Ananda Sangha Bangalore

Thank you note to Nayaswami Dharmadas ji and Nayaswami Nirmala ji

2012-02-10T00:00:00.001+05:30

Dear Friends,

Swamiji recently asked Nayaswami Dharmadasji and Nayaswami Nirmalaji to accompany him to Italy to record TV and radio interviews with him for a program called "Ask Me about Truth."

They have spent eight years in Gurgaon and Pune and laid the foundations for making Masters work happen in India. Let us all join hands to wave them goodbye and send them with Gods Light....

May God and Guru's be with them always,
Joy
Nayaswami Dhyana

As a token of love and gratitude from Ananda Bangalore, we would like to send them a compilation of your wishes and blessings for their future endeavors. You can share your experiences, blessings, wishes...... We will compile them and lovingly send it to them.

Reply to us or make your comments or pour them out here.

Also, this weekend during our Sadana (Saturday 5pm - 7pm) and Satsang (Sunday 11am - 12:30pm) at Domlur center, we will listen to their nostalgic talk on Stories of Ananda India.

"Master has a blessing that is trying to come through each one of us, and how we do it is up to us, and to our attunement with him, and our attunement with each other."

- Nayaswami Dharmadas

Opportunities to meet Swami ji in India this month

2012-02-05T23:18:00.003+05:30

Dear Friends,
We would like to inform you that there are a few more opportunities to meet Swami ji in India this month. He is presently in Pune and there is a public program, "The role of Dharma in today's practical world" in Gurgaon (near Delhi) on 19th February.

Yogananda often said: “Environment is stronger than will-power!”
The great saints are so strong in their magnetism, that they are able to change the people around them by their mere presence. Yogananda also counseled us to "mix with the saints." This can be done in many ways. If you know a saint, then be in their physical presence whenever possible. Even a brief glimpse of saint is called darshan and is considered to be a great blessing.
"Even a moment in the company of a Saint will be a raft over the ocean of delusion".

Understanding the importance of the above words in the depths of their hearts, some of our Ananda Bangalore devotees recently went to attend Swami's Satsang in Pune and have shared their experiences in this thrilling article: Magical Satsang with Swami
You might also like to read about Swami's life, a biography of consciousness, in this lovely book: Swami Kriyananda as we have known him

Make Joy your highest priority and steer your life in the direction that brings you closer to that.

A magical satsang with Swami Kriyananda in Ananda ashram - Pune

2012-02-02T23:31:00.001+05:30

What can I say ...it was all too beautiful, overwhelming and divine especially the darshan with Swami ji and his satsang. He is enchanting like Lord Krishna with his amazing singing and all that. What a blessing that was being in his presence and listening to him talk. WOW! Yes, it so happened that we got to sit in his living room for over an hour watching his brilliant interview with the lovely Nirmala ji and Dharmadas ji.

Well, this is how it all panned out:

Archana and I were excited when we heard about Swami's ashram satsang from our Brahmachari's in the last Jan. class and it all started then, even though nobody could really confirm if Swamiji would actually keep his date because of his health, but we decided to go anyways much encouraged by our teachers and devotees at Ananda Bangalore.

We took the Sunday morning flight reached the ashram at lunch time and our truly wonderful teachers Devendra ji and Jemal ji, and the amazing Nirmala ji received us with much warmth which was followed by some great lunch with devotees from all over the world...awesome! We were shown around the place by the soft spoken sweet Gaurav, wonderful! We also met Anjali from Bangalore who was happy to see us there.

And the satsang in the evening happened in the open, outside Swamiji's house with the backdrop of a golden setting sun in the ring of surrounding mountains.

And what followed was magic, his honey laced voice dripping charm and wisdom, encouraging people to ask questions and answering every one of them with joy.

I had a question on collective group karma and how that would influence our individual karmas and his answer to that and his gaze on me at that moment transported me to another world altogether. Jai Guru!

The place was packed but our teachers with help from the very effective Tyagi Biraj ji sorted it all out and gave us a cosy room for the night. [we were even prepared to sleep under the stars much to their amusement!]

And the next morning we all meditated together at the temple which in itself was wonderful and on our walk back, Nirmala ji suddenly tells me about this little interview they were recording with Swamiji and that she would like us to be there. Wow!

And we were there, Archana and I, barely 3 months into Ananda sitting few feet away from Swami in his serene living room together with Nirmala ji, Dharmadas ji, Jemal ji, his 2 sweet staff members and Anjali. Pooja joined in later.

Seems like Swamiji was in his element, it was very fun watching him answer all questions with such clarity and charm and he would ask us sweetly every now and then 'did you enjoy that?'. He simply takes your breath away...simply magnetic.

And we left after taking his blessings...a pure gift.

I'll be forever grateful to the warm, wonderful Nayaswamis Nirmala ji and Dharmadas ji for taking us in. Mille grazie.

The incredible work our teachers Jemalji and Devendraji do there with the rest, their superb guidance and the kind care they showed us is truly inspiring.

We both headed back to the airport later that afternoon to catch our evening flight to Bangalore grinning like two Cheshire cats basking in all that bliss!

It's all still slowly sinking in.

Joy, peace and bliss to all.

Jai guru.

Lata

An inspired, grateful devotee

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Dear God,
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways. Please keep bringing us back to your angels at Ananda who spread your presence with so much love, joy and devotion. With a hope to always remain worthy of the guidance from our gurus at Ananda, I deeply pray for and seek that eternal moment - in which you lovingly reveal your presence in all.

Love and Peace,
Archana

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Audio Link to the Satsang:

http://anandaindia.org/mp3/1-29-2012%20Satsang%20with%20Swamiji%20-%20Pune-MP3.mp3

Video Link: http://anandaindia.org/inspiration/video-audio/video-popup-2.php?satsangid=47

Weekend Sadana and Satsang on Saturday 28th Jan, 5-7 and Sunday 29th Jan 11-12:30

2012-01-28T07:46:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,Let us determinedly, try to wove into our tapestry of our life the theme of Ananda, i.e Divine Joy. Swami ji concludes one of his books, A place called Ananda, in the following words:

One of the most important aspects of Ananda, and a fitting note on which to close this book, is music.
I have noticed, as have many Ananda members, that those who have become involved in our music, played it, sung it in our choirs, listened to it at home and at work, have understood in their hearts what Ananda is all about. To convey this understanding by words alone would be impossible....
Man consists essentially of sound vibrations condensed from the music of Creation. Without music, life itself would cease to be.*

This weekend along with our chanting and meditation, we will also enjoy a joyful concert performed by Ananda Choir. By the way, it is a recorded one. If you want it live, you are welcome to join our choir practice on Saturdays at 4:15pm and on Sundays at 10:15am at our Domlur Center.

See it yourself, Sing it yourself and feel it yourself!

Joy to You,
Ananda Bangalore.

*Pasted from <http://www.ananda.org/inspiration/books/place/conclusion.html>

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang on Saturday 21Jan, 5pm -7pm & Sunday 22 Jan, 11am -12:30pm

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

Someone once asked Swami Kriyananda why most people weren’t interested in spiritual things; he replied, “They haven’t suffered enough.”
Suffering encourages us to let go of our attachments and limitations and reach for something higher. Without it, we wouldn’t have the motivation to seek further.*

If one can view Happiness, Upliftment, Offering as the inhalation - Hong ; Sorrow, Suffering, Surrender with the exhalation - Sau, then life is indeed a Hong-Sau practice. Just be an observer; Accept them dynamically; Flow with them skillfully. Soon one finds the joyful pauses in the middle. It dawns on to us that all ups and downs in this roller-coaster ride whisper one thing and make us want that one thing - that to seek the changeless center. How sooner or later we realize this truth is what makes this show educative and entertaining.

"Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” - St. Augustine

This weekend join us for Saturday Sadhana from 5pm - 7pm and Sunday Satsang from 11am - 12:30pm at our Domlur Center. We will do the energisation exercises, chant, meditate (of course hong-sau :) and watch some part of the recent Book launch by Swami Kriyananda.

