Sri Gurudev's All Faiths Day Message

"More people have died in the name of God and religion than in all the wars and natural calamities. But, the real purpose of any religion is to educate us about our spiritual unity. It is time for us to recognize that there is one truth and many approaches. The basic cause for all the world problems is the lack of understanding of our spiritual unity. The need of the hour is to know, respect, love one another and to live as one global family. Our humble aim in building the LOTUS is to spread this message."

—H. H. Sri Swami Satchidananda, founder of LOTUS

These were Sri Gurudev’s words at the dedication of the L.O.T.U.S. Temple in America in 1986.

Here is some of Sri Gurudev’s advice and guidelines for Integral Yoga Ministers and Swamis. We try to follow these guidelines for the All Faiths Day event.

Behaviour Your behaviour is the key not only to setting a good example, but for your personal growth as well. Especially when in the public eye, maintain dignity and act with grace and ease. Needless to say, courtesy and consideration for others are of prime importance.
There should be a softness and gentleness in everything you do. Consider how you enter a room, answer the phone, how you sit, talk, how you close a door, etc..

Treatment of Guests “Athiti devo bhava” – the guest is God.

Foremost is to make guests feel that you really are concerned over their welfare and comfort. It’s always appropriate to ask if they are warm enough, have had enough to eat, etc.. A little forethought and care in setting up the space can also greatly enhance the feeling of welcome. You can set up candles, incense, flowers, extra cushions, etc..

Public Events & Ceremonies

It is important to always be aware that in performing any public function, we are simply acting as channels of Sri Gurudev’s grace. Open your mind and heart through constant loving remembrance of His presence within. Remember that in any situation when you wish to invoke God’s blessings, your personal mantra is always the most important and direct manifestation of Sri Gurudev’s energy which is readily available to you.

Presenting Integral Yoga to the Public Since it is likely that you will be conducting the All Faiths ceremony in situations where many might be unfamiliar with Integral Yoga, it is important to present a clear picture.

Here are some suggestions as to how you could present Integral Yoga clearly and simply.
The essential teachings of Yoga are the same as the fundamentals of all religions.

Yoga recognizes oneness in all faiths while honouring the differences.

All paths are respected as valid.
When asked about the difference between Integral Yoga and other paths, it is often best to emphasise the points upon which the paths agree, rather than the differences.

It’s alright to admit that you are not an expert on all paths! Just simply explain the Integral Yoga point of view as best you can. Integral Yoga is not something new. As Sri Gurudev has said, “Integral Yoga is just old wine in new bottles”.

Here are 4 principle ideas that Sri Gurudev has used in defining yoga:

The restraint of the modifications of the mindstuff is yoga – Patanjali.
Equanimity of mind is yoga – Bhagavad Gita
Yoga is perfection in action – Bhagavad Gita
The goal of yoga is to have an easeful body, a peaceful mind and a useful life – Sri Gurudev

The following 3 points form the basis common to all religions and therefore are the basis of yoga:
1. By nature we are divine or images of God.
2. To experience our true nature we need to purify the heart. “Blessed are the Pure in Heart for they shall see God”.
3. To achieve that purity of heart we should renounce our selfishness and learn to lead a dedicated life of service. Yoga brings the much needed purity of heart to experience God within ourselves.

Do not disturb another’s faith. Integral Yoga practices do not conflict with any religion or spiritual path.

Be sensitive to the person and the situation. Find the common ground. Yoga is not just eastern or from India. It recognizes the universal experience of life anywhere. Wherever there is dedication, sacrifice, concentration and worship of God, there is yoga – regardless of its labels. In that sense there have always been yogis by other names in every walk of life and everywhere in the world.

The teachings of Integral Yoga should be given only when asked. It is not that you should withold the teachings, but it is important not to overwhelm the person when they may have been asking only a casual question. Give them the opportunity to show their sincerity and eagerness.

Altar set-up If at all possible the altar should face south or west. Flowers are appropriate to use wherever suitable. Use of the 12 symbols to represent all religions is recommended. Arrange the symbols around the altar in order of historical appearance – Hinduism, Judaism, Shintoism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, African religions, Native American religions, all other faiths known and all faiths unknown.

Images of various deities are acceptable, however Sri Gurudev and Master Sivananda should have the prominent places. All pictures should be properly framed and laid on a clean cloth. Photos and images of Sri Gurudev, Master Sivananda and any other saint should be treated with the utmost respect at all times.

Altar Etiquette You should always feel that God is present on the altar and act accordingly with great respect and reverence. Always bow to the altar upon entering a temple, church, etc. Acknowledge God’s presence first before anything else.

Altar Lay Out The Yantra should be central at the back of the altar. The single white candle should be in front of the Yantra and central to the altar. Picture of Sri Gurudev should be on the left of the Yantra and Master Sivanandaji to the right.
Any puja utensils can be kept together on a tray near the altar with a bowl of flower petals and incense holder and incense.

