Om

Did God Ever Send You a Bill?

Satsang by Gautum Baiji ~

"Whatever we really need, God gave us.
What do we need the most?
We need oxygen.

Did God ever send you a bill for that?
No, and he never cut the connection.

If you don't pay the electric bill, what happens?
One time, two times, then... they cut the connection.
We never pay any bill to God, and yet he never cuts the connection.

He gave us oxygen for free.
He gave us water for free.
And the sun, which gives us light and heat.
The most important things we need, God gave us free of charge.

But do we ever thank God for giving us all these precious things?



We never think about the beautiful body God gave us, and the intellect.
He gave us everything.

Yet still we try to get more.
And more and more and more.......

So satsang reminds us that every day, God gives us what we really need.
Everything else is extra."

"I Get So Much Meaning and Understanding" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Smita: "I love coming to the ashram because it gives me so much peace, and I love listening to the baijis' satsang (spiritual discourse) because I get so much meaning and understanding of the things that we deal with in daily life, and it helps me implement them. And the people there are so loving, it just seems like I have a big family. There's so much love and joy, and every time I come I just don't want to leave! I look forward to every Sunday - I always try to get my dose."

The Spiritual Treasure Within You

Truth.

"It's Like a Temple of Peace" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Kantu: "I started coming seven or eight years ago and was always drawn there by the baijis. Talking to them gives you peace. I go for the meditation, the yoga - it's like a temple of peace, which you feel as soon as you get there. It's like you're in a completely different place with a good vibration. Since retiring, I've only wanted to do public service, so I started teaching pranayama, yogic breathing exercises and om-meditation at the ashram, which gives me great satisfaction."  

Sanjay's Super Team - A Short Film by Pixar

Sanjay's Super Team is a Pixar short animated film directed by Sanjay Patel which premiered on June 15, 2015.

Inspired by Patel's own childhood when he felt conflicted by the modern world and the Hindu traditions of his family, Sanjay's Super Team follows the daydream of a young Indian boy, bored with his father's religious meditation, who imagines Hindu gods as superheroes.

You can watch an abbreviated version of it here: Pixar's "Sanjay's Super Team"

It's a "Spiritual Battery Recharge Station" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Chaki: "Ashram (DAYC) is a home away from home and a spiritual battery recharge station where I have learned who I am and have grown spiritually. Mahatma Baijis have been true mentors for me, my family, and premis (devotees) in instilling spirituality and yogic characteristics. In addition to imparting Gyan (Knowledge), Baijis at Ashram provide food for the Soul and teach us the importance of balancing materialism and spirituality by means of satsang (religious discourses)." 

For "Their Unconditional Love and Acceptance" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Claudia: "After a long absence from the weekly pranayama breathing exercises I went back - having had to battle my tendency towards isolation and separation, or my ego - and immediately felt the warm welcome of the Baijis, their unconditional love and acceptance, and it felt like coming back home. The weekly meditation reminds me to come back to me, to stop everything and really listen to my inner self, or to watch it, and be okay with it. It energizes me and gives me a more positive outlook on my everyday activities. Thanks for all you do at the ashram!"

God Wants Only One Thing; Can We Give It? - Satsang by Gautum Baiji

"Graciela said she was reading a story where God was going to come down to the Earth.

Everybody was so happy!

'God is coming, let's prepare, let's go meet God!'

When he arrived, everyone was so happy. And they asked him, 'God, you came to visit us, what can we do for you?'

One person said I can do this for you, another person said I can do this... everyone offered something.

Please tell us what you want, they said.

God said, 'I don't want any of those things from you. I only want one thing, if you want to give it to me.'

They said, 'What is it? Tell us!'

God said, 'I don't need your things. I just want you to be happy all the time. Give me your promise that you will always be happy.'

They said nothing...

So we have everything else to offer, but we cannot be happy all the time, and that's the problem in our life. We are never satisfied with what we have. We always think about the things we don't have.

