Swami Probuddhananda writes:

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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