Divya Jivan Newsletter
Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad
  May 2019

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OM Namo Bhagawate Sivanandaya!    
OM Namo Bhagawate Chidanandaya!
OM Namo Narayanaya!

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The Power of " Satsanga" -  Swami Sivananda

The Meaning of Satsanga
The word ‘Satsanga’ is the combination of the two words ‘Sat’ and ‘Sanga.’ ‘Sat’ means existence absolute, which is Brahman. ‘Sat’ is the essential nature of Brahman which is permanent in things that change, which is the only reality that upholds the world of appearance.  The same ‘Sat,’ with the accidental attributes of omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence is called Isvara or Paramatman. In brief, ‘Sat’ refers to Isvara as well as Brahman, both ultimately being the one and the same reality.  ‘Sanga’ literally means company or union. To be always in the company of the Lord, or to be established in Brahman, is the literal meaning of the word ‘Satsanga.’ But, as long as ignorance or Avidya remains, the direct realization of Brahman is impossible. When ignorance is destroyed by wisdom, the real nature reveals itself. This is the highest Satsanga.

The glow and power of Satsanga, association with the wise, saints, Yogis, Sannyasins and Mahatmas is indescribable. Even a moment’s company is quite sufficient to overhaul the old vicious Samskaras of the worldly people. The magnetic aura, the spiritual vibration, and the powerful currents of developed adepts produce a tremendous influence on the minds of worldlings. Service of Mahatmas purifies the minds of passionate men very rapidly. Satsanga elevates the mind to magnanimous heights. Just as a single matchstick burns huge bundles of cotton in a few seconds, so also, the company of saints burns all thoughts and Samskaras of passion within a short time. The only potent specific for inducing burning Vairagya and burning desire for liberation is Satsanga and Satsanga alone.- Swami Sivananda  << Read More>>
 

 

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Early Morning Meditation Talk from "Ponder These  Truths" of Swami Chidananada

The Immanence of God

 " It is that immanence is key to divinity. Awareness of God’s presence within and without, in all beings, in all creatures, in all nature becomes the key, the secret of living in the awareness of the Yoga of the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga of the first verse of the Isopanishad."

" Be aware, be aware of God, aware of your relationship to Him, and make your life sublime and divine and attain the supreme, grand goal of all spiritual aspiration, of all spiritual life, of all spiritual sadhana, of all spiritual living, the grand goal of God-consciousness and divine perfection and liberation."- Swami Chidananda << <<Read Complete>>

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"Amrut Mahotsav" (celebrating 75^th Birth Anniversary) of H. H. Swami Adhyatmanandaji's Maharaj ( May 3, 2019 onward.......

We start with listening to the Blessings of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj for HIS Adhyatm (audio Clips)..................
What could be a better time than now to cherish those blessed moments!  

"Blessed Immortal Atman! Beloved children of the divine! I am extremely happy and rejoice immensely to give this few words as a forward to this beautiful recording of the chanting of the Divine name, select few kirtans and bhajans and also certain important Sanskrit verses suitable for repeated daily as a part of your daily prayers and daily worship. This chants, sankirtan as well as Sanskrit slokas have been recorded by Sri Swami Adhytmananda Saraswati belonging to the monastic order of beloved and worshipful Gurumaharaj Sri Swami Sivanandaji Sarashwati, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, Headquarters of Divine Life Society."

"Swami Adhyatmanandaji is a great devotee of Shree Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and also very enthusiastic pracharak and propagator of Gurudev's Divine Life message yoga Vedanta and spiritual life and sadhana. And also especially in training people in ancient psychophysical science of Hatha yoga. He is expecting teaching asanas, Pranayama, Surya Namaskar, Relaxation techniques and Kriyas. And he is very much in demand throughout India in all the branches of Divine Life Society where he is called to conduct courses on yoga and also Spiritual Retreats and to give talks on Bhagavad Gita, Spiritual life in general and Sadhana in particular".........." Swami Adhyatmanandaji has dedicated             his entire life for this cause of spreading the Gurudev mission throughout India and maybe also abroad if, the time comes and Gurudev so wills '.......   'Hari OM Tatsat! God Bless you, all" - Swami Chidananda  << Read complete>>

How true are those Words!

Spreading the message of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and to live by it is the constant preoccupation of Sri. Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj. His Life and each breath have been dedicated to spreading the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Vedanta through simple and practical teachings of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Gurumaharaj  Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. Wherever he went, he talked about the simple message of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj- “Serve, Love, Meditate & Realize” and guidelines of daily Sadhana through Gurudev’s “Twenty Spiritual Instructions”. Devotees welcomed him here in the west for his simplicity, sincerity, and love for teaching Yoga way of life.

