided sickness, not into categories based on symptoms, but rather on the cause of sickness. The logic of this is simple: the sickness can be cured only when its origin, or root cause, is located.
The Yoga-Vasista further explores this logic. Vasista says to Rama that it is the disturbances at the subtle level that percolate into the gross level. For example, when we are angry, we can see the blood rushing up to the face and flushing our face red. When we are anxious over something, we immediately notice our heart beating faster. Or when we feel sorrow, we see tears filling the eyes. How does this happen? Whenever such disharmony occurs at the psychological level, it percolates onto the physical level through an imbalance in Prana. Prana is the inner movement. This movement has two different characteristics: rhythmic and speed. Prana that is rhythmic and slow is natural. Prana that is arrhythmic is not natural and is an imbalance. This Prana imbalance precipitates onto body level creating ajeernatvam, kujeernatvam and atijeernatvam. In simple English, this translates to indigestion, wrong digestion and over digestion. Usually when we consider digestion, we think only of food, but in this context digestion is not limited only to the food we eat but to everything that we do: the exercise we perform, the knowledge that we gain, the sleep that we experience, and the experiences that we encounter in our daily life. All of these things are referred to as food in the Vedanta and thus we must properly digest all of these things in order to stay healthy. If we do not, then any or all of them can cause illness and problems resulting in symptoms of sickness in our life. In such cases, the cause for the sickness is the deep rooted imbalances which have percolated within and these imbalances are referred to as ‘adhi.’ Such ailments that originate from adhi are called ‘adhi+ja’= adhija diseases. In Sanskrit we have similar expressions – born out of lotus is padma (lotus) + ja, born to mountain is giri + ja etc. On the other hand, there are certain other diseases where the cause for the sickness is external. Such sicknesses are called ‘na+adhi+ja’= anaadhija or not being caused by internal disturbances. They are sicknesses where the cause is external such as an injury or external abuse of the body such as eating too much sweets or improper food consumption. When the cause is external, the solution can lie at the external level, but when the cause is internal, the remedy is also internal where deep inner harmony must be created. Another side effect of internal sicknesses is that they can make our systems weak and vulnerable, causing additional external disturbances and illnesses. Again the remedy of inner harmony improves our inner stamina and tolerance, allowing us to overcome the unwanted external influence.
- to be continued...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Sri NV Raghuramji's US phone number
Dear all,
Please note that, you may reach Sri NV Raghuram through the following mobile number during his entire visit in US.
+ 1 (713) 562 8001
With regards.
Please note that, you may reach Sri NV Raghuram through the following mobile number during his entire visit in US.
+ 1 (713) 562 8001
With regards.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Pancha kosha 5 - Basics of Yoga Therapy
COMING OUT OF SICKNESS
When we examine our disturbances and disharmony in the above said way meaning the progression, from episode to habit to Vasana to samskara there is a great benefit in terms of reversing the process. We all know that we can easily overcome our habits by working on consciously reversing the habit for a certain period of time. This is what we do in case of de -addiction programs. Even every child would have picked up some habit or the other in growing period for few days. But being tutored by the parents or teachers that that habit is bad the child consciously comes out of it by working for a short period of time. One of such common habit is biting the nails and soon the child gives up consciously. If habits can be reversed by consciously working to reverse it, we can similarly reverse the Vasanas and samskaras. Only the difference is that it will take a longer and more arduous process. Thus, we can reverse all problems of disharmony by working to reverse them consciously. The altered conditions like tension at physical level speed at the level of Prana and restlessness at mind level can also percolate and do percolate in us to become Vasanas and samskaras. If tension at a physical level is our Vasana or samskara, we can consciously practice relaxation techniques for a longer period of time. In the same way, we can practice calmness of mind at the mental level and we can consciously overcome our fixations at intellectual level so that we can easily come out of our disharmony at various levels and develop harmony. Harmony is the health; harmony is strength and stamina; and, ultimately, harmony is freedom from suffering, not only in human being but in the whole creation.
