Sri Swami Vishwananda attends Era Of Unity Forum in Barcelona

SWAMIJI’S ATTENDANCE AT THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF SPIRITUAL CULTURE, ERA OF UNITY, 11TH MAY 2013

On the 11th May 2013, Sri Swami Vishwananda attended the International Forum of Spiritual Culture – “Era of Unity”, held in Santa Susanna, Barcelona. The two day event was organized by Russia’s Advaita Vedanta Congress and Spain’s Om Terra Nova. The purpose of the forum was to discuss an era of unity among mankind, in which different cultures, religions and spiritual organizations would be united by their love for ethics, ideals, divine forms, sacred texts and holy teachers. Various talks, workshops, music and yoga classes were held.

Swamiji was one of several key note speakers.  He shared the stage with a number of prominent Masters representing different Eastern spiritual traditions. Notable participants included Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishnudevananda Giri (Russia), Mahamandaleshwar Swami Pilot Baba (India) and Mahamandaleshwar Yogmata Keiko Aikawa (Japan).

Swamiji was enthusiastically listened to and received by the public, including 100 Bhakti Marga devotees that travelled from Portugal and Spain. This included a 17 hour bus journey from Portugal, a wonderful show of Love, Patience and Unity.  Bhakti Marga had a stand at the forum and held a number of well attended workshops run by Mahesh (Spain), Mira (Serbia) and Roshan (UK) in:   Babaji’s Surya Namaskar, Mudra Course, Mantra Project, Om Healing, Simply Meditation, workshop about the Power of the Divine Name, talk on Spirituality Unity through Yoga, presentation about Sri Swami Vishwananda and Bhakti Marga and Bhajans.

Swamiji gave a satsang and also took time to meet all the bhakti Marga devotees.  During the opening ceremony Swami spoke to an audience of around 300 people. This was his message:

“My greetings  to Swamiji (Swami Vishnudevananda Giri)  and to all the Saints and Sadhus and to all of you.

Swamiji is trying to bring a new awareness, a new understanding of unity. Unity happens through one thing. That’s love.

We see in our life different stages of love. Since we were small, since babies, we are covered with love. Love of the mother, parents, people who come to see the child, the child growing. Love transforms. There are different kinds (of love), but yet it carries on its way of growing. So time is the cause of this love. We can grow ourself into it, to play the game of life until we realize that what we are looking for is inside of ourself.

We concentrate on so many things, we focus our mind into the outside world, but in reality one has to become a better human being, getting rid of all jealousy and hatred. We see that with the mind we have judgement of good or bad. The scriptures talk about rising above the mind, rising above good and bad. Then only you will realize your divinity.

Without love  there can’t be freedom, because love is freedom. Love is a choice like you all chose to be here today. So we have a choice. When the divine created this universe he created it with his will and his choice. He created all and infused his power into everything.  Into the animals and insects, but in the end he created human beings and he infused himself in the choice and the choice is freedom. To choose what we want. I’m sure you are all here to bring a change to the world and this change depends entirely on each one of you. As Swamiji was saying earlier, one person can change a lot. And you see through history, all the great Masters, they were one single person, but they had an idea and a wish. So if you want to bring change to the world and if one has this eagerness and deep desire to change things, then you will have all the Divne help.  

As it is said in the Srimad Bhagavatam, that   Lord Naryanaya resides in each ones heart equally, and if we realize this we will just love him. We will first find him in us in our heart. If you have found him in your heart, you will easily find him in others. We cannot love the divine without loving his creation. And this unity will happen when we start to love. Remove all the judgement . Let love take over, you will be peaceful, you will have peace of mind because you won’t have time to stress yourself, but if you focus so much on the stress , then don’t think the stress will go way. It will grow bigger and bigger. So focus on the essential on what you want, so that it can become a part of this unity which you will yourself start to call and bring it to the world.

Jai Gurudev”

The Gift of Nothing

This sweet cartoon book was given to Swamiji for Gurupoornima. He was joyfully reading the story of the desperate dog Mooch who found finally peace again:

It was a special day and Mooch wanted to give his best friend, Earl, a gift.