May the All Faiths Day celebration unite the entire world in peace and universal love.

Jai Sri Satguru Maharajki!

JAI!

Scientific evidence of God

"The scientific evidence of the existence of God is already here... so what are you doing about it?"


— Amit Goswami, Ph.D.

You may remember Dr. Goswami from the movie What The Bleep Do We Know where he gave a wonderful and insightful explanation of the joining of science and consciousness and how we can utilize this understanding in our everyday lives.

He has a new movie coming out called The Quantum Acitivist - you can see a preview by clicking a link below - I think Gurudev would have loved it!

Amit Goswami, Ph. D. is Professor Emeritus in the Theoretical Physics Department of the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon where he has served since 1968. He is a pioneer of the new paradigm of science called “science within consciousness”.

Prof. Goswami is the author of the highly successful textbook Quantum Mechanics that is used in Universities throughout the world. His two volume textbook for non-scientists, The Physicist’s View of Nature traces the decline and rediscovery of the concept of God within science.

He has also written many popular books based on his research on quantum physics and consciousness - The Self-Aware Universe, The Visionary Window, Physics of the Soul, Quantum Creativity and The Quantum Doctor which integrates conventional and alternative medicine.

In his latest book, "God Is Not Dead", he explores what quantum physics tell us about our origins and how we could live.

In his private life, Prof. Goswami is a practitioner of spirituality and transformation. He calls himself a quantum activist. He appeared in the film “What the Bleep Do We Know“, “The Dalai Lama Renaissance“, and the upcoming documentary “The Quantum Activist“.

To see a trailer of this movie, click the link below

The Quantum Activist : Amit Goswami - Movie TrailerClick link to watch

Raja TT in Portugal

Raja Yoga Teacher Training
with Nalanie Chelleram & Guest Speakers
Thursday 7th - Saturday 23rd May 2009

Curriculum:

This Raja T.T. course consists of a basic study of the Sutras of Sri Patanjali, also called Ashtanga Yoga. Through the philosophy of Yoga one acquires tools to live a more easeful peaceful and useful life and in so doing attunes to one's higher-nature. In other words to be "in" the world but not "of" the world.

This course will cover the main Sutras and compare them with the Gita, the Bible and other religious texts. The application of this science brings about the understanding of the nature of suffering, leading one to the state of freedom!

Costs for Residential: This includes food, lodging and covering trainers costs.
None of the teachers are charging for their time over the course but any donations would be divided up between the trainers.
Shared Accommodation 950€
Single Accommodation: 1050€

Non Residential
For teachers living locally can attend without staying in residence, but must attend the entire Raja Training Program, times to be announced closer to the time.
Cost of non -residential program: 300€ including certification plus meals.

Bookings:
• Please contact Quinta da Calma for bookings: groups@quintadacalma.com or Tel: +351 289 393741 Fax +351 289 393 346.
· Please confirm latest by the end of March 2009 with 50% deposit
· Cheques made payable to Sylta M Kalmbach.

Lastminute Bookings for TT in Portugal!

Hari Om!

There are still a few places available on the basic Teacher Training course at Quinta da Calma in Portugal this November - but you need to book up fast!

Pass this info on to anyone you know who is wanting to take Integral Yoga teacher training.

Here are all the details ...

Integral Yoga® Hatha I Teacher TrainingSplit Training:

9 - 23 November 2008

& 4 - 18 June 2009

Residential Course in English & Portuguese with Satya & Sadasivam Greenstone.

Integral Yoga Hatha Teacher Training is a comprehensive, month-long program that teaches you the skills necessary to instruct Integral Yoga Hatha Beginners I, the basic class taught to thousands of students at Integral Yoga Institutes around the world.

The Beginners I class consists of asanas (Yoga poses), deep relaxation, pranayama (breathing practices), chanting, and meditation. You will receive training on teaching all the aspects of this class.

Curriculum: * In-depth study and practice of Hatha Yoga. * A thorough grounding in the fundamentals of all branches of Yoga. * The underlying philosophy, psychology, and practices of Integral Yoga. * Workshops to deepen your personal practices. * Classes in diet, nutrition, anatomy and physiology. * An introductory course in Raja Yoga, the science of mind. * Instruction in meditation, breathing practices and chanting. * Guidance on teaching for persons with special needs and in a variety of settings. * The basics of setting up and publicising your classes.

Prerequisite: Students need to have been practicing Hatha Yoga for a minimum of six months prior to taking the program and be familiar with the Integral Yoga method of Hatha Yoga.

Recommended books by Swami Satchidananda.
The Sutras of Patanjali & The Living Gita are available at Quinta da Calma.
Please order in advance.

InvestmentTraining: 1300€ Incl. certification -
650€ part 1 / 650€ part 2

Type of Lodging including all meals:(Please note; these prices below are per part.)
Buganvilia sharing - 530€ Buganvilia single - 570€ Jacaranda sharing - 555€
Jacaranda single - 610€ Rondette sharing - 610€ Rondette single - 755€

To veiw types of rooms please go to www.quintadacalma.com.

