Month: February 2015

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Celebrating Spirituality: Dr Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji receives Record Certificate for newest Guinness World Record

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

You may have heard of it and then again you may not have! If you have not my duty is to inform you of it.

Did you hear of the mass chanting of Hanuman Chalisa for world peace in Tenali, Andra Pradhesh, India? On January 31, 2015 Dr Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda Swamiji of Mysore, India was presented with a Record Certificate for setting a new world record in the category of mass chanting for the most people chanting from a single location.

Have a look at this video:

or

This Ad was courtesy Sree Raman
This Ad was courtesy Sree Raman

As a Press release available on YogaSangeeta so aptly states, “At a time of constant turmoil, mass killings, and natural disasters happening in different parts of the world, His Holiness Dr. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, pontiff of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham of Mysore, India led a mass chanting session on January 31st, 2015 in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh in India for the benefit of world peace. This mammoth effort, aimed at benefiting all beings and the atmosphere, has been aptly recognized by the “Guinness World Records”.

We wish we could have been there for this major event but we are thankful for an opportunity to serve. Dr Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda has asked that everyone sings Hanuman Chalisa a minimum of 40 times. Chant Hanuman Chalisa yourself, share it with your loved ones and spread the word that chanting Hanuman Chalisa is very important. It is for your own benefit.

Sri Hanumanji- Om Namo Hanumate Namaha!
Sri Hanumanji- Om Namo Hanumate Namaha!

As Sri Swamiji explained in this press release, “Hanuman Chalisa is a very ancient prayer dating back over 500 years. This particular prayer is especially chosen for chanting since the collective sound vibrations will create positive impact thereby promoting universal brotherhood, and aiding in the well-being of the entire universe.” In recent times, scientific research has also revealed that sound waves formed while chanting are converted into electro-magnetic waves and potentially provide enormous positive impact on beings and atmosphere.”

Datta devotees would be fully aware of this instruction for mass chanting of Hanuman Chalisa. Should it be the first time you are hearing of this please feel free to contact me via this post so that I can give you further details.

To see for yourself how this newest addition to the Guinness World Record was received look at the links above and below.

Here is how it was received by several news agencies:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/4-hour-non-stop-Hanuman-Chalisa-sets-world-record/articleshow/46082473.cms

http://apview.com/tv5-telugu/videos/380634-swamy-ganapathi-sachidananda-guiness-book-of-world-record-tv5-news.html

http://www.bharatnewschannels.com/tv9kannadanews-watchonline/mysuru-4-hour-non-stop-hanuman-chalisa-sets-guinness-world-record-video_e2217aa98.html

Jai Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta! Lots of love to Sri Appaji and everyone this post reaches!

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Celebrating Maha Shivratri 2015 at Sri Sachidananda Yoga Ashram in Penal.

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

Happy MahaShivRatri 2015! I am humbled to be at the Sri Sachidananda  Yoga Ashram in Penal.

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I am surrounded by divinity all around- the music, the Devis, the Devtas, pictures and Divine Beings all around.

Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Sri Sri Sri MahaAvatar Babaji, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Shodasha Datta Kshetras, Shabari, Lord Rama, Sri Karya Siddhi Hanuman, Tulsidas, Sant Guru Kabir, Swami Vivekananda, Buddha, Dayanand Saraswati, Srila Prabhupada, Sathya Sai Baba, Sant Keshvadas, St Francis of Assisi  and Maharishi Mahest Yogi greet devotees as they adorn the walls with their smiles.

This blessed evening unfolds with Guru Paduka puja, the procession, the offering of the Kalsas, Rudra Homa, Lord Shiva puja and offerings, chanting the name of Lord Shiva. Throughout the evening it is interactive, Pundit Varun of Mysore India keeps us informed, he explains and allows us to participate in worship to Lord Shiva.

