We have moved to a new home!

Beloved Self,

I am pleased to invite you to visit us at our new home at http://www.hariharanandakriyayoga.org/blog/. This space on Blogspot is now closed. Kindly update your bookmark to point to the new home.

Looking forward to having you there.
God bless you all.

Humble,
Swamito

Last podcast in the series "The Monk and the Businessman"

Hari om from our sweltering little corner of India. The mercury is already hitting 47 degrees Celsius in Delhi, but the promise of the refreshing monsoon rains next month keeps us going...

Today is the last podcast of The Monk and the Businessman series, concluding with the fourth installment on empowerment from a spiritual perspective. This week we discuss the metaphorical meaning of Moses' transformation from exiled shepherd to prophet. The new leader's role and vision. From stockholders to stakeholders. New directions and new questions. Business as one of the tools to manifest the kingdom of God.

In our next series of podcast from the Storytelling Monk we will return to our beloved Wisdom Tales from around the world.

Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

Matri Chhaya opens its doors... and new podcast installment

Hari om from Haridwar again!
Here our little orphanage is gradually getting in gear.
We now have four children staying with us full-time (and expecting seven more this month): Vidya (3), Vivek (8), Arshid (10), and Aman (12). Vidya means "Knowledge", Vivek "Discrimination", Arshid "Love", and Aman "Peace".
We also have one old lady staying with us: Santosh ("Contentment").
Our other residents include three dogs (Jackie, Jimmy and Chris), one horse called Chetak (which means "horse"--how original!), one cow called Kapila (name of a great sage). We also receive the visit of many wild peacocks, squirrels, monkeys, and the occasional elephants.
And maybe one day we will have the joy of receiving your visit? You are always welcome!

We continue here our ongoing The Monk and the Businessman series with a third installment on empowerment from a spiritual perspective. This week we draw some analogies between religious and corporate structures: their rise and fall and transformation; the training and testing of leaders; how King Janaka tested his disciple Shakti.

Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

New fusion CD!... and new podcast installment

Hari om from Haridwar!
Just back from another trip to Delhi, where I finished mixing my new double CD of fusion music which I created with Swami Chetan (an expert tabla player and wonderful composer/singer). This fund-raising CD, entitled Bhakti and Shakti: A Fusion Experience, was made to share our mutual passion for fusion – of minds, souls, and music – where East meets West, and Shakti and Bhakti embrace each other. It will be released in early June 2008 through our website's publishing section as well through our various centers. You can already listen to some samples here.

We continue also our ongoing The Monk and the Businessman series with a second installment on empowerment from a spiritual perspective. This week: illustrations on the difference between patriarchal contract and the empowering contract, and how to to delegate and empower, with quotes from the Scriptures and examples from ancient spiritual traditions.

Finally, my 2008 tour schedule is finalized and up on our website! Click on "Tour and Event Schedules" to find out about all future Kriya Yoga initiations, conferences, workshops, retreats, pilgrimages, peace concerts, storytelling events, Ark of love activities, and more...
Happy listening, and I look forward to seeing you somewhere, somehow, sometime!
God bless you all.
Swamito

A Year of Love

2007: A Year of Love at the
"Ark of Love Hariharananda - São Paolo"

A report by Bia Alves

A tree is recognized by its fruits, and a human being through his/her actions and attitude.
- Paramahamsa Hariharananda

Another full year of activities has been completed, and our Ark continues sailing with a lot of love.

The year of 2007 was special in the Ark of Love Hariharananda São Paulo: we improved our pedagogical project “Peaceful and loving relationship amongst beings”; we reinforced its implementation and forged stronger bonds of unity among the volunteers by introducing Pedagogical Supervision meetings; we continued the partnership with Casa Francisco and carried on our social work, every Saturday morning, in this comfortable and cozy house; we took care of 20 children age 7 to 14 years, who live in the Glicerio district in downtown São Paulo.

Our goal was to create a small theater production which was performed by the children on November 2^nd, graced and blessed by the presence of our teacher Swami Sarveshwaranandaji.