Therefore we need to consciously relax at the physical level to be free from the disturbance but some times our physical condition may limit us from doing certain practices of asanas. For example a person with problem of back pain will not be able to do front bending or back bending with ease and comfort. Therefore, depending on one’s current physical conditions, one must design a practice of physical and relaxation techniques to develop awareness and relaxation. To relax means to be able to leave the body aside and transcend to a subtler level called Prana. With the practice of proper Pranayama techniques one can make the flow of Prana smooth and free from all disturbances and one can make it slow. In turn one can transcend the Prana levels. Here also there are certain techniques some persons need to avoid because of their health conditions. Transcending the pranamaya level takes us to subtler level called mind and by calming the mind one can become harmonious at that level and will be able to reach subtler levels so that finally one can be one with the Ananda level. This is the scheme of yoga therapy. A state of attachment shows the sign of sickness where as a facility for transcending is the sign of freedom or health. In fact this can easily be observed in the case of children. When they are healthy, children are not at Annamaya level or attached to body. Only when they are sick, they are at body level. For example, Mother often says about her child, who is sticking to or clinging to the mother, ‘She normally plays on her own and does not bother me at all, but now since she is sick, she is sticking to me.’ This indicates the reason for attachment is sickness and the manifestation of attachment is sickness. When health and harmony are there then the attachment will not be there.
-to be continued...
When we examine our disturbances and disharmony in the above said way meaning the progression, from episode to habit to Vasana to samskara there is a great benefit in terms of reversing the process. We all know that we can easily overcome our habits by working on consciously reversing the habit for a certain period of time. This is what we do in case of de -addiction programs. Even every child would have picked up some habit or the other in growing period for few days. But being tutored by the parents or teachers that that habit is bad the child consciously comes out of it by working for a short period of time. One of such common habit is biting the nails and soon the child gives up consciously. If habits can be reversed by consciously working to reverse it, we can similarly reverse the Vasanas and samskaras. Only the difference is that it will take a longer and more arduous process. Thus, we can reverse all problems of disharmony by working to reverse them consciously. The altered conditions like tension at physical level speed at the level of Prana and restlessness at mind level can also percolate and do percolate in us to become Vasanas and samskaras. If tension at a physical level is our Vasana or samskara, we can consciously practice relaxation techniques for a longer period of time. In the same way, we can practice calmness of mind at the mental level and we can consciously overcome our fixations at intellectual level so that we can easily come out of our disharmony at various levels and develop harmony. Harmony is the health; harmony is strength and stamina; and, ultimately, harmony is freedom from suffering, not only in human being but in the whole creation.
Therefore we need to consciously relax at the physical level to be free from the disturbance but some times our physical condition may limit us from doing certain practices of asanas. For example a person with problem of back pain will not be able to do front bending or back bending with ease and comfort. Therefore, depending on one’s current physical conditions, one must design a practice of physical and relaxation techniques to develop awareness and relaxation. To relax means to be able to leave the body aside and transcend to a subtler level called Prana. With the practice of proper Pranayama techniques one can make the flow of Prana smooth and free from all disturbances and one can make it slow. In turn one can transcend the Prana levels. Here also there are certain techniques some persons need to avoid because of their health conditions. Transcending the pranamaya level takes us to subtler level called mind and by calming the mind one can become harmonious at that level and will be able to reach subtler levels so that finally one can be one with the Ananda level. This is the scheme of yoga therapy. A state of attachment shows the sign of sickness where as a facility for transcending is the sign of freedom or health. In fact this can easily be observed in the case of children. When they are healthy, children are not at Annamaya level or attached to body. Only when they are sick, they are at body level. For example, Mother often says about her child, who is sticking to or clinging to the mother, ‘She normally plays on her own and does not bother me at all, but now since she is sick, she is sticking to me.’ This indicates the reason for attachment is sickness and the manifestation of attachment is sickness. When health and harmony are there then the attachment will not be there.
-to be continued...
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
US Tour Program back to normal
Dear All,
Due to goodwishes of all the prayers and by the grace of God, Raghuramji's sister's illness is retarded and she is out of hospital.
Therefore, the US tour program will continue as it was planned before. Raghuramji will be back to Bangalore/India by 2nd of May.
