Guru Gamana Program | Residential Summer Camp 2016

Note: Those who can't attend the camp on all the days can join last 3days for Antyesti rituals

Winter Camp 2015

Dear Sadhakas,

Blessings from the Masters of the Himalayan Tradition! 

I am extremely happy for all the generous inquiries about my health and thank you for the support that you are providing in furtherance of the cause. This is not only encouraging for my health but has instilled in me an enthusiasm to meet you all. But, as per medical advice, I am not supposed to strain my body by travelling and conducting public programmes at least for a year. Therefore, Jyothi & I came up with the idea of an annual event Winter Camp 2015 at our Ashram over the period December 20 (from 4.00 pm) to 26 (till 12 noon). This will provide me with an opportunity to meet you all. Together we can spend some quality time doing Sadhana.

I plan to take two Sessions in a day. Sessions by Mrs. Jyothi, Mr. Srinivas Murthy, Mr. Sudheendra and other prominent guest speakers also form part of the Winter Camp. Jyothi will be taking two sessions in a day where the first session will be on Tantrik approach to Tatwa Shuddhi & the second session would be on Bahiryaga – Practical approach in Tantra. There will be separate sessions on Yogasana, Pranayama and Meditation as well.

I am sure you will also be excited to be a part of the Winter Camp 2015, as I am, and hence, this advance intimation.

Hope to meet you and your family soon.

Affectionately

Guruji Pattabhiram & Jyothi

This Winter - Twin Camps for Adults & Kids at Sadhana Dhama

Winter Camp 2013

Venue: Sadhana Dhama (Ashram):

Kanva Reservior Road, 4th K.M., Sriramapuri, Kanva Post, Kannamangala Village, Channapatna Taluk, Ramnagar District (Bangalore Rural), Karnataka - 562108, INDIA

Contact : Mr.Narasimhamurthy +91-9901710565 , Contact: Mr. Prashant: Ph: 080-7265217, +91 - 9008940081

To Register for the Summer Camp:

Contact: Mr. Shriram.  Ph: +91-9663570913 

Visit  us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/sadhanasangama

For regular updates:

www.himalayantradition.blogspot.com

Let's learn from our 'Baba' - Guru's Grace (Story 4)

Story 1 click here, Story 2 click here, Story 3 click here

Guru's Grace

Son: Mom, can you now share the Baba story on Guru Grace please...

Mom: Yes Beta, listen. Since Baba was a child, He was raised and guided by his Master. Baba had done all that his Master asked of him but still Grace had not come and our Baba grew frustrated. So one day baba went to his master and said, "You have not done shaktipata for me. That means either you don't have shakti or you don't intend to do it." Baba further added, “For so long now I have been closing my eyes in meditation and I end up with nothing but a headache. My time has been wasted and I find little joy in life."

Son: Oh so what did Baba’s Master said to that?

Mom: He didn't say anything, so in more exasperation Baba continued talking, "I worked hard and sincerely, You said it would take fourteen years, but this is my seventeenth year of practice. Whatever you have asked me to do I have done. But today you give me shaktipata or I will commit suicide."

Son: Oh No! then ?

Mom: Finally Baba’s master said to our Baba, "Are you sure? Are you really following all the practices I have taught you? Is this the fruit of my teaching, that you are committing suicide?" Then he waited a moment and said, "When do you want to commit suicide?". Our Baba replied, "Right now, I am talking to you before I commit suicide. You are no longer my master now. I have given up everything. I am of no use to the world; I am of no use to you.” Saying this, our Baba got up to the Ganges, which was near, and was prepared to drown himself.

Son: Oh! what a determination! Interesting, then what happened?

Mom: His master seems to be in a playful mood that day. He said to our Baba, "You know how to swim, so when you jump in the Ganges, naturally you will start swimming. You'd better find some way so that you will start drowning and not come up. Perhaps you should tie some weight to yourself."

