Saadhana Shibiram at CIRD (near Delhi)

By

Swami Nirviseshananda Tirtha

Harih Om Tat Sat. It pleases us to inform you that the Saadhana Shibiram conducted by Poojya Swami Nirviseshananda Tirthaji (Nutan Swamiji) went off very well. These programmes, which are aimed at enlightening and strengthening the society, have been made possible by the support we have received from various quarters.

For the devotees and seekers, the Saadhana Shibiram was a platform for intensifying their spiritual saadhana under the guidance of Nutan Swamiji. The sessions every day provided opportunities for satsang with Nutan Swamiji, and also strengthened introspection, and interactions among the devotees.

The day, during the Saadhana Shibiram, began with chanting of Vishnusahasranaama and Bhagavad Gita, followed by Pushpa-samarpanam, floral offering at the photograph of Poojya Swamiji. Listening to Poojya Swamiji’s recorded Prabhata-rashmih messages after Pushpa-samarpanam created a very sublime atmosphere, setting the mood for introspection for the various sessions during the day.

Nutan Swamiji conducted morning classes on Kathopanishad for 13 days, beginning on November 15. Nutan Swamiji’s approach of conveying the profound concepts and truths from the Upanishads through simple models and flow diagrams made the sessions very interesting. These classes gave a unique insight into the Upanishads and enabled the participants identify with the concepts for application in their daily interactions.

The morning session included listening to recordings of Poojya Swamiji’s discourses on Bhagavad Gita. During the initial days of this session, a recent article by Poojya Swamiji titled ‘Medical Sojourn in Malaysia’ was read out and discussed. This was Poojya Swamiji’s account of the happenings during his hospitalization in Malaysia and the subsequent recovery at CIRD there. The enlightening notes in the narration gave a unique perspective to the seekers on what should be the thoughts and attitude of the mind when the body is in trouble.

The thought-provoking and inspiring series of articles written by Maa, titled ‘In the Company of My Lord’ (published in Vicharasetu about fifteen years back) was the focus during the afternoon sessions everyday. These ‘Introspection and Discussion’ sessions were guided by Nutan Swamiji bringing out very important aspects of saadhana and Guru-bhakti.

The morning of November 20 was set aside for the children of the Sunday School at CIRD. The children chanted some shlokas they had learnt during the Sunday classes and also surprised the devotees present with their singing of rhymes. Warm clothing was distributed to the children during this session, which was followed by Bhakti Bhojanam. On November 27, the devotees of Poojya Swamiji came together to sing bhajans. This was also the concluding programme of the Saadhana Shibiram. The highlight of this session was Poojya Swamiji’s address over the telephone (from Trichur Ashram) to over 90 participants gathered in the Satsang Hall of CIRD. Poojya Swamiji stressed on the role of Seva in one’s spiritual saadhana. Maa concluded the telephonic session with her soulful chanting of the shloka ‘Swaamin Namaste…’.

Prasaada and bhakti-bhojanam were offered to all the participants and visitors everyday of the Saadhana Shibiram. The seekers who stayed at CIRD and took charge of the different departments – like running the Annakshetra, looking after the visitors and guests, washing, cleaning of utensils, cleaning of the toilets – had the opportunity to directly experience and understand how the mind expands and gets sublimated while working selflessly in an Ashram atmosphere.

This time, during the Saadhana Shibiram, we experienced a shortage of support staff in all the departments. This eventually became an opportunity for all devotees to work together in harmony and grow in their saadhana. Application of Poojya Swamiji’s unique concept of Interactional Saadhana and Nutan Swamiji’s constant guidance made the entire experience an enriching one. Not only were the different functions managed well, the devotees and seekers expressed joy in whatever they did.

All the participants expressed the need for arranging such Saadhana camps at least a few times a year. Nutan Swamiji stressed on how the devotees and seekers can utilize the opportunities provided by the Sunday Satsangs and Monthly Retreats (to be held on every second Saturday and Sunday) at CIRD to further their saadhana.

**   Some of the Pictures taken during the Saadhana Shibiram  (click here)

With love, regards and best wishes,

In the Service of the Nation,

Sector 5 A, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, U.P. 201012
Email: cirdindia@hotmail.com
Website: www.brahmavidya.org