Satsang with Guruji

Guruji on Family life and importance of "Chitha sodhakam Mukthi sadakam"

Part - 1

Part - 2

Part - 3 

Part - 4

more to come....

Vande Guruparamparam...

SUNSAT with Guruji

Dear All:

SUNSAT 12 was conducted by Guruji himself on August 17, 2014 at Prof.Iyerji's residence. Guruji emphasized mainly on Saakshi Bhaava i.e., whatever is happening to you and through you is not YOU. Meaning, the processes are happening but you are not the process. What we have to do is to just detach ourselves from the process and look at the process.

Satsang with Guruji Pattabhiram 

Satsang with Guruji Pattabhiram

Full audio of Guruji's discourse can be downloaded from here:

SUNSAT 13 went on as usual. We wanted to play Gurudev's audio and follow the instructions. But since the audio was not available on time for the SATSANG we continued with the old format.

SUNSAT 14: We could get the audio of Gurudev and we played it and followed the instructions. Gurudev suggested us to do Sumeru Dhyana till November, 2014. Accordingly we prepared an audio file of Gurudev's Sumeru Dhyana programme. It is about 50 minutes and the remaining 10 minutes we chanted Hanuman Chalisa and dispersed. We will stick to this format till November, as suggested by Gurudev.

The group felt happy as we were all guided by the voice of Gurudev for 50 minutes. 

N. Narayanan, Delhi
Vande Guru Paramparam

Vande Guruparamparam

SUNAT with Jyothi Ma - SUNSAT series 11

As Jyothi Maa was in Delhi the 11^th SUNSAT was led by Amma.

Sadhakas assembled at the house of Shri Vasanth Pandey and the Satsanga was slightly advanced to 7 am as yesterday was Raksha Bandan.

The group was given guided meditation by Amma using Tattawa Shuddhi technique, which was enjoyed by all.

After the meditation Amma briefly touched upon the significance and need for Satsanga.  She said:

“Left to ourselves, we will not be disciplined to do the practices given by the Spiritual Masters. Therefore, we need to come together as a group, at least once in a week, to do the practices taught. It is the Grace that delivers us. No doubt. But that should not be construed to convey that no human effort is needed in the evolution of a human being.

Satsang with Jyothi Ma

The fruits of whatever action we have done in the past (here past includes countless previous births also) has to be enjoyed by us. It is here that the faith of a disciple in the Guru will be tested and it is quite possible that the disciple move away from the Guru. Because, when the disciple undergoes his / her karmas and feel helpless, and feels that no help is forthcoming from the Guru, who is looked upon as nothing but God, the natural tendency is to move away. But remember for a fact that it is the Guru’s Grace which is unseen that acts as the protecting hand in the most trying circumstances of a disciple’s life.

This may sound very simple and insignificant when put in words and the mind will say that I will never move away from my Guru and I am totally devoted to him; but a disciple should understand that these trying moments will shake the faith to the core. It is only Satsanga that will come to the rescue of a disciple during such a phase.

The hallmark of any Spiritual Master, if you observe carefully, is love and compassion. These are the traits of Sattva Guna. Till such time a Sadhaka attains this trait of Sattva Guna, i.e., love and compassion, the sadhaka has not perfected his / her sadhana and he / she needs to be in the company of spiritual aspirants – Satsangis.

For the above two reasons Satsanga is a must for every spiritual aspirant. The word ‘Sat’ in Satsanga refers to the Sattva Guna of Spiritual Masters that I referred to above.

In the Siddha Tradition (Himalayan Tradition is also a Siddha Tradition) the Guru does nothing and the disciple also does not do anything. Both Guru and disciple simply sit together and do nothing. But the fundamental criteria for a person to be accepted as disciple is unconditional surrender to the Guru. Then, in that doing nothing, everything happens through the Guru.

Satsung with Jyothi Ma

Satsanga is one such occasion where the Guru and the disciple sit together, doing nothing, but allowing everything to happen for the spiritual upliftment of the disciple.

Therefore, it is my earnest request that please do not ignore the Satsanga. You somehow or the other find time, one hour, for this activity and it is my promise that you are going to experience progress in your spiritual sadhana.”

With this affirmation the Satsanga concluded with a happy note.

