Sankalpa -2014

Returning from a visit to New Zealand, someone commented that it was veritably a land where milk and honey flows in abundance. Reverence to Mother Nature, the flora and fauna is evident in such countries. With amazing stretches of forest wealth and grazing lands made available for the cattle population, the milk yields are plentiful and water resources abound. Our own sub continent was once upon a time so blessed. What went wrong? If we introspect a little, our reverence to Mother Nature with her five elements, perhaps, has been on a steady decline.
Let’s make a small beginning, if not already in the direction and help recovery of such natural wealth. Let us focus on this one idea, one goal, defined in an undertaking of a “sankalpa” with the dawn of a New Year.
Reverence to the Prithvi tatwa:
As we wake up from bed, let’s start our day with an expression of reverence to Mother Earth: “As I take my first step on you today, bless me to live on your surface another day filled with peace, contentment and joy”
Reverence to Vayu and Akaash tatwa:
Let’s recharge the dwelling place with fresh prana and natural light. This makes practical sense as the carbon dioxide that we breathe out during our sleeping hours in bed rooms, have to be flushed out of the house quickly. Oxygen rich air that is available till about seven in the morning is relatively charged with good prana and after which, especially in urban areas, it gets polluted.
Reverence to Jal tatwa:
On first contact with water in the morning, let’s take a little water and sprinkle it over our head saying – “This is the water of the holy river Ganga.” Such heartfelt reverence to Jal tatwa should continue whenever we use water remembering how vital and precious it is, in our lives.
Reverence to Agni tatwa:
 Of all the species in creation, it is the human who has the ability to light a fire and keep it under control.  In days gone by, all the cooking was done using firewood. The custom then used to be to worship the wood stove using sacred turmeric and vermillion powder before fire is lit on. Painted prayer in the form of a rangoli would be drawn on the space in front of the stove to invoke divine vibrations and create a satvic ambience in which food is cooked.
Reverence to five elements in small ways combined with other regular sadhanas help us to tune our rhythm well and help us to lead a happy and stress free life.  Simple ways in which we express greater understanding of Mother Nature while walking the paths of Jnana, Bhakti and Karma. Simple ways to help resonate in harmony with the vital elements, balancing them within ourselves as well as in the environment.
Happy New Year!
Dr.Arun Madhavan,

Author, ‘Sampradaya – A Tribute to Tradition’

Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi's songs

It was during the annual  State level amc , Sri Sri expressed a wish that it is opportune time for our youth to kindle the spirit  of nationhood, Bhakti and unity  with inspirational compositions of  Thiruvalluvar and Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi. We were fortunate to meet up and discuss the project with Bharathiyar's grand son Sri.Rajkumar Bharathi, a musical scholar and singer himself.  As a  step  forward, we got the CD album ready on 11th Dec 2013 being  Bharatiyar's birthday. Sri Sri  did the honours of releasing the album couple of days later amidst his tour of the State.

Our youth choir drawn from across the State have performed together with blissful rendition of all  Nine gems of the album titled "Endrum Bharathi." A sampler from the album " Bharatha Desamendru" is given in the below link kindly click the same to listen. More details on the CD can be obtained from tnapex@vvki.net


BHARATHA_DESAMENDRU-mp3

Land of Kangaroos and Cockatoos,

We were  overwhelmed by the presence of some  fifty of them on the eastern flank and a like number on the western flank giving a curious looks and  a welcome of sorts as we moved into the retreat  to commence program in Anglesea. Kangaroo,the unofficial symbol of Australia is important to both their culture and  and  national image. Joining these marsupials, there were these adorable Cockatoos. Australians use the name Cockatoo in their slang humorously. Mother nature has been kind with gentle weather and the enthusiasm of participants and volunteers just amazing.

Sumeru Sandhya - waves of bliss in South East Asia

Tabloid from Singapore titled Tabla carried news about this event.