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Start of the procession
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Procession in progress!
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Procession concludes!
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Procession concludes!
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Outside for Homa!
Puja in progress!
Puja in progress!

Aarti

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Inside for offering!
Worship with devotees!
Worship with devotees!

Visit this page of Sri Sachidananda Yoga Ashram in Penal at

https://www.facebook.com/ssya.penal

Do you know the significance of Maha Shivratri?

Allow me to shed some light on it for you!

Please visit these links:

http://www.mahashivratri.org/marriage-of-shiva-and-shakti.html

http://www.mahashivratri.org/samudra-manthan.html

http://www.mahashivratri.org/legend-of-shiva-linga.html

http://www.mahashivratri.org/shiva-chalisa.html

http://www.mahashivratri.org/different-names-of-lord-shiva.html

It most certainly is a blessed way to spend one’s six (6) month wedding anniversary. We are grateful that we are able to be here and be a part of this historical experience. Thank you Appaji!

Addition on 19-02-2015:

We got home the next day. We found out that after we left The Honourable Prime Minister Mrs Kamla Persad Bissessar visited the Ashram to make her offering with her grandson.

Pictures of her visit are available on the Ashram’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ssya.penal

Jai Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!

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Celebrating Love!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

It’s Valentine’s Day 2015! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Here’s to hoping it is a day filled with love for you and those special people in your life.

http://happyvalentinesday2015z.com/happy-valentines-day-2015-hd-wallpapers/
http://happyvalentinesday2015z.com/happy-valentines-day-2015-hd-wallpapers/

Have you  wondered about the history of St. Valentine’s day. Have a look at this YouTube video:

As Maya Angelou says, “If you have only one smile give it to the people you love.” I hope this post brings a smile to your face. As Frank Morgan states, “A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.

I am sending love to all my friends and family via this YouTube video.

Today February 14th 2015 makes it five (5) years since my eldest uncle on my dad’s side passed away. He was a true lover of Carnival, the late Uncle Manboudt Wilfred Thomas. We loved him  a lot and value the time we had with him.

Make the most of the time you have with those you love. Time does not wait on anyone!

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Celebrating Good Corporate Citizens!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

This may sound like a strange title, but the story ahead is one you will enjoy. I value this opportunity to celebrate good corporate citizens and I am happy though later than I planned due to several reasons, I am able to stand by my word and keep my promise.

www.pictureanimations.com
http://www.pictureanimations.com

Sometimes we encounter people who do not care and do not want to find out what we even have to say. Then we are fortunate to encounter those who care, those who want to listen to what we have to say and those who are willing to help.These are the people I wish to acknowledge and recognize.

Hardly ever do we hear of good things or are the good things recognized and acknowledged. I believe in recognizing,acknowledging and saying thank you. It is something that goes hand in hand with something my dad taught me- always look for something positive out of every negative experience.

Those who may be aware would know I am still studying and last semester I was asked to sort a full advertising campaign with an IMC programme. I knew that in order to do this I needed current information and information applicable to a Trinidad and Tobago audience so I opted to find some people in the industry who do the things I needed information for. It was not as easy as it sounds but the assistance of those who opted to help by letting me know how the industry operates and their particular product which I needed made it much easier for me.Indeed it was a mammoth task I did alone and along the way I met some good corporate citizens who were happy to explain things I needed to create the campaign I was working on.

As one who believes in recognizing good people and good work I knew I would not pass up on an opportunity like this and as such wish to thank them publicly.

To:

  1. Mr. Christopher Samuel of A. Gomez Burke and Company of El Socorro San Juan
  2. Ms. Greta Caines, Brand Manager of 95.1 The Best Mix
  3. Ms. Shelly Ann Patrick of FLOW (Columbus Communications)
  4. The Administrative Staff of Pronto Print Ltd in San Fernando

thank you very much for your kind assistance and  the time you took to provide information. May you and the organizations continue to prosper.

Thank-you-post-it

Enjoy this short video: