Monthly Archives: June 2019

Echo From The Cave: 116

Sunday June 16, 2019 NYC


Editor’s Note: Pranavadipa Volume 55

In this month’s issue of Pranavadipa (Vol. 55), Shri Mahayogi’s teaching starts off with one that is very important, the law of karma:

We must accept our role within our respective situations as our own duty and then perform it, because these situations are results that were brought about by none other than one’s own self, from one’s own karma from the past. If we abandon our own duty, we cannot resolve the results of our own karma, but only postpone them.

“The arrow that is shot upright falls upon the shooter’s head”—this is a fact taught in Yoga (considered to be science of the mind), and it is the same as what Lord Buddha taught—it is a very important teaching of the Universal law and we ought to continuously bear it in our mind.

As we know through the experiences of our daily lives, tomorrow is the outcome of today. But here, in regard to the law of karma, the arrows are not necessarily only from this lifetime, but can also be from our past lives. Indeed, when we are experiencing suffering, it is difficult to accept this Universal law, yet if we take a moment to think of it as the outcome from our own past thoughts, words and deeds, and then go further to understand and accept this, there is neither a situation nor a person to be blamed. There is nothing to do but simply accept this and work on our own selves internally. If we don’t do it now, the arrows will eventually come anyway, possibly with even greater force. The beauty of this work is that once we actually start to do it, its benefit will continue to extend, and because we will begin to see things from different perspectives, and most importantly with gratitude, our interactions with others will naturally become more harmonious.

Going further, Yoga teaches that we can avoid future suffering, as stated in the Yoga Sutra 2:16: “Future pain is that which is to be avoided.” If we borrow the words of Swami Vivekananda to explain this—Some karma we have worked out already, some we are working out in our present life, and some is waiting to bear fruit in a future life. The first kind is past and gone. The second we shall have to work out. It is only that which is waiting to bear fruit in the future that we can conquer and control; and toward this end all our forces should be directed. The way to do so is to put the teachings of Yoga into practice. Yoga is empirical.

The above sutra continues into another important one: “The cause of the pain which is to be avoided is the conjunction of the Seer and the Seen.” Yoga Sutra 2:17

The law of karma mentioned above is taught in the first teaching of this issue, titled: “The Meaning of Duty in Yoga—Karma Yoga.” The topics that follow answer the questions: what is the meaning of karma yoga? What does it mean to fulfill one’s duty? What does it mean to devotedly take actions in service of others? Then Shri Mahayogi teaches that as the practice of Yoga deepens, the understanding and practice of karma yoga in action expands.

Often times the word “karma yoga” is misused to refer to work exchange, but in fact, karma yoga has nothing to do with an exchange of any kind. In other cases, the concept of “service to others” is simply viewed or understood as volunteer work or works of charity. Of course, it is great to help others and to provide support where needed, and we should practice to do so in whatever way possible and in any circumstance. But we must always remember “who the doer is.” Shri Mahayogi reveals that the true meaning of service to others is to act only with the thought of the other, from the understanding that all is One—that there is only God—until one is void of the notion of “I” and “me.”

May we all study these practical teachings carefully and be inspired to actualize them in our moment to moment lives, striving to think and act for the good of others, while at the same time not neglecting our own spiritual disciplines and practices.

*

This month’s Testimony, an article from a series written by Sanatana about Buddha and his teachings (see Vol. 6 for another article in the series: “The Twelve Dependent Originations”), is truly a profound source of study material and inspiration. Through Sanatana’s writing it is as if we are being transported to the ancient world of Buddha to touch for ourselves the feeling of Buddha’s relentless passion for the Truth.

Here Sanatana relates the understanding he has gained through the study and practice of the foremost teachings of Buddha—the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path—under the guidance of Shri Mahayogi, breaking them down and making them easily relatable to the world we are all living in today. As we read, let us all feel for ourselves the timeless nature of the teachings of Buddha that reverberate even now, thousands of years after his lifetime, and strive with the same reverence and passion as Sanatana to practice and come to know them for ourselves.

 

Echo From The Cave: 115

Tuesday June 11, 2019 NYC

ANNOUNCEMENT: Shri Mahayogi’s Visit to New York ~ Summer 2019 ~

We are very grateful and delighted to announce that
our Spiritual Master, Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa, will visit NYC this summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all programs with Shri Mahayogi, registration in advance is required in person during regular class or online.

Click to reserve a seat for Satsangha
Click to register for Yoga Sadhana

 

Echo From The Cave: 114

Tuesday June 3, 2019 NYC

ANNOUNCEMENT: Shri Mahayogi’s Visit to New York ~ Summer 2019 ~

We are very grateful and delighted to announce that
our Spiritual Master, Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa, will visit NYC this summer!

Programs will begin July 14th 2019
and will be held at Still Mind Zendo: 37W 17th St, #6W NYC

*
SADHANA PROGRAMS with the Master

• July 14, 21, 28
• August 4, 11, 18, 25
• September 1
Sundays: 6pm-8pm

SATSANGHA
Opportunities to learn and receive the teachings of Yoga—Self Realization—
through Q&A with the Master.
• July 20
• August 10 & 31
Saturdays: time TBA

Please mark these dates in your calendar!
More details and information on how to register will be announced soon.

And, if you have not yet attended a program with Shri Mahayogi,
we strongly suggest that you read the following report,
and watch In The Cave With The Master,
a DVD documentary produced by Mahayogi Yoga Mission in 2005.

REPORT: Screening of In the Cave With the Master

On Saturday May 25th, in Astoria, Queens, a gathering was held in the home of a disciple to view the Mahayogi Yoga Mission’s documentary—In The Cave With the Master. Attendees entered into discussion after the viewing. Among those present were various disciples of Shri Mahayogi, new students and a friend.

