Month: March 2018

Posted in Hanuman Jayanti

Celebrating Hanuman Jayanti 2018!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

Today is Hanuman Jayanti! Screenshot_2017-04-04-11-38-02

Happy Hanuman Jayanti! Om Namo Hanumate Namaha! Jai Veer Hanuman!

20170410_120831

As journalist Seeta Persad so rightly said, Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago surely have eagerly been awaiting the arrival of Hanuman Jayanti. (See article http://newsday.co.tt/2018/03/30/hindus-mark-hanuman-jayanti-tomorrow/)

20170702_104915

Lord Hanuman means so much to so many and this is evident not just here in Trinidad but also in the way many the world over regard Him and give praises to Him. For starters He teaches us strength and patience, He teaches us about courage and humility and He offers us protection but He does so much more!  The list can go on and on and will never stray from the essence that Lord Hanuman is our Blessing and He holds special significance for the thousands and more so the millions that pray to Him.

Here in Trinidad we have the 85 ft Hanuman Murti which was consecrated in 2003 but this is not just any Hanuman Murti. In addition to being the tallest Hanuman Murti in the Western World, this is a Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti. In looking at the history of this Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti I found this video that I am sure can provide meaningful insight to many devotees.  It will in many respects help in shedding light on what the Newsday journalist was referring to. On this note I invite you to please have a look at it:

Moving on we can agree that indeed it is a divine blessing to hear the name of Lord Hanuman being glorified and indeed a blessing to be able to offer prayers to Lord Hanuman. Today thousands visited the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti at the Dattatreya Yoga Center in Carapichaima. The chanting of Hanuman Chalisa  was scheduled to begin at 6am this morning and it concluded after 7pm this evening. It was followed by Abhishekam, Puja and Homa. 

Rightfully so there is a lot that we can learn from Lord Hanuman and a simple means of accepting these lessons comes from understanding what the Hanuman Chalisa is telling us.  While the visit to the site http://aumamen.com/stotra/hanuman-chalisa can provide some ready assistance with this the link to Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana below will also provide you with peace, comfort and an abundance of postive energy.  

Many present at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Center today can attest to the fact that hundreds were able to offer their prayers to Lord Hanuman, sing Chalisa, perform Abhishekam, participate in Puja and Homa and also perform Aarti at the feet of Lord Hanuman.  Today’s Hanuman Jayanti celebrations came after 5 nights of Ramayan Discourses delivered during the past week. The week’s sessions began with Pundit Abhedanand Persad Sharma on Monday and continued with Pundit Hardeo Persad on Tuesday, Pundit Jewan Maharaj on Wednesday, Swami Prakashananda on Thursday. It concluded with Pundit Bimal Maharaj on Friday. 

In compiling this post finding bhajans being sung by His Holiness seemed most appropriate as His voice and His presence do more than words can ever fully express. Thankfully this morning I was able to hear and see His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Livestream (Click on Yoga Sangeeta)  and this evening we were able to be at the feet of Lord Hanuman.

I love all of Appaji’s bhajans and this is one of the first I heard. It is followed by some other bhajans that are filled with meaning and positive energy.  Here is my invitation to you to enjoy each of the Bhajans below and immerse yourself in Appaji’s offering! 

As Hanuman Jayanti 2018 draws to an end continue putting into practice the many lessons Lord Hanuman has shared with us. As Appaji reminds us daily, “Be Good, Do Good”. 

Om Namo Hanumate Namaha! Karya Siddhi Hanuman Ki Jai!

Posted in Ram Navami

Celebrating Ram Navami 2018!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

Today  Sunday 25th March 2018 we joined with Hindus the world over in celebrating Sri Ram Navami! We were immensely blessed to be showered with the blessings and grace of His Holiness whose messages reach his followers in real time as He delivers His messages and reminds us of the abundance of love He has for us.

20180325_092022On this Holy occasion Shiva and I were as fortunate as we always are to be at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima which is home to the largest Lord Hanuman Murti in the Western Hemisphere- the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Mantra.

