March Satsang was so very good just twelve of us this time but there was a lovely warm atmosphere. It was lovely to see some new friends as well as our regular devoted members.
The day started at 9am with a wonderful yoga class taken by Shirley. As I have a long journey, I did not make the beginning of the class, but was able to join in with the final asanas followed by an excellent relaxation – just what was needed, a bonus! 
Next we prepared for Havan Yajna – The Fire Ceremony. It is not so easy to perform but we took time, just a few moments, to reflect, absorb and digest the sublime meaning of some of these Vedic chants and prayers. It was also very moving. Afterwards we said prayers for Raja’s family because her daughter Savita, Swamiji’s granddaughter, has recently lost her dear young husband, Sandeep.
I felt very blessed to be there to offer prayers with others at such a time. We certainly had a lot of smoke from the sacred fire this time let us hope all our prayers and chants were carried ever upwards with the smoke so heaven’s blessings shower down upon the whole family and give them courage and strength.
After Havan Vanessa gave us a Sanskrit lesson, this she does freely on a regular basis at Satsang patiently trying to break it down to manageable pieces to help deepen our understanding of this great divine language. We focussed on pronouncing and sounding some of the vowels and consonants correctly. We also discussed the word asmita (I-am-ness) and in greater detail the words vitarka, vicara and ananda (reasoning, reflection, bliss) which were linked to the Patanjali Sutras v.17 covering the four different stages of Samadhi (samprajnata samadhi). Vanessa also touched on a topic that Shirley was to expand upon later which was an excellent idea and made it even more interesting.
We were then ready for food, food lovingly cooked by Rani, which we all appreciated and enjoyed very much.
After this divine luncheon, Shirley led us with a theme on how to deal with and overcome negative thoughts, many ideas were given and this led to a very lively, interesting and inspiring Satsang. It was so good we asked her to write some details in this magazine for you all to read. (Due to lack of space, this will appear in the next magazine – editor)
Then we were spoilt with Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) and the day ended with a nice meditation from Avril before bidding farewell to each other.
All in all a lovely day and I look forward to the April Satsang.
Archive for the 'Activities at the Ashram' Category
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Supriyā – Centre Secretary
The December Havan Yajna and Satsang had a very special meaning for me. As I unfortunately could not attend the ceremony planned for the actual anniversary on Friday 19th December, it was an opportunity to commemorate the first anniversary of Swami Ji’s passing along with Christmas prayers. As usual, the fire ceremony was lovely along with the chanting.
On completion of the Havan Yajna, we conducted Aarti. Following this, in order to honour the memory of Swami Ji, give our thanks to him, his teachings and devotion over many years, we each lit a candle and placed it in front of Swami Ji’s photograph. It was a special, personal moment for each one of us; sad but releasing.
It was good to be able to remember and honour him as part of a group of family and devotees who knew him well.
The afternoon followed the usual pattern of a chanting, a Sanskrit session taught by Vanessa, songs and Phil reading a chapter from his forthcoming book. Shirley read from some of the sacred books and Avril completed the afternoon by leading a meditation. Tea and cakes were then enjoyed by all. All in all, a lovely day.
Activities at the Ashram
Kirti Patel – Swami Ji’s son in law
Some of the Patanjali members and family gathered on Friday 19th December to remember and pay homage to Swamiji (Daddyji to the family) who taught us so much; both in opening our hearts and showing us how to stay true to classical yoga. We started with the sacred havan ceremony. This was beautifully conducted by our “dear Shirley” as daddyji would have said. He would no doubt be very proud of Shirley’s determination in learning the sacred Vedic ceremony. It is sad that not many are aware of the subtle part the havan yajna plays in maintaining and securing progress of a spiritual person; havan is a key component of the classical Patanjali tradition and if followed with concentration helps a spiritual aspirant to remove the subtle vasanas or impure tendencies of mind and intellect. This is a starting point for a karma yogi after which starts the physical postures and all sadhanas.
