Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Quinta da Calma needs our help




Hari Om!


As we all know, the financial situation in the world has changed dramatically over the past few months.


Sadly, one of those hit by financial disaster was Quinta da Calma and its owner, our very own beloved Divyajyothi (Sylta). Almost everything was lost and the future of Quinta da Calma is now in our hands.



Quinta da Calma is our main European residential centre and centre for teacher training programmes. For many of us, it is our yoga home. If you haven't yet been there, go! It is a haven of peace in a hectic world, a place to experience real living yoga and to marvel at the beautiful living example of selfless service that Divyajyothi offers to us all. If you would like to have a glimpse of this beautiful place and see what happens there (courtesy of the internet) just go to http://www.quintadacalma.com/.





There are several ways for us to help Quinta da Calma survive financially. One is to use it! Book your own programmes there, book up to go and take the programmes and trainings on offer, go for a weekend or a week for a private retreat - you'll love it.





The second way, for those of us with good financial resources, is to give a donation. You can contact Divyajyothi directly by email on groups@quintadacalma.com or write to Rev. Padma Priya on revpadma@gmail.com.





The third way we have come up with is for a Membership drive. This way, for a reasonable amount, we can all become members of Quinta da Calma and receive their newsletter - but most importantly of all, we will know that we are helping this beautiful place of serenity, of healing and teaching to continue.





As someone wrote to me recently - "the thought that Quinta da Calma may not be there in the future is absolutely horrendous". We'll be sending out a Membership Letter from Quinta da Calma very soon ... stay tuned to this station!





God bless. Om Shanthi.

New connections in Europe!


Hari Om!

Integral Europe is growing and flourishing - hooray! Jai Gurudev!

We have several new member countries joining the European Council - so we are very happy and delighted to welcome the following new countries and their representatives - thank you all so very much.
We are also delighted to say that new avenues of communication are opening up between the European Sangha and the Ashram in America.
The Ashram has been undergoing a complete review and reorganisation which has been overseen and designed by an outside consultant, and it is now almost in place.
Within the original plan, once everything in the US was set up, there was a timescale for an outreach to the international Sangha and new channels of communication to be set up.
The reorganisation may take up to a year to complete and both the Ashram and IY Europe think that is too long to wait, so I am speaking with Euro Reps and will be meeting with two senior swamis in the next few weeks to discuss the best way for us to have clear and easeful communication.
So in case you've been wondering what's going on, don't worry! Your Euro Co-ordinator is busy working together with you and with the Ashram. Watch this space for more news!


So here are our New Members:

Austria (Narayani Bianca Westreicher), Czech Republic (Chinmayi Niegsch), Denmark (Jessica Gorre-Borja), Finland (Prasanna Paula Jooga), Greece (Linda Vincent), Holland (Chandra van Altveer), Iceland (Martha Ernstsdottir), Norway (Hillevi Larsson) and Switzerland (Jaya Palma).


And the existing members of the Council are:

Belgium (Ramakrishna de Meester), France (Ambika Berthias), Germany (Highkey Meyer), Gibraltar (Nalanie Chellaram), Italy (Parvathi Faini), Portugal (Divyajyothi Kalmbach), Spain (Kirana Lee Stover), U.K. (Lalitha Williams) and the European Co-ordinator is Rev. Padma Priya.

The newly increased and enhanced European Council will be meeting later this year in November in Portugal. So if you have any concerns or news to share that you would like your Euro Representative to take to the meeting, just let them know as soon as possible so that it can be added to the Agenda.


If you don't have an email address for your Euro Rep, please contact Rev. Padma on revpadma@gmail.com and she will put you in touch.


Thank you all for your Light and Love and your beautiful service in sharing the teachings of our beloved Sri Gurudev. Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi.

New words for IY Chants

Hari Om!

There has been a review of the wording in the English translations of our Sanskrit chants and prayers so that there is no longer a gender preference - that means, no more "He" or "His"!

So you may like to take a copy of the new form from this information (below) kindly sent to us by Swami Karunanadaji and for teachers to share it with your students.

It is not a big difference in terms of learning a new set of words, but perhaps our students will appreciate it if we change over to this more Universal way.



NEW CHANT TRANSLATIONS

MORNING MEDITATION

OM OM OM

Omkaaram Bindu Samyuktam
Nityam Dhyaayanti Yoginaha
Kaamadam Mokshadam Chaiva
Omkaaraaya Namo Namaha

OM united with the Source,
On which the yogis ever dwell,
Grants desires and liberation,
Salutations to the Omkaram.

Invocation: "May I invoke the blessings of my Gurudev. May He be with me to protect me from all the obstacles during my saadhanaa and guide me on my path."

Guru Slokas (Prayers to the Guru): One of the following prayers is selected each day.

Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devo Maheswaraha
Guruh Saakshaat Param Brahma
Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha


The Guru creates. The Guru preserves.
The Guru dissolves the universe.
The Guru, in fact, is the Absolute.
Salutations to the Sadguru.