Pujya Swamiji carries a spark of love, light & joy. He kindles and inspires people, whoever come in contact with HIM. HIS Divine satsang and Yoga teaching has brought joy, peace & bliss to countless spiritual aspirants and yoga enthusiasts in the West, India and over the Globe. People ask Pujya Swamiji the secret of His ever Vibrant, Radiant & Joyful nature? "Abide In The SELF",  He says………." In all condition, I am Bliss, Bliss, Bliss Absolute"……Adopt, Adjust &  Accommodate" ……"Bear insult and Bear Injury, that is the highest Sadhana" ........each breath of His is in the remembrance of GOD and in the service of His Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Mahahraj & Guru Bhagavan Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. Their ever flowing Grace is the force behind everything.

It is always a joy for the devotees here in the West to receive Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj's satsang and blessings all these years. Summer comes and devotees in the West start inquiring about Pujya Swamiji's visit and His satsang programs. In fact, their love pulls Sri Swamiji from HIS busy programs schedule in India and bring HIM amongst their midst here in the West Year after Year. For the past 25 years, Adhyatma Tours to the West (USA, Canada & UK ) have unfolded as per the WILL of God Gurudev. 

Here we bring you just the glimpses of the core feelings of love & gratitude expressed by devotees, organizers, hosts, yoga attendees, the press reporters, sick and ailing and more... in so many different words. It is overwhelming and what could be the better time than now to share them with all while we are celebrating Pujya Swamiji's Amrut Mahotsav! 

"With the Grace of Divine, we got the opportunity to host Pujya Swamiji on His first visit to the USA and thereafter for the past twenty-five years we are fortunate to receive HIS satsang and Blessings in abundance. The peculiar joy that we experience in HIS presence is inexplicable and difficult to describe. The mere presence of His lifts us in a different plane of spirituality and enlightenment that lingers on. We feel being bathed in love and purity. We are touched by His radiating divinity and the multifaceted magnetic personality. How could you describe Ifinite with the finite words! We feel that Unmanifest has found an able instrument in Him to manifest His Grace & Divinity"......... "Being with Him in close proximity during coordinating the Adhyatma Tours all these years, you observe how immeasurable devotion Pujya Swamiji has for His Gurudev! At every moment, whether He is thinking, talking, delivering discourses, eating, you observe that Guru Smarana is unbroken. HE is breathing and living for Gurudev. You feel that as if SIVA is working through HIM. Then, you start seeing GURU's presence in your life at each step of the way and HE assumes different forms for you. It is such a wonderful experience! Then a little i melts away and sevak Bhav merges from within. It is all Guru's Grace. Jai Sivananda! Jai Chidananda! Jai Adhyatmananda!" - Minal & Bharat Naik

 "We have been and continued to be blessed by His presence in our life and His teachings. Wherever Swami-Ji goes, Love is there. Peace is there. Joy is there. God is there. We are better people as a result of His sharing of the Light."- Sharon Alitt (Founder of Kula kamal Yoga school, PA )

"Detroit,  Michigan Community Benefited from Swami Ji’s Guidance on Yoga, Scriptures, and “Art of Saatvik Living”. We all feel very blessed with Swami Ji’s presences & guidance, and look forward to many more such opportunities." - Anil Lal, (President of DJSS, USA)
 
"It is always a joy to receive Sri  Swami Adhyatmananda ji Maharaj at Anoopam Mission. To see Him and Revered Sahebdada is to see conflations of holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna. We have never felt that he comes from a different organization. He is very much " Anoopam". We wish for his visits to AMUK, again and again, to inspire us Sadhus' and devotees to live and lead the pious life to the very core." - Himmat Swami (UK)

"We are fortunate and grateful to have Swamiji in our midst to "recharge" our mind/body/spirit and look forward to his next visit." - Sri Rajesh Laugani, Toledo (OH)

"Sri Swamiji's ecstatic kirtan at the Bhajan satsang was indeed a blessed experience for all. It was the best time for devotees of Indian Hindu Welfare organization (IHWO) of Northampton (UK ). Everyone is very happy and keen to invite him to his earliest with much longer stay" - Sri Guarang Patel (UK)

"At Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir (Houston) H. H. Swamiji addressed the devotees on the subject of the sixteenth chapter of Srimad Bhagwad Gita - "Divine & Demonic Natures". It was a nectar outpouring by Pujya Swamiji. It was indeed a blessed experience for all" - Sri Dhaval Trivedi,(Houston)

"To a question on spiritualization of professional life, Swamiji said anything you do think of God. Anything you do eating, drinking or walking, you do whatever you are doing. at the same time keep your mind in Him only, 100% awareness of His existence. Your profession turns into spiritual."- Ravi Ponanagi ( PR, India Tribune, Atlanta)

