NAG Newsletter Fall 2011
Source of Solutions: Go In
By Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati, from YOGA Magazine, November/December 2008. Visit www.yogamag.net for more articles by Swamiji.
Reproduced courtesy of YOGA Magazine, copyright Sivananda Math.
You keep asking for solutions to your problems, but the answer lies within you. Every individual should solve his problems on his own whether it is a physical, mental, emotional, financial or social problem because the solutions exist in him. They are encrypted inside him. Every person has his own key and to procure that key, one needs to go within. The answers do not lie outside. Whether you have immense wealth, are a big leader, actor or ruler, whether you are beautiful, strong, resourceful or educated, the answer to your problems cannot be found through these attributes. The solution to problems lies within whether it concerns disease, poverty or something else.
There is a solution to poverty as well as disease. There is a solution to everything in this world, but you will not find it outside. ‘Outside’ means the world of illusion. Earning a lot of money or gaining a high position does not beget happiness. Happiness lies within and answers lie within.
To go within you must detach yourself from the senses for a while and ask the guru for the path. Don’t ask for too much. Don’t say, “Guruji, I have an itch here, what should I do?” Everyone suffers from itches. How many people will the guru look after if they come to him for every small thing? Every day of your life you have to face at least one problem.
Will you continue to ask your mother to help you brush your teeth and give you a bath? So ask the guru for only one path – the one that goes inside. Ask him for the key to go within, to that state where there is neither night nor day, neither sleep nor wakefulness – the twilight zone. Receiving such a direction from the guru is called initiation.
There are many paths to reach the same destination. After all, is there only one way to reach Mumbai? The guru who lives in Chennai will send you to Mumbai from Chennai and the one who lives in Rishikesh will send you off from Rishikesh. Depending on the floor of life you are in, the state of evolution you are in, you will be sent forward from there. Some indicate the path of form and sound, some say leave everything to God and some say visit a temple and make an offering. Whatever the path, it will be shown to you by the guru. Don’t try to pick one based on your whims. As you practice walking the path shown to you, the answers to your questions will appear from within. That is for certain.
Swami Vivekananda and Adi Shankaracharya received the answer and you will also receive it. You will find the answer to your spiritual questions as well as every other question. Gandhiji found the path to free the country by going within. He received two answers. The first was ahimsa, non-violence. He realized that nothing will be achieved by weapons. The second was the spinning wheel representing cloth, one of the most intimate things associated with man’s consciousness. With this he was able to capture the mind of an entire nation. This was his spiritual experiment.
Usually when we try to solve a problem, we glance at it superficially. We do not go in and look at it. Whether it is at the political, national or family level, we should not look at a problem in its gross or external form. We need to grasp its subtle form. Gandhiji understood the significance of cloth, gave it the form of the spinning wheel and his revolution spread from village to village. How did Gandhiji find the path to go within? He would fast and meditate. He has written that he would hear the sound of Krishna’s flute. This means that he was able to go within.
You will realize that you have reached inside yourself when you have extra-sensory perceptions. When you hear music when no music is playing outside, when you see moonlight without a moon, a lotus without a lotus pond, it means that you have gone within. You may even hear the sound of a drum, a cricket or flute, or you may see the image of Shiva, Devi or guru. When you have arrived at this state, you receive the answer to your questions. In this state of inwardness, you will get the answer to a disease also, to joy and sorrow as well as life and death. For all the questions in the world, the answers exist within the individual.
Buddha gave a mantra to his disciples: atma deepobhava. “Become your own light.” Vedic thought also emphasizes that the light is within you. You are not the body, you are effulgent spirit. Some call this spirit God, some atman, some paramatma. It is indestructible. When the house called body falls apart, the spirit that resides in it goes elsewhere. The spirit is not the house, it lives in the house. It looks after the house for it lives in it, but it is not the house. You are separate from your body. So, reach into your spirit and you will find all answers.
Planting the Seeds that One Day will Grow
A Reflection on the Evolution through the Chakras Retreat and Swami Satyadharma’s visit to Colorado
By Jignasu Kriyadhara Saraswati (Carrie Nelson), accredited Level 1 Satyananda Yoga teacher.
Kriyadhara has been imbibing and teaching yoga for 13 years. Her studies have led her to New Zealand, Australia and India to study with living masters of the Satyananda Yoga lineage. She knows that yoga is a practice far beyond the mat and incorporates yoga into each moment of life. She recently traveled to India with her two young children and husband to receive Jignasu Sannyasa from her Guru, Paramahamsa Niranjanananda. Kriyadhara strongly believes in the power of children to be the best at living yoga.
Last month, North American Gurukul sponsored the “Evolution through the Chakras” retreat with Swami Satyadharma. The event took place in Estes Park, Colorado, a centrally-located venue in North America. This was a journey of the heart and a connection of the Satyananda Yoga family.
