OM Time

Sacred Word OM

The sound OM is Brahman. The rishis and sages practiced austerity to realize that Sound-Brahman. After attaining perfection one hears the sound of this eternal Word rising spontaneously from the navel. "'What will you gain', some sages ask, 'by merely hearing this sound?' You hear the roar of the ocean from a distance. By following the roar you can reach the ocean. As long as there is the roar, there must also be the ocean. By following the trail of OM you attain Brahman, of which the Word is the symbol. That Brahman has been described by the Vedas as the ultimate goal."

-- The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

OM, literally means God. And sometimes you just have to take an OM Break. You know what I'm saying. A chance to have a moment of peaceful contemplation and turn inside. A welcomed pick me up after a frustrating or hurried day. A moment of stopping which gives the power to act from a resourceful, skillful place. Introspection and meditation seem to work for me and offers that much needed time to center myself and reaffirm what is the real goal of life. Oneness with God. The symbol OM means God in Sanskrit and as a spoken vibration on the lips is the Divine God made manifest. Whenever and wherever I am I've found I'm never too busy to have a chat with God. Ideally I try always to silently chant my mantra, the golden thread of oneness behind my daily householder life. Many times life's challenges and trials come bursting into my life unannounced and without prior warning. Quick put out the fire of the latest personal crises!!! But if I rest in stillness a moment and repeat my OM's with intention, soon the dust settles, my mood lifts, unity and comfort is achieved. My new centered focus and joy is embraced. Holy Latte!

Power of the Mantra 

Lecture by Swami Bhaskarananda

Japam: Instrument of Love for God’s Name 

Article by Swami Tathagatananda

Tea Time

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.”

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Watch a Movie About Tea

Death... Or is it?

Vedanta and Near Death Experience Lecture by Swami Mahayogananda

Life & Death Lecture by Pravrajika Vivekaprana

Swami Brahmananda Spiritual Dynamo

Swami Brahmananda 
January 21, 1863 - April 10, 1922


"Religion is a most practical thing. 
It doesn’t matter whether one believes or not. 
It is like science. 
If one performs spiritual disciplines, 
the result is bound to come. 
Although one may be practicing mechanically—
if one persists one will get everything in time. 
And if you go one step towards God, 
God will come a hundred steps towards you. 
Why did God create us? 
So that we may love him."
-by Swami Brahmananda

Swami Brahmananda A Spiritual Dynamo 

Article by Swami Sarvadevananda

Swami Brahmananda His Legacy 

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda

Swami Vivekananda : Vessel for God

Swami Vivekananda
(January 12, 1863  -  July 4, 1902)

Read the Complete Works

of Swami Vivekananda Online

THE CUP
This is your cup — the cup assigned 

to you from the beginning. 

Nay, My child, I know how much 

of that dark drink is your own brew 

Of fault and passion, ages long ago, 

In the deep years of yesterday, I know.

This is your road — a painful road and drear. 

I made the stones that never give you rest. 

I set your friend in pleasant ways and clear, 

And he shall come like you, unto My breast. 

But you, My child, must travel here.

This is your task. It has no joy nor grace, 

But it is not meant for any other hand, 

And in My universe hath measured place, 

Take it. I do not bid you understand. 

I bid you close your eyes to see My face.
By Swami Vivekananda

Prabuddha Bharata Magazine
 Read about Swami Vivekananda's Gift to the West

Vivekananda Line Drawing Artwork

Pravrajika Baradaprana

70 Years of Service

Pravrajika Baradaprana 

April 22, 1923 - January 4, 2014

Obituary

Know the Self, unborn, undying, 

Never ceasing, never beginning

Birthless, deathless, unchanging forever.

How can it die, the death of the body.

Bodies are said to die 

But that which possesses the body is eternal.

Know the Self, unchanging forever.

- Bhagavad Gita, Chp. 2, Translated by Swami Prabhavananda -

A Tribute to Pravrajika Baradaprana 

A Dedicated Life: What it Means for Us 

By Pravrajika Vrajaprana

The Beautitudes Teachings 
by Pravrajika Baradaprana

GPS = Guru Positioning System

Swami Yogatmananda of the Vedanta Society of Providence, RI, 

braved a snowy blizzard to give a retreat on 

"Meditation: The Inner Journey to the Final Destination".