"Swamiji had made sure that his visit includes my dad in a nursing home, who has been in recovery from his cancer treatment. My Dad was bedridden for quite some time but Pujya Swamiji's prayers and HIS healing blessings brought him to come to Mandir for satsang with us, Amazing! heart touching for our family! I was impressed by Swamiji's punctuality and commitment about his time and event. We were blessed to have him." -Nartan Shah (San Jose, CA)

"Our time with Swamiji during his visit this year was full of blessings, so many it is impossible to count. Everyone at Kula Kamala Yoga Ashram was overjoyed by their time with Swamiji and hold His powerful words and His Presence in their heart. Swamiji’s presence is especially meaningful to Sudha and Ed, as Ed continues his healing journey. Swamiji conducted home and rituals and provided guidance for Ed and Sudha on their continued path of health, service, spirituality, and life. We are all deeply grateful for Swamiji’s teachings and His presence in our lives. We are already looking forward to His next visit! - Sudha , Sharon Alitt. (Reading, PA)

"Swamiji has truly attuned Happiness at our newly started Happiness yoga Center. Moments spent with H. H. Swamiji are most precious and invaluable to us." - Shaishav & Sunita (Founder of Happiness Yoga Center)

"Pujya Swamiji is the embodiment of the teachings of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. He is a tireless karma yogi who utilizes every second of his day in rendering the highest service to Mankind." - Hari Ragwacharlu (Milwaukee, WI)

“Swamiji, as he is respectfully known, is an ordinary man who has mastered extraordinary skills and discipline. He moves around the world with the greatest of ease, more like a young butterfly than a 65-year-old man. He is kind, generous and extremely articulate and has a good sense of humor. I spent an hour talking with him and his special graces made my day much more worth living. It’s true when they say words cannot describe him.” – Celeste Regal, reporter of  << Observer (New Jersey)

"There's so much wisdom behind what he says, and yet it is so simple", Smith said. "His teaching applies to all, regardless of religion or walk of life. He's very humble. He speaks to the person." "Swami shares peaceful philosophy with Utahn ", interview by Jason Bergreen of "Salt Lake Tribune", a leading newspaper of Salt Lake City.

"Swami Adhyatmanandaji is known for making Hinduism practical and relevant to modern life. A holy man credited with bringing about a spiritual awakening through his teachings, he has helped young people caught up in drug addiction as well as business leaders seeking greater meaning in their work." - Toledo Blade (Newspaper) 

"It was indeed a joy to be a part of the most memorable event of Jalaram Mandir Pranpratishta Mahotsav. That day, Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj ignited a special spark and created a big momentum with HIS holy presence & Kirtan. It reminded us of the ecstatic site (that is read in the book) of Kirtan by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu !" - sevak

Bend it Like Swami Adhyatmananda" - by  Ravi Ponanagi, a journalist, India Tribune (Atlanta) <<  Read More>>

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Learning of  "Jeevan Yoga  Series " from a Yogacharya Swami Adhyatmananda
Through TV episodes of "Jeevan Yoga" Series by Doordarshan Girnar

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Highlighting the News and upcoming events

Maa Sri Ashtlaksmi - Adipeeth  Navchandi Yajana / Utsav Ganga and Satsang with Mahatmas (April 28, 2019 - May 3, 2019 )

Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad invites you to join with us in Divya Jivan Sanskrutik Sangh Annual Meeting on April 28, 2019, Navchandi Yajana on sacred occasion of Sri Maa Asthalaxmi Patotsav on April 29, 2019 .

Let us be a part of "Aayush Homam" & Satsang with Mahatmas on the momentous occasion of  "Amrut Mahotsav" (celebrating 75^th) of H. H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj from May 3, 2019, onward....... We pray to the Almighty Lord, Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Gurumaharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj for Pujya Swamiji’s good health and long life so that He could be a guiding light to spiritual aspirants all over. Pujya Swamiji is the embodiment of the teachings of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. He is a tireless karma yogi who utilizes every second of His day in rendering the highest service to Mankind.

Plan ahead to join the Ashram devotees group for Srimad Bhagawat Katha at Haridwar (Oct 31, 2019 to Nov 6, 2019) by H. H. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj on Vyasapeeth.

Upcoming Yoga Teachers Training Course  (43 YTTC) is organized from May 11, 2019 - May 30, 2019 : You can still enroll.  More details available on webpage -  SIVA Yoga Center  /registration form / Stay at the Ashram/ Guest Info page  / sivananda_ashram@yahoo.com/

Adi-Sankaracharya Jayanti (May 9, 2019)