They say in life you win some and you lose some. The reality is every experience is meant to be learnt from. From every experience whether it is negative or positive, there will be a positive and the positive you walk away with is the lesson you learn. Treating someone as they treat you is not the answer and it should never be. The answer is to treat others as you would want to be treated and more so, never do anything you would regret.
Quote by Mother Teresa; Photo Credit: Word on Fire
With experience you will be wiser or at least you should be. Do not let anyone take advantage of you and distance yourself from toxic people.
Now, to look back at 2022 just for example, is to look back at so much and also to relive so much- loss, pain, hurt and negativity. Being the person that I am, I don’t want to go down that road.
Those that we lost are no longer in pain and they are no longer suffering. This is my comfort.
If people chose to come out of our lives then I guess it’s safe to say they did what they wanted to. If people choose to judge us, then so be it. That’s on them, not us!
Also, if people chose to be unfair to us, that’s their cross to bear, not ours.
This being said, it means what you need to do more than anything is to keep your focus and be thankful for your blessings! Remember,
An Attitude of Gratitude
Be Positive
Carry Only What You need
Do not give up
Enjoy each moment
Focus your energy on what needs to be done
Give your best always
Have fun doing the things you love
Isolate yourself from toxic people
Judge no one- instead practice self-reflection and analysis
Kindly treat people the way you want to be treated
Live life everyday as if it is your last
Make it your duty not to harm any human or animal
Notice changes all around you- it’s inevitable
Overcoming your obstacles is not out of your reach
Placing yourself in harm’s way is never advised
Quitting is not an option so quit quitting
Realize this journey is yours and not anyone else’s
Search deep within and find what you need
Trust that everything will fall in place
Understand that lots of people where masks and not all smiles are real
Value those who are true to you
Worrying about tomorrow doesn’t help.
Xanadu is the Utopia you create for yourself.
Yesterday is gone! Learn from it, don’t dwell on it!
Zero in on your tasks 1 by 1!
Surely, we can agree that Everyday Life shares several pertinent messages! Higher Power compliments it perfectly as well! Enjoy the music!
This is a message from His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji! Episode 513 Srimadbhagavatam SGSPosts:
“Bhagīratha mounted his chariot and drove swiftly at the speed of wind. River Ganga rapidly flowed behind him purifying different lands as she flowed through them.”
Swamiji explains: What a meritorious deed Bhagīratha performed! He brought purity to all lands by bringing Ganga to Earth. Because of the existence of Ganga, all smaller tributaries and distributaries flow everywhere. You may wonder- do other rivers not have any speciality in them? Of course they have! Each river has its own speciality. But River Ganga surpasses all other rivers with its purity!
How should the auspicious river bath be taken in sacred rivers? It is incorrect to directly go and bathe in the river and cleanse oneself using soap. Prior to proceeding for a river bath, the person should bathe and cleanse himself. He should complete all his daily obligatory duties. He should then, with feelings of total purity and reverence, proceed to the river.
Washing clothes or utensils, bathing with soap, polluting the river with chemicals and factory wastes or dirtying the river by any other method are forbidden. Fetch the river water in a bucket and then use that water for your needs. It is incorrect to pollute the entire river in order to complete your tasks. A river is considered sacred and akin to nectar. A river flows through many mountains and herbs imbibing their medicinal properties. As it flows through varied types of rocks and gems, it absorbs their energies as well. It is natural mineral water. Drinking such water cures diseases. Crops grown with this water are nutritious.
Is it right to pollute such rivers? The Government’s efforts to clean the river are not yielding complete results due to lack of co-operation from citizens. They continue to pollute the river despite Government’s efforts. If at all polluted water needs to be let into the river, the water should be treated and then released. Sewage treatment plants should be set up for this purpose. When treated water is released into the river, the aquatic animals do not perish. By releasing polluted water, the plants perish, the animals are destroyed and the water is no longer fit for consumption. We are poisoning the water. We pollute the water and then blame the Government for not taking adequate steps. Government has been doing its best in this aspect.