We began the day with the lighting of the candles and maintaining a reflective silence in the Ashram grounds where Daddyji’s ashes are buried. It was a moment of both happiness and sadness when our memories came flooding back. Happiness in that Daddyji had touched all our lives and sadness in that he was no longer with us in physical body to share our experiences. No doubt he was looking down upon us smiling. After the Havan Yajna, Philip played some beautiful songs on his trusty guitar and Rani sang one of Daddyji’s favourite songs. This was followed by a simple but divine lunch. As one who has not been to the Ashram since July, I was struck by the still strong presence of Daddyji’s love and compassion within the Ashram studio and grounds.
Activities at the Ashram
Shirley Hately – Programme Director
Friday 19th December was the first anniversary of the passing of Swami Ji. Those of us who could manage to be present were, and many, many more were praying for his departed Soul in their homes on that day.
We began the day with the Havan Yajna, offering prayers for Swami Ji and remembering all the wonderful ways in which he taught us, helped us and inspired us. Then we went out into the Ashram garden, to stand at his Samadhi with our own silent prayers. This day was truly special. It was as if Swami Ji was there accepting all the love and gratitude offered to him. Although it was an emotional day, it was also a very uplifting day. We happily remembered his laughter and sense of humour too. Rani sang a bhajan which he particularly loved. I read from the Bhagavad Gita and we sat for some time in quiet contemplation of the words of Lord Krishna, accepting them into our own hearts. It was a simple day, honouring a true Sannyasi.
This will now be an annual event. It will not be a morbid one, nor will it be an emotional indulgence – Swami Ji would have never wanted it to be that. Instead, we will continue to honour the teachings of Yoga and his inspirational devotion to the Path.
I am sure that those of us who were present, were extremely glad we had made the effort to be there. Maybe next year, you too, would like to join us.
Hari Om
Om Tat Sat.
Brian Down – Chairman of the Trustees
Speech from Guru Puja Day 2008
Today we are here to celebrate Guru Puja Day and all the great Masters of the past who have helped us; but one Master in particular, Swami Indrananda Ji.
He taught us lots of things and he was the creator and inspiration of this Centre. Without him there would be no Centre and it’s a gift to us that we must take on.
He always had a wonderful way of harnessing everybody’s gifts. Everybody has some gift to offer and he knew what that gift was and how to harness it. One of his greatest gifts, if not his greatest gift, wasn’t his words, it was his actions. He knew that you had to do it, it was no good talking about it, you had to do it. So in my opinion he was really a great Karma Yogi – action not words.
Presentation to Geoffrey Cole
There is someone else here today without whom, by his selfless actions, the fabric of this building would not exist. There were only a few of us, quite a number of which are here today, and they will remember that it was not like this in the beginning. Quietly and progressively over the last twenty years it has developed into this wonderful Ashram. So we, the Trustees, want to say, “Thank you Geoffrey”; but what do you give a man like Geoffrey who just gets on and does it and we often struggle to even find him. With the help of Indarji’s family we would like you to have as a gift Swamiji’s study book, so from everyone including him, we thank you very much for your tireless work.
The Future of the Ashram
No one will ever replace Swamiji nor would we expect them to but the Trustees of the Ashram each have special skills. None as great individually as he, but maybe together some of our skills will be such that we can continue to make this place live and be what it was and what it will continue to be – a great Ashram for Classical Yoga. I would like to introduce you to the Trustees now, some of you will know them and others will not. (The Trustees are asked to stand up and be introduced.) Starting with Shirley, Jenny, Raj, Supriyā, Carole, Monika and finally Philip. So together what we are doing by standing here is saying to you that we promise to keep the Ashram, the Patanjali Yoga Centre running as it always was. It will always be a great Ashram, a place of peace and we will continue for as long as we are able to work for the Patanjali Centre for Classical Yoga. Thank you very much. (Applause and then everybody is asked to stand up for there is more!)
As we cannot do this on our own, we also look to you. For you are the Patanjali Yoga Centre not us. We are nothing without you. So we ask you for your support, your help, your devotion and ask you to take the message of Swami Indrananda Ji and lead this Ashram to even greater things in the future.
Thank you very much.
OM Shantih Shantih Shantih OM
Guru Puja Day, Saturday July 19th 2008, around noon:
“Perfect timing, Indar!” We called out.
A 1920s mono-plane droned slowly over the tree tops as a short gentle shower sprinkled us with a reminder of our friend and mentor.