Son: (Smiles) Poor Baba, he must be in tears now…

Mom: May be, now our Baba asked His Master, "What has happened to you, You used to love me so much?" Baba went to the Ganges and with a rope He tied some big rocks to himself. When He was ready to jump, His master came and called, "Wait. Sit here for one minute. I will give you what you want."

Son: I knew it! probably Baba’s Master was testing our Baba’s determination. What happened next?

Mom: Baba did not know what his Master really meant it, but He thought he could wait at least a minute. Our Baba sat in his meditation posture and His master came and touched our Baba on the forehead. Son, you know, Our Baba remained in that position for nine hours and did not have a single worldly thought and Baba used to say that the experience was indescribable.

Son: I am sure when Baba returned to normal consciousness he would have thought no time had passed.

Mom: Yes Beta, he returned back to his Master and asked for forgiveness for his earlier behavior. Baba used to say that with that touch Baba’s life was transformed. Baba lost fear and selfishness. Baba started understanding life properly. Baba began to wonder if this experience came about because of His effort or His master's.

Son: What was Baba’s master’s reply for that?

Mom: His answer was simply, "Grace." He explained, "A human being, should make all possible sincere efforts. When he has become exhausted and cries out in despair, in the highest state of devotional emotion, he will attain ecstasy. That is the grace of God. Grace is the fruit that you receive from your faithful and sincere efforts."

Son: Ma, do we already have the Grace from the Himalayan Masters?

Mom: Son, Baba says, “Grace is only possible with a disciple who has gone through a long period of discipline, austerity, and spiritual practices. When a student has done these practices and followed the teacher's instructions with all faithfulness, truthfulness, and sincerity, then the subtlest obstacle is removed by the master. The experience of enlightenment comes from the sincere effort of both master and disciple. When you have done your duties skillfully and wholeheartedly, you reap the fruits gracefully. Grace dawns when action ends. Shaktipata is the grace of God transmitted through the master”. So find out if you have done your part first".

Son: I think I need to deserve before I desire for Guru’s Grace, Isn’t it Mom?

Mom: Yes My Son...

(After a Week)

Husband: Dear, did you see our Son’s 2 minute video that he had made for the upcoming summer camp?

Wife: Is it? No I haven’t, he didn’t told me as yet. Can you please show me that video on your laptop?

Husband: Yes dear, here it is, let me raise the audio volume (click on the maximize button to view it in full screen)


summer camp by Bansuri

In case of issues viewing above, please visit :
(http://goanimate.com/videos/0PWSky49huXE?utm_source=linkshare)

Wife: Oh Wow, wonderful, he had made 3 of us and your office as characters. He didn't leave your office colleague too whom we are trying to invite for the Summer Camp. If only he had made me to wear Indian costumes & made me to speak in Indian ascent, I would have felt more satisfied

Husband: Hahahaha.... I think it's the limitation of the free version.

Wife: Anyways, Its so nice to know our Son is showing keen interest on Sadhana at his younger age.

Husband: Thanks to our Guruji, he has always shown us the right path.

Wife: Yes dear, By the way, Did you call Mr. Shriram at Sadhana Sangama’s Bangalore center confirming how many people we are coming from our chapter?

Husband: No I haven't done it as yet. I am just waiting to see if I am getting any call from my office colleague confirming their presence.

Wife: Please hurry up, don't update at the last moment. I wish your office colleague too joins us with their family so that they too get benefited by this summer camp.

Husband: Let’s see, I am keeping my fingers crossed. We have done our best we could do, we went to their house the other day, gifted them our Gurudev’s DVD & also spoke about the summer camp on 19th of May...

Wife: I am sure, they would join us honey, what do you think?

Husband: Well… I…..

(phone rings)

concluding part next week...

20 days more to go for Summer Camp.... (click here for info)

- 'Bansuri'
(the messenger)

Let's learn from our 'Baba' - Guru's Divine Love (Story 3)

Story 1 click here, Story 2 click here

Guru's Divine Love - Story 3

Husband: I doubt, if they would able to make it for the upcoming Summer Camp!!

 

Wife: Why Dear? Why you say so?