Upon arrival to the lodge, each person was greeted with a smile and thoughtful prasad, including portable framed photos of our Gurus. The evening began with heartfelt kirtan. We introduced ourselves with laughter and the energy began to permeate each one of us. Swami Satyadharma led us in a powerful meditation and the chakra activation was so strong that many did not sleep that night. Yet somehow we all felt energized and uplifted the next day, ready to embrace the weekend ahead.
The retreat continued with asana classes, teaching of the chakras with valuable insights and powerful meditations. There were incredible Satyananda Yoga Nidra experiences, and Kirtan that brought many to tears. As our minds were nourished with wisdom-filled Satsang, it was clear that more than knowledge of the chakras was being transmitted. 
The presence of ParamahansaJi through Swami Satyadharma was palpable by newcomers and devotees.
During the fire ceremony, as I glanced upon the circle of people in this magical setting in the mountains I felt at home, at peace. I felt that there was nowhere else on earth that I wanted to be at that time, truly feeling the present moment. I believe that most others in the group shared this feeling.
After our departure from Estes Park, a few of us journeyed with Swami Satyadharma through Rocky Mountain National Park. Here, Swami Satyadharma relayed to us ParamahansaJi’s love for the Himalayas, and how he enjoyed the cooler temperature. This was the place to develop tapas. She let us know that we no longer need to travel to the Himalayas, because they the energy is right here in our mountains! She explained that Paramahansa Satyananda’s vision was to have a Karma Sannyasa ashram in Colorado. As we continued to drive Swami Satyadharma suggested the development of a Karma Sannyasa ashram for families, elderly and devotees. She delighted in the magic of the mountains. She was overtaken with the beauty, the purity and the prana of this land. She felt the strong connection of the devoted community and to the Native Americans who have walked this land.
After experiencing this event, it is unmistakable that Satyananda Yoga will be rooted and spread throughout North America. The core meeting held after the retreat presented many of us with new duties and ways to connect others with yoga. The seeds have been planted and are beginning to germinate: a bhakti bus, a studio in San Francisco, traveling yogis, articles to write, new teachers and an ashram to be built in Colorado. With inspired focus and determination, we sprout our seeds and nourish the need for Satyananda Yoga in North America. We know that with hard work we will someday soon bring Swami Satsangi to America to feel the LOVE!
The ladies of Steamboat Springs expressed that this gathering was “life-changing.” Each articulated the need for kirtan, more Satyananda Yoga classes and meetings.
Swami Satyadharma has acted like a pin. When the pin pierces, the Satyananda Yoga energy begins to flow. The retreat was just the piercing we needed. The time is NOW to build Satyananda Yoga in North America!
Photographs of Evolution through the Chakras provided by Jignasu Kriyadhara.
The Truth of Our Consciousness is Bliss
A Reflection on
Swami Satyadharma’s workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area on Awakening Prana and Opening the Heart, which took place August 20-21, 2011 
By Jignasu Indrani Saraswati (Erika Eddy L.Ac).
Jignasu Indrani is an acupuncturist from Shell Beachj, CA. Indrani feels a very deep connection to Satyananda Yoga and its teachers, crediting her life's awakening and positive impressions to her time spent in the ashram in India and New Zealand and the practice of these powerful teachings on a daily basis.
The weekend workshops with Swami Satyadharma in the Bay Area were a great blessing in so many ways. From the moment she entered the hall (and actually for months before that in preparation), a certain vibrant energy was palpable in our community: an air of transformation, possibilities widening and an elevation of consciousness. I could feel the heat and power of that transformative Shakti before the workshops ever began! For that weekend, there was truly an ashram environment created in the Bay area.
The content of Saturday’s workshop “Awakening Prana” was presented with the grace and excellence that only a learned Swami can convey. As we began, she mentioned how “tuning into our own energy connects us to all energies” and I could feel the walls begin to come down. From that softened state, we journeyed in depth into the koshas and the flow of prana within the body. We were guided in a powerful meditation to explore the flow of different pranas in the body and I am amazed at how much easier it is to become aware of them now.
During the lecture I was particularly struck by the illustration of how much stress weakens our vyana prana. Our ‘backup generator’ of energy, vyana prana is responsible for our erect body posture and the vital role of helping the body maintain balance and function when other pranas are depleted. This has reinforced how important it is to replenish and take care of the pranamaya kosha.
Sunday’s workshop “Opening the Heart” did just that. I believe that all hearts present were opening by the end of the day and if not completely, then well on their way. It never ceases to amaze me how profound basic principles of awareness, movement, relaxation and kirtan in combination can completely shift one’s perception of reality! The main topic of the day was antar darshan, the inner vision of emotions. Swami Satyadharma was truly in her element speaking about how to manage and deal with our emotions. Using simple, practical examples and techniques, she guided us through a wide range of feelings and their potential effects on our lives. She spoke about the three qualities of the soul, sat-chit-ananda, which essentially mean that the truth of our consciousness is bliss. I love and appreciate the image that came to mind when she shared that “bliss emanates from the soul and shines through the heart as love”. I am very grateful to have been present for such a workshop. The topic of emotions is often ignored or brushed aside and not given enough importance. As she illustrated very clearly, emotions are intertwined with all of our memories and actually determine our level of functioning and quality of energy.