Brahmaanandam Parama Sugatam
Kevalam Jñaana Moortim
Dwandwaateetam Gagana Sadrusam
Tattwamasyaadi Lakshyam
Ekam Nityam Vimalam Achalam
Sarvadhee Saakshi Bhootam
Bhaavaateetam Triguna Rahitam
Sadgurum Tam Namaami

The greatest bliss, the highest joy,
Embodiment of Wisdom Absolute,
Non-dual, boundless like the sky,
You are the goal of "Thou art That."
One, eternal, pure, and still,
Witness of the whole universe,
Beyond mind's grasp, of gunas free,
To You, O Guru, may my worship be.


OM Namah Sivaaya Gurave
Satchidaananda Moortaye
Nishprapañjaaya Saantaaya
Niraalambaaya Tejase

The Guru is auspiciousness,
Embodiment of Truth, Knowledge, Bliss,
Salutations to the One who is beyond the worlds,
Peaceful, independent, and radiant.


Dhyaana Moolam Guror Moortim
Pooja Moolam Guror Paadam
Mantra Moolam Guror Vaakyam
Moksha Moolam Guror Krupaa

The root of meditation is the Guru's form;
The root of worhip, the Guru's feet;
The root of mantra, the Guru's word;
The root of freedom, the Guru's grace.


OM Gum Gurave Namah (27X)

Invocation: "May the sacred mantra develop the holy vibration in me to help me have the divine grace, wisdom, and prosperity and to retain my health, purity, and peace. May I dedicate the benefits of my attainments to the service of God and the entire creation."

Prayer to that aspect of the Divine to whom you feel a special devotion:

Twameva Maataa Cha Pitaa Twameva
Twameva Bandhus Cha Sakhaa Twameva
Twameva Vidyaa Dravinam Twameva
Twameva Sarvam Mama Devadeva


Thou art my mother, my father Thou art.
Thou art my family, my friend Thou art.
Thou art my knowledge, my wealth Thou art.
Thou art my all, O the Light of all Lights Thou art.


OM Tryambakam Yajaamahe
Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaat
Mrityor Moksheeya Maamritaat

We worship You All-Seeing One;
Fragrant, You nourish bounteously.
From fear of death may You cut us free,
To realize immortality.

OM Saantih Saantih Saantih

Peace Prayers:

OM Sarveshaam Swastir Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Saantir Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Poornam Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Mangalam Bhavatu

Auspiciousness be unto all,
Perfect peace be unto all,
Fullness be unto all,
Prosperity be unto all.


Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha
Sarva Santu Niraamayaah
Sarve Bhadraani Pasyantu
Maa Kaschid Duhkha Bhaag Bhavet

Happiness be unto all,
Perfect health be unto all,
May all see good ine veryone,
May all be free from suffering.


Asato Maa Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Maamritam Gamaya


Lead us from unreal to Real,
Lead us from darkness to the Light,
Lead us from the fear of death,
To knowledge of Immortality.


OM Poornam Adah Poornam Idam
Poornaat Poornam Udachyate
Poornasya Poonam Aadaaya
Poornam Evaavasishyate

That is full, this also is full.
This Fulluness came from that Fullness.
Though this Fullness came from that Fullness,
That Fullness remains forever full.
OM Saantih Saantih Saantih


OM Saha Naavavatu
Saha Nau Bhunaktu
Saha Veeryam Karavaavahai
Tejaswi Naavadheetam Astu
Maa Vidwishaavahai

May God protect us,
Grant us Wisdom's fruit,
May we gain energy to know the Truth,
May our intellects grow clear and bright,
May we cherish no ill feeling toward anyone.
OM Saantih Saantih Saantih


Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyair Vaa
Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Swabhaavaat
Karomi Yad Yat Sakalam Parasmai
Guruvaraayeti Samarpayaami

Whatever actions I may perform
Impelled by the forces of Nature,
By body, word, mind, senses, intellect, soul,
I offer to the feet of my Sadgurudev.

Lokaah Samastaah Sukhino Bhavantu

May the entire Creation be filled
with Peace and Joy, Love and Light.

(The Sanskrit/English order is reversed for the final affirmation)

Leader: May the Light of Truth overcome all darkness!

Group: Victory to that Light!

Leader: Jai Sree Sadguru Mahaaraaj Ki

Group: Jai!


GLORY TO LORD OF WORLD: “Who removes all devotees’ troubles.”


EVENING MEDITATION

Kara Charana Kritam Vaak
Kaayajam Karmajam Vaa
Sravana Nayenajam vaa
Maanasam vaa Aparaadham
Vihitam Avihitam vaa
Sarvam Edat Kshamashwa
Jaya Jaya Karunaapte
Sri Maha Deva Shambo.
Jaya Jaya Maha Deva Shambo.
Sri Maha Deva Shambo.

Please forgive me all my mistakes, Lord,
Made by my hands, feet, body, or karma,
By my speech, ears, eyes, or by my mind,
By intent or through neglect, Lord.
May all glory be unto Thee, Lord,
Sacred Ocean of Mercy.

White Light - Ashram in the Snow photos




Hari Om!


Sharing the beauty of the Ashram in the snow, here are some photos that have been sent to us by Swami Asokanandaji.