 

Husband:  Her Husband does not believe in all this and she would have tough time to make her Husband to accept coming for the Summer Camp.

 

Wife: Dear there is nothing to worry, with Baba's blessings, we can solve this too!

 

Husband: But How?

 

Wife: Before I explain how Baba would solve this, first let us think what can be our effort on this?

Husband: What can I do? I know very well her husband & if he won't be listening to his wife, how will he listen to me?

Wife: Don’t come to a conclusion even before trying.  Atleast think of some method Sir!

Husband: Hmm, Ok Madam, I have something in mind, don’t know if it would work or not!

Wife: See, there you are on track, tell me what is it ?

Husband: Did you read the recent “Let’s Hear Guruji” series on the DVD review of “Pearls of Wisdom” which was posted few days back?

Wife: Yes I did, so..?

Husband: In that there was a request to try gifting Guruji’s DVD’s to friends & relatives on their family & festive occasions along with our routine gift that we normally do.

Wife: Oh Yes, I read that, very nice initiative that.

Husband:  This Saturday is their Marriage Anniversary, why can’t we gift few of our Guruji DVD’s to them along with the other Gifts?

Wife: Eh! How do you remember your office colleague’s Marriage Anniversary? I remember you had forgotten atleast quite few of our’s!

Husband: (panics) Oh God!, let’s not deviate from the subject, moreover I didn’t remember automatically, she had only invited me..., sorry invited both of us this Saturday and…

Wife: Ok, Ok ! I was just pulling my husband’s leg, let’s come to the point, I think it’s a very good idea.  Which DVD you think we can Gift him?

Husband: It is difficult to pick one among the ocean of diamonds, however let’s gift them our Guruji’s wonderful Teachings on Mrityunjaya Maha Mantra & Gayatri Maha Mantra DVD, what do you say?

Wife: Oh wow, excellent selection, it was there in my mind too…

Husband: All said & done, but do you think this will work out?

Wife: That’s what I was telling you in the beginning, let us put our sincere effort first. The Rest let us leave it to the Guru’s Grace.

Husband: When will the Guru Grace showers?

Wife: Swami Rama Says, “Grace comes of its own when a seeker has made maximum effort. When all efforts have been made, and all efforts have been exhausted, then grace comes”. Talking of Grace, I remember, it's our time to do Anusthana. So let us continue our discussion after that.

 

Husband: Which Anushtana?

Wife: Oh dear, yesterday only we agreed to do the Anushtana for our Guruji & Amma who together have put their life & soul into Sadhana Sangama’s Vision & Mission since 1986.

Husband: Oh Yes, but tell me, Does a Guru Need prayers from His Students?

Wife: For ignorant like you, Swami Rama has already given enough explanation. Let me quote what Baba has said. Wait!

(takes a book and reads)

He Says “A master needs nothing. True spiritual leaders are like that: they take nothing and they give everything. A real teacher is he who is very selfless and who loves his students even more than a father can love his child. A father usually imparts only worldly means, helps the children to grow, and trains them to live in the world. But a spiritual father selflessly gives that which cannot be given by a father or anyone else. One cannot see an example of this anywhere except in the spiritual tradition. Father and mother give birth, bring up, educate, and give their property, but a Gurudeva gives to his disciples that knowledge which comes through his direct experience. Imparting such knowledge is a yoga tradition exactly like a father handing over his property to his sons. A master’s divine love is not that of human love but is something which only the heart, and never the mind, is capable of understanding. In a true spiritual tradition the teacher gives so much to his student that the student’s life is overwhelmed and transformed”.

Husband:  Excellent! then let us do this Anushtana as a token of respect and love for them who are tirelessly working towards health happiness and harmony through holistic living. Shall we also buy some other Gift for them as the Sadhana Sangama Trust is celebrating 25 years of Journey?

