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Thus
spoke Aghoreshwar
on human being |
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If
you listen to everybody's good and bad but do not reply, your conscience
will praise you, appreciate you, eulogize you and give its love
to you.
§
Those who remain quiet, and those who speak a lot, both are misjudged
for being erroneous by people. To save yourself from this judgement,
it is said, do not be loquacious nor too quiet, neither too much
rain, nor too much sunlight.
§
When you become very polite and humble with your elders and respected
ones, or with those who are lesser than you or neglected, don't
you derive satisfaction? You do indeed. At times even firm words
said to those dependent on you also provide satisfaction because
even those words contain the feeling of their welfare. Love in the
heart, and firm words on the tongue. You have unfathomable love
in your heart. Only then must you be using firm words with your
children, workers and dependents. You are under no obligation to
say all this to someone you are not concerned about, and you cannot
even say it.
§
The more you say something gently and softly to your children or
your spouse, or your brother, or your sons, the faster they will
be able to understand it. But if you just start yelling at them,
then neither will they understand it, nor will you succeed in making
them understand it.
§
The person who has the strength to bear against the attacks from
all sides of guilt, disappointment and sorrow, is a real human being.
That person has an eternal life.
§
My advice is, "without tact, there will be no devotion".
In any kind of work you need tact, only then does it get done in
a good manner. If you do not have tact, merely devotion can mislead
you. Your prayers and meditations can turn into a nuisance. Devotion
and prescribed action, if done properly, lead to success. This is
what is also known as yoga. Otherwise you can keep banging your
head and body, but you will not be able to find that Divinity.
§
The merit of one moment spent with a good person is more than the
merit achieved through prayer and worship of hundreds of years.
§
One whose words are true is close to God. One who speaks lies remains
afraid.
§
It is essential for our nation, society and community that we show
the right path to our youth. We should inspire them towards higher
thoughts, higher sentiments and towards living a life of self-sacrifice.
We should inspire them towards nice behavior. The question is, to
whom? To those youth who are blameless, faultless, “dilemmaless”,
and whose heart is as clean and pure as water.
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Those
who have done good deeds look at other people very humbly.
§
Friendship and friend have a vast
definition. A friend's pain, for a real friend, is bigger than any
other pain in the world. A true friend inspires only towards good
actions. Instead of egging towards cheap acts, he always inspires
you towards profitable deeds.
§
We desire peace, prosperity and
happiness, which is possible only by friendship. If you do not have
peace, then despite having everything you are very poor. Food grains,
water and money can be found even in the homes of the riff-raff,
the gangsters, the thieves and the prostitutes. If you do not have
peace, then what is the difference between them and you?
§
Friends, if you desire respect
and prestige in society, then make sacrifices and undertake difficult-to-do
actions. That sacrifice and austere action will only be this; if
you do not need to be in the company of undesirable people, then
you should not be in such company.
§
There are many human beings who
just are not able to pass their time. Time weighs heavy on their
hands. They know very well that life is short, but even the time
of that short life seems unpleasing to them. They have no idea of
what to do. Let us use our free time in a good way. Let us try to
attain the company of the Guru and the Divine, and in this free
time being in the company of great souls, let us produce nice thoughts!
§
Those who are born in a nice lineage,
those who are endowed with nice cultural traits, never give their
advice in the Ashram unsolicited, or in the planning of somebody
else's work. If they can do something, they actually do it to help
them, otherwise they leave the place quietly.
§
We always benefit from going close
to saints and by seeing them. If we go to them alone, and desires,
wishes, envies, jealousies, attachments and ego do not accompany
us, then we achieve an immeasurable wealth. But if we go to them
lugging the baggage of our untrue thoughts and feelings, then we
remain deprived of achieving anything. Because that saint (mahapurush)
will think, "this person is already staggering under his own
loads, if I also weigh him down with something, he might even die.
He may lose a lot.” And so they do not give you anything.
§
If a tiny blade of grass or a
tiny grain of sand goes into our eyes, all the panoramic views that
we see become invisible. We cannot see anything. We begin to close
our eyes. When that tiny particle is removed, that great panoramic
view becomes visible again.
§
By listening only a little you
can understand a lot more. You have a deep insight. |
 A
service to all
by Baba Harihar Ramji
During one of the Sunday talks at the Sonoma
Ashram, Baba Hariji addressed the gathering with the following words: |
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We live in a world where there is
a great deal of strife, violent conflict, even war. The violence
that we see in the world is not something out there; actually it’s
all our own creation. The vibrations of violence that we practice
with ourselves, the violence that we practice in our homes, in our
society, all accumulates. And these balls of violence keep falling
in different parts of the world.
Just for a moment, separating ourselves
from our own strife, let’s focus our attention on that part
of the world where there is tension and fear, holding people in
our hearts on both sides. There is no need for violence or war.
