Matri Chhaya Orphanage – Growing in Love

Yogi Sarveshwarananda and Swami Sharad Puri
in the Matri Chhaya Orphanage, October 2011

Due to my surprise illness which forced me to cancel virtually my entire mini-tour 2011 tour, and of losing some other financial support, our finances have been extremely limited this year.

However by the grace of God and Gurus, I had been implementing for the last few months a number of cost-reduction and simplification measures which helped us to survive. The good news is that all our charitable activities are still able to function, and no longer require my direct involvement. Our wonderful little orphanage of Matri Chhaya Gurukulam for instance is now operating in a completely self-sustainable manner, thanks to the generosity, hard work and financial acumen of my dear friend Swami Sharad Puri, with whom I founded the orphanage in 2006. We now have 35 children as permanent residents, age 5 to 16, and they are taking care of much of the orphanage’s functioning with greatest zeal and joy.

Our other schools and widows’ training centers are also either self-sufficient or transitioning towards a more self-financing model. In Haridwar for instance, we are gradually trying to establish a little cottage industry with a little shop where the poor girls and ladies can sell their products (malas, bags, clothes, shoes, toys…) to support themselves.

Our main and oldest Ark of Love center in Sao Paolo, Brazil, is continuing to operate in a virtual self-sustaining manner after more than 10 years of glorious service!

Finally, we have found a few disciples in France and Colombia who have pledged to support the children of the Arhuaco community in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia.

Thank you very much to all of you who have made this Network of Love possible, and we are inviting more kindred spirits to join us! Please contact Agustina Ma at titi.artofpeace@gmail.com for more information.

The “Hariharananda's Garden of Humanity” Ashram is Born!

Under the divine inspiration of Carmen Ma and her enthusiastic team of volunteers, the Colombian group has rented me a beautiful garden house in Subachoque, near Bogota where I will finally be able to establish a permanent base. I will reside there most of the year, when I am not touring.

This vision has been slowly maturing in my heart and soul for the last few years, and I am delighted to be able to announce that it has now become a reality.

Come, learn, relax, and get bliss…

In this “Hariharananda's Garden of Humanity” little ashram, I will always strive to offer the kind of divine lifestyle and culture of meditation which were the hallmark of Baba’s life work. We will have regular guided meditations, initiations, satsangs, retreats, workshops, “Friends of Humanity” training, peace concerts, and metaphorical storytelling. I have recently returned from Thailand where I became an accredited teacher in Thai massage and yoga therapy, and plan on holding regular classes in this wonderful ancient healing and meditative modality as well. Finally, and not least, we will gradually implement a “Therapeutic Café” where we will offer meals and cooking classes based on the ancient principles of Ayurveda and modern Live Food nutrition.

The idea is to have a center where we can offer a few simple but profound, timeless tools to all people to enjoy more balance, meaning, and calmness in their lives. This is becoming all the more essential as the earth is facing increasingly profound and irreversible changes in 2011 and 2012. I see people all over the world facing so much stress, uncertainties, and imbalance in their relationships, work, social life, and environment. But there are ways to manage all this!

The main tool will always be deep, authentic meditation; because as Raghabananda says in his message (see below), in the face of increasing obstacles and difficulties, we are to find refuge in the place above the noise of the world – the fontanel – and learn to abide there, free from fears or doubts, fully in possession of our infinite inner resources. This can never be taught or explained, but only experienced; as Baba Hariharananda explained, only by coming to the teacher and meditating in his presence with ever-increasing depth for a few days can the student be established in calmness and learn to face all problems in life with detachment and compassion.

We are still looking for donors who would like to contribute something towards the maintenance and development of our first Western little ashram. If you feel moved to contribute, financially or through services or donations of products/equipment, kindly contact Carmen Ortega at carmenortegasamper@gmail.com (and CC us at titi.artofpeace@gmail.com)

Walking Side by Side

What do you feel when we speak about the heart? What is the heart for you? What does love, nature and life mean to you? These are some of the questions that, after a long time working close to our brothers the Arhuacos, start to find a clear answer.

We exist in this world, we breathe, we eat, we walk, we talk always in relation with our environment and with all that surrounds us. Each one of us is a part of all, and everyone is necessary for the life of others. In that way we, human beings, are part of the universal web, as the rivers, the plants, the sun, the animals, the sky and all that exists, living together in constant harmony.