*Pasted from <http://www.ananda.org/meditation/support/articles/how-to-meet-tests.html>

Class schedule for January

2012-01-10T07:21:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,
Ananda Sangha welcomes you all for the following events with Brahamachari Jemal and Brahmachari Devendra this weekend.

Date	Time	Program	Venue	Cost
14th Jan, Saturday	4pm -7:30pm	Meditation and Satsang*	Domlur Center	All are welcome
15th Jan, Sunday	10am - 1pm	Level 2D - Anatomy of Yoga, Yogic Scheme of Life	Ashirvad, off St.Marks Road	Rs. 300

*4 to 7.30 pm....Group Meditation and Satsang consists of:

4 to 6.00 pm: Energization, chanting and group meditation.

6 to 7.30 pm: Satsanga --the topic is "Simplicity."

Feel free to join/leave us during any part of the above session. Wishing you all tons of spiritual harvest this year!

Happy Birthday Master - 'Yogananda' the movie, in theaters in 2013

2012-01-05T23:15:00.001+05:30

Jai Guru!

Visit http://www.yoganandathemovie.com for more details.
Here is the trailer:

"Paramhansa Yogananda was a Towering Giant among saints, one of those few who come from age to age sent by God with the divine mission of guiding mankind out of the fogs of delusion into the clear light of divine understanding"

'O Master, May thy joy fill our days, May thy wisdom guide our ways.'

Let us try to feel his presence blooming in our hearts. Join us for the birthday celebrations on Saturday 5pm - 7pm and on Sunday 11am - 12:30pm at Domlur Center
We will also enjoy a documentary video on Master's early years in America.

Swami Kriyananda - Discourse and Book Release in Mumbai on Sunday, January 8th 2012.

2012-01-04T00:00:00.002+05:30

"It is the first time, I don't know why, it is just about sixty years since Master left his body and no body has thought to write his biography.
It is astonishing. His Autobiography is so beautiful but the thing is, he couldn't write about himself. He couldn't say how great he was. He couldn't write about his miracles and it is really for us, his disciples to write such things. Historians will write them, but it is not the same thing. This book has at least sixty stories about him that no body knows and it is wonderful to be able to record them... There are about four living disciples today, still living direct disciples and I am the only one who writes and so it is high time I did something and I did this and I know that this book will be a best seller."

Swami Kriyananda in his recent talk

How many resolutions did you pass? Saturday Sadana on New year eve, 5pm- 7pm & Sunday Satsang on New Year day, 11am - 12:30pm

2011-12-29T00:00:00.001+05:30

Dear Friends,
It is this time of the year that we soon realize that once upon a time, long long ago, we made something called
'the resolution', engraved in golden letters. Most of us were very smart enough to forget them half way through, so that the question of following them if at all, rarely arise. Also it serves the purpose to have the same resolution again for this year as well.:-) What to say, that's were we stand or rather we slip.
Even if we had learnt a single lesson in a whole incarnation, we should have passed this exam long before. Ya, the syllabus is tough and millions of life times have passed away. But let us not get discouraged. As long as we make the effort, God and Guru will support us and lift us. Master said 'It takes very, very, VERY good karma even to want to know God'. So even to want to change for a better is a good step forward. So, come on, let us give a shot, for the solution comes along with resolution if only we try them sincerely.
Here are some of the suggestions to strengthen our spiritual life:

To practice energization exercises and meditate morning and evening everyday
Practice the presence of God. You can do it by chanting, japa... (more suggestions here)
Reading at least one para of Autobiography of a Yogi everyday (Master said that it has his vibrations in it and Swamiji found the book alive in its power to convey not merely ideas, but a new state of awareness)
Listening to a chant or listening to AUM inwardly or in a recording in the bed (i.e before going to sleep or after waking up)
Memorize master's poem - Samadhi (“Memorize my poem ‘Samadhi', Repeat it daily. Visualize yourselves in that infinite state; identify yourselves with it. For that alone is what you really are!”)
Fast once a week or on three continuous days once a month (Master suggested - A one-day fast on fruit each week, or a three-day fast on orange juice each month, are good ways to accustom oneself to fasting.)
1 day of Seclusion once a month/ once in 3 months ("Seclusion is the price of Greatness" - Seclusion )
1 day of Silence once a week/a fortnight/a month ("Silence is the altar of Spirit")
Try to attend group meditation/Satsang at least once a month ("Environment is stronger than will power")
Sending healing prayers for the well being of the world or for people who are in need of healing (more suggestions here)
Tithe some part of your income to good cause (What is tithing,Why tithe)
Volunteer for seva...(more suggestions here)

If you would like to share some of your resolutions, add your comments or express them in the form below and we will publish them in this blog.

Here is a beautiful song by Swami: Song of the Nightingale. Enjoy and especially affirm to yourself the powerful words "Joy must sing in the night, to face change unafraid"

Wishing you all a Joyful new year...

Joy to You,
Ananda Bangalore.

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Christmas Celebration on Saturday from 5pm - 7pm and Sunday from 11am - 2:15pm

2011-12-23T09:26:00.004+05:30

Celebrating the truest Christmas means spiritually receiving the universal Christ Consciousness (or Krishna-Consciousness), which is fully manifested in Jesus and in all great Masters.

Yogananda explained:

“Each year at Christmas time there are strong vibrations of Christ Consciousness in the air. Those who are attuned by their devotion and by deep, scientific meditation will receive in their own consciousness these vibrations of the universal consciousness that was in Christ Jesus. It is of utmost importance to every man, whatever his religion, that he experience within himself this birth of the universal Christ.”

And:

“In that land of everlasting Christmas, of festive, omnipresent Christ Consciousness, you will find Jesus, Krishna, the saints of all religions, the great guru preceptors, all waiting to give you a divine floral reception of ever new, everlasting happiness.”

<http://www.ananda.org/ask/894/a-true-christmas-celebration/>

Dear Friends,
We welcome you all for the Christmas meditation and celebration at our Domlur Center on Saturday, 24th Dec from 5pm - 7pm and Sunday, 25th Dec from 11am - 2:15pm.

The schedule on Sunday is as follows:
11am - 11:15 - Energisation Exercises
11:15 - 11:30 - Yoga Postures
11:30 - 11:45 - Chanting, Prayer
11:45 - 12:15 - Meditation
12:15 - 12:30 - Chanting/Healing Prayers
12:30 - 1pm - ('light' lunch break, preferably in silence)
1pm - 1:30 - Swamiji's / Master's talk
1:30 - 2:15 - Meditation / Closing prayers.

It would be great if you can stay for the whole duration. But feel free to join/leave during any part of the session.

Let us all gather together to invite the Christ child to be born in the cradle of our consciousness.

Merry Christmas.

Joy to You,
Ananda Bangalore.

If you are interested in choir practice, reply to us for further details or you can fill this form and submit it to us: Choir practice

Bangalore Ananda devotees visit to Pune Ashram

2011-12-20T00:01:00.001+05:30

Nov.25th. 12 of us, met at the airport for our pilgrimage to meet Swami Kriyananda.

The flight was delayed by an hour and a half due to some technical snag in the aircraft. It is a miracle we all landed safely ....just for the sake of curiosity I checked with the aircraft steward whether the aircraft still needed to go for repair. He replied in affirmative and confirmed doubts of some of us who had heard little alarming sounds after the aircraft took off and was ready to land. We all, however, had continued our silent prayers and the result was safe landing.

Brahamchari Devendra and Heze, another Brahmachari from Uruguay, received us at the airport. Other party of 6 from Bangalore who had arrived earlier in the day had already gone to the Ashram with Brahmachari Jemal.

We reached the Ashram after driving through scenic village road. We were warmly welcomed by Nayaswami Dharmadas, Nayaswami Nirmala, Tyagi Biraj, Katyayini, monks and other residents at the Seva House.

The huge transformation of the virgin land was visible. It had nothing but trees and bushes when some of us last participated in the Bhumi puja in 2009.