You may find the Detroit program at the below link and may always contact with the local coordinators (detroit@yogabharati.org) for more details.
http://nvraghuram.blogspot.com/2007/02/detroit-tour-program.html
With love...
Due to goodwishes of all the prayers and by the grace of God, Raghuramji's sister's illness is retarded and she is out of hospital.
Therefore, the US tour program will continue as it was planned before. Raghuramji will be back to Bangalore/India by 2nd of May.
You may find the Detroit program at the below link and may always contact with the local coordinators (detroit@yogabharati.org) for more details.
http://nvraghuram.blogspot.com/2007/02/detroit-tour-program.html
With love...
Friday, March 09, 2007
Postponement of USA Tour Program
Dear all,
The US Tour program is postponed to an unknown date, due to sudden ill-health of Sri Raghuramji's beloved sister, Shailaja. Let us all pray for Shailaja's health and also for the well-being of her family in these difficult times.
Please contact with the local organisers for details of the postponement.
Raghuramji will be arriving to Bangalore at 00.35hrs on 11th of March.
The US Tour program is postponed to an unknown date, due to sudden ill-health of Sri Raghuramji's beloved sister, Shailaja. Let us all pray for Shailaja's health and also for the well-being of her family in these difficult times.
Please contact with the local organisers for details of the postponement.
Raghuramji will be arriving to Bangalore at 00.35hrs on 11th of March.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Pancha kosha 4 - Basics of Yoga Therapy
HABIT – VASANA – SAMSKARA COMPLEX
Life is dynamic and is bound to have ups and downs, elations and disappointments, desire – fulfillments and non-fulfillments. Thus, we go through a certain amount of disturbances that are personified in our moods. These things individually and collectively leave a certain degree of disharmony. In addition, our own expectations and greed create even more disharmony. According to the philosophy of yoga, this disharmony, if at the incident level, will disappear, similar to the way a child wants something and then cries a bit when he doesn’t get it, but soon forgets about it and moves on. However, we are not like that. We get caught up. Disharmony becomes deeply set in us and takes the shape of habit, much like how our anxiety may manifest in the form of smoking for temporary relief and soon becomes a habit. When we do not remove this at the habit level, it becomes Vasana. At habit level it has not percolated into our pathology.
When it becomes Vasana, it becomes pathological. For example, when smoking has percolated into a deeper level than a mere habit and the lack of a cigarette actually manifests itself as a headache or other such physical ailment. Similarly, several people have the habit of drinking coffee or tea and it has become a Vasana. If they cannot find what they are addicted to, they become dysfunctional and will not feel okay until they get it. As this goes deeper, it becomes genetic or influencing at our gene level where it is called ‘Samskara.’
Therefore the equation is
Incident or episode -> habit -> Vasana -> Samskara
Let me explain it with the help of a real life examples
A colleague of mine one day asked me, “Hi Raghuram, you go all over the world to help people to get rid of their habits. Why don’t you help me to overcome my habit of smoking? I smoke almost continuously and want to quit smoking please suggest me something simple. After all you are my good friend therefore keeping all the yoga kind of stuff for others, and suggest me some thing simple. He is after all a good friend and therefore I want you to help him. I thought when ever one feels like smoking there will be uneasiness in the mouth and if we take care of it with some thing less harmful that will solve his problem. I thought if he takes a pan (the beetle leaf with lime and nuts you get in India) when he has a desire for a cigarette that will keep the mouth engaged for next half hour and leaves mouth bitter and may be he does not feel like smoking for next one hour or so. That way once a cigarette gets postponed eventually he may give up smoking. With this idea I suggested him go for a pan when ever you feel like smoking.
But two months later he appeared before me asking Raghuram now get me rid of both the habits earlier only cigarette used to be my craving but now a days when ever I feel like smoking I also want a pan and I don’t get right kind of pan every where which makes me more frustrated!
This is Vasana. At habit level it was simple but now it has risen to the level of Vasana where it is more complicated.
Further hardened, Vasanas will become samskaras which then percolates into our deep inner sub conscious levels.
