Christmas Message from Baba

Miami Ashram, December 24, 2000

Baba Hariharananda in front of his favorite
photo of Baby Jesus and Mother Mary

Today is the 24th of December. In Israel, Bethlehem, a divine baby is born. So joy, extreme happiness, extreme joy. You see the flowers here in the corner? How beautiful they are! But Jesus is more beautiful. Israel, Bethlehem is more beautiful.

[Baba sings: “Joy, joy, joy, Jesus is here, here. You see Jesus, you see Jesus, you see Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, twenty fourth December, a new light for Bethlehem…”]

Is it not? You all should go to Bethlehem, on the top of your head. You all are now in Bethlehem. This is an extremely spiritual day. Mother Mary gave birth to a child. She did not get any place to stay. So she had to go to a stable, sitting on some hay. So joyyyyy…all around, it is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. All around light, light, light, Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.

Are you hearing me? You are in Bethlehem now? This is the birthday of a spiritual person, a rare person. In India there are many, many, many. Is it not? Jesus is a person full of joy, full of love, full of reality. You know that?

[Baba sings.]

Jesus was born a spiritual man. You see the painting of Jesus? So nice.

Very short breath. Be divine.

[Baba sings: “Jesus, Jesus, Mother Mary, Israel, Israel…”]

You are singing song with joy? Only for Jesus. Thank you.

[Baba sings: “Jesus was born—how happy day, how happy day…”]

Here, in the nostrils, it is all here. If there is no breath, then there is no life. This is Kriya Yoga. You all should love Jesus today—a special day. This is a special day for Mother Mary in the stable, with the manger child. He was born there, with greatest difficulty. She was in the stable. Then after that, Jesus came out—joyfully. So you all meditate. Clear? Short breath. Go to the home of Jesus. This, the fontanel, is the home of Jesus. Mother Mary is there. The manger is here—on the top of your head. Take short breath. See the manger child, born in your whole body. Israel—a very nice place, is it not? You all are now in Israel. Elizabeth is there. Zacharias is there. [St John the Baptist's parents].

Search Him inside the head, in Bethlehem. This is the manger where Jesus was born. With short breath, watch.

You will feel heaviness. You will see light. You will see flowers—Jesus flower. Jesus is joy. Jesus is divine. Only for a short period you take short breath and go in the fontanel. Be divine. In every breath feel that heaviness. This is the manger—here, in the fontanel. In your forehead a prize is sitting constantly. With eyes shut search Him.

You all meditate for a short period. It is a special day. Joy, joy, joy, peace, peace, peace, liberation, liberation, liberation—all at your hand, in the manger, on the top of your head. Jesus is born. Love, love, love, love, love.

With love, extreme joy. The drum and bugle and everything is there. Listen with deepest love.

I want to bow you all unlimited times. Joy.

Humble Hariharananda

What is Yoga? A Question and Answer Session with Paramahamsa Yogananda

Excerpted from "The Essence of Self-Realization", by Paramhansa Yogananda

Paramahamsa Yogananda

A visitor:
“What is yoga?”

Paramahamsa Yogananda:

“Yoga means union. Etymologically, it is connected to the English word, yoke. Yoga means union with God, or, union of the little, ego-self with the divine Self, the infinite Spirit.

Most people in the West, and also many in India, confuse yoga with Hatha Yoga, the system of bodily postures. But yoga is primarily a spiritual discipline.

I don't mean to belittle the yoga postures. Hatha Yoga is a wonderful system. The body, moreover, is a part of our human nature, and must be kept fit lest it obstruct our spiritual efforts. Devotees, however, who are bent on finding God give less importance to the yoga postures. Nor is it strictly necessary that they practice them.

Hatha Yoga is the physical branch of Raja Yoga, the true science of yoga. Raja Yoga is a system of meditation techniques that help to harmonize human consciousness with the divine consciousness. Yoga is an art as well as a science. It is a science, because it offers practical methods for controlling body and mind, thereby making deep meditation possible. And it is an art, for unless it is practiced intuitively and sensitively it will yield only superficial results.

Yoga is not a system of beliefs. It takes into account the influence on each other of body and mind, and brings them into mutual harmony. So often, for instance, the mind cannot concentrate simply because of tension or illness in the body, which prevent the energy from flowing to the brain. So often, too, the energy in the body is weakened because the will is dispirited, or paralyzed by harmful emotions.

Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, or energy-control. Prana means also ‘breath.’ Yoga teaches how, through breath-control, to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness.

The higher teachings of yoga take one beyond techniques, and show the yogi, or yoga practitioner, how to direct his concentration in such a way as not only to harmonize human with divine consciousness, but to merge his consciousness in the Infinite.

Yoga is a very ancient science; it is thousands of years old. The perceptions derived from its practice form the backbone of the greatness of India, which for centuries has been legendary. The truths espoused in the yoga teachings, however, are not limited to India, nor to those who consciously practice yoga techniques. Many saints of other religions also, including many Christian saints, have discovered aspects of the spiritual path that are intrinsic to the teachings of yoga.

