Volume 5 Issue 1, March 2007 - Special Issue for
the Centenary of Paramahamsa Hariharananda

Control of the Mind

by Paramahamsa Hariharananda

In the scriptures, the mind is described as an inner instrument. An instrument should be used intelligently. If not handled tactfully, then it creates troubles and difficulties. Mind can be a good servant, but a bad master. Mind can be a good friend if handled with care, but it can be a great enemy if untrained and undisciplined. Mind is the most restless entity in everyone’s life, even for a spiritual seeker. In the beginning, the mind stands like a strong barrier. In the Bhagavad Gita (6:34), even Arjuna, a great devotee and follower of Lord Krishna says:

chanchalam hi manah krishna pramathi balavaddridham
tasyaham nigraham manye vayo riva sudushkaram,

“O Lord, we all know the mind is constantly restless, deluded, turbulent, and wild. Just as no one can stop or control the wind, it is very difficult to subdue the mind.”

Arjuna’s mind is very restless, mad, and very strong. He cannot control his mind, intellect, or ego. He likens it to the impossible task of stopping the movement of air, finding it impossible to stop its restlessness. This is the confession of a strong person like Arjuna. He feels that he cannot achieve success.

Everyone has four inner instruments. They are mind, thought, intellect and ego. The mind deliberates; the intellect decides; the memory remembers and recollects; and the ego binds with the attitude of ‘doer-ship.’ These four instruments help the person in daily life. They are neither good nor bad, but function as the person needs them. However, if one is not careful, then there is every possibility of troubles and difficulties arising. Listening to the assertion of Arjuna about the turbulent mind, Lord Krishna gives the answer of how to get the mind controlled and disciplined: asamshayam mahabaho mano durnigraham chalam / abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena cha grihyate, “O powerful warrior, mighty armed Arjuna! Undoubtedly, a restless mind is very difficult to control. O son of Kunti, it can indeed be controlled by constant practice and detachment.” (Bhagavad Gita 6:35)

In this verse, Lord Krishna admitted that the mind is restless, but that through practice and detachment from worldly objects, it can be controlled. In the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (Samadhi Pada, sutra 12), it is said: abhyasa vairagyabhyam tannirodha, “They can be controlled by means of practice and non-attachment.” These are considered as the two methods of disciplining the mind.

Abhyasa, the Sincere Practice

Abhyasa means systematic, regular, and repeated practice of a discipline, with a goal. This concept of abhyasa has been given a prominent place in the Gita. Lord Krishna refers to abhyasa (practice) as a yoga by itself. By constant practice, anything can be mastered. We see a baby who cannot walk, but by struggling and practicing repeatedly, learns to walk, and soon can even run effortlessly. We learn to speak by practicing, and we also master writing through repeated practice. Any skill or proficiency can be achieved through practice alone. Practice brings perfection.

In yoga or meditation, breath is considered as the link between the body and soul, between the mind and activity. The easy way to control the mind is by breath control. The art of breath control should be learned and practiced under the direct guidance of a teacher, because of its technical nature. There is clear evidence that restless breath brings about a restless mind, and a regulated, calm breath gives rise to a peaceful and disciplined mind. Constant practice of breath control can transform your life. During sleep, when the breath is naturally controlled by the Lord, we sleep peacefully, free from restlessness. In the wakeful state, we all should learn how to control the breath easily and lovingly. There is repeated emphasis in the Bhagavad Gita (8:8) about abhyasa:

abhyasa yoga yuktena chetasa nanya gamina
paramam purusham divyam yati parthanuchintayan,

“O Partha (Arjuna)! He who has disciplined his thoughts and mind, and who meditates on the Supreme Person, and is constantly practicing, his mind does not go anywhere, and he reaches Him (the Supreme Being).”

Nothing can be achieved without constant practice. Only hearing about techniques will not give any result. The Kriya Yoga technique should be practiced regularly and sincerely. An ounce of practice is far better than tons of theories.
Vairagya, Inner Detachment
The second important factor the Lord emphasized is vairagya (detachment). When we live in the world, we are associated with material things, and we develop natural likes and dislikes. Likes bring attachments, and dislikes bring hatred. When someone finds a place, person, or object of his liking, he is excited, wanting to remain in those circumstances. This is the cause of attachment. Attachment is a psychological bondage. In the same manner, because of strong dislikes, we develop hatred, which is a negative attachment. People rejoice in the misery of the person they hate, and are worried about their own success. Attachment brings all troubles, while detachment is the road to freedom. Live in the world, but be compassionately detached.

Carefully observe your own mind, your worries and emotions. Free yourself from these bondages, intelligently. Through breath control, when one withdraws the senses from the lower to the upper centers of the spine, one can achieve calmness and detachment, and so become one with the Divine.

Discriminate between real and unreal, good and bad, and gradually rise above everything and proceed towards the Truth. It may be slow, but even gaining a little gives a sense of freedom and peace. As one progresses, one gains self-mastery. It is said in the Bhagavad Gita (2:61): tani sarvani samyamya, “By controlling all the sense organs.”