This event was an important moment for integrating families, children and volunteers, as well as an opportunity to talk with the families about important issues regarding our little ones’ education: drugs, physical abuse and other problems.

Daniel, focused on the altar.

Theater show.

The children, volunteers, and Swami after the presentation.

Breathing exercises with the families and volunteers.

Volunteers serving lunch.

2007 in numbers

42 Saturday mornings dedicated to volunteer work.
Over 210 hours of activities full of love.
8 cultural outdoor activities with the children - museum, theatre, park...
1,780 nutritious dinners served with care
15 volunteers offering their work of love
15 families assisted by the Ark of Love

Swami Sarveshwarananda’s visit

Between 1 and 14 November we received the precious visit of Swami Sarveshwarananda. During his stay in São Paolo, he performed many different activities, including lectures, storytelling and singing events, retreats, initiations… and even the marriage of our beloved Ark sailors Joyce and Ivan!

Special - Baba Hariharananda’s 100^th birthday

During the month of May 2007, we had three events celebrating Baba Hariharananda’s hundredth birthday, who inspires the humanitarian work done by the Ark of Love and the Mission bearing his name.

On the 26^th, the children saw the play “The Knight and the Centipede” at the Vento Forte theater. Afterwards, we had a puja (ecumenical worship). All children received blessed roses to take to their families as a memento.

On May 27^th, Baba’s birthday, a special meeting for kriyavans was held, with puja, guided meditation, readings, and videos. It was a very special moment for everyone.

On May 28^th, at the weekly group meditation, we had another puja and meditation.

Ark of Love activities

The Ark of Love activities are becoming more interesting all the time! To kick off 2007, we listened to the story of Noah’s Ark and contemplated on it for a while, reflecting on the life amongst the different animals inside the ark. Between the months of March to June, we visited the Zoo and the São Paulo Aquarium and had the opportunity to learn a little more about the characteristic of many different animals, and heard some curious stories!

During the second semester, our activities at the Ark of Love focused on the production of a small theater play. We created and decorated our clay masks with different animal features; we designed costumes, self-portraits and the set for the play. We learned dances, songs and mantras. And we had some exciting rehearsals before the final presentation!

During this time, we also had the opportunity to watch various plays: “Who counts stars tells tales?”; “The Knight and the Centipede”; “The boy who ran away from the play”. We visited the Ipiranga Museum, we played at the park, and enjoyed many types of physical activities such as kempo, skipping rope, yoga and Thai massage.

The children and Carlos, the bus driver.

At the Vento Forte theatre.

Activities at Casa Francisco.

Painting and decorating masks.

Masked Monkey.

Children at the Thai massage workshop.

Divine light

We finished our yearly activities with a joyful Treasure Hunt, where we could find that togetherness, love, peace, kindness, joy and friendship are our most precious divine gifts!

All children received clothes, books, shoes and a special mp3 player pre-loaded with various songs, stories and mantras, including a recording of themselves singing a mantra with the name of God in different religions. All generously donated by loving godparents!

The 15 families helped by our work also received Christmas packages, kindly donated by our collaborators Angélica Arbex and Antônio Couto from Lello Condomínios. The delivery of these gift baskets was done by our volunteer Ark sailors, who visited each family on December 15^th.

The Monk and the Businessman on Empowerment - Part 1

Hari om from Haridwar again! With our little group of devoted volunteers, we have just returned from Joop village, near Champawat, where we spent 10 enchanting days in our Children's Academy of Joy. In this extremely poor and remote village in the high Himalayas, the Hariharananda Mission established its first ever little school for poor children four years ago. Despite enormous obstacles and rigorous environment, it is blossoming beautifully under the loving care of our principal and co-founder, Mr. Ramesh Pandey, assisted by all members of his beloved family. Please visit also our photo gallery and click on School > CAF School Champawat, India. This gallery will be updated soon with new photos and videos of our recently-concluded Annual Function day performed entirely by the children.