A number of them were what Indians, too, would accept as great yogis.

They had raised their energy from body-attachment to soul-identity.

They had discovered the secret of directing the heart's feeling upward in devotion to the brain, instead of letting it spill outward in restless emotions.

They had discovered the portal of divine vision at the point between the eyebrows, through which the soul passes to merge in Christ Consciousness.

They had discovered the secrets of breathlessness, and how in breathlessness the soul can soar to the spiritual heights.

They had discovered the state which some of them called mystical marriage, where the soul merges with God and becomes one with Him.

Yoga completes the biblical teaching on how one should love God: with heart, mind, soul-and strength. For strength means energy.

The ordinary person’s energy is locked in his body. The lack of availability of that energy to his will prevents him from loving the Lord one-pointedly with any of the three other aspects of his nature: heart, mind, or soul. Only when the energy can be withdrawn from the body and directed upward in deep meditation is true inner communion possible.”

A visitor:
“What happens to those who try to reach God without the benefit of yoga techniques?”

Paramahamsa Yogananda:
“A few of them are successful, if they came into this life with strong spiritual karma from the past. The great majority, however, even if they start out on the path with enthusiasm, gradually become discouraged.

‘Where is that God,’ they ask finally, ‘to Whom I've been praying all these years?’ They attain a little inner peace, but over the years their prayers become increasingly a matter of habit, less one of inspiration.

Rarely, in the West, have the centuries seen such great saints as there have been in India.”

The Year in Review

Yogi Sarveshwarananda at the Marsaz program in France

Reaching the end of the year, we tend to look back and go through its main events, like viewing a slideshow. And generally, we tend to see mostly the “bad images” we have recorded—the result of being constantly bombarded by violent and titillating messages from the media.

This particular year of 2011 has been hard for the whole world—economically, politically, environmentally, as well as within the family, within ourselves, etc… There is no doubt that the level of confusion, fear, tension, anger and separation has increased in our daily experience.

However, if we changed a little our perspective, we could see that along these tragic and discouraging news, good and positive events are happening simultaneously. It is a human tendency to pay more attention to the negative than to the positive. We should try to be aware of the complete picture, the good and the bad… both are teaching us, inspiring us, helping us on the way towards progress, evolution, and, ultimately, balance.

We have to remember that we, one of the 7 billion humans who are breathing today on this earth, create this reality… we create war, destruction, corruption, poverty, hunger, diseases, just as we create peace, love, justice, equality, wealth, and health. By simply changing our way of living, thinking, and feeling in little and ordinary situations, and by modifying the way we relate with ourselves and with others—individuals, organizations, governments, the world—we can improve and change those things we don’t like, which end up in our end-of-year “reality slideshow.”

How to change and improve ourselves and, consequently, the whole reality? By bringing our consciousness to higher levels, by taking care of the important things in life, by focusing on our true purpose in life, by deepening our experience of bliss, peace, calmness and knowledge found in meditation, in the daily communion with the Divine, in our true Self.

Mahatma Gandhi highlighted the necessity of making this choice now: “If only 1% of the world population meditated, we could make this earth into a heaven.” And as the Dalai Lama emphasized, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, you have never spent the night with a mosquito.”

Let us change the coming years by changing ourselves, with forgiveness—towards our own mistakes and the offences of others, patience, smiles, and love.

P.S. See this marvelous short movie on the power of smiling to change the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ar_TSl2mP4

The History of Kriya Yoga in Colombia

Colombia, “the doorway to South America”, is a land endowed with enormous riches in biodiversity, natural resources, fertile lands, culture, history… and endemic violence and devastating drug-fueled wars. It may be due to these vivid contrasts that Baba Hariharananda chose this country to visit on his first-ever tour of the Americas in May 1975. The response of the Colombians, earnestly seeking to find meaning and inner peace in their violence-ravaged country, was immediate and profound, and an ashram was established in Bogota in which Baba resided and visited frequently from 1975 to 1977.

This first ashram experiment was terminated in 1977 due to power plays among some members of the organization in Bogota, and Baba never set foot in Colombia again. However, his love for Colombia never left his heart, as exemplified by the fact that he continued to wear faithfully the beautiful ruana (native poncho) that his Colombian kriyavans had gifted him… until the end of his earthly incarnation in 2002.

Baba Hariharananda wearing his Colombian ruana

In 1998, Miguel Bermudez, one of the original members of the Colombian ashram who had kept alive the flame of Kriya Yoga in Bogota, came to visit Baba in the Miami ashram and humbly requested him to send some empowered Yogacharyas to Colombia.

Baba felt that the time had come and thus, twenty-one years later, he sent Swami Prajñananandaji and myself to Bogota to return the teachings of Kriya Yoga to Colombia. The one-week program, held from September 30 to October 6, 1998, was an enormous success and drew many of the first generation initiates from the 1970s, as well as many new souls to this path. From that point on, Baba decided to send me alone to Colombia and other South American countries to continue spreading his mission, a sacred duty I have had the greatest joy and privilege of fulfilling ever since, visiting Colombia (Bogota mostly, but also Medellin, Cali and Popayan in later years) nearly twenty times.

