INTERNATIONAL VEDANTA SOCIETY (IVS)

A beautiful dance honouring Bhagavan and Guruma by two little kids

2011-11-28T17:24:00.000+05:30

Tumi Eshecho Dharadhame - Prayers and devotional songs of International Vedanta Society in Sanskrit and Bengali

2011-08-28T11:47:00.000+05:30

Tumi Eshecho Dharadhame by Swami Prahladananda

2011-08-28T09:50:00.001+05:30

01 Guru Vandana by Swami Prahladananda

Press Report of Bhagavan's Europe visit

2011-08-06T11:12:00.000+05:30

Guru Purnima invitation

2011-06-18T23:02:00.002+05:30

News of Bhagavan's 69th birth anniversary from the media

2011-01-17T21:04:00.000+05:30

News of Bhagavan's 69th birth anniversary from the media

2011-01-17T20:37:00.000+05:30

Image view

Bhagavan's 69th Birth Anniversary celebration invitation

2010-12-26T23:11:00.000+05:30

2010-10-30T23:44:00.001+05:30

"God is religion. Religion is not of God. Religion is just a path to reach God. In this world, everyone is fighting in the name of religion. Everybody loves his own religion and thinks that is the best in this world. However, it is also very important to have respect for other’s religious faith. Then there will not be any fighting in the name of religion. Religion guides us towards peace. Religion is for peace. However, it is ironic that in the name of religion when people engage themselves in war. Truth is everywhere, in every religion.

There are many ways to reach our goal but we have to select the best for us. Then to follow until we reach our goal. If we want to go on the top floor of a skyscraper, there would be many ways to go but we have to select one way to reach the destination. Different ways are not our subject. Our aim is to reach on the top by any way.

Similarly, there are many ways to realize God. However, we have to focus on achieving the ultimate goal – God, not on the way, by which we marching. Select any one religion, any one way and then follow it. Everyone should have the aim to achieve God. To realize the Supreme is our ultimate goal. As that is the place where we all can meet, where there is no differences, where there is no demarcation. Realizing Oneness is the only solution to stop the war in our world.".......Bhagavan

2010-09-30T01:43:00.001+05:30

“Our forefathers were fighting with stones, living in the caves. They didn’t know how to use the fire, they didn’t wear cloths. From that stage, humanity has come such a long way but what did we acquire? Atom bombs to kill man? They used to suffer a lot but we are suffering more than them because the main enemy of humanity today is humanity. We have gathered matter and that is the root of our disaster. We got matter and destroyed ourselves. What is the remedy? Vedanta is the science of love and knowledge. Clean our heart, not the road. This is Vedanta. It is for everybody. If we want to live then we should love not hate. This is our moral duty.”…………….. Bhagavan

68th Birth Anniversary of Bhagavan

2009-12-21T22:31:00.000+05:30

The International Vedanta Society (IVS) heartily invites you all in celebrating the 68th Birth Anniversary of His Holiness Bhagavan- The founder and core of IVS.

Date: 3rd Jan 2010

Time: 5 pm onwards

Venue: Khemka Hall, Ballygunge Shiksha Samity, 51A Gariahat Road. Kolkata-19.

For details contact: (+91) 9231656828, 9477232938

email: internationalvedantasociety@gmail.com

website: www.ivsweb.org

Devotees from around the world visit Bhagavan in Birati, Kolkata

2009-10-25T22:33:00.000+05:30

Devotees dancing in the tune of Mahamantra at Birati, Kolkata

2009-10-25T22:31:00.000+05:30

Devotees chanting Mahamantra at Mayer bari, Birati, Kolkata

2009-10-25T22:19:00.002+05:30

Jayanta Sinha the associate editor of a bengali Journal "Protidin"has written in "The Echo of India"

2009-10-25T21:42:00.001+05:30

What is the use of getting liberated?

2009-02-17T12:29:00.007+05:30

Swarup Chaitanya
joint General Secretary, IVS.

In this ever changing world we all are trying to invest best of ours to find fulfillment in our life. In this search we are more often misguided with the fact that by merely fulfilling the wants of our mind does not complete oneself, rather the fellow is then left with more complicated situations which generally does not seem to be controllable. So to ask the question - are we content? The answer if we judge neutrally is obvious- No. Why? That we can not answer, and in the process of expressing the reply we exaggerate our might and hide the facts.
I assume who so ever shall be going through these lines, understands that the path of deliverance always starts with the fact of inquiring with one’s self. The people in the path of deliverance is shown the way by the inquiry of –“who am I? Where do I come from?”
As is been told in the “Yoga Basistha”. This inquiry leads to the realization of the Atman or Bramhan which is the true identity of us.
International Vedanta Society is striving hard to manifest the divinity that is already within us by practicing the Upanishads. And under the divine presence of Bhagavan many people are enlightened.
Now as many of the people who got a touch of Bhagavan got enlightened, though not all. However every one of them undergone a wonderful experience of peace and bliss within. “What does that represent; does it bring any benefit to my personal life?” This basic question arises in our mind when we are met with hard line people who say goal of life is to be free from all types of bondage. Does getting liberated bring any change to the present grim scene of the world?
I remember one great event which may just fit here; it is from time immemorial a great conversation between Bhagavan Sri Krisna and his beloved friend Arjuna. If we are familiar with Srimad Bhagavat Gita, then we all know at the beginning, after seeing the great army of the Kaurabs, the opponent of Pandaba,Arjuna the greatest warrior did not wanted to fight ,he got trembled in fear, and hid his fear saying he does not want to fight, what does it get by fighting with own people? It is better to go to the woods and take alms rather to fight with the people who are his relatives, whom he loved so much.
Then came the greatest of blessing in the words of rebuke by Lord Sri Krisna, who said why you act like a meek , if you do not kill these people they shall be brought to their fates automatically, they shall die; it is a previlage given to you that you to fight for good and truth. So be an instrument to the almighty and fear not, fight, because it is your nature, it is your duty.
Actually whenever we are met with words which lead us beyond this material world we basically react by asking ourselves this question what benefit does this bring to my life or to the world?
Is it not true that great many deeds by great many people is just being forgotten, and however great work one has done does not leave a trace behind in this ever flowing time; everything is forgotten. What our great forefathers did, even we do not remember they did so many wonderful things; all are past and gone in the darkness.
Our Bhagavan once said.” Sei Ram o nei, sei Ajyodhya o nei” it means neither Great Rama is there nor his Great kingdom, where everything was so peaceful, so blissful.
Every thing gets fainted in this ever passing world. Nothing is permanent, so it is for my sake to get the eternal peace with in me, because a lighted lamp can only light another lamp and an enlightened person can only remove all the darkness of ignorance, and only the person who got eternal peace within his Self can only give peace to the world.

Steadfast

2009-02-17T12:15:00.004+05:30

Charles Gibson, Spain

Be steadfast in your spiritual practice. It may seem at times that the mind is full of painful emotion and your thoughts are 'not spiritual' at all. The development of awareness and spiritual progress is not always apparent to us, so keep going, simply aware of all that is going on in the mind, without reaction or judgement.

We can put a lot of pressure on ourselves believing that we must do something, in fact it is through Gods grace that we progress spiritually. So keep on with your practice or 'non-practice' whatever it may be with full effort and determination but without that stress of thinking you are the doer. This detachment from the result of practice is the same as surrender to God or acceptance of your own state of mind. This detachment allows us to be steadfast in spiritual practice.

Moments With Bhagavan- 12th-17th November,20th Anuual Convention, Guwahati, Assam, India

2009-02-10T01:06:00.003+05:30

Photographs of 20th Annual Convention

2008-11-23T19:56:00.008+05:30

http://picasaweb.google.com/astitya/InternationalVedantaSociety

20th Annual Convention Invitation

2008-10-27T20:33:00.004+05:30

Quiet Content

2008-08-29T02:07:00.001+05:30

-- Suzie Palmar from Australia.

A moment in meditation
Is worth a day
Of whiling every moment away

Time well spent
In no lament
Lifts our hearts
To quiet content

It is our choice
To mourn or rejoice
Ride our horse
Along our chosen course

Rein in hands
We guide our thoughts
Freeing them from self-rebuke
Picking a track
That takes us on
A joyous ride
Of kin and song

A report on Bhagavan’s visits to Shillong- a beautiful city with beautiful people at the North eastern state of Meghalaya, India.

2008-08-21T17:35:00.008+05:30

-Sanjib Bhattacharjee & Smt Champa Nag, Shillong, India

Bhagavan- the founder and core of the International Vedanta Society paid a 3 day visit to Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, a small but beautiful North Eastern state of India.

The arrival 1st of July 2008.
· Respected dignitaries of Shillong welcomed Sri Bhagavan with traditional “Gamosa” and garlands when Bhagavan arrived here at 12.30 pm. He was accompanied by Swami Sankarananda, Vice President IVS, Mrs. Maushumi Deb, Vice President, women’s wing, from Arunachal Pradesh and Miss Shikha Sarkar from Assam. Some of the members present were Sri Sanjib Bhattacharjee, Smt Shibani Talukdar, Sri Siddhartha Nag,Smt Champa Nag, Sri Api Das, Smt Nami Das, Smt Sonali Das, Sri Chandan Dev, Smti Devi Dev etc.
· On His arrival speech, Bhagavan highlighted the importance and significance of appearance of Sri Bhagavan in this earth to a moderate gathering which included devotees other dignitaries of Shillong. While elaborating on the concept of Diksha, Bhagavan said that the traditional “Mantra Diksha” given to the disciples is not enough, but the touch of a highly spirited super power can guide the holy heart to the ultimate realization.

The stay 2nd of July 2008
· Bhagavan said, “Vedanta should not be practiced separately; it should be made a part of our life. Every step and teachings of Vedanta helps us to lead a tension and stress free life”.
· While elaborating on the Mahamantra He said, in earlier days, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra was chanted mostly by people without realizing its inner meaning and power. But now, as the power of the Mahamantra is being discovered, it is now chanted by people of all classes, especially the literate ones, not only in India but also around the world.

· After a long time the devotees had the opportunity to listen to the Advaita Vedanta from the Master. Bhagavan was in the mood of delivering the essence of the highest form of spiritual knowledge to his loved ones. He said-“Common people are aware of three stages- awake ness, dream and deep slumber. But the ultimate internal fragrance of realization comes from the fourth step of spiritual awakening i.e. the “Paramarthik Jagaran” or the transcendental state”. He said that we or rather our mind is constantly trying to get something or the other. Naturally some of our wants are fulfilled while others are not. We feel happy when everything we want is achieved but we start to blame others for our failures and miseries when our wants and desires are not being fulfilled. The main message was that we are only responsible for our sorrows and miseries. “Nobody but me to Blame”. The sooner we can understand this the quicker we will learn to remain contended and happy.

3rd of July 2008
· Bhagavan said that the realization of eternity in every soul can only be explored when the quest for the same is felt inside.
· Sri Bhagavan said, innumerable numbers of people around the world has experienced the essence of realization with His divine touch, but compared to that it is very unfortunate that appropriate recognition is not given by the people, the reason for this being the selfishness of the aspirants who happily experienced the pleasure and joys of Realization but never had tried to express and spread this message to the world.

The departure 4th of July 2008
Every good thing comes to an end. After spending three really wonderful days with Bhagavan, the day of separation finally arrived for the people of Shillong. Devotees with tearful eyes bid farewell to His Holiness Sri Sri Bhagavan who left Shillong for Guwahati on the 4th of July at 9AM accompanied by Swami Sankarananda, Mrs Mousumi Deb and Miss Sikha Sarkar. Members present during Bhagavan’s departure were Smt Tapashi Bhattacharjee, Sri Malay Talukdar, Sri Pradip Rakshit, Sri Pinak Pani Hore, Smt Sudipta Hore, Sri S.R Choudhury, Sri Suparna Choudhury, Smt Chandra Nag, Smti Meenakshi Choudhury and others.

A letter by Swami Probuddhananda.

2008-08-17T23:47:00.004+05:30

Dear ..............,
Thanks for your letter. I hope that you will find exactly what you are searching for. To come to your letter point wise, let me explain you a bit so that it might be easy for you to contemplate about the unseen world and the method of approaching this.
Bhagavan is our spiritual Master. A spiritual master is a person who has not only had reached that state of enlightenment but also knows the way how to guide a person to that state. He is not a person, a Master means the knowledge which manifests through Him. So, when you see people devoted towards Bhagavan or any other spiritual personality, you have to know that, they are actually devoted to the knowledge which comes out of a person through the medium called love. This knowledge makes the illusory faculty of our mind to weaken and thus gradually we move towards the supreme knowledge. So, don't be afraid my friend that you have to devote yourself to a person who will drive you according to His/her will, rather if He is a proper Master, His words will open your heart and enable you to see the truth which is there within you for ages. So, a spiritual Master is a must for enlightenment or to realize the truth, because we cannot even comprehend which is beyond comprehension, but one who had traveled upto that limits does. A Master is but impersonal knowledge and love personified.
If you see the life of Swami Vivekananda, you will see that all knowledge he had was from His Master, Thakur Shri Ramakrishna which was transmitted to Him through a state called Samadhi, a state of union with God or the Self.
Now, what is truth? Truth is the actual identity of yours. Who are you? We associate ourselves with the body, the mind, the ego and the outer world, but in reality, we have no connection with those. We are free from all, we are the ever illuminated knowledge, which only is the source of infinite bliss, peace and divine love. We have to know this identity or the real nature of ours and then shall we become enlightened. Enlightenment or realization of truth is in knowing ourselves in reality, not an assumption or guess, but a certain realization,confirmed knowledge which always stays within our heart even if we are fully engaged into all sorts of worldly activities. Though we are engaged in these worldly activities, a simultaneous knowledge flows through us that we are always unattached from all bindings, that we are the Soul, not the body or the ego. This is a very clear realization my friend and is the source of all heavenly qualities and love.
I have reached that state where I felt myself fully separated from the body, mind, ego and the world and felt oneness with the Self or Soul with the divine mercy of Bhagavan. For this there are steps by which one can gradually approach the truth which is within Him. I can tell you if you like. Hope this letter will make you feel better and strengthen your idea that you are actually in a right path, just that, a Master is needed to show you the proper way to your Self.
With love and best wishes, Swamiji

Courage and Spirituality.

2008-08-06T02:40:00.003+05:30

Keep walking
Though there's no place to get to.
Don't try to see through the distances.
That's not for human beings.
Move within
but don't move
The way that fear makes you move.
- Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

Many people are attracted to the allure and beauty of the spiritual path. Who wouldn’t wish for the blessings of inner peace, deep joy, and everlasting love? But for seekers who set their gaze toward the experience of the ultimate truth, this journey also requires courage and determination.

While my life has been a spiritual journey, it has only been fairly recently that I embraced the desire for true union with the divine. I was at a retreat when I began having stirring, profound experiences pulling me into sacred unity. My heart was opening to the spaciousness of divine peace, bliss, and love; love indescribable that pulled me closer to God. But that very night, I had a nightmare of a demon entering my room and trying to seize my soul. Throughout subsequent weeks, the dreams continued bringing wailing ghosts, and oceans of tigers and sharks deep into the midnight hours. These dreams were a shocking juxtaposition to the gorgeous meditations and deep spiritual reflections I was having during the day. For a time, I came to question just what it was I was trying to accomplish. At night, I didn’t want to sleep for fear of the dreams.

The mystics know that the path to spiritual union is both blissful and arduous. The journey begins with a desire for enlightenment. When the proper master arrives and gives us the spiritual practices, it is inevitable that fears begin to arise. After all, we are striving for the highest knowledge, and obstacles are always a part of lofty goals. In fact, they are an auspicious sign that things are progressing as they should, so long as we understand that the fears are a signpost, pointing us toward the barriers keeping us from divine union. Our fears ultimately illuminate our many cherished attachments, desires, and self-definitions like son, husband, wife, mother, engineer, poet, liberal (just about anything on our Facebook profiles!) Sri Ramana Maharshi writes that these fears are nothing but illusions, which emerge like a snake on the roadway ahead. We catch sight of it and begin to worry, but upon the approach we see the snake is nothing more than a rope.

When the fears come, keep faith in your spiritual master, and keep engaged in your practices. When the fears rise, most people withdraw, but the whole process is much easier when one has faith in and guideance from the guru. If focus, desire, and devotion are maintained, the practices will begin to take on less effort, and feel as if they are coming from the inside. When this happens, you will know you have entered the world of the inner-self, and from there, the journey becomes wonderful.

As for me, I had to ask myself what these demons were. What did they want to tell me? Through my work with my spiritual master, and meditation, and lots of self questioning, I came to realize that the shadows carried by these demons were issues of trust, self-worth, and fears of losing all that I loved as I delve deeper into the heart of God. What I learned is that even when things look scary, God is there, lovingly fine tuning His instrument. While this can cause some awkward disharmony for a while, ultimately, it’s a mercy and a blessing to be lovingly orchestrated this way into the divine symphony.

One by one, the seeker is called to face all his or her fears. One by one, we face the sharks and see them dissipate into the sea of consciousness. One by one, we grasp each tiger and say, “Oh, what a kitten you are!” One by one, we look the demons in the face and say, “I am not afraid of you.” We move forward with courage, toward the ultimate of self-knowledge, toward permanent truth and blissful delight at the point of realization.

When the fears rise in you, be glad to know how your journey has progressed! Be grateful for the opportunity to move deeper. Be brave, and see how the space within you opens, how your consciousness expands. Fall into the greater depths of those meditative and yogic experiences that delight you. See how you begin to shine. Move forward and dive deeper, without fear, toward the light and the truth and the divinity which is you.

A letter of Swami Vivekananda.

2008-08-05T23:31:00.000+05:30

63, St. Goerge's road, London

7th June, 1896.

Dear Miss Noble,
My ideal indeed can be put into a few words and that is : to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life.
The world is in chains of superstitions. I pity the oppressed, whether man or women, and I pity more the oppressors.
One idea that I can see clear as day light is that misery is caused by ignorance and nothing else. Who will give this world light? Sacrifice in the past has been the law, it will be, alas, for ages to come. The earth's bravest and best will have to sacrifice themselves for the good of many, for the welfare of all. Buddhas by the hundred are necessary with eternal love and pity.
Religions of the world have become lifeless mockeries. What the world wants is a character. The world is in need for those whose life is one burning love, selfless. That love will make every word tell like thunderbolt.
It is no superstition with you, I am sure, you have the making of a world- mover, and others will also come. Bold words and bolder deeds are what we want. Awake, awake, great ones! The world is burning with misery. Can you sleep? Let us call till the sleeping Gods awake, till the god within answers to the call. What more is in life? What greater work? The details come to me as I go. I never make plans. Plans grow and work themselves. I only say, awake, awake!
May all blessings attend you for ever!
Yours affectionately,
Vivekananda.

