Monthly Archives: June 2015

Echo from The Cave:24

Mon June 8th, 2015 5:24 am Manhattan, NYC

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Pranavadipa Issue #7 is published today!

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EDITORS NOTE: Pranavadipa 7

A note on Satsangha:
Have you ever wondered what state of mind is necessary to practice Yoga and under what conditions such a state of mind arises? These questions are at the heart of this month’s Satsangha, in Issue #7 of Pranavadipa, in which only our brother, Sanatana (Mr. Hotta at that time), is asking questions to Shri Mahayogi.

Sanatana begins by seeking guidance from Shri Mahayogi about an idea for a book that he would like to write, the purpose of which would be to stabilize the reader’s mind and in so doing, prepare it to understand the teachings of the Truth.

In reading and trying to understand the conversation between our Master and Sanatana, it is amazing for me to see how Sanatana is truly using his lived experience of practicing Shri Mahayogi’s teachings to understand how to write this book.

In seeking Shri Mahayogi’s guidance for the book, it is evident that he is also seeking guidance in deepening the thoroughness of his own practice, exemplifying the necessity for us to deepen our understanding and experience of Truth in order to serve others. Shri Mahayogi’s responses reflect the depth and thoroughness of Sanatana’s own willingness and readiness to receive and practice the teachings and both provide us with an example of how we too can deepen our practice.

 

 A note on “What is Yoga?”:
Mr. Shimada, who contributes the series of articles titled “What is Yoga?”, was just in New York for nine days during Shri Mahayogi’s last visit.

We were fortunate to have the pleasure of meeting him and at the end of a Wednesday class there was an opportunity for the NY Sangha to ask him questions about his experience and for him to ask us questions as well. I asked him about his process of writing the articles for “What is Yoga?”. I was curious to know how he went about writing them. For example, did he know the topics beforehand and then spend a month meditating and practicing to understand each topic before writing, or what?

He answered that “no, that was not how it was at all.” To begin he shared that he was asked by a senior disciple to write a series of articles for the newsletter in Japan, Paramahaṃsa. He thinks that most likely he was asked to do so because he would be able to learn so much from doing it and because he needed to deepen his practice!

The way he went about it was to look at himself and his way of being before being introduced to the practice of Yoga in comparison to now, after he has been practicing for 4 or 5 years. When doing so he began to write whatever came to mind and out of that the topics naturally arose on their own.

I found this so fascinating because it seems to me that it is out of Mr. Shimada’s comparison that it becomes evident how, by following the teaching of our Master, he has experienced many different aspects of what Yoga is. And what’s more, through his experience we can see that it is unmistakable that one can truly begin to transform oneself through the practice of Yoga!

In this month’s article, Mr. Shimada again shares with us the sincerity of his experience of daily practice and in so doing reminds us of the importance of not giving up at the mere thought of practice being beyond our capability, and strengthens our faith that we too can experience the truth of Shri Mahayogi’s teachings if we practice them and gradually bring our thoughts, words and deeds to unite as one.

Mr. Shimada provides a quote from Shri Mahayogi in this article that is so simple and inspiring that every time I read it my mind comes to a halt:

“If you would like to receive a treasure, get rid of the junk in your hand.”

Shri Mahayogi

 

Sadhya

 

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May the experiences of our brothers inspire us and bring passion and faith to our day-to-day practice so that we can all exemplify the Truth or our Beloved Master’s teachings!

 

PRANAVADIPA
Go to Information

Echo from The Cave:23

Sun May 31th, 2015 10:00 pm Manhattan, NYC

After having been blessed by the presence of our Master, Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa, for the past three months, disciples and attendees came together this Sunday one last time to receive his teachings and guidance before his return to Kyoto, Japan. At the end of the Asana and Meditation class, Aniruddha spoke on behalf of the disciples in NY to express the immense gratitude we have for our beloved Master.

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MESSAGE TO THE MASTER:

“On behalf of all the brothers and sisters in New York,
I would like to express to you our gratitude

and say thank you for inspiring us these past three months

with your teachings, guidance and wisdom.

It is a great honor and privilege for us to serve both you and the mission.

Your physical presence
always brings us so much joy
as well as a renewed commitment to deepen our practice

and realization to prove,
Shri Mahayogi,

that your teachings are indeed the Truth.
In you, Shri Mahayogi,

our Guru,
is the Living example of True existence itself embodied in physical form.

It is through you
that we have come to know the true Self.

It is through you

that we began to feel its essence.

And it will be through you, our Guru,
that we will experience the full essence of Atman.
From all of us,

thank you Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa.

With the greatest l
ove we wish you a safe trip home,

but truly we are also anticipating the news of your return

so that we can be in your presence once more.
Thank you very much from the bottom of our heart!”

 

大師への献辞:
「ニューヨークのすべての兄弟姉妹弟子を代表して、
貴方に感謝を捧げ、
教えと導きと叡知によって、
この3カ月間私たちをインスパイアしてくださったことに対し、
お礼を申し上げたいと思います。
貴方とミッションに奉仕できることは、
私たちにとって素晴らしい栄誉であり特典です。
貴方が肉体をもって目の前におられることで、
私たちはいつも大きな歓喜を与えられます。
そしてシュリー・マハーヨーギー、
貴方の教えがほかではない真実であることを身をもって証明するために、
実践と悟りを深めようと誓いを新たにします。
私たちのグル、 シュリー・マハーヨーギー、
貴方の中には真実在そのものの生きた見本が、
肉体という形をとって具体的に表れています。
まさに貴方を通して、
私たちは真実の自己の存在を知ることになり、
貴方を通してその本質を感じるようになりました。
そして私たちのグル、
まさしく貴方を通して、
アートマンの本質をあますところなく体得するでしょう。
私たち全員から、
サットグル・シュリー・マハーヨーギー・パラマハンサ、
貴方に感謝いたします。
最大の愛をもって旅のご無事をお祈りしています。
それでも本当は、 再度そばにいられるように、
お戻りになる知らせも待ち望んでいます。
心の底からありがとうございます!」

                       ニューヨークの弟子を代表して、
アニルッダ

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Shri Mahayogi, our Beloved,
Until the moment when we may rejoice in Your coming again,

May our hearts and minds rest solely in You.

Jai Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa Ki, Jai!!!!!

 

IMG_4740The offering of the flowers to Shri Mahayogi
was then arranged by the Master in the vase that night.

Om Tat Sat, Om!