If you introvert your sense organs and come up from the lower centers to the upper, you can go to the place from where God is controlling or activating the five sense organs. If you focus steadfastly on the Christ center, you are able to control the senses and gain wisdom. In the Bhagavad Gita (2:68) it says: tasmad yasya mahabaho nigrihitani sarvasahah / indriyani indriyarthebhyas tasya prajna pratishthita, “Therefore, O Mighty-armed (Arjuna), people who can thoroughly control the power of the five senses are established in wisdom.”

Without self-control, sense-control, and heart-control, you cannot conceive, perceive, or realize God. True devotion is not possible without these attainments. People with these skills get cosmic consciousness and know that the soul is the driver of the body car. Meditate! Practice! Surely one day you will obtain perfection. Patience and perseverance can overcome mountains of difficulties.

Message from Paramahamsa Prajnanananda

Loving and Divine Soul,

While the earth is celebrating the glorious gift of God in welcoming different seasons, weather, and even calamities with love, we are celebrating the birthday of our Beloved Gurudev, who is no doubt a special gift of God to all of us.

God loves us. Our breath is the proof of His love. His love knows no bounds. It is said that love gives, and love forgives. Let us realize this maxim of God, and try to live a life of love and forgiveness. To love all and to serve all was the core of Gurudev’s teaching. He repeatedly taught that the foundation of spiritual life is to love God in every breath.

We have been nicely celebrating his Birth Centenary in many parts of the world, with love and devotion, since May, 2006. Let us celebrate his 100th birthday, which is coming in a matter of weeks. But how? Let our hearts be the real place of celebration. For this we must clean our hearts. Meditation, prayer, and service will help keep the heart free from emotion and ego. We are to try sincerely.

Gurudev used to sing, “In the inner worship, there is no need of flowers and fruits, we only need intense love and devotion.”

Although the year-long celebration will come to its end in Cuttack, Orissa, India, our celebration should not end. It should be in every breath.

Remember Gurudev and his love in every breath, and for some time at least every day. It will give real inner transformation.
I am praying for you all.

With love
Prajnanananda

The Life of Gurudev

by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda

Gurudev’s life itself is a message. His is a life of perfection, a life of constant God-consciousness. His life is the life of a practical Kriya yogi. He lived among us and taught us how to live consciously in God. Spiritual life is not a dream, it is a reality. To be in that reality, one should live continuously in that state.

Before we came to this world, when we were in the mother’s womb, we all were yogis. Did you know, for several months we were spending time in prayer and meditation in the womb? Many are not aware of this. Because of that period of prayer and meditation, when the baby was born, it was so peaceful, so loving. What happened, once we came to the world, is that we forgot again to love God and to live a God conscious life.

Life is beautiful. But who understands? We live with ego, emotion, and ignorance, and this ego, emotion and ignorance simultaneously cloud our consciousness. We suffer a lot. How are we to transform our life? How are we to live a better life? We should be conscious of our own divinity, aware of the nature of the world, and live accordingly. Gurudev said, “I was in a good family. I had beautiful parents and siblings, and I left them.” Why did he leave them? It is a critical question. In spite of so many beautiful people and so much love, he left. I have seen the type of life his family lived.

One Indian mother, in the early 80s, had short hair like a man. She came and bowed to Baba. Gurudev’s elder brother said, “Hello Swamiji, you are a good guru. You started wearing long hair, and now the young women are imitating you and wearing hair short like men”.

Another day, his brother was sitting with Gurudev and he looked at the lines on Gurudev’s palm and said. “Many children, no wife; lots of income, no income tax”. They had a humorous relationship. In human life, we miss humor. Baba was humorous.

Why did he leave his family? Baba’s answer is this:”Have you heard of business? When it is a company, it is private, limited. My company in the beginning was limited. In little things, you can’t get real joy. Real joy is in holding the Absolute.” People think they are happy with a little job, and when they realize it is not so great, they are no longer happy.

Gurudev said, “I left everything and gained everything. I left one mother and got so many mothers. I left so many brothers and sisters and got so many more brothers and sisters.”

If you can’t leave, you can’t get.

Why did he leave? Surely he left for some higher purpose. I am not saying to leave everything and come. But maintain this attitude, and do not hold onto things and people. We should learn how to live. If you can’t exhale, you can’t inhale. If you can’t lift one leg, you can’t move forward. Spiritual life is a life of inner journey, a life of detachment, a journey for a higher purpose. This journey is not for one day. This journey should be a continuous life. Spiritual life is a continuous journey.

Two young men in the night wanted to row the boat across the river. They wanted to take an intoxicating substance to enjoy the long journey. Slowly darkness disappeared, and the sun came up. When they looked around, they saw that the new place looked like their village, with similar trees, landscape. When they looked clearly around, they found that they had not untied the anchor, and yet they rowed all night. Spiritual life is like this – if you want the journey, untie the anchor.

We do not understand why things happen to us. A spiritual person lives a life of constant thanksgiving. Gurudev always said, “Give me not ego. Let me remember Me always.” He used to speak in Bengali, “O God, even if my hands are full with many things, let me not have ego.” Why do we have ego? Yes, you are beautiful, but beauty is not permanent. You have ego that you are young, that you have money, beauty, etc. Gurudev, maybe my hands are filled with many things. Let me not have ego, I should not forget you. I should not forget you even in my dream. This is the prayer of Gurudev, to live a God conscious life day to day. This is the message of a spiritual life and of Gurudev. Be good, and that good will manifest more if we do more. God has given us a good mind to think, eyes to see -what do you see? A mouth to speak - what do you speak? Ears to hear - what do you hear? So many organs to use - organs to speak, see, do, and think good. This is the spiritual life - it is in your hands.