As we entered the Ashram, Paramhansa Yogananda's picture greeted us under a covered structure open on 4 sides. Few plants were growing around this temple and a small green patch led to the Seva House where we all had our meals.

Master welcoming us at the entrance

Very competent Brahmachari Devendra, the kitchen incharge, won all our hearts with the joy he served us delicious food at every meal.

We were taken to the Retreat house which has comfortable rooms for the guests. We really appreciated that all our needs were very carefully being taken care of.

Retreat house

As we gathered for tea very gently the news was broken that since Swamiji had suddenly taken ill he was advised by his doctors to be admitted into the hospital. We felt sorry that we could not meet Swami ji but kept him in our prayers.

As is the tradition in Ananda communities from then on all of us were kept really busy,

We were handed over the programme schedule for the next two days after tea and snacks.

Seva house

Immediately after tea we had to go for tour of the land. The whole group left and I for some reason could not join the group. Nirmala ji very kindly offered to take me around. In my heart I felt privileged to be given this very personalised tour of the land. The walk was exhilarating in the cool winter breeze. We went past the Meditation Centre which is at the moment in a tent. Our meditations in that tent, morning and evenings were the most beautiful experience with the sounds of the birds, the sky peeping in and cool breeze managing to escape in.

Meditation Mandir

Lot of construction activity is going around the Ashram. Few houses including Swami ji's and Nirmala ji's are already complete. The contractor showed us the apartments under construction, which according to him would be ready by April, May 2012

Houses adjacent to Swami ji's house

Entrance to Swamiji's house

I loved the architectural plan of all the homes and the Retreat house. The Arched doors and windows and the undulating lines of the outer structure on different levels of the hilly land surrounded with greenery and hills all around, make the homes look most charming. There are also tents which house some of the monks till the Monastery is ready.

After the land tour we gathered in the Meditation Centre for chants and meditation and wound up the day with a delicious dinner at the Seva House.

Nov.26th. 6.45 AM after energisation and prayers we had a hearty breakfast in the traditional Ananda way. Then came the service hour - some of us stayed back and helped in the kitchen while others helped in the garden around Yogananda's temple at the entrance.

Afternoon meditation was followed by delicious lunch which was partly cooked by one Bangalore devotee. We now got a chance to exchange notes with other members of Pune community.

The Rose Garden

After lunch we met Biraj for the choir practice at the Meditation centre.

There's Joy

in the Heavens

We wanted to meditate in Swami ji's house to pray for his health and also imbibe his vibrations. It was exciting to know it was possible.

The experience of visiting Swamiji's house and meditating in his living room was intense. His vibrations are strong in there and one could feel the presence of other saints.

Swami's living room

Evening tea was with Nirmala ji and Dharamdas ji at their house. We all felt totally at home with our spiritual family.

With Dharmadas ji and Nirmala ji

Then followed dusk with chants and choir singing by both Pune and Bangalore groups in the Meditation Centre. Biraj, who led both the choirs, made it such a joyous evening.

Dinner as usual was light but tasty and perfect for all, since the next day was again starting at 6.45 a.m.

Nov.27^th : After morning meditation we gathered for breakfast. Main dish of the breakfast was cooked by another Bangalore devotee. After breakfast Biraj asked us to fill a small questionnaire about our experiences at the Ashram since most of us were leaving after lunch for Shirdi. Everyone expressed their joy and the bliss for visiting the Ashram, though we missed Swami ji.

Two ladies who did not belong to Ananda were part of our group from Bangalore. They expressed their pleasant surprise at the warm welcome they had received by all. They belonged to other spiritual groups and never thought peaceful living in harmony with nature and human beings was ever possible. To them Ananda way of living was an eye opener.

With hearts full of joy and thanks for having been looked after so well by the host spiritual family we left for Shirdi which again turned out to be a blessed pilgrimage. I guess we carried with us very positive vibrations from our Kriya Yoga Ashram in Wathunde village.

Article by Kamini, Photos by Rajalakshmi.

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang on Saturday 17 Dec 5-7 and Sunday 18 Dec 11-12:30

2011-12-17T11:00:00.002+05:30

Dear Friends,

Here is a delightful story told by Swami during the class on How to live in communities

A catholic priest went to visit a Irish Farmer. And he said what a beautiful family you and God have here, what a beautiful home you and God have created here, what a beautiful farm you and God have made here. Well the farmer couldn't take that one. He said "Well father you may be right, but you should have seen the farm when God had it all to Himself."
The truth is that we have to do something. We can't let Him do it all... We have to be even more active and so in that thought, it isn't that we don't do, it is that we feel His inspiration working through us.

This weekend join us for Saturday Sadhana from 5pm - 7pm and Sunday Satsang from 11am - 12:30pm at our Domlur Center. We will do the energisation exercises, chant, meditate and try to imbibe the truths expounded by Swami during his recent class on How to live in Communities.

Also we have planned to have Choir practice sessions before the satsangs.

Singing spiritualized songs, which are saturated with soul force, uplifts one’s consciousness to experience the ever new Joy, through which healing of body, mind and soul happen automatically.

Come and join us to sing songs of Yoganandaji and Swami Kriyanandaji and experience for yourself what uplifting music can do for you. Swami explains this in the following words:

I can best express through music the feeling of holy upliftment that possessed me. Therefore I tell people, “If you want to know me, listen to my music.” It is through this that people have come to understand what Ananda is truly all about. Without its influence, Ananda would not be what it is today. Books and lectures are only the outer form of the teachings. Music is its coursing blood.

Pasted from <http://www.ananda.org/inspiration/books/place/29.html>

If you are interested in choir practice, reply to us for further details or you can fill this form and submit it to us: Choir practice
Joy to You,Ananda Bangalore.

Raja Yoga Summaries Step 3 Patanjali Ashtanga Yoga

2011-12-14T14:16:00.003+05:30

Summaries of Chapters

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga – fourteen steps to Higher Awareness by Swami Kriyananda

Step 3

Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga: The Eightfold Path

Yoga is not a way of forcing God to come to you. It is opening the curtains so that the sunlight can come into the room.

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Patanjali is regarded as the great ancient exponent of the meditative science of raja yoga. His teaching is also known as ashtanga, or “eight-limbed,” yoga. He wrote that the path to enlightenment embraces eight stages. An explanation of these eight stages will give us an understanding of the deeper purposes and directions of yoga.

The Eight Stages are:

1) Yama – the don’t s of spiritual path

2) Niyama – the do’s of spiritual path

3) Asana – posture

4) Pranayama – energy control

5) Pratyahara – interiorization

6) Dharana – fixed inner awareness

7) Dhyana—meditation

8) Samadhi – oneness

Eight stages in a yogic sense

Yama means control; niyama, non-control. These two stages mean the don’ts and dos of spiritual life. Their essential purpose is to plug the holes in our pail of peace. These holes have been caused by restlessness, wrong attachments, desires and various forms of inharmonious living.

The rules of Yama (the don’ts) are:

Non-Violence or Ahimsa

Non-Lying

Non-Stealing

Non-Sensuality or Brahmacharya

Non-Greed or Non-Attachment

It is our nature to be good, but we act otherwise because we have embraced an unnatural state of egoistical inharmony. So these virtues are listed in negative terms implying that when we remove our delusions, we naturally will become benevolent, truthful, respectful of other’s property etc.

The rules of Niyama (the do’s) are:

Cleanliness

Contentment

Austerity

Self-Study or Introspection

Devotion to the Supreme Lord

A further explanation of these principles and their spiritual rewards when practiced perfectly will be explained in the next steps.

Asana means posture. Here posture means the ability to hold the body still as a prerequisite for deep meditation. A sign of perfection in asana is said to be the ability to sit still, without moving a muscle, for three hours. Until the body is mastered, higher perceptions, so subtle that they blossom only in perfect quiet, can never be achieved. The Yoga postures help one to attain asana, or firm posture. They are only an aid, though a very great one, to meditation.