When drainage waters are collected and left to dry, then Sun’s rays suck up the dirt and impurities. Germs are destroyed. When treated water is used for watering plants, the water enters into the earth. It gets purified there. Water table improves. We get purified drinking water again from earth.
We are careless in disposing garbage. We worry only about the cleanliness of our house when dirtying the streets and then shift the blame on to the Government. Shamelessly we use plastic covers and indiscriminately dispose them. Cows and buffaloes eat plastic and fall sick. Are we not sinning? When there are alternatives to plastic, why are we insistent on using plastic? Plastic rice and plastic noodles have flooded the markets. Let us now get back to the story.
When we go for a sacred river bath, we should at first bathe and cleanse ourselves at home. With devotion and reverence we should go to the river and dip thrice. That’s all. Applying soap and bathing in river increases the sins instead of destroying them. Sins of those who bathed earlier in those waters transfer to the person who dirties it.
“River Ganga flowed over the ashes of the sixty thousand sons of Sagara. With the touch of Ganga, these sons were purified and they reached heaven. From here originates the custom of taking the ashes of the deceased and offering them in River Ganga. She swallows up the sins”.
Yes, you have read the title correctly! This post is dedicated to announcing the Kindle publication of ‘Lotuses at His Holy Feet’. For those who are familiar with this book, it is a book of poetry that tells a story and it was written by Sheetal K Prasad, a Trinidadian by birth, who is an ardent devotee of His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. In this book Uncle Sheetal refers to His Holiness as, “my MASTER, my Lord, my sole reason for being.”
Lotuses at His Holy Feet is non-fiction and it is a testimony of Uncle Sheetal’s experiences as well as his love for His Holiness, his love for JayaLakshmi Maa and his love for Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji who we affectionately call Sri Bala Swamiji. More so it is a testimony and celebration of the greatness of the divinity each represents meaning a celebration of the greatness of our Sadguru who is the epitome of Truth, Knowledge and Bliss, as Lord Dattatreya, as Nada Brahma, as our Saviour, as the Crowning Glory of the Universe as I often times refer to His Holiness, and it is a celebration of His Mother-the Divine Mother-, His Guru as well as a celebration of Sri Bala Swamiji- Junior Pontiff at Avadhoota Datta Peetham who exudes humility, compassion and divinity.
Book Cover of Uncle Sheetal’s book!
Those who know Uncle Sheetal would know of his sincerity, his humility and his immense talent as a singer and musician. His life and messages provide us with a lot to learn. He is well-known and well-loved!
When you click on the link please take the time to read the book’s description aptly reads:
As William Wordsworth once said, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.”
The book description goes on to say, “The verses penned here are from Sheetal K Prasad, who is widely known for his love of music, more so his love of the bhajans of His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda. It is a compilation of poetry and represents an emotional outburst that shows the great joy experienced by the author. Here he acknowledges the omnipresence of his Master, His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.
This is an invitation to join the poet on this journey he narrates and immerse yourself in the peace, tranquility and rush of emotions he experiences.”
This is an invitation I extend to you with more good news! Uncle Sheetal’s book is available in Kindle Edition on all Amazon Marketplaces and these are the links below:
Even better, the awesome news doesn’t end here! You don’t need to have a Kindle to purchase the book! As I have mentioned time and time again you don’t need a Kindle device but you can click on the link that says, “Read with our Free App” that allows you to download the Free App and it can be read on your phone, laptop, tablet or desktop!
The beauty of having the book online is that all things considered having the book in Kindle format presents you with several benefits. Three (3) of the main reasons are as follows:
It is easily available by clicking on the link and making an online purchase, it doesn’t require physical storage space and considering the current situation we are faced with (the Covid-19 pandemic) having books in Kindle Edition means not having to travel physical distances to access books like this which will offer us peace of mind, tranquility and insight into the greatness of His Holiness, Jayalakshmi Maa and Sri BalaSwamiji.
As always I remind you that this is yours for the taking! Welcome the experience and enjoy the Kindle journey! Sri Guru Datta!