Wife: Dear for this also our Baba has given the answer. He says, “You may try your best to do something for your Guru, but you cannot, because he doesn’t need anything. You wonder, "Why is he doing so much for me? What does he want from me?" He wants nothing, for what he is doing is his duty, the purpose of his life. If he guides you, he is not obliging you; he is doing his work. He cannot live without doing his duty. Genuine gurus cannot live without selflessness, for selfless love is the very basis of their enlightenment. They radiate life and light from the unknown corners of the world. The world does not know them, and they do not want recognition".

Husband: Yes and such people are called gurus. They guide humanity. As the sun shines and lives far above, the guru gives spiritual love and remains unattached.

Wife: That’s why Swami Rama says, “If my guru and the Lord both come together, I will go to my guru first and say, "Thank you very much. You have introduced me to the Lord." I will not go to the Lord and say, "Thank you very much, Lord. You have given me my guru." So instead of thinking of Gifting something for our Guruji, let's us sincerely do this Anusthana & offer our Samarpana to support their mission for the School & humanity and to enrich our deservedness to receive Guru's Grace.

Husband: Do you also have a story to tell about Guru's Grace for our son?

Wife: Yes there is, but let us stop the story session for a while as it’s our Anushtana Time.

Husband: Yes you are right, "Jai Gurudev, Jai Guru Paramparam", call our son, we will jointly do the Anusthana and after that the story will continue...

 

(to be contd.)

30 more days to go for the Summer Camp .... (click here for the info)

- 'Bansuri'
(the messenger)

 

Let's learn from our 'Baba' - Teach your children to Meditate (Story 2)

Teach your children to meditate

For Story 1 Click Here:

Son: Mom, you really know how to relate with children with the age of mine and how to address them. Sorry If I had hurt you. 

Mom: No problem my dear. I too have a lot to learn as a Mother. Hence I am attending Sadhana Sangama’s summer camp to be held from 19th of May, to know more about “Love & Family Life” and my duty as a Mother.

Son: Sadhana Sangama? What is it?

Mom:  Beta, Sadhana sangama is a trust since 1986 working tirelessly towards health happiness and harmony through holistic living, guided by the teaching of our Baba, Swami Rama.

Son:  I think they also run a school by name “Sadhana Vidyalaya” where children’s like me are studying from rural village, isn’t it Mummy?

Mother: Yes beta, the school has nearly 550 children like you. Baba used to say, “Stop building temples but mould the child the moving temples” that is exactly what Sadhana Vidyalaya is doing.

Son:  Will I get to see the schools when we visit the Ashram for this Summer Camp?

Mom: Yes Beta, you can go around and see the school buildings and the constructions that are coming up.

(Son’s Father Arrives)

Husband: What’s up? What interesting conversation is going on between Mom & son, Ah!

Wife: We were just talking about this May’s Summer Camp at the Sadhana Dhama Ashram...

Husband: Oh Ya! Summer Camp on “Love & Family Life” right? I am also eagerly looking forward to it.  Eh !, I have an idea. Do you remember I was telling about my office colleague who used to always worry about her son’s erratic behavior and indiscipline attitude?

Wife: Yes, Yes How can I forget, she is your best friend na!

Husband: (Chuckles), well, I am happy that you understand that she is just my friend & nothing beyond it…

Wife:  I know my husband very well, so what’s now with her?

Husband: No, I was thinking if we can invite them as well for this Summer Camp along with the family so that they can also get benefited. What do you say?

Wife: Good Idea, certainly, I think before they start teaching their son, they should first learn & change themselves, and then automatically, the children will follow the parents.

Husband: Hmm, I agree, even we had the same issue earlier with our son, isn’t it?

Wife:  Yes dear, we used to be very much worried, only our Baba helped us to overcome it. Do you Remember, we read one of the Baba’s book where He was talking about Teaching Meditation to Children?

Husband: Yes, in that He was saying that most diseases originate in childhood and children become ill because they have not learned the means of acquiring peace of Mind.  He was suggesting children to practice silence before they learn to be active.

Wife: Exactly, Infact when I read that Mothers can do this if they are friends with the children, then I started to see our Son in that way.

Husband: Truly, the lack of communication between the younger generation and the parents is creating great chaos in today’s world.