In our ongoing The Monk and the Businessman series we begin today a new series on empowerment from a spiritual perspective. To begin with, David Fischman presents an overview of the two basic types of companies—bureaucratic-centric, and empowerment-centric, and what it means in terms of customer satisfaction, time management, and employee performance.
Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

The Monk and the Businessman on Time Management - Part 5 and final

Hari om from New Delhi! After a week spent in a recording studio with Swami Chetan, I am now mixing the 20 tracks of our upcoming double CD of fusion music tentatively titled "Bhakti and Shakti". It should be completed within a week or so. I will post some excerpts on the blog soon.

We continue with our The Monk and the Businessman series with the fifth and last installment on time management. Today: To know how to manage your time, it is important to know what is the final goal of life. A useful tool: the Buddhist practice of mindfulness—to always ask "Why?", about one's activities, thoughts, or words. "Out of evil cometh good"—faced with mounting stress and work load, employees and management have new opportunities to develop new processes, and grow personally and professionally.
Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

Christmas 2007 at the Ark of Love - Curitiba, Brazil

Project “Christmas at the Ark of Love-Curitiba” by the Hariharananda Mission West

80 children in a devastated neighborhood of Curitiba
received the warmth of your generosity!
(Captions taken from the book
Mystical Poems by Jalal ud-Din Rumi)

“Make your wish to be the wish of the world.
May the world contemplate eternity after your acts.”

“Love your life! Shout in a state of bliss!
There is no mess at the life feast!"

“O life! O my beloved!
Only in you there is eternal love! Only in you the eternal thought resides!”

“O friend! Life fulfills the world!
You and I are in eternal union!”

”As the rain comes to the dried ground,
thus it comes the perfume of your love!”

“Do not go too far! Come closer!
Find the antidote in the poison!”

“Would you know how to prepare a remedy
made with the matter of the encounter
and give it to the injured who gave you eyes and heart?”

“Leave your home and do like the shepherds:
help to cure the soul of the one near you.”

“In the cold and in the rain ,my beloved is
sweeter. Noble, dignified, graceful. Smooth like a flower.’’

“Smile with me like a rose bud.
Let us understand ourselves
through our thoughts, no tongue, no lips.”

“O! What a dizzy mildness that comes from
this love which does not know limits!”

”Devotion is the death of the will, when only
the eternity lies...”

“Can you tell me which simple flower the
bees take out the sweet honey from?”

“When we enter in the garden, the colors of
the road and the voice of the birds will make us immortals
- Me and You.”

“Nobody talks to himself out loud.
Since we all are one, let us talk this other way.”

“Your place is the hot climate in the heart,
it does not survive the ice of the world.”

“When one is truly beloved,
there is no room at all in the world for lack.”

“When you have your journey done,
surely you will return as an angel,
and your station will surely be heaven.”

“Out there where the true love is born,
the self dies. You let it expire in the dark of the night
and freely the light of the morning breathes.”

”Come, be alert for the subtleness
where there is no words."

“He looked at me as though he was a dagger
and then I dived in the water of his eyes.
I quit existing!
I suffered for the unbearable pain
of the non existence.”

OM SHANTIH, SHANTIH, SHANTIH!!!
- Gurusandesh Ma

The Monk and the Businessman on Time Management - Part 4

Hari om from Haridwar again! We have just returned from a heavenly visit to Ganeshpur in the Himalayas, where we stayed in Swami Chetan's delightful little holistic school for poor children which the Hariharananda Mission West supports. Soon we will post a colorful little report.

Today we officially moved in our new Matri Chhaya orphanage and training center in Jagjitpur, on the outskirts of Haridwar. A million thanks to all of you who contributed to make this distant dream a reality for our little ones! Stay tuned for more information about the project's development...