Prayer, by Sinead Ni Bhriain,Swansea,Wales,UK

2008-08-05T23:23:00.000+05:30

From –The Book of Mirdad

To pray, therefore, is to infuse the blood with one Master-Desire, one Master-Thought, one Master-Will. It is so to attune the self as to become in perfect harmony with whatever you pray for.
This planet’s atmosphere, mirrored in all details within your hearts, is billowing with vagrant memories of all the things it witnessed since its birth.
No word or deed; no wish or sigh; no passing thought or transient dream; no breath of man or beast; no shadow, no illusion but ply in it their mystic courses till this very day, and shall so ply them till the end of Time. Attune your hearts to any one of these, and it shall surely dash to play upon the strings.
You need no lip or tongue for praying. But rather do you need a silent, wakeful heart, A Master-Wish, a Master-Thought, and above all, a Master-Will that neither doubts nor hesitates. For words are of no avail except the heart be resent and awake, the tongue had better go to sleep, or hide behind sealed lips.
Nor have you any need of temples to pray in.
Whoever cannot find a temple in his heart, the same can never find his heart in any temple.
But you and every man I charge to pray for Understanding. To hunger after anything but that is never to be filled.
Remember that the key to Life is the Creative Word. The key to the Creative Word is Love. The key to Love is Understanding. Fill up your hearts with these and spare your tongues the pain of many words, and save your minds the weight of many prayers, and free your hearts from bondage to all gods who would enslave you with a gift; who would caress you with one hand only to smite you with the other; who are content and kindly when you praise them, but wrathful and revengeful when reproached; who would not hear you save you call, and would not give you save you beg; and having given you, too oft regret the giving; whose incense is your tear; whose glory is your shame.
Aye, free your hearts of all these gods that you may find in them the only God who, having filled you with Himself, would have you ever full.

Janaka and Astavakra.

2008-07-27T23:39:00.000+05:30

The ultimate goal of spiritual practice is enlightenment, or direct realization of the divine unity. The ancient Rishis (or seers of truth) knew that this ultimate realization of oneness with the Self or God was only achievable with the sincere urge of the aspirant and the assistance of a teacher or guru, who could guide the seeker past the many veils of ego that separate the self from the direct experience, this infinite end of all knowledge. The following story illustrates several important aspects of the ideal devotee and his or her relationship to the master and dedication to the subject.

In the ancient times, there was a king named Janaka. Vedanta texts were recited everyday in His courtyard. One day, he heard the son of his high priest reciting verses from the Vedas. The young boy pronounced, “a man can become enlightened in between the time it takes for one foot to be placed in the stirrup of the saddle, and the second.” Janaka was intrigued by this and questioned the boy. “Is this true,” he asked. And the boy said, “Yes, it is true.” Janaka said, “Show me.” But the boy confessed his inability, saying, “I am sorry, I am not realized so I cannot show you the truth of this sentence.” Janaka became angry and said, ‘If you are not realized, then you do not know this is true. Therefore, you are lying to me, and falsely leading the people.” And he put the boy in jail.

Subsequently, the boy’s father, the high priest, came to the palace to speak to Janaka and seek release for his son. Janaka asked him, “Tell me, is it true that a man can become enlightened in between the time it takes for one foot to be placed in the stirrup of the saddle, and the second?” The priest said, “Yes, this is true.” So Janaka said, “Show me.” But the priest responded, “I cannot show you, for I am not realized.” This made Janaka outraged. He stormed, “Then, you do not know it’s true. You are lying to me, and to the people of the kingdom.” He sent the high priest to jail, and then began to ask the same question to all the Brahmins in the land, yet every time, they were unable to help him, for none had realized God. Janaka sent each one to prison.

One day, an enlightened saint named Astavakra came to the palace to ask his wellbeing . He asked janaka why he had sent all the brahmins to prison. Janaka said as they were unable to prove the truth of what they preach, he had send them to jail to stop further damage of social values. Astavakra asked if he wanted to know the truth of those words, Janaka affirmed with a great enthusiasm.

Once in the woods, Janaka began to rise up on his horse by putting his foot in the stirrup and pulling himself up, but just before he swung his second foot around, Astavakra said, “Stop King, Don't you know that you must have a guru to be able to realize God?” Immediately Janaka said, “Master, I give you my body, my mind and every belonging I possess.” Upon hearing this, Astavakra left to a nearby cave for several hours. When he returned, he was amazed to see Janaka still in the very same position he left him, with only one foot in the stirrup. Astavakra asked, “Oh, King, what happened to you? You haven’t moved for hours.” Janaka was vibrationless. He stated, “Master, I have given everything to you, and now I can’t find anything to do or to think.” Astavakra replied, “This foot in the saddle and self knowledge is meant for a high quality aspirant, and you are that. Janaka, behold this, that you are the ever liberated, pure, divine, eternal, self-illumined Self.” As Astavakra said these words, Janaka realized this truth within him self, and thus became enlightened.

This story illustrates the perfect relationship between a guru and a devotee. Janaka’s dedication to discovering the truth is so strong, that he is willing to pay any prize for that. Astavaka’s arrival at the palace just at this time, illustrates that point that an aspirant doesn't need to seek out a guru, the proper master will appear at the right time if there is a definite urge to know. Janaka demonstrates ideal devotion to his master through the complete surrender of his mind, body, and all possessions. He gives up everything of himself, and becomes completely still, without ego or attatchment. Astavakra then tests Janaka to see if this surrender is true. Janaka passes the test when he demonstrates such complete submission that he is unable to do anything else without the guidance of his guru. When Astravaska returns, he finds Janaka a very worthy aspirant with the proper level of devotion and surrender necessary to transcend to the divine experience of enlightenment upon the wish of his master. Also that for enlightenment, its not the spiritual practices like chanting or meditation, self discrimination etc which are necessary but the capacity to hold the idea or comprehension that we are all divine soul, ever free and eternal. For this comprehension, do we go through all these spiritual processes.

To attain the ultimate knowledge of divine unity, we as seekers, must have the necessary strength and courage to surrender all individuality and attachment, to lay down our armor, and be completely free so we so that we may surrender into the sea of universal soul. May we all be blessed with the knowledge and first hand experience of our very truest nature.

The frog in the well

2008-07-27T23:18:00.002+05:30

What is Universality? How can all the religions be true, when there are so many divergent dogmas? The great Swami Vivekananda sought to address this question by telling the following story at the World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893.

Once there was a little frog who lived in a well. He grew up in the well, and ate the food he found in the well. One day, another little frog fell into the well. The first frog asked, “Where did you come from?”

The second frog responded, “I come from the great sea.”

The first frog said, “Is it like this well?”

The second said, “How can you compare the sea to a well?”

The first little frog leaped across his well, and asked, “Is it so big?”

And the second little frog said, “Such nonsense you speak, to compare a sea to a well!”

The first frog became indignant and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. There can be nothing bigger than this well. You are a liar.”

There are many wells in this world; Christian wells, Islamic wells, Hindu wells, Pagan wells, Buddhist wells, and Jewish wells. But from where comes the source of this water in our well? Can we transcend these walls, and swim our way into the great sea that nourishes us all?

Religion is the form that brings explanation and context to the divine experience, but even this form can be transcended to the universal truths that lie beyond. This transcendence is the path that the Vedas teach, that the mystics meditate, that the yogi’s breath, and the Sufi’s whirl. It is the path of transcendence to the heart of God that lives within each of us.

Truly, you hold the sea within you. Dare to travel from beyond your well, and find the source of that water within you, and within us all. Dare to find out just who you really are.

PHILOSOPHY OF IVS.

2008-07-13T11:13:00.000+05:30

Our slogan-" Man is God".
The international Vedanta Society solicits one and all irrespective of any caste, creed, sex or religion. IVS doesn't stress on worshipping any particular God or Goddess. It believes that the all powerful resides within everyone and this omnipresent is known as Iswara or God.
The International Vedanta Society doesn't speak of any rights for men or women because the society believes that everyone is born with their own rights. The task is only to make them aware about it. And the medium of serving this ideology is love.
The International Vedanta Society doesn't give any preferences to Sannyasins(monks) or householders. The society wishes to let every individual manifest their inherent divinity within. IVS believes that only Vedanta can change the trouble- tormented situation of the present day world. And that must come through love and the International Vedanta Society is spreading the message of Unity and love. IVS appeals everyone to perform some benevolent activities everyday. each one of us has a role to play. Let everyone play his own role.
We've heard many great good things in this world. But not much has been done. We must not differ in words and actions. IVS believes and respects all faith and religions.
The International Vedanta Society desires to build such a new civilization where man would have predominance.
The idol of IVS is "man"(Human Being).
"Man is truth above all else, nothing beyond prevails"
--- Bhagavan, the founder and core of IVS.

Newsdesk

2008-07-12T22:09:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,
As a matter of our constant endeavor to improve the experience of the readers we are including albums containing photographs of Bhagavan in His different moods.Some of the photographs are published for the first time ever.I would also like the opportunity to appeal to our readers and members that if they have any photographs relating to Bhagavan and I.V.S., they may please send them to us at bhaktichaitanya@gmail.com or swamiprobuddhananda@yahoo.com and we will be happy to publish them in our blog and other publications.
With love and wishes,
In the service of Bhagavan,
Brahmachari Bhakti Chaitanya

2008-07-06T05:41:00.000+05:30

Dear everybody,
I would like to thank and welcome everyone who visits this blog regularly.
Today, I come with another story explaining the essence of Vedanta. The last time, we saw how shallow our fears are when the truth is known. This time, with yet another story we would like to talk about the falseness of our bindings with this world, body, mind, ego, whatever it is. We all say, we are bounded, lets see how true we are..I present you with a story based on a wood cutter and his three donkeys.

Once, there was a very poor woodcutter who owned three donkeys. Everyday he would take his donkeys deep into the woods where he would chop trees, and load the wood on to the donkey’s backs. Every evening, he would return home. But one day, he was out too long, and the sky grew dark, and woods grew black and the woodcutter could not find the way out of the woods. He realized he would have to spend the night in the woods, and began searching for a place to stay. In the distance he saw a faint light, and as he approached it, he found a sage meditating by the fire at his hermitage. The woodcutter said, ‘I would like to stay here tonight as it has become too late for me to find my way out of the woods.” The sage agreed. The woodcutter lay down to go to sleep, but as he started to doze, he realized he hadn’t tied his donkeys. So, he asked the sage for rope. The sage said, “I have no ropes. Do you tie your donkeys every night?” The woodcutter answered “Yes, otherwise they may run away or be attacked by wild animals.” So the sage advised, “Go to the donkeys and just act as if you are tying them up.” The woodcutter did as he was told and pretended to tie the donkeys up. Then he went off to bed.

In the morning, the woodcutter awoke and found his donkeys right where he left them. He thanked the sage for his hospitality, and then started on his way home, but he was dismayed to find that the donkeys wouldn’t follow him. He said to the sage, “What have you done to my donkeys? They won’t follow me home!” The sage asked, “Did you untie your donkeys?” The woodcutter complained, “But I never tied them!” “The donkeys don’t know this,” said the sage, “Go untie them.” So, the woodcutter pretended to untie his donkeys, and the three followed him back home.

This is how we are. We have imaginary bondages but we think them as true like the donkeys.This idea exposes us to all sorts of sufferings in life. The spiritual Master shows us how false our idea about bondages are. We are never bounded, we are free by nature. Each soul is potentially divine, the goal is to manifest this divinity, as said by Swami Vivekananda. We are ever free. When somebody goes to a Master, Guru, he is told about this repeatedly,that you are neither the body nor the mind nor the ego, that, you are That, the Self, repeatedly, so that for once it comes to the comprehension of the disciple or aspirant about His true nature, that He is a soul, ever liberated, divine, eternal, birthless and deathless, not the body or mind or ego. Spiritual realization happens when this comprehension is reaches the saturated state.
Love to you all,
In the service of humanity,
Swami Probuddhananda.

Suzie Palmer, (Australia), on the story of Bhagavan.

2008-06-27T10:53:00.000+05:30

Hello Swamiji!!
Great to hear from you!! Thank you for sharing that wise story of your Master's. You have inspired the following poem!! Please post in Vedanta group and anywhere you wish!!
All my Love always, Suzie xoxox :-D

* * *
When we look closer

Beware of the dogs at the gate
Faces ferocious
Eyes of slate
Don’t even try to test your fate
Best to stay clear
Of the dogs at the gate

Rearrange your life
Abate the gate
Do everything in your power
Don’t give those dogs bait

Stay away, hesitate
Those dogs know how to keep you away
But then again
Who are they?
Are they truly, what they convey

Take a step closer, peek inside
Are those dogs even alive?
Stone structures etched with skilful hands
These dogs they come from moulded sand!

Oh my, oh my, these dogs are good
Cleverly made, it’s now understood
Things are not always as they seem
When we look closer, the truth can be seen

A story by Bhagavan.

2008-06-27T00:26:00.001+05:30

Its our pleasure to narrate a story by Bhagavan, the founder and core of International Vedanta Society. The story goes thus- a very rich man tied two ferocious dogs in his gates. The people using the road adjoining the gate were very frightened by the dogs and left using the road. One day, the rich man asked his attendant, why does the people of the locality avoid using this road of ours, the attendant had no answer. The master asked him to go and find out.
" Out of fear" said a commuter. "Your master has money, so, he can afford to keep such deadly dogs in the gate which appears as if running on to us." Knowing this, the rich man went to the market and requested a man to come with him and that his dogs won't bite. The man resisted initially but gave up to the earnest request. When the man reached the gate of the house, he saw the dogs were of stones. Crafted skillfully in such a way that it looked lively. The man cried out of joy," what a beauty, what a skill !!" The fear transformed into extreme bliss by knowing the exact object.
Similarly, we cry out in this world, terrified by the fears which stays in our mind. See this world carefully, you will see bliss and love. See this world as it is, you will see God. There is nothing but God.
Love and best wishes,

Sarada Chatterjee(Kolkata) writes,

2008-06-27T00:21:00.000+05:30

The "mind" is the instrument that supports your personality with thoughts, and those thoughts are the instruments that will forever prevent "peace of mind";..... In fact, there is no such thing as "peace of mind." There is only peace if freed of the "mind."

Jay Bhagavan

What is fear?

2008-06-24T01:36:00.001+05:30

Fear is a black cat, hiding in the leafy bushes at night. When it startles, it jumps up, rustling the leaves and shattering the silence, causing a wandering soul to cry out, just as it slinks back into another shadowy crevice with a hundred other cats.

Why not have mercy on that poor cat? Say, “Come here, kitty!” Give her a morsel of tuna wrapped in love, or dime of catnip in a bowl of joy. Put a pink polka dotted bow around her neck, and call her Hope.

She’ll go tell all the other cats about your generosity. They won’t be so startled when you walk by their hideouts in the night. Rather, they’ll come falling to the ground before you, bellies up, and purring in your open hands.

Narayana's Experience with the mahamantra

2008-06-13T20:44:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,
Today we received a letter from Narayana (Xavier Vidal Bueno), a devotee of Bhagavan from Spain. In 2007 he stayed here at Varanasi for some months. Though a naughty and fun loving boy, he has seriously dedicated himself for strict spiritual practice. After reading his letter its real joy to know that the spiritual flower in him is blossoming well. Please read on.....

Hello everybody,

I would like to share the experience I had last night, it was wonderful for me.
Some days ago I decided to do japa (chanting sacred mantra in the mind) at night before going to bed, and last night I was doing so. Normally I enter into a state of half sleep when I am about to finish and then I wake up again and finish the japa; this is because after work I'm very tired and I do the japa liyng on the bed. But yesterday was different, In some point of the japa ( wich I was doing with the full mahamantra ) I started to feel great pleasure and my energy increasing and some parts of my body moving like when you are nervous and tremble. As I felt that I wasn't tired and my concentration was increasing. I decided to folow with the japa for longer than normally; pleasure was increasing as it seemed that I was sinking deeper and deeper in the mahamantra as well as energy and prayers to God would come to my mind every time realizing the Truth of his presence. I could feel the flowing of energy through my limbs and my mind getting clearer as I got deeper and deeper concentration. I started the Japa at 11:30 pm and I finished at last at 3:00 am without any interrumption. This is the first time that I can do such a long japa and when I finished I felt everything was alive.

Thanks God!

Jai Bhagavan!

Hare Krishna!

Narayana

Friday 13th June 2008
Barcelona,Spain

Divine Consciousness

2008-05-27T17:59:00.000+05:30

Marie Saide's Notes,Syria.

To begin with, you must know who you really are. Are you the body? If you are the body then why do you say, "This is my body"? Since you call it, "my body", you must be something different from the body.
When you say, "my heart", then that means that you are something different from your heart. Your heart is an object possessed by you, its owner. You declare, "This is my brother, this is my sister, this is my mind, my body, my intellect". The unchanging element in all of these declarations is my. There is a true I, which stands behind this little my and gives rise to it.

It is really the deepest consciousness in everyone and in everything. It is the universal I, the divine consciousness. This divine consciousness is all-pervading. It is within you, around you, below you, above you, and beside you. Truly, it is you.

This divine consciousness can be found everywhere, in everything in the world. But to realize it, the mind must be turned inwards. You must become inner-directed and search out your own truth. You must realize that you are not this, you are not that... you are not the mind, you are not the body, you are not the intellect. Then who are you? The answer comes, "I am I". This is the right path to follow for self-realization. This can only develop when you follow the path of love, the path of devotion. To search for God there is no other way.

Everywhere you look, the formless has taken on forms. God is present everywhere. But in order that you may comprehend him, he has taken on a particular name and form. He is everywhere as the formless divinity, but before you can get that realization, you have to develop your love and devotion for the Lord with form.

Therefore, in the beginning, you enter the devotional path at the lowest rung, and worship the Lord with a name and form. Then steadily, inch by inch, you rise to a higher state. You withdraw your mind from the external world and worship the formless, until finally you realize your own reality as the formless divine principle. That is self-realization.

~ Sai Gita

Bhagavan's words- Bappadittya Saha,

2008-05-23T20:37:00.000+05:30

Dear Everybody,
Bappadittya, a known face in the circle of IVS in Kolkata. An Engineer of a German based company by profession, needs always extensive traveling worldwide but it doesn't distract Him from the devotion and dedication towards Bhagavan. He and His family are always pleased to serve Bhagavan and the devotees of Kolkata. He shared some golden words spoken by Bhagavan with all of us. I hope these words of Bhagavan will provide us deeper insight in the world of spirituality. Love to you all, Swamiji.
Dear Swamiji,
Me and my wife together got 'diksha' (initiation)from Bhagawan on 26th August,2006 at around 9 am. Bhagawan said Diksha means looking inside. All throughout we had been looking outside, he said. From now on you will identify, understand and realize your origin, your source.

