Friday July 26, 2019 NYC 

BLESSINGS:
Shri Mahayogi’s Words of Truth Resound in New York,
“Sadhana Program with Shri Mahayogi” – July 21st, 2019

It is with great joy that we announce that on July 14^th we welcomed our most revered Master, Shri Mahayogi, back to New York! Even though we might not have fully realized yet…how fortunate we are to be able to learn Asana and Meditation in the presence of Shri Mahayogi. And last Sunday, all who were attending the class received the extra blessing of Shri Mahayogi offering a time for Satsangha at the end of the class. He answered each question so energetically, straightforwardly and powerfully. During the first Satsangha, held just the night before, time passed very quickly and with multiple attendees from out of town or meeting Shri Mahayogi for the first time, some had expressed that they still had questions remaining even after time ran out that night. Upon hearing this, Shri Mahayogi graciously decided to offer this extra time to ask questions at the end of the Sadhana Program on Sunday (July 21^st, 2019).

Here, we would like to invite you to read the words he spoke and receive the spirit of his message that shone like an unwavering light into the hearts of all attendees.

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Q: If we are universal energy, why do we become humans?

MASTER: In order for this world and all things to be born, some materials or ingredients and a driving power are needed. That universal energy [you mentioned], that which causes it all to move, is prana. Prana, the power that moves this world and everything, is the power that creates all things. The workings of the mind too are activated by prana.

There’s a reason why a human is born into this shape of the body. It is karma. Karma means receiving in this life the results of the causes that were created in past lives. If you have a very intense attachment to animals or plants, then you may be born as that, the form that you wish for, in the next life. However, usually a human will repeat as a human. This [birth] creates karma, and it’s purpose is to bring that karma to an end and clear it out. As you sow, so shall you reap.

And what’s important is what I haven’t told you yet. Everyone goes through daily life, and there you experience various tastes—happiness, joy, pain, sadness and so on. On the whole, everything is suffering. Even if you think that you’ve lived a fortunate life, in the end, “death” comes. When death comes, you cannot take your loved ones, the material things you love, or anything whatsoever. Neither can you take happiness. But instead, you will bring karma with you. And in the next incarnation, you will reap what you have sown. If you investigate and find the cause of karma, you will arrive at the cause of being attached to your desires. The cause of your desires is ignorance. Ignorance is not knowing the Truth, rather, in opposition to that, the mind has mistaken karma [as the truth]. Unless one gets rid of ignorance, one cannot truly attain happiness.

Then what must you do? You must listen to the teachings of someone who has realized this Truth. That is the meaning of learning the scriptures. Scriptures are the words of Truth of these Awakened Beings from ancient times to modern times. And then, follow their advice or teachings and act upon them. Action does not only mean movements of the body, but includes words and thoughts within the mind. If you do that, then the mind can completely transform. Learning and practicing disciplines specialized for this is Yoga. Yoga is not simply about relaxation or healing. (smiling) Yoga is the teaching for realizing such Truth, which has also been passed down since ancient times as well. It includes various teachings and methods. However, what is important is to learn the Truth and realize It. One means is to inquire into “Who is the real Self?” What you normally think of as your mind is not the true Self. The true Self is the Pure Consciousness that is witnessing the mind. You see, even now, your mind is known by somebody. There is someone there within who knows that—that is the Pure Consciousness. Pure Consciousness does not say anything, It only sees. It only knows. However, That is your true Self. And that true Self is Immortal Existence. To know this, to realize this is the most important thing for a human being to do.

 

Q: How do you connect to and love others—family, friends—without attachment?

MASTER: True Love is to devote yourself to others. If you can do that, then true Love without expecting anything in return will arise.

 

Q: I remember once I heard that you mentioned that if Swami Vivekananda were here today he would be disappointed in the way we are understanding Yoga. So, my question is, is Shri Mahayogi disappointed in the way the world is practicing, and how can we encourage young people in the world to practice more of the right Yoga?

MASTER: I too strongly feel exactly the same as Swami Vivekananda. He sailed to the United States towards the end of the 19^th century, and upon seeing the corruption of Christianity [in this country] he preached to them as well. A hundred years have passed since then, and because of him the philosophy of India and Yoga have come to be spread across the West. And in this current age, Yoga is very popular throughout the world. Yet people are merely using Yoga to meet easy requests, which are simply beauty, health, and relaxation. Indeed, that means that these [types of so-called] Yoga are corrupted. If I speak clearly, these [practices] are not Yoga at all. They are using Yoga and they are only imitating Yoga. Yoga, from the beginning to the end, is only spiritual; it is for liberating the Soul. I have been transmitting that alone. And there are people here who share the same thoughts—and I am very happy about that. So I would like you to continue this pure Yoga from India and continue to practice it from now on too. The fake always disappears once it is put in front of the real thing. Your Atman, the shining Truth within you, will make that come true. (smiling)

 

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On Saturday July 20^th, the first Satsangha of the three in this visit was held. The questions were active without any pause. From beginning to end it seemed as if the attendees hearts were captured by Shri Mahayogi and all were rapt with joy, laughter and light-heartedness as Shri Mahayogi answered question after question with such ease, such strength and such sheer enthusiasm for the pure Truth. This Satsangha will be shared in Pranavadipa, our online monthly publication.