We continue with our The Monk and the Businessman series with a fourth installment on time management. Today: a review of inspiring quotes on what is important in life and work. The concept of svadharma (one's assigned duty in life) and mindful living. Summary of the spiritual time management techniques covered so far.
Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

Brahmachari Initiation in the Holy City of Haridwar

Brahmachari Devananda

Born in Haridwar, India on February 21st, 2008

Once, I don’t remember when, I met you on the path to eternity. Today I find you much closer to your final destination, and I rejoice because today you have boarded the final train on your way back home.

Congratulations Devanandaji for your brahmacharya initiation! May you always roam (chara), in God (Brahma)!

Did you pause a moment to think about our extraordinary good fortune? Do you realize that the driver of this train is our beloved Gurudev Paramahamsa Hariharananda?


Do you know that Swamiji is his divine instrument in this world? I’m sure you know all this, otherwise you would not have taken such important step in this life. I’m so happy for you!

Today, Thursday (guruvar), was a memorable and auspicious day at Tripura Yoga Ashram, in the holy city of Haridwar, where at 11:30 am you took the vows of celibacy, sense control and remembering God all the time, in every inhalation in every exhalation. You did not relinquish your religion to adopt a new one, as Yoga is not a religion; on the contrary you entered the holy stream of renunciation and purity to better serve your own and all religions. Your sacrifice is a blessing for this great vast world.

Ganga Ma took you in her arms to lovingly cleanse you, and sister moon (today is the full moon) lit your path so that you never lose your way towards wisdom and truth in the midst of the darkness of this world. You also have such a loving teacher as Swamiji, who will nurture you and protect you in every moment of your life. Your new name was chosen by our divine and beloved Rajarshi Raghabanandaji. So many blessings Brahmachariji!

Many divine souls were present at your diksha (initiation): Swami Amlanand Giri (Head of the Tripura Yogashram), Swami Sharad Puri (Director of Shivedale’s school), Swami Chetan (Founder of the Vivekananda foundation), Mahant Suddhir Giri (a great monk and sadhaka), and Pandit Chintamani, the great-souled priest who conducted the ceremony.

First there was a puja (worship). You began by worshiping the five deities symbolizing various aspects of our consciousness: Ganesha, the remover of obstacles; Ma Durga, the destroyer of selfishness; Surya, the sun-god who illuminates our mind; Lord Shiva, the destroyer of our evil qualities; and Vishnu, the preserver and protector of our spirituality. You offered them sandal paste, kumkum (vermillion), flowers, incense, Ganga water, bell sound, light (ghee lamp), and fruits.

The main focus of your puja was for Lord Shiva as he is ‘Yogeshwar”, the Lord of yogis, and your performed the sacred Rudra abhishekam or washing of the Shiva lingam with milk, curd, honey, ghee, butter, sandalwood paste, ashes, and Ganga water.

The main part of the worship was dedicated to Lord Shiva as he is known as Yogeshwara, the Lord of yogis. For this you performed the sacred Rudra Abhishekam, smearing the Shiva lingam (symbol of infinity) successively with milk, curd, honey, ghee, butter, sandalwood paste, ashes, and Ganga water. This puja ended with the waving of the lamp (arati). All these rituals symbolized your surrender, and the offering of your five senses and mind to God.

Afterwards Swamiji offered you the new clothes you ll be wearing from now, and in return you applied kumkum (vermillion) to his forehead and bowed to him.

Afterwards you went through a fire ceremony (havan), where you burned your old personality and habits; you offered to the holy fire clarified butter (ghee) and a mixture of grains, seeds and fragrant spices, as well as a coconut as the symbol of your ego.

Then you bathed in Ganga Ma to be reborn through her purifying waters, and you were covered with a white shawl by Swamiji.

The most heart-touching part was when Swamiji gave you the sacred Guru Mantra along with a pair of rudraksha malas over which he had prayed and meditated.

At the end you introduced yourself with your new name and offered food to all guests.

I am writing to you about all these details because maybe you want to have a written record of what happened on this glorious day.

Bon voyage Brahmachari Devanandaji!!!

Om namah Shivaya
Om namo Narayanaya
Om namo Bhagavate Hariharananda devaya

I pray that divine bliss be ever with you.