Inauguration of the “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram

On December 11, we officially inaugurated the ashram with a group of 15 devoted, long-time kriyavans. The program included a special house blessing, meditations, satsang, and sharing a wonderful meal together outside, by the side of the little river running in the back of the ashram.

Ever since the inauguration ceremony during which the power of God and Gurus is infused in the physical ashram (prana pratishta), visitors (kriyavans as well as non-initiated people) have reported a special sensation of peace and love in the meditation hall, with several people reporting that “meditation seem to happen by itself in this room”. Such are the abundant blessings of our Gurudev Baba Hariharananda…

Meditation hall at the ashram

This abode of deep spirituality was made possible not only by the inspiration and grace of our guru, but also through the dedicated efforts and generosity of many local kriyavans under the guidance and coordination of Carmen Ortega. I want to particularly express my deepest thanks and love to the following noble souls who have all pitched in to pay for the rent, bring food, furnish the ashram, and provide internet connection for the upcoming year:

• Carmen Ortega
• Aura Helena Prada
• Liliana Quitian
• Cristina Vidal
• Liliana Charria
• Gabriela Salamanca
• Angela Ines Mendoza
• Paula Solano
• Martha Jeanette Burgos
• Orlando Criales, Ma Eugenia & Mariette
• Oscar A Rodriguez, Sandra Calvachi & Diego
• German Torres ans his sisters Lucía e Ines
• Jaime Franco
• Dora Baquero
• Alina Ormaza
• Santiago Jordan
• Cesar Urrego
• Sandra Pulgarín y Pedro
• Rafael Salazar y Piedad
• Carlos Alberto Hernandez
• Margarita Tirado
• Clemencia Gutierrez
• Martha Aponte (from Pakistan)
• Guillermina Gutierrez y Leixon
• Josue Casahuaman (from Peru)
• Germán y Carolina
• Andres Zambrano
• Paula Ascencio
• Clara Eugenia Castro
• Olga Lucia Gonzales
• Beatriz Garcia Leon

May God bless them all abundantly for their noble service and for making this dream come true, and may they be able to continue supporting us in the future!

This mini-university of Kriya Yoga is dedicated to one thing only: to foster a culture of meditation and provide tools for developing the art of peace in the school, the workplace, and the family. Come and taste the joy of your soul!

If you feel moved to help support the ashram through donation of money, services or products, kindly contact Carmen Ortega at carmenortegasamper@gmail.com.

Having lunch outside in the garden

Ashram Address:

“Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity”
Cra. 2 No. 0-01
Casa “Antiguos Molinos de San Carlos”
Subachoque, Casco Urbano, Cundinamarca
Colombia
Tel: +57 (300) 718-3791
Email: titi.artofpeace@gmail.com

Directions:

By car (approx. one hour from the center of Bogota, depending on traffic)

• Take the road towards the west out of Bogota
• From there you have two options:
  • Take the Calle 80 up to the “Glorieta de Siberia” roundabout, or
  • Take the Calle 170 and exit at “Cota,” then go south to the “Glorieta de Siberia” roundabout
    Please note that Calle 170 is often flooded during the heavy rainy season. Calle 80 on the other hand is never flooded.
• From the “Glorieta de Siberia” roundabout, go west towards La Vega. You will have to pay at the toll booth 7,800 Colombian pesos, i.e. 4 US dollars; it is best to purchase a round-trip toll fee
• At the next small roundabout (“Puente Piedra”), make a right towards “Subachoque”
• Go through the intersection “Cruce de la Virgen” (where the roads from “Puente Piedra” and “El Rosal” converge)
• Approximately 200 meters after the intersection “Cruce de la Virgen,” you will see the “Molinos de San Carlos” on your left – that is how our building is known – 100 meters before entering the village of Subachoque
• Welcome home!

By bus (approx. one hour from the Transmilenio terminus “Portal de la 80”)

• Take the Transmilenio bus to the terminus “Portal de la 80” on the D line (Cost: 1,900 Colombian pesos, i.e. 1 US dollar)
• Transfer to a mini-bus going to “Subachoque” (Cost: 4,000 Colombian pesos, i.e. 2 US dollar)
• Ask the driver to let you off 100 meters before entering the village of Subachoque, at the “Molinos de San Carlos” on your left – that is how our building is known.
• Welcome home!

Entrance to the ashram

What to Expect in the Ashram Life:

By living with their teacher, residents will be able to deepen their meditation practice, learn how to live a contemplative life, acquire many practical spiritual and holistic health skills, as well as receive personal guidance from the teacher and ask him questions on a regular basis.

