Tag: Avadhoota Datta Peetham

Posted in Being Prayerful, Blessings from Appaji, Hanuman Day of Prayer, Love and Blessings, Ram Navami, Trinidad and Tobago

Celebrating Ram Navami 2019 & HDOP in the Divine Presence of Sri Bala Swamiji!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

Jaya Guru Datta! The countdown to the visit of His Holiness Pujya Sri Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (our beloved Sri Bala Swamiji) is officially on and mere hours away. The coming days will without a doubt be days to remember! They will be days of prayer, spiritual upliftment and a spiritually enlightening and rewarding journey!

This is what 10-14 April 2019 will be for Datta devotees of Trinidad and Tobago and Datta devotees from around the world who will be joining with us for what will prove to be a historic Ram Navami celebration and Hanuman Day of prayer.

newpostWe will be blessed to be in the presence of pure Divinity as we will be blessed with the visit of His Holiness Pujya Sri Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (our beloved Sri Bala Swamiji), Junior Pontiff at Avadhoota Datta Peetham.  His Holiness Pujya Sri Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (our beloved Sri Bala Swamiji), returns to Trinidad after 14 years to bless us with His presence, His messages and discourses from Sundar Kand. His Holy feet will touch our soil (Dharti Mata) and He will bless this land.

For those who are aware Trinidad holds special significance in Sri Bala Swamiji’s life as this is where He began His life as a Swami (following ceremony at Aripo Datta Ganga) and Bala Swamiji’s visit is one many have been eagerly awaiting for several years now as it is in a very real sense, His return home if we can humbly call it such! Just as we always look forward to the presence of our beloved Appaji (His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji)- His physical presence, His graceful walk, the sound of His voice, His radiant smile, His chanting of mantras, His singing of Bhajans, His discourses and messages- we also wait in eager anticipation with thousands of devotees for Sri Bala Swamiji’s physical presence, His graceful walk, the sound of His voice, His radiant smile, His chanting of mantras, His singing of Bhajans, His discourses and messages.

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It promises to be epic, historic and memorable. The programmes of Thursday and Friday at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre will be followed by the Hanuman Day of Prayer on Sri Ram Navami day (Saturday 13th April 2019) which will begin at 5am and conclude at 9pm. This Hanuman Day of Prayer is designed for families to take part in a range of activities which include Yoga, Prayer and Puja, Hanuman Chalisa chanting, a Bhajan concert, Mangal Aarti, a live address by His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji (our beloved Appaji) and a host of activities that are especially designed for kids.

Sri Bala Swamiji’s final day of programmes in Trinidad will be held on Sunday.

 

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Of primary significance is His life of unwavering devotion to Sadguru, His selflessness, His commitment to service and to mankind, His humility, His purity of thought and action which parallel that of Lord Hanuman on so many levels. Permit me to say that on the occasion of Ram Nawami there is no other fitting tribute to Lord Rama than to have Lord Hanuman in physical form, leading the proceedings and marking the occasion with readings from Sundar Kand.

His Holiness Sri Bala Swamiji’s visit is in preparation for Maha Rudra Yagna which His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji (our beloved Appaji) announced will take place in Trinidad in 2020. As you continue chanting “Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha” be sure to register your count on Yoga Sangeeta.

Be sure to save the dates, visit the Ashrama (DYC, Carapichaima), participate in Pujas and activities, and do everything you can to ensure that you are a part of this historical spiritual occasion.

Posted in Being Prayerful, Blessings from Appaji

Blessings from Appaji-Divali 2018!

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

Jaya Guru Datta!

On this blessed occasion of Divali 2018 it is indeed an opportunity to remember how blessed and fortunate we are.

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We are alive, we are given the opportunity to be good and do good, we are given the opportunity to burn up bad karma, we are given the opportunity to do seva, we are blessed to have a human body and walk the earth while Divine Beings have taken physical form to guide and protect us.

