International Haidakhandi Journal - Autumn 2014 - Haidakhandi International Journal
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Jai ! Haidakhandi For On-Line version of this Journal see: Outreach http://www.internationalhaidakhandijournal .com/internationalhaidakhandijournal/welco me_journal_autumn_14.html Page No. Babaji quote 3 Gorakhvani - the words of Gorakhnath 4-5 Gurupurnima at Schweibenalp July 2014 7 Jai HO ! Jai Haidakhandi Outreach – Mission Statement 8-9 News from Around the World Holland 10 USA 11-12 France 12 Poland 13 Russia 14 Bulgaria 15 Haidakhandi Samaj - News from India Letter from Alok 16-17 Invitation to this Ashwin/Autumn Navaratri 18 Maha Shakti Dhuni 18-19 Foreigners Long Term Visas 19 Shri Babaji’s Charitable Hospitals 20 The Babaji Ashram in Bihar 21-23 Hindu Festival Dates 2014-2015 24 Jai HO ! Jai Haidakhandi Outreach - Satsangs 25-33 Jai HO………Next Steps……… 34 Haidakhandi Family - by MayaRam 35-36 In Memoriam for Sam Shyam 36 Welcome to the natural world – Permaculture at Schweibenalp 37 Gopal Hari 38-40 The charitable programmes of Planetbabaji 41-42 Editorial 43
Gorakhvani - the words of Gorakhnath In 1976 Shri Babaji made a trip to Nepal with Shastriji and several other devotees. He started to recite versus in the old language of the Sadhu and Yogi's of India. He said that Shi Guru Gorakhnath was speaking through Him. It was there that Shri Babaji spoke words of Shri Guru Gorakhnath to Kamalo (Vishnu Datt Shastriji) who noted down this precious message the Lord gave to the world. It has been lovingly compiled and translated together with Gaura Devi into a small booklet now known as the Gorakhvani. Gaura Devi wrote: …Babaji told me to sit in meditation inside the temple of Gorakhnath in Hairakhan…. I felt Babaji was showing me what would have been my way (in previous lifetimes): a yogic path of detachment and meditation, a hard path that he conferred to only a few people. In fact He said that during this Kali Yuga it is very difficult to practice inner concentration, because in this period of decay, man’s mind is stressed since the very first day of birth and never finds peace: so the most effective practice is that of karma yoga, action dedicated to the divine. 4
In the Gorakhvani book, Babaji spoke as Gorakhnath: “Give up all the negative karma and keep a firm determination in your mind. “If you want salvation from Kal (time) come to My shelter, then you will liberate and take across all those who are sleeping in this world. “Strength in yoga is not required at this time; Strength in penance is not required at this time; The only strength required is the power of the Name of the Lord. “I have given many types of knowledge and many teachings. Now the time for knowledge and meditation is gone, the only practice left is the repetition of the name of Hari. Do not try to churn the ocean, Kamalo, churn your mind instead. There is nothing outside; everything is in the mind Kamalo. Inside the mind there is a big ocean of milk and big islands. Everything is present there and all of creation is present inside one’s body. Always sing the glory of Gorakh and repeat the name of Shiva with attention. “Keep a firm determination and the Name will take you across the ocean of this world. Do or don’t do other things, but do Japa perfectly and this will take you to the heaven of Shiva. 5
Gurupurnima at Schweibenalp July 2014 We celebrated wonderfully at Schweibenalp, 250-300 of us… A joy filled concert with Turkantam, inspired dance performances, Sundar’s daughter Elischewa sang classical western prayers, and we sang bhajans and preformed Puja. It was as amazing as it usually is, whenever we gather in His name. The weather was challenging but actually we all enjoyed the time immensely. Our family came to gather and Magic Happened ! There were many gatherings (satsangs) discussing the future, and so this time the satsangs were not so much about stories from the past. The question arose: "What are we doing to serve humanity, to serve the Babaji in our hearts, how do we live the message today, Right Now!”? “ How can we unite as individuals and “Invoke the Lord of our Hearts to inspire us to Be the service that brings Joy to our lives?” Babaji’s family warmly received and joyously celebrated the bigger, broader and more universal concept, exploring ways to reconnect and be inspired to serve. Sundar and Schweibenalp embodied the idea of the universality of Babaji and his message. Some seem to believe Babaji was an Indian man whose gift was a lot of rules to follow, but most embrace a larger reality of Babaji as the invisible Presence the living Universal Guru, who is guiding our lives moment by moment, the Presence that when remembered always encourages us to a higher purpose. You were with us, we felt your presence, and how can it be otherwise? Kharku and Jamuna 7
Jai HO ! Jai Haidakhandi Outreach While reading this you might like to listen to the original soundtrack on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxLSZoFK8EM the lyrics, in a medley of languages including Hindi, Urdu & Punjabi, evoke hope and a sense of triumph overcoming obstacles. The Vision: To expand joy through service Mission: To inspire and support a profound new impulse of the international Babaji community into service, teaching and action. Tasks and Functions: To invite a spirit of radical and far-reaching questioning and opening of ourselves and the Babaji community for a positive future. An initiative that gives a platform for international devotees seeking to embody Shri Babaji’s teachings of truth, simplicity and love, and create shared pathways to happiness through service. An initiative that, through its modern interactive, process and system oriented methods is a compliment to the Indian Haidakhandi Samaj, and one that will inspire and unite people in harmony to make a difference and fulfil Babaji’s mission of serving humanity. We agreed to set up a non-profit/charitable organisational in the form of a non-hierarchical association or cooperative, and to organise who and what team focalises each of the following tasks, while holding the connection question: is everything we do connected with the sacred presence of Babaji ? Maintaining a talent inventory and Supporting groups /projects such as: Health, healing and education; sustainable living; business people; crafts people; new projects; internet technology; musicians and pujas; the next generation/younger persons. Supporting Ashrams and Centres by: Organising Visits/Tours - satsangs, music, teachings; educating communication skills (e.g. recommended daily community conversations 8
and meetings); looking at how to help with local community needs; encouraging voluntary work in local communities, and encouraging business opportunities. An Education wing covering areas such as: Health and Healing and sustainable living models (as in the Kamalaya project, Schweibenalp Permaculture, etc); meditation, japa and puja training; and communication competences. Communication tasks: Establishing internet presence (blog, website, Facebook, etc.); communication with India Samaj; maintaining and promoting the International Haidakhandi Journal; networking within and beyond the Babaji community; and supporting initiatives by Planetbabaji. Finally we committed to International Fund Development involving: Fundraising coordination and establish a funders group. This Jai HO mission and tasks project was initiated by: Lok Nath (USA), Sundar (Switzerland), Kharku (Thailand), Jamuna (Thailand), Gayatri (USA), Uday (India), Raghuvir (Thailand), Ramloti (USA), Bo (Sweden), Giuliano (Switzerland and Italy), Sam (USA), Raghunandan (ITALY), Mukundi (France), and Rob (UK). For the full report on the Gurupurnima Satsangs and the Jai Ho initiative please see pages 25 to 34 9