N. Narayanan, Delhi
Vande Guru Paramparam

Vande Guruparamparam

SUNSAT Series - 7

Sadhana Sangama  - SUNSAT

1st SUNSAT at New Jersey, July 27th 2014:

6 sadhakas were present.  Satsanga started on time and did finish on time.  There was some lingering discussion for another 15 minutes on preparation for proper sitting, allowing mind and body to quieten down so that meditation becomes more enjoyable.  

We began with OM chanting followed by Guru mantras.  We were guided into meditation by  Guruji’s voice from the CD “Expansion of Consciousness Meditation. - track  01”.   This track was recorded at SS ashram so there were all the usual early morning sounds - birds chirping, roosters crowing, etc.   Sadhakas noted that it made them feel as if they were actually at the Ashram being guided into meditation by Guruji. We were guided to a deep state of silence which ended with OM chanting.

As guided by Jyothiji and Guruji, Subhadra shared some of her  spiritual experiences of her recent pilgrimage to India.  She prefaced it by stating that the one speaking was only reporting what the “Self” experienced, that “Self” which is one with all.  

Until next Sunday, Namaste.

In service,

Subhadra

SUNSAT update from New Delhi:

The group met at 7.30. Now the crowd is getting stabilized at 6 and above. Now that the pattern is set and there is a small group, it is time that Satsang should be given the thrust.

Nothing was discussed to strengthen the Satsang in this week's Satsung. Jyothi Maa's programme is due in Delhi over 8th to 10th August. I plan to discuss about how to strengthen the Satsanga after Amma's programme in Delhi.

But  I personally feel that the fundamental principle that should be guiding the Satsanga is that it should help you to stay with yourself (I mean, inside). In other words, connectivity with one's own self should be the purpose of doing Satsang. This would mean that we do Satsang not only on Sunday mornings but every day, whenever possible. Connectivity is a process and SUNSAT should be become an occasion to experience this connectivity in a group and realize that connectivity with one's own self and connectivity with a group are not two different experiences.

This idea may sound idealistic but it is not so because it is not my thinking. This is what all realized Masters keep on repeating :)

Till next Sunday, Happy Sadhana

N. Narayanan

Vande Guru Paramparam

SUNSAT Series - 6

Sadhana Sangama - SUNSAT

Weekly SUNSAT Update from New Jersey (USA):

When:         Sunday at 7 - 8a.m.

Where:        660 New Durham Road, Metuchen NJ  08840.  

                    

Weekly SSI Sunday Satsanga Structure (As approved by Guruji & Jyothiji Pattabhiram)

1.    Chant Guru Mantras  (3 mins)

2.     Meditation Guided by Guruji’s audio recording (20 - 30 mins)

3.    Guruji or Swami Rama’s Video lecture session (20 - 30 mins)

4.    Announcements 

5.    Chant shanti mantras and sit in silence for 2 mins

        Leave in silence.

May blessings of the Guru lineage be with all.  

In Service,

Subhadra

SUNSAT Update from Delhi Chapter:

Last week, Delhi Chapter SUNSAT started exactly at 7.30 am and ended at 8.30 am sharp !!

The group did their regular sadhana that was agreed upon. After the Satsanga, during discussion, a unanimous view emerged that we should strengthen the satsanga in the sense that whatever we learn should benefit the system. Like for instance, we were doing nadi shodana pranayama. We can follow this for 3 more weeks after which we can introduce meru pranayama or vibhaga pranayama or some other pranayama and practice that, instead of nadi shodana, for 9 consecutive weeks. This way we can actually put in to practice whatever we have learnt already from Guruji. This way we can maintain some of our physical ailments, the Group felt.

One suggestion also came up that we can do Chakra Prana Mantra Meditation taught by Gurudev by playing the CD / DVD. It is a 40 minute programme. This suggestion was also welcomed by the Group in which case we can make it a one hour programme and reduce Gayatri, Mrtyunjaya chantings to minimum say 3 times or something like that.

The group dispersed after having tea.

Take care until next SUNSAT.

N. Narayanan, Delhi

Vande Guru Paramparam

Vande Guru Paramparam

SUNSAT series

Sadhana Sangama - SUNSAT

Hello Friends,

In last two updates, we talked about connectivity with the Guru energy & connectivity with Conflicting Energy Centres. So after connectivity, with the Parampara and with Sadhakas, our journey continues. The third connectivity that has to happen, because of the above two connectivities, is the connectivity with oneself. This is the crucial phase and process which every one of us has to willingly undergo with enthusiasm. How strong our language (i.e., HARMONY) is going to be depends a lot on how accommodative we are going to be with our own selves. This certainly does not mean that we can be casual with ourselves.