Prana does mean breath, but only because of the close connection that exists between the breath and the causative flow of energy. The word prana refers primarily to the energy itself. Prana yama then means energy control. The energy control is accomplished mostly with the help of breathing exercises. Hence these breathing exercises are also called as pranayamas. This stage signifies a state in which the energy in the body is harmonized to the point where its flow is reversed. This reversal and diversion of all the energy from the outward senses to inward Self intensifies one’s awareness, and the keenness of one’s understanding.

Pratyahara is the stage at which the mind is interiorized. After redirecting the energy towards its source in the brain, one must then interiorize one’s consciousness, so that one’s thoughts, too, will be focused one-pointedly on the deeper mysteries of inner soul.

Deep concentration on inner realities like inner light, inner sound is known as dharana, contemplation or fixed inner awareness. Only after reaching this stage can one give himself completely to deep concentration of those realities.

Dhyana, meditation or absorption is a stage in which one begins to assume to himself the qualities of any state of consciousness, by prolonged concentration. By meditating upon the inner realities, one gradually takes on their qualities. The mind loses its ego identification and begins to merge in the great ocean of consciousness of which it is a part.

In dhyana, we take on the quality whereas in Samadhi, one becomes the quality. The little wave losing its delusions of separate existence from the ocean becomes itself the vast ocean.

Eight stages relating to practical ways in everyday life

The yamas and niyamas are the basic moral commandments to daily life. Asana corresponds to the physical calmness and the energy control (pranayama) signifies the need to channel our energies to accomplish anything worthwhile. Pratyahara translates itself to Self-sufficiency, and the ability to remain at peace in oneself. To be sensitively aware of life, finally to enter into it, to become in a sense one with it indicating the last three stages (dharana, dhyana, Samadhi), is the genius of the fully alive human being.

Eight stages in the context of yoga postures

Yamas and niyamas are necessary for any real progress in the postures.

One must maintain an attitude of physical relaxation and control (asana) while practising the postures. One must try to be aware of the movements of energy in the body (pranayama), and of the effect of the postures upon those movements. If one can interiorize (pratyahara) his consciousness while performing the postures he will derive great benefits. Concentration or calm inner awareness (dharana) of what one is attempting to accomplish can increase the value of the postures up to a hundred times.

Every posture is associated with certain mental and spiritual states which, if one meditates (dhyana) on them while doing the posture, will come to him more easily. Samadhi here signifies a state where one has so established himself in physical and mental harmony that all of his daily movements become in a sense, yoga posture proceeding from the creative source within himself. His every smile will be a yogic mudra, awakening energy that conveys itself as joy to all who behold him.

Points to Ponder:

v the path to enlightenment embraces eight stages

v Yama means control; niyama, non-control – plug the holes before filling the bucket!

v Higher perceptions are so subtle that they blossom only in perfect quiet.

v Don’t get lost in downward and outward. Remember the direction – Inward and upward.

v It is necessary to concentrate one’s energies as well as one’s thoughts.

v To be sensitively aware of life, finally to enter into it, to become in a sense one with it is the genius of the fully alive human being.

Written by Thulasi

Book Signing event and Class Schedule for December

2011-12-04T23:42:00.001+05:30

Dear Friends,

We are joyous to inform you about the Book signing event and the classes for the Path of Kriya Yoga course. We invite you to come, experience and be infused with the ever-new, soul charging joy. Here is the schedule:

Level 1 Meditation Class – Learn how to meditate, calm your restless thoughts by a simple but powerful technique and get invigorated by Paramhansa Yogananda’s Energisation Exercises.

Level 2 Raja Yoga Class – This class provides you a practical experiential approach to meditation, yoga philosophy, the Energisation Exercises, yoga postures, affirmations, diet and healing techniques.

Level 1 + Level 2 charges paid together: Rs.1000

The venue for most of the above classes is Ashirvad, #30, St. Mark's Road (near crossing of State Bank of India Road and St Marks Road). For further information reply back to us or contact 9845096523 / 9342516351 / 08050007778

Nayaswami Dharmadas is the Spiritual director for Ananda India. He and his wife Nayaswami Nirmala have been sharing the teachings or Paramhansa Yoganadaji for more than 25 years now.He has been traveling all over India conducting meditation workshops for last 8 yrs. He has also been taking workshops on “Stress Management to Self Management” for senior executives at Vodafone, CII ,Ge Money, Motorola and RBS.

Maps and directions:
For directions to the
Domlur center http://anandabangalore.blogspot.com/2010/03/directions-to-ananda-bangalore-center.html
Reliance Time out: http://maps.google.co.in/maps/place?cid=10467545389194533668&q=reliance+timeout+cunningham+road
Ashirvad: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_siY3JnaQ98/TWZoasQSgXI/AAAAAAAAAf8/j8aZo_lkUZY/s1600/Ashirvad_RoadMap.jpg

Joy to You,

Ananda bangalore.

Weekend Sadana and Satsang on 2nd and 3rd December at Domlur

2011-12-02T01:00:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

This day shall be the best day of my life.
Today I shall start with a new determination
To dedicate my devotion forever
At the feet of Omnipresence.¹

Let us start each day of our life with such an attitude, for

Right attitude is the most important ingredient in any struggle for success. Right attitude is not merely produced by success: it actually attracts success. A positive attitude depends far less on things going right outwardly than on an inner determination to be happy always. More often, such an attitude is the cause of good fortune, not merely a result of it.²

One such great attitude is gratitude.

This weekend we will listen to Swami’s talk on ‘The Essence of Thanksgiving’. Try to join us for

Saturday Sadana from 5pm to 7pm

Sunday Satsang from 11am to 12:30pm.

Here is a beautiful short and sweet story of St.Francis narrated by Swami : StFrancis Bible Story - Deepen Your Sprl Life ³

Thank you and Joy to you!

Ananda Bangalore.

¹Pasted from <http://www.mysticalportal.net/4-10.html>

²Pasted from <http://www.ananda.org/meditation/support/articles/material-success-through-yoga.html>

³Extracted from Deepen your spiritual life – Talk by Swami Kriyananda.

Raja Yoga Summaries Step 4 Yama

2011-11-23T19:38:00.000+05:30

Summaries of Chapters

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga – fourteen steps to Higher Awareness by Swami Kriyananda

Step 4

Yama

Virtue is the result of attunement with the natural order of things. When one attunes himself with Nature, he attunes himself to the power of the universe.

Life is full of riddles as long as the pail of peace is riddled with holes.

Why we need to follow moral values?

The evolution of moral values is based on the intention to help man to fulfill his basic realities. Man does not easily perceive the laws governing his own nature. Only after much painful trial and error he understands it. That is the main reason for offering these guidelines.

It is interesting to note that the five rules of yama, or control, are listed in negative terms. We are like the Gold buried under mud. All we need to do, to find our real nature is to clear away the mud. Thus when we remove our delusions, we cannot but be benevolent, truthful, etc., because it is our nature to be good.

The rules of Yama are:

Non-Violence or Ahimsa

Non-Lying

Non-Stealing

Non-Sensuality or Brahmacharya

Non-Greed or Non-Attachment

Ahimsa, Non-violence or Non-injury

a. Yogic meaning: All of us are expressions of God. If I hurt you, I am in a real sense hurting myself.

b. Patanjali’s test of perfection in Ahimsa: Wild animals become tame. Hardened criminals will become harmless in our presence.

c. Meditation: Send out waves of blessings to all men. Subconscious hatred will keep one tensed physically and tries to separates us from the great stream of life.

d. Yoga Postures: Relax into a pose; don’t force yourself into it. Make your practice a process of self-exploration.

e. Other points:

· Use common sense in practicing Ahimsa.

· An attitude of harmlessness and a feeling of benevolence is Ahimsa.

· If we harm anyone by killing his enthusiasm, treating him with disrespect – we are indeed harming ourselves by reflection.

Non-Lying, Truthfulness

a. Yogic meaning: To try always to see things as they are and not to entertain one’s likes and dislikes that might prejudice the perception of reality.

b. Patanjali’s test of perfection in Truthfulness: His mere thought, his mere word will be binding on the universe.

c. Meditation: Pursue the question of self-identity – “Is this really I? Who am I really?!”

d. Yoga Postures: Be inwardly aware of your body. With respect to tensions (be it of the body or mind) if one can accept it for what it is, release from them would be easier.

e. Other points:

· Truth is always beneficial

· The first step towards improvement is a recognition and acceptance, of the state of things as they actually are. We can only work with what is.

