Wednesday April 7, 2021 NYC

Celebration:
Sanatana Dharma Avatara Mela
—The Grand Ceremony of the Divine Manifestations—
&
45th Anniversary of Mahayogi Yoga Mission

It is the time of year when beautiful buds and blossoms of fresh new life are beginning to herald the arrival of spring and also the arrival of Sanatana Dharma Avatara Mela, the Grand Ceremony of the Divine Manifestations. It is a joyous time of year that brings the celebration of hope and salvation to our hearts, as this is the time in which we honor all of the great Awakened Beings (Avatara) who have brought the teaching of Eternal Truth (Sanatana Dharma) to humanity.

Since it began in 2017, this celebratory gathering (Mela) has taken place in Kyoto, but this year, because of the world circumstances, the gathering was held online, allowing participants to join from New York and Taiwan in addition to different locations around Japan. For many, this was the first opportunity to see and be with (virtually) our Beloved Guru, Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa, in over one year; so, it was filled with heartfelt preciousness without a doubt.

In addition to that, this year, 2021, marks the 45^th anniversary of Mahayogi Yoga Mission in Japan and the 25^th anniversary of the Mission in New York. Truly it was a very special event, for us to go back, to learn and acknowledge, honor and offer our gratitude for the endless and immeasurable and unimaginable work that Shri Mahayogi has been fully throwing himself into for all these years, and for us to commit ourselves to make solid the base that he has established and work towards developing it even further into the future. Various speeches were offered for the occasion, each filled with palpable devotion, faith and inspiration, Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Truth) clearly becoming crystalized in the speakers. A historical slide show was also presented, featuring moments and artifacts compiled from 1976 onward, there are not many photos that exist of Shri Mahayogi from the early years, so all the photos and records that are capturing some unique aspect, moment or detail of Shri Mahayogi’s tireless work for Sanatana Dharma are invaluable.

Here we would like to share with you the message that Shri Mahayogi spoke at the end of the celebration:

“Today, as it’s the 45^th Anniversary, there were some good old photos that were shown. In the very beginning, in order to convey the true and authentic Yoga, which is Sanatana Dharma, I made a flag. [The motif] was the Sahasrara Chakra, which symbolizes Sanatana Dharma and the completion of Yoga. Above the chakra, there is a sacred passage taken from the ancient Upanishad. It says, “From Pure Joy, springs all creation. By It, it is sustained. Toward Pure Joy it proceeds. And to Pure Joy it returns.” This word “Joy” is Ananda—as in Sat Chit Ananda. This Sat Chit Ananda is the Existence that has, at times, been called Brahman, at times been called Atman, or it has been called God. All and everything, the whole of [existence] is Brahman. There are many scriptural passages that come to mind, but this one—“Whenever there is decay of righteousness [Sanatana Dharma], and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I Myself come forth; For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness, from age to age”—this is the reason for the manifestation of the Avatara. This world is always filled with struggle and pain. Various disasters, large or small, come always. Yet time and time again a savior appears—for, in actuality, everything is the sacred Existence, called Brahman.

Hearing the messages from various locations today, I am really overjoyed. Because, I feel everyone’s eyes are coming to be awakened. (laughs) I am truly pleased. Right now, difficult circumstances have been ongoing; however, as it is said that there is no night that does not have a dawn, eventually, the sun will rise again. Right now, this is the time for you to internally deepen Yoga within. And I am looking forward to the day I can see you again. Thank you very much for the many joyful words today.”

—Satguru  Shri Mahayogi  Paramahansa

Below are the messages offered on the occasion of Sanatana Dharma Avatara Mela & the 45th Anniversary of Mahayogi Yoga Mission, the 25th Anniversary of Mahayogi Yoga Mission in New York, on behalf of the New York Sangha:

“Yoga is a revelation of Shri Mahayogi  (Avatara), and to know its Truth, the Eternal Truth, ‘Sanatana Dharma‘—that ‘our true Self is Eternal Existence’—and to realize It, is a right given to all human beings; that is why I am convinced that It is the original religion, the essence of religion. Sanatana Dharma is often translated in English as “Eternal Religion,” and as I checked the origin of the word “Religion,” I found that it has been written that: “Religion” in Latin is “again” and “tie firmly or solidly together.” It is clear that the ultimate form of that is where Sanatana Dharma exists.

When I imagine the ancient Yogi, Shri Mahayogi is always there. We have been given grace—to witness how the ancient Yogi were, how Yoga, or Sanatana Dharma, was transmitted, right now in front of our eyes—we are truly in the Upanishad! I am awed by that. And the way Shri Mahaoygi does everything is TRULY FREE! Because he has a complete grasp of the Essence of the Essence, he is not bound by anything—everything Shri Mahayogi radiates, comes from that “Freedom of Being Free”! Anandamali lives in Sanatana Dharma within Shri Mahayogi, becoming One with Shri Mahayogi as that “Freedom of Being Free.”