News from Around the World Holland - Guru Purnima 2014 at Sada Shiva Dham by Bhaskaranand It is not only at Siddhashram, the Centre of Unity in Switzerland that Guru Purnima has been celebrated this July. Also at Sada Shiva Dham we celebrated the day of Guru Purnima. It has been a beautiful day with lots of sun and the prevailing feeling was one of peace, harmony and happiness. This day, where we celebrated the inner and outer guru, especially Mahavatar Babaji and Shri Munirajji, was clearly imbued with Babaji and Munirajji's spiritual Presence. About 50 people including children visited on that day. In part it was a reunion, in the sense that people who had not been visiting the ashram for some time had returned and we met each other again so there were many happy faces. A Bhakti Festival at Sada Shiva Dham - May 2015 by Kailash Next year, end of May, Sada Shiva Dham is celebrating the Bhakti Festival. As Kharkuli said: “What you did in England has inspired us to run a Bhakti festival in Holland next year!” So, on a weekend between Spring Navaratri and Gurupurnima 2015 there will be a bhakti festival at Sada Shiva Dham in Holland. We had this idea after attending the bhakti festival in England organised by Trisha and Tabla Tom and others. We enjoyed the music, the open atmosphere, the diversity of activities and people taking part, such as those connected with gurus like Ammaji and Neem Karoli Baba. For our Holland festival we have invited musicians like Tabla Tom, Turkantam and Moti Ma and others will follow. Apart from the ashram programme there will be hatha yoga sessions and a great variety of workshops. We intend to raise money for charities such as the eye camps in India. The Bhaktifestival starts Friday 29 may 2015. Those wanting to help are very welcome some days before it starts and will get reduced prices. More news will be spread on the website of Sada Shiva Dham. From November 2014 you will be able to sign in. Hope to see you there. 10
USA - Lessons Learned at the Ashram by Ramloti Having lived at the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram in Crestone, Colorado for nearly 25 years now, I am surprised by all the new insights I have while doing the practices that I have done so many times before. For instance, getting up early to be pujari in the temple. This entails a wake up at 4am and coming to the temple after my meditation, bath, and yoga. This is always a special time for me in the quiet, dark hours of the morning. Bathing and adorning all of the murtis is the primary duty, and it is definitely our life-size murti of Haidakhandeswari that takes the longest, usually a good hour. (see back page of Journal – Ed) As I dress and decorate Her with malas, jewels and flowers I am in such bliss and I am totally focused on every detail. Suddenly an hour has passed away and I realize that during this time, I have had no other thoughts except the Divine Mother. She is amazingly beautiful so it is easy to be concentrated on only Her. As I sing the aarati, the verse, “Sadhak ki budhi simit tu sidheshvara maha hai, Sadhana sulabha bata de O shanta svarupa vale,” suddenly takes on a deeper meaning. It speaks about giving us easy sadhana because our minds are limited. For me this morning puja to Ma is a perfect example of easy spiritual practice because I am so captivated. We recently received a magnificent murti of Old Haidakhan Babaji that was enlivened by Shri Babaji and Shastriji in 1978. It lived for years in the Hawaiian Ashram with daily pujas. Since that Ashram no longer exists, Hiroman, who received the murti from Babaji, decided it should now live here. This brought up a bit of a dilemma for me as to whom to bathe first in the morning, Baba or Mother ? I had been reading the Shri Divyakathamrit the night before and had come upon the touching part when Lord Shiva was telling the heavens that He was going to incarnate for the welfare of the world as Shri Babaji. The Divine Mother quickly said that She wanted to come with Him to help serve as well. His response was so sweet: “Oh Divine Goddess! Every moment You dwell in My heart. You are known by the names of peace, contentment, and intellect. There is no difference between Me and You just as the fire and its property of warmth 11
are inseparable, likewise there is no difference between You and Me….I always dwell wherever Your blessed feet set forth.” The minute I began the puja, I knew immediately that They should be bathed together because They are always one and the same. This was another strong insight. Finally I want to speak about our Annual Family Week and how serendipitous it always is. In May, a couple from Boulder and their 8 year- old son came into the Ashram Shop. As they bought their son an Om t- shirt I blurted out, “That is what I bought for my grandsons to wear at Family Week, perhaps you should come too. They asked a little about the week and on the spot they reserved the last room. The parents felt it was just what they needed, a week of spiritual refreshment at the Ashram with many other like-minded families. And their son loved it. I just received an email from them as they travelled visiting family. They said that the usual long driving was a joy this year as their son wanted to listen to “Om Namah Shivaya” over and over again. France After our summer week-end dedicated to Babaji at Nirmal and Kalaa’s organic farm on the tip of Brittany, the French Samaj is already preparing its next fall retreat in the Auvergne central part of France. In a wild and beautiful area, the gite of Michel will accommodate us to experience together the ceremonies, satsang, karma yoga and much more. This kind of event is a great way to share and enhance our faith, to support and know each other better and discover each other’s talents. Once for example, we were enjoyed a presentation on mandalas, followed by a small recital of Indian traditional music by some of the participants. To come to our Auvergne gathering the date is 8th to 11th of November (it will be possible to arrive on the evening of the 7th) Place : Saignes near Ussel (by train), or Clermont-Ferrand (by plane) Contribution : we will share food and energy (at cost) All is still in preparation and if you want to get more details when available, please contact Mukundi : info@babaji.fr 12