Whether it’s internal or external, it all starts with a very
trifling thing. Whether it’s violence within an individual,
within a family, within a community, within a society, within a
nation, or internationally, there is no need for it!
When we are away from our heart,
when we are away from our divine Self, it’s so easy to participate
in these battles. In times like these, when there is a conflict
in our life, we truly need to call upon that divine Self who is
not fearful, who is tolerating, accepting, understanding, and who
also knows the consequences of our actions. We all know that fear
breeds tension and friction, which turns into violence and creates
still further misunderstanding. The more we practice tolerance,
the more we try to put our self in the other person’s shoes,
the more we try to see their point of view, the more we will be
able to understand.
When I am very rigid about my own
ideas, my own way of seeing things and my own way of trying to make
the other person see, conflict is bound to happen. It’s unavoidable.
Greater is the person, the nation, that bows down and avoids violence.
Non-violence really has to be practiced
on a very personal level. Whenever you feel offended it is time
to look at yourself and ask, “Why am I feeling offended? Why
am I feeling threatened?” These are the moments to practice
smiling and taking a mindful breath. Otherwise our immediate reaction
is to tighten up and jump. A person who is saying something negative
to me may not be coming from a place of understanding. He or she
may be coming from a place of fear or ignorance. Communication with
grace is important.
We can make others very comfortable
with our smile, and maybe then diffuse the tension. It goes all
the way from our personal lives to the relations between two nations,
because it’s all just people. If we are genuine in our hearts
we can change the world.
Similarly, in our personal lives
there is tremendous desire to be liked, to have power, to be different
from or more special than the other person. Because of this desire
we keep practicing violence. Just remember the simple practice of
smiling and asking, “What can I do to make others feel more
at home and welcome? What can I do to make others feel better than
they are feeling now?” If we keep our mind totally focused
on that, then we are in touch with God.
When I am out of the way, all that’s
left is God. It’s a very simple practice, but it’s very
powerful. All we have to do is keep paying attention to how much
I is standing there. It’s wonderful the way I is written in
English. It’s like a firm stick, like a post stuck in concrete
in the ground. Immovable. Really pay attention to that.
Practicing non-violence is the way
to be of service to all. Whenever I feel in conflict, whenever I
feel that the space in my heart is tightening, that is the time
to take that mindful breath and even smile. Your mind will say,
“How can I smile?” But go ahead and just smile, and
let the mind tell you that. If you don’t want the other person
to see you smiling, turn your head in some other direction and smile.
But see how it works. It really does.
I remember a little story that my
father used to tell me. Once there was a guy in the village who
was getting upset with people very easily. One day he found a reason
to get upset with my father and he said, “Panditji, you do
not know me, I am a very stiff person!” The word in Hindi
he used means I got a chip on my shoulder and I am a guy with a
club in my hand too. My father just looked at him and smiled and
said, “My son, stiff things break very easily. Learn how to
be supple, then you won’t break.” This person broke
down, and fell to his feet.
Learn how to bend in any direction.
It is so true, stiff things, whether they are thin or thick do break,
snap, split. Learning how to bend, learning how to bow, learning
how to accommodate the other, makes us a good human being.
I bow to that non-violence, that
peace residing in our hearts.
OM TAT SAT
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| Ashram
Life |
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MEDITATION & YOGA: We are pleased
to let you know meditation and yoga are now being offered daily
as before. The yurt is back up in it’s place, and we invite
you to come by. See daily schedule on last page.
Yoga classes can be exchanged for
a donation of $10 or one hour of service work which can be arranged
at each visit. No sincere student will be turned away.
Ashram
Daily Schedule
SPACE FOR GRACEFUL TRANSITION: We
have dedicated a space in one of the duplexes on the Ashram grounds
for an indiviual facing the greatest Truth there is, and would like
to spend their final months/weeks in an Ashram environment. Call
or email for more info: 707-996-8915.
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EVENINGS
OF WELCOME & INTRODUCTION: If you have a friend or relative
that you would like to introduce to the Ashram, the first Friday
of every month is a perfect time to do this. From 5:30 to 7:00 PM,
a program has been designed especially for newcomers and friends
who have not been here in a while, to experience a little of what
the Ashram offers. Please call for more info.
RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES: We are getting
prepared to offer a three month long residency program at the Ashram.
Those interested in deepening their spiritual practice and living
a disciplined life of service in a learning environment could apply
for this opportunity for a minimal cost. |
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| Retreats
PERSONAL
RETREATS: Space has been set aside for
people wishing to spend some quiet and reflective time in the Ashram's
peaceful environment. Retreat guests are welcome to participate
in all activities, including yoga and meditation sessions, community
meals, and a wide range of service projects. Please call or email
for availability.