The Celebration of a Complete Life

by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda

The Isha Upanishad (mantra 2) says:

kurvann eveha karmani
jijivesec chatam samah

To do your duty in this world, you should live for 100 years.

Gurudev lived 95 years, six months, and six days in his physical form. Many of us thought Gurudev would surely live 100 years. We even began planning how to celebrate his 100th birthday with him present. What is the complete life of 100 years? Life is complete if we have love in our hearts. Life is complete if we hold God in every step of our life. Remember, God is the only reality. God is more real than anything else. And those who know, they know. Try.

We are crying for money, crying for pleasure, enjoyment. We are crying for food. We are crying for friends. Who is crying for God?
One day, a devotee found God, and asked God, “My Beloved, I was searching and praying for You for so long. It took so long.” God replied, “My child, I have been waiting for you, life after life, for when you would come back to Me. You have been busy in this world, playing with toys: a big house, friendship, business, and so on.”

You play in the world, and it doesn’t matter, because we have come to play. Remember, this is play; it is not our real home. What is “home” in English? In the center of the word home, there is Om. Om is God. If you forget that Om means God, you might have a home, but it is not home sweet home.

As a circle is complete, so must be our lives. Gurudev used to say, “My life is a complete life.” How could His life become complete? And if we are his children, why can’t we make our life complete? He said, if your desire is great, it is not so difficult.

This body is God, the temple of God. My friend also is God. I am holding my friend and holding God. Food is not food, it is God. If we can bring God into our life, life is complete. When you write the number one million, there are six zeros and a single one. So after one, you write six zeros. It is a million. If you remove that one, you have nothing, zero. Remember, if we have one God in our lives, we are millionaires.

To make life complete, bring God into your life. There is no other way. Without God, there is no peace. No joy. No love. Sing a song - God in your life. Be in the world - God in your life.

Drops of Nectar

from Paramahamsa Hariharananda

Q: What is God?

A: God is all-pervading, omniscient, and omnipotent. He is in every human being. Having made the whole universe, created man and woman, He entered into His creation. He is hiding in the entire body of all beings, and in the whole universe. Everything is God. All human beings are born for God-realization, because they are rational beings.

Q: Why don’t all human beings have the desire to realize Him?

A: In each human body there are three bodies: the gross body, full of illusion, delusion, and error; the astral body, characterized by knowledge, consciousness, superconsciousness, and cosmic consciousness. Beyond these two bodies is the causal body, our wisdom, the cause of everything, which is in our fontanel. Wisdom cannot be realized by the five sense organs, it can only be perceived by the atom point, in the fontanel. God is inhaling, it is why the gross body is alive. Breath is our life; life is our soul, which is in the space between the pituitary gland and the fontanel. That is wisdom. The gross body is full of allurements and people are generally very attached to it. But we have to realize that without the causal body, that Supreme Almighty Father who is hiding in the fontanel of every human being, the gross body is useless.

USA MOTHER CENTER NEWS

Lahiri Baba would say that, though we are in the midst of the world, running here and there, fulfilling our duties to family and service, it is essential that at least once a year we sit at the feet of the master and spend a little time absorbing instruction and guidance. So many kriyavans from around the world heeded this instruction and came to the Mother Center in November/December of 2006. This is the very place where Baba created a beautiful ashram and resided for his last years. This is where Baba chose to enter into the conscious union with the Divine. It is an understatement to say that it was particularly auspicious to be here during his mahasamadhi ceremony in the Centenary Year. We are all blessed.

We had the opportunity to sit at the feet of Baba’s chosen yogacharyas, whom he personally empowered to guide kriyavans to deepen their practice. Through them we easily perceive that Baba is our constant and faithful companion who takes meticulous care in providing the means to our success and growth. We were most fortunate of all for the presence of Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, who tirelessly presided over the entire event. How grateful we are to him.

One of Swamiji’s beautiful ideas was to hold special public events to honor Baba in Miami during the week-long festivities. He worked with Dr. Nathan Katz, director of Florida International University’s Center for the Study of Spirituality, to jointly host a World Peace Conference on November 30. At this wonderfully attended event, guest speakers of various religions raised the consciousness of the public to the necessity of all community endeavors aimed at peace. They made it clear that a spiritual movement promoting peace at the grassroots level would expand to embrace the country, the continent, and ultimately the world.

The keynote speaker was none other than the esteemed Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, who blessed us all with stories of his grandfather and deep insights into the philosophy of ahimsa, or non-violence, as the essential ingredient to promote harmony among peoples of the world. We were fortunate to hear this living example of Gandhi’s peace legacy, who carries the torch of his grandfather’s dreams all over the world.

A second public event, “Living Together in in the Community, Living Together in the World”, was held in Fort Lauderdale on December 1st. This event counted on not only Arun Gandhi’s ready wit and seriousness of purpose, but the added presence of Paramahamsa Yogananda’s direct disciple Roy Eugene Davis, who generously gave of his time in relating stories of his experiences with our beloved Yoganandaji. Both of these gentlemen, along with Swamiji and Yogacharya Suresh Baba, gave inspiring talks that filled the hall with harmony, all in the name of Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who smiled down on us all from a beautiful photo on the altar.