Shri Mahayogi, today, through the slideshow, and through the expressions of the gurubai, we have been given an opportunity to retrace the steps of Shri Mahayogi, and for that, my heart is completely full.

For 25 years, Shri Mahayogi has visited New York every year, and with Your Entire Being, demonstrated to us “Satori,” and you have guided many souls. I cannot express words enough to express my gratitude…

But I hope to be able to communicate to You the heartfelt thoughts, feelings and emotions of we, the disciples in New York—through our recognitions, through our transformations and through our declarations.”

—Anandamali

“Twenty three years ago, I met Shri Mahayogi in Chicago. Two years later, my job led me to the land of New York. Since then, I have witnessed the most unbelievable story, a fantasy in real life, here in New York.

One day, in a Satsangha, I asked Shri Mahayogi: “Why would a father neglect his duties toward a son? Why?”  He answered that Love can be forgotten, and we have to remember It. These words summarize what I believe Shri Mahayogi is here to do: to lead us back to True Love.

 I witnessed people from different parts of the world come to meet Shri Mahayogi, and I observed how he communicated with them in a way that they could take in his teachings.

Shri Mahayogi spoke to an artist from Germany in the language of art. While describing the symbolism of forms in abstract painting, he was actually speaking of True Love. That was how the teachings entered directly into that man’s heart.

I heard from Anandamali about Shri Mahayogi’s interaction with a rug repairman from Iran, who was passionate about rugs. When he saw Shri Mahayogi enter the store, this man began to sweat profusely. As some know, Shri Mahayogi has an appreciation for rugs. It probably goes beyond the artistry. Perhaps behind the craft, the materials, patterns, colors, Shri Mahayogi sees the human story, with True Love as its foundation. Even without words this man must have understood and was overtaken by emotion.

I witnessed Shri Mahayogi break barriers of age, culture, race, ideology and religion, speaking gently yet boldly, but always touching upon something at the very core of a person’s being, the One Existence. What beautiful remembrance Shri Mahayogi brings!

I have seen Shri Mahayogi invite every heart to drink from the purest and most liberating Love, which is constantly there regardless of the topic of conversation and the person. I have seen the greatest expression of this Love in Shri Mahayogi—this, I could not have even dreamed of.

What we have seen with our own eyes is what caring for others truly means. In the way Shri Mahayogi moves, touches objects, walks, dresses, smiles, through all he does, we can learn how to love. These small things can make a big difference in understanding the refined and profound meaning of Shri Mahayogi’s teachings. Shri Mahayogi has constantly been teaching us the ways of True Love.

I realize now that Shri Mahayogi’s words “we must remember True Love,” was a message for all of us. Following His example, this is what we need to do: become True Love!”

—Karuna

“When I arrived at the feet of Shri Mahayogi, it felt like a new beginning, the start of a new path to walk forward. What I didn’t notice until recently though is my mind’s attitude of looking forward. Forward to the future, forward to what’s next, forward to what my role to play is in this Mission that is so close to my heart. But lately I’m starting to recognize that this forward looking, has been missing something that is absolutely essential. And that is—looking back.

When I think of how Buddha called the path of Sanantana Dharma, “the ancient straight road”, it is clear that a road is not only one way forward, but there are two ways, each extending as far as the eye can see. How can I walk straight forward without understanding where this road is coming from? If I only look forward, I can only follow the limits of my mind.

Over the course of the history of the Mission in Japan and in New York, so many moments of learning of Truth must have been born through Shri Mahayogi’s existence, each historical and precious, making a foundation that is filled with the wisdom and the spirit of Truth that are the reason behind even the smallest of things. And I would like to express my gratitude for each and every one of these moments as I feel they all have their role in making visible this ancient straight road that, without the Avatara, seems impossible to find. I feel that there is so much to learn about where Shri Mahayogi’s Mission is coming from and where it can go. But we need to look back and cultivate the eyes to see, the mind of learning and understanding the depth and richness of the how’s, the why’s that contain the spirit of Shri Mahayogi. Then, rather than proceed forward, let’s humble our minds, mold them to that spirit that is already coming from all these past moments, and allow ourselves to be swallowed up and carried forward by the strong current of Sanatana Dharma.

I have heard that each person encounters Shri Mahayogi in their own time and way. Surely every moment and every person must have their role at the feet of the Avatara.

May we all wholeheartedly and continuously reach to learn from the spirit of what has come before us, so that the Truth can be ablaze within us, and help point the way to this ancient straight path that is so graciously revealed.

And whether it is in the past, now or in the future era, please allow us to play these roles at the feet of the Avatara, again and again and again.”

—Sadhya

We look forward to sharing some additional speeches in the next Pranavadipa.