Here are some basic guidelines for all candidates who wish to remain at the ashram for some time:

1. A donation of 30,000 Colombian Pesos ($17) per day is requested for people who want to stay at the ashram; this amount includes accommodation, and all meals and snacks.
2. Ashram residents are expected to offer a minimum of 2 hours of seva (selfless service) per day, which does not include giving a little help in the kitchen and with washing up. Residents can do more seva at anytime, if they have the desire, naturally!
3. Seva will be of different kinds: cooking, cleaning, office work (filing, computer entry, etc. depending on their skills), gardening, chopping wood, building maintenance and repair, decorating, shopping, errands, translations, transcriptions, graphic design, etc. depending on our needs and your skills.
4. Please bring your own laptop if you have one.
5. People should bring their own sleeping bag, pillow, towel, soap, and toiletries.
6. The general schedule for residents will be as follows:
   • 6 am: wake-up call
   • 6 - 7 am: personal toilet needs and assisting in preparing breakfast
   • 7 - 8 am: guided meditation
   • 8 - 9 am: prayers, breakfast and cleaning up
   • 9 am - 12:30 pm: rest, personal study time and/or seva
   • 12:30 - 1:15 pm: guided meditation
   • 1:15 - 2 pm: prayers, lunch and cleaning up
   • 2 - 5 pm: rest, personal study time and/or seva
   • 5 - 5:30 pm: Satsang with Ayurvedic tea and snacks
   • 5:30 - 7 pm: personal study time and/or seva
   • 7 - 8 pm: guided meditation
   • 8 - 9 pm: prayers, lunch and cleaning up
   • 9 - 10 pm: free time or video night
   • 10 pm: lights out.
7. Candidates who wish to spend some time (or their whole time) in silence will receive special guidance for this process.
8. People can stay for up to one month. People who wish to stay longer will be evaluated on a case by case basis and may be invited to return for a longer period of time after they have completed their month-long residency.
9. Please note that the fourth week of every month is the teacher's silent week—all ashram activities will continue as usual, but the teacher will not communicate orally during that week.

Yogiji’s Tour and Ashram schedule

See the schedule here.

Dec. 10, 2011 – Jan. 6, 2012: In residence at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram. Contact: Agustina Ma. Email: titi.artofpeace@gmail.com. Cell: +57 (300) 718-3791

Jan. 7 – 12: Participation in “The Call of the Mountain” at the Atlantida Ecovillage, Cauca, Colombia. Contact: Eliana and Jorge. Email: ecoatlantida@gmail.com. Cell: +57 (318) 685-1578 and +57 (316) 320-6378.
I have been invited to present a Kriya Yoga program in this First Iberoamerican Ecovillage and Alternative Communities Gathering, as well as participate in the First Vision Council of Colombia. You can read more about this event here: http://elllamadodelamontana.wordpress.com/ (in Spanish only) and at http://www.ecoaldeasdecolombia.org/ (in English, French, and Spanish)

… and find it on the map below!

Jan. 13 – 15: Kriya Yoga program in Popayan, Colombia. Contact: Edison Sandoval. Email: edisandoval@hotmail.com. Cell: +57 (300) 603-4749

Jan. 16 – 18: Kriya Yoga program in Cali, Colombia. Contact: Patricia Liliana Tello. Email: administracion@qikely.com. Cell: +57 (320) 632-4975

Jan. 19 – Feb. 4: In residence at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram. Contact: Agustina Ma. Email: titi.artofpeace@gmail.com. Cell: +57 (300) 718-3791

Feb. 5 – 9: Satsang and meditation in Miami, FL. Contact: Ann Harrison. Email: annie12harrison@yahoo.com. Cell: +1 (305) 965-2259.

Feb. 9 – 14: Kriya Yoga program and Fund-Raiser in Carbondale and Aspen, CO. Contact: John Tangen. Email: tangenj001@yahoo.com. Cell: +1 (970) 274-0394

Feb. 15 – 16: Satsangs and Meditation in Miami, FL. Contact: Ann Harrison. Email: annie12harrison@yahoo.com. Cell: +1 (305) 965-2259

Feb. 17 – May 8: In residence at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram. Contact: Agustina Ma. Email: titi.artofpeace@gmail.com. Cell: +57 (300) 718-3791

April 5 - 8: Easter retreat at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram.

May 9 – 15: Kriya Yoga program in Montreux, Switzerland. Contact: Simone Leimgruber. Email: simone_leimgruber@yahoo.com. Cell: +41 (79) 327.87.83

May 16 – 20: Kriya Yoga program and retreat in Marsaz, France. Contact: Catherine Collombet. Email: collombet.catherine@wanadoo.fr. Tel: +33 (4) 75.07.41.24

May 22 – 29: In residence at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram. Contact: Agustina Ma. Email: titi.artofpeace@gmail.com. Cell: +57 (300) 718-3791

May 24 - 27: Baba’s birthday retreat at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram

May 30 – July 8: South American tour (to be confirmed)

July 9 – Dec. 26: In residence at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram. Contact: Agustina Ma. Email: titi.artofpeace@gmail.com. Cell: +57 (300) 718-3791

Dec. 27, 2012 – Jan. 29, 2013: European tour (to be confirmed)

Jan. 30 – Feb. 28: Indian tour (to be confirmed)

March 2 – ?: In residence at “Hariharananda’s Garden of Humanity” ashram. Contact: Agustina Ma. Email: titi.artofpeace@gmail.com. Cell: +57 (300) 718-3791

A Message for South America

By Rajarshi Raghabananda

Rajarshi Raghabananda

Watch the video here.

