This
document has been created to establish certain guidelines for organizing Sri
Swami Adhyatmanandaji’s programs.
Where should I begin?
Swami Adhyatmanandaji is a highly enlightened being who naturally radiates divinity. He has so much to offer to the spiritual seekers that we feel compelled to have as many people as possible to take advantage of such opportunity to come in touch with such a rare one. The more people come in contact with him, the better it is. We personally feel highly obliged to person who was instrumental in bringing him to our life and we feel obligated to do the same for the others.
It is highly recommended that you yourself get acquainted
with swamiji’s work and get convinced as to what he has to offer to the people
and community at large. This can be done by reading “Samarpan”, a souvenir
published to commemorate Swamiji’s Golden Jubilee birthday anniversary in
1993. The book contains articles
written about Swamiji by respected saints as well as common people who are
fortunate to come in close contact with him and know him. Audio and videotapes
of his live programs are also available. We believe more you know about him; the
better you will be to organize the programs.
How to Introduce Swamiji?
It
is a great responsibility to introduce Swami Adhyatmanandaji properly to public.
The following information may be helpful.
Sri Swami
Adhyatmanandaji is from Sivanand Ashram, Ahmedabad.
He is the most beloved disciple of H. H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj
who represented Hinduism in the Parliaments of World’s religion in 1993,
commemorating one hundred years of the famous address of Swami Vivekananda.
Divine Life Society was established by Sri Sivanandaji Maharaj in 1936. Swami
Sivanandaji was a doctor but he soon found out that he needed to give more than
medicines to alleviate the human sufferings and impart everlasting peace and
happiness. What people needed the most was spiritual knowledge. He undertook
severe spiritual sadhana for many years and realized the ultimate truth. He saw
the God face to face and was inspired to write three hundred books for the
benefit of seekers. Swami Adhyatmanandaji has been incessantly spreading the
message of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj for more than 25 years,
having joined the Sivanand Ashram in 1972. Not only does he have a dynamic and
versatile personality; he is also a magnificent orator, a melodious singer and a
spiritual giant who wins the heart of everyone who he comes in contact with.
Swamiji has been described as “The Crest Jewel” of the Divine Life Society.
His humility, simplicity and down to earth practical approach appeal everyone.
The Swamiji has been the most sought after for spiritual discourses in India and
all abroad. Swamiji has visited United States several times. We are highly obliged to Swamiji for taking out time for us. The
Swamiji is also a world renown authority in YOGA and special morning Yoga
classes has been arranged for you and we hope you will take advantage of this
unique opportunity. It is a great honor and privilege to present Sri Swami
Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj to you.
How
do I undertake publicity?
Publicity should be undertaken as early as possible.
Publicity is important because we want more people to be benefited by
Swamiji’s holy presence and erudite discourses.
People will thank you for making it possible for them to see Swamiji.
Followings are a few suggestions as to how publicity could be done effectively.
Fliers
Fliers
can be made by the institution where swamiji will be giving programs as well as
the organizers. Photographs and materials for publicity are available on
request. Fliers could be displayed at the bulletin boards of the various
religious organizations, Indian grocery and appliance stores etc.
Please make the informational fliers available during Swamiji’s program
to disseminate information about upcoming programs in the local areas.
Newspaper
Advertisement
Advertisement in the local Indian newspaper will
reach the mass of people. Ideally it should be given one week before the
programs. Proper photograph and detail will attract a lot of religious minded
people.
NewsLetters
and Periodicals
Newsletter
of the institution where the Swamiji is giving program should include the
announcement as major upcoming event. The organizer should find out who is the
in charge of publishing the news letter and ask to see him directly, provide all
the information and if possible a short article about the Swamiji. You will be
able to do a lot better job if you initiate this a lot in advance.
Mailing
Lists
Obtain
mailing list from the religious organizations and mail it on your own. By this
way you can pass on a lot more information about the program, the Swamiji and
what he has to offer.
Newspaper
Article
Writing
a short article in the form of announcement in the local Indian newspaper will
draw a lot of attention. If you are giving an advertisement, the newspaper will
facilitate this.
Announcements
Do not miss the opportunities of making frequent
announcements in the gatherings of the members of the organization where the
swamiji is to give programs.
Word of
Mouth
Call your friends and invite them for the programs.
Arrange home satsung calling all friends and relatives before a big program in
institutes.
Team
Approach
The organizer should form a team of enthusiastic and
energetic volunteers and assign them with responsibilities.
In normal circumstances, the organizer will act as a coordinator and
provide leadership and direction to the team. Recognizing strength and
weaknesses of individual team members and assigning work accordingly will ensure
success. Periodic meetings and
proper follow-ups are essential. With
team approach, a lot more will be accomplished in short time than otherwise and
quality of work will reflect that.
Bhiksa
and Home Visits
It
is our experience that after listening to the Swamiji, a lot of people will
approach you to see if the Swamiji could come to their home and bless them.
The benefit that one get by direct satsung is immeasurable and we
believe, it should be encouraged. The
host generally invites some friends and relatives who will get benefit of
satsung with the Swamiji. The devotion that one develops after such one to one
meeting is very important for spiritual awakening and growth. It is a customary
that during such visit, a devotee offers some gurudakshina along with a fruit
basket. Fruits are usually
distributed as prasad by the Swamiji
to host and guests who has assembled. If there are many people gathered, the Swamiji might at his
discretion decide to give a small talk for benefit of people assembled.
Donation
and Contribution
Swamiji
represents the great lineage of the Guru-Shishya
Parampara of the great Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, who took great
pleasure in giving people everything he had and hence he was known as “Givananda”
and Sri Swami Chidananaji Maharaj
who is regarded as one of the greatest living saints and is highly recognized
for his humility and generosity. Swamiji
has come here to give us the knowledge of the Self, knowledge of our great
Scriptural heritage, Yoga and Pranayama. Let
no one ever think that the Swamiji comes here for funding. Swamiji has many
devotees all over India and abroad who appreciate the Lord’s work.
However, it is our experience that many people get inspired by his divine
presence to make offerings. We
believe that such offering that comes from within as an expression of gratitude,
love and devotion does a lot of good to the devotee in his spiritual quest.
Books,
Audio and Video Tapes
and Digital Media
Swami
Sivanandaji has extensively written more than three hundred books on the subject
of spirituality. Each one is a
masterpiece. Many of them are made available for the benefit of the spiritual
seekers. There are some other books
on the subject of spirituality and Yoga that are also made available as well
selected audio and video tapes. It
is a great service to the spiritual seekers who can continue with their regular
spiritual sadhana and swadhyaya long after the retreat. The organizer should assign the
responsibility to handle this part of the program to some dedicated volunteers.
Following are the points worth noting.
·
Enough
educational materials should be obtained at least two weeks before the retreat.
·
Books,
audio and video tapes stall should be set up before the people start coming and
they should be made available at least for 30 to 45 minutes after the program.
·
It should
be announced frequently that books, videotapes and audio tapes are available.
·
Books and
tapes can be shipped to the places to be visited by Swamiji in the near future.
Program
Format
On
weekdays, evening discourse for about 90 minutes around 7.00 PM and early
morning Yoga, Meditation and Pranayama classes should be arranged, ideally
around 5.30 am. Lunch Bhiksha and
Dinner Bhiksha are very common but if there is more demand than the slots are
available, breakfast bhiksha can be arranged.
Commuting distance should be taken into account, as it should not be too
exhaustive for Swamiji. On Saturday, Sunday and Holidays more program should be
arranged. Many religious organizations have there weekly gathering on Sundays
anytime between 9.00 Am to 4 PM, so
more than one institutions can be scheduled if such opportunities are available.
Encourage the family to call as many people as possible during Bhiksha time so,
more people can have benefit of Swamiji’s presence and satsang.
Program Preferences
If there is request for weekdays (only), it can be easily coordinated. However, only weekend program would not workout especially in North America. It has to be allotted with weekdays to make proper balance. Major (temple or similar) & multiple programs can be arranged during the weekends, while light programs, home satsang and home visits generally are planned during the weekdays. In general, each venue with weekend program is allotted a week (something like Thursday to Thursday) or five days (like Thursday - Tuesday)
Sound
System
Good PA system (Public Address System) is very important
especially when Swamiji has to address public gathering at least twice a day and
seven days a week. No system or bad system will affect the delivery of address
adversely and strain his larynx that will also affect his future programs.
Swamiji’s discourses are also full of Bhajans and Kirtans so if you can
arrange for somebody to play drums, harmonium and other available musical
instruments and talents that will be an added plus. Swamiji himself is a very
knowledgeable in music and knows well to use the available talents. It is all up
to us to eke out maximum from the this god given opportunity.
Time
Swamiji
is extremely particular about time. He will start his program in time and he
will finish it at the designated time. Please
take extra precaution to see that punctuality is not sacrificed in ordinary
circumstances. Proper planning will help you to meet this goal.
Some
Special Words to Organizers
As
an organizer, you and your family get the maximum benefits from Swamiji’s
visit, as you get to spend more time with him and observe him respond in
different situations. Being in his presence is like bathing in peace and
divinity. He is like a mirror, in which you will see all your deficiencies. If
you make a mistake, he will tell you straight and might rebuke you. You are
lucky if he rebukes you, because then you know for sure that he loves you. we,
for one, will never exchange the time that we spent with him for anything in the
world and seize all the available such opportunities at any cost. In these days
and age, rare are the mahatmas and only one amongst them is Sri Swami
Adhyatmanandaji, so take advantage of this God given rare opportunity. We assure
you that you will be glad that you did and will look forward to having another
such opportunity.
Archives
Swamiji
seldom gets time to sit and write a book. His speeches are spontaneous and
natural outpour of divine inspiration. All his work is being collected and
treasured for future publications. Organizers are requested to make audio and/or
video tapes of the discourses. Also collect the newspaper clipping, media
coverage and any other relevant materials.
Latest Additions.........
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Sivananda Yoga (Yoga DVD) Diwali Prasad booklet - "Kanakdhara Stotram" ( Sanskrit/ Gujarati/ English) Divya Jivan (Gujarati)/ "Amrut Putra" (Gujarati) Atam Mahek (Gujarati) / Fragrance ( English) - Swami Adhyatmananda |
Yoga, A Way of Life - Sri Swami Adhyatmananda
"Yoga and Health" - a complete book with Question & Answer section by Sri Swami Adhyatmananda
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