By Lynn (Gurupremananda) Cattafi, SVA Board Member

Namah is a most beautiful Sanskrit word, which means “to honor, to bow, to worship.”  You can see namah at the root of “namaste,” which means “I honor the place in you, and in me, in which the entire universe dwells.”  Gurudevi Nirmalananda describes namah as she learned it from her Guru:

Baba constantly reminded us, “Honor your own Self; worship your own Self; bow to your own Self; God dwells within you as you.”  He kept turning us back toward the right direction, inward.

In so many ways, Gurudevi has taught me to honor and worship my own Self.  Yet there is one she didn’t have to teach me — to honor and support the source of the teachings.  My financial support of the Ashram enables Gurudevi and our amazing group of teaching swamis to support me in my quest inward to Self.  Please join me in this practice of dakshina.  Donate to our spring fundraiser.

Many times throughout every day I make the choice, Self or self.  When I choose Self, my inherent Divinity, I bow to all that I am.  I take my mind into my own Beingness instead of being pulled into mind-stuff and emotions.

Yoga’s ancient practices are designed to quiet your mind so that you can see all the way inward to your inherent Divinity.  The ancient teachings remind us that we find God — our Divine Essence, our Self — within.  Gurudevi and our swamis show us how to apply these ancient teachings in modern life.

Fueling your journey to Self-Realization, Svaroopa^® Vidya Ashram brings you an abundance of programs infused with Gurudevi’s teachings.  Ashram programs include Gurudevi’s Shaktipat Retreats as well as yoga classes, yoga therapy, healing retreats and Teacher Training.  You can even receive free teachings through Freebies on the Ashram website.  These programs and teachings show you how to honor your Self.  

When you support the source of the teachings, the return on your investment is great.  Allow yourself to experience the gratitude and devotion with which the Ashram honors you!

Donate on our website.  You can call us at (610) 644-7555.  Or you can send your check to Svaroopa Vidya Ashram, 116 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335. Thank you.