Diwali Special at Gurgaon, NCR Delhi

Though the amc special  commenced  few days after  Diwali, yet the curtain raiser- evening saw the  venue, the SunCity Community Centre,  wearing a festive look, colorfully  illuminated with  occasional burst of crackers as well. Capacity-full  gatherings turned up each evening  to soak into the precious wisdom of Yoga Vasistha. Gratifying to learn that there were many takeaways for everyone.

12th November 2013

The gathering at the Prashanti Dham in Dwarkha - Delhi rejoicing at a curtain raiser evening before the  retreat commencing the next day.

13th November 2013

Warm welcome from the teachers of Delhi- NCR region during the amc currently on in Gurgaon.

Love Moves the World - Tamil Voice rendered by Dr. Arun Madhavanji

MTC Global Meet at Aravali Gurukul Educational campus Jodhpur

4th October 2013

Delivering the key note address on MTC Global Meet on: 'Envisioning Management Practices in the future'.

The venue was the Aravali Gurukul Educational campus of over 80 acres which  not long ago  was an extremely high salinity wasteland of Jodhpur District. It has since been painstakingly transformed by the Founder into a green campus.

Sumeru Sandhya at Jodhpur

3rd October 2013

The majestic amphi theater of Vidhyashram International, Jodhpur  was the venue for celebrating  Sacred Sumeru moments  and ushering in the spirit of Navaratri.

The evening was graced by Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar and his wife Hemalata Rajye. Gaj Singh was a former member of  Indian parliament and a  High Commissioner of India.

General public, families of  Defence forces, professionals and business heads turned up in large numbers to join the aol family, teachers and the youth. The auditorium was  soaked in  a comprehensive feel of Sumeru Sandhya  moments.

Forthcoming Events

Special Part 2 Advanced Meditation Course

AOL Gurgaon, NCR New Delhi, will host a special Part 2 amc  with Dr.Arun Madhavan between 14-17th November, 2013. 

Legend has it that Gurgaon village, located in the heart of Gurgaon city, was the ancestral village of Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of  archery and martial arts to the Pandava and Kaurava princes. Guru the "teacher", in this case refers to Dronacharya and both gram/ gaon mean "village". As the King of  Hastinapur gifted the village to Dronacharya,  it came to be known as Guru-gram, colloquially hailed as Gurgaon. The 'Dronacharya Well' still exists within Gurgaon city.Situated at the northern edge of Aravali mountain range, Gurgaon is the second largest city in the State of Haryana, 30 km south of national capital New Delhi.

An unique post- Diwali treat of "Silence"  enriched by  Gyan, Gaan and Dhyan! Seats limited. Register thru info@artoflivinggurgaon.org

A memorable evening of Nectarene Musik at Ooty on 13th September 2013

The divine evening saw people who traveled distances up the hills mingling with the local populace, especially the Badagas. They are  the largest indigenous social group  inhabiting the Nilgiri Hills. They speak the language called  Badaga. They were quick to dissolve in their  unique exposure to  Nectarene Musik and  meditation. Towards the finale they were on their feet effortlessly performing  graceful dance movements that have now become hall marks of their tribe.

Another memorable evening for the team who participated.  

The 108 Bubbly faces of Belandur - the magical number!

The amc in Belandur was an unique experience. The faculty crew we worked with summed up the overall experience as "bubbly and beautiful". The crowning glory was when Sri Sri  met and blessed all the 108 participants today; it was indeed a moment which they would cherish for a long time.

What is sacred and magical about this number 108!
In Ayurveda, there are 108 Marma points that are vital; equally 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.

Our astrology is based on 12 houses and 9 planets. 12X9 equals 108. The diameter of Sun is 108 times that of Planet Earth. Silver metal is said to represent the Moon and its atomic weight is 108.

Sage Bharata's “The Natya Shastra” has 108 karanas involving movement of hand and feet.

Sanskrit has 54 letters each deemed masculine - Shiva and feminine Shakti  totalling  108.

There are 108 Puranas and 108 Upanishads.