Bhagawan said :
Whatever you do, do it best. Atleast try to give your best. Give your 100%. Try to do it the most beautiful way. When you eat, eat nicely. When you go to sleep, try to do it nicely. When you talk , talk nicely....

Belief is the real thing, the most important....

Hatred or absence of love is the greatest threat, the greatest enemy of mankind.....

Good and honest thoughts will protect us....

Whatever you do, do with love

You have done a lot with your wisdom. What did you get ? What happened ? Now try to practice Vedanta. You will see that HE is showing the way. You need not do anything. Everything will happen by itself.

Be simple but don't be a fool.

Whatever you are , its you who's responsible. You cannot escape the fruits or eventuality of your actions.

IVS teaches acceptance, not tolerance.

Be in discipline. Don't waste time. Respect the value of time. Be in a system.

When you are watering a plant , feel for the plant, love the plant, feel as if the plant was feeling ... 'yes, I needed water..'

By nature the Guru(Master) is quiet, calm, and at peace with himself, however it is for the disciple that he talks, he has to talk. Hot oil is calm but when a luchi (paste of flour) is released in the hot oil, the oil makes frying sounds. As soon as the luchi gets completely fried and gets a spherical shape, the hot oil becomes quiet.

Shall send more shortly.
Regards,
Bappaditya

Jennifer Helminsky, New jersey, USA.

2008-05-23T20:12:00.000+05:30

We must not seek union with the Divine for reasons of the self, but in the service of mankind. There is nothing to be gained from merging with the Supreme Reality if it does not lead others to the same end. We are here to open the way for others. We clear the way, we make ready the path, and we mark the trail. We must be the presence of God for all to see, so that they too may find the face of the Beloved within.

Those who have gone before us - Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Jesus, Buddha, all saints and lovers of God - are remembered and revered the world over. Their message and their example do not fade with the passing of time. They live forever, and they continue to serve mankind, lifting them up from ignorance and suffering, even so long after their passing. This is what we must strive to attain. We must seek to realize the Ultimate Truth not for ourselves, but for all of humanity now and yet to come. God is mankind. We are God. We must empty ourselves and be purified so that we may be filled with the fire of His Love. We must pour out the Divine nectar over the Earth. Let no soul go untouched.

Self-Realization-An ultimate bliss

2008-05-23T20:01:00.000+05:30

Make your soul lovely and beautiful,
Let it be master and your body dutiful,
External beauty is not ever-lasting,
The lust for worldly pleasures is never exhausting.

Why there is no time to stand and stare?
Why do we want to become millionaire?
Why do not we introspect our Inner-self?
Why don't we realize the importance of ourselves?

All the bliss and divinity reside inside,
Following Worldly distractions is like committing suicide,
All human beings are creation of Almighty,
The principle of oneself would strengthen our society.

Every soul is omniscient & omnipresent,
Self-Realization is the spiritual trend,
Loving our souls is loving the God,
An ocean of bliss becoming our abode.

SureshSharma
Copyright ©2008 Suresh Chander Sharma

march on....the light is just next step.

2008-05-12T13:23:00.000+05:30

To everybody,
One thing, before doing something, you should know what you have to do. You have to realize God. God can be realized and its very true. You have to desire God to realize Him. Its only our desires that shapes our destiny. Theres nothing called destiny or luck, its the urge to get manifested in the way it does. Everything is in your hands and within your reach, so walk firm in the path of Self. Its not the ego, the Self is beyond Ego. Forget the past, start from now.Theres nothing called darkness, theres nothing called despair, theres nothing called ignorance as well, theres only truth, divinity and bliss. Oneday you will find the world in your feet, the people you long in your feet, but that day, you will see how superficial and cheap this worldly love is.Its only a lust decorated in a beautiful casket of words and emotions. After a time, the beauty of the casket shades bringing end to this love. See the love within you, feel it, realize that, its universal , beyond time, space and casualty. Its impersonal.The day you stop seeking the pleasures of this world, the world comes with all its pleasures in your feet. So, dare not, fear not, just march on. The Lord is always with you. With a lot of love, Swami Probuddhananda

Enlightenment.

2008-05-12T13:08:00.000+05:30

Jennifer Helminski,Central Jersey,

NJ, America.

I once was lost
Stumbling along
and falling, weary,
I could not find my way.
Like a single star
in a black sky,
you shined your light
on me from a place
beyond the endless dark.
You reached out to me
from heaven
and I took your hand.
I was weak
and broken
but you gathered me up
and held me,
whispering softly in my ear,
soothing my aching heart,
healing my wounds.
My wings were broken,
so you gave me
one of your own
and taught me to fly
by holding me.
Now I can't get enough
of heaven.
We walk together
in the sunlight
and hold each other
in the night.
When you reach out to me
from the dark now,
it is only between dreams.
Our eyes say,
"You are forever safe here."
Our love says,
"I will fly with you always."

Bhagavan's letter.

2008-05-11T15:25:00.000+05:30

Dear,
I received your letter dated 01-02-1990. Today is Shivaratri. It will be celebrated in M's house.
I am watching your development closely.
Does there exist any time when I do not realize myself? But the irony is, I always think of realizing others. This is the illusion or ignorance. Therefore the day you realize that without you nobody ever existed anywhere, that is the day when all your madness or illusion will vanish forever.
Every moment man has a fear- what will happen to me?
Watching others does he develop this fear – so the solution is to teach him to see himself .Watch yourself. Who you are? Search, while searching through your thoughts you will be able to discover this. And you have discover your Self because this is the only truth. It is a great pleasure to see the magic of a magician- but magician is truer than the magic. All the magic is within the magician-and that I’m that magician, if you know this then all your problems are finished, because you don’t have to struggle for getting the ticket standing in a queue. Then I can show magic whenever I want to. To become a magician, you have to develop relation with another magician. You have to love Him. Then only He will teach you all the secret s of magic. Anyway, let everything happen slowly.
My infinite love for you. Everybody is fine here.
Bhagavan
Guwahati,1992.

Wanted

2008-05-11T15:07:00.000+05:30

Suzie Palmer, Australia.

Wanted, wanted
Someone who will listen to me
Who will open my eyes
When I cannot see
Who will take my hand
And walk with me
Even if my legs
Themselves cannot see
They need to be guided
Trustingly

This someone wanted
Can be everyone you see
All of us together
Make a great family
No one should go unwanted
In this loving sea
Feeling wanted
Sets our hearts free

A wanting heart
Lives apart
Dissatisfaction is a lonely spark
It’s unfulfilling and detrimental
Leaves you wanting
At every table

What is wanted is what we need
Simple consideration
In every deed
Look out to others
Offer a hand
Giving like this the heart understands
That what is wanted
Is already here
In all you good people
The meaning is clear
We must give to live
That’s truly life’s plan
What is wanted
Is for humans to understand