RETREAT IN YOUR AREA: Next year’s
retreat schedule is starting to take shape. Baba Hariji will be
visiting different parts of the country and sharing the teachings
and simple practices of being a good human being and living a meaningful
life. This is a wonderful opportunity to be in Baba Hariji’s
presence in an intimate setting. If you would like to know more
about having a small retreat with a few of your friends, please
contact the Ashram.
COLEMAN BARKS POETRY READING: A
fund raiser for the Ashram was held in May featuring Coleman Barks
reading his poetry of Rumi. It was the first event of this magnitude
to benefit the Ashram.
 GURU
PURNIMA 2004: Guru Purnima was celebrated on the first full moon
of July. It was a wonderful event to see so many of the Ashram’s
friends and well-wishers gather together in celebration of wholeness
and friendship.
ANNUAL REUNION IN THE REDWOODS:
This year’s annual reunion was held in August at Krishnalaya,
in Piercy, CA, by the Eel River. Approximately sixty people participated
in a delightful weekend of yoga, meditation, chanting, satsang and
just enjoying each other's company.
KRISHNA BHATT CONCERT: We have had a musical summer
at the Ashram. One of the highlights was an evening with Krishna
Bhatt, a world renowned sitar player. It was remarkable to experience
this caliber of music in the Ashram’s intimate setting.
 CHILDREN’S
DAY: This summer a group of fifteen children came to the Ashram
for a day. They enjoyed yoga and meditation, planted flowers and
harvested vegetables, and visited with Babaji. |
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Ashram
Sustenance
Here are two innovative ideas in place for friends
and well-wishers to participate in financial viability of the Ashram:
OASIS ANGELS: The Ashram’s
daily operating costs are covered by Oasis Angels, people across
the country who contribute only $1 a day. Your participation will
help the Ashram maintain it’s presence here and continue it’s
various offerings locally and across the globe. Email
the Ashram for more info.
STOCKS, BONDS, FUNDS: The Ashram is now equipped
to receive donations in the form of stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
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Bal Ashram
An Oasis for Children
Varanasi, India
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Namasté
DEAR FRIENDS,
It has been a long time since we communicated
with you in printed materials about our orphanage project in India.
Although we have kept our friends and supporters up-to-date via
email, we do recognize that we don’t have emails of some of
our supporters whose help was instrumental in manifesting this safe
home for children in Varanasi.
It brings great joy to our hearts to bring this
report to you. The orphanage has been given the name Bal
Ashram, literally meaning, Children’s Ashram. Sixteen
children from ages four to thirteen are living there. Some go to
Little
Stars School for their education and the young ones are schooled
right at Vidyalaya, the Ashram’s nursery school.
 Over
the last three years the previously barren land Bal Ashram has grown
into a beautiful home for the children. It was very heart-warming
to see the initial resident children welcome the new arrivals, taking
them under their wings and tending to their basic needs. Until last
year there were only six children living as residents. Once they
got used to living there and the staff gained experience with running
Bal Ashram, more children were brought in. Ultimately we envision
this facility as a home for forty children. Although we do recognize
that the need is much greater than what we can accommodate, we intend
to maintain quality over quantity.
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During
the last visit to Bal Ashram, we felt a need to carve out a little
space for abandoned newborns. Our greater vision includes creating
a hall big enough to accommodate about ten infants and a few nurses.
 Our
vision also includes expanding the facility to some adjacent land
and creating a safe home and vocational training center for women.
There are many women who are victims of the dowry system or are
widowed and living unfulfilled and dependent lives. Such a center
would be a great gift, allowing these women to learn a vocation
that inspires and sustains them. At the same time they will be able
to express their motherly love and nurturing to the infants and
children living right next door.
Bal Ashram has a few rooms set aside for visitors
from the West to stay in as guests or as volunteers for short or
long durations. Many young people from this country have already
gone and spent some time with the children in India. They learn
to appreciate what they already have and find creative outlets for
their talents and gifts. Bal Ashram is also proving to be a perfect
place for cultural integration.
It all has manifested with the help many of you
have given in the past. A few pictures are printed here showing
the progress made with your donations. We are still in the process
of constructing a full kitchen and dining hall and a few other structures
to make it a fully functional facility. We truly hope you will keep
this project in mind for any further acts of generosity.
Once again, thank you for being a part of the
creation of such a facility in a land where it is truly needed,
where every penny of your donation goes directly to the cause.
With deep appreciation,
and on behalf of our
brothers and sisters at
Bal Ashram
Namasté,
Shivani
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Email Updates
Most updates and event invitations from the Ashram are
sent via email and also eTimes, our on-line newsletter. If you have not
been receiving these updates and invitations, we would be pleased to add
your email address to our database. Please send it to : ashram@aghor.org
Newsletter
subscription is US $10 a year.
Please send a check and your address to:
Sonoma Ashram
P.O. Box 950 Sonoma, CA 95476
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