There are said to be 108 earthly desires in mortals.
There are said to be 108 lies that humans tell.

There are said to be 108 human delusions, forms of ignorance.

There are said to be 108 qualities of praiseworthy souls.

There are said to be 108 feelings- 36 related to the past, 36  to the present, and 36 related to  future.

Buddhists carve 108 small Buddhas on a walnut for good luck. Some ring a bell 108 times to celebrate a new year. 

It can be said that 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice and 8 infinity or eternity. 

Overall a figure that signifies  wholeness of divinity.

Heralding Gokulashtami

Krishna Moments at Bangalore on 23rd August and on 25th August  2013 at Chennai were embellished with inspirational anecdotes and  bhajans  heralding Gokulashtami with gaiety and devotional fervor.

Raji swaminathan from Chennai wrote:

A wonderful satsang with Dr. Arunji yesterday had all of us enthralled. It was a lovely evening of soulful bhajans and a full house with more than 1000+ people. The highlights of the evening were the Kolattam, (Raas Leela)  by little children as Gopis and Krishna:-) followed by a powerful Chakra meditation. Done for the first time, we experienced this meditation set to 7 raagams and  select chants from Lalitha Sahasranamam. We were indeed lucky to have the flautist Pavithran, play the different raagams. This meditation is available in the Celestial Nectar series 6, and it was conducted Live for the first time!

  

It was an well organized programme with many volunteers chipping in to make it memorable.  And it was great to see the AOL family from all parts of Chennai and even from different parts of Tamil Nadu, make it for the Satsang.  Chennai is waking up to AOL and its time we volunteers look to organizing many such Satsangs in the city.

Thiru Aadipooram festival 2013

4th August 2013

The celebrated temple town of Sri Villiputtur in T.N comes alive every year especially to mark the birth of Sri Andal, the presiding deity. She is revered as  Bhu Devi, the embodiment of Mother Earth.

 Her pasurams in the legendary Thirupavai are recited all across the world  being  packed with the quintessence of vedas.  As in previous years, the nama samkirtan was received by a rapt audience who turned up in large numbers.

Kovilpatti turns Kool!

3rd august 2013

The satsang carried special invocation numbers for the badly needed rains for the town and its neighborhood reeling under heat and depleted ground water resources. The weather gods obliged strengthening our faith
that collective consciousness  brings in salutary response from  nature. Special mention of volunteers who worked together to make the  four day retreat aptly titled  மௌனத்தின்  இசை, a memorable experience.

Evening of Serenity

27th July 2013 - Bangalore.

Inauguration of academic year of IBMR/ISBR Institutions Karnataka on 15.07.2013.

Arunji was the Chief Guest and Key Note speaker at the inaugural of the academic year with  IBMR/ISBR Institutions, Karnataka.Chairman Manish Kothari honoring him at the assembly. 

Guru Purnima at Udaipur

Guru Purnima 2013 took us to Maharana Pratap's  adorable city of  Udaipur. Torrential downpour did not deter the satsang spirit of devotee who filled the auditorium to capacity well before the start. Hundreds who turned up late were greatly disappointed though. The event opened with  Puja and presentation based on Gurudev's message  on the significance of Aashada Purnima.

Shortly thereafter the assembly was drenched  in a different kind of rain  inside the auditorium - Nectarene shower from the newly released binaural album Ram Amrit. The meditation was deep and memorable with the crowning glory of  'Ab mero Jeevan sawar gayo rey'

Following morning, the large assembly of  girl youth from St.Marys, a premier ranking school in the city  were present for the talk" Human life is precious". The Principal and Senior teachers hosted a warm reception after the address.

To be here; oh it was so much fun!

 ( Nainital 17-21 July 2013) 

Nainital in Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains. The highest of them is Naina 8,579 ft,  atop which  magnificent views are obtained of  great snowy range that forms the central axis of  Himalayas. The Art of Silence retreat here is best remembered for the depth of experiences gained. Words cannot best describe; yet venturing to capture them in these lines:

The Himalayas stand grand and tall, a view so vast; it made us feel small,
Hilltops rolling like waves upon the sea; to be here, oh it was so much fun!