In the Cave with the Master is a documentary that overwhelmingly captures the unparalleled relationship between a spiritual Master and seeker, and the sacred moment in which true initiation takes place. As the film unfolds we catch a glimpse of how Shri Mahayogi (Master) guides Niranjan (seeker) to the path of Yoga through the practice of advanced asana (being rehearsed for another project), and at the same time, we can sense that there is something beyond what the eye can see, something deep within, that is unfolding in the heart of the seeker through receiving that guidance. And it is precisely in that which is unfolding within, where the true essence of practice of Yoga can be found. In fact, whether through basic asana, advanced asana, or one of the many other disciplines contained within the system of Yoga, it is indeed that internal guidance from the Master and resulting transformation that is the heart of what Yoga truly is. Shri Mahayogi’s strong presence and guidance remains steady throughout the footage that is herein documented and this is without a doubt a rare opportunity to witness how the willingness and earnestness of the seeker itself sparks the unconditional and unwavering grace of the Guru, the combination of which result in genuine initiation.

To date, there is no video recording of Shri Mahayogi available other than what is here in this documentary. Truly it is rare footage, at times even capturing Shri Mahayogi himself demonstrating asana!! Shri Mahayogi’s asana, which came to him completely spontaneously and which he practiced daily throughout his teenage years, was not witnessed by anyone, as he practiced only after all his family had gone to sleep. To see his body effortlessly form the various asana even after over 30 years of interval is truly awe-inspiring, hinting to us that asana has a depth that is far beyond the simple forms. Indeed, his demonstration reveals his internal state—YOGA.

 * The rare footage shown in this documentary is not what was originally planned for when this DVD was first conceptualized and in fact the main content is coming from what was recorded for the simple purpose of documenting the process of preparing for another project.

 * This documentary has been shown publicly only twice before in New York City when the DVD was first released in 2005: at Sufi Books and at the Merce Cunningham Dance Studio.

 

Here we would like to introduce the voices of several viewers:

“After viewing the DVD, In the Cave with the Master, last week, there was a moment that made me ponder more deeply about what the actual process is or the way in which the mind is being transformed through the practice of Yoga. Of course, every time we have the opportunity to watch it we can discover something completely new—a nuance or a depth of the practice that we hadn’t yet discovered.

This time it made me think that Yoga is not something that we can have a preconceived idea about. That every time we think we understand something and take credit for it, Shri Mahayogi will actually create the condition in which the mind, our way of thinking, will be dismantled in order to create the space in which we can move closer to experiencing that which is beyond it. I think all the practices in Yoga can create the condition for that, but probably it is few of us who consider it possible for that to happen through the practice of asana. From watching the DVD it seems that Shri Mahayogi is truly using every opportunity to turn that into an actual experience, an experience in which the practitioner is left face to face with his or her mind, and confronted with whether that mind is real or not.”        (Ekanta)

…I had watched this documentary in the past, but I was able to notice more subtle aspects that were not noticeable to me before. As the images of Shri Mahayogi appeared on the screen, I started to sense more and more that his body was there, in that space and that situation, simply for the benefit of those around him—absolutely for no other reason. The way Shri Mahayogi’s body moves, his demeanor, his eyes, his hands and all of his physical being appears animated only for the purpose of transmitting a message from long ago, or far away, or from a place of timelessness. And as I noticed this unique characteristic of his material existence in this world, an uncontainable sense of gratitude and awe grew inside of me. There is no way to grasp or contain the nature of Shri Mahayogi, but this video captures some images that hint at the mystery and the endlessness of who Shri Mahayogi is and what he teaches.

As the documentary progresses, the practitioner featured, expresses: “Yoga is confronting your biggest fear.” “What was his biggest fear?” I asked myself for an instant. But in the end, it did not matter what his fear was but the fact that we all live with such intense fears at all times, and that to see our true Self, we must let go of such dominating fears. I made a mental note that I must be strong enough to face my biggest fear, whatever that may be. Immediately, I could sense those fears lurking around in my mind, making it even clearer that this confrontation must take place and be provoked, not just passively waited for. This practitioner’s story is an example of how to lead the mind to give up of its fears.

Shri Mahayogi´s knowing and being is the central force in this documentary. That is what I came to realize this time. Without him, the real Guru, there is no disciple; without him, there is no real “giving up.” Because we can only trust and surrender entirely to something or someone who embodies the Truth itself, and That is Shri Mahayogi.”        (Karuna)

“I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD screening.
I had already watched the DVD before, but I enjoyed it more while watching it with everyone.
The conversations that followed after was the icing on the cake. Being able to hear from other fellow practitioners, their experiences and their perspectives was what I enjoyed the most. That is apart from your hospitality; you made us a very nice and special tea. Thank you. It’s been a long time since I have had quality time with friends without alcohol and had a good time.
Hope you organize more of these gatherings.”     (Mr. D)

“Witnessing the seeker’s journey while receiving guidance from our Guru, Shri Mahayogi, was deeply moving and emotional. I could really feel the powerful teachings of Shri Mahayogi come alive through the seeker’s experience.

This was my second time watching the DVD and I got a similar feeling to the one I have gotten when I have read The Universal Gospel of Yoga or Satori: I discover new things each time, almost like reading or watching it with different eyes. Since then, there are things that Shri Mahayogi had said in this documentary that pop into my mind (like correcting my posture when I am at work and I realize my spine is not straight and Shri Mahayogi mentioned the fact that this doesn’t come naturally, that one has to work at it—to give an example).

Having this amazing opportunity to hear and see Shri Mahayogi guiding the seeker is something that I will always cherish and that I wish everyone would experience, as there is no greater gift other than receiving direct teachings from a true Guru.”   (Elena)