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/plastic-pollution/ A simple click on the above link would help to paint the picture of the reality that mankind faces as a result of plastic pollution. One very important fact we can all attest to is that the Earth is in trouble because of our use of plastics. This is primarily due to how humans pollute the Earth because of the way plastics are used and more so because of the way plastics are disposed of.
On October 17, 2019 His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda issued a call for all ashramites to stop using plastic. To each His Holiness provided an eco toothbrush. Those who are devotees and followers of His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda would surely understand that His Holiness does nothing that is against nature and He also does nothing that is against mankind. Instead it is the very opposite and His love knows no bounds. His actions are always filled with thought, love, sincerity and compassion and this is always directed at all of Creation.
His visit to Antarctica https://www.dattapeetham.org/events/2013/sri-swamiji-in-antarctica-29-dec-2013-to-07-jan-2014 is an example of this. The care given to animals wherever His Holiness goes is another indication of this. Shuka Vana which is home to over 475 species of birds, the koi pond, the Bonsai Garden which has a plant for each of the 365 days of the year, the Gau Shala and His visit to various places around the world is proof of this. One particular memory which stands out in my mind is seeing squirrels and monkeys up and down trees and running around the Ashrama. The way that they are comfortable and the way that they are at peace is evident. No questions need to be asked. The truth is they may not be able to live as peacefully as this in any other part of the country.
As humans we owe it to Mother Earth (Dharti Maa) to take care of Her because she has blessed us with the food which sustains and nourishes us and the land where we make our homes. However we should not take care of the Earth because we feel obligated to but it should be because we care and we genuinely want to. One very real way of doing that is by reducing our use of plastics. It is doable and it is very possible. All it requires is firm conviction (your thought and belief process) and action (actually efforts and measures to reduce your use of plastics).
Here as some ways to help the environment: 1. Recycle- ( glass bottles, plastic bottles, paper, unused books) You can do this by checking locally in your country of residence for this. Those who live in Trinidad and Tobago can refer to this previous post (https://rachaelathomasj.com/2018/01/23/celebrating-nature-recyling) 2. Reduce wastage meaning use just what is needed. Do not use what is not needed. Do not be complacent and mismanage. Such actions will not help anyone. 3. Support animal relief efforts. Provide help at animal shelters or render assistance by helping however you can – feeding, care and the upkeep of the homes of animals. Share information on protecting endangered species and lead by example. Whether it is leather back turtles, birds, fishes or snakes, help animals that you can help. 4. Switch to eco friendly products. His Holiness set a precedent at the Mysore Ashrama. No use of plastics now means eco friendly toothbrushes, compostable garbage bags and no plastic bottles. In essence it means an opportunity to now use eco friendly water bottles that are BPA free and greater use of copper water bottles. These are products you can adopt in your everyday lives. These products are available online and many businesses in Trinidad have eco friendly bags for when you purchase goods or they allow you to bring your eco-friendly bags.
Photo Credit: Sgs Swamiji
This being said it is advisable to do some research and find out what is available where you live. Go through the internet, go through social media and see what is available for you! Here are some other things you can also look into using: 1. Bamboo cutlery 2. Compostable plates 3. Bamboo fiber cleaning towels 4. Recyclable storage bags 5. Dissolvable due free detergent 6. Reusable bottles 7. Reusable coffee cups 8. Metal straws 9. Paper wrapping Every step counts! Every action matters! Do what you can and make a difference! Save a life, help protect our Earth!
As we bid farewell to 2018 and welcome 2019 here is to wishing you a Bright, Blessed and Happy New Year! Here is to hoping that we can celebrate 2019 together and take it one experience at a time and one opportunity at a time!
Those who know me and who follow my work and my writing would know that this year has been a year of interesting sorts! It has been a combination of happiness, sadness, growth, learning, acceptance and an abundance of blessings. Clearly this has not been the reality for me alone but it is also the reality for many the world over. As we move forward let’s continue to take it one day at a time and remember that every time you feel down there is always something positive here to help you through a tough day.