The official inauguration of Baba’s Memorial Brick Garden was held, with a special ceremony by Prajnananandaji and the disciples. This timeless garden stands as a testament to Gurudev’s life, as it portrays important messages, moments, and places of his journey.

One of the last evenings was enhanced by an outdoor concert of traditional Indian music that filled Baba’s ashram with song. We all recall how Gurudev himself would fill the grounds with sacred songs on his 4 pm strolls. At the end of the program, we were thrilled to see the stories of Krishna and the Divine Mother acted out in typical Oriya dance. Every step, every hand gesture, was attuned to the telling of the story with precision and grace. One could almost see Baba clapping his hands and swaying along.

Our deepest thanks go to all the local kriyavans and those from other centers who helped selflessly and tirelessly to make Baba's centenary mahasamadhi celebration a success. We could not have done it without their love and dedication.

Most of all, we express heartfelt thanks to Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji, who has admirably taken on the Herculean task of carrying on with Baba’s legacy. Through his direction and ceaseless efforts, he has maintained and expanded programs throughout the world, bringing knowledge about Baba and his teachings to every corner of the globe. His love and dedication serve as our example of what it means to be a true disciple in the Kriya lineage. In many ways, his appointment as successor demonstrates Baba’s deep love for his children, that he would give us a figure of such spiritual stature to continue to guide us on the path of realization.

And thank you, dearest Gurudev, for all your love and all that you have given us. You promised to take us “across the worldly ocean”, and we trust in your care. We humbly bow to you and ask you to please accept our best efforts that we offer at your feet.

USA CENTERS ACTIVITIES

Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara Center hosted “A Celebration of Love and Peace” centenary event and retreat October 12-15, 2006. Many people attended the public event at the library, and listened to heart-warming stories about Baba, and Indian music. The three-day retreat at the beautiful and peaceful La Casa de Maria retreat center drew kriyavans from many locations worldwide, gathering here to deepen their meditation and absorb the teachings of Gurudev. Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, Brahmachari Vidyananda, and Yogacharya Elizabeth Tackenberg lovingly guided us through three days of meditation and discourses.

We will, with the Northern California group, be hosting the final US Centenary Program in the San Francisco Bay area April 12-15. This is an exciting time to work together, as energy for Baba’s 100th Birthday draws near.

Several students from Santa Barbara are preparing to make the trip to India to celebrate Baba’s Birthday in Cuttack. We are interested in sharing travel information and plans with other students, so we can take advantage of group discounts and the experiences of those who have traveled in India in the past.

Chicago, IL
Gurudev’s birth centenary was celebrated July 6-12 with Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji and Swami Samarpananandaji. Approximately 200 people attended the July 9th public program to hear inspiring talks from Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji, Swami Samarpananandaji, Yogacharya Durga Chunduri, and Swami Sharananandaji of Chinmaya Mission Chicago. All attendees received a souvenir book entitled “Divine Illumination”. The program concluded with devotional music and dinner.

Guru Purnima was observed on July 11th, including a fire ceremony and Guru Paduka Puja, with many disciples from different centers. In August and December, we served dinner at a local homeless shelter in honor of Gurudev. March 30-April 1, 2007, we will host another program with Brahmachari Vidyanandaji. Ongoing activities include initiations and guided group meditations three times a week.

Denver, CO
The Denver Kriya Yoga Center is busily preparing for Baba's centenary celebrations on April 5th, and the Centenary Easter Retreat April 6th through 8th, in the Black Forest area of Colorado Springs. First Kriya initiations are planned prior to the start of the retreat.

Brahmachari Vidyananda conducted a short, but beautiful and divine, Kriya program from October 30th through November 1st, with initiations and guided meditations. Kriyavans attended the meditations in spite of them being on weekday evenings, and enjoyed Brahmachariji's guidance and teachings.

Detroit, MI
Our centenary program, “Finding Joy, Peace and Balance in Life”, took place November 24th, 2006. Hundreds of people came to the celebration to enjoy the interfaith group discussion, photo exhibition, documentary on Paramahamsa Hariharananda’s life. Inspriring discourses from Paramahamsa Prajnanananda helped us all to learn how to maintain a balance among family, social, professional, and spiritual life in these demanding times. The program concluded with a community peace and cultural harmony show, in which the children’s performances were especially delightful to the audience. At the end of the evening’s events, we all gathered for a sharing of prasad.

Columbus, OH
The Columbus Center was reorganized after the visit of our beloved master Paramahamsa Prajnanananda on November 14. At present the center has 12 active members, and meets once a week to practice group meditation.

Our Centenary Celebration was held November 14-15, 2006. Approximately 200 people attended a public meeting at Bharatiya Hindu Temple. Paramahamsa Prajnanananda gave an eloquent lecture on "Finding Joy, Peace and Balance in Life through Kriya Meditation”. He also talked about the many attributes of his master Paramahamsa Hariharananda, especially his love for his disciples and his devotion to Kriya. This was followed by bhajan and scripture recital, and a vegetarian dinner at the end of the ceremony. Kriyavans from Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Detroit helped in making the occasion a success.

On November 15, a number of Columbus residents came to the house of D.Mangaraj and discussed the benefits of Kriya meditation with Prajnanananda baba and Bhadrayu baba. This was followed by initiation.

Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland centenary program “A Celebration of Love and Peace” took place November 9th - 12th, 2006. The public lecture on Kriya Yoga by Prajnananandji was well attended, resulting in a number of people taking initiation. Ted Henry, from Channel 5 News, interviewed Swamiji about Kriya Yoga and spiritual life. The interview was recorded on a DVD, and will be made available for all kriyavans. Invitees from other faiths participated in our centenary program, including Rev. Rose Houston from Unity Church, and Edward Galenternik from Theosophical Society. We also heard talks from Bhadrayu baba and Brahmachari Vidyanandaji, who are advanced disciples of Baba. Prajnananandaji spoke on finding peace, love, and balance in life, which was followed by a melodious sitar concert by Hasu Patel. Everyone enjoyed the dinner that was lovingly prepared by the kriyavans.

Cincinnati, OH
The Cincinnati Center is planning a March 16-18, 2007 program with Brahmachari Vidyananda. We have weekly group meditations on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Austin, TX
Our centenary event “A Celebration of Love and Peace” took place July 13-17, 2006. It began with a beautiful initiation ceremony by Don baba. That evening we hosted a public program to foster awareness of Gurudev’s great accomplishments, and the Sri Atmananda Memorial School Auditorium was filled to capacity. Paramahamsa Prajnanananda welcomed us all, Unity Minister Freida King from Houston spoke beautifully on Love and Peace, and Rabbi Monty Eliasov taught the twelve names of God by playing his guitar and singing. The audience was delighted by many other musical performers and divine Odissi dance.

The next day, the silent retreat began at the beautiful Barsana Dham Ashram in the Texas Hill Country. 54 participants were guided through four days of blissful meditation and classes by Prajnananandaji, Samarpananandaji, and Yogacharya Don baba. We heard so many beautiful and divine Baba stories.

12 Austinites attended the mahasamadhi program in Homestead in December. Many also traveled to other cities to support centenary activities. A holiday jewelry sale raised $4800.00 for Baba’s charities. Special New Year’s meditations and a pot-luck gave us another opportunity to share our love for Baba Hariharananda. We continue our Seva Project of picking up day-old bread and delivering it to EAT (Everyone Ate Today) Outreach for distribution to agencies that serve the poor. We look forward to hosting a program, an intensive, and a silent retreat in 2007.

Rochester, NY
As a result of the interest generated during the centenary program in July, the Rochester Center held a second program on November 11-12 with Yogacharya John Williams. Three people took initiation at this time. There was no public talk, and the entire event was conducted in David Strassner’s home, with 2 days filled with meditations, classes and discussions.

The center members rotate the location of the weekly meditation among 4 kriyavan homes to provide an opportunity for greater involvement and enjoyment of the group meditations. The center has been collecting donations at each meditation for Hand-in-Hand.

Albuquerque, NM
The Albuquerque Center celebrated the birth centenary of beloved Paramahamsa Hariharananda October 19th, with Paramahamsa Prajnanananda and Yogacharya Bhadrayu Pandya. The program, entitled “Meditation on Joy, Peace and Harmony in Life”, included a photo exhibition and documentary of Gurudev Hariharananda’s extraordinary life, inspiring discourses by Prajnananandaji and Bhadrayu baba, bhajans (devotional singing) and meditations on peace.

Kansas City, KS
On October 26th, Baba Prajnananandaji taught two classes at Central Missouri State University, and conducted a book signing ceremony and a television interview. A public lecture was held at the Johnson Community College of Kansas on October 27th. And on October 28th, Prajnananandaji inaugurated the Hindu Temple Expansion event and thrilled an audience of 300 people of the Hindu Community with his inspiring message.

The October 29th centenary event “A Celebration of Love and Peace” was a work of art and love of the Kansas kriyavans. The conference center was traditionally decorated with rangoli, flowers and kalashas. A photo exhibition displayed the many educational and charitable activities of the mission and our many publications. The conference center was filled to capacity with over 200 guests who heard inspiring talks on the theme “Religion and Human Possibilities” from four speakers: Arvind Khetia of Hindu Temple and Vedanta Society; Rev Vern Barnet DMn, minister emeritus, writer, speaker, consultant CRES community resources engaging the spirit; Prof Marla Selvedge, Chairman and Director of Religious Studies, CMSU; and Paramahamsa Prajnanananda.

The ceremonies ended with a grand banquet dinner and rare devotional music by local artists. Kriyavans came from across the country to rejoice in the memory of Gurudev. It was truly a celebration of love and peace.

Phoenix, AZ
The Phoenix centenary program took place June 13-14, 2006 with Swami Samaparanananda and Yogacharya Bhadrayu Pandya.

On February 9-11, 2007, the Phoenix center had a lecture on the loving teachings of Kriya Yoga, and a weekend program of initiation, first and second kriya meditation, and classes led by Yogacharya Gonesh baba. We were very excited to host this program, and we are grateful to God and masters for this blessed opportunity. We had 16 new initiations, and we are eagerly looking forward to planning another program in November.

