News & Notes - September 2006

     Centre for Inner Resources Development (North America): On Gurupoornima Day this year, CIRD (North America) was registered in Virginia State as a “not for profit” welfare organization. For the past 2 years, devotees in North America have been meeting for Satsangs, receiving inspiration and guidance from Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Maa via Tele-satsangs. From these satsangs coalesced a sankalpa (resolve) to serve their Guru through the four ‘S’s’ – Satsangaa, Saadhana, Sandesah and Seva. Soon they expressed to Poojya Swamiji the need for a CIRD through which they could serve in his loka-sangraha (World-welfare) mission along with the pursuit of their individual saadhana. Receiving his consent, a core group has been working in close contact with the Ashram for the past one year to complete the process of setting up CIRD (NA) as per American legal requirements.

     Jñaana Yajña in Malaysia: Poojya Swamiji, along with Ma and Nutan Swamiji, arrived in Malaysia on August 19 morning. Details of the programmes in Kuala Lumpur and Seremban were published in the July issue of Vicharasetu. Besides the public programmes, Poojya Swamiji will hold satsangs at CIRD every morning between 10:45 and 12:00. Also, from August 24 onwards, Nutan Swamiji will conduct classes on “From Death to Deathlessness” based on Kathopanishad, between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Contact CIRD (Malaysia): 006 03 7781 6110

Although CIRD (Malaysia) was inaugurated in 2004, Poojya Swamiji started staying there only from 2005. To fulfill Poojya Swamiji’s wish to feed all those who come to CIRD for satsang, Malaysian devotees enthusiastically undertook the expansion and modification of the existing building, and in a very short period, an airy, spacious Annakshetra with sufficient preparation, storage, cooking and washing facilities has come into being. The devotees of Poojya Swamiji worked together for procuring suitable cooking vessels from India and Malaysia, finding cooks and arranging for provisions. A devotee wrote to Poojya Swamiji “Those who have been to the Ashram say that this place resembles the Annakshetra at the Ashram. I too think so.”

     Discourses in Chennai: After a hiatus of almost 7 years, devotees and seekers in Chennai are joyously preparing to host Poojya Swamiji, Nutan Swamiji and Ma for a mini Jnaana Yajna. A three-day discourse series on “Loftier Dimensions of the Mind” based on Yoga Vaasishtha Ramaayana will be held at the Music Academy, TTK Road from 5th to 7th September at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Sri M. Balasubramanian 044-2435 8521, Sri P.R. Natarajan 2499 0666/98410 46000, Sri N.N. Subramanian 2452 3654/98410 97740

     Book Release: The long awaited 3rd edition of “Quietitude of the Mind” (revised) will be released during the Chennai Jnaana Yajna, in the first week of September.  

     Anna-vastra Daana Satra: The 21st Annual Anna-vastra Daana Satra commenced from the Ashram, with the first distribution covering 5100 beneficiary families, over two days (17th and 23rd July). On 23rd, Swami Jnanatmananda ji Maharaj, Head of Bhaarat Sevashram Sangha, Jamshedpur and Swami Atmajnanananda ji Maharaj, Secretary of their Delhi Centre, were also present at the Ashram and participated actively during the programme. Participants of Gurupoornima-Retreat, along with some children of Cultural Heritage Class, packed the rice and helped in the sublime and orderly distribution.

At Vyasa Tapovanam, Daana Satra programme was held on Aug 14. Poojya Swamiji and Poojya Purushotham Swamiji distributed rice, clothes and paayasam to more than 4,500 families. Total number of beneficiaries this year is about 22,000 with distribution taking place from nearly 50 centres.

The response to the Daana Satra from those participating in this holy mission, has been quite heartening. Though held in Kerala, the event has a global relevance with many sending their offerings even before receiving our intimation. Poojya Swamiji’s mission of instilling the daanadharma – sharing of one’s resources with the rest of humanity – in the hearts of the people, seems to be casting its roots far and wide.

     Cultural Heritage Class: 13th August, was a special day for the children of the “Cultural Heritage Class”. Poojya Swamiji along with Nutan Swamiji and Ma presided over a prize distribution ceremony held in the Vijnaana Bhavan to recognize the growing talents of these children. For the past few weeks, cultural competitions on shloka-chanting, quizzes and story telling etc. were being conducted to inspire the children. While some received prizes for their growing talents in these areas, others were awarded for good behaviour, regular attendance and also for scoring above 90% in their schools. Delighted by their proficiency in chorus chanting of shlokas and lauding their talents, Poojya Swamiji emphasized the importance of the cultural inheritance and characteral integrity that would remain with them as life-long assets.

     Ashram Building Reconstruction: The second phase of reconstruction of the Ashram Main building is about to commence. The plan includes a sound-proof octagonal Meditation Room, a small Satsang Hall, Poojya Swamiji’s office & meeting room, Publications Gallery, Ashram Office and Reception.

     32nd Delhi Annual Jnaana Yajna (8 –28 November): Poojya Swamiji, along with Ma will leave for Delhi on November 08 and return to Ashram on November 28. To fulfill the wish of Delhi devotees for an extended programme, Nutan Swamiji is expected to be in Delhi for about four weeks from November 15 onwards.

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