In this past week we were blessed with good news coming from the His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji:
• SgsPosts has been downloaded over 100k times (Jaya Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta! Sadguru Maharaj Ki Jai!)
• Appaji has inaugurated the Avadhoota Datta Peetham SriSailam Ashrama in Andhra Pradesh
• Another Bhagavad Gita class was opened to allow interested persons to learn Bhagavad Gita by memory or by fluency in pronunciation and recitation.

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Photo Credit: Avadhoota Datta Peetham
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Photo Credit: Avadhoota Datta Peetham


Just a little over a week ago (October 28) we were blessed with news that the Yoga Sangeeta App for Android users was released thereby making it easier for us to submit our Mantra count (Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha). What some may not know is that when His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji instructed devotees to chant the Mantra it was not just for peace and prosperity in Trinidad and Tobago but it was for worldwide peace and prosperity. More people are heeding the call to chant “Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha” and the sincere hope is that many more will continue to do so!

Then here in Trinidad we were faced with numerous challenges but we united as a people in several ways in spite of the fact that some were highly unfair and inhumane.

How?

Here is how:

1.       Many people rendered assistance to those affected by  last month’s flooding (preparing meals and distributing them, rescuing people who were  trapped, providing clothes, mattresses and cleaning agents, spreading messages on social media on how to help people affected by flood waters,  giving cash and housing accommodation to those displaced by the floods)

https://www.meppublishers.com/trinidad-tobago-floods-2018-how-to-help/#axzz5W8dgRYDC

https://sewausa.org/Trinidad-and-Tobago-Floods-2018

http://www.looptt.com/content/list-donation-drop-points-tt-mobilises-help-flood-victims

2.      Many people showed that we do not live according to lines of religion, ethnicity or politics.

3.      Many people heeded a call to render humanitarian service to others and they did it selflessly.

4.      People began sending out messages to alert others on how to find those who were in distress (giving them directions).

5.      Those who could not do anything substantial (by way of monetary aide or purchasing things needed for homes) offered prayers for those in need of help and also offered words of comfort and encouragement via social media.

How then should we move forward?

1.       Continue helping each other

2.      Continue being thankful for all blessings

3.      Do not give up

4.      Focus on positivity rather than negativity

5.      Never run from a challenge but stand tall in the face of adversity

6.      Always aim to be the best that you can be!

7.      Follow the teachings of our Divine Master (who is the absolute and is purity and humility personified) and pay careful attention to the inspirational posts in SGSPosts.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.sgsragasagara.sgs_posts

https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/sgs-posts/id1097382754?mt=8

 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Celebrating Appaji’s Diamond Jubilee Year (His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji!)

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

His name, His messages, His teachings, His music, His divinity and His purity are known by Devotees the world over! He is praised by many and when devotees praise His name it is with prayerful supplication, humility and an abundance of love.

His presence warms the heart of many and from Him bliss and purity radiate. He is not just Swamiji but He is Sadguru, He is Nada Brahma, He is Maha Avatar, He is Appaji and He is Lord Dattatreya- the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

This post is dedicated to the celebration of Appaji’s 75th Birthday! Appaji- His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda  Swamiji! Happy 75th Birthday Appaji!

courtesy datta peetham
Photo Credit: Datta Peetham

Some may say that I have missed it but Appaji’s birthday continues to be celebrated around the world in the various places He visits. This post has been in the making for some time now and it is finally published. My question is, ‘What do you give a Sadguru who has given so much? ‘

Appaji Humble Pranams to Your Lotus Feet! You have done so much for us that the words Thank You seem inadequate. What we can do is to listen to Your Divine Messages, say Thank You, practice what You share with us, heed Your instructions, lead better lives and become better people.  As You say in SGS Posts, “Be good, Do Good”.

Appaji has given us so much and He has not only given so much but day after day He keeps blessing us with His messages and His Divine Darshan. What we need to be disciplined as we read, as we  listen, as we put into practice what we read and listen and try each day to be our best versions of ourselves.