23rd April,2008.

~~~

“Entrepreneurs attract opportunities”

2008-05-08T06:17:00.000+05:30

Watchful signs as schools of bodies cross the circular road. Crossing is the pathway to follow inspired dreams.

Know where you’re going for opportunities to appear.

Alida Fehily.
Mysteries of Wisdom TM
Wisdom Consultant

2005 Psychic of the Year (WA)

awarded by the Australian Psychics Association

Global Intuitive Demartini Method Consultant

The Secret Watch - Personal Success Coach

Director of Healing - Prosperity Studios Inc

+61402 290 490
http://www.mysteriesofwisdom.com.au

A Peaceful Shelter

2008-05-07T16:40:00.000+05:30

Suzie Palmer, Umina, Australia.

Writing a poem or two
Is a pleasure to do
If only they could get into
Places that need them to

Where people are suffering and dying
If these words could stop them crying
Ease their troubles, we'll go flying
Imagine life is not so trying

Holding hands, we'll reach the stars
Gather strands of golden sparks
Embrace our family
Near and far
Bundle us in one global car

Takes us to a land that's giving
A peaceful shelter
All foods brimming
In creativity we'll go swimming
Goodness of humankind
Alive and Living.

Prayer of Narayan, Barcelona,Spain

2008-05-07T14:51:00.000+05:30

Here is a prayer that had come to my mind wile I was going to work today:

My lord, you are the source of the universe along with the three worlds, yo pervade the entire creation,
everything moving and non-moving, alive or not alive, has emanated from you and is created, maintained and dissolved only by you.
How ignorant I am! Because I am enjoying everything in this world, without knowing that all this is nothing but your great maya and is your energy.
I enjoy the taste of food, the nice weather, the breeze, the sweet fragnance of flowers, without being aware that this pleasure only comes from you thus thinking:
This food is very good, or the weather is nice!... thinking it to be independent of you. But all joy comes from you, so I say now, How great thou art!
Please Lord, let me offer unto your lotus feet, every breath I take, every action, every think I enjoy, and don´t let my mind get bewildered by illusion,
let me see You in every being, in everything and thus engage me in your devotional service. Please be merciful to me! Don't let me forget about you while I do my job,
and let my work be as a sacrifice for You, and thus enjoy as I serve You. O Krishna! O Bhagavan! please forgive my lack of memory, I have fallen in tho the jaws of my senses and failed to perceive Your greatness.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto you.

I don`t remember exactly the words I was thinking In that moment, so I wrote what I could remember...

Jai Bhagavan!

Hare Krishna

A Letter of Bhagavan

2008-05-05T16:03:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,
I present you with a letter written by My Master, Bhagavan way back in 1994. This letter has brought about a transformation in my life all together. Its my pleasure to share this with you all. See you soon.

The letter follows....

Dear _______,
My heart has become very heavy and that is the reason why I’m writing this letter to you. It is very true that I love you all from the core of my heart. I have distributed you all the Truth which my Master taught me, with the blood of my heart. Those of you who love me truly, to all those I ask, don’t worship me, and don’t show any devotion towards me- do not manifest reverence towards me through something. Today, from you all, I need some work. Work for the mankind. I do not have any desire to know about your spiritual realizations. If you have known something then your heart will definitely cry for all, you will perform some selfless work for the mankind. If you can give me some news of this work, then only this heavy heart will find some solace.

Bhagavan
31/8/1994

Marie Saide's(Damascus, Cyria) note:

2008-05-04T23:39:00.000+05:30

Purity – The Path of The Buddha

True wisdom consists in the awareness of the rarity of the individual and the Samashti (collective whole). How can a man who is not aware of his humanness recognize the Divinity within him? Hence the first requisite is the recognition by everyone of his human essence. Basing on this truth, Buddha declared that everyone should cultivate at the outset Samyak Dhrishti (a pure vision). It is only when a person has pure vision that he/she can get rid of impurities in the body, speech and mind. It is this purity that can protect one from invasion of impurities through the eyes and the ears. Hence the first requirement for every man is Samyak Dhrishti.

The second quality that is needed is Samyak Sankalpa (pure thoughts). Only the person who has developed purity in vision can have purity in thoughts. The third requirement for every individual, along with purity in vision and thought, is Samyak Karma (pure deeds). Through pure deeds man is able to recognise his human essence. Man is not merely an embodied being. By his capacity for developing good vision, entertaining good thoughts and performing good deeds, he has the power to transform humanness into Divinity.

A fourth requirement for every individual is Samyak Shruthi (listening to sacred words). When one listens to unsacred words he can have only unsacred thoughts. The fifth quality prescribed by Buddha is Samyak Jeevanam (living a pure life). What is meant by "living"? It is not leading a worldly life attached to worldly pursuits. True living means making one's life meaningful by ideal actions. Man's life must be governed by idealism in action.
Real Sadhana is to Remove all Impurities from Mind

Next, Buddha declared that everyone should aim at Samyak Sadhana (Achievement of the highest good.). Sadhana means elimination of the evil tendencies in man and acquiring good and sacred qualities. True sadhana is the eradication of all evil in a man. Study of sacred texts, meditation and penance do not constitute the whole of sadhana (spiritual exercise). To remove all the impurities in the mind is real Sadhana.

True Samadhi and Nirvana

After this comes what Buddha called – Samya Samaadhi or Nirvana (Pure Realisation or Liberation). What is meant by Samadhi? It means treating pleasure and pain, gain and loss alike. Sama - dhi (equal mindedness) is "Samadhi". To look upon light and darkness, pleasure and pain, profit and loss, fame and censure, with an equal mind is Samadhi

Buddha termed this equal mindedness as Nirvana. It is the recognition of the sacredness of the qualities of all the senses in man that constitutes real humanness. At the very outset, one has to keep the tongue pure. This was referred to as Samyak Vaak (purity in speech). The tongue has to be sanctified by refraining from falsehood, slander and abusive speech…

Happiness is not to be found in any of the things of the world. Everything is fleeting. Man is wasting his life in the pursuit of petty ephemeral pleasures. Nirvaana is the only Truth; it is the sense of oneness with all life. To turn the mind towards that which is permanent is Nirvaana.

It is not enough to read the lives of avatars and messiahs. Their teachings should be put into practice as much as possible. People must gradually outgrow their material attachments and develop Divine Love. Shuddhodhana tried to protect his son (Buddha) from all external worldly influences by keeping him in the palace and not even sending him to school. What happened ultimately? Buddha decided to renounce everything in quest of the Truth about human existence and he declared Ahimsa (non-harming) as the supreme good.

Three Qualities Essential for Every Individual

What is it that people need today? These are three things: A heart, pure and white, like the moon; speech that is soft and sweet like butter; and a face that is loving and kind. These are lacking in the world today

BE THANKFUL

2008-05-02T13:49:00.000+05:30

Marie Saide's(Damascus, Cyria) notes

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?""It was great, Dad!""Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked."Oh yeah," said the son."So, tell me, what you learned from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

"Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole Horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight."We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are."Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.Swami says, “Contentment is the most precious treasure… He who has greatest satisfaction in life is the richest man. He who is filled with desires is the poorest man in the world.”

It's You...

2008-05-01T08:59:00.000+05:30

A poem dedicated to Mother Kali.

Cam Trethowan, Melbourne, Australia.

Perpetual seasons,

Grey clouds and white

The other…the quandary

Endless questions

Silence…. a gift,

Ramparts dissolved

Fearlessness poured into this vessel.

Kali stands eyes ablaze

Laughing hysterically into the darkness

Mouth agape

The rapturous void consuming the world.

A Letter From The Archives of I.V.S.

2008-04-30T00:52:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,
hope all of you are fine and in the best of your spirits. I am sending you one letter from the records of I.V.S. For protecting privacy the names in the letter have been hidden. Happy reading...

Dear M,
Received your letter. Though things aren't fine with you as you think, its normal for me. This world is not the same again as you put your first step into the world of spirituality. The simple reason is, till now you had known that you have friends, brothers, people who care about you and love you. But, the truth is-- you are and have been alone in this venture called 'life'. We don't have any friends dear brother, nor do we have anybody to care about, because everything that we see is just Maya or illusion. Who is M? Who is F? where is M? Is it a name or a form or a body? Or he a manifestation of pure consciousness? Which is the one whom you call "I"?The more you go deep into this, you find no one, not even the one whom you have known as "I" or M. These are all but a product of ignorance. We are made to think that we are such and such and we believe and so we become. But as one approaches a Master who is true to His heart and firm on the divine knowledge, He tells you , you are not what you had actually known of yourself, you are truth, knowledge and bliss. Thou art that, my brother. Try to get yourself stand firm on this knowledge, you will find nobody had ever betrayed you, nobody had ever loved you. No body ever existed other than you.That's the Knowledge. Know this and be free from all the prejudices of your own mind. The truth which comes to you is a result of the truth which is in your mind. It might not be true, you see it because its in you. Clear yourself, clean yourself, you will find a new M and off course a loving F within you.If you want peace, just watch yourself. Don't blame others, blame yourself rather. That's the only way to be perfect. I know this is not easy to realize in a day. In the walks of life, we do come across many such things which disturbs us, hurts us. For those moments, I can say a sentence which my Master had once said to me and which had become the pole star of my life," Forgive everyone, Understand ! Forgive everyone, Become an Atman, become the Self."
I have every possible reasons to believe that you will be fine and understand my words in its true spirits. If not, you still have Swami Probuddhananda at your service! NOW, JUST SMILE.I love you and everybody else does the same.cheer up!
With love,
Swamiji
Date:21st December,2006
Kolkata

2008-04-28T13:41:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

Its my pleasure to bring to your notice a recorded copy of My Master's speech on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Thakur Shri RamaKrishna. I hope that these words of His will provide a light to all of us in this transcendental journey.

Love and light,

Swamiji

Today, the 16th of March 05, in the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Thakur Shri Ramkrishna, Shri Bhagavan spoke to His devotees thus,Shri Bhagavan," I had started with Thakur Shri Ramkrishna. In the year 1971, Thakur first came to my life. He appeared before me saying, Everything will happen to you. But, I didn't understand whatit meant. Now, everything happened to me, but how? I haveput everything in my life.Inspite of being a house holder, I had practiced this knowledge. That is why this movement had spread worldwide. It has become an International movement. Now if you want to establishVedanta Society, you have to be qualified. You have tobecome. Becoming is religion. This becoming is necessary for everybody. Who have excelled in that, will be evident to him. Because Knowledge is known by itself. Knowledge has to be tested; you have to seethe following things,

a) Have I become truly fearless? When the SelfKnowledge is firm, one becomes fearless.

b) Have I become truly selfless? If the Self Knowledgebecomes firm, one becomes selfless.

c) Have I become a true lover of mankind?

With a firmSelf Knowledge, one becomes a lover of mankind.

(Bhagavan- the founder and core of IVS)

To make the knowledge firm, Shri Bhagavan gave the following directives:-

a) Our austerity (Sadhana) is the Self or the Atman, so as the sayings of the Upanishads goes: Know that Atman or the Self, stop talking of others ; He is the bridge to immortality.

b) To know thy Self, Shri Bhagavan gave this path,Think of your thoughts.

c) If any work is left after the Self Knowledge,its only one, Spread the message of Vedanta to each and every house."

Shri Bhagavan said that after these many years ofexperience the knowledge which came to Him is that ,envy will remain, ego and anger will remain, we haveto accept these. Poison will be there but thereshould be the strength to digest it. Every work ofShri Bhagavan has been accomplished. Now its time forthe devotees to start working. But this work should beperformed by the strength of spirituality. The strength of the Knowledge, love and truth is needed.We have to tell the world about religion in a new way.

Marie Saide's Notes

2008-04-26T22:28:00.000+05:30

MIRROR.
Marie Saide, Damascus, Syria.

The good you find in others is in you too. The faults you find in others, are your faults as well. After all, to recognize something you must know it. The possibilities you see in others are possible for you as well. The beauty you see around you, is your beauty. The world around you is a mirror showing you the person you are.

To change your world, you must change yourself. To blame and complain will only make matters worse. Whatever you care about, is your responsibility. What you see in others shows you yourself. See the best in others, and you will be your best. Give to others, and you give to yourself. Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful. Admire creativity, and you will be creative.

Love and you will be loved. Seek to understand, and you will be understood. Listen and your voice will be heard. Teach, and you will learn. Show your best face to the mirror, And you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.

Risa writes from Greece

2008-04-26T10:28:00.000+05:30

Hello Bhaktji, how are you? I am fine, here in Greece. I am not lost, as a matter of fact I think I have found myself more than ever before. Things are going very well, because I see them going very well. I am very conscious of my life and what I am doing, I know what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. In general I am having a great time. I feel GOD closer than ever before. Actually He is one step away from me, one step that I am afraid to take, but I know that soon I will totally surrender. Things from the past no longer bother me, once they have been done, and taken away by our great Guru (I don't know if I have told you that Bhagavanji has come to my dreams and told me this: "your karmas are now gone" and he presented me a new me). Since that day, any connection I had with my past actions has disappeared, and that is a relief. My future, from the other side, is something that also doesn't bother me at all, as long as I can create my present the way I want it. Everything seems done by the hand of God. My present is full of experiences, some good, some bad, but still they leave no mark on me. They are not being judged by me, they only happen. So you see, Bhaktiji, I am very happy. I know Bhagavan is inside me now, and he will never leave me. It is irreversible now. I hope everybody is OK, give my love to all (even though they know they have it).

Risa

Express your Affection

2008-04-26T10:21:00.000+05:30

Quote:

"Immerse in the ever flowing melody of Divine love as you float within the sound of the beats of vibration to higher frequencies.
Tune into the love and affection within to express your magical gifts."
Love wisdom and magic.
Alida Fehily,

Mysteries of Wisdom TM Wisdom Consultant 2005 Psychic of the Year (WA)awarded by the Australian Psychics Association Global Intuitive Demartini Method Consultant 0402 290 490
http://www.mysteriesofwisdom.com.au

My Garden by Maria from Mexico

2008-04-26T10:12:00.000+05:30

Sunday was a very special day for me...the gift of Vesak was having a long and deep meditation with the ocean and the earth, feeling the depths of peace...the trees have been showing me how to connect to the earth in sweet stillness, and the birds taught me how to sing from the heart in a subtle but powerful way...and all i could do was thank thank thank...the wind was kind and tender, talking with my skin, remembering me that I am incarnated in this body, sacred temple, and have many things to learn about love, about the true mission of us humans on this planet...i could feel how delicate and fragile my body is, and at the same time I could see that this body and everything around me was just empty on its side....and I could feel the Power of Creation...we just create whatever we need to see to learn our lessons about LOVE...My favorite meditation these days is trying to listen to the secret messages of the wind when it blows and talks to me..about love...i try to taste the hidden symphony of flavors from many dimensions that are in every spoonful i eat, spoon- full of love.... i try to enjoy the infinite layers of vibration a song has...pure sounding love....i feel the multiple notes and colors of the trees i see, of the eyes of the persons i meet...All is full of love...God is in All,and All is God...I am happy and thankful to be able to share with you all, this simple but eternal gift...may we plant more light seeds in our gardens and help others to plant light seeds in their gardens so that everybody would be helping everybody else planting light seeds in their gardens....and one day we could All become just ONE BIG FLOWER of ENDLESS LIGHT...............Aisha

Marie Saide's Notes, Damascus, Syria

2008-04-24T11:18:00.000+05:30

From Duality To Non-Duality

You remain small by identifying yourself with the body. You think, 'I am the body'. This thought keeps you in a state of littleness. But expand your view from 'I am the body' to 'I am the soul, the spark of the divine.' In this way rise up from the stage of dualism to the intermediary stage of qualified non-dualism. Then, you must expand further from 'I am the soul, a part of the divine' to 'I am the divinity itself, I am no different from God. God and I are always one.' That is the highest spiritual stage, the stage of complete non-dualism. The feeling you start with, that you are the body, is steeped in dualism; it is the very birthplace of sorrow. As long as you are immersed in duality everything is sorrow and grief. If you identify yourself with the supreme self everything will be happiness and joy.

You must elevate your thinking and always identify yourself with your highest self, thus giving up the false identification with the body. This is the proper attitude for worship. Worship in Sanskrit is called upasana;, which means sitting near to God. But it is not enough to just sit close by and be near. The frog sits on the lotus but does it benefit from the sweet nectar that is in the lotus? Just being near the Lord is of no use; you must also be dear to him. You must be able to taste the honey.

Sai Gita

2008-04-19T00:03:00.000+05:30

Dear Everybody,
Today, the 17th April, marks the completion of 4th year of the Mahamantra Divas, the day when Bhagavan had received this HARE KRISHNA Mahamantra from the Infinite. I was writing a letter to one of my friends and these relevant facts came out. Hope it will help you all.

Dear .....
Thanks for writing to me. I am very sorry that I couldn't reply you on time. In future I will be careful enough to answer you as soon as possible.
Let me come to the point :
1) What does a Mantra actually mean?
Its a word or a few words or a sentence describing the glory of the Lord which are often used by aspirants to concentrate on a single subject. For example - starting from Om to Hare Krishna mahamantra are all Mantras used to gather concentration of mind.
2) Why is Mantra used ?
Spiritual world starts from our mind. The body, senses and the external world are considered as outer world. Mind is the gateway of our inner world. If we see very closely, mind is a cluster of thoughts. Many thoughts grouped together seen in a body is known as a mind. The mind is distributed among all the subjects of the world and thats the reason why it cannot experience the Knowledge which is the substratum. Its the source of spontaneous peace and bliss. Because its one, its free and infinite. To bring the mind into one particular point is the objective of Mantra chanting.
3) As the mind continuously chants any Mantra, the distracted mind concentrates into one point, the Mantra. When we keep on chanting, the chanting automatically stops which means our mind has upgraded its potency and can meditate on the consciousness which always flows within each thoughts.
4) With the meditation, the mind can comprehend the presence of inner self and thus thrive to know it in the clearest and closest way. This tendency of mind is known as the desire to get enlightened. The desire of enlightenment makes our mind completely transform into one thought, the desire to know the self. When this thought reaches its climax, the subject of the thought, that is the desire washes out leaving the consciousness alone. This state of complete existence of consciousness or knowledge is called Samadhi or oneness with the Self. After this state is achieved, one knows totally His identity as a soul, not a body or mind or ego. This knowledge which ever remains confirmed and clear within him is called realization. This is the ultimate goal of Humanity, to know Himself, His real Self.
5) If you have to reach the ultimate state, you have to start with a Mantra. But the Mantra should be given to you by a spiritual Master. Spiritual Master is a man who not only knows the knowledge of the Self but knows the way how to reach it and lead a man to that point of supreme realization. Spiritual world doesn't start without a Master, because the one to be known is beyond any comprehension of either body or mind or intellect or the ego.
*** You can start your spiritual journey on your own by selecting any Mantra, as I could see you have already done, but your actual journey will commence only when you come in contact with a Master. For any spiritual enhancement, I will suggest you the Mahamantra which I think I had sent you through the facebook. I repeat it once again,
" HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE."
I had a very intense spiritual experience from the day I had started chanting this Mantra. I am sure this will help you in your advancement also if in anycase you choose to chant this Mantra.
Ironically, today, the 17th of april, is the day when my Master had received this Mantra from the Infinite for the whole world. He was an Advaita Vedantin who discussed Advaita Vedanta all through His life. Oneday, this day, 17th April, 2004, He received the message from the infinite thus, " Get madden and madden the whole world. Chant HARE KRISHNA." From that day, He introduced this Mahamantra within Himself and us though it was long before given by Chaitannya Mahaprabhu. With the chanting of this Mantra, I have seen many spiritual heights achieved which appeared to be quite impossible before. It has changed my life. I don't chant, I churn. It has a great power within it. Bhagavan, my Master said once, I had given the supreme form of vedanta, the doctrine of Birthlessness in this Mahamantra. As I chant all through my days, I see each and every word of my Master is true. I find it much more. Its my life and my Salvation.
Hope you like my letter. I wish all success in your spiritual journey. May God guide you to the final Glory. HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA......
love, Swamiji

Swami Probuddhananda
General - Secretary