Transcription of the video:

"I am happy that many persons, disciples from South America, Colombia, Curaçao, Bogota and also Bolivia, Brazil are coming to Sambalpur and have contact with me and for meditation.

It is a strange thing… but it is not strange that I was scheduled to go there with Gurudev. Our first program with Gurudev [in 1975] was to go to South America and I got a chance of going there; ticket was booked, everything was ready but I could not go.

So Gurudev went there with many disciples, and spread Kriya Yoga. But now we find that same thing: I could not go to South America and South America is coming to me.

And there was some possibility of making some ashram there, in the time of Gurudev, but that could not be materialized; because Gurudev gave more concentration to America. Especially there were some centers in Curaçao in Bogota—Gurudev described to me how he got a good response in South America, especially in Bogota.

Now things are changing; I wish that there should be some center somewhere, maybe in South America, to have a central place where Kriya Yoga can be disseminated.

I think this time has come already because there they are interested, South America is interested, and some people want that Kriya Yoga should get momentum in those places.

I wish that a place would be selected somewhere where ashram should be made. Ashram, why ashram at all? Because there must be a central focusing point where Kriya Yoga should disseminate, should be disseminated, and there are many disciples who are advanced and who will do it.

Especially I find that Sarveshwaranandaji is visiting those places and it is under his leadership that Kriya Yoga should flourish. Therefore I wish that all Americans, South Americans would try to establish some ashram there.

God knows whether I can go or not. And it is the wish of Babaji Maharaj that Kriya Yoga should spread throughout the world, even in South America. And as I know mystically we had in India, from India to South America, deep relations in the past, the hoary past, which we cannot calculate at present when it did happen—maybe in the Vedic time.

There are many stories which are relevant in the Puranas, the stories of Nagas and Garudas—who are the vehicle of Vishnu. The Nagas went to “Patala”, that means to America and South America. Garuda also went there, maybe to Australia, may be in past they had been there. And Nagas are not snakes, they are people. So they went there and they established there, so actually there are from Indian origin. Thousands and thousands years have passed and some souls are trying to settle there also. It is neither Indian nor American, it is world people who want Self-realization.

So in that way, from Indian culture also, there is some close affinity of Self-realization. From the point of culture also there is some affinity with India and also South America… and also the climate is almost the same.

So spiritually and culturally there must be some affinity—that I understand. But that is not the point, the point is everybody should be spiritually advanced.

India is a place of spiritual culture and the only thing that India can give to South America or the world is spiritual knowledge, knowledge of Self-realization.

That is why from India, again and again, in future also—in the past they have gone—and in future they will go.

So if there is some place, some kind of central focusing point who would carry Indian culture and also spirituality—that will be through Kriya Yoga.

So I wish may be some people will be interested and make one ashram there.

Thank you."

Raghabananda on Diwali

Transcription of the previous issue

Watch the video here.

Transcription of the video:

"Diwali is a celebration of Light in India; and it has some spiritual significance.

Light is knowledge and knowledge is not ordinary knowledge, it is knowledge of God consciousness.

Knowledge is spirituality.

We are all spiritual entities, souls, but we are not aware of it; and not only spiritual souls, different souls, we are one Soul: one Soul-God, the Supreme Almighty God.

That enlightenment is not possible until we meditate.

That is why symbolically we observe this function of Light.

So, the function of Light is that we have to perceive God in the whole world, not in the house, not in the country, not in the world, but the whole universe.

This body is a little universe, and, we can light up this house with God-consciousness.

In the first center we find that it is earth center; in the earth center we can have light when we find light in muladhara. And the Cosmic Light which pervades the whole universe also is reflected in muladhara, also in the whole world.

Muladhara is not only the individual muladhara, it is all-pervading, omnipotent omnipresent existence in the whole universe. So to perceive God in the muladhara is Diwali, that means enlightenment.

Also in the second center where there is the Creative Force; this is the water element, where we find rasa, water, ananda, pleasure. So our mind is absorbed in worldly pleasures. When that will be lighted, we find out also that worldly pleasure which we find is water, it is God's pleasure. God has created this word, this water for enjoyment for Himself. And the Soul is the witness to enjoy the whole celebration of Light in the second center.

Also in the third center—we are taking food that is also Light. But we don't find that it is actually God; then we are… we are in darkness. When we find that it is God, then it is lighted up, so that is enlightenment.

Also in the heart center we find that it is emotion, it is emotion in which we are absorbed, and sometimes danger comes about. And we find what it is.

So if we can find that it is God, then no problems, it is lighted on. So it is also enlightenment.

In the fifth center, vishuddha, we find that is also Light; that means, whatever we are doing—good or bad, we are doing something for the betterment of people, sometimes for the destruction of people. But everything is God! When you can find this—everything is God, there is enlightenment.

Also we can withdraw everything to the ajña chakra, the pituitary center, find the spirit, from where we enjoy the whole universe.

