Chinmaya Mission New York
Hari Om !MAHA SHIVRATRI - THE NIGHT OF AUSPICIOUSNESS
Swami Chinmayananda
The Supreme State experienced by the mystics, pointed out in all the great scriptures of the world, is the state that has been indicated by a most popular term in Hinduism, 'Shivaratri'.
Shiva means auspiciousness, that state of supreme auspiciousness, the state of perfection and beatitude, is a state an individual experiences when all other usual fields of perception are transcended.
Just as in the night, when the darkness closes, every object becomes imperceptible to the human eye, a time when the usual world of plurality is blanketed away from our awareness; such moments of pure infinite subjective experience are that which is indicated as Shivaratri.
In order that it may come to the masses and the average man may spend time in lifting his mind, turning his mind's attention to the Lord, it has been brought into a very significant ritual, dedicating this day to Lord Shiva. On this auspicious day, seekers rededicate themselves to the subjective science and the pursuit of excellence in their daily lives.
Guruji, Swami Tejomayananda, says that the best Sadhana, or practice, for any seeker irrespective of age, means, time, and place is ‘Ishwara Naam Smarnam’, i.e. constant remembrance of Lord’s name. And Shivji our ‘Bhole Baba’ is easy to please and quick to say ‘Tathaastu’ in granting our wishes. As our mind turns easily towards that Shivji, the most famous and auspicious Mantra ‘OM NAMAH SHIVAAY’ comes to our lips.
‘OM’ – the Pranav encompasses the entire existence,
‘NAMAH’ – is to offer prostrations in love, respect and faith and
‘SHIVAAY’ – means the auspicious.
Thus when we chant this Mantra, we can imagine the most beautiful, serene, auspicious ‘SHIVJI’ and strengthen the faith that ‘All is Shiva’; ‘All is Auspicious’, ‘All is Well’. Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda, began his spiritual sadhana with this and mental upasana, or meditation, of creating Shivji’s form in his mind. Lord Sri Krishna in Bhagvad ita says "Among the yogas I am the Japa Yoga".
Therefore may we be inspired to fill our hearts and minds with constant Japa of ‘OM NAMAH SHIVAAY’
On this auspicious occasion, we are pleased to inform you of Pujya Guruji, Swami Tejomayananda ji's upcoming visit to New York on July 7th – 9th, 2014. Please save the dates and we will keep you posted on program details.
We are also pleased to welcome young and dynamic Acharya Arun Gossai ji as CMNY’s resident Acharya. Arun ji was born in Georgetown, Guyana and raised in Queens, NY. Arun ji's formal education was completed at Stony Brook University and subsequently worked as an Accounting Manager in Manhattan for 3 years until the inner call to study Vedanta and other text arose in the year 2011. That same year Arun ji left for Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Chinmaya Mission's premier institute for Vedantic learning located in Mumbai, India to pursue his philosophical studies. Arun ji studied Vedantic texts and other Hindu philosophical scriptures such as the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, Shrimad Bhaagwatam, Ramacharitmanas. Arun ji's aim is to serve our community with love as he aims to grow and learn with this experience with Chinmaya Mission New York.
Hari Om !
Dr. Jatin Kapadia
President: Chinmaya Mission New York
Regards,
Chinmaya Mission New York
webadministrator@
www.chinmayanewyork.org
Chinmaya Publications: http://www.
More Audio collections are being digitized; Full list of new Audio/Mp3 CD (Bhajans and talks)
Rest in HIM who is ever the same in your heart and watch the parade of events in the stream of TIME.
- Swami Chinmayananda
Chinmaya Mission New York
webadministrator@
www.chinmayanewyork.org
Chinmaya Publications: http://www.
More Audio collections are being digitized; Full list of new Audio/Mp3 CD (Bhajans and talks)
Rest in HIM who is ever the same in your heart and watch the parade of events in the stream of TIME.
- Swami Chinmayananda