Family members, swamis, devotees and friends had gathered in the grounds of the Patanjali Yoga Ashram around the rough hewn memorial stone of Swami Indrananda Ji (Sri Indar Nath) with the auspicious purpose of burying some of his ashes.
Tears of sadness were mixed with smiles of surprise. Indar could always lighten the mood.
“Don’t be too serious. It’s time to move on. I was just checking that you were doing things properly; but I knew that you would. NO DOUBT AT ALL.”
In his personal hand-crafted messages, Swami Indrananda Ji would always sign off with the lines:
“May the Lord shower you with his countless blessings!”
He certainly did on this Guru Puja day.
27-29TH JULY 2007
This retreat was almost fully booked when I asked Swamiji if it would be possible to participate on this most auspicious occasion. So it was with eager anticipation that I secured the final place as Jenny Newman was bringing a group of eight of her students. Therefore, apart from Raj, Jenny and of course Swamiji, all the other members of the group were unknown to me but we soon became a family.
I was the last to arrive at the Centre but I was just in time to join the group for the introductory session. I know from past experience just how important this first session is as it sets the theme for the whole of the retreat. The emphasis on this occasion was Guru Puja and the significance of the Havan Yajna. The group learnt to chant the introductory verses that precede the actual Havan Yajna ceremony (these are not normally chanted at the monthly Satsangs) and we were also shown how to purify the body before the sacred fire is lit.
As mentioned above this was the theme for the whole weekend so it was very spiritual and of course special. Jenny took the morning asana sessions and as Swamiji was unavailable for the first morning session on Saturday, the morning chanting was also led by Jenny.
After breakfast on Saturday Swamiji recapped on the previous evenings chants but although we didn’t light the sacred fire on this occasion we did chant all of the verses.
Throughout the whole of the retreat guests/members of the Centre also participated. Lynn Power (Life Member and Trustee) visited us on Saturday. The weather had cleared after breakfast and so when we returned from our walk it was lovely to see her. Premanand Ji also came that day and stayed for the rest of the retreat.
Sunday followed a similar pattern to Saturday but this time Swamiji led the early morning chanting. As this was a very auspicious occasion Swamiji asked us to forgo our breakfast porridge (we all ate this just before we were about to depart for home) and just to eat fruit. Our numbers swelled significantly as Shirley brought two guests and other members of the Centre also came to participate in the event. Phil and Premanand Ji each provided musical recitations. The retreat concluded with a short question and answer session followed by a meditation.
I really enjoyed every moment of my stay at the Centre and particularly on this very auspicious occasion as it more than fulfilled my highest expectations. I hope that this short report has whetted your appetite and that you will come and support Swami Indrananda in any future retreats/courses that are being held at the Ashram.
Our Geoffrey has always got something to do at the Ashram. Apart from his own work, he never neglects the maintaining of the Ashram and its surroundings. If there is someone to help us, it saves his time and travelling, otherwise he is always prepared to help us as and when it is needed. If the weather is nice, he would, while he visits the Ashram for one reason or another, try to see that all is in order. I feel that we will be lost without his services to the Ashram and Centre as a whole. We pray for his long life, health and strength to continue serving the organisation.
Our Geoffrey has always got something to do at the Ashram. Apart from his own work, he never neglects the maintaining of the Ashram and its surroundings. If there is someone to help us, it saves his time and travelling, otherwise he is always prepared to help us as and when it is needed. If the weather is nice, he would, while he visits the Ashram for one reason or another, try to see that all is in order. At our May Satsang he had to collect two of our lady friends and singers from Croydon as they wanted to pay a visit, and then he drove them back safely to their homes. I feel that we will be lost without his services to the Ashram and Centre as a whole. We pray for his long life, health and strength to continue serving the organisation.
Although we may not organise ‘Fund Raising Occasions’, our Members, Friends and Visitors are very generous in contributing, according to their means, to the funds of the Centre. These have proved a great help to us in implementing the old and new Projects for the Ashram as well as to provide facilities to Visitors. The donations come to us through various sources.
a) When they visit us at the Satsang (our Monthly Meetings), either they donate or put in the ‘Offering Box’, b) On visits for their ‘Birthdays’, Anniversaries’, ‘Auspicious Occasions‘ and various other functions. c) Our own Members, who put in a lot of effort to help serving the cause, donate to us more on regular occasions. d) Our overseas Members and Friends send us some donations from time to time. e) Non members who receive our ‘Complimentary’ copies of the Magazine, send donations to show their closeness to the Centre/Ashram.
