Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

How Do Experiences Arise?
by Sri Swami Chidananda

Radiant Immortal Atman! Blessed divinities! Children of the Divine! Beloved seekers of the Lord! Spiritual aspirants! Yogic practitioners upon the path of practical Yoga! I am very happy to welcome you to this Saturday evening Satsang.

This day as my humble and loving contribution to this Satsang, I would like to offer a little thought for consideration and reflection. I can promise that it will bring added understanding about experiences through which you go in life.

What is the basis of human experiences? Do they really exist outside of you? Have they got an independent existence apart from you? Your joys and sorrows, your happy laughter and your boo-hoo tears—do these things exist in this world outside of you? Do they come and hit you? Or is the actual state or affairs something different?

Who makes you happy? Who makes you weep? Can you point the finger at someone or something and say: ‘This is the cause of my happiness; this is the cause of my sorrow’? That is what we all do. We think we are all wonderful, innocent nice people; but this world ‘outside’ puts us through the mill. We are bothered by the world giving us a very unfair deal. We are seeking for causes.

Even supposing we concede for a while that there is possibly something outside of us that comes and makes us happy or unhappy—even then, it is not due to someone else! This is the great vision and wisdom of the Vedic understanding of life. Ultimately, you are the root of whatever comes to you—even when it seemingly comes to you from outside. You are ultimately the cause of all your experiences—whatever they are—whether they are plus or minus, positive or negative, joy or sorrow. You cannot put the blame on someone else, much less accuse someone else. No one is responsible.

But the even more essential and primal dimension is this first question—is there something at all outside? Is this world capable of giving us experiences? We attribute a great deal of power to this world. But does it deserve it? This is a world of inert things, and we are conscious beings. Who is superior? Can inert things give experiences to conscious beings? I am not talking of your breaking a leg in a car-accident—that is something physical, which the body undergoes just like disease, old-age, infirmities, aches and pains, coughs and colds. Apart from these, the inner experiences of our frustration, disappointment, fulfilment, happiness, sorrow—does this also come from outside? Does it exist apart from us?

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The following article has been posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:

• Swami Krishnananda in Conversation - 22: On Silence

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Kindly take note that our Post Office is closed until 14th April due to the lockdown imposed by the Indian government to contain the spread of Covid-19 virus. As such we have stopped taking orders on our online bookstore until the lockdown is lifted.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Bhagavad Gita (One Act Play)
by Sri Swami Sivananda

A wonderfully staged play by the mighty pen of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. There are five scenes in this play. It begins with the despondency of Arjuna followed by an exposition on the essence of Karma, Bhakti, Raja and Jnana Yoga. This is a boon to the busy person who has no time to read the whole Gita.

For more information, please see: Bhagavad Gita (One Act Play)

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REVERENCE FOR GANDHIJI: It was again during his All-India Tour. The Master was at the Hindu Theological School, Madras, where he was to address the theology students. He noticed a portrait of Gandhiji in front of the dais, tastefully decorated, for it was Gandhiji’s birthday. Gazing intently at the picture, he said, “Bapuji is smiling. He is looking at all of us and blessing us. He also is very happy today.”

After the Maha Mantra Kirtan he proceeded to deliver his discourse.

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“If you feel your oneness with all, will you cheat anyone, will you harm anyone, will you behave rudely towards anyone, will you entertain evil thoughts towards anyone? No. Never. Be sincere. For in sincerity, lies your salvation. Whatever you know, put into practice. That will confirm your sincerity and enable you to be firmly rooted in cosmic consciousness. You will rejoice forever; you will be at peace with yourself. You will radiate joy and peace. You will become an enlightened being to whom the whole world will look for solace and guidance.” – Swami Sivananda

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