Then you can go to the top of the head where God exits; it is the Supreme Almighty, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient God.

God the Father.

That is why sometimes in the Bible the seven churches are lighted. It is as good as enlightening every church—first church, second church, third church, fourth church, fifth church, sixth church, and seventh church in the top of the head.

So people who are in the world they want enjoyment, external pleasure. That is why they light up.

That is the day of enlightenment.

This is what is Diwali."

Sattvic Leadership

By Esther Cristina Puentes, Psychologist and Professional Executive Coach

April 2010

It is an honor to have been invited to write this article. It challenges me to connect with myself and seek what I have discovered, in my life experience, what I consider today to be real leadership, the leadership that inspires me.

What is Leadership and… Why Sattvic?

There are thousands of definitions of leadership in existence; it is a concept that has changed throughout time and given the enormous diversity of approximations, thoughts and ideas, I have asked myself what is fundamental, what can really be considered its essence. For this reason I have chosen to share with you what leadership, at this moment, means to me and what I consider more relevant based on my experience as a member of management teams in different organizations, some of which I have belonged to, others that I have formed and others that I have known during the last 25 years as a consultant or a coach.

One of the conclusions I have reached is that leadership is about going further than results, beyond the exertion of power to reach these; it is more than leading others to obtain something, it has to do with a state of conscience put at the service of what Is and to the Being of those who follow us when we are leaders.

In essence to me a leader is an agent of human growth. A leader that seeks the growth of his/her followers, their wellbeing, their evolution, can practice sattvic leadership. The word sattvic comes from the Sanskrit and its meaning throws light upon how should behave a leader able to promote the growth of those who approach him/her. To understand the meaning it is important to address the term gunas and so obtain the context within which the "sattvic" acquires relevance.

What are the gunas?

The gunas are characteristics or qualities of nature that coexist in different proportions in all that is manifest. There are three gunas or fundamental qualities: Tamas, Rajas and Sattva. In the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Indian text, Krishna reveals to Arjuna these three gunas in the way human beings act and explains that Sattva is harmony or clarity, Rajas action or emotion and Tamas inertia or darkness.

All human activity manifests itself through these three qualities, and in which proportion each one appears will depend on the degree of conscience of the actor or agent. There can be manifestations with shades of several gunas; in fact the three coexist and blend with each other. When the role we play is that of a leader, the leading act will have a different effect depending on which of the gunas are predominant. Following we will consider the leadership styles brought by each one of these primordial characteristics.

The Tamasic “Leader”

To start, let us reflect on a "leader" in whom Tamas is predominant. This guna is characterized by inertia and moves towards darkness. Because in the state ruled by Tamas the ability to discern is clouded, when faced with ethical and moral issues the "leader" acts insecurely and clings easily to status and authority, using it in an inadequate manner and for his/her own benefit.

Frequently, the reason for which they work is linked to the ego and they play their role with the idea of meeting a survival need. They perform the role carelessly and always find fault in others since it is difficult to them to look inward and assume responsibility for their actions. When circumstances so require, this “leaders” do not take risks and postpone, sometimes indefinitely, making decisions that could benefit people. They handle responsibility based on personal preferences. When relating to others they do not question if it might be in their detriment or benefit. Given the negative effect produced in their followers, they bring insecurity, hatred and turmoil. This type of “leaders” are called “opportunistic” and are moved by the desire to take advantage of every situation, so accomplishing only disappointment and frustration for themselves and for those who ally themselves to them.

People who act with malice, incite violence, who attack or accuse quickly in order to protect themselves are amongst the more Tamasic “leaders.” They are even capable of lying to get out of trouble.

At the beginning of this article I mentioned that, based on my experience, I have noticed a leader is in essence an agent of human growth and it is for this that I don’t really consider as leaders those who act driven by Tamas. These kinds of characters with a higher Tamas proportion, found throughout history and even today in the organizational world or public life have personalities, are the ones who can provoke restlessness, corruption, destruction and even though they might have a great influence on others and even the ability to get results... they don’t allow those who surround and support them to have a conscious progress, simply because the characteristics indispensable to give the best of oneself do not prevail in them. Their own pure and enlightened essence is alien to them; in a state ruled by Tamas, the person is unaware of what Is.

Rajasic Leader

Next we find the leaders in whom Rajas is predominant. Rajas is a guna opposite to Tamas. It leads to action. In a way we could say that with Rajas we conquer Tamas since to overcome inertia we need activity. When going from being dominated by Tamas to live under the Rajas influence, we start to wake up. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of attachment to work and results in the “leaders” with this predominant guna. Their motives are selfish, they work compulsively and their mind is preoccupied with quantity.