Love,

Rafael

The Monk and the Businessman on Time Management - Part 3

Hari om from Delhi... on our way to Haridwar and Uttarkashi. We are now a group of ten kriyavans pursuing the path of divine joy and deep meditation, from the the heavenly Banabira Kriya village in Western Orissa, to the majestic Himalayan heights in Uttarkashi.
In Haridwar we will perform the Brahmachari initiation of our sweet and loving Lionel Baba. We will also visit our newly-opened school Matri Chhaya on the outskirts of the holy city of Kankhal, and train Basanti Ma, our new headmistress who is travelling with us from the divine Banabira village to take up this position.
Our hearts are over-flowing with gratitude for the ceaseless showers of spiritual treasures that Raghabananda Baba has bestowed on us. Many new projects of working closely together are being formed... Stay tuned for more divine news soon!

Today we continue with our The Monk and the Businessman series with a third installment on time management. Differentiating between essential and non-essential things and activities, according to the world's religions. Learning from children how to remain relaxed and happy. A review of what the great sages of various world religions define as being the most important thing in life. The example of the Peace Pilgrim.
Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

The Monk and the Businessman on Time Management - Part 2

Hari om from Sambalpur in the state of Orissa!
Today we continue with our The Monk and the Businessman series with a second installment on time management. With two captivating questions: What is the true meaning of the Sabbath? And why are holidays and "time out" periods often so stressful?
Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

Visit to a Kriya Village

Banabira (Hero’s Forest)

Orissa, India
February 1st, 2008

By Gurudev Baba Hariharananda’s grace, we had the blessing to see his work in progress through the saintly guidance of Rajarshi Raghabanandaji in a remote village in the Indian state of Orissa. The village’s name denotes the godly work done here on earth by a “Divine Hero”, our beloved Raghabanandaji, Gurudev’s twin soul.

Rajarshi Raghabananda

We could observe how his seva is in perfect alignment with Gurudev’s and God’s will. A perfect expression of love, which flows in all directions, from guru to disciples and from disciples to guru.

Guru is revered as God in human form

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 extraordinary 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…

Nurturing life and love

There is so much devotion to God, Baba and Raghabanandaji and so much faith in Kriya Yoga, that since 2002 the village kriyavans have been building out of their own meagre resources a beautiful ashram. The place is a little heaven on earth, full of flowers, fruit trees, and bird songs. Only love can be felt in all directions, inviting you to dive deep into cosmic and God consciousness. Nearby is a beautiful pond on which banks sits a peaceful little Shiva temple.

Heaven on earth...

Thank you God, Paramahansa Hariharanandaji, Rajarshi Raghabanandaji and Swami Sarveshwaranandaji for allowing us to be a useful instrument of your divine deeds.

Love, love, love…….

Rafael

The Monk and the Businessman on Time Management - Part 1

Hari om from Haridwar! After a few days running around trying to find an internet connection in between endless power cuts, I am finally able to upload a NEW The Monk and the Businessman series. Today is the first installment on time management. We begin by examining the two different Greek words used in the Bible both of which have been loosely translated as "time" in English: kronos (chronological time), and kairos (relational time). Why "time management" really means "desire management."
Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

Recovering the compassionate Islam

Irshad Manji is a name to be reckoned with in the battle to rescue the compassionate Islam from the hands of terrorists, fundamentalists, and other over-hyped fanatics... a battle largely abandoned by the Muslim moderate majority as well as by Western thinkers in general.
Among her many remarkable and courageous achievements is her effort to revive "ijtihad," Islam's tradition of debate and dissent which flourished during its golden age, between 750 and 1250 C.E.
But her voice reaches far beyond the challenges currently facing Islam. At the invitation of the University of New York, she created this January a course on Moral Courage, and was recently the subject of a PBS special on Faith without Fear.
I salute this kindred spirit engaged in the eternal battle to bring reason, compassion, and light to the too-often muddied waters of literalist religion.
God bless her and protect her always.
Humble,
Swamito.
P.S. Interested to know more on Islam? Listen to my series of podcasts on this great religion here.

