Ashram Yoga : India's Spiritual Tradition » hinduism

Ashram Diary: In India with Bede Griffiths pp. 8ff.

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:15:24 +0000

Several pages from “Ashram Diary” – www.o-books.com International Standard Book Number: 978-1-84694-161-0. My arrival at Shantivanam, meeting Bede Griffiths, worshiping in the temple.

Ashrams of India

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:59:20 +0000

The experience of a variety of Indian ashrams, including some Krishna ashrams, Radha Soami near Agra, Papaji in Lucknow, Art of Living in Bangalore, Sai Baba at Puttaparthi, Auroville, and Ramanashram in Tiruvanamalai.

The Spiritual significance of celebrating navaratri

adam — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:46:00 +0000

The Spiritual significance of celebrating navaratri By T.Madhavan Navaratri is one of the important festivals being celebrated across the world by people from various sects of hindu religion. The word ‘ratri ‘implies change. One of the names of the female deity (Devi) is kaalaratri. Kaalaratri is the one who brings about change in the absolute being of time (kaalpurush). Rotation is the inherent nature of earth. Changes such as day and night occur on account of the rotation of earth. To be able to withstand such changes effectively, religious observances such as navaratri are undertaken. Significance Throughout these nine days, various spiritual practices such as recitation of holy verses in praise of the Goddess, continuous burning of ghee or oil lamp, garlanding of the goddesses, etc, are performed. Rituals and penance that help in spiritual progress are also undertaken with ardent devotion. During navaratri, one should chant ‘sree Durgadevi Namah’ as much as possible. According to orator nagai mukundhan, the Tamil calendar year has been divided into six ‘rudhus’and the ‘navaratri’is being celebrated throughout the year. According to hinduism, the special worship of goddess shankti is done twice a year in the following seasons:Vasantha navaratri (worship during spring )and sharath navaratri (worship during autumn). The scientific reason for this is that during the twilight periods, when one season ends and the next begins, the position of plants and atmosphere are both very conducive for the spiritual progress of human brings. If one could not do ‘navaratri’ poojas in a grand manner at least they can chant Lalitha sahas ranama, sakalakalavalli Maalai, Abhirami Andhathi or Meenakshi Ammai pillai Thamizh during the nine days to derive the benefits of performing a puja. Those well-versed in music could recite Muthuswami Dikshithar’s Navavaranam kritis to get the blessings of the goddess. Orator S.Madhivannan puts the significance of Navaratri thus: The nine days /nights of Navaratri are divided into three days each and dedicated to goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi respectively, goddess Durga offers ‘Veeram’ (valour/courage), while goddess Lakshmi offers ‘selvam’(wealth/treasure)and goddess saraswathi offers Knowledge through education. Persons with enough wealth and Knowledge could not survive in this worlds without courage. Hence, our ancestors placed shakti worship for the first three days of Navaratri . In Hinduism, wherever we worship a god, we need the divine blessings of mother goddess to get rid of our sins. For example, while Lord Narayana the saves us with his divine blessings, Goddess Mahalakshmi gives wealth, to protect us. Lord Siva, often tests his devotees, whereas goddess parvathi saves us with her motherly affection. Worshipping the goddesses during the Navaratri is sure to bring in happiness in the family and it also paves the way for societal harmony.

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The Spiritual significance of celebrating navaratri

June 2011 TTC at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:04:11 +0000

The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers have trained more than 28000 Yoga teachers since 1969. The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch in the Catskill Mountains in Woodbourne, New York, is a prime location for this training. This video gives a taste of the course – the location, the students and the teachers.

The Monks of Kauai’s Hindu Monastery

adam — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:58:00 +0000

Kauai Aadheenam is the spiritual home and theological seminary for 21 monks from five nations. They are the ministers of Saiva Siddhanta Church overseeing an international religious mission, while living a strict lifestyle of daily religious worship, meditation, yoga and service. Morning worship begins before dawn in the temple with rites to Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan and then Lord Siva. Young, single men under 25 years of age who are interested in traditional Hindu monastic life can explore our How to Become a Monk page. Following the daily worship, at 6:00am the monks sit together for a one-hour guided meditation followed by singing and guidance from the abbot. This daily spiritual activity is the anchor for the coming day of service to dedicated spiritual seekers and the Hindu world at large. The monks are involved daily with the Hindu temple that is the center of their life, performing three-hour vigils 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in the sacred precincts. Classes, seminars and training take place throughout the week as they study together the philosophical and metaphysical teachings of the founder, chant Sanskrit mantras, sing traditional devotional hymns and celebrate the festivals of their lineage. Self-sufficiency is a prime principle for Hindu monastics, and thus each monk is called upon to help with the daily chores of the monastery, whether in the kitchen, the gardens, the temple or the offices. Now we introduce ever so briefly the founder of Kauai’s Hindu Monastery and the 20 monks whom he initiated and who now carry on the spiritual work of his lineage. For over five decades Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, affectionately known as Gurudeva, taught Hinduism to Hindus and seekers from all faiths. In the line of successorship, he was the 162nd Jagadacharya of the Nandinatha Sampradaya’s Kailasa Parampara and the founding Guru Mahasannidhanam of Kauai Aadheenam (also known as Kauai’s Hindu Monastery), a 458-acre temple-monastery complex on Hawaii’s Garden Island. Gurudeva’s mission, received from his satguru, Siva Yogaswami of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, was to protect, preserve and promote the Saivite Hindu religion as expressed through its three pillars: temples, satgurus and scripture. That mission is now carried forward by his monastic and family communities. Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami is Gurudeva’s designated successor, having spent 37 years training and serving at Gurudeva’s side. On November 13, 2001, he was installed as Guru Mahasannidhanam of Kauai Aadheenam and the 163rd preceptor of the Kailasa Parampara. Bodhinatha is the spiritual head of Saiva Siddhanta Church, Himalayan Academy and Hindu Heritage Endowment. As publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, he carries forward Gurudeva’s vision to inform, strengthen and connect Hindus around the world. Read a more thorough biography here.

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The Monks of Kauai’s Hindu Monastery

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

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 …

India and beyond part 2

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:18:01 +0000

A journey to the heart of India, the most colourful country in the world, for a new awakening of what it means to be alive. Jonquil, an … all » adventurous thirty-something decides to quit urban living, leaving her home, work and all worldly possessions, she embarks on a personal quest, meeting Holy saints and friendly faces on streets, for a new persective to living. … travel india hindu traveling retreat ashram yoga swami hinduism