Their attitude is often careful and they like to dominate and control all aspects of the job. When hazardous situations arise, they stay behind and make others face the risk rather than confront it themselves. When it is time to assign tasks, they base the decision on previous accomplishments, for which, from the Rajasic leader’s perspective, those who have not yet make big contributions will not have the opportunity to learn through practice, which is reserved only to those who “produce more” - this often strengthens and reinforces only those who have equally Rajasic tendencies in their influence circle. When relating to their teams or followers, Rajasic “leaders” favor solely the professional interactions or those from which they can “get something in return”; they don’t often take an interest in the feelings or emotions of others, unless they consider it useful to their productive goals. The fruits of the Rajas predominance in a “leader” are (for themselves and for those who work or are related to them) stress, loneliness, health decline and a decreased harmony in the relationships.

Back to what I consider essential in a true leader, which is the possibility of development of those who surround him/her, this is not either an example of leadership worth promoting or following.

Sattvic Leader

I urge you now to approach the Sattvic Leadership. Detachment and devotion to work prevail in a Sattvic Leader. I have noticed that this concept is difficult to grasp in a society which rewards and favors result orientation and goal achievement. It is often believed that being detached is equivalent to being irresponsible, when really what a Sattvic Leaders want is to devote themselves to completely fulfilling their duty, conscious that anything that finally happens will be the consequence of The Superior Will. To detach oneself is not to cling to anything or anyone, because that is how we flow connected to our true Being who has neither yearnings nor desires prevailing over the Conscience.

When we are attached we are constantly focused on the future that does not yet exist, when we detach ourselves, the right action happens in the present which is the only place where, paradoxically, all that happens later can be gestated. By directing intention and attention to the present, instead of having to struggle to accomplish something, we find the Source that contains everything. The Sattvic Leader’s intention is manifested in his/her generosity, compassion for the followers, in being conscious of the quality of his/her actions. The Sattvic Leaders are interested in the process, especially relating to what they and their followers discover while working, interacting, observing and learning, while the results yearned for are either accomplished or not. For them, Self-knowledge and remembering what Is takes precedence. Sattvic Leaders are considerate with their people, they trust them because they see their talent and inner greatness beyond their productive aptitude — and that is why they summon everyone to participate.

Nevertheless in times of danger they bravely take the front row, take the risks first, and protect the others instead of throwing them to the water before them. With this they give an example to their followers, they send an encouraging message dispelling the fears and promoting trust and the feeling of being valued and loved. By distributing responsibilities, the Sattvic Leaders root their actions in consensus and everyone’s abilities, that way they value their thoughts, feelings and skills. Because they care about their people, they participate and take an interest in their lives and ask about their ideas, feelings and emotions. In this kind of leadership rules good will, peace of mind, a sense of safety and harmonious and caring relationships among their teams and followers. The oddest thing is that the results are a natural consequence of the righteous acting, the correct feeling, kindhearted Being and dedication of the best in them to what they consider a commitment or a sacred duty.

Leadership cannot be imposed, it is earned by the ability to inspire and we only inspire when we come into contact with the soul.

Sattvic leaders act from here, from the contact with their inner Being and it is precisely this connection what allows them to Be and for their own authenticity to Inspire.

What follows after the Sattvic Leader?

The three gunas so define the qualities of all that is manifested and determine the expression of every action, even that of leading.

They mark a path of evolution and once all their sides have been experienced and Tamas has been conquered by Rajas and in turn Rajas by Sattva, from this clarity another dimension is revealed. In the Bhagavad Gita 14:22-25 Arjuna asks Krishna: “How can we transcend these gunas?” Here is His answer:

“The one that does not hate either enlightenment, attachment or illusion when they are present, nor hankers them when they disappear; that stays strong and unperturbed through all those reactions of the material qualities and that remains neutral and transcendental, knowing that only the modes are active; that he/she is situated in the Being and that considers happiness and affliction as equals; that sees with the same look a bit of dirt, a stone or a piece of gold; that has the same disposition towards the desirable and the undesirable; that is constant, finds the same comfort in praise and censure, in honor and dishonor; that treats equally friend and foe; and that has renounced to all material activities: someone that is like that is said to have transcended nature’s modes or gunas.”

Each one of us can only continue our path from the place where we are. Let be clearly revealed to each spirit how to put in practice their will. Let us all be always happy as we travel through these experiences that link us in invisible webs, and from which, when we become aware we will see that we are ONE and that each step taken was only part of a dream, an illusion valuable in itself for one purpose: AWAKENING!

Center News

Yogacharyas’ Training

The legacy of Baba Hariharananda’s authentic and original Kriya Yoga teachings is of the utmost importance, and something that I take very seriously, by carefully training a few select kriyavans to gradually take on the mantle of Yogacharya and pass on the immortal teachings of our lineage of gurus.

Rajarshi Raghabananda, who has been training several Yogacharyas in India, has entrusted me with the task of developing guidelines for the training of all current and future Yogacharyas, which I am completing at present. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and the guidance of Raghabananda Baba, as well as the deep love and constant support of my spiritual brother, Yogacharya Don Abrams from New York.

In this respect, I am immensely pleased to announce that Céu d’Ellia, our long-time Kriya Yoga and Ark of Love organizer in Sao Paolo, Brazil, has successfully completed his Yogacharya training with me, and is now fully empowered to initiate people in Kriya Yoga in the name of Gurudev Paramahamsa Hariharananda. He will be known from now on as “Yogacharya Céu d’Ellia”.