If we don't learn how to be happy with what we have, we will always want more and never be happy.

Satsang and good company brings us positive thoughts. Only positive thoughts can we be happy.

If our mind is unhappy, we are unhappy.

With satsang, we can enjoy our life the most."

"The Ashram Gives Me Tranquility" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Pratap: "The principles and disciplines I studied in my youth, I see the same thing here. I listened to a lot of satsangs in India and I follow the same thing here. The ashram gives me peace of mind, tranquility, and a direction for me to lead my life. That way, whenever I'm in a confused state, if gives me good direction." 

Meditation: Doors Open That You Didn't Know Existed - Satsang by Graciela Eichenger

"Some religions think you have to suffer here on Earth to get to Heaven. We don't know. Hindu people believe in karma. Maybe yes, we don't know. Now there are scientists that are starting to prove that many things we do in this life 'come with us' through our DNA - the thoughts, emotions, everything. So everyone has 'a little book.'

To me, we are here to be happy. That is the commandment that I think we have to follow.

So how do we do that?

One day, doors opened for me to get happiness. For me, it's been through meditation. When you do that, doors open for you that you didn't know existed. And things start happening to you, changes start happening. You don't know what happened, you can't explain to anybody what happened, but something's changed inside of you.

You're softer with people, more understanding, more loving with people. You are changing a lot.

And this is most important for me, because when you feel that way (or you try, because it's hard work), you realize we're all part of everyone... we're all like mirrors. What happens to me affects you and everybody, and vice versa.

That's my idea about life. Meditation is the most important thing."

A Limerick

There was a man from a wreck on a gurney

Who wanted to sue, so he called his attorney

But as his heart monitor went crazy

And his vision grew hazy

He wondered, "Is it too late for my spiritual journey?" 

Scott Ware

The Ashram is "One of the Greatest Gifts" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Nishma: The goal of achieving spiritual or self-awareness can feel like climbing a mountain for many; but what I’ve learned throughout my years with the baijis is that it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey. As Buddha once said, “Each Morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most." If we make our goals simple and work on them daily; our goals become much more reachable and life becomes very fulfilling, that is true self-awareness. Baijis are living examples of this; each day they impart wisdom, spiritual skills and above all… love to all the patrons of the Ashram. It is their limitless love and guidance that has steered me through even the darkest times in my life. What makes the Ashram different than any other spiritual or religious place that I have experienced is that everything is focused on teaching you how to achieve bliss here and now. In a society that is ever changing and becoming more and more media and fear driven; self-awareness and true satisfaction are the most invaluable gifts we can give to our children. The Ashram gives kids a place to nurture these values and instills a sense of self within them from a young age. Life is full of trials and tributes; but I truly feel that having Baijis in my life and being able to appreciate all that they have to offer has been one of the greatest gifts that I have been offered in this lifetime.

We Also Have a "Spiritual Birth" - Satsang by Jigna Pandya, part 2

Jigna Pandya satsang excerpts:

“Why do we do satsang?

We are born once by our mother, and we have a second birth as well, a spiritual birth. When we go to a spiritual place, and we listen to the spiritual discourses (satsang), we learn different values, we use them in life, we learn what is right from wrong, and eventually we learn meditation. 

Through a saint we connect with the truth through satsang. The saint helps us unite our body with the truth that is within us. The body is just to hold the soul. That soul is on this Earth for a specific reason. We get our second birth when a saint teaches us the knowledge and we meditate, a very important step for us to take.

Just existing inside the human body is not the ultimate goal! We exist with all the animals, but the human is the crown of creation. After how many births are we given this particular human birth? It’s for a specific reason. We ask the saints, “Am I just existing to eat, drink and be merry?” No, there is something beyond that.

What is that energy within us that makes us do things? Why do we think, why do we act? If that energy is gone, it’s a dead body. There’s not even a name for that. When I was born, I was given the name Jigna. When I’m gone, the body is called “the late Jigna.”