For 2019 I urge you to do the following:
·Take the good with the bad
·Find a positive to every negative
·Always be true to yourself
·Be the best that you can be at all times
·Live life without regrets
·Value every moment
·Count your blessings and be thankful for all that you have
·Never waste an opportunity
I urge you once again to please download SGSPosts for positive and uplifting messages if you have not already done this. It is an app which delivers messages by His Holiness Param Pujya Dr Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji that are based on ‘peace, love, brotherhood and universal co-existence’ across the world.
Happy New Year 2019! Here is to 365 days of meaningful living, growth and positivity! From my entire family to you and your family best wishes for a blessed year ahead!
“A boomerang returns back to the person who throws it.” -Vera Nazarian
“Some day people will ask me what is the key to my success…and I will simply say, “Good Karma.”- K. Crumley
This post is dedicated to Celebrating Karma! Many may think it is quite a strange post but honestly to me it is not and as you read on you will understand exactly why this is so!
With regards to the question, why did I choose to celebrate karma this is why- if you know you are living a good life then you have nothing to worry about. More so, if you know that you live according to the line, “Treat others as you would like to be treated”, then surely you have nothing to worry about. This is the way I have always lived and it has always shaped my life. I am eternally grateful to my parents (my Mom, Mrs. Doris Thomas and my Dad, the late Mr. Ramchit Ramesh Thomas) for bringing me up the way they did and for the guidance they provided. Also I am eternally grateful for the guidance of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda who we affectionately refer to as our Appaji who on a daily basis reminds us we are on the right track when we “Do Good” and “Be Good”.
Karma can be either good or bad. This is because good actions and thoughts merit good results and vice versa for bad karma. Nothing good can come from doing bad.
I am not one to live with my head in the clouds and I do not intend to start now. The numerous problems plaguing our country is highly disturbing (people losing jobs over the last couple years, the events of the last week with the closure of the oil refinery, medical centres and administrative offices which displaced so many more, cost of living being what it is, people losing everything due to flooding throughout the country, news of more and more people missing on a daily basis) and this reminds us urgently that we must keep praying and keep our faith.
So then why hurt others?
Why be selfish?
Why be unfair to others?
Why try to take what is not yours?
Why take advantage of others?
Why disregard others?
Why take joy in the pain of others?
Why place people in unfair situations to get something?
Why be greedy?
Why do you choose not to be straight with others?
There is no point in any of these negative acts!
Instead we should aim to do the following:
1. Help others
2. Be kind
3. Look out for each other
4. Take an active role in making positive change rather than be a passive bystander
5. Do what we can to protect each other
6. Be fair in our thinking and in our actions
7. Treat others in the same manner that we would like to be treated
8. Do your best at all times
9. Make a concerted effort not to hurt others
10. Think before we act
11. Practice active listening
12. Be the change that we want to see in others
13. Focus on our goals
14. Realize that when something feels wrong it usually is
15. Understand that doing good comes from being good
16. Accept that staying away from toxic people is advised as it helps to remove the cloud of negativity that can damage you
17. Never lose hope and accept that God does not leave you alone
18. Trust yourself
19. Be your best friend rather than your worst enemy
20. Remember that life’s journey does not come without challenges
On this blessed occasion of Divali 2018 it is indeed an opportunity to remember how blessed and fortunate we are.
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.
Photo Credit: Avadhoota Datta Peetham
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)
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.
Maybe my post may be considered late but I prefer to think of it as timely. As you read I am certain you will understand why!
In July here in Trinidad we were blessed to be in the presence of pure Divinity as we were blessed with the physical presence of our Sadguru, His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. It was filled with priceless memories, an abundance of blessings and valuable opportunities to do Seva and also be in the Divine Presence of our dear Appaji!
This visit of His Holiness and His Parivaar was a 13 day visit filled with Divine Darshan and pertinent messages that came via His words, His discourses, the Pujas He performed, His Bhajans, His Ragas, His smile, His Countenance, His disposition, His compassion and His actions.
