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Chitra Pournami

adam — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Chitragupta The Accountant Chitra Pournami, or Chitirai Purnima, is a unique Tamil festival observed on the full moon day (Poornima) in the month of Chitirai (April – May). In 2010, the date of Chitirai Pournami is April 28. The day is dedicated to Chitragupta, the official keeper of deeds in the abode of Yama. It is believed that bathing in holy rivers and temple ponds on the day will wash away the sins committed. In Hinduism, Chitragupta, the first assistant of Lord Yama, is the one who keeps record of the good and bad deeds of human beings on earth. After death, when one reaches the abode of yama, it is he who tallies the good and bad deeds and declares it to Yama. Therefore, the day is dedicated to Chitragupta and devotees pray to him to forgive their sins. Another important legend associated with Chitra Poornima, involves Lord Indra, the king of Gods, and his Guru Brihaspati. Once Indra and Brihaspati had an altercation, and the Guru stopped advising his pupil. Without the sound counsel of his Guru, Indra committed numerous sins. Finally, when Brihaspati relented and took up his duty. He then advised Indra to undertake a pilgrimage to the earth to alleviate the burden of sins committed by him in his absence. One day during his pilgrimage, Indra had a sudden realization that he has been redeemed from his sins. He looked around and noticed a Shivling under a Kadamba tree. He was sure that it was Lord Shiva who had helped him in alleviating his sins. He decided to worship the Lingam and to his surprise he found golden lotus in a nearby pond. He prayed to Shiva by offering the golden lotus. This happened on a Chitra Pournami day and the place was Madurai in Tamil Nadu. In remembrance of this event, in the Madurai Meenakshi temple, a Devendra Puja is observed on Chitra Poornima. Elaborate pujas are done on Chitirai Pournami in temples and a special rice offering is made to Chitragupta.

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Chitra Pournami

What Is Shared During Shaktipat?

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:38:26 +0000

What is the energy shared during Shaktipat? What is the nature of Grace? The descent of Grace in Shaktipat is a coming together, a oneness, in stillness. It might be said that it is a reminder to the pure consciousness which is within the seeker of it's true nature providing a sort of reference point for the realization of wholeness. Following the descent of Grace the natural falling away of ego that occurs is what we call the Kundalini process. Further information and free instruction can be found at maha-yoga.weebly.com

Nature Is The Guru

adam — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Shree Maa gives us the message that we can learn from everybody. When Maa was a little four-year old child, She was cleaning a room and upon finishing, she threw the broom to a corner. Then She heard the voice of Sri Ramakrishna say, “Hega, you threw that broom? See how beautifully you cleaned the room with that very broom and now you threw it? You must respect your tools as well as your actions. Cleanliness is next to Godliness?” The four-year-old Little Mother bowed down to the broom. From then on She would bow down to it everyday. Maa said that Thakur Ramakrishna told Her, “If you respect each and every one of your actions, you will get me.” Respect is an important part of learning. To illustrate this, Maa is sharing these stories with us. These stories teach us how to learn and how to become divine. We can learn every moment from every thing because Mother Nature is teaching us all the time. Please listen and enjoy the stories! Now, Mother will tell us the story of Avadhut Dattatreya. Dattatreya was born divine and considered every moment as an opportunity to learn. He learned from everybody and everything. He considered all of Nature to be his Guru. How did He learn this way and what did He learn? Read on! First Story One day Avadhut was crossing a big field. He saw a huge wedding procession walking across the field with much fanfare accompanied by many musical instruments. There were pipes and drums and lots of singing. The marriage party was accompanying the groom. At the same time in that field, Avadhut saw a hunter. The hunter was looking with one-pointed mind at his prey. His eyes were completely focused on the target and he was oblivious to the marriage party and the sounds of their merry making. Avadhut went to the hunter and bowed down to him. He said, “You are my Guru. When I meditate on God, my goal will be to have the same focus as you have just demonstrated.” Second Story One time Avadhut was walking by a river when he saw a fisherman. He went near the fisherman and asked politely, “Oh Brother, what path should I take to go to the cityâ€? The fisherman was looking inside the water and did not pay any attention to the question. The sounds did not even enter in to his ears. At that moment, the fish was just touching the bait. When the fish was caught, the fisherman called Avadhut, “Hey, what were you saying to me?” Avadhut came back to him and bowed down. He said, “You are my Guru. When I meditate on my Ishta Deva (beloved form of God), until the meditation is not complete, until I reach the goal, my mind will not wander. Please give me blessings to be like you in this way.” Third Story One day a hawk caught a fish and was flying with the fish in his mouth. Behind came hundreds and hundreds of crows. They all flew behind him and chased the hawk wherever he flew. They wanted the fish and went wherever the hawk went. They were disturbing the hawk greatly. The hawk got mad. He threw the fish. At that time, another hawk was flying and caught that fish. The crows left the first hawk and started flying behind the other hawk. The first hawk was so relieved and relaxed! Without a care, he sat on the branch of a tree and watched the plight of the other hawk. The Avadhut bowed down to the hawk and said, “If you can leave all desires and attachments, then alone you can get peace. When I sit to meditate I want to leave all my desires and attachments, just as you have shown. ” He prayed to the hawk and said, “You are my Guru. Thank you for your teaching.” Fourth Story There was a little pond in which a crane was walking with concentration and moving slowly to catch a fish. Behind the crane was a hunter who was focusing on the crane with the intent of killing it. The crane had no idea as to who was behind. The crane was completely focused on catching the fish. The Avadhut bowed down to the crane and told him, “You are my Guru. When I will do meditation, I will never look behind, I will always be focused on the present and not on the past or the future. Please give me this blessing. Thank you for your teaching.” From these Avadhut stories we see a beautiful example of how we can learn from all of Nature — every moment, every aspect of creation can be our Guru and we can learn. Avadhut gave respect with each action. From this we learn that if we, too, are respectful in each and every one of our actions, the entire Universe will become our family, and we can learn and share with all of creation.

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Nature Is The Guru

Daily Prayer

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:19:53 +0000

Swami G reads from a passage from one of her books – This is a Guiding reminder of how to navigate ones spiritual path. A good affirmation and mindset to carry through. Please comment on clip. This Guru may be contacted through the new Yahoo group Swami-G … Kundalini Meditation Guru Enlightenment hindu shakti shaktipat satsang ashram yoga pranayama shiva swami Hatha

Swami Guru Shivashankara Mahatma Krishananda in Himalayas

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:50:55 +0000

Paramahamsa Swami Ashananda always try to preserve, the Tradition and Acient Vedic Rite. Here are few impresions around Rishikesh, Sivananda Ashram in Sivananda Nagar, Trascendental Meditation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Swami Omkarananda Ashram, Yoga Niketan and anothers importants Ashrams asociates, in Himalayas, India. Song: Shiva Shiva Shiva Shambho, from the album: Bhajans for Eternal Bliss, by Sri Guru Dileep Ji and Sri Nanditaji Devi, from Yogabhavan New York, International …

Swami G’s journey

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:26:58 +0000

Swami G describes her journey, a quick synopsis of a 30 + year road – from opening to Realization. A most eclectic path. Please comment on clip. This Guru may be contacted through the new Yahoo group Swami-G … kundalini Meditation Tantra Guru Enlightenment satsang ashram yoga pranayam swami Hatha hindu shakti shaktipat kali

Yoga and Power

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:23:50 +0000

In this excerpt from a workshop given in September 1989 entitled “Maps of the Mind”, Swami Radha explores the power we have and how we need to balance the positive and negative in ourselves. … Swami Sivananda Radha Yasodhara Ashram yoga spirit puja guru temple light balance mind