Poland - Bhole Baba Seva Dham Ashram, Lanckorona - by Paramanand Here is some short news from our center in Poland. We are recently developing in the direction of a bed and breakfast with vegetarian food. As before we are also hosting Yoga groups. Bhole Baba Seva Dham now has its own piece of ground for a temple to be built in the future. We always attract some visitors at Navaratri and at our weekly 10am havans on Sundays. We are also offering ayurvedic massages. All these activities seem to integrate very well and you could say we are a Haidakhandi Holiday center where Babaji can give something good for everyone whether it is a coffee or liberation: the choice is up to our guests ! Please click on: To read about my Soft Skill Trainings & Vision Management consultancy Russia – The new Russian Samaj We have now had an open meeting in Moscow to register and sign the official papers for the Russian Samaj, with 22 members. Muniraji had stressed the importance of first creating a Samaj and going on from there. The Samaj will spread Babaji's message through website and publications, and it can support Ashrams, centres and devotional activities throughout the Country. The board members chosen and appointed on this meeting are Pujari, Annapurna, Giriraj, Sunita, Mayaram, Namrata and Arman. Also the advisory board members for life are Tara, Giriraj and Pujari. Looking forward to meet and work with many devotees in Russia, from Moscow to Surgut. Pujari and Anjani 13
Russia - Hairakhandi Love Center (Zaluchnoe, Moscow) Since the beginning of 2014 many changes have happened here: we have normal electricity, drilled our own artesian well and have a constant source of hot water (solar battery). We planted some fruit trees and a lot of flowers. There are some temporary constructions but we are planning to build a residence building with some rooms and a dormitory. So a large pile of building materials is already stacked up on the compound waiting to take shape ! So that visitors can to stay in more comfort. There are plans for a temple, a kitchen with a large space to make a bandara. This is a cute centre where karma yoga is practiced with love in the past, present and future. This August we are starting the foundations for the residence building. We perform puja and araati and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and also on Sundays Uma Shankar does havan. Uma Shankar and Jai Shri are very often present in the summer months hosting visitors who can free themselves from the clutches of Moscow to join the peace of Babaji’s centre outside Moscow. They are warmly inviting you for a visit for next summer. A swim in the velvet waters of the river close by is warmly recommended. Contact: zaluchnoe108@gmail.com. Mobile phone: +7 926 127 13 37 Arman. Social net: http://vk.com/zaluchnoe108 (Zaluchnoe is 140 km south west of Moscow (2 hours drive) and in 2011 Munirajji visited here during Gurupurnima celebrations in Russia. - Ed.) 14
Bulgaria - SHRI HAIDIAKHANDI SURYA KIRAN DHAM Contact: fb: Babaji’s Ashram Bulgaria fb: Markus Maria Ludwig Rai Dass: 00359 878 575 681 Email: raidass888@hotmail.com Translated the name of the Babaji Ashram in the hills of Bulgaria means “Sacred Place Sunray”. It was given in 2009 by Shri Muniraji who approved and supported my vision of creating a place where people from different spiritual backgrounds can meet and work together in truth simplicity and love. As I had to realise through time, far less people than I had at first imagined were ready for such a common project; even though nearly everyone visiting felt it a very positive experience only very few would take this inspiration as a reason to regularly participate in the activities. Activities means: to keep up the morning and evening devotional program taking place in the tipi, plus the permanent work to maintain the land of nearly 5 acres, the garden and the various building activities. In the last 2 years the universe has started sending people, sometimes in very magic ways, from all around the globe. Be it just for a short visit or a longer stay, they all expressed deep appreciation about the highly energetic transformational power of the place, which at the same time offers a very close contact with nature and simplicity of living. Much like it used to be in Haidakhan in the older days. You are all welcome to spend time with us any time between mid-April and December. Our simple straw-bale guest house as well as a wooden house will offer necessary shelter and comforts. Come, get inspired and experience the joys of simple karma yoga and see the place grow and develop in front of your very own eyes.. Since 2007 we have been celebrating Navaratri at the Black Sea in the month of August, it is a very enriching experience healthy for body, heart and soul. Feel welcome to join us also for this event. 15
News from India Dear All, For the past couple of years we have been discussing various plans and suggestions regarding the much needed renovations and maintenance of Shree Babaji's property in Haidakhan. In November 2012 our Gurubhai Raghuvirji spent a lot of time and energy and came up with a report on the proposed renovation work. Thereafter Col. Bhagwan Rana on joining the Samaj was asked to make a survey of the work and give an updated report, which he submitted in December 2013. Some of the suggestions made by the above have already been carried out but the major work still needs to be undertaken. The Executive Committee of the Samaj has been actively looking into all the possibilities of undertaking the major renovations. During last Navratri hectic discussions took place to draw up an action plan for the Ashram including Fakirabad, with cost estimates. I am glad to inform you that one of our members Smt. Taruna Patel was present during the ongoing discussions and volunteered to offer the services of their Civil Engineer to carry out a survey and give his report on the total project. As a result, Mr Hitesh B Prajapati and his team visited Haidakhan on 19th & 20th April'14 and have submitted his comprehensive report with measurements and approx. cost estimates. Mrs. Taruna Patel has very kindly committed to a major part of the cost of the project and has agreed to provide the initial funds to start it. So Phase 1 of the project can be started immediately and completed before the 16
monsoons set in. Shree Vijay Bhattiani has offered to coordinate with the team to work out the details of logistics. Friends, the total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs.1.25 Crores (about US dollar 260K) and needs the support of all the members. We intend to complete the total renovation work within a period of one year, so I appeal to all to support and cooperate to make this big ' karma yoga ' project a big success . This will be a big ' seva ' to our beloved Guru Shree Shree Babaji. BBKJ With Kind regards, Alok Banerjee Necessary Repairs to Haidakhan by Hitesh Prajapati Roads from ashram to bridge and bridge to mandir at the entry need to be widened. Repairing of outside floor /passages leading to all buildings, connecting passages of buildings, mandir, and rooms. All the terraces having cracks and in 50% of the area they are in bad condition. Heavy seepage problem back side the office area where there is open land, during monsoon heavy leakages. Drainage and leakages in toilet blocks in Russian building. Roof replacement in office building. Roof replacement with structure at Fakirabad building. Fakirabad – 2 attached toilets require in rooms and expansion of toilet block. Changing of WC‘s throughout ashram. Water tank construction for storage of good water for drinking water. Kitchen expansion and sore room renovation. General maintenance and repair for wooden door/window. Solar system for hot water, light and for pumping of water. All electrical related issues plus telecommunication. 17