Non-Stealing

a. Yogic meaning: Non-covetousness. It means not desiring anything that is not yours by right. It means actually not even to desire that which is yours by right, in the realization that whatever is rightfully yours will surely come to you anyway, but that your happiness is not conditioned by whether you get it or not.

b. Patanjali’s test of perfection in Non-Stealing: One will find wealth coming to him whenever he needs it.

c. Meditation: Perfect meditation will not be possible until one can still the desires of the heart. Affirm mentally that you are complete, and completely at rest, in yourself.

d. Yoga Postures: Open yourself mentally to the inflow of all the energy of the universe – which is yours and direct it through your body by the direct exercise of your will.

e. Other points:

· No overall gain is achieved by emphasizing one’s own ego.

· Virtue is the result of attunement with the natural order of things.

Brahmacharya or Non-sensuality

a. Yogic meaning: Any sense pleasure that does not heighten the sense of universal oneness, but that tends rather to emphasize our consciousness of egoic separateness from other beings, may be classified as sensuality.

b. Patanjali’s test of perfection in Brahmacharya: Great vigor and extra ordinary mental clarity.

c. Meditation: Try to raise your energy and consciousness up through the spine to the point between the eyebrows. Remember that the goal of the spiritual path is union with God.

d. Yoga Postures: To direct the body’s energy up toward the brain.

e. Other points:

· True sense of peace and freedom is impossible if the release of one’s tension is accompanied by a dissipation of energy. To be continuously and consciously at peace, one must find a way of releasing his inner tensions without losing the energy.

· A person’s degree of awareness depends entirely on the amount and direction of his inner flow of energy.

· The more consciously one acts as a channel for divine energy, the more he finds his inner powers actually increasing. If one expends his energy after uplifting it, his activities bring him more peace, freedom and joy.

· Not all sense pleasures entail sensuality. Any God-reminding activity, including pure sense enjoyments can help to uplift the soul.

· It is not repression, when a person seeks with understanding to redirect (transmute) the flow of this energy upward.

Non-greed, Non-attachment

a. Yogic meaning: Non-attachment is not to be attached to what already is one’s own. Everything is God. Greed or attachment, limits the mind.

b. Patanjali’s test of perfection in Non-Greed: Able to remember former incarnations.

c. Meditation: Cut the emotional strings that tie you to your possessions. Affirm mentally: “I am not the body! I am spirit – ever blissful, ever-free!”

d. Yoga Postures: Conquer body attachments. Body is yours to use, not to pamper. Do not give in to the body’s dictates, nor to assume to yourself its feelings of fatigue.

e. Other points: Keep your energy free to move ever forward on the highway to infinity.

Yama	Non-Violence / Ahimsa	Non-Lying / Truthfulness	Non-Stealing	Non-Sensuality	Non-Greed / Non-Attachment
Yogic meaning	An attitude of harmlessness and its corollary, a feeling of universal benevolence.	See things as they are	Non-covetousness. You are the universe. Not even to desire that which is yours by right because it will surely come.	Consciousness of universal oneness and not egoic separateness. Expenditure of downward directed energy is sensuality.	Not to be attached to what already is one’s own.
Other points	When you hurt others you hurt yourself. Never to kill anything is impossible, but the attitude is important. Even killing a person’s enthusiasm is not in accord with Ahimsa .	Truth is always beneficial. Look always for the Divine Light that shines in the midst of universal darkness.	No overall gain by emphasizing one’s ego. To speak unkindly to/of another, is to steal exclusive virtue for oneself.	Preservation of one’s inner energy and upward directed flow towards brain. No repression but transmutation. Self-control is true growth. This energy is the key to self-development.	Freedom from physical limitations. Greed or attachment limits the mind to one body, and obscures the truth that the soul is infinite.
Patanjali’s Test of perfection in Yama’s	Wild animals and criminals become tame in our presence	Thoughts and words become binding on the universe	Portable divine bank.	Great mental vigor	Remember former incarnations.
Meditation	Send waves of blessings to all	Get the truth about your identity. Who am I?	Still the desires of heart. Give it to Him. You are complete in yourself.	Don’t indulge in anything less than God. Raise energy and consciousness up the spine to the spiritual eye. Go beyond the senses.	Free yourself from worldly identifications.
Postures	Relax into a pose; don’t force yourself into it.	Inwardly be aware of the body	All the energy of the universe is yours already to command.	Direct the energy up toward the brain. Don’t let it wasted in restless movements.	Body is yours to use, not to pamper. Don’t give in to the body’s dictates.

Schedule for November 2011

2011-11-12T20:24:00.001+05:30

Sat, Nov 19th --- Kriyaban Retreat at Center-- 11 am to 6 pm

Eligibility: For those who have completed Kriya initiation.

Sun, Nov 20th --- 10- 1 pm -- Level 2B -- Xavier Hall

2 - 5 pm -- Level 3-- Xavier Hall

Venue: Ashirvad, In the lane opposite to SBI Main gate, St Marks Road, Bangalore

Eligibility: Previous levels should have been completed.

For registration and queries write to :

Or you can directly register at the center by coming a bit early.

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang on 5th and 6th November 2011 at Domlur

2011-11-04T21:58:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

Group meditation adds additional strength to the individual effort. So when you are meditating in a group, you are contributing to the collective vibration as well as group vibration helps you to reach higher vibrations. So there is a mutual benefit.

Join us this Saturday from 5pm to 6:30 pm and/or on Sunday from 11am to 12:30pm at our Ananda Bangalore center in Domlur to be with spiritually like minded people and to meditate together.

Also if you haven't seen the latest Q&A session with Swami Kriyananda, try to watch ithttp://anandaindia.org/inspiration/video-audio/video-popup-2.php?satsangid=17&title=nayaswami-kriyananda-questions-and-answers

Joy to You,Ananda Bangalore.For directions to the center:

Ananda Banglore road map and contacts

Raja Yoga Summaries Step 5 - Niyama

2011-11-02T17:57:00.006+05:30

Summaries of Chapters

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga – fourteen steps to Higher Awareness by Swami Kriyananda

Step 5

Niyama

“Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” - St. Augustine

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

The do’s

Niyama means non-control. It refers to the observances, or “do’s,” on the path of yoga. The rules of Niyama are:

Cleanliness

Contentment

Tapasya, or Austerity

Swadhyaya, or Self-Study

Devotion to the Supreme Lord

Cleanliness

a. Yogic meaning: Cleanliness means not only physical cleanliness, but also a heart cleansed of attachments and of the vain preoccupations of a worldly mind.

b. Patanjali’s test: Consciousness of freedom from the body, a disinclination for its natural pleasures.

c. Meditation: Approach God with a pure heart, offering up all your desires to Him.
d. Yoga Postures: Its essence lies in the removal of toxins, of other physical impurities, of tension and of obstructions to the flow of energy in the body.

e. Other points:

· The body is unclean internally when one cannot properly eliminate waste products from his body.

· The heart of man is impure when it longs for anything that is foreign to its own nature.

· Spiritual progress comes not so much by learning to cope with the world as by learning not to depend on the world.

Contentment

a. Yogic meaning: When we realize that “one is already everything” the soul realizes that it is joy. Every worldly satisfaction is possible only because of joyousness in the heart. If one has inner joy and knows that it is within that the source of joy truly lies, he can enjoy all things innocently as reflections of that inner consciousness.

b. Patanjali’s test: Contentment when perfected ultimately leads to the realization of Divine bliss in every atom of creation even beyond creation.

c. Meditation: Affirm always positively in your heart, “whatever comes of itself, let it come, but I am ever content in my inner heart.” Pray with joy, and we shall discover that we have opened our channels to divine joy.

d. Yoga Postures: Feel as if you were smiling while you practice the postures. Learn the rhythm and capacities of your own body and lead it gently on the pathway to perfection.

e. Other points:

· If one can oppose with deliberate contentment the tendency of the heart to reach outside itself for its satisfactions, one feels joy inwardly unceasingly.