International Vedanta Society.

Experiance of Maria from Mexico.

2008-04-16T10:22:00.000+05:30

My garden today was craving for water....sometimes is hard to contact with the needs of my seeds and the proper nutrition to make them grow.....so i just surrendered to the feeling trusting that my Higher Self would guide me through the tunnel of confusion and sadness...how can i take care of the seeds of love and true service to the world when i feel little helpless and ignorant?....will my seeds grow wrong or even die?...many questions arise...? how should i deal with this sensations without getting caught in them repressing them or even denying them?...so i prayed....humbly.......and waited...............until a light came in and i realized that the best way was just letting myself go through the clouds of my mind and my emotions, holding on strongly to the witness that watches like an eagle from above......detached from my eagerness of happiness......the happiness i know and experienced deep in my soul.....just let go of it too.....i could feel then that just by ACCEPTING my present situation WITHOUT the need to change it would make everything turn into light again.....it just flowed like a river remembering that the water i needed for my seeds to drink today was already being poured...!!!!!Just letting things pass through me like a living tunnel changed completely the colour of my day.....I contemplated how small i was and i felt happy...cause everyday I need the Lord to take me by His Hand....and every single day i need to remember that if i don't LET BE whatever process of purification is happening to me, in several levels ( even unknown dimensions of my Self), the growth and ripeness of my consciousness could be delayed......so I went to my dance class and danced EVERYTHING I had with me...., and then people would come to me for help and life would smile to me again in simple things that make the Universe Shine Endlessly....i felt ONE with ALL THERE IS......again the lesson was to be present, whatever happens, whatever comes....without judging.......that is the best seed of light for my Garden today....beloved ones I send you my blessings....sat nam

"Toda la felicidad que existe en el mundo viene de querer hacer felices a los demás. Todo el sufrimiento que existe en el mundoviene de querer la felicidad solo para uno mismo." Shantideva

Ram Nam- Chanting the name of Lord Ram

2008-04-12T22:16:00.000+05:30

Evening prayers at International Vedanta Society.

A beautiful letter from the Genaral Secretary of International Vedanta Society

2008-04-12T21:54:00.001+05:30

Dear everybody, I present before you a letter written in response to a spiritual aspirant by Swami Probuddhananda. I think this letter would be beneficial to our approach in enhancing a healthy spiritual life. Wishing you all the best.
Bhakti Chaitanya
Joint General Secretary
International Vedanta Society

............the letter follows, ...

Dear Adam,
Thank you for your letter. I was very pleased to read your letter. That you are approaching a very truthful spiritual life made me feel delighted.I would at the first instance wish and pray all the success in your approach towards enlightenment.
Now coming to the point. The problem that you have mentioned is a common problem between aspirants. The problem arises when we comprehend the material and spiritual world as different. We engage ourselves in continuous endevour to strike a balance between the spiritual and material world. But we find that after endless efforts we just cannot. The very first thing that we have to know is that there are no two worlds, its one. Our distraction in spiritual world begins when we establish an imaginary relationship between this world and our Self. There was, neither is nor will be any relation between us and the world. The difference of perception among the spiritual and non spiritual person is only in the level of consciousness. We are conscious about everything that surrounds us but we are not conscious about the consciousness with which we are always conscious. Knowing this consciousness as my Self is the goal of all spiritual practice. This consciousness is eternal, divine, pure and free always. Approaching this consciousness we identify ourselves as this consciousness which liberates us from all dualities. we reach that ever unity, oneness.
Now, how to attain this level? Our mind is always engaged in all worldly matters. The moment we withdraw it from worldly affairs, we seem to get dull. We have to continue our search for truth remaining in this world, we have to introduce the power of discrimination in our mind. We have to learn to discriminate everything knowing that its false or temporary,existent now but never eternal. As we keep on doing this, the shades of materialism fades from the mind gradually paving way for the more elevated thoughts in the frame of mind. Elevated thoughts will bring peace and some bliss with it because it is metaphysical. This taste of peace and bliss will bring about a perception of another existence independent of everything, which is always beyond in us and as we keep on approaching the truth, the perception transforms into a confirmed reality. With this confirmation comes the highest goal of mankind, the attainment of the Self Knowledge already inherent in man for ages. I, you and everybody is that. Thou art That.
Read this, think about it for some moments, try to understand it. Many doubts will come, I am sure. Try to fight with the doubts. You will succeed at last. Even, if you think, I will be helpful for you, I am always at your service. I also have a hotmail account, swamiprobuddhananda@hotmail.com. We can have a direct talk if you add me in the messenger.
Lastly, I again pray for your complete accomplishment in spiritual life. Pray always to the Lord within you.
Love, Swamiji

Maria from mexico writes:

2008-04-08T22:50:00.000+05:30

Dear Swamiji...waking up this morning and realising that everything that sorrounds me, all that I see and perceive in my life is my creation, the reality I built up with my beliefs, thoughts and actions, made me feel happy rather than a victim of this so-called"world"...Because if I am the author (I AM) of what all my senses perceive, then I am the one who can rewrite the script of the movie I´m looking at..I´m the one and only who can rearrange the flaws and make the dark turn into light..I really think my beloveds we need to wake up to this Truth if we long to be genuine Warriors of the Light...We must practice every minute of our days trying to remember this Truth, till the day we won´t need the resource of Time anymore...TIME is just serving us for THIS lesson to learn.. that everything we see is US and that God is everywhere, in every situation, in every little thing and every single being...God is desguised in all that happens to us giving us the opportunity to spread our love, our infinite compassion, our faith and generosity...
IN how many people have you REALLY seen God today?..I believe that just practicing this Truth, daily seeing the Divine in every being that walks our path, and wishing them from deep within, everlasting Bliss and Happiness, is one of the best seeds of Good Karma we can plant in our Garden of consciousness...and one day, maybe not far from now, our reality will gloriously change ... God Bless you ALL
Aisha

Letter from Risa, Devotee of Bhagavan from Greece

2008-04-07T22:43:00.000+05:30

Hello Swamiji,

I just arrived to my village after 2 weeks at Athens. I had to do some work there, sell some clothes and it is only now that I came to see my family and settle my things. I have been doing very fine, sometimes I had time to practice, sometimes not but I never felt disconnected from God. Actually I think that it is impossible now for me to disconnect from Him even though the situation around me doesn't help me to practice at all. I saw my mother and she is very happy with my progress, she noticed that I seem much more mature now, and most of my friends too. And the fact is that I feel very firm to what I am now. That's why I think that it would be very difficult to stray from the path chosen for me. It is not a matter of me leaving it; It won't leave me!!!! I mean that, my mind has been very quiet, and I surely enjoy this quietness. I also tested myself in some ways to see whether I could stray, but as I told you it doesn't let me, and I am very happy about that. Other than that everythings going on fine. I got sick but it is a matter of climate change. Anyway, that is all Swamiji, send me news soon.

Love
Risa

letter From Kojima Halliday, Devotee of Bhagavan, London

2008-04-01T23:11:00.001+05:30

Swamiji,

Hello. How are? Thank you for your letter. In spite of your kind words, they are strange to me because I do not see any evidence that they are justified. I look into myself and see only insincerity, laziness and an utter lack of laudable qualities. I have observed Bhagavan and so I think I know something of what sincerity and hard work and various other spiritual qualities look like. I also see something of that in you.

I am often surprised when you say I have done some good work, because I do not really remember doing any. Remembering what this body has done frankly does not interest me, but if I am brought to do so, it again seems strange because the impression I get is that all these things happened to someone else. I therefore feel somewhat ashamed to think about it, as I appear to be taking the credit for what someone else has done. Working till late may sometimes feel like work at the time, but afterwards, it is quickly forgotten whether it be successful or otherwise, and I have to make an effort to remember having done it.

In any case, the times when an effect seems to occur in other people, and my mind is pulled higher, is when I am speaking about spirituality, especially Bhagavat Tattva, or meditating with other people. What happens when it is going well is that I shut up, and another power begins to speak from my lips. I am just a bystander at such times, so how can I say that I have done work? How is doing nothing, while another entity is at work, working? Saying that I have worked seems even more untruthful than in the context described in the previous paragraph.

What do people want from life? I find myself talking about love, seeing that this is what attracts them. It seems to create an effect in them. However, I do not find myself yearning after love, and I do not remember any time in my life when love was really important to me. To be honest I cannot really be bothered to think about it. However, it occasionally strikes me as strange that I talk about it, understand everything I hear about it, make others sincerely yearn for it, yet I cannot really say that I experience it or care much about getting that experience. There remains a sort of intellectual desire to experience it, that I do not generally think about, as I am aware that it is an aspect of the divine life.

I do not really find myself caring about love, but following the pattern of conversations and correspondence I have with others, it certainly appears that I care that other people should attain it. Once again, I look into myself, and it is unclear where this talk comes from. Trying to make others yearn for and know love does not seem to come from my feeling, rather it appears that it is simply becoming my nature to do so. Typing this, I have just looked into myself again and saw what seemed like a hollow vessel, a machine that is increasingly powered by a force that has been seeping in since I met Bhagavan. There is little love, yet loneliness is something I have probably never experienced. It seems strange. How empty is it possible to be?

I know perfectly well why I have come to this plane, and that is to do the works of Bhagavan. I do not feel I have come to get anything else. I remember the words of Thakur, "jiva is shiva". I meditate with someone and spend the meditation alternately trying to scrape up the will to make a heartfelt prayer that the person I am meditating with will be pulled closer to Bhagavan, and immersing myself as deeply as possible. Thakur once said that he would incarnate ten thousand times just so that one soul could achieve liberation. I feel a deep weariness in my soul that I have felt since I was a teenager, and I suspect that if I did not know I was destined to do the works of Bhagavan, I would probably be approaching the point where I would be counting down the days to my death. Yet, I would like to be like Thakur. Having observed Bhagavan and felt something of that Power inside me, I feel I have lost the right to fail. I know that if I carry out my God-given duty, I will attain all aspects of the divine life whether I desire them or not.

Hare Krishna,

Koji

A Highly Encouraging Letter from a True Spiritual Person

2008-04-01T22:54:00.000+05:30
Thank you swamiji!!
I'm liking it!I know him and love his music!...
we talked to Christian yesterday and he's coming next month to mexico.
I'll tell you about my spiritual life...I meditate and I try to make maditation my lifestyle, constantly sitting in my neutral witness while doing my daily things and activities...meditate in every act and moment..I try to do that...I approach totality practicing the truth in the simple things, compassion, peace, patience and respect to my husband and friends, and remembering that everything around me is Me and is God...we are one...I practice yoga and I pray to all kinds of Gods, ascended Masters, Buddhas, Deities and different manifestations of Divinity that appear in my life...I'm open to all religions and ways of approaching the experience of GOD and UNITY...my dancing and singing are ways to approach spirituality too...all the best for your class....love and light for your day
...Siri Bhagwati Kaur( Maria Aisha Skoufalos, Mexico)

Newsdesk: Anandotsav Video 23rd February 2008, Varanasi, India Part-2

2008-03-27T22:59:00.000+05:30
The 23rd of February is celebrated by the International Vedanta Society as the Manifestation of God Hood in Bhagavan. In this day ,in the year 2003, We had experienced and seen highest demonstration of God Hood in Bhagavan which culminated on the 23rd of Feb.'2003 in the form of Holi. We would like to describe everybody about what happened that Day. Blessed are those who were present on that day in the Ashram at Guwahati, On the banks of the holi river Brahmaputra surrounded by the hills and all the grenery of the world. . When ever we think of that day, Tears flows from our eyes and the thrill which we had felt seeing Bhagavan so near with His dangerous impersonal love for all His deciples does capture our. My salutations to all those who were present there, all those who had played an active part in bringing this day into a reality and to the land where such a divine play was staged.

Newsdesk: Anandotsav Video 23rd February 2008, Varanasi, India part 1

2008-03-27T22:16:00.000+05:30

ANANDOTSAV

An effort to describe the 23rd day of Feb, 2003.

It was the divine land of Guwahati (Amingaon Ashram) along with those few fortunate devotees of Bhagavan who stand as witness to Bhagavan's most eventful divine sport of playing Holi with them. As the news of Bhagavan's consent to play Holi with His devotees reached them, devotees from all corners of the country started to congregate at the auspicious place to witness this celestial bliss.

In the morning Bhagavan took all the devotees for a boat ride in the hilly river Brahmaputra. He was very normal while He was riding. At 8 o’clock Bhagavan along with all the devotees returned to the Ashram. He asked Sujata Chakraborty, one of His ardent devotees to sing a song. Sujata poured out her heart and sang with all her devotion --- "O Krishna, the enchanter of mind, the stealer of Radha's mind. Thou art the life line of Vrindavan, the holder of the mountain Goverdhana, Thou rules the heart O Hari ! O Narayana !" Bhagavan said, “I am entering into Samadhi”. Sing till I return. As Bhagavan entered into Samadhi things started to take a turn. The bliss of boat riding with Bhagavan still prevailing in the mind of the devotees started weaning away. The sweet voice of Sujata amalgamated with her utmost devotion was attuned with the eternal environment .A strong silence started to creep up within every soul. They were as it were, gradually lulled into a state of calmness. The atmosphere was gripped by a grave stillness. Sujata could continue no more. She ceased to sing unnoticed by the senses of all. She sank into the depths of Samadhi.

After a while Bhagavan came out of the room and sat on a chair under the sun which was pouring down its sweet warmth. Bhagavan was in a tremendous state. The solemnity and the seriousness of an unbounded ocean reflected from His countenance. It so seemed that even time forgot to pass on and stood still towards Him, as if like mechanical beings, and they sat encircling Him in the form of an arc. Bhagavan was looking at the infinite with the vision of voidness. He said, "There's no Bhava (feelings) here. This world is not real. Neither does that Rama exist, nor does that Ayodhya. How will there be Holi."
By then all the devotees were indomitably attracted towards Bhagavan. They began offering their obeisance by lying prostrate at His lotus feet. None could regain the strength of standing on their feet after this act of reverence. Some few moments made their way. All of a sudden Bhagavan said, to Pankaj (Swami Premananda) - "Pankaj, Sing a song of Holi." Along with a few other devotees Pankaj carried out the order of the Lord. He made a Herculean effort to give form to the formless and infinite. It so seemed that a vibration appeared to the one beyond Vibration. As if the formless Knowledge and consciousness was the threshold, taking a form of Divine Love. Bhagavan said, "Krishna is not yet born."
Some more moments passed. Bhagavan said, “Krishna is born”. Things were changing in Him. “Now He is of one month, Now he is two months ... now three”. His state was changing rapidly. His body started to move a little. An unknown secret smile was playing on His countenance. After a few moments He said, “Now Krishna is of nine years, come on, let's play Holi”. He first offered colours at His own Portrait established in the Ashram. Thereafter He started playing Holi with the devotees present. Whomsoever He touched like love like colours, sank into the depths of Samadhi and fell on the earth like a tree cut down from its trunk. The devotees also played Holi with Bhagavan intoxicated with divine love. Bhagavan was enjoying bliss with everyone. He was dancing with all the devotees. Nobody was anymore aware of the external world or even about their own self. Bhagavan was dancing amidst all the devotees but each found Bhagavan to be dancing with Him. As Bhagavan witnessed the birth and manifestation of Krishna , Hence all the devotees saw Krishna all around them. The Ashram was transformed into Vrindavan. His devotees, who never had never seen Vrindavan but nevertheless had a desire to see it, couldn't find the desire anymore from that instant. Even those who desired to have the divine glimpse of Lord Krishna couldn't find the existence of the desire anymore as they saw the living Krishna - Krishna who was living, smiling, crying, sporting, sleeping, speaking and dancing with them.

This was the 23rd February 2003. Thereafter this day began to be celebrated as ""ANANDOTSAV" -- The celebration of bliss. Bhagavan gifted another day when men could forget their woes and agonies and immerse themselves in pure and selfless bliss. This divine event proves that Bhagavan is rooted in Godhood. Even before the devotees could prove themselves Bhagavan proved that He is God -- the supreme person. He is His own witness -- One who is beyond all witnesses. This event is also a proclamation unto the future that if one would come in contact with Bhagavan, he or she would achieve the supreme without any austerity whatsoever. This may sound strange but yet true. One is freed from all bondage on having the divine Darshan of Bhagavan. Civilisation would cross the barriers of time if it can know Bhagavan. It would go beyond the jaws of destruction.

Risa from Greece writes:

2008-03-24T23:12:00.001+05:30

Hello my friends,

here I am back to Greece. I just arrived yesterday, and my brother and me went to see a play. It was inspired by the the book of Borjes "Babel". The play talked about how much complicated it is for us to find the truth, by comparing life with a library full of endless books. There were some people who were looking through all the books to find the meaning of life. They lived the story of every book they read, thus realizing all possible experience, but still the books were endless. So the play finished by showing many empty rooms which turned into a big library, which turned into a mind. Going out of the theater, i said to my brother that this play showed me everything i had realized in this trip to India.

The last images of the play remind me my state of mind back in the days when i first met Bhagavanji. He emptied my mind by disconnecting me from my past actions, simply by coming into my dream and saying to me "Your karma's are now gone" and presenting me a new Risa. After that, i realized that i have to keep on working in order not to create new karma's, but back in India it was much easier due to the surrounding. I was spending most of my time at the ashram meditating, chanting and talking to the Swamijis and to the other devotees of Bhagavan.

Now, back to Greece, i already see the difference in me, from the old Risa to the new Risa, the one that came to my dream that day, and i see that yes, it might be difficult to keep on like the way i worked back to Varanasi, but i also realize that my willing to realize God has not left me. It is just that the path is different, but the goal never changes. That play came to remind me to look of all the work I've done back there and not to let go of it, and mix myself again with the illusion.

Wherever we are we can make it easy for us to continue working for realization. If we really like to, Bhagavan will never let us go if we don't let him to. If our desire is true, God will create the right conditions for us to continue with our work. The only thing we have to make sure is to have true love and desire to find Him and he will then find us.

Love to all

Risa

Newsdesk:

2008-03-23T00:45:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,
The blog has been updated with some of the beautiful letters from our brothers and sisters from different parts of the world.We have more such experiences in store for you which will be subsequently updated.
The setup and look of the blog has also been modified which I am sure you are going to like.
We invite you to freely convey your views and suggestions so that we can serve humanity better.
In the service of Bhagavan,
Bhakti Chaitanya
Joint General Secretary,I.V.S.
bhaktichaitanya@gmail.com

Carolina's (Uruguay) experience with Bhagavan

2008-03-22T21:17:00.000+05:30

My dear swamiji,

Is it posilble to explain what i'm living this days next to Bhagavan?

Now, even Bhagavan told me " Carolina tell me what you're feeling" I was in a deep meditation, swimming in heaven not in the body far away from this unreal world, and I don't answer. He wait some minutes and in a moment I was thinking "I have to answer he is asking me", but I decide not, in this case I have to leave heaven and come back to earth to speak, to think.

He tell everybody "supreme silence, no need for words, no need for words"

Then I know I'm right and he said my name and I fall down.

Every time when he is with us I feel I fall down, something like a strong power comes to me and take me out of the body and I start to travel in the universe, I have many visions, and feelings and I understand things, a voice told me things but I don't stay with this visions I know this is also the mind. And I try to go beyond that, my deep mind says "Bhagavan... Bhagavan ... Bhagavan, I love you, I love you, take me with you." I see He put his hand in my head and I fall down. I feel this power, energy comes like in every cell that start to vibrate . The other day I feel at the final hour a waterfall of love descending in me and I swim in a lake of love, and this love penetrate me and start to come from me, first in my hands , I feel like pure light , strong light coming out from my hands and then from all my self. In this moment I realize I can do whatever, I can change whatever, I can heal whatever pain or sad whatever soul and heart that suffer, with the love that Bhagavan put in me.

Today it was a joy day, Bhagavan was very happy and we sing and dance, he laugh so much and I see him like my father, my son, my all , His happiness is all that I want. It was a very deep day, He tell me that He has pain because he can't give us place to stay and food and everything, you know, and my heart is broken and I cry so much.