In the year 2010 a group of kriyavans (people who practice kriya yoga) initiated by Yogi Sarveshwarananda Giri accompanied by another group of people decided to visit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, to know and share the spiritual vision of the Arhuaco people. This community has been an example of peace and non-violence for more than 500 years and through their united thoughts, their vision of the cosmos, their care and protection of nature, they have been able to stay faithful to their culture, their traditions and millenary habits.

In a 2-week pilgrimage to the Ciudad Perdida (the Lost city) accompanied by two native Arhuacos—, Arukingumu Torres Zalabata, Dwia Torres and his son Samuelito—and a group of guides from the region, we were able to know a land where time seemed to have stood still, a place in the Colombian territory which brings memories of peace, unity, respect, tolerance and wisdom, where human beings and nature live together in a spiritual and physical balance. A time of purity and innocence, in which the cascades, the trees, the wind, the rocks talked from their heart to the heart of those who live in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

Thanks to Arukin and Dwia it was possible to reestablish our communion with the nature around us, give new impulse to the spiritual sense of our life, and start to visualize a path ahead that showed that there is something that makes us all equal, our love and our heart, beyond the distance that normally makes us different.

After sharing many days walking and in deep dialogue, we realized how important it was to let others know that which we started to know and experience along side our brothers the Arhuacos—their message of peace, love and balance; non-violence as a way of living; their respect and care for nature… all those essential and simple aspects of life which our modern societies seem to have forgotten.

From that point on we started to work together looking for ways to share this message with the world. We gathered our efforts, our thoughts and our hearts to make it possible for some of the Mamos (spiritual leaders) to visit the city of Bogota, bringing with them the teachings of their people. Thanks to those teachings, a mutual understanding was starting to grow between us.

With this goal in mind, Arukingumu and Juan Sebastian Segovia Baquero (a student in psychology) organized the first meeting to introduce people to the traditional cosmological vision of the Arhuacos. In the month of August 2010 took place the first encounter between Yogi Sarveshwarananda Giri and Arukin on the theme “India-Colombia: Meeting of Knowledge and Cultures” in the Universidad Javeriana, Bogota. In that encounter, thanks to the particiaption of students, teachers and other people, a bridge started to be built to bring closer other modes of thinking which seemed distant. We all shared the conviction that our own peace, love and internal balance are the basis for the external love, peace and balance which can transform the world.

Moved by the success of this encounter and seeing how young and older people were attracted by these ideas, Arukin and Juan Sebastian organized a second encounter in the month of October of the same year in the same university. “Bay Rimasayun—Let’s Talk” was its name. Mamo Seyawiku, Dwgunawin Gonzalo Arroyo, Dwia Torres, his son Samuelito and Arukingumu from the Seynimin community took part in this conference. Thanks to the numerous people who  participated it was possible to keep a fruitful dialogue between brothers, in order to think about our mission in this world, our responsibility towards nature, and how we could take care of it through our actions grounded in peace, love and respect for all that surrounds us.

Being able to organize two encounters in three months was something very gratifying for all of us who participated in the process of planning and organizing it. We witnessed how people were gathering with similar interests, which made us think that the path showed by our Arhuacos brothers was starting to be followed.

In January 2011, after having shared many things with Arukin and Dwia, Dora Baquero decided to visit the Seynimin and Nabusimake communities to know more about the Arhuacos. She took this opportunity to be closer to them while spending a month with the women, children and old people of the community.

Dora went with her brother Carlos Baquero. She recalls: “ Walking long distances in silence, following tree-lined paths, hearing the birds singing, watching the cascades which look as if they were falling from heaven, watching lines of ants carrying their leaves, deepened my awareness that each one of us is just one of the links of the eternal chain of life.”

Being part of the daily life of the Seynimin community allowed Dora to appreciate the value of certain common events in their lives. They talk all night long, very slowly, about the activities that they must carry out the following day. “They talk about their crops, their health, how to take care of the ayu (coca bush), they talk about everything with respect, joy, and in peace” said Dora.

This trip strengthened the bonds between our group and the Arhuacos, because having this close view of their daily life made it easier to know about their real situation and needs.