Invitation to this Ashwin/Autumn Navaratri In the name of our Guru Babaji, the chairman of our Samaj, Shri Alok Banerjee is inviting you to celebrate the Ashwin Navaratri with us in Anandpuri ashram in Chiliyanoula, India. This Divine Mother festival will start at 25th of September and will last till the 4th of October. These joyful days of celebration are a devotional feast filled with worship and heartfelt bhajan & kirtan. To be present there is for your spiritual upliftment and purification the best gift you can give yourself. But if you are unable to join us in Chiliyanoula then try to visit your local ashram during these days as the Divine Mother is omnipresent and this blessed period very beneficial to deeply connect. This is so wonderful when we are united in good numbers and Babaji's presence is strongly sensed amongst us. Wherever you are and whatever you do, take some time off during these Navaratri days to renew, refine, and rejoice with your connection with the source of all form, The Divine Mother. Maha Shakti Dhuni Most of us know from out Herakhan visits how wonderful it is do an aarti and havan ceremony at the Maha Shakti Dhuni. Particularly around the Navaratri period one can be lucky to get a seat inside, and quite a number of people enjoy the ceremony from the platform outside. With the dhuni building nicely painted and well cleaned, included the gardens around, it may be hard to imagine but for the last few years this sacred place is left to itself a few weeks after Navaratri. This lack of puja goes on all thru the monsoon and practically until Ashwin Navaratri. This our beloved Maha Shakti with its big open windows - where nature blows the leaves around and the fire goes out completely. Last year Planetbabaji jumped into action. He created a circle with friends from the dhuni and collected some funds. From this Shri Baji Singh, a villager who has been serving the dhuni and Fakirabad since many years was hired to keep the Dhuni clean and the fire on once a day. But the 18
desire rose for more. Planetbabaji then shared this story and he lobbied for pujaris to perform the fire puja. Almost instantly the call was answered by two young Germans who were ready to serve. One has already been serving from the beginning of this present monsoon, and the next one is ready to do so from October all thru the winter. The Maha Shakti Dhuni has always been independent from the Indian Samaj organisation, including financially. How wonderful to know that now this Magical place where the kund was originally shaped by Babaji's own hand, where so many people have been able to serve the Divine Mother and so many more have had wonderful moments and darshan of Her, is now taken care of properly. There is a chance for you to be part of this circle by offering yourself for a time to do this seva. Being pujari there through the monsoon is not a duty for the fainthearted. One is mostly alone, the weather and conditions are challenging, but it is such a powerful place to do sadhana and experience a close connection with Shakti Ma. You can be assisted if necessary with visa applications and if needed a small pocket money can even be provided. There is also possibility of joining the Maha Shakti circle and making a small donation to keep all these services possible. But for this we are still in the process of setting up a paypal account to make this easy. You can get more info here : www.planetbabaji.com go to “Dhuni Seva leela" Foreigners Long Term Visas from Indian Samaj: We are providing better service for our foreign devotees who apply for long term visas. In the past year I have been able to assist several people get long term visas as well as renewals. Now this task is being handled by Mr VR Rao our Administration Manager, contact: managerhaidakhandisamaj@gmail.com 19
Shri Babaji’s Charitable Hospitals During Gurupurnima in Switzerland we spoke about Seva in action. Even if suffering is all around, it is not always easy to know or trust how to respond to today’s global needs. However regarding this we are lucky in that we have our charitable hospitals in India where we know that we can help a lot in Babaji's name. Here are just a few facts: we have been able to serve 22,385 outpatients in the last year with subsidised charity. 6000+ have been given free medical help in various camps in the mountainous regions. In addition we have performed 1329 cataract eye surgeries a year with 40% free charity. And Rupees 3,000,000+ of medicine has been distributed. We can give back sight to a practically blind eye for 25 Euro's given the systems we have set up in Chiliyanoula. The number of camps we are setting up in remote rural areas in the Himalayas is still increasing. It is still happening and we are doing it together in His name ! We will be continuing these services on into the future and we therefore request that you continue to be part of it. See what you can do to connect organisations and people who are moved to help sustain this service. We have all sorts of ways of expanding our service and with that our responsibilities also increase. Most of all we request you to remember this hospital and feel part of it and help in any way you can to sustain it in its service to the poor & needy of the Kumoun region, the Himalayan province that Herakhan Baba loved so much. For more information and bank details etc please visit our page : http://www.babajihospital.com 20
The Babaji Ashram in Bihar - Extracts from Letter by Shri Alok Banerjee ‘During His physical presence Shree Babaji visited Bihar many times and established many temples and ashrams in Patna and other places and thousands of Biharis became his ardent devotees. One such Ashram/ temple established by Him was in Dariyapur , about 30 kms from Patna, in the family owned home of Late Shree Shiv Nandanji better known as 'Sethji of Bihar'. After the passing away of Sethji this Babaji Ashram was engrossed in family disputes and became a neglected property. By His grace and the initiative taken by the Samaj through the Babaji devotees of Bihar , a Babaji Trust is in the final stages of being registered. The trustees have been able to amicably negotiate with the family members and restored this old Babaji Ashram Property and have carried out extensive renovations through their own resources. It is a matter of great joy that Shree Padukas of Shree Babaji will visit the restored Dariyapur Ashram for a three days Paduka Pujan , Havans and Kirtan from 2nd to 4th May 2014 . The devotees of Bihar have extended their invitation to all Babaji devotees to join them on this auspicious occasion. Letter from Vijay Kumar - 9th May 2014: ‘Dear Sanjeev, Kudos to Alok Bhai for having revived Dariyapur Dham, Bihar which was in a sort of oblivion since Baba's Mahasamadhi. Infusing life back into Dariyapur Dham would have taken some persistent follow up and dedication. After seeing the report I feel motivated to join you next time. I have been told that your initiative of organising Baba's Padukas at Dariyapur Dham has infused lots of enthusiasm and energy amongst hundreds of devotees who had gathered there to celebrate the Paduka Pujan. Please see next two pages for a lively report of these events from Sanjeev Sarna. 21