I cry and I laugh so much with Him.

I can feel what is He more and more each time.

Thank you Swamiji, that's why I can love everybody more and more also. This is a huge thing; this is a treasure that I know Bhagavan.

Today I tell Him that you write us every day and that you tell me to send Him all your love. He give His best smile, you know this smile that penetrate the heart. Like proud and grateful for you.

Thank you thank you thank you

All my love for you dear brother, God bless you!

I fly from here to Delhi on sunday at 7:45 pm. so you can go to the roof top, look the sky and tell me "goodbye sister see you in everywhere"

I will come as soon as we think, for sure.

Pray for me and my family , and my business why not, if every thing go good with this I can come back soon and we can do more things for this world. If not goes well also I will come back and we will do many things and just one, recieve all the love from Bhagavan and then give it like we receive it.
Carolina.
(de Caro)

General Secretary writes:

2008-03-22T20:56:00.000+05:30

Dear Everybody,
As I travel all around and correspond with people of various backgrounds, both spiritual and general , I find, globally there is a dire necessity to educate people about the basics and fundamentals of spirituality so that everybody gains a very clear idea about what spirituality is all about. Till now, we have been working as an organization, I thought of creating a forum which will be independent of any organizational lines, forms, where people will come to know what exactly spirituality is without thinking of the compulsion to visit such and such Ashram or organization. This forum will dedicate itself solely for the new spiritual aspirants, giving them an idea about the basics and letting them to choose which way they are to follow. After coming back from Gujrat, I have been working on this project with Bhakti Chaitanya and Swami Sadananda. I request you all to present us some writings which can be published in the blog if thought relevant.
Lets all work for this world, for this complete human race. Whoever wants to know the truth is our own brother irrespective to any faith he/she belongs.
With regards and love, Its Swamiji from Varanasi.
www.koji.squarespace.com
www.ivs.blogspot.com
Swami Probuddhananda..
General - Secretary
International Vedanta Society.

IVS is a white elephant, writes Saroda......

2008-03-22T16:55:00.001+05:30

White resembles truth,purity;White elephant is the magnitude & potentiality of our Organization.Its the resemblance of hauling itself with an elephant. As the gigantic creature doesn't panic or get disturbed by anything & walk with his own swiftness so is the International Vedanta Society. It will gradually but unquestionably take itself to new horizons & will one day reach the Pinnacle...
You may ask, why not Tiger??? I shall say , its sheer an unsuccessful attempt to paint black stripes on our austerely beautiful ''White Elephant''!!! It is considered as the most sacred & thus our IVS too!!! Tiger gets tempted easily on seizing its victim.Tiger is the symbol of strength , activeness & fast development...Which White Elephant has too with an addition of functioning with own pace in a royal style!!!
Now , we are the body parts & body functioning system of this White Elephant-IVS , with Bhagavan as its Heart...Now its a must duty of all of us to function properly as disturbance of even a small body segment will effect the whole body of this mighty creature , no matter how strong it is...So come, lets function in an equilibrium style so that our heart beat(Bhagavan) plays its glorious tune & spread it like that melodious tune of Pied Piper of Hameline...to every corner of this scorched world...
Come on IVS , lets start the journey....
JAY BHAGAVAN.
Saroda......

Shivendra ,Research Scholar, IIT Guwahati, writes......

2008-03-22T16:50:00.000+05:30

Dear Brothers and sisters,
Hope u all are enjoying the divine love rain of Bhagavan.Great! it's our utmost luck and nothing else that we are able to attain peace and purity under the aegis of Bhagavan.Purity of heart, mind and deeds should be our goal, rest all will follow it.Bhagavan is everything of ours.Many of us "know" this fact and rest others "beleive".But we have to know Him."To know" is different from "To beleive".No doubt, at a point of time all will know the truth.Let's pray Him to make each and everybody know Him.We have only one life to live with a fixed number of time drops.All the time-drops keep vaporizing and later none is left.But unfortunately, people live their life in such a way as they have many more lives in their bank.Bhagavan teaches us the complete utilization of time,power and wealth in a right direction which is to serve people.IVS is an enormously large banyan tree planted by Bhagavan, under which the entitre universe is rushing to get a shelter.Under the shade of this tree people slake the thirst of their
soul. Let's perform our duty to make this world full of joy and bliss.The masses possess inertia.As Newton's first law suggets that we need to apply an external force to break the inertia of a system.The same way, we need to put
our dedication, sacrifice and hard work to break the inertia of common masses.To wake them up is to break their inertia.This is what we have to do.Let's pray Bhagavn to pour His blessings over us inordinately and to keep flowing His infinite energy in us so that we can wake our friends up to make them know themselves.All Swamijis and many devotees at IVS are working day and night to make this word beautiful.They are going to fly the flag of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" in this universe.Come on! let's move ahead!

Best regards,
shivendra

To Bhagavan With Love- Paula, Barcelona

2008-03-22T16:25:00.000+05:30

My beloved Bhagaban.

Starting in these dates the convention my heart and mind are more and more with You. No words to explain my feelings of love to you. My heart only can express itself by tears ...
My Father, my Guide, my God... Thank you for rescue me from where I was and let me walk to Your direction.
Thank you for taking my hand everysecond in my life.

The baby will be born soon...
Let us have a glimpse of how you love to your Childs...

I love you Bhagaban. It is hard to be so far away from you but you are here, with us , giving light to everything ... and this is also
beautiful...

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA

Mariane from France writes about the experience with Bhagavan.......

2008-03-22T16:18:00.000+05:30

I met Bhagavan last November 2006 and today looking back at my inner journey since then I can say that this wonderful and powerful Man has planted in me, by his magic presence and touch, the seeds of Inner Peace and Love. During this last year my life has been switching to a new vibration, to a higher level of awareness. Day after day a miracle is unfolding as I watch my tension, anxiety, confusion, struggle slowly going away, disappearing and making space for a fresh look at life, for an opening to a higher dimension that in the presence of Bhagavan I started to feel.
While living near Bhagavan for some months, I was watching Him and at times feeling envious of this mysterious freedom and power that emanate from Him. Today I still cannot figure out that mystery but deep from my heart I feel lots of gratitude and thankfulness to Bhagavan to have woken up my inner light, joy and heart.
I watch this inner transformation that is happening within me and I am delighted to experience love, peace, inner rest and openness to the river of life.
This shift to my well being started to manifest when Bhagavan one day during the convention 2006 came up to me and asked me “do you think of me sometimes” ? I was in a state of shock and wandering what was that about¡ how he dares to ask me that question..... but slowly his words were making their impact in me and I found myself doing my sadhana of remembering Him sometimes during the day and soon I realized that a trusting , loving space was felt within me and a letting go of my control, my armour was melting away. At that point I understood that here is Bhagavan showing me the way to freedom, to the sacred within and that the words of the Guru have a deep meaning and need to be allowed to penetrate oneself even though the mind don t know their meaning, as it has a deeper dimension.
From that time onwards my inner transformation started with all its ups and downs but always, as often as I can, remembering Bhagavan and chanting Hare Krishna, which has revealed to be the tool to stop my mind running all over, and with this inside chanting, somehow a washing of the darkness is happening and a place is created for what is needed in that moment.
My thanks as well to the whole IVS family to have participated in their own way to help me in m y spiritual growth, with their love and care given to me and as I felt supported by all of them.

Today from that inner peace, I greet with very much respect Bhagavan and the whole IVS family.

A Small but Wonderful letter from Our Cute Friend Narayan From Barcelona

2008-03-22T15:21:00.001+05:30

Bhagavan is love itself, pure Bliss, and he shows us that we are also that, His love is ours,
our love is His, we are one with Bhagavan because He is everything.
He has shown the truth about us and the world, Love is everywhere and this is our true nature.
Jai Bhagavan!
Narayana

A letter from Manel, Spain

2008-03-20T22:37:00.000+05:30

My eternal love: When I listen to you I feel that what you say it is true. I have to work more for IVS. I understand that when you say that I have to work more, you refer that I must do it in a form more direct, since of indirect form my work for our master and for IVS is 24 hours. I refer to the indirect form like that the message of our master Bagawan goes with me, around the world, I cannot live without it, it is present in each of my acts, this is already a form of work for IVS, then I do coherent my word. But I believe you have reason when you say that I must work more, in the direct sense, speak directly about Bagawan to the people and invite to them ... It is not easy. It supposes a big change of identity. I remember Bagawan to speak about this, he set that an Indian beggar never will estimate a withe chek of a bank, the Indian beggar just want a few rupis because he is not conscious of the value of the paper. happens the same with our ego, alone I have a few rupis of ego, Bagawan provides to me an ego that is like a withe chek, the same ego that then he says to us that we should give up it ultimately. I do not scare to give this step for me, but I scare for the environment, the friends, the family... Here the people have a tremendous fear of the religions, of God, of the sects that steal the money from you and eat the head. I am afraid that they are afraid Equally I feel that every day I work more for it, more opened, more directly. I believe that you shut come here to experiment that reality of our culture. I believe that you are right, but I don't know until point you are conscious of the difference of paradigms that exist between our culture and your culture. India is the spiritual envy of the entire world. So much that already there are many people that believes India as a living Utopia. I believe that your presence, or the presence of some another swamiji, would be beneficial in the sence that the environment cut perceive that IVS is real and truth(it goes with you), that IVS and Bagawan is not a great lie that absorbs money. The world is burning. Cut you understand it? Slightly similar it must happen in the big cities of India, but I do not believe that it happen's in the scale of Europ. With all my love and with hoopeness of that you take a plane towards europ soon. Your friend, your brother and your debotee, Manel. P.D: I will work more for IVS seens now. Eternal love. Manel, karamjot singh

Letter From Pedro:

2008-03-16T18:52:00.000+05:30

To all my dear Brothers and Sisters,

This times that we have to live show them selves full of changes, changes that get manifested in different levels of the society and of course inside of each one of us.

If it is known that life consists in this continuous changes is also evident that in the present seems to offer more and a greater diversity of changes in less amount of time. That is why we call these days as a moment of transition.

The transition that is evident is the projection the changes that occurs inside of us. Changes that in most of us had been stimulated by the “Bhagavan phenomena” as a determinant factor. That is why the ones who had the chance to experiment Bhagavan’s grace, have to face a transition period even more drastic that the rest of our society. The Providence not in vane has select us and given with the qualities to overcome this transition process and in this way help like a light house in a sea that it seems to turn every day more tempestuous.

If we are aware of the changes that go on in our environment maybe the distance does not allow us to evidence the changes that go on in Bhagavan’s physical person and the ones who surround Him. This transition shows a tendency to delegate all the functions that He has to the different parts of his surrounding circle. In the same way that the most sensible king or executive manager of a great company would do, He is preparing His retreat to a position in which he don’t need to take any mundane decision and allow him to optimize the energies that resides in him.

In this way he prepares the soil for His inevitable departure of this world avoiding as far as possible the tribulations that because of our human condition develops in every succession cases.

This is the way that the transition process will go on. The change will be to a position where his physical presence affects the less, and by doing this instead of fisurating the bases of IVS will set deep and strong bases to make this society last for the good of humanity. This pillar has been well digged already by Bhagavn’s sadhana and values. This will be the greatest legacy that He will leave not only to the ones who have the blessings of meeting him indeed will be to this whole world.

Bhagavan will not be for ever with us, but His energy is infinite and eternal and the values that characterized Him must be for ever our guide.

So there is a great challenge in our hands. Immortalize Bhagavan. For this wont be enough to keep safety all His words, words that with the time and space could even turn empty if they don’t get materialized in the characters of the ones who meet him. The challenge consists in making our lives according with the values that made Bhagavan the character we meet and becoming Bhagavan. The challenge is way high up. Only the Providence will know if we are able to achieve this goal. But we must work with out attachments to the results, and even after all, goals are not made to be achieved they were made to sing the way, like the polar star, that has never been reached but still has been followed for ages.

During this visit to India I have the chance to experiment the “Bhagavanic’s” qualities in other individuals. One of them shows me the very same way how to transmit the highest knowledge in the must simple way just as Bhagavan use to do. This person was Maharajji, with him I could experience the same feeling while meditating that I thought I could only feel in Bhagavan presence. Also with in the devotees I felt the divine Love that I thought it could be only emanated by Bhagavan himself, as a clear proof that Bhagavan’s Love transcends the physical body of our beloved.

This dissipated all the doubts that got presented with the challenge of becoming Bhagavan. In deed is a fact and is the desire of the Providence that we dream becoming Bhagavan.

This will be the greatest support for this transition period for a society that is facing these turbulent times.

The society that Bhagavan has dreamed has already strong pillars that will allow our Guide passing to a less protagonist place in the spectacle that is getting performed.

Then this society passes to the hands of each one of his devotees. The IVS of these new times must have a cellular design, in which every single component perform his very own roll, just like the cells in the human body does, we must work on our own having always on mind that we depend on the others to perform our divine duty. The Bhagavan stem cell has become an organism all ready. From now on all cells are interdependent and none of them are essential. These qualities assure the longest live of the organization. Centralized institutions have proved to be impractical and easily perverted by the time, even if we talk about the most excels of all institutions they still are conformed by humans with the limitations of that condition.

If the cannons has been well set is up to each one how to implement them depending by his character and the environment that surround him.

Finally the transition will be no other than passing from the psychical Bhagavan to becoming the potentially Bhagavan that resides in each one of us.

So let’s march on, knowing the goal and giving greatest impeccable way of living will do to canalize the turbulent energies of these days so the divine play that has been set will go on.

May the bliss that unites us encourage reaching the divine love until every corner of the earth.

Jay Bhagavan

Hare Krishna

Nieves letter:

2008-03-14T15:33:00.000+05:30

Amingaon, 27^th February, 2008
Dear Swami Probuddhananda:

When I arrive first time in India, last 19^th January, since the first day, I felt very comfortable. It could be said this trip was casual, but I know it is “causal.”

When I get in Kolkata ashram I felt like coming back at home. A seed of Vedanta has been put in soil years ago, it was in me, quietly and silently waiting for this since this new contact makes it awaken and inspired me very much.

I have to thank you all for the true love that you give. I have feel like living with my own family, a very beautiful family that protects our body, mind and soul. I have received something unexpected, a precious gift, pure love. I will never forget you all.

Tomorrow we are leaving for Varanasi; new experiences are waiting for me there. I am happy for this time we have shared, at the same time, I am also sad because we are leaving , but all of you are very deep in my heart, so you come with me too.

I have to go on with my responsibilities and my family, but these days I have waked a step, so I hope to continue with the practice that I renew here and I am sure it will help, not only myself.

I would like to come once again with my husband and who knows, with my two sons, too.

I can tell you great things that have happened to me. When I was in Kolkata ashram I realized two things:

At the precise moment when Bhagavan was leaving Birati, I saw Jesus in Him; I could understand both messages because they are the same. Although Catholics has misunderstandings in it and they have put relevance in suffering and sin, Jesus always made Love and Truth- his way.

Swami Premananda has touched my soul as a brother. He healed sad and empty feelings that I had with my own brother. When I arrived here in this Ashram I was very well received, immediately I feel love. I felt the energy of grand mother I never had a Vaishanavima she was very close to me. I appreciate every word, every chat, every song, every meal, everything is blessed here.

Swamiji, I want you to know that I appreciate very much all your dedication that you have given us all this days and I hope in a future not too far away I could do the same for you in Tenerife. You ought to know you are very well coming there any time and if you need something I can do, you could stand by me.

Thanks very very much for all good things I have received from you and all other Swamijis.

With sincere love from heart,

Nieves

Maria

Narayani.

This is a wonderful letter(translated) from Ramsharan(Gulliermo) what he feels about Bhagavan. The letter shows how devoted he is towards Bhagavan

2008-03-12T18:54:00.000+05:30

Hare Krishna, Bhagavan is the subtlest vibration in the material world, therefore we perceive as much as our subtle state permits us when we are in front of him. He said almost all the same things in every opportunity on which each one of us has seen him, but now the vibration of Bhagavan makes everything turn out perfectly among the devotees. Everyone among the foreigners showed appropriate and precise behaviour for the situation in which they found themselves. Bhagavan creates this. The foreign devotees made a subtle, expressive and sensitive connection. Devotees who have been practising spirituality for many years have recognised Bhagavan and been inspired to continue finding themselves once again. Every time that we see Him, we are receiving everything. As said by Maharajji, "Bhagavan is God. If you have faith in that, so much the better for you, but even if your faith is not so strong, Bhagavan will always continue to be God". The name is inherent to Bhagavan, just as Bhagavan to the name. He who can measure the infinite existence of God, how it is possible to receive the energy of the all-powerful if we are just small mortals sometimes real, sometimes abstract. As Bhagavan says, let us practise spirituality all the time, not just when we come to the temple to chant, let us practise every moment of the day, always connected with ourselves, aware of our road to clearer consciousness. Now I have begun to realise words that Bhagavan uttered when I met Him three years ago, and now I have begun to realise words that Koji transmitted three years ago, too. As my mind knows that it is itself that plays the games, and although it is merely a player and not the creator of the game, the mind never stops playing, and when I recognise it, it also shows the power of mutating and transforming itself so fast that it once again surrounds me with the coverings of Maya. This time that we have enjoyed the spiritual vibration unique to God cannot be described by mere words, and as Bhagavan said, words are an insult to the supreme silence, but people arrive here hoping for words, so I have to say something. Bhagavan shows us with every action his compassion and the total acceptance of an Ishwarakoti. He manifests in the physical form so that we may have an image that we can easily receive through our senses, he speaks that we may hear him through our senses, he embraces us and shows us affection that we may feel his physical presence and his incarnate form. Although he is all that, he is also completely free in every way, he is the Everything incarnated and also a very simple man, he is the very Bhagavan, and he also likes to take photographs. I have heard many times from various swamijis that it is very difficult to catch and perceive the subtle vibration of Bhagavan. Now that I have been continuing to realise little things, and the information has been being transformed from knowledge to realisation, I have begun to associate the teachings with all these saints that surround us. Now I believe that I can call myself a spiritual aspirant, and now I will be able to begin to live spirituality always, and when I remain quiet, thinking within myself and meditating like Bhagavan himself said just a few days ago. Bhagavan is always giving light to everything and everyone, Bhagavan is the sun in a place that has been dark for many years, Bhagavan is the rope in the darkness. We are just limited existence, and from this limitation we all know that we will not perceive the vibration of the infinite that Bhagavan means. Devotees, come closer to yourselves and do not stop searching for the truth within yourselves, there it resides, and there we must search for it. I love all of you. Hare Krishna Jai Bhagavan

Letter from Shivendra, a devotee of Bhagavan

2008-03-10T18:09:00.000+05:30

Revered Swamiji,
Hare Krishna,
I am so fortunate to have got a diamond opportunity to have met my master last week on Mar 02, 2008.I had been so eager to get His blessings for a long time.All the time it seems He used to play hide-and-seek with me.Of course, He is Lord Krishna, so He can play hide-and-seek with anybody but yes,He has infinite love too.Whenever I tried to meet Him earlier, it could never be possible.Actually, I am not in that position to take it as hide-and-seek game being played with me.All the time I was sad cursing my luck.Whenever He visited Amingaon,I used to be out of my institute and when I went Kolkata last month regarding my visa for US, He was in Puri.I was very uneasy to meet Him that day but I had no other option to leave Kolkata without having met Him.Really, it was very painful.Finally, my visa processing got suspended the same day.I became very sad again but I was happy the same time as I murmured to myself "Probably my master wants this happen so that I can get another chance to come Kolkata and to meet Him".Finally happened the same and I went again to Kolkata to collect my visa and thus stars shone and I reached Birati to have His blessings.