I am also delighted to confirm the continuing training and deep progress of the following four Yogacharyas-in-training:

• Monica Diaz in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Rafael Quevedo in British Columbia, Canada
• Catherine Collombet in Mercurol, France

Third International Kriya Yoga Seminar

Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th January 2012
Hariharananda Kriya Yoga Mission, Banabira
P.O. Tabada, P.S. Sohela, Dist. Bargarh, Orissa, INDIA

Hari Om most beloved souls,

We invite you all to atend to the 3rd International Kriya Yoga Seminar that will be taking place at the Hariharananda Kriya Yoga Mission Ashram of Banabira, from the 26th of January to the 28th of January 2012.

A brief Note on Baba Rajarshi Raghabananda and Banabira

Affectionately known as “The little Lahiri Mahashaya” by his disciples, Dr. Raghabananda Nayak is the only disciple of Paramahamsa Hariharananda to have ever attained the nirvikalpa samadhi state—and on the very day of his initiation in 1965, just as Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashaya did when Mahavatar Babaji initiated him.

Under the guidance of Paramahamsa Hariharananda, Raghabananda completed all the higher kriyas at the Karar Ashram, Puri, and was empowered as an accomplished acharya in 1974. Since then he has been devotedly working on his divine assignment by guiding and initiating spiritually-inclined people, writing numerous books on Kriya Yoga, and training acharyas of the Kriya Yoga order.

Banabira is the only Kriya Village in the world, where Raghabanandaji has been nurturing a Kriya community since 1986. There one can breathe peace and calmness and observe the villagers living a very poor and simple life, yet immersed in an profound state of consciousness and happiness. Out of 1,400 villagers, an outstanding two thirds are kriyavans! In every home there is an altar dedicated to Gurudev Baba Hariharananda…

PLEASE NOTE: This seminar is open to All Kriyavans initiated in the lineage of Paramahamsa Hariharananda. – Accomodation are rustic in this poor part of India, and we are doing the very best we can to ensure a comfortable and hygienic experience for all, but one should not expect Western standards of living over there. To go with a spirit of adventure and flexibility is part of our sadhana (spiritual practice)!

N.B.:- Due to some unavoidable circumstances this year we have condensed the duration of 3rd IKYS from seven days to three days.

For the registration of your participation and initiation on prior contact is highly solicited.

If you are interested to attend please try to reach Sambalpur on 25th Jan 2012 positively.

Registration fees for three days is 60$ per head.(only accommodation and food; including breakfast and snacks)transportation facilities and initiation donation are separate from the seminar fee.

There is accommodation for maximum 50 kriyavans from the west in the ashram. And for more numbers we may arrange a hotel which is 10kms away from the ashram. This will be done on prior contact.

General Points About Indian Programs

There will be an opportunity to receive initiation on the second day of program for people desiring to learn the authentic Kriya Yoga technique of Paramahamsa Hariharananda (the initiation donation is separate from the seminar fee).

• These events are not for t their spiritual practice.
• Participants are required to attend all classes of the program(s) they have registered for, except for special cases approved by prior arrangement. ourists or casual visitors, but for dedicated seekers desirous to embrace the disciplined atmosphere of the ashram life and deepen.
• People are entirely responsible for all of their transportation arrangements (international and domestic), from their country of origin to the ashram, and their return journey. Due to an increase in the number of people visiting us each year, we are no longer able to provide assistance in this area, but will be happy to refer you to reliable resources for all of your domestic transportation needs and extra-curricular activities and accomodations.

For more detailed information about the program schedules and how to reach the ashram please contact Yogananda Sahu at: yoganandabnb@gmail.com, Mob.No.+91-9776-611-971.

Om namo bhagavate Hariharananda devaya namah

Argentinean Program

Monica Diaz, with the wonderful support of her husband Ruben and the local group of disciples, organized another divine 2-week Kriya Yoga program in Buenos Aires, which included retreat, initiations, workshops, satsangs, meditation, two Kriya weddings, and a Peace Concert.

In the concert I was joined with a group of six amazingly talented musicians: Manuel Tonnelier (vocals, electric guitar, recorder flute); Juan Porzio (vocals, double bass); Delfina Willis (vocals, viola, percussion); Matías Córdova (esraj, bansuri flute, percussion); Emilio Alvarez (trombone, cuatro, percussion); Lionel Vega (percussion).

You can see a video of four of our songs at these links: Canto al Aguita, Jai Guru, Vou Voar, Nada Te Turbe.

Argentinean beautiful concert

Blogs and Websites

Yogacharya Céu d’Ellia has been maintaining a very rich and informative Blog “Kriya Yoga Hariharananda Brazil” since 2010 at http://kyharihara.blogspot.com/ where you will find inspiring quotes, messages, videos, photos and links in Portuguese.

Also there is a wonderful Facebook group “Hariharananda Kriya Yoga” for Spanish-speaking people, maintained by a group of kriyavans in Santiago, Chile at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_46730952234&id=10150223245492235