In the month of May 2011 Leonor Zalabata de Torrres – mother of Arukingumu and head of the Human Rights commission of the Tairona confederation CIT –  came to Bogota and met Carmen Ortega and Dora Baquero, looking for ways to help the Arhuaco community in their most urgent needs. They talked mainly about health problems, agriculture, and how to sell some of their products. The most important action items to be implemented were the following: 1) Provide dental care to the children in the community. 2) Promote medical visits to the zone. 3) Stimulate a better and sustainable way of life by sending them seeds and chickens. 4) Stimulate the growth of coffee. 5) Promote a way in which their mochilas (traditional handmade bags) can be sold outside their community.

Following  this meeting, the first steps were  established to provide a permanent support team for the Arhuacos.

In the month of July of the same year, Arukin and Juan Sebastian organized a third encounter at the Javeriana University, looking for ways to continue to spread the teachings of the Arhuacos.  Mamo Seykwanymaku Jeremias Izquierdo came to share with a large public his message of harmony, love and peace which is the essence of our life and give sense to our partnership with nature.

“Peace: Mission and Vision of the Arhuacos” was the title of this new encounter. The questions asked by a group of young people showed their renewed interest in taking care of nature, about the spiritual aspects of life, and the relationship between human beings and their environment. This was an opportunity to hear Mamo Seykwanymaku Jeremias Izquierdo and Arukingumu express in their own words one of the most important recommendations from the Mamos of the Sierra Nevada for our society at this point in time. According to him: “The Mamos have said that there are many things that cannot be changed, and one of those is the vision that we have of life in this world. For the Mamos we should always continue to spread a message of peace and love; there are many things to do but we cannot forget the spiritual aspects of life.” Mamo Jeremias in particular said that two of their communities are willing to strengthen everything which has to do with the spiritual aspects of life.

Seeking to strengthen our spiritual essence was probably the most important aspect of this encounter. Arukin and Mamo Seywanymaku continued: “All that we are going to do, we should do it always while considering their spiritual aspect.” This is a recommendation of the Mamos. Collaborating with nature and our Mother Earth in this spirit is the only way to guarantee our survival. According to them we should help people to rediscover it within themselves, and teach it to others.

After these encounters a question arose: “How are we going to help to spread this message to as many people as possible?” At present, with the participation of some kriyavans (Carmen Ortega, Norma Enciso, Jaime Franco, Dora Baquero and Juan Sebastian Segovia), we considered the idea of making a group to help the Arhuaco people look for ways to gather as much help as possible from other people and institutions. Thanks to all these people we are now designing some projects to help them get better conditions for their children, women, and old people. All of the people in the Sierra Nevada play a vital part for the world—as a balancing force, giving thanks for all we have received and praying that love and peace will always be part of us.

I can only express from the core of my heart all my gratitude for all that I have received from the Arhuaco people. I believe that we always give what we are and we receive what others are from our sincere heart.

According to the Arhuacos the Sierra Nevada is the heart of the world. Getting closer to the heart of the world gave me the opportunity to be closer to my own heart, the place from where I recognize myself as a human being, capable of feeling, loving and sharing that love.

This is the story so far; I hope that you will help us to continue writing it.

JUAN SEBASTIÁN SEGOVIA BAQUERO
Bogotá – Colombia,
August 7th, 2011.

Sponsoring

Please remember that we offer three levels of sponsorship to save the children of the Arhuaco community:

• Feeding a child for one year. The cost is $450.
• Clothing and providing medicine to a child for one year. The cost is $150.
• Educating a child for one year. The cost is $200.

“Super-Sponsors” are those willing to take care of one child’s complete needs for one year at a cost of $800.

If you are considering joining in our divine love affair, kindly contact our coordinator in Bogota, Mrs. Dora Baquero at obsidiana44@hotmail.com  (and CC Agustina Ma at titi.artofpeace@gmail.com and Carmen Ma at carmenortegas@etb.net.co) to receive more information about the children in need of sponsoring.

If you are considering participating in our sponsorship programs in India or in Colombia, may I humbly request that you give first priority to helping the Arhuaco community, as their very survival is at stake. Any amount of donation would be a life-saver, and deeply appreciated.

The Evolution Of The Kriya Practice

By Rajarshi Raghabananda

Kriya Yoga is a gift from God to humanity, revealed through his special messenger, Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj. This technique has always been transmitted through an unbroken chain of realized masters, which ensures its purity, authenticity, and power. Each realized master may, in turn, enhance the technique according to the evolution of world consciousness.

Moving to the Top

From Lahiri Mahashaya to Paramahamsa Yogananda, the Kriya technique focused on centering the consciousness in the kutastha or ajña chakra (sixth center), which corresponded to the level of realization of the people of the time. By concentrating in the sixth center, the life-force will, in time, move up to the brahmarandhra or sahasrara chakra (seventh center) at the top of the head.