"In meditation we learn to transcend the appearances of life and realize our true nature." said Swami Yogatmananda during a recent retreat at the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple. "Relentless determination to complete our daily meditation practice is the bridge between the awareness of the material "I" and the inner "I" of God awareness and unity. We learn to transcend the names and various forms through meditation. Proper posture is very important, head, neck, and backbone in a straight line. Results happen with the very first practice of meditation! Progress may not be visible to you, but looking back you will see that the shore is far behind you now. As we interact with people that united awareness that meditation brings can be felt and experienced throughout the day, all day long! Our destination is our "true divine nature," God realization! Hold onto God and the transitory world will become less important, then you will see the world as the bondage it is, restricting your freedom, then you will see the truth: GOD ALONE IS REAL. Life as a spiritual journey is the primary goal of human life. Material possessions are not pertinent to the goal of the journey. These material desires make us suffer veiling the unity of oneness from our eyes. Discernment is necessary on this journey. Keep the discerning faculty always alert and then the journey will reach its destination and go beyond this material world and become all pervading, we will be everywhere, no boundaries, ultimate unity! We have the promise that all beings one day over many lifetimes will reach this GOAL of ONENESS. We are guaranteed to reach this goal as Vedanta is a SCIENCE. Looking for happiness is fruitless, looking inside is where the treasure is hidden, inside the lotus of the heart. Eventually, temptation for material desires and attachment to sweet fruits subsides, strength and wisdom is gained after we analyze reality and the reflection of life's daily experiences. Soon a steady transformation will begin, moving ahead, giving up life's illusions we will merge with the higher consciousness. GOAL of "ONENESS" - should be our only goal! Then we HAVE ARRIVED! Knowledge of God through Vedanta philosophy is the very goal of life. By eliminating negative and impossible thoughts, all wisdom and knowledge is possible on this journey. Be immersed in that oneness!!! Freedom, happiness, peace, truth and love are the fruits of oneness. Our beloved spiritual teacher or guru will help guide our way along our chosen path. By guiding our awareness the guru helps to sharpen our meditation practice by diligently encouraging a one pointed focus on our chosen ishta, without fail, spiritual fruits will manifest. We will progress from ignorance to knowledge, from the unreal to the real. Arise, Awake, stop not till the goal is reached. Wake up to your true nature. And then start walking on the path shown by the great teachers. We may shed many tears on the journey. Difficulties and pains of life are still unavoidable on this path. Never give up! We should be patient and persevere, do not let yourself revert back to your old habits and ways! Always joyful stay true to your path and keep walking ahead though it certainly maybe a challenge and always very interesting. Remember... to seek counsel with your GURU when ever you have a question or concern. GPS = Guru Positioning System"   :) 

Guided Meditation - Swami Yogatmananda
34min

Longing for God

Yearning for God lecture by Pravrajika Servaprana

 "You seem to be quite satisfied with your present condition, but I tell you, 

do not remain satisfied with yourself as you are now.

Contentment with the external conditions, yes, but never

be contented with your state of spiritual growth. 
Become dissatisfied. Try to move ever onward in your search. 
Do not stop until you have found the diamond mine!"

- Swami Brahmananda -

Happy Day of the Birth

I learned that in Ecuador the Catholic tradition places emphasis on the Nativity scene rather than the Christmas tree as in the USA. As a result, baby Jesus dolls are quite popular in Ecuador. The people honor baby Jesus in an effort to earn grace and mercy from God. People will pray to baby Jesus because they think he is more likely to be merciful and much kinder than an adult Jesus. It's very common to see grown ladies carrying their exquisitely adorned and treasured antique wax or porcelain Jesus baby dolls in a miniature laced bassinet or basket to the church altar during a Sunday service to be blessed with holy water by the priest. This parade of baby Jesus dolls continues until January 6th of every year when the kings wise men would then return home. Every year a magnificent feast is given by the family member who received the baby doll in the annual exchange. Next year that same doll will be exchanged and a new family member will take on the responsibility of presenting the baby Jesus doll at the church altar for the blessing and then host the feast. Feliz Navidad! The Spanish greeting for Christmas means "Happy Day of the Birth".