Those who read Appaji’s autobiography will know Appaji’s life, His struggles, His uniqueness and they will understand why He is Avadhoota.  Those who follow His journey will also understand it and those of you who are Datta devotees will understand how blessed we are.

Following the start of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Mysore, His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda  Swamiji continued His journey of selfless service to mankind, His service to Dharma and to the world.

His Holiness was awarded Three World records on His 75th Birthday. These three records added to the previous five Guinness World. They were for:

1. The World’s Largest Hindu Smruti, Bhagavad Gita book in 18 languages was achieved by Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. Measuring 7 feet by 5 feet this, the World’s Largest Bhagavad Gita book weighs over 800 kilos.

2. The most bird species in an aviary (Shuka Vana) having 468 species.

3. The largest display of bonsai trees (Kishkhinda Moolika Bonsai Garden) which consists of 2649 trees.

The previous five awards were given to His Holiness at the places listed:

1.       Most people chanting (31 January 2015)-Hanuman Chalisa Chanting in Tenali, Andra Pradesh,  India

2.      Largest Music Therapy Session (6 April 2015)- Sydney Opera House in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Session lasted 2 ½ hours.

3.      Longest Marathon Chanting (Team) of 24 hours, 10 minutes and 8 seconds- (1 August 2015)-–Hanuman Chalisa Chanting, Frisco, Texas.

4.      Largest Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) Lesson- (July 10, 2016)- India Community Center, Milpitas, Bay Area, USA

5.      Largest Online Video Album with over 40,000 people from 30+ different countries dedicating a prayer chant for the universal brotherhood (July31, 2016)- Dattatreya Yoga Center 85 ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti, Carapichaima, Trinidad.

Following the ceremonies and festivities in Mysore His Holiness travelled to Bengaluru and Hyderabad in India then to Kenya, Frankfurt and London outside India for important tasks. Those who know His Holiness can attest to the fact that His travels are never for leisure but always to help mankind and His followers the world over. His return to India saw the continuation of such work as is always undertaken by Him (His Holiness) and Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (Sri Bala Swamiji). It included the Nakshatra Ishti 2017 ceremonies, the Ati Rudra Yagya, the National Conference on the Shaastras, Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations and Dattatreya Jayanti Celebrations.

The year’s itinerary culminated with a Nada Geeta Raga Sagara Music for Meditation and Healing concert in Taipei, Taiwan on December 31.

Less than 2 months into 2018 His Holiness has continued to share priceless moments and priceless learning opportunities and opportunities to be eternally treasured with the world. Here are some events in 2018 which you surely would not have missed:

·         Hanuman Chalisa Parayana Maha Yagna- Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Serangoon Road, Singapore

·         Sankranti Festival in Vijayawada Ashram (His Holiness and Sri Bala Swamiji)

·         Rapta Saptami Festival

·         Hanuman Chalisa Parayana Maha Yagna in Vizag

·         Music for Meditation and Healing at Ukku Auditorium Vizag Steel plant, Vishakhapatnam

To date Appaji has given us Kriya Yoga, Healing Music, daily Sri Chakra Puja, an abundance of bhajans, daily messages and discourses which have crossed the thousands together with 16 Mobile Apps which I have listed below:

·         SGS Posts

·         Hanuman Chalisa for Pranayama

·         SGS Birds-Shukavana

·         Bhajan Mala

·         Guru Gita

·         SGS MMS

·         Vishnu Sahasranamam

·         Lalita Sahasranama

·         Bhagavad Gita-With Audio and Transliterations in Hindi, Telugu and Kannada

·         Kavacha Manjari

·         Shatashloki Ramayana

·         SGS Quotes Mobile

·         SGS Hindu Hanuman Chalisa

·         SGS Telugu Hanuman Chalisa

·         SGS Panchangam

·         SGS Kannada Hanuman Chalisa

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To access these apps visit either the Apple Store or Google Play Store (depending on your phone type- Apple/Android) search the App and download it.