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2014 - 2015 DATES st SEPTEMBER 2014 21 Dhan Teras 2nd Radha Ashtam 22nd Choti Diwali 8th Anant Chaudas 23rd Diwali, Amavasya & th 9 Purnima & Ekam Shradha Laxmi Puja 24th Pittar Amavasya 24th Annakoot 25th Ashvin (Autumn ) 25th Bhaiya Dooj Navratri Starts NOVEMBER 2014 OCTOBER 2014 6th Purnima & Guru Nanak 2nd Gandhi Jayanti Jayanti 3rd Durga Navmi 15th Mahakal Bhairav Jayanti nd (Navratri Ends) 22 Amavasya 4th Vijay Dashmi 8th Sharad Purnima DECEMBER 2014 12th Karwa Chauth 6th Purnima & Dattatreya Jayanti 16th Ahoi Ashtami 22nd Amavasya 25th Christmas ___________________________________________________________________________________________ JANUARY (2015) 21st Chaitra Navratri starts st 1 New Year and Samvat 2072 5th Purnima 28th Shri Ram Navmi th 13 Lohri 29th Navratri Ends 14th Makar Sankranti 20th Amavasya APRIL 2015 24th Basant Panchami 2nd Mahavir Jayanti th th 26 Republic Day India 4 Hanuman Jayanti & Purnima FEBRUARY 2015 ………………………………………….. 1st Shri Babaji Mahasamadhi JULY 2015 3rd Magh Purnima 31st July Guripurnima th 17 Maha Shivaratri ………………………………………….. 18th Amavasya OCTOBER 2015 22nd Shri Babaji’s Prakatya 13th Ashvin (Autumn ) MARCH 2015 Navratri Starts th 5 Holika Dahan & Purnima 21st Durga Navmi 6th Dhulandi Holi Navratri Ends 20th Amavasya 24
Jai HO ! Jai Haidakhandi Outreach To inspire and support a profound new impulse of the international Babaji community into service, teaching and action. The group of elders who have been organising the European Gurupurnima celebrations since 2004 met for two days at Schweibenalp before this 2014 Gurupurnima festival. As one of us said: “We are in a new era without one eminent guide. This must be Babaji’s will. Babaji left us like this in order that we communicate and become a strong brother- sisterhood.” So we began creating an opportunity among ourselves for reflection and open communication and spontaneity, not prescriptive but opening to new possibilities with no fixed agenda. We wanted to look at our Babaji family situation and find new ways of being effective. So we heart/brain-stormed about the following: “what do we have (as a Babaji community) ?” Answers came: ‘Devotion, shakti, love, bliss, holy fire, rituals, properties, ashrams, bhajans, navaratris, gurupurnima, international community, Babaji’s teaching, Munirajji’s teaching, music, experiences of Babaji, hospitals, satsangs, books and CD’s, friends, His promise, service, freedom, Om Namaha Shivay, etc.’ and “what do we need more ?” Answers: ‘A language for the young, an educational system, concrete worldly projects, more charitable work (outside India), projects for human service, bhajan tours, structure, communication, supportive network, cooperation, a clear vision as to how to spread Babaji’s message, clean water in Haidakhan, vision for the future, staff, walking in each other’s shoes, shared values, courage, money and power, unity and stability.’ Then the question: “Just suppose Babaji does not return in body before we elders die, what do we want to envisage/vision for our Haidakhandi community ? What would we like to help create for the future – leave behind us as a legacy ?” Our answers included: 25
‘Self-supporting ashrams. Good communications inside and outside our ashrams. More togetherness – support of ongoing projects. Ecologically sustainable ashrams. An international structure to better connect and train our community and ourselves and with which to connect with other well-intentioned communities. An organisation which is flexible enough to be continued and which can transmit without dogmas. An inspired Babaji community for young people and which is well connected with other divinely inspired communities. A common basic language for all, to share ideas. Eco-humanism – connecting with others and recognising our interdependence. A management structure to organise and fund Bhole Baba Tours all around the world. Revolutionary Babaji – finding its purpose and contribution in the new radically changing world, and how this can be expressed in our language and culture. Finally, we all agreed that we wanted to help create for the future: more love and light, music, vibrant loving Babaji centres, more hope, less ego, harmonic moments, and that we can live Babaji’s teachings in new radical ways to help others and to build interconnectedness with God.’ We then asked: how to take these aspirations forward ? We looked at what is the role and what are the functions of the Indian/international Haidakhandi Samaj and whether we are a world-wide or an Indian spiritual sanga? How does this express itself culturally, socially structurally now? How would we want it to be? Are we in a position to choose? Do we consider additional forms? If so what might be the purpose and role of another form to compliment the Indian Samaj? Our answers included among other things: supporting Ashrams/Centres and their succession issues, supporting outreach (global work), inspiring and uniting the Babaji family and communicating with the next generations. So we drew up the Jai HO document to describe the sort of 26
organisation that would be needed to take all these ideas forward. We would like it to be non-hierarchical and more like an international Babaji association or cooperative. But because this organisation of like-minded souls needs to raise money to fund projects, we need a minimum structure and membership in order for it to have a bank account and to be internationally registered/recognised as a non-profit charitable organisation (so as to be able to receive charitable funding and also not have to pay taxes on these funds). How to create this structure and not fall into the old patriarchal-hierarchical patterns of the past ? The following are extracts from the General Satsang meetings held at Gurupurnima regarding this proposed new outreach. 27
GENERAL SATSANG MEETINGS during Gurupurnima – attended by 50 to 150 people at a time. Lok Nath began each of the three Satsangs explaining that the group of elders who had been meeting each year had discussed how to enhance and nurture all the work of Babaji’s people in the world. That we concluded that needed new outreach and support in the West and that we had made concrete proposals as to how to provide this. He opened the floor for contributions and comments and the sharing of ideas and projects for serving Shri Babaji’s work for humanity. Here follows extracts from each day’s large group Satsangs: Lyla Talked of her work to distribute Babaji books in France from a simple beginning of a book on Mahendra Baba. Sabine Encouraged us to communicate through Singing Paramahansa Gives stress prevention and release exercises to others and talks about Babaji when asked what motivates his teaching. Kharkuli Suggested we distribute a questionnaire with open and inspiring questions. Necessary for us to look at our dark side so maybe we should ask those who have stopped coming to events ? Sam We are His Body. He has lit our lamp from His lamp. If I am a little finger on the body then it’s good to know other parts of the body. Then the body can move in a coordinated way. Also, the point of power is who is in the room at the moment and who has a YES ! It is not fruitful to speculate why people may have left. Raghunandan How to involve young people ? Finding ways such as yoga classes maybe. But I feel a bit helpless: how to inspire and talk about values ? Megha Young people do not respond to rules and dogmas. Give then something really shining and deep. I work with distributing food, like my Mama did for me. Give them the chance to experience good things: something of value that they can relate to, not just dogmas. The 20’s are searching and the 30’s are deciding and settling. 28
