Wed Jan 7th, 2015 07:00Pm Manhattan, NYC

CONVEYANCE:
Greetings from snowy New York,

The second volume of our monthly publication, Pranavadipa, will be available online starting tomorrow, January 8th.

Along with newly translated teachings from our Master, Shri Mahayogi Paramahamsa, this volume includes a section entitled: Testimonies from Actual Practitioners—writings from dedicated practitioners of Shri Mahayogi’s teachings. For the first one, we have decided to introduce an article by Mr. Shimada, the first in a series of his articles that will run through the next several issues.

Mr. Shimada, the disciple who has been contributing this inspiring series of sincere reflections about Yoga for Paramahamsa (the Japanese MYM bi-monthly newsletter), has been practicing with Mahayogi Yoga Mission in Japan since July 2010. He related the impact that his discovery of Yoga had on him, and his transformation is even more inspiring considering the difficult personal situation he was going through when he began to practice. In addition to sustaining a committed practice of Yoga, he is a single father of a teenage son and has a full-time corporate job.

This testimony reveals the real-life experience of an actual practitioner of Shri Mahayogi’s teachings. His words come from his firsthand experience of the practice and his great dedication and faith in the Yoga he has received from the Master. He is living proof of the results that come through Yoga and Shri Mahayogi’s teachings when they are lived out every moment and placed at the center of our hearts. These articles are a valuable source of inspiration and support for anybody attempting to enter Yoga and transform their lives through it, as well as those who are already on the path.

Today, we posted Mr. Shimada’s first article in this series on our website under “teachings.” We recommend that you read it because it serves as the introduction to the second article, which will be available in Pranavadipa Vol. 2 starting tomorrow.  (click to read the article)

Stay connected to the Truth!

Jai Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa Ki, Jai!

Thur Jan 1st, 2015 00:00am Manhattan, NYC

DEDICATION:
The image of Sahasrara Chakra (Thousand-Petaled Lotus) used for the PROJECT SAHASRARA blog, is a symbol of Satori, Awakening. It came from the tapestry created by our Master, Shri Mahayogi in 1976, the year Mahayogi Yoga Ashrama was established. Shri Mahayogi designed it to symbolize Yoga, and one of his students from the inaugural year dyed the tapestry. This piece is especially treasured as the first artwork he created since the establishment of the Ashrama.

In the center of the sahasrara, surrounded by petals, each of which are delicately painted, the symbol of the Holy Feet is drawn. In the most ancient times, the human form was not used to depict God or Buddha (an Awakened Being). Instead, the Bodhi Tree or a Dharma Wheel were said to be used to convey their Existence. Truly, Buddhapada (The footprint of Buddha) is a symbol of Supreme Existence or the Truth itself. Furthermore, such symbolic forms must have come from concrete realization experienced by yogi in deep, profound samadhi, which they then revealed as a gift for generations to come.

Isn’t it fascinating to see this image of Truth drawn by an Enlightened Master, Shri Mahayogi?

Isn’t it fascinating that Sri Mahayogi drew this symbol, of the sahasrara, which is the final chakra, and representative of the sole aim of the practice of Yoga?

Isn’t it fascinating that Sri Mahayogi drew footprints in the center of sahasrara chakra? It must be the symbol of Lila, the True Reality!

Isn’t it fascinating that the great yogi have left us these symbols that lead us to the Truth and, at the same time, are the Truth?

So then, how is the Truth revealed?

When the mind is unveiled, the Truth emerges!

Through single-pointed concentration all is revealed!

It is the same now as it was in the past. Until recently, the teachings of Yoga were not readily available and were conveyed only to those who were truly seeking above all else, driving them to search for the teacher who abided in that state of Truth. Even though today there is a multitude of information at our fingertips, unless one really wants to know more than anything else, the Truth will not be revealed.

Yoga requires one to take concrete action, seeking the Truth. It is nothing about gaining knowledge, rather, Yoga is about realizing the Truth with your very being.

Do you want to understand the meaning of such symbols? Do you want to understand Sri Mahayogi? It is possible if we actively seek that! Just as the ancient yogi dedicated themselves to discovering the secret meaning of the world and the Self, and experienced it, we too can come to experience That!

Today is our new beginning.

With humble dedication to our Honorable and most Beloved Master,
Satguru Shri Mahayogi Paramahansa,
We bow in gratitude.