It is my sincere belief that this video will help many further understand the great work His Holiness is doing and foster a greater appreciation and deeper sense of gratitude for both His Holiness and for Avadhoota Datta Peetham.

In closing I urge all readers to keep following Appaji’s teachings and to keep practicing what His Holiness teaches us. Listen to the messages in His discourses and messages shared through His apps. Practice Kriya Yoga, practice Satwick eating and practice all else that Appaji shares with us and asks us to do!

 

Appaji, Thank You for all that You have done for us and all that You continue to do for us!

We love You Appaji!

Posted in Uncategorized

Celebrating the Value of Speech

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

What is speech to someone who doesn’t have the gift of speech? It is something they cannot use. Then why do some people abuse the power of speech when they have the power of speech?

Honestly I do not know! The tone someone uses can make the world of difference. So too can their choice of words. But many function in ignorance, lost to the teachings of wise Masters and great Gurus, some lost to the teachings and lessons of their own upbringing.

Many people talk down to others, they gossip about others, they spread lies and believe the said lies that they spread but this is not right and should not be encouraged.

How do they live with themselves when they cause pain to others and when they refuse to practice the life lessons which so many others do? Why do they spread untruths? Probably because it helps them feel better about themselves but honestly this is not my modus operandi so I really choose not to venture down this road trying to understand them because that is not the focus of this post.

Based on this what then is my message to you? It is this: “Treat others in the same manner that you would like to be treated” and live according to these beliefs: ‘Carpe Diem’, ‘Qué Sera Sera’ and ‘Semper Fi’ which translates to be: Seize the day! Whatever will be, will be! Always be loyal! The last part ‘Always be loyal’ applies in this regard: always stand by your values and beliefs and do not compromise anything.

The reality is that not everyone does this! So sad but so true! However we should not follow suit and we must do what is right! 

What do they get out of hurting others? What do they get when they insult you? I cannot answer you because this is not my modus operandi but I can tell you this: Don’t worry about them. Remember to keep your focus and always strive to be the best you that you can be. Remember that change begins with you! If you have been doing this, be happy because you are on the right path!

Quite recently I was able to look at a couple videos, all of which are exceedingly relevant in today’s society and for not just us but also for the people we encounter on a daily basis, day in, day out.  I will share two of them in particular: the first is a video from The Buddhist Vision (Click on this link: Buddhist Vision’s video on Love, Trust and Sorry) and the second is one by Guru Nanak on the value of life (Click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvN4qm5pNlk

While I love the Buddhist Vision video and this above video by Guru Nanak I am quite eager to share some very important messages by His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda, founder and pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham. His Holiness Sri Swamiji always provides  very valuable messages to people throughout the world and these messages that are relevant to us all and some of these are given to us daily via SGS Posts. SGS Posts for those who are not aware is an app which is available for free download on Android and IOS phones  and it is based on  H.H. Sri Swamiji’s teaching, “Be Good, Do Good”. These messages by H.H. stressed in so many ways that if you are sure to remember them one way or the other. Here are some very valuable messages from H.H Sri Swamiji regarding the importance of speech:

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In the above pictures eight (8) of Sri Swamiji’s messages have been shared. His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda says: 

1.  “Make good use of every moment in life.”

2.  “Sweets words with a gentle smile are the greatest gifts.”

3.  “Reciprocate goodness.”

4.  “Never belittle others.”

5.  “Be kind at heart.”

6.  “Be nice to everyone.”

7.  “Find happiness simply in being good and doing good.”

8.  “Insist that wrongs are righted.”

In closing please feel free to share this post with others. Have fun checking the above links and looking at the videos. Also if you haven’t downloaded SGSPosts to your mobile phone yet please do so now. Remember as His Holiness Sri Swami Ganapathy Sachidananda says, “Be Good, Do Good”.