The Monk and the Businessman on Stress Management - Part 8 and Final

Today in our The Monk and the Businessman series we come to the last installment on stress management. We discuss the three types of business people--moral, amoral, and immoral, and examine how stress emerges from a system of interlocking patterns. September 11 is for instance a symptom of a deep spiritual disease—religious hypocrisy, and a chance for inner cleansing.
With my approaching return to India, land of immense Light and intermittent internet and electrical service, I will publish the next series of podcasts--on Time Management--on a bi-monthly basis from now on, instead of on a weekly basis: Swamito needs to manage his time too...
Thank you very much.
God bless you all.
Swamito

The Monk and the Businessman on Stress Management - Part 7

To help overcome the stress of the New Year festivities, why not tune in our continuing The Monk and the Businessman series? Today is the seventh installment on stress management, and we talk about practical solutions to eliminate and prevent the three major types of stressors. Mahatma Gandhi's cardinal advice "You are never obligated to give an answer to a question"... is illustrated by famous stories from the world scriptures.
Happy listening!
God bless you all.
Swamito

Happy New You in the New Year!

My beloved and divine Souls,

Hari om and Happy New Year!
I pray that your every sacred wish be fulfilled in this Holy New Year.

A New Year is also a time to reflect back and give thanks to all the joys, sorrows, opportunities and challenges God has given us in this retreating year 2007. And to stand humbly at the door of 2008 and say, "Yes, Lord, I am ready and grateful for what you will send me in this New Year. All comes from Thee, and all shall return to Thee. Please make me a worthy vessel for Thy grace."

And indeed, the year 2007 was graced by God and Baba with many wonderful new centers, Kriya programs, and Ark of Love activities with poor children.

Here is a brief summary of this delightful year:

. Several new Kriya Yoga centers were started in Latin America -- Cali and Popayan in Colombia; Cochabamba and Santa Cruz in Bolivia; and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Please see the list of Kriya Yoga centers for contact information.

. We are also very pleased to welcome one new Ark of Love center -- in Medellin, Colombia, where we work in partnership with "La Escuela de las Cometas." Please see the list of Ark of Love centers for contact information.

. In India, our three little schools for abandoned children and poor widows have been progressing nicely in Haridwar, Uttarkashi, and Champawat. Our waiting list of poor children, senior citizens and widows is ever-growing, and we are doing the maximum we can to accommodate all. Please see the list of Network of Love schools (new photo and video galleries are on their way!).

. Would you kindly consider making a donation to help sustain these charitable and educational projects? Or even come and volunteer for some time? That would be a divine blessing for our little ones! Please see here for information on how to contribute.

. New Yogic workshop were very successfully introduced in several Latin American countries as well -- Yogic stress Management, Emotional Integration, and Ayurvedic Cooking workshops. People from all walks of life -- executives, housewives, adolescents, teachers, doctors were able to attend these yogic workshops and learn to lead a more balanced and joyful life. Please see here for more information on this type of workshops (a photo gallery will be added soon!).

. We also completed an incredible 2-week pilgrimage from Lake Titicaca in Bolivia to Machhu Pichhu in Peru. See here for more information (a photo gallery will be added soon!).
Next destination: the Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage in July 2008. See here for registration and details (more details will be added soon).

. Finally, we launched our first round of Spiritual Training intensives in both Miami and Lima in 2007. A total of 50 participants graduated from the first level training, "Friends of Humanity". A photo gallery will be added soon!

Not to mention all the peace concerts, theater encounters, storytelling events, silent retreats, and Kriya weddings... what a year it has been! My deepest thanks and heartful prayers to you all who have organized and participated in these programs.

2008 is already full of joyful promises, too...
You can already take a peek at the proposed activities here.

Thank you very much. May God and Gurus continue to bless you, inspire you, and uplift you to the peak of Joyful Living!

With eternal love and tender smiles,
yours,
Swamito.