By the word ‘accommodating’, I mean we should not feel shy about admitting a short-coming in us and at the same time we should not be afraid to work on ourselves to overcome such shortcoming / s.

Therefore, Friends, the primary purpose for which Gurudev has reinforced SUNSAT is to connect with our own selves. Even though the Parampara and the society appears to be external to and different from ourselves, we will realize that they are nothing but our own extensions when connectivity with one’s own self happens.

It is with such a noble intention and magnificent plan Spiritual Masters work and network. Just imagine the benefit that we will get if we fall in line with the thinking of Masters ! Now let me move on with our last SUNSAT update at New Delhi. 

This time, the SUNSAT was not the usual one. One of our Sadhana Parivara Member from New Jersey, Ms.Subhadra Mattai was in Delhi and we organized a three day Satsang starting on Sunday.

On Sunday, around 18 people attended and on Monday and Tuesday, being working days, it got stabilized at 10. She taught lots of kriyas / asanas and Suryanamaskar covering all parts in the body from head to toe and combined the activity with awareness of breathing to get the desired effect on the body. The curriculum was designed so as to enable us to sit comfortably in meditation.

Her teaching also covered the aspect of Harmony that Gurudev wanted us to practice. She combined the physical movements involved in kriyas, asanas and Suryanamaskar with prana to bring harmony. In other words, she was explaining the group that never, ever stop the prana from flowing and to achieve this be aware of your breathing when you are speaking, listening, moving your limbs --- just be aware and conscious of your breathing whenever you are active and during meditation. This way we can strike harmony and can have direct experience of harmony.

All of us enjoyed the three day Satsanga and felt the connectivity of togetherness, of belonging to one undivided family of Sadhakas.

Take care until next SUNSAT.

N. Narayanan, Delhi

Vande Guru Paramparam

Vande Guru Paramparam

SUNSAT series

Sadhana Sangama - SUNSAT

Just as SUNSAT provides an opportunity to connect with the Guru Energy, it is also an occasion to connect with Conflicting Energy Centres (CECs) that we as individuals carry within us. Please don’t read it as a negative way of putting things. It is a fact that there cannot be uniformity and balance as far as these CECs are concerned. But Gurudev has given us the language of HARMONY to communicate amongst ourselves. This is a BIG challenge. What else could be a perfect occasion than SUNSAT to get ourselves trained in this?

Friends, be the CECs as they are – conflicting in nature. Let us make language (HARMONY) as our centre without worrying about or getting disturbed by CECs. This way we can really test and hone our language skills very fast.

The tool for learning this new language is Prati Prasava – going back to the source. Here again, there cannot be two opinions that SUNSAT is the best opportunity to apply this tool Prati Prasava by observing the source of our reactions when we join together for a common activity.

With this thought process, I am happy to share last week report of SUNSAT at Delhi. We started one minute late i.e., at 7.31 am and ended 10 minutes late i.e, at 8.40 am. The group resolved to stick to the exact start and end time from next SUNSAT onwards.

We shuffled slightly with the format. We started with 24 minutes meditation, followed by Gayathri and Mrtyunjaya chanting, 10 rounds of naadi shodana pranayama and concluded with Hanuman Chalisa chanting.

While chanting Mrtyunjaya, we tried to establish the connectivity by imaging all of us to be in the Cave at the Ashram and chanting the mantra and offering it as flower to Shakteeshwara in the cave.

Similarly, while chanting Hanuman Chalisa, we imagined the group seated in front of Dhyanastha Aanjaneya in the Meditation Hall at our Ashram.

This way we tried to energies the Ashram by sitting at the comforts of our home. Initially it may be our imagination; however it is my strong faith that if we do this practice with feeling we can certainly achieve this objective.

At one place in Hanuman Chalisa, the verse says that those who chant this 7 times will be immediately relieved of bondage and will be bestowed with Bliss – ye sat baar paatkar koi chootahi bandhi maha sukh hoyi. The group felt that from next SUNSAT onwards let us try and chant 7 times Hanuman Chalisa. In this case, we have to again work on the format !!