TOTAL DONATIONS RECEIVED DURING THE PERIOD OF THIS MAGAZINE IS £978
Receipts for the ‘Donations’ are sent to all but in case we have missed it, we apologise to them but their money has been safely deposited to our Bank.
Some of the names are Louisa from the States, Simon on becoming a ‘Life Member’, Dora from Italy, Govindji from London, a Life long companion of the Centre, Tugs from France.
Some of us who are already donating through Deed of Covenants/Gift Aid, donate on their visits and other occasions.
We pray to the Lord to bless all these noble souls And shower upon them many folds.
August Residential Course
First Week – Supriya
Shat Karma
“These six acts should be performed: washing out the stomach (dhauti), washing out the bowels (basti), cleansing of the nose (neti), shaking the abdomen (nauli), fixing with the eyes (trataka) and breathing bellows (kapala bhati).” (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 2, 22.)I was lucky enough to be able to attend the first week of the three week retreat. This was aimed at teaching the shat karmas and cleansing the complete body. These are aimed at detoxifying and rejuvenating the whole body. There were six of us on the retreat so we were all able to have individual bedrooms and not have to sleep under canvas. The retreat started on the Friday. The following day was the first Saturday of August so we had Havan Yajna and Satsang. Indrananda Ji had sent us all off for a walk mid morning with instructions of which route to take, whilst he attended to his personal practice and making the divine luncheon. Unfortunately, unknown to us the footpath which he intended us to use was closed and we had to go a long way around through fairly rough undergrowth. We had to resort to climbing a fence and jumping across a stream to get back to the original footpath.Hence we were rather late returning and my husband, Hari Dasa and daughter, Amber, who were visiting for the Satsang had to collect the flowers and foliage for the surroundings of the fire and generally prepare for Havan Yajna, the fire ceremony and the expected visitors. As usual, Satsang was a lovely day and we had three visitors from the London Satyananda Centre who joined us for the day. One of them, Krishnadhyanam, played the harmonium very well and gave an impromptu harmonium lesson after lunch.Normally, Bernard Platt helps Indrananda Ji and takes some of the classes during the August retreat. Unfortunately, due to health problems, Bernard could not join us. Hence, at Indrananda Ji’s direction, I taught the morning asana session including some bandhas and mudras in preparation for the shat karmas. During the week, we were introduced to the six shat karmas (cleansing kriyas) or purificatory exercises; nauli, neti, trataka, kapalabhati, dhauti and basti. We were also taught about yogic food and the dietary principles necessary to achieve thorough cleansing. Of course, at the ashram we only ate sattvic food so this greatly helped in the cleansing process. In addition, we had one day where we conducted shankprakshalana, a complete cleansing of the stomach, intestines and bowels.
We had asana, pranayama and meditation sessions each day with emphasis given to practices which would aid the cleansing process. Postures and bandhas such as uddhiyana and agnisari, leading towards control of the abdominal muscles and nauli were practiced daily. Other practices such as aswini were new to some people and took a lot of repetition to isolate and start to get control of the relevant area.
Of course each day started and ended with chanting. The early morning posture session was followed by a very welcome breakfast of Indrananda Ji’s porridge (see recipe in this magazine) and fresh fruit salad. Each day also included asana, pranayama, walk/karma yoga, study, talks and discussions, etc. In addition, we were taught how to prepare and cook sattvic foods. Lunch was the main meal of the day with the evening meal consisting of soup and pudding. I was surprised but pleased to find that during the retreat, I wasn’t at all hungry despite eating less than I would at home and doing more energetic activities.
Geoffrey was also in attendance during the week, single-handedly insulating, plaster boarding, wiring and finishing off the new, 3 bedroom block which he had built. He was working from early morning until late at night but I was still astonished at how much he managed to achieve. We did try to keep him adequately supplied with food and lots of tea to keep him going.
I really enjoyed my week at the ashram and would thoroughly recommend attending the August retreat to anyone.