The tall pines, conifers, wild flowers and the majestic rocks aging through time,

To breathe the cool mountain breeze with our minds at ease; to be here, oh it was so much fun!

Beyond usual rush hours, honking traffic and carbon polluted lungs, 

Basking in the beauty of pristine nature, surprise showing up of a tiger to grace our sights; to be here, oh it was so much fun!


As the sun beginning  to set between the hills, night lights shining, knowing we can return to that high place which we yearn, once again ... oh it was so much fun!"   


Jaideep from New Delhi, a participant at the course wrote:

..and in all this Fun ... I discovered .. that I was so much Fun. 

The vastness that I saw outside was within me. 

The tall mountains, the trees, the rain kissed leaves ... that freshness was within...

Saw the long , winding mountain roads... but the journey was within...

The rising SUN glowing behind the misty clouds .... the radiance was within...

The soothing Moon light in the garden of stars... the peace was within...

... I slowly discovered that what I was a seeker for out side... was all within me...


This Journey out side to inside .... Oh it was so much fun...

######################################################################################

Dear Dr. Madhavan, 

We thank you for the wonderful advance course you gave us at Nainital. We appreciate your gentleness of conducting the course according to the number of repeaters and ages of participants. You made it very relaxing and comfortable for all of us.

The knowledge of Yoga Vashishta during the course was priceless, it made the course so special. It has touched our heart as a lesson in life. The course has become a memorable event for us. 

Jai Gurudev!

With Best Regards
Girish Madhogaria
8B / 1 Queens Park, 
Bullygunge, Kolkata-700019
(M) :+91 98300 58000
E-mail: girishsecretariat@gmail.com

The first devotional album using binaural Soul beats launched.

The knowledge of the origin of brain waves in humans extends back to the 1920s when HansBerger, a German psychiatrist, invented the Electroencephalograph -EEG. Electrodes are placed on the scalp over multiple areas of the brain to detect and record patterns of electrical activity. It is then read as a brain wave test where brain cells communicate by producing tiny electrical impulses. The brain waves are broadly categorized into main power spectrums and may relate directly to certain psychological and physiological states; illustratively:

Beta 12 Hz to 22 Hz: high state of arousal and some drug effects;

Alpha 8 Hz to 12 Hz: sedation, hypnosis and relaxed but focused sports activities;

Theta 4 Hz to 8 Hz: deep hypnosis, dreaming;

 Delta 0.5 Hz to 4 Hz sleep, general

Anesthesia; Gamma above 22-30Hz.

The main application of the EEG is its ability to read the real time variations in brain wave states. This is useful in understanding certain severe mental conditions like epilepsy, arousal, and coherence of brain waves in meditation and in the sleep cycle. The sleep cycle is a good example of the brain waves changing as they descend from high spectrum power i.e. Beta brain waves, to low spectrum power viz. Delta brain waves.

This overview of brain waves is important as alongside the discipline of feedback and EEG experiments, there is another area of research that is not very well known but has binaural beats, brain waves and entrainment. The principle of entrainment is of two or more close frequencies locking in rhythm with each other. In the general context is explained the very first finding on Entrainment was by Huygens in 1665. He worked with pendulum clocks and noticed that if he started the pendulums all at different times, they would eventually synchronize their beating or entrain with each other.

Therapeutic  Binaural-Beat Induced Theta EEG Activity:

Binaural beats are auditory phenomena that can be correctly termed ‘auditory beats in the brain’. They were popularized by Gerald Oster, a researcher into auditory phenomena. According to  him, binaural beats can be created by sending separate distinct tones to each ear to produce a third ‘phantom’ beat within the brain which is perceived by the brain as a real distinct sound. ‘Binaural field’ this is known as the space perceived through headphones as   earphones create the correct conditions for binaural beats to work.  The reason that speaker arrangement does not create the correct effect as individual sound waves leave the speaker they mix in the air first and create a unified wave, rather than two distinct waves from headphones.