But what to get him?

He had a bowl.

He had a bed.

He had a chewy toy.

He had it ALL.

Mooch thought and thought.

What do you get someone who has everything?

NOTHING!

He would give Earl the gift of nothing.

But in this world filled with so many somethings, where could he find nothing?

Mooch often heard Frank say there was „nothing on TV.“

But as far as Mooch could tell, there was always something on TV.

Mooch often heard Doozy and her friends say there was „nothing to do“

But as far as Mooch could tell, everybdoy was always doing something.

Milli came home from the store and said, „There was nothing to buy!“

So Mooch went shopping.

Mooch looked up and down every aisle.

He found many, many, many somethings.

The latest this, the newest that...

but as far as he could tell, nothing was not for sale.

So Mooch went home and sat on his pillow

and just stayed still (as cats often do).

And not looking for it, he found

nothing.

So he went and got a box

and put nothing in it.

Then Mooch thought, Hmmm … maybe Earl deserves more than this.

So he got a bigger box.

„Now that´s plenty of nothing!“

„For me?“ said Earl. „Mooch, you didn´t have to give me anything.“

Who told him? Thought Mooch.

Early opened Mooch´s gift.

„There´s nothing here,“ said Earl

„Yesh!“ said Mooch. „Nothing ….

„but me and you.“

So Mooch and Earl just stayed still

and enjoyed NOTHING

and EVERYTHING.

(Patrick McDonnell)

Darshan Maastricht

Swami Vishwananda said:

"In one week is Ram Navami. This is the time to chant the divine name of Sri Ram. Lord Rama is the incarnation of compassion. He came around 10 thousand years ago to show us all that one can attain the divine by performing ones dharma sincerely. Trust that God placed you now and here in this place to attain Him (God). So it is in this place (pointing to the heart) that you must seek Him and not anywhere outside."

The Darshan tonight was very nice. There were very many first-timers and our "Bhakti Sounds" Bhajan Band was so good, that some guests thought that a CD was playing rather than the bhajans being live!

The Power of Love

Swami Vishwananda encourages us to love...

So easy to spread love!

Swami Vishwannada encourages us again and again to love and to spread love. And he always says that it is so easy. But what do we do? We think about, how we can spread love, instead of just radiating love.

A few days ago I had a nice experience with one of my sisters here at Shree Peetha Nilaya regarding spreading love. It started with me getting annoyed with her and I expressed my anger. When I saw her the next time in the temple for prayers I could suddenly feel love for her. I was surprised about this lovely love-feeling, because in my mind I was still clinging to my anger, also my anger with myself. But this is what we humans love to do, we attach ourselves to the negative. It came quickly to my mind that she must be sending love to me. To send love to somebody with whom you have a conflict works miracles each time. Try it! Later I could ask her, whether my impression was right that she was sending love to me and she confirmed. You can send love in many ways, for example to send light, in all colours, silver, gold, you can imagine how the other is being showered with love-light. It is so simple. And the good thing is that you also benefit. That´s how love multiplies by giving. It is so simple, we just have to want it. We just have to give ourselves this little kick to get over ourselves and to send love instead of stupid thoughts.



wisdom of Love from Swami Vishwananda

Swami Vishwananda tells you today:

Cooking with Swamiji

Last Friday swami Vishwananda was cooking a very tasty meal for us all!

The kitchenteam, which did a wonderful job at easter, was very happy to have him arround!

The best are the handmade potato chips!

He would come!

For one of my following appointments with Swami Vishwananda I had decided not to speak with him about my inner pain and fears. However, it all turned out a little differently. As soon as I stepped into the interview room, I was not able to utter even a single word. I cried so hard, as if a great pain deep inside me had been touched. Everything I had suppressed for such a long time broke out of me like a volcano. I still remember that I was terribly ashamed, for I thought that I was too weak to contain myself. Swami simply smiled at me lovingly. After a few minutes he mentioned, very calmly, the letter I had written to invite him to my home. I gasped and told him, my face wet with tears, that I thought a visit would not be possible due to my lack of English. He said there was the option of engaging a translator. I will never forget this moment. I felt like a child that had just received a piece of chocolate to make it stop crying. In that moment I forgot all my fears and pains. My heart was full of joy and boundless love. Nothing else was important anymore. He would come! With his endless love, he freed me within minutes from my inner jail.