So what is gone? The body’s still there. What’s gone is the soul within us. And what is the soul? What is that specific energy that exists in all of us? It’s the same in all of us, and it’s the key to moving from physical birth to spiritual birth. That’s why we come to satsang at the ashram.

I recommend you all take advantage of the baijis’ presence. Come as much as you can, sit with them, ask questions, any “stupid” question you can ask: “What am I supposed to do, why am I here?” and the baijis will give you their knowledge. They will reference the scriptures, the bible. They will show you how Lord Rama took the words from his mother, why Jesus was born.

In the meantime, be the best human being you can be, and radiate that good energy out in the world to make a difference, like the baijis are doing.”

"We Are the Embodiment of Love" - Satsang by Jigna Pandya, part 1

 

Jigna Pandya satsang excerpts:

"It’s Mother’s Day. 

In India we call it “Matru Devo Bhava” and “Pitru Devo Bhava,” which means Mother is a god, Father is a god” and we worship them every day. 

I exist because of my mom, and my mom’s love, my parents’ love. So children are born out of love. Therefore, we are the embodiment of love. The life is love.

She talked about how even if our mother is gone, she can still live within us when we utilize her most important teachings, especially if we lovingly pass them down to our children.

We should not only take care of our mothers, but we should take care of Mother Earth.

Sometimes the love we have for our family, our children, our brother or sister – then can be some sort of attachment. But when I come to the ashram and feel their motherly love, there is no attachment. It’s for the world. There is no attachment there. They have so much compassion to give.

She talked about two births in this life: The first one is from our mother, the second is when we get spiritual knowledge.

Being a mother keeps me on my toes. I have to be so good. As a mother, what I “live” is what she’s learning. 

So every step of the way, I have to think of my thoughts, my deeds, my actions, what am I teaching my child? And that goes a long way. That’s how we change the world.

Passion is not enough. President Obama said recently you have to also have a strategy. You have to take action in your life. 

What I want to do for myself I am going to transfer to my child. That’s what motherhood is about."

"It's a Truly Special Place" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Scott: It’s a truly special place. There's always good energy, and you get a lot of warmth from the community of people there, who may be coming from different places but it's clear they're on a spiritual path, and that inspires me. Plus, I can do yoga for the fitness benefits as well as the spiritual element. I can practice breathing and meditation techniques that have numerous benefits, including calming the mind and going deeper inside myself. I get knowledge on the deeper parts of life, like the role of the ego, managing my energy/chakras and my overall health and well-being. I get spiritual guidance from the Mahatmas on any subject, like decreasing suffering in general and attaining enlightenment. And we truly experience the meaning of Namaste, “the divine within me honors the divine within you.” With all this, how could I stay away? 

What If It Cost Money to Meditate?

I was listening to a recording of one of Gautum Baiji's satsangs, and she seemed to suggest we should meditate as insurance against the tougher moments of life.

When I asked her about it later, she agreed.

Baiji reminds us that life is like an ocean, and many times there will be smooth sailing. But there will always be waves too. How we ride out the waves in our boat will determine the quality of our life.

So if we know the waves will come, shouldn't we prepare for them so we don't get thrown overboard?

We buy health insurance because we know we will need it at some point. We get home insurance and car insurance for similar protection.

Why don't we give ourselves meditation insurance that would provide well-being protection?

Do we think we're somehow done experiencing problems? Did we "win" at life already?

I wonder if meditation cost money, would we appreciate it more? If we had to run our debit card through a little machine and pay $40 for 10 minutes of meditation, or $125 for an hour (what a therapist charges), maybe we'd even be lining up for it.


Going within actually takes very little effort. The least amount of effort. So little effort, that our mind wants to fight us and keep us busy so we don't meditate.

But practice is all it takes.

Peace be with you.