Fort Wayne, IN
Our centenary celebration was held at the Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne campus, on November 19, 2006. The program was attended by about 200 people. Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji gave the keynote address. Other invited speakers included Yogacharya Bhadrayu Pandya, Cincinnati Center Leader, Professor Mary Ann Cain, Professor George Kalamaras, and Professor Patrick Ashton of Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne. Beautiful Indian classical and devotional dances by children alternated the speeches. The highlight of the program was the glimpses of Gurudev’s pictures with his voice, and songs offered to him.
At the end of the program, dinner was provided to all the kriyavans and guests. The Fort Wayne center leaders were very pleased and felt blessed to hear very good comments about the program. The three-day weekend with Swamiji’s presence and many kriyavans from different cities made it a very successful and divine experience.

Baltimore, MD - Washington, DC
Six kriyavans from the Baltimore Washington area center participated in the Peace Conference and the Mahasamadhi Seminar at the Mother Center. All the programs were so well arranged and so well attended that one could not help feel Baba’s blessings and his holy presence in everything and everywhere!

Our New Year’s meditation was conducted according to the tradition of the last several years. Starting with a light potluck meal, we watched a Powerpoint presentation prepared by Elisabeth ma & Julie ma. The presentation covered their recent 3 week tour to India’s holy places. Then we had a group meditation, a break, and another meditation into the New Year.

Since, over the years, several of us have seen Rusty baba’s love, dedication for the masters, and his hard work for the Mother Center, we want to share with you that Rusty and Gemma have been blessed with their first child, a son, Kai. The entire family is doing well! We extend our best wishes for a Happy New Year to all kriyavans!

Boise, ID
The Boise centenary event An Interfaith Celebration took place November 16, 2006. Five speakers offered divine wisdom: Rev. Elizabeth Greene of Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; Gary Richardson, of the Zen Buddhist community; Chuck Graywolf, a Native American of Hopi, Apache and Mayan Heritage; Ken Eklund of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church; and Brahmachari Vidyananda, a monastic from the Kriya Yoga tradition.

A spiritual community potluck was also held on Sunday, November 19th.

New York City, NY
Following up on our June 2006 centenary program, we were fortunate to have Yogacharya Elizabeth Tackenberg with us for a short weekend program in mid-November. A gifted speaker and a delightful storyteller, she graciously shared many beautiful stories about her time with Paramahamsa Hariharanananda at the ashram in Florida.

This year we plan to have at least four intensive meditation programs. We have also updated our monthly meditation schedule to reflect the disciples’ wish to sit for a longer period. We hold group meditations every Sunday, and we welcome disciples visiting our area to join us for meditation at Still Mind Zendo / 37 W 17th St, 6 Floor (between 5th and 6th Ave) / NY City. (917) 838-1635

Charlotte, NC
Our center had its humble beginning in April, 2005 with only five kriyavans. We were ecstatic to be asked to host Baba Hariharananda’s centenary “Celebration of Love and Peace” in Charlotte October 20-22, 2006.We got tremendous support from many more volunteers than we were expecting. The event hall was shining with Baba’s posters and photos, and the hall was full to capacity with 120 guests. After a short cultural program, Brahmachari Vidyanandaji and Elizabeth ma delivered heart warming speeches about Baba’s life, and introduced Kriya Yoga. The evening celebration included devotional songs and dance, and ended with dinner blessed and served by Vidyanandaji and Elizabeth ma.

Eleven people were initiated on October 21, tripling the size of our meditation group. That evening closed with Deepawali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, and dinner. By the conclusion of the program on October 22, the new kriyavans had experienced four meditation sessions. That evening ended with dinner for all who could stay, and a small tour of Charlotte for Vidyanandaji and Elizabeth Ma.

The most difficult part of this program was to bid farewell to Vidyanandaji and Elizabeth ma. They stole our hearts and we did not want them to leave us. It was a heart breaking farewell where all of us cried.

KRIYA YOGA WORLDWIDE NEWS

Sterksel, Holland Ashram

In March 2007 it will be twenty-five years since Baba Hariharananda instructed Peter van Breukelen “to start initiating now” during a program in Paris. Following that auspicious day, Peter has worked tirelessly to spread the message of Kriya Yoga throughout Europe. To celebrate this anniversary, a special event will be held in his honor during the Centenary Celebration in Paris, March 22-25.

There will be several programs at the ashram this year:
- February 2-4 program in Dutch language.
- February 23-25 a second kriya program.
- April 6-9 program in German language.
- April 10-15 working week (free stay) with meditations in the morning and evening. During the day everybody will work in the gardens and park, and in the building to do repairing, painting and cleaning.
- May 18-20 program in Dutch language.
- August 17-26 program

Vienna, Tattendorf Ashram

A four-day event, A Celebration of a Complete Life, took place September 7-10 in Vienna. Inspriring discourses were given by Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma, Ambassador of India, Father Innocence Varga, former head of the Dominican Order in Austria and South Germany, Father Davis Kalapurakkel from the Monastery Klosterneuburg, and Paramahamsa Prajnanananda. Guests of honor were Mr. Ravi Joshi, Counselor of the Indian Embassy, and Dipl.Paed.Dieter Reinfrank, Mayor of Tattendorf.