Religious Festivals of Ecuador

Unity In Diversity

I believe that there are no coincidences in this life. We are destined to meet people and have experiences which will expand our hearts and our spiritual journey. And so what a blessing it was to discover that devotees: Visnupatni Devi Dasi, Raja Guhiam Das and we were united at the core of our being in this eternal oneness. As Californians traveling in Quito, Ecuador, my husband and I experienced unity in diversity first hand. Miraculous it seemed that in a country where 95% of religious worshipers are Catholic, we found each other and shared an immediate bond with these divine souls. Joined by words like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads our conversation in broken Spanish had us praising the similar rather than the differences in each other. Words like Krishna, Rama, Ganesh, Shiva, and Swami Prabhupada, became clear evidence that ours was a supreme uniting love. Though our visit was only for 30 minutes it was one we shall never forget. We shared prayers, mudras, hugs, cries, and even bhajans music via my iPhone. The fact that it all happened on a very auspicious day, Christmas Eve, proved to us it was meant to be. Finally we said our Sanskrit farewells; "Namaste" and "Hari Om Tat Sat" an ancient mantra from the Vedas, promising to meet again if the Lord wills.

The Bhagavad Gita As It Is

Truth is One

"The Master [Sri Ramakrishna] said that one day he sat in a parlor room at Dakshineswar, where a painting of Mary and baby Jesus was hanging; and intently studied that image, thinking of the wonderful life of Jesus. Just then he saw the picture become animate and luminous. Rays of light emanated from the bodies of Mother Mary and the child Jesus, entering his heart and revolutionizing his mental attitudes. … After he returned to the Dakshineswar temple garden, the Master remained uninterruptedly absorbed in meditation on those experiences pertaining to Jesus. He completely forgot to visit the Divine Mother in the temple. The waves of Christian faith that swayed him lasted for three days. When the Master was walking in the Panchavati at the end of the third day, he saw a beautiful but unfamiliar godman with a fair complexion advancing towards him, gazing at him steadily. … The Master was charmed by the unique divine expression on his serene face and wondered who he could be. Very soon after that the figure drew near, and a voice from within told him, 'This is Jesus Christ, the great yogi, the loving Son of God who is one with his Father, who shed his heart's blood and suffered torture for the salvation of humanity.' Then the godman Jesus embraced the Master and merged into him. In ecstasy, the Master lost external consciousness and his mind remained united with Saguna Brahman for some time. With this vision, the Master became convinced that Jesus was truly a divine incarnation." —Swami Saradananda, Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play, p 355-6

Truth is One lecture by Swami Chetanananda

Prayer 
of Unity

May He who is 

Father in Heaven of the Christians, 

Holy One of the Jewish faith, 

Allah of the Muslims, 

Buddha of the Buddhists, 

Dao of the Chinese faith, 

Great Spirit of Native Americans, 

Ahura Mazda of the Zoroastrians, 

and Brahman of the Hindus, 

lead us from the unreal to the real, 

from darkness to light and from death to immortality. 

May the all loving being manifest himself unto us, 

and grant us abiding understanding and all consuming divine love. 

OM shanti, shanti, shanti, 

peace, peace, peace be unto us all.

Wish-fulfilling Tree

"Am I in need of fruit?

I have the Fruit that makes this life

Fruitful indeed. Within my heart

The Tree of Rāma grows,

Bearing salvation for its fruit.

Under the Wish-fulfilling Tree

Of Rāma do I sit at ease,

Plucking whatever fruit I will.

But if you speak of fruit -

No beggar, I, for common fruit.

Behold, I go,

Leaving a bitter fruit for you."

As Sri Ramakrishna was singing this song he went into samadhi. 

 Again the half-closed eyes and motionless body that one sees in his photograph. 

 Just a minute before, the devotees had been making merry in his company. 

 Now all eyes were riveted on him.