...As per the instructions of Swami Nirgunananda Ji, Swami Prajnanananda Ji and Swami Premananda Ji, I left Tollygunge at around 1600 Hrs.. and started for Birati.Finally I reached Birati at 1730 Hrs.Swami Prajnanananda Ji had spoken to Swami Sankarananda Ji before I started for Birati.I asked the location of Mayer Bari from a local person and proceeded to meet Him with lots of questions rising in my mind just like water waves in a sea.I kept questioning myself "Whether I will be able to meet Him today.Will He talk to me? How much time will I get to speak Him?If there would be a crowd of devotees then how will I get His blessings?etc.etc."I was floating in my questions and started walking languidly.I was just following two persons on the road.After a few minutes, I saw both of them entering the Mayer Bari compound. I thought them to be devotees of Bhagavan Ji and thought them to going for prayer because it was the nearly the prayer time.Although the shine board of Mayer Bari was there but still to make it confirmed I asked them "Uncle, is it the Mayer Bari?" One of those two replied "Yes".I entered the compound and kept walked enthusiastically leaving both of them behind.After a few steps I got confused about the place as I was supposed to go to the IVS office.Being confused I stopped there and when looked back, O my God, He was Bhagavn Ji and Sri Tapas Ji, to whom I asked "Uncle, isit the Mayer Bari".Actually He was returning from an evening walk.Bhagavan Ji took me to the office where I met Sankarananda Swamiji.
Bhagavan Ji asked me to have a seat He too sat in a chair.Conversation started:

"What's your name?"
"Shivendra Pandey."
"Okay, I have heard about u a lot u.Where are u originally from?"
"Bhagavan Ji,I am from Amethi..How is your physical health now?"
"It's better as compared to previous days...So, is it your first visit to Kolkata?"
"No, it's second.I had come on Feb 01 before this visit."
"Okay, so u have some work or what?"
"Yes, for visa"
"Where are u going? And for what a duration?"
"To Florida university for 2 and a half months"
"Have we met earlier?"
"Yeah, once in Amingaon"
"Oh yes, in Amingaon we have met."
"Bhagavan Ji, I was very eager to meet u but all the time it could not happen as I was out of IIT Guwahati whenever You visited Amingaon"
"But, this time it happened..right?"
"Yeah, I am so happy to have met u today"
"How is Maharaj Ji?..At present only Ramananda Swami and Maharaj Ji are there..Swarup has left for Varanasi"
"Yes, he will be back on Tuesday"
"To whom u use to talk these days? Swarup or Maharaj Ji"
"Everybody but generally I use to talk to Ramananda Swamiji and Swarup swamiji"
"Okay,..Ramananda Swamiji."
"Yes."
"Where are u staying here"
"Sealdah City lodge"
"Everything is okay? Any problem there?"
"No Bhagavanji, everything is okay"
"So u are coming from there?"
"No, I reached sealdah at 8:00 and then I went to Tollygunge from there I came here"
"Swamijis are fine there?..Did u face any problem?"
"Yeah they are fine.I faced no problem."
"How did u come?"
"By bus."
"Okay, while returning u can go by train...How did u know the location of this place?"
"Asked at Ganguram's shop.Swamiji had told me."
"Okay.So u were told about Ganguram's shop by swamiji"
"Yes."

By this time He had taken His tea.I also had tea to take.I first offered it to Bhagavan Ji.He touched the biscuits in my plate and said"Okay.I have touched it." and He asked me to take tea and He left the office.After a short time He came back to me.By that time I also had finished it.He asked:
"Tea over?"
"Yes, I have to wash it"
"No, leave it there..come with me.Let's go to prayer hall"
I followed Him to prayer hall.
He started "This is actually my home that I have converted to ashrama.Here Vedant is discussed all the time.People use to come throughout the day or phonecalls.Thus Vedanta is discussed always..So, what made u to come here?"
"Actually I use to talk to Maharaj Ji, Probuddhananda Swamiji, Prajnanananda Swamiji, Premananda Swamiji and mostly I keep in touch with Probuddhananda Swamiji through internet.This way I feel very great with them and fortunately I am here to get Your blessings "

"How do u feel"
"Happiness,peace, very good in studies and confidence in self"
"Okay, confidence in this (Pointing to self)"
"Yes"
"Very good."

After that I came back to office with Sankarananda Swamiji and talked to him.After a very long time I was fortunate to speak to Swamiji.First time I had met him in May 2006 only for a few hours. It was second meeting with him...After that we again went to prayer hall as it was prayer time.
Bhagavan Ji asked "Do u understand Bengali? No!"
"I do but a very little bit"
"Okay,A very little bit !"

Now it was prayer time.After prayer, Bhagavan Ji discusses vedanta.Finally after Mahamantra, He asked to Sri Tapas Ji "U will be leaving for Sealdah?"He replied"Yes"
Bhagavan Ji asked me "Get prasad and go with him.He is also going to Sealdah"
"Okay Bhagavan Ji"
"Tomorrow, do give me a call after u get your visa. ok?"
"Okay Bhagav ji"
"Okay then!"

And unwillingly I left Birati.It was extremely painful toleave Him but I had to leave..I felt the infinite love in Him for everybody.I have no specific word to express His love and generousity.He is everything.He is beyond everything.Nothing can map Him.How do I express my feeling within the boundaries of words.He is infinite.His love is infinite but I have only finite words.I feel more and more, deeper and deeper but I am getting myself unable to express..Love You so much My Master!!!!!!!!

(Shivendra Pandey ,Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India, devotee of Bhagavan)

Swami Probuddhananda writes:

2008-03-07T20:23:00.000+05:30

Dear Everybody,
I have a request to you all. We have been saying that you have to live the life of Bhagavan, create a character like Him within us etc, but we have to know what are the works that He had done all His life. We have to know that character fully. He has worked in so many fields, among so many people, right from the factory worker to the king of Varanasi, from remote villages of India to Barcelona and many other places, from slums to the Elite class. He had done a very important work among women, transforming several into a true spiritual giant. I am sure, everybody of us has a separate and special relationship with Bhagavan,everybody has an idea of Bhagavan in his/her own mind, lets share this. For people living outside India,what is that that always kept you attached to Bhagavan's love. You had very little days with Bhagavan compared to the Indian devotees who are fortunate enough to have many long years of association with Him. Lets all discover this, why we are here with Bhagavan, why are we trying to propagate His message to everybody, why do we live for Him? I want His life, character and teachings very very clear to everybody,let us not run after the doctrine of Incarnations, let us run after this man called Bhagavan and know Him more and more. If somebody comes to IVS or to see Bhagavan, He should know why is he/she here.
As IVS is increasing, we also will have a potential danger. With quantity, quality degrades. We will have ample chance to talk to people, and with time people will start to believe whatever we say, we have to be careful that we should always speak the truth. We should say only those what we have experienced and realized. I have seen a very subtle tendency of ours to create stories about Bhagavan. Let us not make Bhagavan as an idol, our Lord Bhagavan is living, in our heart and soul. He is with everybody, everywhere irrespective of any form. Our Lord is a human being first, a perfect man, a lover of mankind. He is the one who represents the complete human race. Our whole life will be spent on this research.
I am very happy that some of you have started writing on your own and thus share your views on spirituality. Lets all do this. It creates a consciousness, helps people to have faith in themselves, inspires. Writing makes our knowledge clearer. It helps us in many ways. We have to be prepared for the future. Our goal is to create such a civilization which will be called a family, a family of mankind. For your information,the IVS blog publishes some of your best letters. Its a very good online forum visited by many now a days and it also features in the google search, thanks to the efforts of Swami Bhakti Chaitanya, the joint General Secretary of IVS. I send you the link of this blog,please have a look.
http://www.ivs.blogspot.com/
In my childhood days, I used to love a hindi song, the first line of that song was - when we, the hardworkers, ask our share from this world,we will ask not a garden, nor a field, we will ask the whole world............ lets do this.
With love and service to Lord Bhagavan,
Its Swamiji

Swami Probuddhananda..
General - Secretary
International Vedanta Society.

Chrysanthi (Risa), devotee of Bhagavan from Greece writes her feelings on Bhagavan

2008-03-03T22:12:00.000+05:30

Chrysanthi (Risa), Varanasi 03/03/2008

I had been anxiously waiting for Bhagavans arrival. I had been preparing my self as much as I could, but I wasn't very sure of what to expect, and even though many had told me that Bhagavan in a few words is God, like every unrealized human, doubts filled my mind.

The day of His arrival came. We were all waiting at the small street at the ashrams entrance when I suddenly felt the strong vibration of His presence. I was holding to some flowers that I would kindly shower on Him as a show of love and respect. I saw him coming towards me: an illuminated, childish face that hid all the wisdom of the universe behind those eyes and smile. He asked me whether I was ok; never in my life has somebody asked me this question in a more sincere way than Bhagavan. I was left speechless; completely unable to answer the only thing I could do was smile, happy to have felt unconditional love from someone I was seeing for the first time in my life.

The days following Bhagavans stay, I tried to spend more and more time at the ashram trying to figure out what was that vibration, so familiar, like a memory long forgotten. It is only now that I can realize what Bhagavan is.

Bhagavan for me is Love, unconditional Love, Love that doesn't see faults, mistakes, doubts etc. He only sees God inside you, He believes in you whether you believe in yourself or not, and that gives you strength to carry on. He is Knowledge, supreme Knowledge that sparkles in His eyes like the rays of the sun. Once I looked in them, and now I find myself swimming in that ocean of Knowledge all the time. He is everything, he is my inspiration, he is God. He is my father.

Now, even though Bhagavan is not here, his presence in me is occupying more and more space, until I finally be able, as I told him, to sacrifice my whole being for Him, for God.

Caution, Bhagavan is God.

Swami Probuddhananda, General Secretary , I.V.S. writes the Secretarial report about Bhagavan's Varanasi visit.

2008-03-02T18:34:00.000+05:30

Dear Everybody,
Varanasi, the place that has given IVS immortality because this is the place where Bhagavan got the boon of immortality from none other then Lord Shiva. Since then, Varanasi had offered many important and significant hand in the growth and development of IVS. But nothing was so brilliant and enlightening then this visit of Bhagavan from the 17th to the 27th of Feb'08. I have been in Varanasi almost from the very inception of IVS here, but never did I see so much effect of Bhagavan's visit. Neither did I see Bhagaavn so ensured as He was this time. My sincere regards to all the Swamijis and the members and among them specially the IVS girls here who had made this possible.

This time many things had happened but among them the most pleasant development I saw was great combition of the east and the west working hand in hand to make things possible in every sphere. Everybody seemed to know exactly what each one of us had to do, everybody knew what was best for Bhagavan and everybody seemed to be totally knowing what was best for the world as well. The health of Bhagavan was not 100% but as days progressed, we found Him more and more live and pleasant.

Bhagavan didn't speak much as He normally does, but the effect was phenomenal. It was very good that everybody realised that its now time for us to take up the work of Bhagavan. Its not in His body, its Him and everybody seemed to be fully ready to carry Bhagavan with them in their hearts back to their places. Everybody realized the need to carry on a disciplined spiritual life if we have to carry on our work and to take legacy of Bhagavan beyond time and space. We can create this same enviornment back in our places, the only way is to beleive that we can. We can do the same work that Bhagavan has been doing, the only thing required is the sincerity and genuinity He puts on in His efforts. His mere presence makes a difference because all through His life He has been the epitome of truth, a living manifestation of originality. We have to live His life in ourselves. We have not to intimidate but to become one like Him. And this phenomenon has started and as we march on, we will see all His devotees carry the flame of His in their hearts and thats the greatest work that He could do. He had illuminated the light of Knowledge and love to so many people all over the world and as time goes on, I see that all His devotees rise up from their own plane and scatter everywhere in this world showering the glory of humanity and transforming our world into a eternal blissfulness. Just imagine for what a grand work we have been chosen for, what a fortune we have. Jai Bhagavan, Jai Bhagavan Jai Bhagavan.

Now to come to what we are going to do within the next few years. As you all know that 2008 is dedicated to the publicity of IVS, we will stretch it into two more years. That is from 2008 to 2010, we will work in such a way that the message of Bhagavan reaches to the people everywhere. The plan for the immediate next six months is that some of the Swamijis will be visiting places in Spain, England, France , Argentina, Chile and Paraguay and propagate the message of Bhagavan and Vedanata. I urge each and everyone of us to make this effort a mass movement wherever the Swamijis go. Start work from now on. Lets take the full advantage of this. This is the first step.

Once this is complete, some more doors will be open to IVS worldwide. Chances and demand will grow. I will ask everybody of us to be prepared to serve Bhagavan whenever they are required in any part of the world. We should be in the position to make us available whenever and wherever we are needed. Prepare yourself to work globally. IVS is a spiritual organization and out whole life will be spent to distribute spirituality amongst the masses in the way Bhagavan had done, with love. Prepare yourself for this grand finale. Its time, its to come, What I see, it will come soon.
With love and in the service of Bhagavan,

Swamiji

( I request some of you who know the IDs of the new people who had just arrived in the IVS family to send a copy of this to them as well.)

Swami Probuddhananda
General - Secretary
International Vedanta Society.

Cristian, Devotee of Bhagavan from Chile writes his experience about Bhagavan's stay at Varanasi

2008-03-02T18:16:00.000+05:30

Wed, Feb 27, 2008
Dear Friends,
today Bhagwanji left Varanasi.

we are full in emotion. no many words now. but just wanted to thanks everibody because being with him and seing increse the family everyday is plenty of hope/

Bhagwan is out of our understanding. really. people fell in love to him just in a few hours.. and as result deep joy is coming.

a group of 24 chilean people came to see him. and all them were very touched by his grace- i am not saying this just in words.. - really they were able to see the grandness of His love and feelit inside as never before.

the atmosphere has been full of spirit..

and is amazing to see the change in pleople just after a few days with Him.

i am very gratefull of all this and the opportunity to be with him and all.

Bhagwan health is also good. he has dance a lot. and enjoy every moment with new devotees.

i hope and wish the best for IVS, which is no more than the visible part of this celebration togeter with Bhagwanji.

is a tremendous Power in Him and pure love come to all because of that.

love to all.

Cristian.

#if you see clouds one day in the sky are just clouds, doesnt mean that the sun if not there.

Sharada Writes

2008-03-02T18:12:00.000+05:30
Dear everybody.
Hope you all are enjoying the divine life which Bhagavan has gifted us...Yes , this shows how great He is as He has gifted us the life of divinity , for which people spend years after years doing Sadhana...What is Sadhana??? We all have His 10 commandments written in the script of Sadhana...But we must realise the contents of Sadhana from within...There Bhagavan has told us to meditate & practice Vedanta...In my previous letters I told you all about the cyclical process of practicing & preaching Vedanta...But what are the benefits that we are going to get if we keep a regular touch of meditation & practicing Vedanta???
Regular meditation will help us in establishing our own selves....yes our own being...to know the self , where God resides...Vedanta says - KNOW THYSELF....Why does it say so? As because there's no one else other than God , other than Brahman...We all are just the portion of this Brahman , nothing else....Vedanta teaches us to be independent , to be confident on thy self , that I am for God , God is within me...Vedanta teaches us to listen to our own soul.........In ''Flashes of Vedanta'' we can see that , ''TO KNOW THE SELF IS THE KNOWLEDGE , OTHERWISE IGNORANCE.'' Yes, ignorance...but why ignorance?Vedanta teaches us to put our mind towards self-knowledge , to believe into within...to listen to thy heart & not depend on others.....Bhagavan also tells - EXPAND THY HEART...This is the only way to salvation...Just by mere saying will not help...you have to put it into practice...Expand yourself , your heart...which can only be possible through regular practice of Vedanta...Work , work & work...It will show the representation of your own thought....Express yourself as much as possible....Relish the taste of Vedanta from within , then you can relish the taste of Bhagavan's love....Know this , if we are to work for anyone , we have to work for God...If we want to live for anyone , we must live for God.....If we are to be the servant of anyone , we must be the servant of God....We must feel God within each of our cell...
So make your own heart as large as possible free from any disturbances , calm & quiet , enjoy the taste of Vedanta...Be self-confident , be free , if there's exist anything , it's only God...He is within you , within me , everywhere....His divine love changes our mind from dry desert to the beautiful cool Oasis...Its the only way-through of getting peace...Its the only way of gifting homage to our Lord , who has made our lives so special , so beautiful....We must be like Him....We must become firm & strong like Him.......We must become God.......Live for God , work for God & then to become God by ourselves...This is our goal , our Sadhana.....Do you all agree , friends???
I shall be heartily waiting for the reply to this letter from all of you.....God bless you all.....JAY BHAGAVAN.
With lots of love & regards,
Sarada...

Letter from Sarada, devotee of Bhagavan at Kolkata

2008-02-18T09:19:00.000+05:30

2008-02-18T09:05:00.000+05:30
My dear friends,
How's everything going? I n the last letter I told you all regarding practicing & preaching Vedanta. Yes,really...preaching Vedanta will make our own heart clear about any doubts, if comes in front of us....as because teaching others will result into knowing twice...different questions will come in our mind , we will look for that answer & after we know that answer our own self will develop...Isn't it so?
In one of the books of International Vedanta Society named ''Flashes from Vedanta'' , we find on the very first page , its telling about three things , i.e. , WILL, DETERMINATION & CONCENTRATION....What are these???Yes , definitely we all know the meaning of these three words..But how many of us do really have these three things???These three are the pillars of our society our civilisation...But do we really feel them at this present context???Willingness of getting something is there in our mind , but does that willingness of having some material thing do really bring peace in our soul??? We should have the will of having that ultimate knowledge which will make us say- Yes, I am living in peace!!! How many in this world can really say this from heart??? Only few....But we have to achieve that as because we have got the touch of Bhagavan-The God, who is even beyond this Supreme....Will , determination & concentration makes a perfect character which is very very important in our spiritual ground....
The path is laid already...Now this willingness of going towards this path will be our first step towards spiritualism...Willingness should be a pure one which must come from deep within the heart...that yes I want to have the knowledge of supreme...this willingness is the first pillar of getting success & to build a good character....Yes, I want to have this...Yes, I shall be like this....Willing to get something will result into having that in future , may be not immediately but surely in future...Our will should be to get the Ultimate after which there will be no other longings will remain....That's the highest one...
Now comes the determination...Strong willingness will result into determination that we have to have this....i.e., the determination of knowing the truth....the determination of being the truth...The determination which we find inside Bhagavan of giving love to all...The determination that has built His character & made Him Bhagavan today. This is called the true determination...The determination of achieving the goal of life...But what's the actual goal??? The actual goal is that to achieve the supreme which is the Master of all the other goals in this world....Do you agree with me or not??? Yes we need the determination that will hold us firm in this path ,that will help us in holding the faith on God & trust in ourselves , that will give us peace , that will help us in building our character...the strongest of all the strong characters!!!
Then it comes the Concentration..Yes , this is another important point of getting the hold of our character...Whatever we do , it should have our full hearted concentration...Concentration is a word that we use in many aspects...but how many of us do really have it??? But if we strongly believe in the Almighty & have the determination , He will bless us with the concentration that will help us in concentrating on our goal of achieving the Supreme...Concentration is a very tough job in this material world as our mind is always full of worldly bindings...Our mind always tends to go towards that material world as because it is already habituated in living there...So very strong determination & immense concentration is needed for keeping the hold of our mind in a stable position...Though its a tough job , but again I must repeat the words of Bhagavan that - ''If I can do this, you can also.'' So as we have already got the touch of Bhagavan , we must show Him regards by following the way He acts...We must grow the determination , willing power & concentration just like our Master, Bhagavan....
He has shown us the way...now its our job to follow the path...But being in this path is not so simple...It needs great effort & this effort needs some continuous process which again must have the three strong pillars- WILL , DETERMINATION & CONCENTRATION...& these three pillars will grow gradually as we practice Vedanta regularly.....So here , we can see a cyclical process :
PRACTICING VEDANTA->PREACHING VEDANTA->GROWING OF WILL,DETERMINATION & CONCENTRATION->AGAIN PRACTISING VEDANTA & PREACHING VEDANTA.......
This cycle will ultimately result into knowing ourselves....will result into being The God....& ultimately to show due homage to our beloved Bhagavan.....So come on friends...let start riding this cycle forever till eternity......
With lots & lots of love,
Sarada....

Letter from Swami Probuddhananda, General Secretary, I.V.S

2008-02-14T21:26:00.000+05:30

Dear Everybody,

At the very outset, I wish you all the best in the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Shri Guruma. On this occasion, all the branches of IVS celebrated this day with a full day spiritual programme. I hope you too have celebrated this day wherever you have been.