To honor Baba’s lifelong tradition of charitable work, three humanitarian organizations were introduced: “Aktion Regen / Action Rain”, “Licht fuer die Welt / Light for the World” and “Hand in Hand”. Swami Mangalananda, Yogacharya Durga Chunduri, Rajarshi Peter van Breukelen, disciples Claudia Cremers and Mike Givert, and Paramahamsa Prajnanananda offered fascinating accounts of their personal experiences with Baba Hariharananda. Throughout the event, audiences were moved and inspired by beautiful performances of Indian classical dance, tabla and singing, sarangi, and bhajans sung by Brahmachari Vidyananda. At the closing ceremony, Her Excellency Mrs. Meenu Sharma, wife of the Ambassador of India, spoke of the need for peace and balance in world affairs.

The celebrations were a beautiful tribute to the remarkable yogi Paramahamsa Hariharananda and the power of his teachings.

São Paulo, Brazil

More than 900 people attended our centenary program in July, 2006.The final moment of the program when we paid homage to our master is still remembered by all with a lot of emotion. At the end of 2006 we we celebrated Baba’s mahasamadhi. The kriyavans brought friends and relatives, and the video of our celebration program was shown along with the Balashram video. Everyone was moved and made donations to help the orphanage.

The celebration of Baba’s Centenary marks the beginning of a new stage for the São Paulo group, and we have been able to hold group meditations regularly twice a week. A loving mood has prevailed, and several new people have inquired because they heard of Baba during all of the activities that were held to celebrate the Centenary.

Frankfurt, Germany

On November 5, the International Peace Congress 2006 was held in Bad Soden, Germany. The event featured well-known practitioners in several religious paths coming together to highlight practical paths for more peace between the religions, and for more peace in all of us. Between 450 and 500 people attended. Speakers included: Paramahamsa Prajnanananda; Ashok Kumar, Consul General of India, Frankfurt; Hidayat Inayat Khan, president of the International Sufi Movement; Peter van Breukelen ,Yogacharya ; Swami Mangalananda, Nun in the Swami Order from Kriya Yoga International; Dr. Mathias Schüz (Moderator), physicist, philosopher, university lecturer, and author; and Padre Dr. Anselm Grün , Benedictine monk, and bestselling-author.

The celebration concluded with a musical program Celebrate the Diversity and Highlight the Unity, with Urmila Devi, director of “Art of Living” Europe, and singer of traditional texts in Sanskrit, accompanied by other musicians.

Auckland, New Zealand

Our centenary celebration took place October 6-10 with Paramahamsa Prajnanananda and Swami Samarpanananda, and was attended by more than 200 people. Prajnananandaji gave a beautiful discourse on how to transform the love within to intoxicating love. On the following morning, over 80 people were initiated. The next day, Mt. Albert war memorial came alive with devotional and cultural programs. A group of small children enacted Gurudev’s life, and there were classical dances and Vedic chanting. Prajnananadaji concluded by speaking of his loving memories of Gurudev

On August 10, we had a beautiful 2 hour meditation to celebrate Prajnananandaji’s birthday in Epsom, Auckland.

In December we celebrated Gurudev’s mahasamadhi with a very nice group meditation, 108 chartings of the “Guru Gayatri Mantra”, and a bhajan program.

In December, we celebrated Christmas with a short prayer to Lord Jesus and a short silent meditation, followed by discourse on passages from the Bible, singing of carols and other devotional singing. We closed with a shared meal.

Australia Centers

Sydney - The Sydney Program commenced on the new moon, with devotion to the Divine Mother. In honor of Gurudev’s centenary, an Interfaith Seminar on the “Oneness of Mankind” was held, commencing with a fire lighting ceremony by Swamiji, and a cultural feast of devotional songs and Indian traditional dancing. The seminar consisted of five speakers: Rev. Bill Crews - Uniting Church; Khalid Saifullah Khan - Ahmadiyya Muslim Association; Brahmachari Gopal Ji - Chinmaya Mission; Swami Samarpanananda and Paramahamsa Prajnanananda – Kriya Yoga Institute. The evening finished with a splendid banquet. A four-day silent retreat closed the Sydney Program.

Melbourne - The celebration highlighted Gurudev’s humble legacy of spreading the message of Kriya Yoga to true seekers. It was also a symbol of Swamiji’s devotion and inward admiration for his master. This event was attended by devotees from different cities around Australia. The highlight of the celebration was Swamiji’s heart-felt devotional song accompanied by the tabla (an Indian musical instrument), invocating the blessings of the Divine Mother , as the event coincided with the Hindu Festival of Navarathri. The celebration also coincided with the 12th year anniversary of our beloved Swamiji’s hectic travels abroad, spreading the message of Kriya as per his master’s instructions. This celebration concluded with a simple vegetarian dinner, and Swamiji traditionally served his devotees.

Brisbane - On October 19th, 31 people were initiated into the path of Kriya Yoga, some of them travelling a distance of 3000km. On the 20th, we had a centenary celebration event, where we introduced the life and teachings of Paramahamsa Hariharananda through talks and presentation, and watched a DVD on Gurukulam in Balighai. We all felt his infinite divine love in the room.

INDIA ACTIVITIES

Sambalpur - The Sambalpur centenary program took place December 22-25. Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji gave public talks at Gangadhar Meher College and at the Rotary Conference on Leadership. Thirty two aspirants were initiated into Kriya Yoga. On the 25th, the anniversary day of Sambalpur Ashram, a special Guru Puja was performed by the brahmacharis of Hariharananda Gurukulam. A fire ceremony was conducted in which 108 oblations were offered to the master in the Guru Gayatri mantra.