Read more of the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

The Wish-fulfilling Tree 
Lecture by Swami Chetanananda

Pomegranate Natures Super Fruit

Divine Fruit

Pray For What You Want

Zen in it's simplicity, a note in a fortune cookie gave me much to ponder. Could the universe be trying to tell me something? Today it seems even my food was preaching Vedanta philosophy. This bold demand to pray was fascinating to me especially coming from a cookie. It sounded a lot like what my Swami would say. For by definition, prayer is talking to God in a spirit of love. Through daily personal prayer we connect with our spiritual reality and develop virtues that enrich our lives and purify our spiritual channel to God. Prayer empowers us to take control of the way we respond to any of life's given situations. Through prayer and meditation our spirits are guided on a purposeful journey. As a result, prayer naturally extends to our actions (i.e."Work"). A fundamental teaching in all the world's religions is that our actions should reflect our prayers so that our deeds, our very lives, may be purposeful, virtuous, and beneficial to our fellow man. Living in a prayerful state occurs when every decision we make, every action we undertake, every word we say, is motivated by the remembrance of God. And that's the way this cookie crumbles!

Power of Prayer lecture by Pravrajika Vrajaprana

Ramakrishna and Goddess Kali

Kali and Sri Ramakrishna in the Panchavati 
grove at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Why is Mother Kali so radiantly black?

Because she is so powerful,

that even mentioning her name destroys delusion.

Because she is so beautiful,

Lord Shiva, conqueror of death,

lies blissfully vanquished,

beneath the red soled feet.

There are subtle hues of blackness,

But her bright complexion

is the mystery that is utterly black,

overwhelmingly black, wonderfully black.

When she awakens in the lotus shrine

within the heart’s secret cave,

her blackness becomes the mystic illumination

that causes the twelve petal blossom there

to glow more intensely than golden embers.

Her lovely form is the incomparable

Kali black blacker than the King of Death.

Whoever gazes upon this radiant blackness falls eternally in love

and feels no attraction to any other,

discovering everywhere only her.

This poet sighs deeply,

“Where is this brilliant lady, this black light beyond luminosity?

Though I have never seen her, simply hearing her name,

the mind becomes absorbed completely in her astonishing reality."

Om Kali!  Om Kali!  Om Kali!

 - by Ramprasad Sen -

Version by: Lex Hixon From Mother of the Universe 

“Visions of the Goddess and Tantric Hymns of Enlightenment”

Songs of Mother lecture by Pravrajika Gitaprana

Kali Destroyer of Time by Marley KD


Yielding to the Storm of Kali by Elizabeth Usha Harding

Remembering Swami Swahanandaji

Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple Altar
(June 29, 1921 - October 19, 2012)

Time or space does not separate Guru and Disciple. 

He will continue to guide us even after his death.

Do you want a "nambi-pamby" mother 

or do you want a mother who will fight for you?

- Swami Swahananda used to say in reference to Mother Durga and Mother Kali -

Video Tribute for Swami Swahananda - San Diego Vedanta Temple

Puja Season

Mahisasura Hymn to the Divine Mother Durga

O' daughter of the mountains, 
who makes the whole world happy, 
who makes all the universe rejoice, 
who bestows boons upon the gods, 
who defeats the undisciplined, 
who tolerates the ignorant, 
who is ever rejoicing,
who nourishes the three worlds,
who pleases Shankara,
who removes sins,
who inhabits the sound Om,
whose wrath befalls the progeny of the demons,
who destroys those drunk on the intoxicant of pride,
who is daughter of the Ocean.
O' mother of the world, my mother
Victory, victory to Thee,
O' slayer of the Buffalo demon,
Victory, daughter of the Himalayas, 
with beautifully plaited hair.

Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - Read Online

Khichri

Saag Vali Khichri    (serves 24)

2 cups organic whole green mung beans
2 cups organic basmati brown or white rice
1 piece of fresh ginger peeled (about 2")
3 pounds organic fresh or frozen spinach chopped
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/3 cup organic virgin coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon asafetida (hing)
1 tablespoon (whole) cumin
1 tablespoon (ground) cumin
1 large onion chopped
2 tablespoons (ground) coriander
2 teaspoons black pepper

Place rinsed mung beans and 6 cups water in pot. Soak for 24 hours.