· Joy is always right NOW.

· One can accomplish a great deal more if he enjoys his work. One can advance far more rapidly in yoga if one bears in mind this teaching of great yogis, that contentment is the supreme virtue.

Tapasya

a. Yogic meaning: The more distraction a person has the more empty he feels in his heart. Use certain amount of sternness to stem this outward pulling tide.

b. Patanjali’s test: From this redirection of one’s energies – from external matter to the inner self – one develops certain subtle powers or yogic siddhis that are latent in man. There is scarcely any feet of which one is not capable.
C. Meditation: When you sit to meditate, discipline your mind to behave. Don’t let it run away with you merely because it wants to, because that is its habit. Make the very first minutes of meditation as earnest and deep as the last.

d. Yoga Postures: One should be very deliberate and yet harmonious in every movement.

e. Other points:

· Every act of the yogi should be deliberate. He should move, talk, smile and eat always with the sense that he is his own master.

· Austerity is really the concomitant of an attitude of perfect inner contentment.

Swadhyaya or Self Study

a. Yogic meaning: Self-study is Self-discovery and in a deeper sense Self-awareness.

b. Patanjali’s test: Power to commune with beings on higher spheres of existence and to receive their help.

c. Meditation: Begin with the careful observation of one’s thoughts, feelings and motives. One discovers that central reality of his being which is beyond thought, form and substance, which cannot be observed and analysed, which cannot even be truly defined, though it is sometimes described by its essential quality: JOY.

d. Yoga Postures: Deeper purpose of Yoga postures is to prepare the body as one would a temple for communion with the Infinite Lord, and with those exalted beings who live always in His light.

e. Other points:

· Self-Study signifies rooting out from one’s heart those delusions and false attachments which prevent one from realizing who and what he really is: the Infinite Spirit.

· By Self-study and the resulting discovery of deep states of consciousness within oneself, one attains those frequency-levels on which it is possible to commune with great souls.

Devotion to the Supreme Lord

a. Yogic meaning: True devotion is an effort of the heart to lift itself up into that consciousness where Divine Love is felt and known.

b. Patanjali’s test: By supreme love one enters upon that ray of divine love on which the Infinite consciousness forever dwells.

c. Meditation: “When you find God, you will know that He is a conscious being to whom one can appeal, and not merely some abstract mental state.” Have a constant conversation with Him.

d. Yoga Postures: Yoga postures should be done with a sense of worship. They were originated by great sages who recognized in certain postures the outward expressions of inward movements of the soul.

e. Other points:

· No man can rise spiritually who does not have in his mind some thought that there must be something higher than his present consciousness.

· The yogi, in reaching out toward higher realities, chooses to call those realities, “God”.

· Man can never understand with his little mind anything so vastly beyond his comprehension as a state of absolute perfection, but that he should be devoted to this ideal is right and proper.

For ready reference:

Niyama à	Cleanliness	Contentment	Tapasya / Austerity	Swadhyaya / Self-Study	Devotion to the Supreme Lord
Yogic meaning	A clean body both externally and internally. A pure heart freed of internal impurities	The realization that one already is everything	The necessary sternness to redirect the outward-pulling tendency which hopes to find fulfilment in things	Self-study in a deeper sense means self-awareness.	True devotion is an effort of the heart to lift itself up into that consciousness where Divine Love is felt and known.
Patanjali’s Test of perfection in Yama’s	Consciousness of freedom from the body	Realization of Divine bliss in every atom of creation even beyond creation	One develops certain subtle powers or yogic siddhis	Power to commune with beings on higher spheres of existence and to receive their help	One enters upon that ray of divine love on which the Infinite consciousness forever dwells
Meditation	Offer up all your desires to Him	“Whatever comes of itself, let it come, but I am ever content in my inner heart.”	Discipline your mind to behave. Make the very first minutes of meditation as earnest and deep as the last.	Begin with the careful observation of one’s thoughts, feelings and motives	God is a conscious being to whom one can appeal, and not merely some abstract mental state
Postures	Hatha yoga concentrates more on removal of toxins which obstructs the flow of energy in the body	Feel as if you were smiling while you practice the postures	One should be very deliberate and yet harmonious in every movement	Prepare the body for communion with the Infinite Lord	Do them with a sense of worship
Other points	The heart of man is impure when it longs for anything that is foreign to its own nature	If one can oppose with deliberate contentment the tendency of the heart to reach outside itself for its satisfactions, one feels joy inwardly unceasingly	Act with the sense that you are your own master	It signifies rooting out from one’s heart those delusions and false attachments which prevent one from realizing who and what he really is: the Infinite Spirit	Man can never understand with his little mind anything so vastly beyond his comprehension as a state of absolute perfection, but that he should be devoted to this ideal is right and proper

Raja Yoga Summaries Step 5 - Niyama Contributed by Thulasi

Weekend Sadana and Satsang on 29th and 30th October at Domlur

2011-10-29T07:06:00.002+05:30

Dear Friends,

Yogananda taught that environment is stronger than will power. A person may have the best intention of living a spiritual life, but lacking the support of others, and living in a world focused on materialism, it is all too easy to be diverted, by other desires, from the desire to know God! In this regard, Satsanga - fellowship with truth and with like minded people is of great help.

Join us this Saturday from 5pm to 7pm and/or on Sunday from 11am to 12:30pm at our Ananda Bangalore center in Domlur to be with spiritually like minded people and to meditate together.

Also if you haven't seen the latest Q&A session with Swami Kriyananda, try to watch it http://anandaindia.org/inspiration/video-audio/video-popup-2.php?satsangid=17&title=nayaswami-kriyananda-questions-and-answers

Joy to You,
Ananda Bangalore.
For directions to the center:

Ananda Banglore road map and contacts

Invitation for Ananda Sangha Classes on 21st, 22nd and 23rd October 2011

2011-10-17T06:39:00.001+05:30

Class Schedule for October 2011:

Free Introductory Lecture:

21st Friday: 7pm - 8:00pm. Loyola Hall, Ashirvad

Free Introductory session explaining Kriya Yoga, class schedule, gives an idea about what to expect.

Free admission, All are welcome.

Level 1

22nd Saturday: 10am - 3:30pm. Loyola Hall, Ashirvad

Level 1 (provides the basics of meditation, first meditation technique on the path and Energization exercises. Includes a book containing first level lessons taught in this class)

Charges: Level 1 Rs 750/- includes lunch and study material.

Dress Code: There are no restrictions, however loose clothes and light colors are better for a meditation session.

Food: Have a light breakfast.

Level 2 (series A)

23rd Sunday: 10am - 1pm. Xavier Hall, Ashirvad.

Fees : Rs.300.

Level 1 + Level 2 charges paid together: Rs.1000

Route Map to Ashirvad

Click to enlarge

For further queries send a mail to anandasangha.bangalore@gmail.com

Master's Biography, Weekend sadana and Satsang

2011-10-15T07:27:00.004+05:30

Dear all,

We are glad to inform you on the new book 'Paramhansa Yogananda, A Biography' formally released by Swami ji on October 13, during the book launch in New Delhi.

===========
Weekend Sadana and Satsang at our Domlur Center:
Saturday : 5pm - 7pm
Sunday : 11am - 12:30pm

===========

Joy to you,
Ananda Bangalore.

Swami ji in India, weekend Satsang, AKASH

2011-10-07T23:07:00.001+05:30

Dear Ones,
Swamiji will be arriving in India this coming Sunday, 9 October, at 11:00
am. His health is better and he will be giving the Siri Fort talk on 13
October. (Please keep holding Swamiji in your prayers as he still needs lots
of prayers and energy at this time.)

