Monthly Archive for October, 2008

Keep on Walking

Published on October 30, 2008 in Something to Think About. 0 Comments

The following was provided by Jenny Newman.

Mahamandleshwar Ma Yogashakti Saraswati

Life is an incessant stream of consciousness, which never ceases to exist, never shrinks.  Life is all-embracing.  To become aware of the consciousness, abide by the age-old wisdom:
Keep on walking!

Listen carefully, O dear, one who toils tirelessly is crowned with wealth.  One who sits idle is overtaken by sins.  One who toils ceaselessly, Indra the King of Gods, seeks his friendship.
Therefore, O dear
Keep on walking!
Keep on walking!

One who is always active physically and mentally and keeps himself moving, flowers adorn his soul.  Sins of such a man lie buried deep, inactive and wounded.
Therefore, O dear
Keep on walking!
Keep on walking!

One who sits idle, his luck is also sitting idle.  One who stands up, his luck also stands by him.  One who begins to walk, his luck also walks with him.  But one who sleeps, his luck also sleeps with him.
Therefore, O dear disciples,
Keep on walking!
Keep on walking!

One who passes his time sleeping is in Kaliyuga; he who stretches himself to mild action is in Dwaparayuga; he who stands up ready for action is in Tretayuga and one who begins to walk and run with full vigour is like a man living in Satayuga, the age of Real Action (Kritayuga).
O dear, knowing this,
Keep on walking!
Keep on walking!

One who walks gets the nectar.  One who walks gets delicious fruits of the life-tree.  Look at the Sun, O dear, which shines ceaselessly without yielding to inaction and darkness.
Therefore O dear,
Walk on Solemnly,
Walk on religiously!

Recipe – Apple Charlotte

Published on October 30, 2008 in Recipes. 0 Comments

This recipe was provided by Jenny Newman.

We are fortunate to have a couple of apple trees in our garden and this is a lovely quick easy recipe that I often make. It is much lighter than a crumble and healthier as there is a lower fat content.

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 oz Breadcrumbs (try granary bread)
  • 2-3 oz Brown Demerara Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons.Cinnamon and a pinch of cloves
  • 1 lb Stewed apples (cloves and raisins can be added according to taste or a few dates)
  • A little butter

Method:

  1. Put the stewed apples in a suitable Pyrex dish. Mix the breadcrumbs, sugar and cinnamon together. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples. Dot the top layer evenly with butter.
  2. Bake at Gas Mark 4 to 5/Conventional Electric 350-375F/Circotherm 160C for 40 minutes.
  3. Serve with Greek Yoghurt or custard and enjoy.

If you are a crumble fan try mixing apples, plums and a banana together with a little cinnamon. This always goes down well with friends and family too. You would need approximately 1 lb cooking apples, 6 oz plums which you stew just for a few minutes. Sweeten to your own taste, before adding one chopped banana. Cover with your favourite crumble topping and bake as for Apple Charlotte.

If you have any vegetarian, egg free recipes without onions or garlic which you would like to share with other readers of this magazine, please send them to Supriyā.

Thank you.

Teachings of Swami Indrananda Ji

Published on October 30, 2008 in Articles. 0 Comments

by Shirley Hately

SwamiJiWe all know of Swami Ji’s dedication to the path of Self Discipline, but over the past 19 years he has taught me much more than that. He has given us all tools for living a yogic way of life in the modern world. It is hoped that this short article will inspire members to come forward to share the knowledge and influence Swami Ji had in your own life. He was such a wonderful teacher that we were not always aware we were being taught. It was just listening to his interactions and observing him that often taught us the most.
Swami Ji told me “Value everyone Ji”. Since I heard this instruction from him I have tried to put it into practice. It is quite amazing that viewing life from this perspective allows one to let go of criticism and judgements, instead to look for the positive attributes. Everyone has something to value and appreciate. Since taking on the role of Programme Director I have learned many things, the most significant being how much all of us valued Swami Ji and how dedicated everyone now is to helping keep the Centre as a haven of peace and tranquillity of Yoga.
So I would request you to value everyone you meet – and let them know it. You will be amazed to see the transformation in your life just by following this simple directive. I am reminded of the teaching of the wonderful Desiderata where it says “Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story…”
Another amazing thing will happen too – you will find everyone values you so much more. Perhaps this is an aspect of Santosha one of the Yamas and Niyamas of Patanjali. Santosha is contentment with our lot in life, gratitude and appreciation of all that comes our way.
Value Everyone.

Shirley

The Significance of the Centre’s Logo

Published on October 30, 2008 in Articles. 0 Comments

Patanjali Centre Logo

A reminder of the significance of the Centre’s Logo first published in our magazine in July 1983.
It is believed to have been written by the then editor, Dennis Benton.

The primary symbol of Yoga is of course the Pranava – the symbol of the sacred syllable AUM. This is the symbol, which every true Yoga aspirant carries in his heart.

But the lotus blossom too has significance in Yoga.

Rooted in the slime and mud, the flower rises pure, unsullied and unaffected by the waters. So is it with the Yogi. One of the loveliest covers, which Michael Munday designed for our Newsletters, depicted a full-blown lotus blossom.

The logo Michael has now designed for us is a stylised lotus. Its simplicity of line and classical proportions reflect our classical approach to Yoga. The two leaves at the base represent the fundamental ethical and moral stages (Yamas and Niyamas) of the eightfold path of Patanjali Yoga Sutras. The lower petals symbolise the next three stages – the steady pose (Asana), the breath control (Pranayama) and the steadying of the mind through the practise of Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). These are the five preliminary stages the so-called external steps. The three upper petals represent the Antaranga – the internal steps of Patanjali Yoga. These three stages are Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation, contemplation), and finally, at the apex, the heights of Samadhi. These are the progressive stages of true meditation, culminating in the Realisation of the Self.

May we reach towards those heights through diligent application of the true teachings of Yoga!