May we all strive to actualize and experience these words of Truth.

***

We invite you all to attend the next Sadhana Program this Sunday July 28th and the next Satsangha on August 10th.

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

SATSANGHA
Saturdays, 7:30 – 9pm
– August 10 & 31

SADHANA PROGRAMS
Sundays 6 – 8pm
– July 14, 21, 18
– August 4, 11, 18, 25
– September 1

Wednesday July 10, 2019 NYC

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Shri Mahayogi has Arrived in New York & Programs Begin this Sunday!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Pranavadipa 56

Pranam to our great and most revered Master, Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa!!!!

Tonight we welcome Shri Mahayogi’s arrival in New York with joyous hearts!

It is a mere few days before the first Yoga Sadhana program directed by Shri Mahayogi during this visit will be held (Sunday July 14^th, 6-8pm at Still Mind Zendo).

This summer Shri Mahayogi will graciously offer regular Yoga Sadhana programs each week, including practice of asana and meditation, as well as three Satsangha (gatherings to request and receive teachings and guidance from Shri Mahayogi). See below for dates and pre-registration information.

Each and every opportunity to be in the presence of Shri Mahayogi and experience his teaching, whether in silence or through words, is a truly unique and precious opportunity, as Shri Mahayogi is unlike any teacher, in the more conventional sense of the word.

Most often if we attend a program offered by someone who is considered to be a teacher, many of us may expect to hear some kind of lecture, or to receive some kind of pamphlet of steps to follow to guide us along the way. And often times, it is the case that the teacher is prepared with special materials, a talk, or some sort of an agenda that has been planned out in advance, regardless of whether the students are known or unknown.

But as we learn in this month’s issue of Pranavadipa (Vol. 56), when asked “Why do you teach?” Shri Mahayogi’s simple response is:

“The answer is behind your words … I am empty.”

Indeed, our great master and teacher offers his words solely as a reflection of the true nature that already exists within one and all, that is, pure eternal Existence. He teaches us not by lecturing, or giving us a formula, but by showing us through his every way of being that the essence of each and every one of us is one and the same. The teaching may come variously and unexpectedly as we inquire and seek. But no matter the method he continuously and spontaneously guides each individual according to their circumstance and need in the moment—always towards the concrete experience of this inherent nature within.

 

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

SATSANGHA
Saturdays, 7:30 – 9pm
– July 20
– August 10 & 31

SADHANA PROGRAMS
Sundays 6 – 8pm
– July 14, 21, 28
– August 4, 11, 18, 25
– September 1

***

In this month’s issue of Pranavadipa (Vol. 56) the questions and answers that are compiled here from various Satsangha, are a clear demonstration of the depth of mastery and widespread knowledge that Shri Mahayogi provides to seekers. Shri Mahayogi seamlessly expounds on topics that range from how to practice pratyahara (control of the senses – the 5^th limb of raja yoga), to the various forms and depths in which kriya yoga is practiced, to the mechanism of the mind and its relationship to time, to the spirit of renunciation, and the relationship of tapas and Brahman, to name a few—and throughout all teachings it seems as if Shri Mahayogi is not only emphasizing the importance of proactive discrimination of the mind’s activities as a part of the actual practice of Yoga, but is also giving a variety of forms that the practice of discrimination may take, essentially providing us with an array of tools that we can put to use at any given moment in our daily lives. One can’t help but feel that such a consistent level of detail and precision across all topics can surely only come as a result of direct experience. Indeed it is truly a  great honor to have the opportunity to learn from such Master!

The content from the various Satsangha in Vol. 56 provide an excellent taste of what Satsangha with Shri Mahayogi can be like and what kinds of questions can be asked. Like mentioned above, Shri Mahayogi reflects the answer to us that is already behind our own words. But in order to receive the profound offering of Shri Mahayogi’s most vibrant words, we must first inquire. Without the inquiry, Shri Mahayogi has no need to lecture or mention anything about what is already naturally inherent within us all.

Therefore, as we prepare to attend Satsangha and take these most valuable opportunities to learn from Shri Mahayogi, let us be inspired by this month’s issue of Pranavadipa, and also prepare our own genuine questions coming from our seeking along this path, so that we may humbly receive the profound yet keen guidance of Shri Mahayogi.

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In this month’s Testimony, we have the opportunity to read the experience of Karuna as she strives to deepen in practice of Yoga and understand what the true meanings of santosha and ahimsa are through trying to put these two teachings to the test and apply them in daily life.

Oftentimes, as we approach the practice of Yoga, it can be challenging to know how to deepen in our practice and consequently, how to deepen in our understanding, going beyond simply making sense intellectually of what we have heard or what we have read. In Karuna’s example, however, we can see the efforts that she makes as well as how she is beginning to confront what she starts to discover within herself as a result of these efforts. It is the very process of how one goes about driving the practice deeper and deeper.

Indeed, true practice of Yoga often involves a breaking down of our own limited ideas and a re-training to align ourselves with the Truth. The sincerity of Karuna’s example can provide inspiration as well as concrete examples of how to apply practice to propel oneself deeper and towards real transformation of one’s very own self.