A 50% deposit is requested on booking for the first part of the course.
Cheques made payable to Sylta M. Kalmbach and sent to Quinta da Calma, Apartado 3053, 8135-952 Almancil, Algarve, Portugal.
Bank transfers to: Name of Account: Sylta Maria Kalmbach
Bank: Banco Santander Totta, S.A.
Bank Address: Quinta do Lago, 8153-952 Almancil, Algarve, Portugal.
NIB: 0018 0000 5303 6493020 12
IBAN: PT50 0018 0000 53036493020 12
Swift: TOTAPTPL

Divali, the Festival of Lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia, and is also the occasion for celebrations by Jains and Sikhs as well as Hindus.

One of the biggest festivals in India, it is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and happiness for five continuous days, with the third day (28th October this year) being celebrated as the main Diwali or 'Festival of Lights'.

The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India

Fireworks and lights are always associated with this festival. The day is celebrated with people lighting diyas, candles all around their house. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening to seek the divine blessings of the Goddess of Wealth. Diwali gifts are exchanged among all near and dear ones. Because of the lights, fireworks, and sweets involved, it's a great favourite with children. The festival is also a time for thoroughly spring-cleaning the home and for wearing new clothes and decorating buildings with fancy lights.

For all, regardless of faith, Divali stands for a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill and a religious celebration of the simple joys of life.


Two Goddesses in particular are celebrated at Diwali: Lakshmi and Kali.

For many Indians the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
People start the new business year at Diwali, and some Hindus will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year.

Some people build a small altar to the goddess and decorate it with money and with pictures of the rewards of wealth, such as cars and houses.
Hindus will leave the windows and doors of their houses open so that Lakshmi can come in.

Rangoli are drawn on the floors - rangoli are patterns and the most popular subject is the lotus flower. This because images of Lakshmi traditionally show her either holding a lotus or sitting on one.

There is much feasting and celebration, and the Diwali lamps are regarded as making it easy for Lakshmi to find her way to favoured houses.

The goddess Kali is celebrated at Diwali in the Bengali and Oriya areas of India.

The night is black

Kindle the lamp of love

With thy life and devotion.

Happy Diwali!

Intermediate Teacher Training in Portugal

Hari Om!

All the details and booking forms are now available for the long-awaited Intermediate Teacher Training in Europe with Swami Asokananda at Quinta da Calma in January next year.

Don't delay - if you're interested, book now.

Please contact Rev. Padma Priya on revpadma@gmail.com for your own copy by email.

Om Shanthi

Peace to All

Integral Yoga All Faiths Ceremony

Hari Om!

This is how the Interfaith Ceremony is done at the Ashram:

There is a round table on the stage or in the center of the room with
a big candle at the center and seats for the different
representatives of all the faiths.

At Yogaville, we usually have
representatives for Native American faiths, Native African faiths,
Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Shinto, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism,
and other known faiths. It is not necessary to have all these faiths
represented. You can even add an additional one like Native
Australian faiths, or Native Pacific Islander faiths.

Processional music is played and the representative walk in in the
religious clothes of the faith they are representing carrying a lit
candle with a wax catcher at the base (usually just a circular piece
of paper to catch the hot wax from dripping on the hand). As they
approach the table, the line separates as one person goes to the
left, the next to the right, and so on until they are all standing
before their seats.

In unison they lift the candles and light the central candle. The
representatives then put out their candles with a spoon that is on
the table and lay them down. They all take their seats. The
processional music ends and the first representative stands up. We
play music from their tradition (about 2 minutes). Their music ends
and then the representatives reads or recites a prayer from their
tradition on a particular theme (e.g., oneness, faith, peace, etc.).

There is a basket of flower petals. The representative take a few
petals, circles them over the central light, brings them to his or
her heart and then tosses them at the base of the central. One by one
each representative stands, their music plays, they read the prayer,
throw the petals and then sit down. When all are done, the all stand
in unison, take their candles and in unison light their candles from
the central light. Then they process out to the processional music.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

May we all join together in Divine Grace during the ceremony on 1st November and always.

Om Shanthi.

Hari Om Beloved Ones,

Om Namoh Bhagavate Satchidanandaya!

Wonderful news.

The first Intermediate Teacher Training (ITT) in Europe
with Swami Asokanandaji will take place at Quinta da Calma in Portugal
from 9th January 2009 to 28th January 2009

The cost will be from 1600 euros to 1800 euros depending on the type of accommodation you would like.

So all you enthusiastic teachers who have told us you are bursting to take your teaching to another level and serve your students more fully - let me know by return if you would like to receive the full information on the ITT together with a booking form! Just email me at revpadma@gmail.com.

Waiting to hear from You

Heart's Love,
Om and Prem
Rev. padma priya

p.s. if you know anyone who is interested in taking ITT, please forward this message to them. Thank you.