If You Skip Meditation, You Skip Your Deepest Self - Satsang by Gautum Baiji

A few weeks ago, Gautum Baiji spoke about how we won't get the realization benefits in meditation if we don't commit to the practice in the first place:

"We all know God is within us, but when a problem comes, we never go inward.

Where do we go? We try to get help from outside.

Meditation is there, but where is the trust? If trust is not there, meditation is not going to help you.

So what do we have to do? How can we get that trust? We can't buy it from a store.

Sometimes we do meditation, but if we are not 'realizing' then we cannot get that kind of trust.

We sit around for 15 or 20 minutes and think, 'You told me you can see this or that, and I don't know why I can't realize these things when I meditate.'

We say, 'God is light,' 'God, you are within me...' but as long as we don't know, we won't achieve what we're looking for.

We have to know first.

So how can we know?

We already know about deep breathing, but sometimes when we sit, we have to check where our mind is. We are sitting for meditation, but is our mind there or not? The mind is thinking something else.

Someone was telling me, 'You know, in the early morning, we cannot do meditation.' Why? 'Because when we get up, our minds go immediately to our job. We have to take showers, we have to make breakfast, we have to do this, we have to do that...' The list is there. And you skip meditation.

Did you ever skip anything else? Do you ever skip breakfast? No, you always have breakfast. Did you ever skip your shower? No, because if you go without showering, other people will not sit around you. So you are very careful.

So if you make time for everything else, why not for meditation? For breakfast, for shower, you get up one hour earlier, right? So we can get up 15 minutes (or more) early for meditation.

(Once we cultivate that, we have a place to go when problems happen in our lives.)

If you think this is a very important practice, then you make it a rule. And if you are making a rule, you will carry it forward in your life."

"I Feel Enlightened" - Reasons People Come to the Ashram

Why do you come to Divine Art of Yoga Center ashram?

Choudhuri: "I feel enlightened, number one. Number two: I get peace of mind. Number three: you help develop an institution that helps others, along with the baijis. Not for our self; for others. And even if I'm sick, if I don't get to play tabla (during satsang), I say 'Baiji, I have to come and play.' It's enlightening for me. When I play during the bhajans (devotional songs) I am wholly concentrated on it; I don't listen to anything else. I want to be totally engulfed in it, so the words they say in the bhajan... I want to realize them. And no matter how I feel, when Baiji smiles (from my playing) I feel really good." 

Kathmandu - One Year After the Nepal Earthquake

Before

Because our sister ashram is in Kathmandu, the center of last year's massive earthquake in Nepal, we know all too well that recovery has been slow. But there are some signs of progress... check out these Before-and-After photos:

"On April 25, 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. Massive aftershocks rumbled across the country for weeks, turning villages to dust and triggering deadly landslides. The losses were devastating — approximately 9,000 fatalities, 23,000 injuries, and thousands of homes destroyed, causing millions to be displaced. 

After

Before

After

But there was another loss that was less calculable — that of the country's rich cultural heritage. Some 600 historical structures, including several ancient temples and buildings recognized as World Heritage Sites, were damaged — if not completely leveled."

Before

After

The rebuilding and restoration efforts would be enormous. And, unfortunately, one year later, much of the country remains in shambles. Children are without schools, villagers are living in pop-up tents, and temples lean dangerously askew, if they stand at all. There don't seem to be any plans on the horizon, either; the government's reconstruction agency has approved zero projects, according to the Associated Press. 

Before

After

The country's proposed rebuilding budget is close to its goal, but its efforts have been stymied due to a severe lack of governmental organization and a tangle of red tape. Frustrated citizens are forced to just sit back and wait, or, as some have done, try to rebuild their lives on their own.

Before

After

In these photos we can compare World Heritage Sites and village street scenes around Nepal in photos taken days after the April 2015 earthquake as well as one year on and witness how far the country is from returning to normal." - From The Week http://theweek.com/captured/621107/rubble-nepal

Before

After