This workshop provided many tools to begin to address this vast realm of emotion. As Swami Satyadharma said, "The first step in this process is introspection." We must first begin to discover what is present within us. In her words, “Emotions are currents which set the mind in motion. Every thought, memory, perception, event, relation and interaction is associated with a feeling. Understanding and perception of feelings can change the action we perform and our reactions.” If we can re-live and release the old memories consciously, we can begin a process of purification that will allow the heart to open. She emphasized that total acceptance and friendliness with our emotions is a must. We can transform our lives by connecting the mind with the heart through the practice of introspection. This leads to understanding and self-mastery.
It was truly a gift to share such a special workshop with the growing Satyananda Yoga community on the west coast. To join heads, hearts and hands toward a common goal felt rejuvenating and gave me great hope for the future. The message of peace, plenty and prosperity for all reverberates in my heart.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for so many blessings. Hari OM.
Photographs of California events provided by Sn. Vishalakshi and the Bay Area North American Gurukul group.
Tip of the Quarter: Nurturing the Root
By Sannyasi Atmadarshan, Executive Course Coordinator, Yoga Academy of North America
As winter approaches, trees drop their leaves and garden perennials shrivel. Everything appears dead, yet below the surface the roots remain, waiting only for the warmth of spring to bring new life back to the world.
Our life emulates the seasons – sometimes full of growth and activity, sometimes barren and empty. Our yoga practice, too, can fluctuate in this way. We attend a conference with like-minded people and an inspiring teacher and our connection to yoga blooms and grows. Then we return home, life becomes busy, and our practice withers.
It is normal for everything to move in cycles. The key to continued growth is to maintain a healthy foundation. The tree will continue to grow, the flowers will return with more and more vibrant blossoms as long as the roots survive. 
If the roots are pulled out, the plant dies and nature must start over again with a seed.
We can maintain our yoga practice, and even continue to grow it, so long as we maintain its roots. Roots have to reach deep to provide adequate support and nutrients. Generally, there is one primary root, the taproot, which is key to a plant’s survival. Similarly, we need find only a few key practices and stick with them for years, establishing one as the primary technique performed consistently to keep our spiritual growth alive.
In Western culture, we tend to think more is better and that we need to continually branch out into new areas of exploration. But with this strategy we tend to overextend and we deplete our resources. Selecting only a few items of focus will give us the stability and support we need to become strong and self-renewing.
If you have been fortunate enough to study with a teacher that inspires you, take one key practice the teacher has imparted and make time for it regularly. Note that this does not have to be a physical practice, a pranayama or meditation; reading one verse of the Bhagavad Gita or practicing one yama per day can have a tremendous long-term impact. Some practices don’t require daily commitment - chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra every Saturday or going to a kirtan once a month can add just enough nurturing to keep you going as well.
Develop your taproot and if you truly have time for one or two other practices to become roots as well, your spiritual growth will continue even during the times that seem frozen and grey. That’s when the roots are truly doing their most important work so that when we reconnect with a source of inspiration, we will be able to blossom more fully than ever before.
SATYANANDA YOGA® can be an effective – and enjoyable – way to improve all aspects of your life. Enjoy the season change!
Photograph © Copyright Colin Smith and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence
From Our Readers: Humanity is the Best Religion
By P.S. Prakasa Rao, Satyananda Yoga practitioner from San Jose, CA
Religions have played a large part in the evolution of human civilization and culture. One characteristic of religion is the reliance on faith. The existence of God or truth in religious doctrines is not founded upon logic, reason or science. Once Sri Rama Krishna Paramahansa said that as many faiths, so there are as many paths to God.
India, being a secular state, does not have any state religion. The state of India allows for freedom of faith, worship and religion. Thus people of all religions live in India and pray in different ways. There is striking diversity between various communities and groups in kinship and marriage rites, customs, inheritance and modes of living. The social, economic and cultural diversities of India are reflected in these differing communities, yet running through all of these diversities is the thread of India's basic unity. The uniqueness of Indian social structure lies in its Unity in Diversity. Thomas Paine once said, “I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.”
As yoga practitioners, we must respect all religions and love and help each other. In this way, a Hindu becomes a better Hindu, a Muslim becomes a better Muslim, a Christian becomes a better Christian and so on. In fact, Humanity is the best religion and it is through Faith that we will live peacefully in life.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily state or reflect the views of North American Gurukul, Inc. Publication in this newsletter or on this website should not be considered an endorsement.
The North American Gurukul, Inc. (NAG) is a nonprofit organization established to support the growth of SATYANANDA YOGA® throughout North America in order to enhance the health, well being, & human potential of individuals and society.
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