AGM – Programme Director’s Report

AGM – 9TH AUGUST 2008
Programme Director’s Report

No-one could ever have predicted all that has happened here during the past year.  Within a few days of handing over the running of the Centre to the Trustees, Guruji fell and broke his hip.  We thought there would be a long hand-over period and we would all get acclimatised to our roles within the organisation.  But it was not to be.

So, in at the deep end!  I had always strenuously resisted taking on my role but now I see it as the end process of the past 19 years I have spent as Swami Ji’s student.  And what a Blessing that has been.  I have been reading a book by a Himalayan teacher who criticises the Western modern style of doing gymnastics in the guise of yoga.  If he had had the privilege of meeting Swami Ji he would have been delighted that he never deviated from the classical path and that he also ensured that the pure teaching was carried on.  This was his sole purpose – to ensure the continuance of the Classical way, undiluted and with the correct ethics and morals, in a systematic way as laid down by Marharishi Patanjali and other great Masters.  We were truly Blessed to have his friendship, teaching and love.

Hopefully, you will all feel that his aims are continuing and that the Trustees are doing their utmost to ensure not only that the Centre will continue, but will thrive and be a leading light in the field of Classical Yoga.  It is our hope that many will benefit from spending time here and will come to understand that there is more to yoga than the narrow versions put forward as new styles.  Fads will always come and go, but the Classical way has stood the test of countless centuries and will continue to do so.

We continue with Satsang each month, and it still takes the form it has always done, with the addition of an asana class at 9am.  It is my hope that the class will continue to grow and will be a pleasant start to the day, bringing together both local people and those who have been associated with the Centre for many years.
In March we had a day of Yoga with Brahmananda and Katyayani.  This was very well received and their gentle natures flowed into a special day when we were guided through cleansing postures and meditations and chanting.  yone.  They will be welcomed back later in the year.  Katyayani will take a day for children on 25th October and both she and Brahmananda will lead a weekend retreat on Yoga Lifestyle in November.
Open Day in May was a lovely day and we welcomed some new faces.  Brian restated the aims of the Charity and our commitment to promoting the Centre.

Then at the end of May, 12 of us spent the weekend doing Karma Yoga here, redecorating and cleaning the Centre.  Although we all worked very hard and continuously for the whole duration of the weekend, it was not a hardship.  We had a lot of fun and achieved a great deal.  This was all under the supervision of Geoffrey, as usual, who kept us on the straight and narrow introducing a spiritual element when we were flagging.  A great big thank you should be given to all who came and gave so selflessly – Carole, Phil, Yvonne, Belinda, Lisa, Monika, her son Mark, Rani for cooking for us, Vanessa, Premanada, Sammy and of course Geoffrey.  Everywhere looks so wonderful and it is because of your dedication to the Centre, so thank you.

Satsang in June had always been the time when we honoured Guruji’s wife, and we wish to continue this, but with a slight variation.  In future the June Satsang will be a time when each of us can come to honour our own ancestors and parents.  We know there is a continuance of the Soul after leaving the physical body and we take our spiritual impressions with us from one life to another.  So it will be good to recognise those who have nurtured us, not only in this lifetime but in past times too.

At the end of June, we had our first Retreat without the physical presence of Guruji, although his Blessings were clearly felt.  It was a lovely experience and adhered to the usual format of early rising, chanting, posture work, karma yoga and self development.  We studied ourselves in the light of the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita.  It was encouraging that we had two new people join us, who had never met Guruji.  This means a lot in terms of progression of the Centre in the future.

The highlight of my year has always been Guru Puja, when I could honour my own beloved Gurudev.  This year was outstanding.  Everyone rallied round and we had a truly spectacular day laying Guruji’s ashes to rest in the garden.  It could have been a very sad and depressing occasion, but thankfully everyone thought it a celebration of his life.  This was enhanced by Pandit Gossai who led the ceremony and also all the musical contributions.  Swami Nirliptananda Ji came to spend the day with us, even though he had previously been very unwell and was still convalescing.  Members came from far and wide and this again, was a reflection of the very sincere love everyone has for Guruji. Now his ashes are back where they belong and laid to rest under a fitting memorial which will stand long after we all have gone.

As mentioned on Guru Puja Day, without Geoff the Centre would not be as it is today.  His selfless dedication is an example to us all and it was good to be able to acknowledge his long and complete devotion.  In fact, it was amazing we managed to keep him still long enough for Brian to present him with our thanks.
So that is the year so far.  It has been a very busy and demanding time for the Trustees, but we have all risen to the challenge and we will continue to work selflessly and with devotion towards the development of the Centre.  Swami Ji’s family continue to offer their support and provide us with wonderful food every time we meet and we are very grateful to them all.

One person who is always present, working for the Centre and supporting everyone else is our Secretary, Supriya.  She patiently carries on doing whatever is required of her and supporting everyone else in their role.  Without members like Supriya we would flounder terribly.

Monika works tirelessly for the Centre giving classes every week, and helping all of us in every way possible.  Thank you very much for your teaching, knowledge and friendship you share with everyone.  Yvonne has agreed to take on the task or sorting out the library and is our new Librarian.  If you want to borrow a book, or donate one, then please see Yvonne.  Vanessa has continued to bring us knowledge of Sanskrit and provides us with a valuable tool when looking at the scriptures.  We may be able to persuade her to give a day of Sanskrit in the future.  Premananda gives us the benefit of his knowledge and his experience with the Havan Yajna too.  All in all, everyone who has something to offer is doing so.  This makes the whole process much more interesting and less demanding for me, so thank you to everyone.  I have been overwhelmed by the love and support you have all shown.  It has been a very humbling experience. 

For the rest of the year, we have more interesting times ahead.  From 10th to 12th October, Sonia Allen-Wall from Cumbria will come to give a weekend retreat in the style of her Guru, Swami Gitananda Ji of Pondicherry.  Swami Gitananda was a good friend of Guruji and he also had a great deal of respect for Sonia.  The weekend will have an emphasis on pranayama.

The November Satsang will include a celebration of Guruji’s birthday.
As mentioned previously, Katyayani will take a day of yoga for children.  This will be on Saturday 25th October, details of which you can find on the programme sheet.  In November, Katyayani and Brahmanada will take a weekend with the title “Yoga Lifestyle”.  This will be useful for those who would like to know how to incorporate yogic living into their daily life.

Swami Ji’s first inspirer, Ma Yoga Shakti, has expressed a wish to visit the Kutir.  We don’t know at the moment when that will be, but we will arrange a time for her visit when she next comes to England.  As soon as this is known it will be posted on the website.

I am also tentatively putting together the possibility of a trip to India.  In recent years this has been shelved, but was always a highlight.  I am currently compiling the itinerary and getting prices.  If we have sufficient interest it could run next February or March, visiting Ashrams and spiritual places of interest.  If you would be interested in this or any of the other items, please either call me or email me.  My contact details are on the website and on the programme details.

When Guruji had handed over the running of the Centre to the Trustees, I followed him into the office.  He said.. “you have a very good team around you now Ji.”  I replied “No, Ji, its your team.”  He chuckled and said “No, Ji its yours”.  Every single smile, every single “thank you”, every kind word, has been such an incredible support. Thank you to everyone.  No one could ever take  Guruji’s place.  In fact it takes 8 Trustees and many others of us just to keep it going at all.  So thank you to each and everyone.  Without all the helpers there would be no continuing of the Centre and without members attending there would be no need.  Let’s move forward together and continue to follow the path of True Yoga as Swami Ji directed us.

Thank you,

Hari OM

Shirley Hately