Aug
11
2011
Member of Parliament Bob Blackman made an Early Day Motion in the British Parliament lauding Pujya Swamiji. The EDM was read aloud in Parliament, stating: “That this House warmly congratulates H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji on the occasion of his birthday; recognises that his life and work have been an inspiration and an example to millions throughout the world and the work of the India Heritage Research Foundation with the compilation and publication of the world’s first comprehensive Encyclopedia of Hinduism; and welcomes the event in Stanmore Temple in London on...
Many people think a spiritual life means that one retreatsto the mountains, performs meditation and then lives peacefully forever in one’s own enlightened cocoon. However, that is not true, deep spirituality. That is not the essence of enlightenment. The essence of spirituality is service of others. Yes, solitude, silence and intense sadhana are crucial in order to establish the connection with God, in order to make the leap from a material life to a spiritual life. This lays the ground work. It is like wiring a house for electricity. In...
Spiritual health is measured by our ability to remain calm, focused and loving when life throws difficulty onto our paths. The practice of “no reaction” is something we should practice all day. We must learn to be like the ocean, whose waves come and go, but the ocean remains the same. Even a large, heavy rock thrown into the ocean causes only temporary ripples on its surface. The ocean’s depths remain unaffected. One of the best ways to learn no reaction is through silence. When we are anxious, angry or frustrated,...
The annual International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh celebrated its valedictory session on March 6, 2011, by the hands of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Ramesh Pokhariyal (Nishank). The Festival runs from March 1-7 every year and is jointly organized by Uttarakhand Tourism Department and Parmarth Niketan Ashram. This year there were approximately 400 participants from 36 countries across the world, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The event features world-renowned teachers such as Shiva...
On January 6th, Pujya Swamiji attended the inaugural function of the Guru Sangamam, a newly-formed organization which will promote harmony and cooperation between the indigenous religions of India – Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Some of the most highly-esteemed religious leaders from all over India have come together to serve in this wonderful, new organization, which is commited to usher in a new era of peace and understanding throughout India. The following members were unanimously elected to be the office bearers: Chairperson: Jagadguru Sri Shivarathi Deshikendraikendra Mahaswamiji – Sri Jagadguru Veerasimhasana Suttur...
Dear Divine Souls, Happy New Year! As a new year dawns upon us, as the morn of 2011 brings the eve of 2010 to an end, it is a good time to reflect upon our lives, our paths and our progress toward the ultimate destination of divine awakening and realization. So much in our lives, at times, feels overwhelming, frustrating, unmanageable….but at these times it is most important to remember that we are not alone. God is always with us. There is a beautiful story of a young toddler playing in...
In October of 2010, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji traveled to Gangotri to further His Ganga clean-up program. Outside of Gangotri in Dharali, a special program was held for the bhoomi puja of a new horticultural program by Acharya Balkrishanji and Swami Ramdevji of Patanjali Yoga Peeth. This video includes speeches from that function by Pujya Swamiji, Shradhay Acharya Balkrishnaji, Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, Shradhay Acharya Pradhumnaji, and Shri Surataram Nautiyal....
At this divine time of Diwali we line our homes, our rooms, our offices and our streets with brightly shining dias. The brightly lit lamps signified the people of Ayodhya’s love for Bhagwan Rama and their joy at his return. On this day, we must pray that Bhagwan Rama returns to our own hearts and our own lives. In our lives, our greatest welcome to Him can be light not only in the oil lamp, but light in our hearts. If we light the lamp of love, of selflessness, of...