Here in Guwahati, we are planning for the next step of the organization as a whole. One of the important aspect of this discussion is the celebration of the 20th convention in Guwahati. During the last year convention in Kolkata, we had decided not to celebrate in the manner in which it was been done. We had taken a resolution that only the members will be allowed to attend this convention. But now we have to think differently. We will have this year’s convention in Guwahati on the 19^th of Nov.’08 and we will invite the whole world to attend this. For this, the work has already been started. We will have a spiritual camp for 7 to 10 days where all the spiritual aspects will be discussed, we will have a daily spiritual routine and we will have the opportunity to see, hear and be near Bhagavan. The process will be started from the respective branches in India and abroad from now.

During the convention in Varanasi in the year 2006, we were determined to make this organization into a truly International organization. We did it. I am thankful to everybody from the core of my heart. Each one of us had a role to play during that convention. Now, this time too, we have a determination. We aim to spread the message of Bhagavan, His teachings to the world. As we could do it then, I believe, we will do this again. Today, during a conversation with the Vice President of IVS, it came out, “ We will take the message of Bhagavan to the whole world this time.” As it came out, Maharajji, Ramananda and myself went to the Brahmaputra river and prayed so that this becomes a reality. Ironically, we were the same three persons who worked during the convention in Varanasi. If the message of Bhagavan has to be propagated, it has to be now .Moreover there was a declation of Swami Vivekananda that a new Sun is going to rise in the far east besides the river Brahmaputra. Lets all work for this. Goals are the milestones in our lives. This is our goal now.

During this convention, I intend to bring out 10 books of International quality on the teachings and life of Bhagavan. Most of them will be in English, Hindi and Spanish. I urge everybody to work for this. Write down all you have of Bhagavan’s words, His teachings or events from now. Take your time. We have 4 months to do the base work. Compile it into a book and send it to me. Some of the books will be on the teachings and words of Bhagavan, some of them will be on the experiences of ours with Him. I have a plan to publish to book with a title “ Those who lived with God”.. Lets all work for this. I am sure we will have the divine grace of Bhagavan in this endeavor.

Until next time, Its Swamiji with love from IVS HQs, Assam

2007-12-11T10:28:00.000+05:30
Dance Presentation during the Occassion

Sri Bhagavan being felicitated by NGO's of Kolkata

Sri Bhagavan's falicitation venue- the Indumani Sabha Griha, Jadavpur University, Kolkata

19th Annual Convention in Pictures.

2007-12-11T10:13:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,
I am uploading the pictures of the Annual Convention.I think there is some technical problems with bloggers uploading pictures.Its taking too long to upload.
(Photo-Day1. Nagar Parikrama in Tollygunge, Kolkata)

19th Annual convention Invitation

2007-10-31T12:18:00.000+05:30
Dear Sir/ Madam,

On behalf of the International Vedanta Society, I have the immense pleasure of inviting you with family and friends to our 19th Annual International Convention at Kolkata.
The three days Spiritual programme will commence from the 18th of November to the 20th of November'07 at Kolkata, India.
The details of the programme are as under :

18th November 2007: Felicitation of Bhagavan by welfare organisations of Kolkata for His noble work and service to mankind.
Venue: INDUMATI SABHA GRIHA;Jadavpur University
Time: 10.30A.M.

19th November 2007:Foundation day celebration and daylong spiritual programme.
Venue: 'PAVILION HALL' , RAVINDRA SOROVOR STADIUM, Kolkata.
Time: 10.00 A.M onwards

20th of November 2007: Meditation and Spiritual programme
Venue: TARUN SENGUPTA MEMORIAL HALL, Birati, Kolkata.
Time: 05.00 P.M

Thanking you,

In the service of Bhagavan,
Swami Probuddhananda.
General Secretary
International Vedanta Society.

For further details/informations please contact:
Swami Prajnanananda: 9831265681
Swami Nirgunananda : 9231656828
Swami Sankarananda : 9831265692
Sanjoy Banerjee : 9831172705
or write to,
swamiprobuddhananda@hotmail.com

A wonderful letter from Swami Probuddhananda, General Secretary, International Vedanta Society. Read On friends..........

2007-09-28T22:07:00.000+05:30
Dear Everybody,
I want to share an interesting experience with you all. For sometimes in the recent past, Indian sports is on a high. India won the Soccer Nehru Cup played with a overseas team, though it means nothing to some but it is a very big news for people in India because we all know where India stands in the world of Soccer. Maybe India will go on to win the next FIFA world cup whenever it qualifies ,jajajaja, but jokes apart, who knows what may happen the next moment. Then, India won the Asia Cup in Hockey defeating South Korea which was again grand. People who keep track on the women's tennis will certainly know about Sania Mirza of India who now is within the list of top 25 players . There are other names like Viswanathan Anand from the world of chess etc.The latest and the biggest success was the winning of the 20-twenty Cricket world cup defeating Pakisthan in the finals. The match was a delight to watch because it was Pakisthan who was the obvious winner after the first half. But India won. In every winning sequence came the name of a Hindi Movie - "CHAK DE INDIA", a film made on the women's hockey team which electrified the nerves of all the sporting circles in the sub continent. Most of the players in the post match session referred to this film as the key and inspiration to success. The media showed some of the clips of the movie which suggested that it was really worth watching.
So, after the Match between India and Pakisthan which India won brilliantly, I slept with a desire to see the movie the next day in my computer. I saw the movie last night and was very impressed by the way the coach made the players fight for everything, motivated them in such a way that they played for a win but enjoyed every single second in the field. And most importantly they were the winners.
Sports has a great hand in shaping the character of a man always. We talk about sports man spirit which enables every sports man to accept defeat with a smile but again inspires to fight for a win. And if the attitude is right, he does win. I would like to share some of the moments of the film which made this so great and worthy watching everytime.
While coaching the women's hockey team, the coach worked hard with the team. He observed that the players were good when they played individually but when they played as a team they failed for the enormous desire of the players to do something individually. This made the team fail everytime because whenever personal goals come between the team goal, the team is going to suffer a humiliating defeat. He taught them how to play as a team. The ball was important to travel forward not the players. Because in the goal only the ball has to go, not the players. So, one should know how to make the ball travel forward without thinking whether He/she/they is going to hit a goal. He said,
" Pass the ball, let the ball travel forward, its immaterial whether you or she or they travel forward with the ball."
This is the essence of an organization. The goal of ours is spreading the message of Vedanta to the world, to spread the message of love and oneness to the world. It is immaterial where I stand while this grand work is performed. Our goal is to do it, for a grand work, an organization is needed because its not we do it today and forget,this has to continue forever, we have to build a base in this world where people will be born and get liberated never thinking of his/her existence or security for futures to come. For this a large number of people are needed because the future should be restored, ensured that we grow in such a way where we can demonstrate the love Bhagavan had given to us. We will create an environment where people can come and get spiritually motivated and thus know the truth. Today, we all have to stand leaving aside our Personal goals, we have to see our collective Goal. IVS (International Vedanta Society) provides us this opportunity where we can grow into a team. We can love and share and help. To everybody of us, IVS is the ball today because its the only one group that will carry forward the essence of Bhagavan to the future. So, lets all play to hit the ball travel forward while we stand awaiting our turn to hit the ball whenever the need arises. And I am sure everybody will get a chance to hit the ball and score a goal.
The next appealing dialogue was,
" I want those who will play for India. I want a team ."
This is self explanatory. We need people who will play for Bhagavan. Who will play in the way he wanted us to. For His whole life, Bhagavan had worked for a worldwide organization and He named this as International Vedanta Society, a society in the vision, not an Ashram or a group of monks. Its a total team of everybody from every section of the society the world over coming together and playing for a common goal of spreading love to everyone. For a grand work, people should unite together because the greatest power lies within us, we are the people, common but very powerful. We create dynasties, we create revolutions, we are the kingmakers,we make war happen and we make peace, we create differences and we unite , we are the unsung heroes. But, lets all unite again and lets revolt against all those forces which creates difference in human being. Lets all say for once, we are Man, we are God, we are Brahman, We are That. We are love.

"I don't bother about the strength, I am searching the proper attitude."
Though we are small, our dreams are very high, but our attitude is firm. We know that we will make this happen, and very soon. We will do this, thats all. Not do or die, but lets say- do and die.

" You are angry with me because I tried to make you play for each other not against each other, fight not for yourself but for the team."
Lets have this in us. Lets play for eachother. Lets be complimentary to eachother.

" I will be dead but cannot loose."
I need this attitude from you all.

"CHAK DE" means comeon. CHAK DE INDIA - come on India. Lets say,
........................."CHAK DE IVS"..............................
With you forever,
Swamiji..

VEDIC STOTRAM (HYMNS)

2007-05-31T09:09:00.000+05:30

(As Sung At The I.V.S Centres During The Evening Prayer)
VEDIC STOTRAM

OM ASATO MA SADGAMAYA
TAMASO MA JYOTIRGAMAYA
MRITYORMAMRITAM GAMAYA
AVIRAVIRMA EDHI
RUDRA YATTE DAKSHINAM MUKHAM
TENA MAM PAHI NITYAM
OM YO BRAHMANAM VIDADHATI PURVAM
YO VAI VEDANGSHCHA PRAHINOTI TASMAI
TVAM HA DEVATMABUDDHIRPRAKASHAM
MUMUKSHURVAI SHARANAMAHAM PRAPADYE

OM NAMO VEDANTAVEDYA
GURAVE BUDDHISAKSHINE
SACCHIDANANDARUPAYA NIRGUNAYA GUNATMANEH

OM BHADRAM KARNEBHIH SHRINUYAM DEVA
BHADRAM PASHYEMAKSHABHIRYAJATRAH
STHIRAIRANGAISTUSTUVANSASTANUBHIRVYASHEMA
DEVAHITAM YADAYUH
OM SHANTIH! SHANTIH! SHANTIH!
(Prashnopanishad, Mundakupanishad)

OM SAHANAVAVATU SAHA NAU BHUNAKTU
SAHVIRYAM KARAVAVAHAI
TEJASVI NAVADHITAMASTU
MA VIDVISHAVAHAI
OM SHANTIH! SHANTIH! SHANTIH!
(Kathopanishad)

OM APYAYANTU MAMANGANI
VAK PRANASHCHAKSHUH
SHROTRAMATHO BALAMINDRIYANI CHA SARVANI
SARVAM BRAHMAUPANISHADAM MAHAM BRAHMANIRAKURYAM MA MA BRAHMANIRAKARODANIRAKARANAMASTWANIRAKARANAM
HASTU TADATMANI NIRATE YA UPANISHADSTU DHARMASTE MAYI SANTU TE MAYI SANTU
OM SHANTIH! SHANTIH! SHANTIH!
(Chandogyaupanishad)

OM BANGME MANASI PRATISHTHITA
MANO ME VACHI PRATISHITAM
AVIRAVIR MAYEDHI
VEDASYA MAA ANISTHA
SHRUTAM ME MAA PRAHASIH
ANENA DHITENAHORATRN SANGDADHAMI
RITAM VADISHYAMI SATYAM VADISHYAMI
TANMAMAVATU TAD VAKTARAMAVATU

AVATUMAM AVATU BAKTARAM AVATU BAKTARAM
OM SHANTIH! SHANTIH! SHANTIH!
(Aithriyoupanishad)

ANENA DHITENAHORATRN SANGDADHAMI
RITAM VADISHYAMI SATYAM VADISHYAMI
TANMAMAVATU TAD VAKTARAMAVATU
AVATUMAM AVATU BAKTARAM AVATU BAKTARAM
OM SHANTIH! SHANTIH! SHANTIH!
(Aithriyoupanishad)

OM SHANNO MITRA SHAM VARUNA
SHANNO BHADATWARYAMA
SHANNA INDRA BRIHASPATIH
SHANNO VISHNU RURUKRAMAH
NAMO BRAHMANE NAMASTE VAYO
TWOMEVA PRATYAKSHAM BRAHMASI
TWAMEVA PRATYAKSHAM BRAHMA VADISHYAMI
RITAM VADISHYAMI SATYAM VADISHAMI
TANMAMAVATU TAD VAKTARAMAVATU
AVATUMAM AVATU BAKTARAM
OM SANTIH! SANTIH! SANTIH!
(Taitriyoupanishad)

OM MADHU VATA RITAYATE
MADHUKSHARANTI SINDHAVA
MADHVIRNA SANTWO SHADHI
MADHU NAKTA MUTO SHASO
MADHUMATH PARTHIVAM RAJAH
MADHU DAURASTU NA PITA
MADHUMANNO VANASPATIRMADHUMA ASTU SURYAH
MADHVIRGAVO BHAVANTU NAH
OM MADHU! OM MADHU! OM MADHU!
(Bridharanyakupanishad)

OM PURNAMADAH PURNAMIDAM PURNAT PURNAMUDACHYATE
PURNASYA PURNAMADAYA PURNAMEVA VASHISHYATE
OM SANTIH! SANTIH! SANTIH!
(Ishoupanishad)

JAY SHREE BHAGAVAN PREMI BHAKTA JANO KI – JAY……3
HURRA! GOD LOVING ALL DEVOTES HURRA!
VIVA! DIOS AMA A TODOS LOS DEVOTOS VIVA!
JAY BHAKTADIN SHRI BHAGAVAN KI – JAY………..3
VIVA! DIOS APARECE CUANDO LOS DEVOTOS LO DESEAN VIVA!
JAY INTERNATIONAL VEDANTA SOCIETY KI – JAY……..3
HURRA! INTERNATIONAL VEDANTA SOCIETY HURRA!

VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM

2007-05-31T08:20:00.000+05:30

We all want to find our own place in this universe and eagerly dream of a world where we have a room for ourselves. We search a world, which is full of Eternal Peace, Love and Compassion, but we find not the way.
Bhagavan says- " Expand Thy Heart"
By opening our heart we realise that we are not alone in this world. We are of this world. We are of this family. The world is my own. "THE WORLD IS MY FAMILY!"

FLYING WITH BHAGAVAN

2007-05-31T07:44:00.000+05:30

Varanasi,India
19th November 2006

The time was the regular mahamantra. the devotees were dancing around Bhagavan- The Core and founder of this great organisation called the International Vedanta Society.As the mahamantra begin to unfold itself a curent of joy passed amongst the people around and they were simply absorbed in the mahamantra. Everybody were so full of joy and ecstasy that they were jumping or rather flying around their master!

GURU VANDANA

2007-05-17T22:10:00.000+05:30

(As Sung At The I.V.S Centres During The Evening Prayer)

GURUR BRAHMA GURURVISHNU GURURDEVA MAHESHVARA
GURUREVA PARAM BRAHMA TASMAI SHRI GURAVE NAMAH

AJÑANATIMIRANDHYASYA JÑANANJAYA SHALAKAYA
CHAKSHURUNMILITAM YENA TASMAI SHRI GURAVE NAMAH

AKHANDAMANDALAKARAM VYAPTAM YENA CHARACHARAM
TATPADAM DARSHITAM YENA TASMAI SHRI GURAVE NAMAH

MANNATHAH SHRIJAGANNATHO MADGURUH SHRIJAGADGURUH
MAMATMA SARVABHUTATMA TASMAI SHRI GURAVE NAMAH

DHYANAMULAM GURORMURTI M PUJAMULAM GUROH PADAM
MANTRAMULAM GURORVAKYAM MOKSHAMULAM GUROH KRIPA

BRAHMANANDAM PARAMASUKHADAM KEVALAM JÑANAMURTIM
DVANDVATITAM GAGANASADRISHAM TATVAMASHYADILAKSHYAM

EKAM NITYAM VIMALACHALAM SARVADHISAKSHIBHUTAM
BHAVATITAM TRIGUNARAHITAM SADGURUM TAM NAMAMI
SADGURUM TAM NAMAMI SADGURUM TAM NAMAMI

2007-05-15T00:08:00.000+05:30

AN APPEAL

For twenty-five years now, Bhagavan has been dedicating all his efforts to the spreading of spiritual love to all that would hearThe Vedanta philosophy and the Hare Krishna mantra, which Bhagavan received not from his guru, but from divine revelation, honesty and sincerity are to be the vehicles for carrying out his cherished plan. The life of IVS began in a Guwahati railway colony in 1989 with Bhagavan and a small group of raw young boys. By the grace of Bhagavan’s profound spiritual realisations and enthusiasm, a group of deeply realised sages and highly devoted workers has arisen not just in India, but also abroad, and the society now has ashrams in Guwahati and Varanasi. Bhagavan himself now lives in Kolkata.

The world is now racked by all kinds of injustices and sufferings which man is inflicting onto his fellow man, and hence the world is teetering on the brink of disaster. Politics has not found any lasting answer, and charities, alas, too, cannot. What is required is a spiritual solution, for that is the only solution permanent for a soul and lasting for nations. The history of India, and indeed of the whole world, shows us that whenever society degrades into materialism, the one who steps forth to lead us out of the darkness is always a saint. A spiritual solution always strikes at the root cause of a problem – that is selfishness. A journalist once asked Bhagavan what the most dangerous threat to the world is today. Bhagavan replied that it is not cancer, it is not AIDS, it is not nuclear bombs, rather it is a lack of love. Oh, if we could only comprehend what it really means to love, to feel another’s pain, to have an utterly selfless heart! If but a few strong souls could realise this, the world would be transformed. Bhagavan is one who, in my mind, is without doubt an incarnation of Love itself, capable of delivering the world unto a new and better age, based on wisdom and love alone. This I have realised time and again over so many years. Bhagavan has made the sages. The workers are prepared. The spiritual power is ready to burst forth.

Though we are very well-prepared in a spiritual sense, this has necessarily meant that, to keep the spirituality pure, our society has had to desist from involving itself in material dealings. For this reason, we must rely solely on the pure in heart among those householder devotees and well-wishers that are capable of supporting our works. If our story, if our ideal touches a chord in your heart, we would be delighted if you would join us, but if this is not possible, you would indeed still be doing a great service if you could offer us some financial or any other assistance, not for us, nay, not for our sakes, but for the sake of the downtrodden, the struggling multitude and the spiritually bereft in all strata of society at home and abroad. Our first priority now is to procure an ashram for Bhagavan in Kolkata. His home is in a village called Birati not far from Kolkata, but at present He is living in a rented house in Kolkata itself to make Himself more accessible to His Kolkata devotees. The majority of the devotees come from poor families that are unable to offer any substantial assistance, and as there are always new devotees coming, there is no longer space in the house to accommodate all. Also, there is insufficient space to accommodate devotees that visit from other parts of India and foreign countries, so the access they have to Bhagavan is limited, and therefore so is their immersion in the spiritual environment, thus constricting the quality of what we have to offer. Thereafter, we hope to go from strength to strength.

Cheques/drafts may be sent in favour of the INTERNATIONAL VEDANTA SOCIETY.
Donations are exempt from Income-tax under section 80 G of IT ACT ,1961.

Hoping, too, that you will be with us,

Yours faithfully,

In the service of the Lord

Swami Probuddhananda
General Secretary
International Vedanta Society

NIRVAN SATAKAM

2007-05-13T21:43:00.000+05:30

NIRVANSATAKAM
(Six Stanzas of Nirvana by Adi Sankaracharya))

OM MANOBUDDHA AHANKARA CHITTANI NAHANG, NA CHA SROTRA JIBHYA NA CHA GHRANA NETRE
NA CHA VHYOM BHUMIRNA TEJO NA VAYU, SCHIDANDARUPA SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM.

Om. I am neither the mind, intelligence, ego, nor chitta (the seat of memory),Neither the ears nor the tongue, nor the senses of smell and sight; neither ether nor air, nor fire nor water nor earth; I am Eternal Bliss and Awareness - I am Shiva! I am Shiva!

NA CHA PRANA SANGHYO NA VAI PANCHA VAYURNA VA SAPTA DHATURNA VA PANCHAKOSHAH
NA VAKPANI PADANG NA CHOUPASTHAPAYU SCHIDA NANDA RUPA SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM.

I am neither the prana nor the five vital breaths. Neither the seven elements of the body, nor its five sheathes,Not hands nor feet nor tongue, nor either organs of action; I am eternal Bliss and Awareness - I am Shiva! I am Shiva!

NA ME DWESHARAGO NA ME LOBHOMOHA, MADO NEIVA ME NEIVA MATSCHARGA BHAVA
NA DHARMO NA CHARTHANG NA KAMO NA MOKSHA SCIDANANDA RUPAH SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM.

Neither greed not delusion, loathing nor liking have I; Nothing of pride or ego, of dharma or Libertion; Neither desire of the mind nor object for its desiring: I am Eternal Bliss and Awareness – I am Shiva! I am Shiva!

NA PUNYANG NA PAPANG NA SAUKHANG NA DUKHANG NA MANTRO NA TIRTHANG NA VEDA NA YAGYA
AHANG BHOJANANG NAIVA BHAJYANG NA BHOKTA SCHIDANANDA RUPAH SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM.

Nothing of pleasure and pain, of virtue and vice do I know; Of mantra of sacred place, of Vedas of sacrifice; Neither am I the eater, the food or the act of eating; I am Eternal Bliss and Awareness I am Shiva! I am Shiva!

NA MRITUYARNA SANKA NA ME JATI BHEDAH PITA NAIVA MEIN NEIVA MATA NA JANMA
NA BANDHURNA MITRANG GURUR NAIVA SISHYA SCHIDANANDA RUPAH SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM.

Death or fear I have none, nor any distinction of caste; Neither father nor mother, nor even birth, have I; Neither friend nor comrade, neither disciple nor guru: I am Eternal Bliss and Awareness.. I am Shiva! I am Shiva!

AHANG NIRVIKALPO NIRAKARA RUPAH VIBHUTVACCA SARVATRA SARVENDRIYANAM
NA VASANGATANG NAIVA MUKTIRNA MEYA SCHIDANANDA RUPAH SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM.

I have no form or fancy: the all pervading am I ; everywhere I exist, and yet I am beyond the senses; neither salvation am I, nor anything to be known: I am Eternal Bliss and Awareness… I am Shiva! I am Shiva!

• INTERNATIONAL VEDANTA SOCIETY
Khalispura,Dasaswamedh,Varanasi-01,India
www.ivsonline.org

INTERNATIONAL VEDANTA SOCIETY (IVS)

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Press Report of Bhagavan's Europe visit

Guru Purnima invitation

News of Bhagavan's 69th birth anniversary from the media

News of Bhagavan's 69th birth anniversary from the media

Bhagavan's 69th Birth Anniversary celebration invitation

68th Birth Anniversary of Bhagavan

Devotees from around the world visit Bhagavan in Birati, Kolkata

Devotees dancing in the tune of Mahamantra at Birati, Kolkata

Devotees chanting Mahamantra at Mayer bari, Birati, Kolkata

Jayanta Sinha the associate editor of a bengali Journal "Protidin"has written in "The Echo of India"

What is the use of getting liberated?

Steadfast

Moments With Bhagavan- 12th-17th November,20th Anuual Convention, Guwahati, Assam, India

Photographs of 20th Annual Convention

20th Annual Convention Invitation

Quiet Content

A report on Bhagavan’s visits to Shillong- a beautiful city with beautiful people at the North eastern state of Meghalaya, India.

A letter by Swami Probuddhananda.

Courage and Spirituality.

A letter of Swami Vivekananda.

Prayer, by Sinead Ni Bhriain,Swansea,Wales,UK

Janaka and Astavakra.

The frog in the well

PHILOSOPHY OF IVS.

Newsdesk

Suzie Palmer, (Australia), on the story of Bhagavan.

A story by Bhagavan.

Sarada Chatterjee(Kolkata) writes,

What is fear?

Narayana's Experience with the mahamantra

Divine Consciousness

Bhagavan's words- Bappadittya Saha,

Jennifer Helminsky, New jersey, USA.

Self-Realization-An ultimate bliss

march on....the light is just next step.

Enlightenment.

Jennifer Helminski,Central Jersey,

NJ, America.

Bhagavan's letter.

Wanted

“Entrepreneurs attract opportunities”

Alida Fehily.Mysteries of Wisdom TM Wisdom Consultant

2005 Psychic of the Year (WA)

awarded by the Australian Psychics Association

A Peaceful Shelter

Prayer of Narayan, Barcelona,Spain

A Letter of Bhagavan

Marie Saide's(Damascus, Cyria) note:

BE THANKFUL

It's You...

A Letter From The Archives of I.V.S.

Marie Saide's Notes

Risa writes from Greece

Express your Affection

My Garden by Maria from Mexico

Marie Saide's Notes, Damascus, Syria

Experiance of Maria from Mexico.

Ram Nam- Chanting the name of Lord Ram

A beautiful letter from the Genaral Secretary of International Vedanta Society

Maria from mexico writes:

Letter from Risa, Devotee of Bhagavan from Greece

letter From Kojima Halliday, Devotee of Bhagavan, London

A Highly Encouraging Letter from a True Spiritual Person

Newsdesk: Anandotsav Video 23rd February 2008, Varanasi, India Part-2

Newsdesk: Anandotsav Video 23rd February 2008, Varanasi, India part 1

Risa from Greece writes:

Newsdesk:

Carolina's (Uruguay) experience with Bhagavan

General Secretary writes:

IVS is a white elephant, writes Saroda......

Shivendra ,Research Scholar, IIT Guwahati, writes......

To Bhagavan With Love- Paula, Barcelona

Mariane from France writes about the experience with Bhagavan.......

A Small but Wonderful letter from Our Cute Friend Narayan From Barcelona

A letter from Manel, Spain

Letter From Pedro:

Nieves letter:

Alida Fehily.
Mysteries of Wisdom TM
Wisdom Consultant