Therefore habits Vasanas and samskaras are not different things. Habit itself is like being in a groove loosing our freedom of movement and Vasana is much deeper groove and samskara is still more deeper groove. These grooves are formed when we are not being aware of what we are doing. It happens unconsciously. One may have several things at habit level and several at Vasana and some at samskara levels also. Our journey towards freedom is a conscious process of removing these grooves.
-to be continued...
Life is dynamic and is bound to have ups and downs, elations and disappointments, desire – fulfillments and non-fulfillments. Thus, we go through a certain amount of disturbances that are personified in our moods. These things individually and collectively leave a certain degree of disharmony. In addition, our own expectations and greed create even more disharmony. According to the philosophy of yoga, this disharmony, if at the incident level, will disappear, similar to the way a child wants something and then cries a bit when he doesn’t get it, but soon forgets about it and moves on. However, we are not like that. We get caught up. Disharmony becomes deeply set in us and takes the shape of habit, much like how our anxiety may manifest in the form of smoking for temporary relief and soon becomes a habit. When we do not remove this at the habit level, it becomes Vasana. At habit level it has not percolated into our pathology.
When it becomes Vasana, it becomes pathological. For example, when smoking has percolated into a deeper level than a mere habit and the lack of a cigarette actually manifests itself as a headache or other such physical ailment. Similarly, several people have the habit of drinking coffee or tea and it has become a Vasana. If they cannot find what they are addicted to, they become dysfunctional and will not feel okay until they get it. As this goes deeper, it becomes genetic or influencing at our gene level where it is called ‘Samskara.’
Therefore the equation is
Incident or episode -> habit -> Vasana -> Samskara
Let me explain it with the help of a real life examples
A colleague of mine one day asked me, “Hi Raghuram, you go all over the world to help people to get rid of their habits. Why don’t you help me to overcome my habit of smoking? I smoke almost continuously and want to quit smoking please suggest me something simple. After all you are my good friend therefore keeping all the yoga kind of stuff for others, and suggest me some thing simple. He is after all a good friend and therefore I want you to help him. I thought when ever one feels like smoking there will be uneasiness in the mouth and if we take care of it with some thing less harmful that will solve his problem. I thought if he takes a pan (the beetle leaf with lime and nuts you get in India) when he has a desire for a cigarette that will keep the mouth engaged for next half hour and leaves mouth bitter and may be he does not feel like smoking for next one hour or so. That way once a cigarette gets postponed eventually he may give up smoking. With this idea I suggested him go for a pan when ever you feel like smoking.
But two months later he appeared before me asking Raghuram now get me rid of both the habits earlier only cigarette used to be my craving but now a days when ever I feel like smoking I also want a pan and I don’t get right kind of pan every where which makes me more frustrated!
This is Vasana. At habit level it was simple but now it has risen to the level of Vasana where it is more complicated.
Further hardened, Vasanas will become samskaras which then percolates into our deep inner sub conscious levels.
Therefore habits Vasanas and samskaras are not different things. Habit itself is like being in a groove loosing our freedom of movement and Vasana is much deeper groove and samskara is still more deeper groove. These grooves are formed when we are not being aware of what we are doing. It happens unconsciously. One may have several things at habit level and several at Vasana and some at samskara levels also. Our journey towards freedom is a conscious process of removing these grooves.
-to be continued...
Monday, March 05, 2007
Pancha kosha 3 - Basics of Yoga Therapy
HARMONY IS SPIRITUAL HEALTH
Indian philosophy considers this harmony as the spiritual health and wellbeing of God’s creation. But as we look at the world today, people are actually fighting with each other in the name of spirituality. Coercive acts of conversion of religion and beliefs are creating complete disharmony and violence, taking us away from spiritual health and well being. Only when we realize this truth, the world can become a better, more harmonious, place.
When we investigate sickness, we notice that the underlying factor in most illnesses is disharmony. The illness that most people associate with is that of the physical body. When there is a disturbance within the auto immune system, there is a germ or foreign element which has entered the body and caused the sickness, or disharmony within the systems of the body. It is the fight occurring between one group of our body’s cells with another category. They lost the harmonious way of existing and as a result our own body cells started fighting. This disharmony may have originated somewhere deep within us. According to Indian philosophy, the disharmony may even follow us from life to life. Therefore, we may not even be able to pin point the true cause of our illness. Yoga Vasista tells us not to worry about the origin of the disharmony and where it started, but rather, to concentrate on how to remove this disharmony.