Wife: All we as parents have to do, is to do little adjustments. As Baba suggested, we made Meditation as part of our life and gave priority to it and our child automatically picked it up.

Husband: Baba’s advice helped us again. First we were trying to force him onto this Path, until we read that book, where He was saying, (taking that book nearby father starts reading) “Children imitate their parents; you don’t have to teach them to meditate. Never do that. You should teach your children through example how to sit quietly and make their minds one-pointed. When you sit in meditation, your child will also come and sit next to you and pretend to do what you are doing. In this way the child will come to know what you are doing and will also form the habit of sitting with you. If you sit in meditation, and your child comes and sits next to you and closes his eyes, it is very helpful for the child. Do you think the child is meditating? I say the child is meditating better than you are. Even when a child simply imitates you when you are meditating, it is very helpful for the child”.

Wife: I have read even Baba’s Master used to do the same thing when our Baba was a child.

Husband: Hahaha (laughs), Yes, Baba at his childhood gave tough time to his Master initially but what a lovely relationship it was and what a great teaching it is for all us to know about them.

Wife: Certainly Spiritual practices, undertaken at an early age, have a profound and long lasting effect. So you should definitely invite your office colleague for the Sadhana Sangama’s Summer Camp with the family, so that I also get to see your lovely friend, hahaha…

Husband:  (chuckles) I doubt, if they would able to make it for the upcoming Summer Camp!!

Wife: Why Dear? Why you say so?

Husband:  Her Husband does not believe in all this and she would have tough time to make her Husband to accept coming for the Summer Camp.

Wife: Dear there is nothing to worry, with Baba's blessings, we can solve this too!

Husband: But How?

(to be contd..)

37 more days to go for the Summer Camp .... (click here for the info)

-'Bansuri'
(the messenger)

Let's learn from our 'Baba' - Learn to Share (Story 1)

Bete!, Learn to Share..

Son: Mom, I am feeling so hungry, what have you prepared for breakfast?

Mom: Son, I am preparing delicious Masala Dosa for you; just wash your hands and be ready, I will prepare & give you in five minutes.

(Son hurriedly washes his hand and sits in the dining hall eagerly waiting for the Masala Dosa, at the same time, calling-bell rings at the entrance)

Mom: Bete, go and see who has come.

Son: Oh No! Who is disturbing us at this moment, I hope it should not be some guest.

(Son opens the door and sees his uncle & aunty who have come from his mom’s home town)

Son: Oh!! Welcome. Mummy, Uncle & aunty have come.

(Son thinks to himself, “oh no, these old people will not go so soon from here, they have come all the way to my house only to spoil my Sunday”)

After a while…

Son: Mom! please come here for a moment.

Mom: What son, don’t you see I am talking to your uncle & aunty, what do you want?

Son: (whispers into her mother’s ears) Mom, I am hungry, please prepare Masala Dosa for me and serve me in my bedroom, I can’t wait for them.

Mother: (whispers back), Son, I have limited quantity of Batter only to serve two people, let us prepare & give it your uncle & aunty. I will prepare for you something else, may be UPMA.

Son: (starts beating her mom) Mom, you can’t do that; you know I can’t wait and I hate UPMA.

Mother: Son, listen to me, they are our guest, we have to serve them first, now please go inside & study for a while, and let me attend to them.

(Mother then starts attending the guest and serves them the Masala Dosa. She then prepares Upma for her son, which the son doesn’t take and starts crying inside the bedroom)

After an hour, when the guests have left the home, mom tries to pacify her son.

Mom: Son, what you have done today is totally wrong, how can you create such a scene when we have guests at home?

Son: How can you ignore your son request, don’t you know I was eagerly waiting to have Masala dosa and you know how much hungry I was.

Mom: you should learn to have control over your emotions, especially your hunger.

Son: So easy to say mom, you should have prepared upma for them instead of sharing them my quota of Dosa’s. (Starts crying)

Mom: See your baba is laughing at you (showing smiling "Swami Rama’s" portrait kept in the hall)

Son: I learnt even baba when he was a child was like me only.