Such listening helps to modify brain wave states and  create a positive effect in the physiological and psychological state of humans subjects, by restoring ‘normal’ healthy brain wave patterns. The ability to modify brain waves came to the mass attention in the early 1970s. Probably the most well known is the alpha wave movement that gained popularity in the early 70s when scientific studies were done on Meditators who  had the ability to control certain brain wave states like alpha. According to these studies the ‘mind awake, body asleep’ or alpha state could be created at will by advanced meditators. The results varied but the 7-10 Hz alpha range was established as the general range that could be created.  Since 1997 studies into this area have further contributed to growing evidence that through the use of binaural beats as an external process, the brain-waves can be changed to create beneficial therapeutic applications.

Ram Amrit:

 Nectarene Musik has dedicated their new album Ram Amrit set on binaural beats, as their humble offering to Gurudev on his birthday on 13^th May 2013. Empowered with the SoulBeats™,  the album has mellifluous bhajans sung by Dr.Arun Madhavan and Siddhant Bhatia. It is supercharged to provide slow, but deep healing on extended listening sessions. You may order your copies from www.artoflivingshop.com or visit the  Divine shop.

Practicing what you preach

There are days when practicing what you preach can be hard! 

The other day my friend and I were taking a walk towards a grocery store. Alongside the pavement, a young, well dressed motorcyclist appeared angling to park his vehicle. As he was stepping out, we saw him mindlessly spitting on the ground. Had he been mindful, perhaps he might have refrained from such an irresponsible public show; so we thought.

My friend was miffed at what he saw. Can’t blame the poor guy, attired in white dress he was dangerously close to the scene! Knowing that he is prone to quick arguments  and retorts that could vitiate the atmosphere, I restrained him but made a passing remark “yes, this gentleman could have been respectful to mathrubhoomi”. And we moved on to some distance and got into the shop.

 Moments later, to our utter disbelief, the motorcyclist came running behind to locate us. He began to apologise unconditionally for his thoughtless act in public space.

There is an episode in Mahabharat during agyatvas of Pandavas when Yudishtr in the garb of a priest offended King Virata by telling the truth that there is someone else behind the triumph of Prince Uttar in the battlefield. He even got slapped by the King.

Ours is not an ideal world and we often come face to face with harsh realities. For instance, we know that deodorants are not aphrodisiacs; we know that the ad promos for such products manipulate human emotions blatantly. Many a times, we are helpless.

This real life experience made us reflect over the spiritual wisdom of Sanatan dharma highlighting the value of being gentle with the truth.

Satyam bruyat priyam bruyat na bruyat satyam apriyam

priyam ca nanrutam bruyat esha dharmah sanatanah

Speak truth in such a way that it should be pleasing to others. Never speak truth, which is unpleasant to others. Never speak untruth, which might be pleasant. To speak truth is an eternal value irrespective of time and place. Such expression of truth should be presented in a loving manner; equally it should be spoken for the betterment of others. One should be careful of speaking truth but not hurting others.

Nectarene Musik " Ram Amrit "Launched

Grand  arrival of 1008 Gram Devathas at the International campus on the eve of 13th May 2013  marked a spectacular and  auspicious setting.

Gurudev received the first copy of Ram Amrit, being the  first from The AOL stable to incorporate the effects of Theta Binaural  in music called SoulBeats™.

The music arranger and talented singer, Siddhant  from  Nectarene Musik said that he was delighted to present such, one of its kind, product using a combination of state-of-the-art technology and interesting healing capabilities.

By listening to this music regularly through headphones, we literally tap, activate various faculties of our mind, the consciousness. Ram Amrit  will soon be available to take listeners on a true inward journey and help reach a state of Samya Bhaava.- centeredness.