THE PURPOSE OF YOGA
The way to remove this disharmony is consciously revert back to our true nature at all personality levels, since we started causing disharmony within as we moved away from our true nature. For example, at the body level, our nature is to be relaxed, so we need to perform practices that will help us get back to this relaxed state to reach harmony.
As shown in the table, at every personality level we can go back to our nature. It is easy to understand at the physical level that when we are relaxed we are naturally happy so the practices of yoga are good for relaxation. Similarly with a little close observation one can agree that slowing is important at the inner activity level. Sufficient knowledge and lab studies have been made all over the world that meditation will give us a clam state of mind and that is good for harmony. But it is much more difficult to see how we can make use the faculty called intellect for inner harmony. We also feel it is the emotions which disturb our peace of mind very deeply with emotional hurt. We use our intellect to convince others that we are right and they are wrong. On the other hand, if we start using our intellect to see how we can be at peace with one another and we begin to aim our emotional and intellectual abilities towards this goal, we can become harmonious and healthy. In Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga these points are made very clear.
We are rich with soft emotions such as love, compassion, appreciation, and a sense of wonder. We are born with these emotions which naturally give us harmony. They are with us even before we acquire intellect as a child. However, as we get older, we neglect these soft emotions and give importance to violent emotions of anger, hatred, greed, etc. Soft emotions are health and violent emotions are sickness, soft emotions bring bliss where as violent emotions bring sadness, distaste, and bitterness. But we often fail to realize this. Let us, therefore, consciously create harmony: This is the purpose of yoga.
- to be continued...
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Detroit Tour Program
For programs given below are tentative, please contact local organizers for details mailto:detroit@yogabharati.org) or click to http://www.yogabharati.org/detroit/html/Schedule2007.html
CYCLIC MEDITATION WORKSHOP Thursday, March 22
12 noon – 1 pm Compuware Corporation
Detroit
Compuware employees
OM MEDITATION WORKSHOP Thursday, March 22
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Farmington Library (Downtown)
Grand River Avenue
Farmington, MI
All are welcome (free).
INAUGURAL SESSION & INTRO TO
YOGA FOUNDATION COURSE (YFC) &YOGA INSTRUCTOR COURSE (YIC)
Friday, March 23
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Village Oaks Clubhouse
22859 Brook forest
Novi, MI All are welcome (free)
YFC & YIC
March 24th, 25th, 31st and April 1st, 7th, 8th (week-ends only)
8:30 am - 5:30 pm Village Oaks Clubhouse
22859 Brook forest
Novi, MI Registration required
HAPPINESS ANALYSIS
Tuesday, March 27
11:30am – 12:30pm Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI Ford Employees
YOGA THERAPY FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (theory & practice)
Thursday, March 29
1 pm - 4 pm National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Michigan Chapter
Southfield, MI Members Of MS Society, Patients, Care-Giving Families, Research Personnel From Henry Ford Hospital - MS Clinic, Wayne State Univ School Of Neurology
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Monday, April 02
1 pm – 4 pm Oakland Community College
Orchard Ridge campus
Building H Room H-108
OCC students
YOGA FOR POSITIVE HEALTH
Thursday, April 05
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Farmington Hills Main Library
32737 West 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI All are welcome (free).
CYCLIC MEDITATION WORKSHOP Thursday, March 22
12 noon – 1 pm Compuware Corporation
Detroit
Compuware employees
OM MEDITATION WORKSHOP Thursday, March 22
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Farmington Library (Downtown)
Grand River Avenue
Farmington, MI
All are welcome (free).