Mom: Son, we can learn so much from Baba, even from his child hood days. All children are quite selfish by nature, they do not want to give anything to others, but he was trained to reverse this tendency and we can certainly learn from it.

Son: Oh is it? How?

Mom: When Baba was with his Master in Mountains, he used to have only one meal a day. Unlike you are getting such delicious Masala dosa’s, in mountains he generally gets one chapatti, some vegetables and glass a milk. One day it so happened that he was so hungry like you, and when he sat for his meals, his master stopped him from eating, and said there is old swami who has come and he is hungry too, and ordered him to give his food.

Son: Oh poor Baba, only one food per day, so what happened next? Did Baba give his food to him immediately?

Mom: No son, initially he too argued and hated that Swami who came at the stroke of his meal time. He didn’t want to share his food. His master asked him to share his food as an offering of love for which Baba hesitated. Later, his Master asked him to share his food as an order, for which Baba had no choice but to share his meals with the visiting Swami.

Son: Oh, what a training from Baba’s Master, He was really tough on Baba.

Mom: Son, Baba’s master is equally a loving mother towards Baba, but at the same time, he ensured Baba get the right training at the right time. He asked Baba not to lose control at this weak moment, and if he does so, he would lose the battle of life.

Son: So what happened next? Did Baba give food to Swami?

Mom: Yes he had to for the sake of his Master. Though Baba did not understand why he was asked to do so, he followed his Master’s order and washed the feet of the visiting swami and then asked the Swami to sit and Baba offered his food to the visiting Swami who had not taken the food for over four days.

Son: But what did Baba get in return of his sacrifice? What will I get if I sacrifice my Masala Dosa for the visiting guest?

Mom: Son, it’s not about what we will get, it’s all about serving selflessly. To answer your question, the Swami did blessed Baba by saying he will not get hunger unless food comes before Baba.

Son: Oh Nice, so if I sacrifice my food for others, will I also get such blessings from the Masters?

Mom: Son, before earning for such blessings, you have to develop the deservedness in you, and then at the right time, you will receive the grace from the Lord.

Son: So what should I do to develop the Deservedness?

Mom: Let me quote the same what Baba has said in “Living with Himalayan Masters”. He Says, “There is a narrow barrier between selfishness and Selflessness, love & Hatred. After crossing it, one enjoys doing things for others, without seeking anything in return. This is the highest of all joys, and an essential step in the path of enlightenment. A selfish man can never imagine this state of realization, for he remains within the limited boundaries built by his ego. A selfless man trains his ego and uses it for higher purposes. Selflessness is one common characteristic that we find among all great men and women of the world. Nothing could be achieved without selfless service. All the rituals and knowledge of the scriptures are in vain if actions are performed without selflessness".

Son: I don’t think I understood all you said, but I did understand that I will not cry anymore, if you share my food with others.

Mom: No problem son, atleast you agreed to share your food with others, which would be the beginning of your Sadhana, the rest Masters would take care.

Son: Mom, now I really feel hungry, do you have some Upma for me ?

Mom: My loving son, it’s there for you, even I haven’t had my breakfast, come let’s share and enjoy the food.

Son: Mom, you really know how to relate with children with the age of mine and how to address them. Sorry If I had hurt you.

Mom: No problem my dear. I too have a lot to learn as a Mother on how to upbring a child . Hence I am attending Sadhana Sangama’s summer camp to be held from 19th of May, to know more about “Love & Family Life” and my duty as a Mother.

Son: Sadhana Sangama? What is it?

(to be contd..)

- 'Bansuri'

(the messenger)

'

Residential Holistic Camp for Boys & Girls (8-16 years of age)

Sadhana Sangama is happy to invite you all to its Residential Summer Camp - 2013 (for Kids). Click on the image below to view in bigger size

Residential Summer Camp - 2013

Sadhana Sangama is happy to invite you all to its Residential Summer Camp - 2013.

Click on the image below to view in bigger size