It is heartening to note that Hyderabad Chapter and Chennai Chapter also have started their SUNSAT. Congratulations from all of us !! Let us inspire each other and travel the path together filled with celebrations J

N. Narayanan, Delhi

Vande Guru Paramparam

 Update from SST Chennai Chapter:

Receiving the mail with the methods adopted by Delhi chapter was indeed very helpful. Previously we used to sing a few bhajans, do Gayathri chanting/mritujnuya chanting, a few minutes of meditation and disperse.

This week, however we followed the schedule sent by Narayan. Eleven of us assembled at 6 pm in Mr.Rajagopal's house and armed with print outs of the schedule, We diligently followed it. The only changes were: we allowed the cassette to play the Hanuman chalisa as not everyone knew it. Next time we will be better prepared.

One more change was -instead of the silent meditation we played the DVD of vyadhi versus samadhi. The last 30 mins of this DVD is really excellent in bringing Guruji right into our homes.

At 7.10 we finished the session and each one of us felt greatly relaxed, energised at the same time!

We shared the happenings at the ashram with the sadhakas who were unable to come to the camp. After a sumptuous partaking of snacks and tea provided by our gracious hosts, we dispersed with the resolution to put into practice the same schedule at least twice weekly.

With warm regards from the Chennai Chapter sadhakas 

 - compiled by Vaijayanthi C, Chennai

Vande Guru Paramparam

SUNSAT series

Satsang - Sadhana Sangama

The 2nd Sunday Satsang (SUNSAT) was held on 8th June, 2014 at Sri. Ramachandran’s place. Around 18 people attended.

We followed the programme schedule circulated earlier. We felt the need to work with the schedule by rearranging the things which we will do before the 3rd SUNSAT.

Gurudev was suggesting that we start and end the SUNSAT exactly at the appointed time i.e., 7.30 am start and 8.30 am end sharp. He was suggesting this because he said that to transcend the concept ‘time’ the first step is to strictly adhere to time.

Conversation with Gurudev provoked many thoughts in my mind relating to Satsanga and I wish to share them. Friends, SUNSAT can be a Group Study, studying one’s own self and others at the same time, if we approach it with that attitude. So, please don’t view them from the prism of right or wrong.

I plan to share them over a few weekly updates and if you find something useful you can adopt it.

Invoking Guru energy

We usually invoke the Guru energy (Hiranya Garbha Aarabdhaam … … ) before starting the programme. I am sure this is the practice others also follow, be it a Satsanga or doing sadhana at home. 

While invoking Guru, what I practice personally is that on the Guru Chakra, I invoke the Guru Trayaa – Asmad Gurubhyo Namaha (Guruji and Jyothi Amma together as one Guru form. If you are comfortable only with Guruji as the Guru image, please continue with that practice.), Asmad Parama Gurubhyo Namaha (H.H. Swami Rama of the Himalayas - Guru of Sri Pattabhiram & Smt. Jyothi) Asmad Parameshti Gurubhyo Namaha (Bengali Baba - Guru of Swami Rama). 

Just above the Guru Chakra is the Vamsa Rushi Chakra, at the top of our forehead. Vamsa Rushis are a combination of one from the Saptarushis and two or four other Rushis who are given the responsibility to protect and guide your family, generations after generations. Mostly, South Indian families are aware of their Vamsa Rushis. Even if you are not aware, just imagine a light and invoke that Energy also. 

If we do this with feeling and confidence, setting aside our logic and intelligence, these energies descend and monitor our sadhana and guide us. This has been happening to me and hence I thought I can share this with you all so that you can also benefit from the presence of these powerful energies in Guru Chakra. 

Some of you may wonder why am I sharing this, as it is a common and regular practice which is being followed by one and all. Yes, I know. But the reason is that instead of making it ritualistic, endeavor should be made to make it workable. When we invoke Guru energy, the feeling should be so intent that the Energy not only descends but you feel its presence. That is the idea. This is certainly not to disregard the sincerity of Sadhakas who are already doing it with intent feeling but there may be some, a very few, who may not be experiencing this and hence I thought of sharing this. This is the connectivity that Gurudev was telling me, at a basic level. Since SUNSAT is blessed by the Guru, it will definitely monitor this activity every week. So, why can’t we make use of SUNSAT to experiment on this when there is collective energy of Sadhakas? 

Other Chapters of Sadhana Sangama are also encouraged to give a weekly report of their Satsang and mail the same to bansuri.sst@gmail.com.

N. Narayanan, Delhi 

Vande Guru Paramparam