INAUGURAL SESSION & INTRO TO
YOGA FOUNDATION COURSE (YFC) &YOGA INSTRUCTOR COURSE (YIC)
Friday, March 23
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Village Oaks Clubhouse
22859 Brook forest
Novi, MI All are welcome (free)
YFC & YIC
March 24th, 25th, 31st and April 1st, 7th, 8th (week-ends only)
8:30 am - 5:30 pm Village Oaks Clubhouse
22859 Brook forest
Novi, MI Registration required
HAPPINESS ANALYSIS
Tuesday, March 27
11:30am – 12:30pm Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI Ford Employees
YOGA THERAPY FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (theory & practice)
Thursday, March 29
1 pm - 4 pm National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Michigan Chapter
Southfield, MI Members Of MS Society, Patients, Care-Giving Families, Research Personnel From Henry Ford Hospital - MS Clinic, Wayne State Univ School Of Neurology
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Monday, April 02
1 pm – 4 pm Oakland Community College
Orchard Ridge campus
Building H Room H-108
OCC students
YOGA FOR POSITIVE HEALTH
Thursday, April 05
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Farmington Hills Main Library
32737 West 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI All are welcome (free).
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Turkey Tour Program
Dear all,
Below please find Raghuramji's Turkey tour program starting next week.
ISTANBUL PROGRAMS:
Yoga Foundation Certificate
6th february - 27th february
Place: vivek yoga center
Public Seminar:
6th february
18.30-19.30 Yoga Therapi introductory seminar (with the first Turkey-visiting yoga therapist AmritRam)
Place: Vivek yoga center
Private Satsangs:
Bhagavat gita talks to advanced yoga-seekers.
7 & 8th February / at the following hours: 20.00-21.00 Satsang / 21.00-21.30 Q&A
Place: Atasehir
Public Event:
9th february
19.00-21.00 Guru party
Place: vivek yoga center
Private Satsangs:
Bhagavat gita talks to advanced yoga-seekers.
12th & 14th February
20.00-21.00 Satsang / 21.00-21.30 Q&A
Place: Atasehir
Public Seminars:
13th February
20.30-21.30 Yoga and Anxiety
Place: Prana Yoga Center
15th February
20.30-21.30 Yoga and Sleeping Disorders
Place: Prana Yoga Center
BURSA PROGRAMS:
17th-18th February
1. Seminar on "Meditation"
2. Guru party
3. Sightseeing tour with Bursa yoga Center students
KAYSERI PROGRAM:
24th February
Seminar on "Yoga Therapy"
Place: Erciyes University / Sabanci Center
www.erciyes.edu.tr
For attendance, please contact;
Ayca Gurelman
ayca_gurelman@hotmail.com
+90 (532) 357 3858
with regards...
Below please find Raghuramji's Turkey tour program starting next week.
ISTANBUL PROGRAMS:
Yoga Foundation Certificate
6th february - 27th february
Place: vivek yoga center
Public Seminar:
6th february
18.30-19.30 Yoga Therapi introductory seminar (with the first Turkey-visiting yoga therapist AmritRam)
Place: Vivek yoga center
Private Satsangs:
Bhagavat gita talks to advanced yoga-seekers.
7 & 8th February / at the following hours: 20.00-21.00 Satsang / 21.00-21.30 Q&A
Place: Atasehir
Public Event:
9th february
19.00-21.00 Guru party
Place: vivek yoga center
Private Satsangs:
Bhagavat gita talks to advanced yoga-seekers.
12th & 14th February
20.00-21.00 Satsang / 21.00-21.30 Q&A
Place: Atasehir
Public Seminars:
13th February
20.30-21.30 Yoga and Anxiety
Place: Prana Yoga Center
15th February
20.30-21.30 Yoga and Sleeping Disorders
Place: Prana Yoga Center
BURSA PROGRAMS:
17th-18th February
1. Seminar on "Meditation"
2. Guru party
3. Sightseeing tour with Bursa yoga Center students
KAYSERI PROGRAM:
24th February
Seminar on "Yoga Therapy"
Place: Erciyes University / Sabanci Center
www.erciyes.edu.tr
For attendance, please contact;
Ayca Gurelman
ayca_gurelman@hotmail.com
+90 (532) 357 3858
with regards...