Brahmarandhra is the ultimate goal of all sadhanas or spiritual practices. However, if the field of the cerebro-spinal axis and 6th chakra has not been properly cultivated, no-one can reach the supreme state in the fontanel. That is why the Kriya technique started by focusing at the ajña chakra.

In the 1980s, my Gurudev Paramahamsa Hariharananda moved the focus up to the sahasrara or fontanel, as Baba perceived that people who took initiation from him or his lineage of empowered Yogacharyas were now ready to start their spiritual practice directly in the fontanel, and stay absorbed there. Why spend so much time going back to lower centers in an effort to rise up to the top of the head, when some souls were now ready to start their journey directly at the top? Gurudev also occasionally guided his more mature disciples to remain absorbed in the vacuum, i.e. above the top of the head.

This is how I now guide meditation—helping students to ascend beyond body-consciousness by including the ishan or vacuum center (eighth chakra, one foot above the head) in the practice. And Yogi Sarveshwarananda is doing the same guidance.

In Kriya Yoga, there is always a technique to help us evolve spiritually, whatever the condition of the mind. If you cannot remain absorbed in the infinite or eighth chakra, you can focus on the top of the head, at the junction of the infinite and the finite. If you cannot maintain your consciousness in the fontanel, you can fix your attention in the pituitary gland (sixth center). If you cannot remain in the soul center, you can practice Kriya pranayama up and down the spine. If you cannot practice this breathing technique, you can practice the physical asanas of mahamudra or the Kriya bow. Until you regain your concentration ability and return calmly to the top of the head. There is always something that can be practiced, in any condition or situation.

The Touch Sensation

Another great contribution of Baba Hariharananda was the blissful touch sensation (sparsha). Through his deep personal sadhana, he realized its deep importance and revealed that it was one of three powers of God. No-one before him gave it much importance. Before that we were taught to concentrate on the Divine Light and the Divine Sound. Gurudev was the first to reveal that God is touching you! And that this is such a blissful experience... it makes you lose body-consciousness. God covers the whole world by His touch. The human body is a miniature universe, and the sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) can realize this touch sensation in their own body. Sometimes Baba would mention to his close disciples, “Look, my hair is rising on end – it is the blissful touch sensation of my Lord…” If you are constantly aware of the divine light, sound, and touch sensation, it means you are entering deep within your true Self.

Gurudev made the Kriya Yoga practice complete for the modern age.

Baba’s Greatest Gift: Personal Guidance

Neither Lahiri Mahashaya, nor Swami Shriyukteshwarji, nor even Paramahamsa Yogananda had organized formal meditation groups in their own lifetime, nor did they visit their disciples regularly. They simply initiated people (tens of thousands in the case of Yoganandaji!) and told them to meditate.

But when Baba Hariharananda came, not only would he encourage his disciples to form meditation groups and practice regularly together, he would also go from disciple’s house to disciple’s house, in many different countries, to meditate with them, live with them, inspire them by his divine example to establish a culture of meditation in the householder lifestyle. That was my Gurudev Baba Hariharananda’s marvelous gift to the world.

I also was not interested in moving about and going to see so many places; it was only after Sarveshwaranandaji first came to see me in 2006 that many foreign disciples started to come also, to receive my touch sensation and to learn to dive into the deep calmness of Kriya Yoga. And when Sarveshwaranandaji started publishing my books and organizing international Kriya Yoga seminars in Banabira and helping to develop the ashram, I felt that my Gurudev wanted that in my few remaining years here on earth many people from the foreign countries should have this opportunity to meditate with me.

May you all be blessed with ever-deepening joy and calmness, and realize the supreme goal of existence. I bow to you all.

With love and affection,
Raghabananda

A Kriya Wedding

On November 10, Rajarshi Raghabanandaji married me with my soulmate in a simple meditative ceremony on the auspicious day of Kartika Purnima. Her name is Agustina Ma and she is a faithful disciple of Raghabanandaji, originally from Argentina. Raghabanandaji has been encouraging us to get married ever since we met a year ago, saying that she is the perfect companion for me, and will help me sincerely in spreading Baba's Kriya Yoga and managing the new ashram in Colombia.

We are so blessed and happy to share these news with our kriya family...

Joy and love,
Swamito