NEWSLETTER ( Christmas  2008)
Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad

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Christmas 2008
 

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Christmas 2008 


 


 

 


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Swami Sivananda on Christmas & Its Spiritual Meaning 
 
 

"If the Christ-life is to be lived, first of all, the child-Christ has to be born in us. Then only the real spiritual life commences for the aspirant. The first manifestation of the Divine urge in the form of spiritual aspiration and the recognition of the spiritual ideal signifies the birth of the infant Jesus within the seeker’s being. From hence starts the living of the Christ-life in all its spiritual details of sublime purity, faith in Divinity, mercy, compassion, love, selflessness, desirelessness, prayerfulness, etc. Hence starts the life of earnest Yoga and Sadhana, of self-restraint and simplicity, of unbroken serenity and peace, balance of mind, unflinching courage in the face of all oppositions and perfect dedication to the worship of God through the service of man. This is the spiritual implication within of the Christmas that is celebrated without.
 

"With the advent of this Christ-spirit within the heart of the seekers, all human desires come to an end and they are replaced by pure higher Divine aspiration, Spirituality overcomes materialism. You break free from your slavery to the senses. You begin to live a new life, a divine life of purity, love, renunciation, humility, non-attachment and selflessness. Your life becomes sublime like the life of Christ. You begin to live a life of complete faith and dependence upon God. You always think of God, talk of Him and live for Him. Helping others becomes a real joy to you. You become a living
witness of the Divine. All your life’s activities flow towards God." - Swami Sivananda << More>>

 

Christ's Divine Life
 

"Lord Jesus the Christ IS; here and now! Christ is Eternal. He has proclaimed this truth to the world not so much by words but by His glorious Resurrection. Where then is He to be sought and found? He abides where Virtue is and goodness. He is enshrined in the Divine Life of Love, Purity, Truth, Holiness, Prayer, Ceaseless Service and utter selflessness. In the heart where shine the light of Faith, Devotion, Humility, calm resignation to the Divine Will, Compassion and a genuine thirst for Righteousness, therein is Christ present, vibrant, vitally alive and radiantly manifest. O beloved Brethren! be ye also like Jesus and you shall find Christ within yourself now."

"Christ has given Himself to Mankind not so much as a personality but as a way of living, as a Path. He embodies in Himself the method of the Divine Ascent. To rise from the little human personality you now possess and ascend into the Christ Consciousness is to ascend from the unreal to the Real, from darkness to Light Everlasting and from death to joyous Immortality. When you have thee Christ Ideal before you as a shining example you cannot utter the excuse “Which is the way? I do not know the way. I would fain follow it if only I knew.” The ringing assertion of Christ, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to Father but by me.” Yes, verily, verily is it true that growing into the Christ Ideal is the one sure and certain Key to the Kingdom of Immortality." - Swami Chidananda << More>>
 

Christmas Message
 

There was a private garden situated at the outskirts of a city. Inside the garden, there was a statue of Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus decorated with diamonds, pearls and gems.

One day, a pigeon stopped to rest at the foot of mother Mary's statue. In the middle of the night, a diamond fell on the ground. The pigeon thought it must be a gift that the compassionate Lord Jesus and Mother Mary wanted it to be delivered to the needy one. Therefore, the pigeon held the stone in its mouth and flew it to a poor family.  Not long after returning to Mother Mary's foot, another pearl fell on the ground, believing that this is the kindness of  holy Jesus, the pigeon  picked up without hesitation and flew away again.

Just like this, whenever a stone fell off the statue of Mother Mary, the pigeon would pick it up and delivered to the needy ones. The pigeon continued its work until all the gems had fallen off the statue.

When the owner of the garden returned, what he found was a plain statue and a dead pigeon lying at its feet. Without a second thought, the man disdainfully picked up the pigeon and trashed it.

On a cursory look the story seems very ordinary and insignificant but it has a deeper meaning. The statue of Mother Mary along with baby Jesus represent the highest reality, the supreme Lord who is very kind and He is ever ready to provide whatever one needs to sustain and evolve. The pigeon represents the soul who has aligned himself to the Will of God and ever ready to be used by Him as a worthy instrument to carry out His will. The owner of the garden and the statue represent the mass of people who do not have time and eye to see beyond the diamond studded statue and a dead bird. They have little understanding of the creation, the creator and the goal and the purpose of life.

This is the message of Holy Bible, Holy Jesus and the message of the Divine Life. Do Good, Be Good. Be kind, Be Compassionate. And even after doing good, if you are being ignored or ridiculed never mind. Bear insult, Bear injury and Bear injustice but continue to be an embodiment of service to the mankind, service to known and unknown. Love all, Hate none. Rejoice in the Lord each moment of your life. Pray fervently and Abide in Him.

Prayers for Peace, Joy and Harmony in Zimbabwe, Greece and around the Globe.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Wishing a Peaceful, Purposeful and Blissful New Year to all.
With lots of prayers and best wishes for the Year 2009. 

-Swami Adhyatmananda

Jesus Christ Quotes
  • “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”         
  • "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied."
  • “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
  • “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” 
  • "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
  • “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.”
  • “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven
  • “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. Love others as well as you love yourself.”
  •  "Yes I am with you always, until the very end of time”

 


 

 

Regular Activities and Services at the Holy Sivananda Ashram

Latest Additions.........

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  

 

 Books on Yoga by  Swami Adhyatmananda

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