Our Sadguru gave valuable gentle reminders and blessed us immensely in so many ways. In addition to a historic Guru Purnima celebration to remember, we have to also treasure the Datta Ganga Raga Sagara Meditation & Healing Concert that was held at SAPA on July 20th. We were also blessed to share Appaji’s visit with Datta devotees from around the world who visited Trinidad during this time. In every sense every single moment spent in Appaji’s Divine Presence was one to treasure and to value for all of eternity.
On the occasion of Guru Purnima Appaji announced that in 2020 a Maha Rudra Yaga will be held here in Trinidad and asked devotees in Trinidad and throughout the world to chant ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’ in the spiritual lead up for this event.
Have you begun your chanting yet? If not, hopefully you do soon and please remember to check your count and submit it!
One memorable occasion that I just believe I must share was the morning in the hall of the Ashram when Uncle Sheetal reminded everyone of the need to begin chanting ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’. As Uncle Sheetal began the chanting everyone joined in and with the chorus of voices chanting in unison, the energy was powerful and it was building. Everyone was awaiting the presence of our dear Appaji and the chanting felt in every sense like a call to our Beloved Master to bless us with His Divine Presence.
On the day prior to Guru Purnima our dear Appaji gave Mantra Upadesha to over 600 devotees. This is another example of the abundance of blessings we received. If you were one to receive Mantra Upadesha hopefully you have started chanting your Mantra and the instructions from Yoga Sangeeta will help you with submitting the records of your chants for both.
The Surya Deva Raga Sagara Music for Meditation and Healing Concert which will take place in Mexico City on November 17 is being jointly organized and coordinated by longstanding devotees of Pujya Sri Swamiji Yogini Kaliji. They are Mr Hector Ruiz and his family, Mr. Venkat Raman and Yogini Kaliji. The last day of Appaji’s visit to Trinidad marked the official launch of the website https://www.sgsmexico2018.com/ which is the main source of information for this site. You will be delighted to find out that a visit to this site would provide everything you need to find out about this concert, accommodation and other treats to look forward to! Two things to look forward to are:
1.Being in the presence of the Divine Master
2.Being a part of a historic occasion as this is the first concert of its kind to be held in Mexico
Please be reminded of all of these ways through which you can serve Sadguru. Here are the ways that were listed for the Guru Purnima post:
·Practise Sadhana
·Understand who you are
·Accept that we are one family
·Keep your focus and serve
·Embrace Appaji’s Daily Messages
·Download Free Apps like SGS Posts, Path, Nadi Shuddi Yoga, Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana, Bhakti Mala English and Livestream and invest in Apps for Purchase like Bhajan Mala, SGS Bhagavad Gita, Divine Darshan, Kavacha Manjari and Vishnu Sahasranamam from Google Playstore for Android Devices and Apple Store for iOS devices
·Develop Your Spirituality
·Ensure that you utilize the services of the bookstores in the Ashrams by purchasing Appaji’s books and cds. Read Appaji’s books, absorb the information in them and put them to daily use. As Appaji says, “Be good, Do Good”. Listen to the music on the cds, learn the bhajans, sing them and glorify the name of God. If purchasing books in print or purchasing cds online is more convenient for you please avail yourself of the opportunity to obtain them and utilize them
·Use food, music and positive lifestyle changes to uplift yourself
·Learn Bhagavad Gita and Guru Gita
Appaji Thank You for all that You have done for us and for all that You continue to do!
In closing I urge you to continue listening to Appaji’s messages. Heed them, “Be Good, Do Good”, keep chanting and continue doing your Seva. Do enjoy these videos of Appaji singing bhajans that have been posted by Hanuman Hoffman!
Om Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Sadguru Bhyo Namaha!
Today July 27, 2018 marks the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima! It is indeed a blessed occasion for all Datta Devotees in Trinidad as we have been quite fortunate to be blessed with the Divine Presence of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji at Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima. More so we have been blessed with the presence of Datta devotees from around the world (Australia, USA, India, Canada to name a few) who have come to Trinidad to celebrate Guru Purnima and Trinidadians living abroad who have returned home especially for this event and to be in Sadguru’s presence!