The schedule of major events during his stay are provided in this link:
http://anandaindia.org/retreat/events.php?id=16&title=nayaswami-kriyananda-in-india

===========================

Weekend Sadana and Satsang at our Domlur Center:
Saturday : 5pm - 7pm
Sunday : 11am - 12:30pm
===========================

Swami Kriyananda's Keys to Success – 5th Class

Topic: Nervousness & Fear, Non-Competitiveness, Concentration, Will Power

We will be having our 5th free online class in this series again this Sunday
(9th October) on Keys to Success & Happiness that you may like to attend.
This is based on the new course by Swami Kriyananda, titled AKASH - Ancient
Keys to Attaining Success and Happiness.

This Sunday is class #5

Topic: *Nervousness & Fear, Non-Competitiveness, Concentration, Will Power*

Presenter: *Nayaswami Jaya*

Time: 6:00 to 7:00pm. (this is Indian time, GMT + 5.5hrs)

Log in at https://kmunity.adobeconnect.com/punesatsang/

Select "enter as a guest", write your name there and proceed to the
classroom.

It requires the latest version of Adobe flash to be downloaded which may
take a few minutes if you do not already have it installed.

To view the introduction talk on the AKASH class series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-JkY8ghQWI - part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p04RSvgtK8 - part 2

============================== ======

Joy to You,
Ananda Bangalore.

Lahiri Mahasaya Birthday on Sep 30. Weekend sadhana and satsang - How to please God.

2011-09-30T06:03:00.001+05:30

Dear all,
This weekend, we will have Swami's talk on 'How to please God'. When one pleases God and places Him first, everything takes care of itself magically.

Here is an excerpt from Autobiography of a Yogi which emphasizes the need to please God and to perform His will above anything else.

On one occasion the master Trailanga, forsaking his usual silence, honored Lahiri Mahasaya very pointedly in public. A Benares disciple objected.

“Sir,” he said, “why do you, a swami and a renunciate, show such respect to a householder?”

“My son,” Trailanga replied, “Lahiri Mahasaya is like a divine kitten, remaining wherever the Cosmic Mother has placed him. While dutifully playing the part of a worldly man, he has received that perfect self-realization for which I have renounced even my loincloth!”

Timings:
Saturday Sadhana : 5pm - 7pm.
Sunday Satsang : 11 am - 12:30pm

Directions:
http://anandabangalore.blogspot.com/2010/03/directions-to-ananda-bangalore-center.html

Joy to You,
Ananda Bangalore.

Lahiri Mahasaya Samadhi celebration and Remembering Roza

2011-09-23T06:50:00.002+05:30

Dear Friends,
September 26, 1895 is the date on which Lahiri Mahasaya left his body

In a few more days he would have reached his sixty-eighth birthday.

Lahiri Mahasaya sought to answer the common challenge: “After performing one’s business and social duties, where is the time for devotional meditation?” The harmoniously balanced life of the great householder-guru became the silent inspiration of thousands of questioning hearts. Earning only a modest salary, thrifty, unostentatious, accessible to all, the master carried on naturally and happily in the path of worldly life.

-Autobiography of a Yogi.

This Saturday, We will listen to Swami ji's talk on "Lahiri and Householders"
Saturday Evening, 24^th September:

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Energization Exercises, Yoga Postures.

5:00 - 5:30 pm - Chanting and Prayer

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Guided Meditation
6:30 - 6:35 pm - break

6:35 - 7:05 pm - Swamiji's talk on Lahiri and Householders
7:05 - 7:15 pm - Meditation

7:15 - 7:30 pm - Chanting and Healing Prayers

(Feel free to join us during any part of the session)

Our long time devotee Roza, passed away on September 3rd. She was a great source of inspiration and support for Ananda Bangalore. This Sunday, we will have a special Satsang dedicated to her.

Sunday Morning, 25^th September:

11 am- 12:30pm - Shorter version of the above schedule.

12:30pm onwards, prasad and Other devotees would reminisce on Roza.

Joy to You!

Ananda Bangalore.

Useful Links

2011-09-19T00:34:00.001+05:30

1) http://www.ananda.org/

Ananda Website Worldwide.

Includes online books, inspiring blog articles by Ananda Members, Spiritual Question and Answers Forum, Audio and Video collections of Satsangs and much more.

2) http://www.crystalclarity.com/
Ananda Publishers. Books, Audio, Video and other collections. Add to Cart.

3) http://www.anandavillage.org

Ananda Village website. Pictorial tours of Ananda village, events calendar and much more.

4) http://www.anandaonlineclasses.org/

Virtual spiritual community. Includes free webinars, forums and discussions.

5) http://www.anandaindia.org

Latest news from Ananda Kriya yogashram in Pune, Ananda Community in Gurgaon and other centers in India. Audio and Video collections of Satsangs and much more.
Questions on Kriya answered: http://anandaindia.org/kriya-yoga/kriya-questions.php

6) http://www.anandaindia.org/sangha2/bangalore/index.php

Ananda Bangalore Classes, Events and News listed in anandaindia website.

7) http://www.anandaindia.org/inspiration/video/gurgaon_satsangs.htm

Video and Audio from Ananda India Weekly Satsangs

8)www.anandaclaritymagazine.com

Ananda Online Magazine. Wonderful collection of articles.

9)http://www.swamikriyananda.org/

Website dedicated to Swami Kriyananda

10) http://www.anandapaloalto.org/joy/Inspiration.html

Talks by NayaswamiAsha (Asha Praver), one of Ananda’s most experienced and popular teachers.

11) http://www.harmonyatwork.in/

Harmony at Work provides innovative training in stress management, personal productivity, and leadership.

12)http://jaya-india.blogspot.com/

Interesting and informative blogs by Nayaswami Jaya Helin.

Class Schedule for September 2011

2011-09-11T23:16:00.003+05:30

Ananda Bangalore welcomes you all for classes to be conducted this month by Brahmachari Devendra and Brahmachari Jemal.

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga, Level 2 D

Yogic Scheme of Life, Anatomy of Yoga: study of chakras

Sunday, 18 Sep 10am - 1 pm

Fee: Rs. 300

Venue : Ashirvad, [Xavier Hall, second floor room].
No. 30 St.Marks Road, (Near crossing of State bank of India Road and St Marks Road),Bangalore.
Discipleship & the AUM Technique, Level 3

Eligibility: Should have completed at least any three parts of Level2. (Level 2 has four parts A, B, C, D, eventually all needs to be completed before taking Level 4)

For details and other queries send a mail to anandasangha.bangalore@gmail.com

Celebrating the 64th Spiritual Anniversary of Swami Kriyananda's discipleship to his great guru, Paramhansa Yogananda

2011-09-09T13:40:00.000+05:30

My first words to Yogananda when I met him 62 yearsago were, ‘I want to be your disciple.’

He accepted me then and there. It has been the mostwonderful thing in my life.

Whenever I looked into his eyes, I never saw theego, but the consciousness of God, the absolute perfection I dreamed of findingin a human being.

—Swami Kriyananda, talkat the Ford Theater

Pastedfrom <http://www.ananda.org/inspiration/video-audio/events/2010-la.html>

Dear Friends,

"To be a disciple means to not to put yourself forward but try to be a channel of his light and his understanding".

A devotee was once marveling at Swamiji's many accomplishments. "In one lifetime you've done the work of ten men!" she said.

"Perhaps you are right," Swamiji said quietly. "Nothing I have done is important, however, except to the extent that it has helped people individually to deepen their love for God.

"At the end of this life, the only thing that will matter to me is 'Have I been a good disciple?'"

--From Swami Kriyananda as we have known him.

Swamiji has led an exemplary life of an ideal disciple. This weekend, we will celebrate his spiritual anniversary of discipleship and try to deepen our understanding of how to be good disciple.

Saturday Evening, 10th September:

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Energization Exercises, YogaPostures.

5:00 - 5:30 pm - Chanting and Prayer

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Guided Meditation
6:30 - 6:35 pm - break

6:35 - 7:15 pm - Swamiji's talk

Paramhansa Yogananda: Avatar for This Age

7:15 - 7:30 pm - Chanting and Healing Prayers

(Feel free to join us during any part of the session)

Sunday Morning, 11th September:

11 am- 12:30pm - Shorter version of the aboveschedule.