Rinse mung beans and put in a heavy cooking pot with 16 cups water, bring to boil. 
Cover, lower heat and let simmer for 2 minutes.
Turn off heat and let pot sit covered for 1 hour. 
Bring to a boil again and add rice and ginger. 
Cover, turn to low and cook gently for 1 hour. Stirring occasionally. 
Add spinach and salt, cook for 30 min. stirring as needed to prevent sticking.
In a separate pan fry spices and onion in coconut oil and add to the hot rice and mung beans. 
Discard ginger piece. Garnish with lemon juice or cilantro.

Mother Durga

The Divine Mother slays the mythical demons 

(i.e. our worst traits = laziness, vanity, gluttony, jealousness, unforgiveness, etc.)

The Divine Mother "Shakti" is the creative energy, power and consciousness of the universe. All nature in its beauty is the divine mother. Music and art also are imbibed with the creative touch of the mother. The mother is Everything. Wherever we go we carry the divine mother enshrined in our hearts. Recognizing that she and us are indeed one. Good and Bad are one, not separate these are two sides of the same coin. Bondage and liberation belong to the mind alone. What we think so we become. Only by letting go of resentment can our arms be free to grasp the complete fullness of forgiveness. Mothers divine grace allows us to realize freedom and liberation while living in this worldly life. The world is saturated in divinity. Let all that we do be offered to the divine mother first, fragrance, good food, beautiful music, etc. as she is the creator. The best way to worship Mother Durga is through japa "Jai Sri Durga", meditation, ritual puja, homa fire and the taking of prasad. 

                               

The Story of Durga lecture by Swami Tyagananda

Disciples

Various Facets of Swami Vivekananda Lecture 
by Swami Chetanananda

Discipleship Speech by Swami Vivekananda

(Delivered in San Francisco, on March 29, 1900)

My subject is "Discipleship". I do not know how you will take what I have to say. It will be rather difficult for you to accept it — the ideals of teachers and disciples in this country vary so much from those in ours. An old proverb of India comes to my mind: "There are hundreds of thousands of teachers, but it is hard to find one disciple." It seems to be true. The one important thing in the attainment of spirituality is the attitude of the pupil. When the right attitude is there, illumination comes easily. What does the disciple need in order to receive the truth? The great sages say that to attain truth takes but the twinkling of an eye — it is just a question of knowing — the dream breaks. How long does it take? In a second the dream is gone. When the illusion vanishes, how long does it take? Just the twinkling of an eye. When I know the truth, nothing happens except that the falsehood vanishes away: I took the rope for the snake, and now I see it is the rope. It is only a question of half a second and the whole thing is done. Thou art That. Thou art the Reality. How long does it take to know this? If we are God and always have been so, not to know this is most astonishing. To know this is the only natural thing. It should not take ages to find out what we have always been and what we now are.
Yet it seems difficult to realize this self-evident truth. Ages and ages pass before we begin to catch a faint glimpse of it. God is life; God is truth. We write about this; we feel in our inmost heart that this is so, that everything else than God is nothing — here today, gone tomorrow. And yet most of us remain the same all through life. We cling to untruth, and we turn our back upon truth. We do not want to attain truth. We do not want anyone to break our dream. You see, the teachers are not wanted. Who wants to learn? But if anyone wants to realize the truth and overcome illusion, if he wants to receive the truth from a teacher, he must be a true disciple. It is not easy to be a disciple; great preparations are necessary; many conditions have to be fulfilled. Four principal conditions are laid down by the Vedantists.

Bloom Where You are Planted

Flower Fresh. Breathing in, I see myself as a flower. Breathing out, I feel fresh and I smile. The whole body of a child is a flower. Today, I saw my son Luke as a poppy flower, blooming tall and strong on his 23rd birthday. We are all flowers in the garden of humanity. With meditation, we can keep our flowerness for a long time. Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life. To be mindful is to be truly alive, present and at one with those around you and with what you are doing. Conscious breathing is the key to uniting body and mind and bringing the energy of mindfulness into each moment of our life. Our breathing is a stable solid ground that we can take refuge in. Regardless of our internal weather- our thoughts, emotions and perceptions- our breathing is always with us like a faithful friend. Whenever we feel carried away, or sunken in a deep emotion, or scattered in worries and projects, we return to our breathing to collect and anchor our mind. We feel the flow of air coming in and going out, we feel how light and natural, how calm and peaceful our breathing functions. At any time, while we are walking, gardening, or typing, we can return to this peaceful source of life.