Request by Swami Vishwananda

Swami Vishwananda explicitly requests not to make him personal gifts, please also not for Christmas!

"No presents, please!"

Should someone have the wish to support Swamijis work, then please instead contribute financially (or elsewise) to the buildup of Center Springen. The center is being built as a source of spiritual inspiration for people from around the world. For support please contact our Mr. Kubera (naamdev@bhaktimarga.org). Many thanks! Jai Guru Dev.

At the end of the day

With the arrival of Swami Vishwananda in my life, I feel the love of God more and more in my heart. God’s love is an eternal flame that may grow every day until it envelops everything. The most important thing I have learned from Swami is to love. Love is the most beautiful thing that exists.

Swami teaches us to love everyone unconditionally, all the time. In the end you always give love to God, for he is in every thing and every being. He is also the source of love. Love does not judge, love is patient, love is forever. When you love, God resides in you and you reside in God. At the end of your day, as at the end of your life, when you view all the good deeds you have done on Earth, the times you have loved will shine like precious jewels!

Pritalananda- Springen

Why so late?

During that first time spent with Swami Vishwananda, we were walking with him in the fruit market in London and I asked Him some burning questions. I asked him why it had taken so many years for me to meet Him. I asked him, “Why now? Why so late? Why did you keep me waiting for such a long time? Why didn’t we meet earlier?” I pleaded with Him to tell me why. Swami simply said to me, “God loves you”. I broke down and I stood there with Swami hugging me with my head on his shoulder. He said, “God loves you and I love you”. I cried so much that his left shoulder was soaked. All this took place in the middle of a large fruit market with hundreds of people watching! Swami seemed oblivious to the crowd’s reaction and simply showed me love. As time passes, I understand more and more of this spiritual journey. I am definitely here for Swami, to serve him in his mission. I genuinely feel that there is no other reason for me to be on this earth and I have no other interest in having taken this birth on earth.

D. K. UK

The Love of the guru

Swami Vishwananda says often that God gives us everything served on a silver platter. The Divine may even put the food from the silver platter into our mouths, but we each must choose whether to swallow or not. About this, a devotee told me that: "Swami Vishwananda is ever ready to create the right circumstances for people to grow spiritually. Through many lessons given by Swami, I have uncovered deep layers of negativity that I never dreamed existed within me. With Swami’s grace I have learned to face the darkness within myself without fear, and I have overcome it. I do not believe that I would have been able to eliminate negativity and fear without my guru’s immense inner support. Moreover, I feel that the burden of karma I am working through currently is just a tiny fraction of the whole burden that my guruji is carrying for me. In his great humility, I know that Swami would never reveal that to anyone, but my inner experience knows. The greatness of a guru can be comprehended at the end of a lesson successfully learned, and each lesson may provide more clarity. When the lesson has been learned, then many of the guru’s words and actions regarding it can be understood more clearly."

When you love

With the arrival of Swami Vishwananda in my life, I feel the love of God more and more in my heart. God’s love is an eternal flame that may grow every day until it envelops everything. The most important thing I have learned from Swami Vishwananda is to love. Love is the most beautiful thing that exists. To you, dear reader, I would like to say, “Give love to your children, to your parents, to your wife, to your husband, to your friend, to whomever you want. How nice it is to love!” Swami teaches us to love everyone unconditionally, all the time. In the end you always give love to God, for he is in every thing and every being. He is also the source of love. Love does not judge, love is patient, love is forever. When you love, God resides in you and you reside in God.  At the end of your day, as at the end of your life, when you view all the good deeds you have done on Earth, the times you have loved will shine like precious jewels!