Bargarh - A special public program took place in the city of Bargarh. During the program, a young boy recited the Ashtottarashata Namamalika in a very beautiful voice. Swami Tejomayanandaji, of Bihar School of Yoga, sang a heart-touching Guru Vandana. A large gathering assembled to hear Prajnananandaji speak about the life of our beloved Baba Paramahamsa Hariharanandaji Maharaj.

Inside Baba's Beautiful Samadhi Temple at Hariharananda Gurukulum, Balighai

Banabira - On the 26th, Prajnananandaji was received in the village of Banabira by a nagar sankirtan singing the divine Bhajo Gurur Naam. As he was led through the streets, pada puja was performed at every doorstep.

Bhubaneshwar - The centenary celebration at Bhubaneshwar January 10-12 began with a colorul chariot going around the city with huge photographs of Gurudev. It stopped in many places for devotees to pay respect to the great master. The three-day program was filled with special guest speakers, guided meditations, and cultural programs. Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji narrated the life and teachings of Gurudev in three parts, one each evening.

Prajnana Mission - The 8th International Intensive Kriya Yoga Seminar, January 14-20, was attended by delegates from around the globe, including daily classes, guided meditations, discourses, seva work and cultural events. Several distinguished holy personages visited the Gurukulam to pay their homage to Gurudev and give their divine messages and blessings to the participants.

Balashram - The centenary celebration January 21-23 began with a procession led by a motorized peacock carrying Gurudev's life-size portrait from our Jagatpur ashram to Balashram. The premises of Balashram were beautifully decorated, and colorful tents extended from the main gate to the new school building. An estimated three to four thousand people attended the public programs, initiations, guided meditations and teachings each day. The little children of Balashram, dressed in their red sweaters, were a beautiful sight. Each day began with Pradeep Prajvalan as the students of Balashram chanted Vedic hymns and guru stotras. Our beloved Prajnananandaji and several distinguished personalities inspired the audiences. The second half of each day included devotional songs, traditional dances, and drama presented by the students of the Balashram. The atmosphere was permeated with divine love.

HAND IN HAND

Baba Hariharanandaji’s life was a manifestation of love and service, combined with humility and compassion. From his childhood, he loved and served poor villagers, students, and the distressed and diseased. Gurudev supported an orphanage and funded the education of many a student.

In honoring Gurudev’s zeal for serving the needy, and to continue the charitable work started by Gurudev, HandInHand Europe was started in the year 2000, and HandInHand USA was started in the year 2001. Since then, several projects have been undertaken, with a focus on health clinics and Hariharananda Balashram.

Hariharananda Charitable Health Centers

Hariharananda Charitable Health Centers were started in Balighai and Cuttack in 1999. A free homeopathy clinic was started in Bhisindipur in 2003. Health clinics in Panarhat and the fishermen’s village Penthakata, Puri were established in 2002 and 2003. HandInHand USA provides funding for health care centers in Balighai, Jagatpur, Yukthashram, Panarhat and remote rural parts of Orissa and West Bengal. The health care centers have been providing free medical, dental, and lab/pathology care, along with distribution of free medicines, for over 5 years now. What began in temporary structures is now housed in buildings built specifically for the health centers.

Mobile Medical / Dental Unit

In addition to the health centers, the mobile medical and dental unit travels to remote rural areas of Orissa every year at regular intervals to hold health checkups, health camps, dental camps, health awareness camps, social awareness camps, and to distribute free medicine. The team of doctors, pharmacists, and pathologists travel to these camps to provide much needed service to the underserved. In one year, Hariharananda charitable health centers rendered medical services to 69,830 people, with 7,626 people using the lab resources for basic pathology tests. Dental care was provided to 2,285 people.

Hariharananda Balashram

Children are the future of our society. A plant that is nurtured and cared for will grow into a fruit-bearing tree, providing food and shelter to many. On July 24th, 2004, Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji inaugurated the Hariharananda Balashram to provide free education to children from destitute families who otherwise would not have an opportunity to go to school. The aim of the Balashram is to give a new home and good schooling to these children to provide them with a solid foundation for the future. Through English medium school and a technical education, these children will develop an adequate background to get a job or advance further in their studies.

Balashram is an English medium school, affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi. Four languages are taught, including English, Hindi, Oriya and Sanskrit. Every school year, 40 new students are enrolled into the Balashram. As of now, we have 120 children living in Balashram, with another 40 students joining us in March-April 2007. With a batch of 40 new students every year, in another 9 years (including 2007), the Balashram will house on campus 480 children, along with teachers, caretakers, and their families, bringing the estimated number of people in the Balashram to 600.

On the ground floor of the main school building, there are now 4 class rooms, a library, a principal’s office, a staff room for teachers, and an office. In December of 2006, the roof of the 2nd floor was completed. Roofing of the first floor of the girls’ hostel has also been completed. The kitchen and the dining hall are now operational in the new building, and have a capacity to serve 320 children. Upon completion, the girls’ hostel will accommodate 250 people.

Until his last breath in the year 2002, Gurudev not only served humanity with his divine teachings, but also continued to champion charitable services. Gurudev’s tradition is carried on through us now, through the beautiful works of HandInHand USA and HandInHand Europe. Let us all carry on this tradition with deep love and devotion.