Wed Dec 31th, 2014 05:18pm Manhattan, NYC

Dearest my Beloved, Shri Mahayogi, … …

Sun Oct 18th, 2014 04:20pm Washington Square Park, NYC

This is the last demonstration of Project Sahasrara
at Washington Square Park in 2014.

EXPERIENCE:
Meditation has always been a battle between focusing on the Truth and fighting against the impulsive thinking of the mind. The ability to engage in single-pointed concentration is what I need to work on. It seems the more I try to bring my focus to the Truth alone, the more my mind rebels against it, bringing up all kinds of random thoughts to keep itself busy and secure in its false sense of individuality. But I believe serenity and peacefulness will surely come after the raging storm. And with that will come the passion for liberation and the boundless love that resides within all people. But as long as I see separation and not unity or Oneness, I will continue my struggle, and I will fight!                   -Nandiswara

A very curious little girl walks by.

Sun Oct 12th, 2014 04:30pm Washington Square Park, NYC

WORDS OF THE SEER:

“Yoga is the restraint of the activity of the mind.”
-Yoga Sūtra 1-2

“Then the Seer remains in Its own natural state.”
-Yoga Sūtra 1-3

Translation by Sanatana

Sun Oct 5th, 2014 04:45pm Washington Square Park, NYC

WITNESS:
They exuded serious dedication to Yoga, which seeped into the depth of my being. Yoga is Concentration—That place conveyed it to me directly. Energy of concentration crystallized into visible form. It made me want to deepen my asana and meditation practice further. Time slowed to a standstill. It’s something we’ve forgotten in our busy lives. I wanted to remain there forever.
-Jyunko Koshikawa from Tokyo, Japan

Wed Dec 24th, 2014 00:00am Manhattan, NYC

CELEBRATION:
Tonight, December 24th, we joyously celebrate the 18th year of the official recognition of the MAHAYOGI YOGA MISSION as a non-profit spiritual organization.

Interestingly, it was on the same night 110 years ago in India, that the young Narendranath— soon to become world-famous as Swami Vivekananda—in his understanding of the essence of the teachings of Jesus Christ, spontaneously began speaking passionately about the exemplary life of Christ and exhorted his brothers to live like Him, who had had no place “to lay his head.” Inspired, his brothers took monastic vows that very night while gathered around a fire under the stars and formed the Ramakrishna Order. To honor the memory of their Master, they devoted their lives to actualizing the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna. It was only after taking these vows that they realized it was Christmas Eve, the night that heralded the birth of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus preached his gospel to his own people in the first century it was largely rejected, because it was not according to their expectation. They wanted a fighting warrior, but they received a preacher of love and compassion. Jesus did not seek the desires or ambitions of the world instead he preached contentment and the seeking of the kingdom of God. During that time those who chose to give up worldly attachment and follow his teachings were few. Almost 1900 years later, Narendranath and his brothers, in the true spirit of the Christ, demonstrated their willingness to follow those teachings wholeheartedly.

This Christmas Eve let us reflect on what it means to be the Christ. If he were among us now, would you recognize him? How willing would you be to truly follow his teachings above all else?

Sun Sep 28th, 2014 04:20pm Washington Square Park, NYC

RECOGNITION:
In the space after the exhalation…Stop. All is forgotten. I suppose this is the space in which the body gains its flexibility and perhaps those other things that are so sought after in our world today. However, this is precisely the space in which all of those things lose meaning. It is a space of serene stillness.                            —Sadhya 

Sun Sep 21st, 2014 04:45pm Washington Square Park, NYC

The first PROJECT SAHASRARA after our revered Master’s arrival to NYC!
Maybe he was amongst the observers…

WITNESS:
I perceived a powerful message from the dedicated, serious Yoga practitioners in action, that these writings on the ground were not mere philosophical words but were attainments that could be actualized. I was extremely moved by their strong belief and deep faith.
-Hideyo Suzuki from Chiba, Japan

Tue Sep 2nd, 2014 06:20pm Washington Square Park, NYC

WITNESS: By the intense concentration of the two practitioners of Yoga, a sacred space in an altered dimension is created amongst the buzzing crowd at Washington Square. People get a glimpse of this dissimilar, sacred space. This indeed, is Yoga.             –Teruhisa Tsuru from Osaka, Japan