Gayatri I cannot imagine what it’s like to be a daughter or son where a family is falling apart, where the children do not witness truth, simplicity and love. Where there are photos of Babaji up, and yet fighting between parents. There are people out there who can help us walk our talk. Other Foundations that inspire young people, such as the Neem Karoli Foundations meals on wheels for the poor and hungry. Ramloti People are missing family. In Crestone it is this family atmosphere that people are attracted to, such as serving people with food. Lok Nath began the second Satsang asking the question: how can we enhance and nurture all the work and look to the future? What things are being done now and what would people like to see done ? How is your genius manifesting in the world. (We finished by discussing how we would form small discussion groups at the final Satsang the following day): Jamuna (Kamalaya)- I know there is more to germinate. How to foster that? What are the breadcrumbs that Babaji is putting on our way to lead us and for us to find out where we are being pulled ? I believe in collaboration with others who are more experienced in a particular area. And cross- pollination and support. Jamuna and Kharku want to set up internships for young people, sponsor people through schools, support women who need help during transition, fund a pujari for a time in Kamalaya, and to be more participating in the local community (such as their garbage collection and clean beaches projects). Gayatri suggested encouraging voluntary work in local communities such as litter days where we organize clean-up-our-streets crews and also establishing free boxes (clothes, and household recycling boxes), as easy 29
ideas to implement and get us started. Check out our free box system in Crestone at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ajLDoQiJ4 She also said that in Crestone they have a full moon drum circle in the woods which gets lots of interest and brings the community together. Sam said that we have not had a structure or mechanism to support and honour all the work Babaji devotees are doing. We are the body of Babaji and act as his sacred presence in the world. How can we find out about each other and interconnect. We need online communication system immediately. During the satsangs difficult material emerged: people expressing their pain, tensions, VIP problems. Someone said that where we have Babaji as our master/guru then we will be confronted by our own shadow (unconscious) sides. The pain needs space to be heard. Maya explained how in some ashrams people have been treated badly: working all day and still having to pay to stay there. It was agreed that we need trainings within ashrams, trainings in communication, and meetings with no time restriction maybe. It was suggested that when a new person arrives at one of our Centres or Ashrams that they are teamed up with a mentor, a brother or sister. In Bacca they teach children about deities and puja: encouraging even small children (6 yrs old upwards) to bring round the aarti lamp and prasad. An Italian man shared how the Italian part of the body is very sick. There was a huge majority of Italian devotees when Babaji was in body, but now more than 50% of Italian devotees think that it is finished. People are still repeating the black army leela, shouting at someone because they are not wearing a lungi in aarti or are wearing shoes in the wrong place. It is impossible to do things together, business or social in this abusive atmosphere. But now we have a fantastic younger generation. We need to build cooperative ways of working. Why have we never been able to create an Italian restaurant at Cisternino ?! Raghuvir said that there had been very serious attempts in Italy to heal these problems and to try to start cooperatives. These problems are not new and we need to take 30
the chance to put together ways of solving these problems. Ed: But we are being invited to attend Gurupurnima in Cisternino, Italy in 2015 ! Usha who is English but lives in Italy, said how she is hoping to start a project on 6 hectares near Bologna to help children who live in cities to relate to animals and plants, and to have a dhuni. She has started a little private English language school for children and wants them to learn about the land, such as the Permaculture system of land management. Sundar shared how tough it was to set up the community of 30 at Schweibenalp, as it is functioning now. (But it seems to be working very well – Ed.) The shadow shrinks if you look at it ! Haripyari from England came to Babaji through Gopal Hari and Ambika’s music. “They just played music and when I asked about the photo beside where they were playing, they said that it was of their teacher Babaji and how he was the Band Leader !” She went on to talk of the Bhakti festival in Glastonbury organised by Trishna, Tabla Tom, Durga Das and Harisudha etc. How hundreds turned up to attend whole ‘immersion’ days of kirtan singing and celebration of music – from many Indian traditions: Neem Karoli Baba people, others from Ammachi, Anandamayi Mar, etc. To start with short pujas were conducted from different Indian traditions followed by kirtan from each tradition, so that not simply Babaji, but all the traditions/gurus took part. As Kharkuli said: “What you did in England has inspired us to run a Bhakti festival in Holland next year !” On the third Satsang day Gaby helped us self-select being part of a smaller interest group. These groups met for 1 to 1½ hours and comprised: A Young people and New Projects Group, A Health & Healing Group, Music and Puja Group, Craft & Business Group, Admin Jai HO group, and an Anyone Else group. 31
Young Persons and New Projects Group Music and Puja Group Health, Healing and Teaching Group 32