The Cloud in the Tea

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Ecology and Evolution

IN PRAISE OF MOTHER EARTH 

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Homage to you Refreshing Earth Bodhisattva

Mother of this world with its many species.

We want to turn to you with respect,

Beautiful green planet in the midst of the sky,

You who have given birth to countless species,

Produced so many wonders of life,

Loved in the ultimate sense of non-discrimination,

Embraced all species not barring a single one,

Loyal and reliable, tolerant and stable,

The mother who bears all species.

Countless bodhisattvas spring up

From your fresh green lap.

Mother you embrace and transform

Sweeping away the hatred of humans,

Creating new life day and night,

Helping the earth to bloom with the flowers of heaven.

You are open to thousands of other galaxies,

Sharing your joy with the trichiliocosm,

By seeing that your true nature is interdependence.

Conserving and protecting so that nothing is lost,

Not being, not nothing, not eternal, not annihilated,

Not the same, not different, not coming, not going.

Your love knows no limits,

Your virtues no shortcomings.

Your nature is the Four Immeasurable Minds

Like the four great oceans they never dry up.

Whenever spring returns you wear a new robe

Of red roses, the green willow, beautiful and fresh.

When summer comes the vegetation displays its bright colors,

Wholesome seeds, sweet fruits are to be found everywhere.

How brilliant are the colors of the autumn forest

Until winter comes and snowflakes fill the sky.

The afternoon tide chants like the roll of thunder

The morning sunrise paints an incomparable picture,

Making visible all the splendors of the universe.

You are the most beautiful flower of the Solar System,

The wisdom that lights up the ten directions,

The mind that is open to all places.

Mother, you are the Paradise of the Present,

Making possible the future for all species.

We come back and take refuge in you,

With nothing to run after, accepting the unfavorable as also favorable,

Seeing that you are always in us and

Seeing ourselves in you for all of time.

May we follow your good example,

And live every moment with true peace and joy.

Homage to the Refreshing Mother Earth Bodhisattva

Vedanta Ecology and Evolution

Lecture by Swami Mahayogananda

- - - 

Essay on Global Ecology and Vedanta by Pravrajika Vrajaprana

Part 1

Part 2

Meditation

Om Shivaya Song

In meditation we start learning to practice focus and sit quietly before God in love. Focusing the mind on any supreme aspect of God is true meditation. The consistent practice of meditation removes stress, anxiety and fear by eliminating the causes of our sufferings. Through meditation man becomes one with God (Brahman). Personalities are transformed and one develops physical and mental strength.

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just 
leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” 

- Swami Vivekananda

Meditation Technique:

– Sit in a comfortable cross legged position. You may also sit on a chair or lean against a wall for this meditation.

– Elongate your spine upwards, lengthen your neck and subtly bring your chin back and in, like a soldier at attention. This will align the spine with the back of your head.

– Take 5 deep, slow breaths though the nose. Keeping the head straight this will oxygenate your blood and relax you. Try to remain as still as possible.

– Rest your hands in any comfortable position or mudra, you can place them on your knees.
Close your eyes and try to go deeply into yourself while holding this mudra. Do not strain.

– Now inhale deeply and begin to chant in a soft, slow, steady voice the manta OM (pronounced AUM). One chant of OM (AUM) Mantra should last for the entire exhalation. Its a long “Oh”, followed by a semi long “Mmmm” during each exhalation. Once all the air has been expelled, inhale fully again and begin to chant the mantra once more.

– Visualize the OM sound coming from a point in the middle of your heart and emanating throughout your entire body. Feel OM as the Infinite Pure Consciousness. It is this primordial sound vibration that expresses itself everywhere both in the microcosm and the macrocosm.

– Try to feel that every cell and molecule in your body is like a rising sun full of infinite energy, beauty, purity and bliss Absolute. Feel that every cell of your body is shining like the luminous golden rays of the sun. With your inner vision visualize the rising sun in Infinite blue space. You are that Supreme Auspiciousness.