20180325_095440

Here is some info for those who may not know Lord Rama’s story:

http://www.navratriday.com/ram-navami.html

Here too is a beautiful rendition from Sooryagayathri whose soulful singing continues to capture many hearts.

Always happy to find past messages from His Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidanda Swamiji, I was delighted to find these YouTube videos shared by Hanuman Hoffman who is a very dear Datta devotee and he is also one who is loved by us all. Appaji’s presence and His guidance, grace and teachings are invaluable, priceless and nothing short of an abundance of innumerable blessings. Please have a look at this video:

 

The first video as you would realise is a mantra to Lord Rama that is delivered to us by His Holiness and the second is an important sloka, it is the first sloka from the Sundara Kanda of Valmiki’s Ramayana and it is a Maha Mantra. 

From us to you, Happy Ram Navami! Keep chanting, keep praying, keep doing selfless service! Let Lord Rama’s story and His messages inspire you and remind you of how fortunate we are! 

As His Holiness says to us, “Be good, Do good!” (SGSPosts- Download it today if you haven’t! Also please share it with others!) 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Celebrating World Happiness Day 2018!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today (March 20) is World Happiness Day! I hope that your day was filled with happiness and if it was not, I hope that there was some measure of happiness for you today! If it hasn’t been like that yet please know that the day is not over and happiness will greet you soon. It will appear in the form of laughter, a smile or a kind word.

Happiness we can all agree should come from within and can manifest itself through any of the ways mentioned above- in a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful gesture or just pure laughter!

Here is a link to some quotes which I found and I am happy to share:   https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/happiness

Hopefully there is something there which can resonate with you and also something that was able to pique your interest.

In continuing allow me to ask,  have you heard what the UN report said about Trinidad and Tobago’s happiness Index? Please have a look at this video:

Now look at Trinidad and Tobago in relation to the top 10 countries that are the happiest in the world.

Now stop for a minute and ask yourself what makes Finland the world’s happiest country. Then be sure to look at the video below.

In closing this is my message to you: Spread the love, spread the laughter, spread the happiness! 

Stay away from anyone who tries to steal your happiness! If you cannot stay away from the one who tries to steal your happiness just do not let them or their negativity or their nonsense get the better of you!

From me to you, Happy International Happiness Day 2018!

 

Posted in Life, Uncategorized

Celebrating Life’s Lessons and its Treasures!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

It’s been a long time since I posted a message I am sure you will agree! In this post I am opting to focus on life’s experiences. The thing is that I have learnt the hard way not to depend on many persons. I am also sure this will be agreed upon.

Celebrating Existence Post

My circle is small but the lessons I have learnt are many. Thankfully my faith has never been in man but in God! My belief has always been in Karma (not in thinking of others suffering for the wrong they do as I do not have energy for that- with me I just pick up and press on- but I believe that we are all responsible for our actions) and being good and doing my best. This is what I always give to the world.

Some things to remember:

  • Have confidence in yourself.
  • Never give up.
  • Know that many people will show you want they want but the reality of what they are depends on their words and more so, their actions.
  • Remember that with every negative experience you should always look for the positive that comes out of it.
  • Change comes when people make a conscious effort to want to change.
  • If anyone makes you angry do not give them that anger. You suffer the most as you work yourself up and they do not deserve that satisfaction. Take care of yourself and pray for them to learn from their bad ways or pray to have less of that to deal with.
  • Nothing lasts forever. Believe that today is a present and tomorrow will get better. Today is your challenge for tomorrow and helps you better appreciate the good things when they come your way.
  • Being afraid never got anyone anywhere. Believe in yourself.
  • Take it bit by bit and day by day!
  • Make every moment count.
  • Putting of something always makes it harder to do it.
  • When in doubt always work with what you are sure about. This helps to clear away the uncertainties.
  • Take care of yourself.  Nobody can do this as well as you really well as you can.celebrate you today