During these past ten (10) days Appaji has done so much and we can all agree that no other can do it like His Holiness does. Allow me to share some of the many blessings we have received:
·Appaji blessed us with the Datta Ganga Raga Sagara Music for Meditation and Healing Concert at SAPA on July 20th
·Appaji inaugurated the Hanuman Shrine at the Sri Sachchidananda Yoga Ashram and He inaugurated Annapoorna Mandiram on Tuesday 24th July. He also performed Sri Chakra Puja.
·Appaji also blessed the devotees at the Datta Shiva Ram Mandir in Princes Town
·On Tuesday 24th July Appaji visited the Lakshminarayana Pranava Temple in Beaucarro Village Carapichaima and inaugurated the canteen facilities of the schools run by the Temple Appaji
·Appaji performed Guru Mantra Upadesha for hundreds of devotees on the morning of 26th July
·Appaji announced plans for Maha Rudra Yagna and for the sacred Guru Purnima Festival His Holiness gave the Mantra ‘Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha’ to be chanted as many times as possible in the spiritual build up for this event to be held in 2020
·Appaji blessed us all immensely in an abundance of ways
·Appaji urged us to embrace all that we have and to understand who we are- to understand ourselves
·Appaji recognised the contribution of two (2) pundits who have contributed immensely to Sanatan Dharma in Trinidad and Tobago
Appaji shared a full page message for Guru Purnima in today’s Express Newspaper
With Appaji there is continuous growth, there is deeper meaning and there is greater fulfilment. Like the well which channels water and channels energy to sustain life, so does Sadguru! He gives us the opportunity to experience the elixir of life as received and gives us the opportunity to know oneself.
In closing this evening’s programme there was a cake cutting ceremony for Appaji which featured a well that provides water like the Ganges and cakes in the form of Appaji’s Padukas.
Like the well which flows to provide water to many we are reminded of Sadguru, our Appaji who provides an immense outpouring of love, extends His reach at all times to all humanity and does so with purity, without fear, without favour and without discrimination. All is within His reach and none can do what He does or profess to do so! He protects humanity and looks after all devotees. From His life and His actions we can attest to His omnipotence and His omniscience. Like water, He is the giver of Life! He is the Sustainer of Life and the Preserver of Life! He is Sadguru and He is the Avadhoota!
We can all attest to the fact that time and time again many ask how we can thank Appaji?
Here are some ways in which you can do so:
·Practise Sadhana
·Understand who you are
·Accept that we are one family
·Keep your focus and serve
·Embrace Appaji’s Daily Messages
·Download Free Apps from SGS Posts, Path, Nadi Shuddi Yoga, Hanuman Chalisa for Parayana, Bhakti Mala English and Livestream and invest in Apps for Purchase like Bhajan Mala, SGS Bhagavad Gita, Divine Darshan, Kavacha Manjari and Vishnu Sahasranamam from Google Playstore for Android Devices and Apple Store for iOS devices
·Develop Your Spirituality
·Ensure that you utilize the services of the bookstores in the Ashrams by purchasing Appaji’s books and cds. This was mentioned in this evening’s discourse. Read Appaji’s books, absorb the information in them and put them to daily use. As Appaji says, “Be good, Do Good”. Listen to the music on the cds, learn the bhajans, sing them and glorify the name of God
·Use food, music and positive lifestyle changes to uplift yourself
·Learn Bhagavad Gita and Guru Gita
Appaji, we are happy that You are our Sadguru! We are eternally thankful for all that You have done for us and for all that You continue to do for us! Humble Pranams to Your Lotus Feet!
Happy Guru Purnima Appaji!
Thank you for Blessing us always!
Thank you for Blessing Trinidad devotees and for blessing devotees the world over! We love you Appaji! On behalf of all devotees in Trinidad I can surely say that we look forward to having You with us again soon!
In closing I leave this invitation to provide further information with you for the download of apps and to get more information on what was shared in this post. Please leave a comment here or email me at signaturewritingstyles@gmail.com . Do not let the negatives of life pull you down! Always strive to be the best you can be!
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!
Celebrating Existence 