The New Year’s Celebration at Shree Peetha Nilaya started
2016 off with a boost of Bhakti! At
SPN, the night “officially” began with a presentation that looked back upon all
of the incredible events that happened during 2015. From Guruji receiving the
title, "Mahamandaleshwar," to the founding of the Bhakti Marga Academy, many
milestones and changes took place in 2015 that will continue to play a role for
Sri Swami Vishwananda and Bhakti Marga in the future years to come.
After the presentation had finished, the bhajans began. As
the BM band sang, “Shankha Chakra Dhara”, the devotees and Sri Swami
Vishwananda couldn’t help but to dance. From the front to the back of the
Darshan Hall, and even outside near the entrance, one could see a crowd of
bhaktas, with their hands in the air, singing, “Vitthala Vitthala Panduranga!”
At midnight, Guruji led everyone to the temple to offer the
first arati of the new year. Shortly thereafter was the fireworks show. And
even still, the night was just beginning. The night was concentrated and there was
hardly a moment that wasn’t utilised for the celebration of a new year.
Earlier, before the presentation had begun, Guruji talked about the changing of the year and what it truly means. Here is an excerpt
from his talk:
"You see, it’s a big
deal when the calendar changes. And that’s what people are always celebrating: a
change of calendar. We think that, “Okay, one year has passed...” You always
have a great resolution for next year. In reality, today and tomorrow is the
same; nothing changes. What changes is only the calendar, the name. If you have
not changed throughout life, throughout your way, a date or calendar change
will never change you.
The change of
calendar is very cleverly done, so that you can reflect upon yourself. When you
look back at the year that has passed, then you look at yourself. I’m not
saying to look at somebody else. Look at yourself! What have you changed? How
did you change and transform yourself? How have you been from the beginning of
the year till the end of the year? Have any positive changes happened inside of
you?
You have to observe
your life, because what will change later? You see, people have great
resolutions, “Oh, you know, in 2016 we will change, we will throw the
cigarettes in the corner.” What will be,
will be. This is not in your hands. What is now, this is the resolution you are
taking now. You take a positive resolution every day…the moment you wake up,
you say you want to make a change in this world. That’s where the change
starts. It’s not about the year changing, it’s about you changing.
So as you like very
much to take on a determination when the year changes, or the calendar is
changing, have the resolution that you shall attain clarity of the mind.
Because the mind is closer to you. Whatever you do in the life, you do it with
the mind, no? Like Ramakrishna said.
God has given
you every part of your body for a reason. The mind also has its utility. We
can’t say the mind is wrong. But how you use the mind is what is wrong. So, if
you are clear and give all your attention to clarity within yourself, you will
see that what you want to achieve in life – even if it seems far away – you
will be able to do it in a very short time and it will be very easy. Because
that energy which is inside of you will be also projected into your
determination. And that energy flows towards that determination only when you
are clear.
So, be clear about
what you want to achieve and be clear about yourself. You are unique; you are a
blessing just as you are. The moment you start to respect the way you are, the
moment you start to love the way you are, you will see how easy it is to love."-Sri Swami Vishwananda
The New Year’s Celebration concluded with a personal
blessing from Sri Swami Vishwananda, late-night kirtan also with Guruji, and
for the very last event of the night, there was a disco/dance-party with our
very own DJ, “DJ Bhaktivesh.” The night ended in the early morning at about
4:00 a.m. All in all, the New Year’s Celebration became a festive occasion that
was drenched with Bhakti and set the tone for the year to come. As there were
various changes in 2015, it’s hard to imagine what will happen in 2016, but
nevertheless, whatever shall be, will only contain added pieces to the puzzle of our
Guruji’s mysterious Divine Plan. Jai Gurudev, and Have a Happy New Year!
Hara Hara Mahadev! Maha Shivaratri 2016 is approaching soon, register today and get ready for the auspiciousness night of worshiping the greatest bhakta of them all, Lord Shiva. Check out the link for more information:
http://www.bhaktimarga.org/events/event/maha-shivaratri