Joy to You!

Ananda Bangalore.

For directions to the center http://anandabangalore.blogspot.com/2010/03/directions-to-ananda-bangalore-center.html

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang on Sep 3rd and 4th - Receptivity

2011-09-03T08:39:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

“People who think that they are serving just because they are doing big things are off the track. It isn’t so much what you do; it’s the way in which you do it. Some people can give a better sermon walking silently down the street. It is true. You feel their peace.”

Let’s bathe in the peaceful zephyr of Swamiji’s voice as we listen to the talk on receptivity (continued from last week) this Saturday. The schedule remains the same.

Saturday Evening, 3^rd September:

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Energization Exercises, Yoga Postures.

5:00 - 5:30 pm - Chanting and Prayer

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Guided Meditation
6:30 - 6:35 pm - break

6:35 - 7:00 pm - Swamiji's talk on Receptivity (continued…)
7:00 - 7:15 pm - Meditation

7:15 - 7:30 pm - Chanting and Healing Prayers

(Feel free to join us during any part of the session)

Sunday Morning, 4^th September:

11 am- 12:30pm - Shorter version of the above schedule.

Joy to You!

Ananda Bangalore.

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang on 27th and 28th August - 'Receptivity'

2011-08-26T14:33:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,
The secret of all greatness lies in the receptivity to the grace of a power higher than our present consciousness. You can call that higher self as God. But nonetheless, receptivity is the key to all success. "To all those who received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God"

This Saturday along with our Sadhana, we will listen to a (recorded) talk by Swami Kriyananda on this subtle topic - 'Receptivity'. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday Evening, 27th August:

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Energization Exercises, Yoga Postures.

5:00 - 5:30 pm - Chanting and Prayer

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Guided Meditation
6:30 - 6:35 pm - break

6:35 - 7:00 pm - Swamiji's talk on Receptivity
7:00 - 7:15 pm - Meditation

7:15 - 7:30 pm - Healing Prayers,

Chanting,

Closing Prayers.

(Feel free to join us during any part of the session)

Sunday Morning, 28th August :

11 am- 12:30pm - Shorter version of the above schedule.

Joy to You!

Ananda Bangalore.

Class Schedule for August 2011

2011-08-16T04:54:00.006+05:30

Class Schedule for August 2011:

Free Introductory Lecture:

19th Friday: 7pm - 8:00pm. Loyola Hall, Ashirvad

Free Introductory session explaining Kriya Yoga, class schedule, gives an idea about what to expect.

Free admission, All are welcome.

Level 1

20th Saturday: 10am - 3pm. Loyola Hall, Ashirvad

Level 1 (provides the basics of meditation, first meditation technique on the path and Energization exercises. Includes a book containing first level lessons taught in this class)

Charges: Level 1 Rs 750/- includes lunch and study material.

Dress Code: There are no restrictions, however loose clothes and light colors are better for a meditation session.

Food: Have a light breakfast.

Satsang and Group Meditation:

4pm - 5:30pm. Loyola Hall, Ashirvad
All are welcome, free admission.

Level 2 (series c)

21st Sunday: 10am - 1pm. Xavier Hall, Ashirvad.

Fees : Rs.300.

Level 1 + Level 2 charges paid together: Rs.1000

Route Map to Ashirvad

Click to enlarge

For further queries send a mail to anandasangha.bangalore@gmail.com

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang on 13th and 14th August - 'Deal with Temptations'

2011-08-11T06:54:00.002+05:30

Dear Friend,
To celebrate independence day in our lives is to find the inner freedom in our bodily nation, to free our kingdom from the reign of rebel King Ego and bring it under the reign of King Soul.
Sounds confusing is it? Let's listen to Swami Kriyananda's beautiful talk on 'Deal with Temptations' on Saturday to gain insights on this subject of finding inner freedom and to celebrate the same.

O Spirit, let not my insatiable sense-cravings be fed with wrong actions. Teach me to discipline them, that they may want only my true happiness. If my senses become unruly, teach me to govern them with the rod of non-cooperation with their desires, and to feed them only with wholesome activity. ...

Pasted from <http://www.ananda.org/inspiration/books/whispers/whispers/162.html>

Saturday Evening, 13th August:

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Energization Exercises, Yoga Postures.

5:00- 5:30 pm - Chanting and Prayer

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Meditation

6:30 - 7:05 pm - Swamiji's talk

7:05 - 7:30 pm - Healing Prayers,

Chanting,

Closing Prayers.

Sunday Morning, 14th August :

11 am- 12:30pm - Shorter version of the above schedule.

Joy to You!

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang with Brahmachari Devendra on 6th and 7th August

2011-08-04T23:29:00.001+05:30

Dear all,

This weekend, we are happy to have Brahmachari Devendra from the Kriya Yoga Community in Pune visiting us. We are glad to welcome you all for the Saturday Sadhana and Sunday Satsang with Brahmachari Devendra
at our Ananda Bangalore center at Domlur. The schedule remains the same.

Saturday Evening, 6th August:

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Energization Exercises, Yoga Postures.

5:00- 5:30 pm - Chanting and Prayer

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Meditation

6:30 - 7:10 pm - Swamiji's talk on Leadership - Part II

7:10 - 7:30 pm - Healing Prayers,

Chanting,

Closing Prayers.

Sunday Morning, 7th August :

11 am- 12:30pm - Shorter version of the above schedule.

Joy to You!

Kirtan and Satsang at Central Bangalore, Sunday, July 24, 2011 : I Satsang at Cavalcade :

2011-08-04T22:40:00.000+05:30

" Good things should never be postponed "

Varuna had stopped his bountiful shower and it was an apt occasion to have Nayaswami Dharmadas , Bhramachari Jamal, Bhramachari Devendra, Bhramacharini Shrutika and a happy group of members from Ananda Bangalore chapter at the residence of Anjali. The evening started off with soul stirring bhajans. The energy in the group was high. It was a mixed group with many first timers to Ananda. Adit's (Anjali's son ) guitar came in handy to add more life to the occasion. It was nice to see more and more song requests coming up back to back. The memorable event culminated with a high tea. We thank everyone for making an effort to attend and participate.

" Good things should never be postponed "

Anjali and Venkatesan

Weekend Sadhana and Satsang - 30th and 31st July : 'Leadership

2011-07-28T00:17:00.002+05:30

Dear Friend,

Life often examines us relentlessly until we have learned the lessons. To prepare for these tests we do have a lot of Model Question and Answers. Here is one such answer from one of the brightest Student, Swami Kriyananda.

What is the best way to rid oneself of cynicism and sarcasm?

To develop kindness. When you're kind to people, you see things from their point of view. And when you try to see things from their point of view, then you see that, wherever they are, they're trying. So why be cynical? Why be sarcastic? Sarcasm tries to push them down into the mud that they're trying to climb out of.

Sometimes a little bit of sarcasm is fun -- like when Dorothy Parker and Clare Boothe Luce were both coming to a doorway together, and Clare Boothe Luce said, "Age before beauty." Dorothy Parker said as she sailed through the doorway, "Pearls before swine!"

But even that kind of fun sarcasm, unless I say it with a real smile, I don't like to use it. It's a nasty thing. There's something unclean about it. Be kind to people. Try to see things from their point of view. Yes, this world is full of humor, but don't laugh at people in their faces.

Life is amusing, but don't hurt people with it. Always think in terms of how you can help people. There's so much more happiness in that.
This Saturday, after our Sadhana, we will listen to Swami's recorded talk on Leadership. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday Evening, 30th July :

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Energization Exercises, Yoga Postures.

5:00- 5:30 pm - Chanting and Prayer

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Meditation

6:30 - 7:10 pm - Swamiji's talk

7:10 - 7:30 pm - Healing Prayers,

Chanting,

Closing Prayers.

Sunday Morning, 31st July :

11 am- 12:30pm - Shorter version of the above schedule.
So next time, when we face the above question in life, let us answer them with confidence and come out with flying colors.