Monday, January 22, 2007
Attendance to UNO conference in Urugay
Below please find a picture from a UNO conference on education and sports organised at Ponta delesta in Urugay. Sri NV Raghuramji attended the conference as a deligate from India along with indian minister Mr Chauba singh.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
January seminar program in India
Jan 16 and Jan 17 / 6pm to 7 pm
Knowledge and non- knowledge Vidya and Avidya from Isavasya upanishad
Jan 19, 20 and 21 / 6pm to 7 pm
Raja yoga selected slokas from Bhagavad Gita
venue: "Shankara krupa"
Address: Sri Shankara jayanti mandali, 3rd block jayanagar Bangalore
Knowledge and non- knowledge Vidya and Avidya from Isavasya upanishad
Jan 19, 20 and 21 / 6pm to 7 pm
Raja yoga selected slokas from Bhagavad Gita
venue: "Shankara krupa"
Address: Sri Shankara jayanti mandali, 3rd block jayanagar Bangalore
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Question about humbleness
Question: why is that a person who posses lot of wealth is not humble and always take others for granted and doesn't respect others?with such people how should be our reactions??
Answer: to be humble has nothing to do with wealth and it should also not to have.
People can loose their humbleness for any thing not only wealth but beauty or knowledge power any thing can corrupt and take away our humbleness. They give up because they don't see the value in it If I see the value in it I don't leave it. Let us not worry about others let us see do we give value to humbleness! If not let us go to such people in whom we see the value for humbleness.
that is why sastra says,
Vidyanam vinayohyeshah Shamah Karanamuchyate..
The knowledge can be recognized by the humbleness one has.
Love,
Raghuram.
Answer: to be humble has nothing to do with wealth and it should also not to have.
People can loose their humbleness for any thing not only wealth but beauty or knowledge power any thing can corrupt and take away our humbleness. They give up because they don't see the value in it If I see the value in it I don't leave it. Let us not worry about others let us see do we give value to humbleness! If not let us go to such people in whom we see the value for humbleness.
that is why sastra says,
Vidyanam vinayohyeshah Shamah Karanamuchyate..
The knowledge can be recognized by the humbleness one has.
Love,
Raghuram.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
This day JANUARY 1st 1886: THE DAY OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA'S SELF-REVELATION
"'I shall make the whole thing public before I go,' the Master has said some time before. On January 1, 1886, he felt better and came down to the garden for a little stroll. It was about three o'clock in the afternoon. Some thirty lay disciples were in the hall or sitting about under the trees. Sri Ramakrishna said to Girish (Ghosh), 'Well Girish, what have you seen in me, that you proclaim me before everybody as an Incarnation of God?' Girish was not the man to be taken by surprise. He knelt before the Master and said with folded hands, 'What can an insignificant person like myself say about the One whose glory even sages like Vyasa and Valmiki could not adequately measure?' The Master was profoundly moved. He said: 'What more shall I say? I bless you all. Be illumined!' He fell into a spiritual mood. Hearing these words the devotees, one and all, became overwhelmed with emotion. They rushed to him and fell at his feet. He touched them all, and each received an appropriate benediction. Each of them, at the touch of the master, experienced ineffable bliss. Some laughed, some wept, some sat down to meditate, some began to pray. Some saw light, some had visions of their Chosen Ideals, and some felt within their bodies the rush of spiritual power."
Love,
Raghuram
Love,
Raghuram
best wishes for happy new year!!!!
We are bidding farewell to 2006. Look back and see how we have honored the precious gift of the Lord Time to us and how much we have utilized it and how much we have given for the betterment of this creation in this year 2006.
We are now entering into 2007. Wishing every one a very prosperous new year, I would like to remind our friends what we learnt earlier on few occasions - the barometer for real richness is how much you give rather than how much you have and how much you contribute for the world to become a better place, and yardstick for growth is how much you are in the process of learning and finally the indicator of our spirituality is how much we have harmony within and how much we contribute towards harmony in my surroundings.
Love,
Raghuram
We are now entering into 2007. Wishing every one a very prosperous new year, I would like to remind our friends what we learnt earlier on few occasions - the barometer for real richness is how much you give rather than how much you have and how much you contribute for the world to become a better place, and yardstick for growth is how much you are in the process of learning and finally the indicator of our spirituality is how much we have harmony within and how much we contribute towards harmony in my surroundings.
Love,
Raghuram
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