– Feel that you breathe out only Pure Love and good thoughts. Spread this positive vibration of thought in all directions to the far corners of the universe to all beings. You may repeat OM, your personal mantra or any prayer to retain this Infinite harmony in your being. Pure Love is Pure Consciousness. Shivoham!

Lecture on Meditation by Swami Veetamohananda

Lecture on Deepening Our Meditation by Swami Mahayogananda

Guided Meditation by Swami Yogatmananda

Mahasamadhi

Sri Sarada Devi 

The Holy Mother 

1853-1920

Mother left her earthly body and entered into Mahasamadhi on this day in 1920. Worshipped during her lifetime as a manifestation of Divine Motherhood, Sri Sarada Devi's throne was the earthen floor. Her only adornments were the white sari with a thin red border and two simple gold bracelets. In place of bow, trident and other divine weapons, Mother carried a broom and basket. To take darshan of Mother was to help her with the daily chores of cleaning and preparing food for offering. Her principal concern was that her children have enough to eat. All who came were her children. Mother's benediction was an outstretched hand of welcome which bade one always to come again.

"Jaya Jaya Janani"

Victory to you, O Mother Sarada, embodiment of compassion. 

You are the primal energy and supreme manifestation of the divine.

You, Mother, are the refuge of even the lowliest of the lowly. 

Mother, you are the savior of the world, giver of fearlessness, 

remover of all pain and suffering. 

You are the mother of all creatures in the universe, ever engaged in protecting all.

O Mother, you remain covered with a veil of humility and shyness; 

to you both the wicked and the virtuous bow their heads. 

Victory to you, O Mother Sarada, embodiment of compassion.

Read about Sri Sarada Devi
by Swami Tapasyananda

Worship of the Divine Mother

Lecture by Swami Atmajnanananda

Unsolicited Grace: Accounts of Holy Mother

Sarada Devi Relics Stolen from Belur Math

There is None Except the Divine

Swami Vivekananda 
Ramakrishna Monastery Trabuco Canyon

The soul has neither pain nor pleasure. It is the witness of everything. The eternal witness of all work, but it takes no fruits from any work. To work properly you first must give up the idea of attachment. Hold yourself as the witness and go on working. Everything is evanescent and changeful. Knowing this the sage gives up both pleasure and pain and becomes a witness of the panorama of the universe without attachment for anything. He sees the world as a picture knowing that nothing affects him. Then he enjoys its beauty. Whenever there is any bliss, there is a spark of the eternal bliss, The bliss that is the Lord himself. The essence of our own soul. He's the light and life of the whole universe. He's the eternal witness of the universe. O Lord and Mother of the Universe, Thou flowing stream of nectar, How many forms and aspects does thou play in manifestation. The soul has neither pain nor pleasure. Hold yourself as the witness, then behold nature's beauty.

Believe that you are the children of God, the heirs of infinite strength and bliss. Believe that your body and mind are sacred temples. Believe that God pervades every man, and every woman. He pervades every tree and creeper, every sentient and insentient being. The presence of God must be realized everywhere. He is the personal and impersonal, with and without form. He dwells in all beings. He pervades land and waters. He pervades hills and valleys. He pervades the sky and stars. He pervades all things. There is none except the Divine in the entire universe. See God in the blue of the sky, the waves of the sea. See God in the face of a friend, in the simplicity of a child. See God in the horrors of death, in the steadfastness of the saint. There is none except the Divine in the entire universe.

-- Except from "Vivekananda Oratorio 150 : His Ministry" a classical oratorio by Swami Atmavidyananda, composer and lyricist, of the Vedanta Society of Southern California and a monk of the Ramakrishna Order of India. The lyrics he derived from "Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda."

Listen to Vivekananda Oratorio 150 Recording

Vivekananda Oratorio 150

Created in honor of Swami Vivekananda's 150th Birth Anniversary, composer and choir director, Swami Atmavidyananda will lead a live performance of his “Vivekananda Oratorio 150″ on July 4th, 2013 at the Vedanta Society Trabuco Canyon Monastery during their Annual Open House. In an effort to spread the essence of Swami Vivekananda’s timeless teachings this original musical work will appeal to a new level of sophisticated spiritual seekers. Credited with being the first to introduce Hinduism to the West during the Chicago Parliament of Religions in 1893, Swami Vivekananda's most uplifting writings and speeches will be sung as lyrics during this masterful 90min operatic tribute in classical oratorio style. If you cannot attend the live performance you may listen to the recording at the link below.