Five people from General Satsang chose to join the Admin/Jai HO Group – Urmila from Germany a member of the German Board, Bo from Sweden (who founded the Swedish ashram in 1992), Sam from USA , Giuliano from Switzerland and Italy, and Mukundi from France. Giuliano sits on the Italian Bhole Baba Samaj committee and will share with them our discussions and proposed Jai HO project. Mukundi chairs the French Samaj. Unfortunately the Admin Group was unable to rejoin the larger group at completion of that day’s satsang as it had to attend a pre-arranged meeting with Marc from Kamalaya who was offering us an hour’s group/business consultation. We learnt many useful ideas from Marc but particularly how the oldest unifying forum known in the world (as gleaned from both American Indian and other traditions) was a ‘council of elders’ ………but who themselves were beholden to a ‘council of guilds or trades.’ Both these would then support leaders/managers that carried out the actual work required. Mark suggested that as soon as structure is planned that some people will run away. There is no structure without hierarchy and that the more the structure the more the potential for dissent and negative authority projection. We need room for free movement and chaotic process within our structure, as creative lateral thinking and work need not threaten the structure. We need to create spaces within for flexible groups representing other tribes and geographic regions. We felt that the various groups meeting that afternoon for Satsang were groups of the guilds/trades being built – the council of guilds and maybe geographic tribes. The key challenge will be to build unity and to concentrate on who does what task in this new project. We decided to sit together as a team for 3 to 5 days as soon as physically possible. The meetings so far had been about inspiration, intent, enthusiasm and commitment; the next stage will be about grounding the tasks. ‘Babaji is showing us the way, Munirajji quietly smiling and wondering when we will wake up, they want us to be bold, to be brave, to connect with them and be instruments of their love.’ 33
Jai HO………Next Steps……… How to create a forum for each of the ‘Interest/Talent Groups to communicate together, welcome new members, etc. ? For instance see MayaRam’s Portal (on opposite page) or create an invitation only Facebook group, etc ? Some groups were initiated in Schweibenalp and these first ones were as listed below. Email lists of those who attended each group were recorded and members of each group shared their interests and talents, and their thoughts about this new Jai HO impulse of communication and support. These email lists by group are held by Mukundi in France mukundi@babaji.fr Health & Healing Group had two sub-groups, which were: (a) Different kinds of Yoga, Tai-Ji Quan, Wutao, Rebirthing, Jahra etc. with 5 participants from Italy, Estonia, USA, Germany and France (b) Psychotherapy, Food therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herbs, Cooking Courses, Art Therapy, Naturopathy, Panchkarma, Healing, NVC, Education, Peace Demonstrations with 7 people from Germany, and one each from Thailand, UK and Italy. Music and Puja Group with 15 people from 7 different countries Craft & Business Group with 12 people: such as a tour operator from Latvia, people who teach and practice healing, organic farming, dressmaking and stitching, catering, beekeeping, candle making, malas, copper crafts, kindergarten, English teaching. A Young people and New Projects Group – with 10 people from Italy, Switzerland, Germany UK and USA. Jai HO Admin Group – of 14 elders and country coordinators who have been meeting for a number of years at each European Gurupurnima. Anyone Else Group - interests: integration in ashrams, to offer our presence, work with marginalised people (e.g. in prisons), communicating about philosophy, values, linguistic skills and listening. 34
Haidakhandi Family - by MayaRam Bhole Baba Connect : www.babaji.si My gratitude towards Babaji is infinite: he cultivated me, gave me strength to live and guided me. But after years of selfishly relating just me-Him, I realised my stagnation and turned to other people. I realised that in group development we can learn more, experiment with new ways of communicating and help Humanity in difficult transitions. Maybe He came to support us, and not to be different and special for us. I call our society Haidakhandi Family. We are spiritual brothers and sisters because we have the same spiritual Father and Mother. But for my blood relatives, brothers and sisters, I take care. I am curious what they do and I help them, if I can. What about my spiritual relatives? I do not even know their birth names. I meet them a few times per year when we gather for celebrations. When Babaji brings us together! But I am interested to continue contact, conversation and projects with my spiritual relatives also in daily life. I am not hiding myself and maybe I can find some Family members with similar ideas. Babaji did not accept a division into public and private. Today’s idea of private is a product of modern industrialisation, begun in the 18thC. Everyone who meditates and concentrates on God cannot divide private life out of communication with Him. But everyone has Him in his heart and we all are connected. Actually all individuals in our group, who are interested, can intuitively connect to everyone and get information during meditation from each part of the group. Pain or happiness from one person is part of everyone’s feelings. Our separation and division is an illusion. What we need to do, is to behave in accordance with this Truth, we need to talk freely about our personal worries, pain and problems. We should not hide our feelings about group activities, such as ashrams and centre projects, West-v-India relations, Haidakhan organisation… Spreading bad news around like whispers, or behaving as if problems do not exist, is the most negative action we can imagine. In this way we create negative thoughts. Somebody expressing themselves is not bad; but when we judge that expression, then we exclude and divide. To tell bad news 35
openly, is not excluding and dividing. We need to learn from each other’s experiences. So, I’m suggesting that we should freely share all our experiences, and not just “holy” ones. We should admit that we don’t know how to make good organisation, how to make ashrams, centres and personal relations. We should admit that we, as humans, need to learn how to create better society. In 2010 we created Portal Bhole Baba Connect www.babaji.si where one can share thoughts, feelings and experiences about our family and activities in Haidakhandi society. Let’s re-activate communication between ourselves. We invite all interested to also join the business part of the Portal, where we can share ideas and join our strengths together to manage money flow, personally and as a group. Individually most of us are not very strong in business matters, because most of us devoted a large part of our lives to spiritual interests and work. But if we join our small powers together, we could be much stronger than each one of us can individually. Today’s world is divided and people believe that everybody should do his/her thing alone. This is exactly what perverse sovereignty power actually wants. To rule is to divide. We should turn around this – in Babaji’s name. _____________________________________________________________________________ In Memoriam SAM Shyam - from Stroud, UK. Sangita has emailed to let us know of Sam’s passing. She writes: “Going through Sam's papers after his death, I came across the following he'd written to himself: ‘Do puja every morning, mantra every day. Whatever spiritual practice, do gradually. It doesn't happen overnight. Be content and happy with your life situation and try to live a good life, based on spiritual values and ideals. Try to serve others. Be content, be happy. Be at Peace. I am always within you. Bhole Baba ki jai.’ 36