Listen to Vivekananda Oratorio 150 Recording

Article on Premiere of Vivekananda Oratorio 150

Information on the July 4th Event

Hawaiian Prayer of Forgiveness

Iolani Luahine - Kumu Hula 

(1915-1978) 

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Ho'oponopono Pule Prayer

These beautiful words came to Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, who was a teacher in the huna tradition. She got these words in meditation while in communication with the "I"or the oneness of all things. She told students to always share what they had learned. Summer Solstice is the perfect time to reflect on the divine immortal soul which inhabits all beings.

All Hawaiian prayer forms start with breathing, which is call Ha. One round of Ha is to breathe in for the count of 7, hold for the count of 7, and release for the count of 7. When you have emptied your lungs again then hold for the count of 7. Be relaxed and let the breath determine how long the count of 7 is. You can fit it to your own physiology.

Mana is the energy that belongs to you in this Life and is connected to you and all worlds in all spaces and at all times. We will be cleaning this Mana with the Ho'oponopono Pule.

Aka cords are what ties us, and all other things, beings, energies, and Karma, together, for this and for all times. When we say "Cut all Aka Cords," we are talking about cutting all the ties we have with all our friends, family, relatives, and ancestors. We will include all possessions, things we are attached to, places we have been, memories we hold, and so forth. This also is a very deep cleansing method.

When we talk about the Divine Creator: The Aumakua, the Uhane, and the Unihipili as One, we are talking about the totality of all that is and ever was or will be. This is what Christianity calls God as well as all of God's works, i.e., the Universe and every thing contained within it. When all of this is put together as One, then that is what we mean when we say the Divine Creator.

This we shall call the "I", because it is like the Roman numeral I representing the oneness of the Universe. The sound "I'' is likewise like the sound of "Eye" which can be thought of in the ancient way as the "Eyeball" of the Sun. This is the center of our solar system and represents an image of the One.

The Aumakua is the "Spiritual Self" and represents all of the Gods of all of the religions of Man since the beginning of time. It can be thought of as our own singular genetic past to the beginning of time as well. And in a very real sense, it is our consciousness backwards in time representing our knowledge of right and wrong, or our conscience.

The Uhane is the "Physical Self" and represents the caretaker of our body. It is our thinking mind and our physical function. We talk with the Uhane and we think with the Uhane. We have a drive for survival that is part of the function of the Uhane. When we are hungry or sleepy or when we want something, it is the Uhane that does this function of the body and brain.

The Unihipili is the "Emotional Self" and represents the feelings which are not really expressible in words. Often feelings have more impact on our activity than thoughts and words do. Feelings guide us to a knowledge of our "Inner Self", and are very important to an understanding of our wholeness. "U" means to grunt, and "Nihipili" means to move through the grass like a snake. Together these words describe the nature of the Unihipili. It is emotion without the ability of language. It is the "Inner child" which is so often spoken of in today's new age explanations of human integrity.

We are One within our selves, and we are One with the Oneness of all that is. We need to understand, however that the little Unihipili within us, is like a child has no language. The Unihipili however, holds all of our personal Mana. Mana is the spiritual energy that defines exactly who and what we are and why we have come into being at this time and place. The Mana is the menu of our Life, and our ticket for this lifetime! I cannot express how important this idea is. Most people could have a perfect Life existence if only they could learn to talk with their Unihipili.

Only through the Unihipili, can the Uhane (the individual mind/body) make contact with the "Aumakua". This means that if you loose contact with your Unihipili, you will be almost assuredly become lost on the path of your life. This is a very important idea, yet many if not most people have an Uhane that is not willing to recognize or respect the importance of the little inner child, the Unihipili. One must remember that even without language, the Unihipili has all of our memories from the time of conception onward, and is the only source of our personal Mana.