Welcome to the natural world – Permaculture at Schweibenalp Watch this video and all will be revealed: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/alpine-permaculture-catches-on-/37069174 A Sustainable Permaculture system for an Alpine environment Since 2011 Schweibenalp has begun to develop the first alpine Permaculture system at 1100 meters above sea level in the central mountains of Switzerland. Because of the long winters and the height, the time for cultivation is short, therefore many micro climate zones have been developed, especially to harness and store solar energy and to store water by building stone walls, etc. The beauty of this project is that it allows the growing of vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and other good things for the whole community and also for some local restaurants, such as the 5 star hotel down the road where they deliver gourmet herbs. These outlets are willing to pay for quality. So what is Permaculture? It is an approach for sustainable planting, but it’s also a way of life that’s in balance with nature and all beings; an interactive, interdependent eco- system between animals, humans, minerals, plants, water, earth, and air. Permaculture is concerned with storage and the renewal of energy, and natural recycling During Gurupurnima we had a 45 minute inspirational guided tour through the permaculture garden, with expert Nina Webekind. Please see the link above to learn and see more about it. 37
Gopal Hari Our beloved Gopal Hari left his body on Good Friday 18th April 2014 at 13.45 Thank you for your love and support, Ambika, Shambo and Veda www.gomaretreat.wordpress.com Bhole Baba Ki Jai ! For the past 3 years, Ambika cared for Gopal Hari like a murti, with love and joy. Ambika really lives Babaji’s teaching – “karma yoga is the real kirtan”. We Bhole Baba Ki Jai ! remember Goma for their cosmic kirtan, but it is Ambika, Shambo and Veda’s dedicated service that continues to inspire so many. GOMA by Gopal Hari Since I was young, music was a very import part of my life. I got my first guitar when I was 14, and since 1971 I have played in various bands. In 1979, some musical friends and I moved into a big house with many rooms and started recording. In 1981, there was an opportunity to have a recording contract – but essentially I was no longer happy about our message. For me, music was always a medium for expressing the joy of life and to elevate others and making people happy. In spite of the seductive opportunities offered, I decided to leave the band. I needed a fundamental change in my life; everything seemed to be empty and meaningless. This was my Saturn Return period. I told the band that the th concert of the 5 of June, 1982, was to be my last one, saying good-bye. So on that day we all were sitting together in a rather depressed mood before leaving to give this concert, when suddenly the phone rang: my old friend had just returned from India and wanted visit me the next day. It was at that moment that an invisible hand gripped my heart and pressed it tightly, this horrified me. I left the house overwhelmed with emotions and ran into the garden as I felt I might be having a heart attack. 38
The most horrible thing was that I had no idea what was happening to me: it was as if my whole being was falling apart into chaos. After some time the thought occurred to me that this must be to do with the return of my friend. The rest of my day’s experience was as if I was enveloped into some nebula: everything around me appeared unreal, like a shadowy world without any reason and sense. The next day my friend arrived, and I was astonished to find in front of me a totally transformed person in whose eyes there was shining a well- known yet also alien Light. He moved into an empty room in the house and for the two next days I stayed exclusively with him, as far as was possible. It was as if another world had come in with his arrival. My feelings were confirmed when he set up an altar and burning incense sticks. On the altar there was the photo of an exotic young man whom my friend called “Babaji”. An extraordinarily strong radiation both horrified and enticed and thrilled me. On the third day after his arrival, my friend asked if I would accompany him on his next Indian trip in order to meet Babaji. A joyous “yes” came from the inmost depth of my heart. That night, Babaji appeared to me for the first time in a dream – in the youthful shape of Krishna. Dripping with sweat and with a pumping my heart I awoke and knew that Babaji had called me. Over the following months I had to let go everything that I was used to, and I opened myself to this new adventure. Finally in November 1982 we set off for India and Babaji. I find it very difficult to describe in words what this first encounter with Babaji unlocked within me: to be standing in front of a being who knows everyone of your thoughts and feelings is like both a destruction and a creation, both together in one ”eternal moment”. The first words which Babaji spoke to me were: “You Kirtan” (Kirtan is the singing of holy mantras and chants). Over the following months, which appeared to me like several lives, I was allowed to stay in His Divine Presence. Babaji said to me: “Every day you stay with me is like twelve years.” 39
One evening during my stay I was with Babaji in the temple, he was drawing me towards him and said, “Your name – Gopal Hari”, and he smiled at me radiatingly (Gopal and Hari are two names of Krishna). At this moment I felt as if my past was washed away and a new life kindled within me. After three months I returned to Germany. My stay however was but short. After about four weeks, one evening I asked Babaji inwardly if I could see him again soon, and the next day an air ticket was offered to me, and two weeks later I was again with Babaji. During this second visit I received initiation as a Pujari (temple priest) and received Babaji´s blessings for passing on his message through Bhajans and Kirtan. He told me that I will have a family with two children. On the last morning of my stay Babaji told me that I will never see him again in this form, but he will always be with me and will guide me and my work. Some months later Babaji left his body. In November 1981, touring through England, I had met my soul partner Ambika. We recognized each other at once and felt that we had known each other for a very long time. Ambika lived at her home in Ireland. She is a wondrous, hilarious, friendly and magnanimous character. In spring 1984 we moved together to England. Ambika and I soon began working together under the name GOMA. In 1987 and 1991 our sons Shambo and Veda were born who both are now good strong parts of GOMA – as essential now as ever. Throughout all these years we have worked together to give concerts and satsang in Ashrams, spiritual and alternative centres, in schools and churches, at festivals and exhibitions and in city and village halls. We performed regularly in England, and also in Ireland, Belgium, Holland and Germany, and other countries also invited us. The holy mantras, the names of God and the Divine Mother have power to inspire, elevate and heal. They touch our hearts and fill us with Love, Hope and Light. Bhole Baba Ki Jai ! 40
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