Author Archives: Svaroopa® Vidya Ashram

A Divine Work in Progress

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By Darren Taylor

Interviewed by Lissa (Yogyananda) Fountain, Yogaratna

I used to drive by Downingtown Yoga and Meditation center weekly. I’d see the prayer flags and wonder what it was all about. 

Then one day I took a yoga class with Swami Satrupananda. Afterwards she asked me what I wanted from yoga. I said, “Enlightenment, of course.”

“Well,” she replied, “You’ve come to the right place.”

I’ve been on a spiritual search for years. Mindfulness, Christian prayer, power yoga, and spiritual readings have been a part of the journey. But I’d never done mantra meditation before. I had lots of questions, and Satrupananda counseled me on the next steps. This led to my first Shaktipat in May of 2022.

I began to prepare myself for this profound spiritual experience about to happen. It felt akin to a baptism: a transformative spiritual marker on my path. I wanted to do service to it, with respect. I ate a simple and pure diet that week and read Muktananda’s Play of Consciousness.  In a dream, I also experienced Gurudevi giving me a shoulder slip!  I wondered if this was part of the transmission of energy to come. 

At the beginning of the Shaktipat retreat, my mind and body had a little resistance. “Oh,” I thought, “we’re chanting again??!” But I went with it. After Gurudevi’s first touch, I felt pulled up from my base and realigned. I could see a roadmap that Kundalini had implanted inside me. During my meditations, the physical openings were much stronger. I experienced a cleansing, a burning off. 

After I got home, I couldn’t do anything but sit in meditation. I was so blissful.  I didn’t want to “land the plane.”  I wanted to keep flying in Consciousness. Now I’m enrolled in the “Deepen Your Meditation” class and meditating daily.  I’m a divine work in progress. 

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Shavasana: Letting Go to Go Forward

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By Marlene (Matrikaa) Gast, Yogaratna

When life gets hectic, and it’s time to go-go-go, Shavasana is my go-to pose.  

I take the time to set up my blanket stack with a carefully rolled blanket on top.  With my knees supported thus, I feel my lower back lengthen, spread, and settle into the floor.  The effect on my mind is so sweet.   

Worry melts into random thoughts.  They soon dissolve into simple clarity and gratitude for rest.  I feel my upper back receive the support of the floor.  With the back of my hands resting into the floor, my fingers soften.  They release the urge to hold on to anything.

Sometimes I silently repeat our Guided Awareness, which I know by heart.  In sequence, I find every part of my body, from my toes through my head, front and back.  This deepens my access to inner peace.

In my current process of relocating, I’m finding Gurudevi’s “Experience Shavasana” recording to be essential.  While uprooting myself, what I hear in her voice and words is transporting in a different way.  This takes me inward to the discovery of new dimensions within myself.  

Being in Shavasana, I am thoroughly grounded in the expanding awareness of Ultimate Reality and Eternality.  Bit-by-bit, my body rests ever more deeply into my blankets and the floor.  Guided in being aware of my body, I feel each area in turn filling with aliveness.

Afterwards, I rest in silence and stillness, my back evenly spread, securely supported by the floor.  The Shavasana blanket stack and roll cradle my knees.  Any previous pressure in my low back is gone.  With calm and energy at the same time, I feel whole — ready to effectively address whatever arises.

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Find New Depths Within

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By Amanda (Purna) Schmidt

Do you have a meditation practice? If you need a boost inward, try our new Rudraksha head garland.

Designed by Gurudevi, it was handcrafted in Ganeshpuri. The garland features semiprecious stones with the colors of the chakras. A silver OM adornment completes the garland.

Wear it on your head, enhancing your meditation. You will find new depths inside, while feeling uplifted. Ease deeper into meditation, encircled by Grace.

Measuring beads are sent by request at Amaya@svaroopavidya.org.

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An Opportunity Not To Be Missed!

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Enjoy Gurudevi’s new availability! She is more reachable than ever before.

NOW ONLINE

Wednesdays from 7:30-9 pm

FREE for Swami Sunday Subscribers

Wednesday evening satsangs are always free for in-person participants. For a limited time, current Swami Sunday subscribers may attend online for FREE. This is a time-limited offer, so give it a try right away.

These mid-week satsangs are more informal. Gurudevi speaks off-the-cuff, explaining the intricacies of yoga’s teachings in a very personal way.

Like a jazz musician, I love to riff on Consciousness. I pick a quote from my Baba, something relevant to the monthly theme in my Teachings Article. Then I explain the technical terminology as well as the practical application of his inspired and inspirational teachings. — Gurudevi

The clarity and brilliance of her spontaneous teachings inspires you! A longer chant leads up to meditation. Gurudevi always customizes the meditation instructions to synch up with the teachings she has given.

As a Swami Sunday subscriber, you automatically receive your connection code by email every week.

To attend a single satsang online, enroll by the night before. Registrations close on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm (Eastern Time).

For you who are near Downingtown, this program is always free. Open to the public, so come!

Wednesday 4/3
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Chanting Guru Mantras

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Gurudevi’s Audio Recording

By Joan (Jayadevi) Bragar 

I want to chant along during the opening of Ashram offerings both online and in person.  

I feel more part of Ashram programs when I join in the chant of Gurudevi Nirmalananda’s “Guru Mantras.”  Consequently, more shakti moves through me.  

This month, I’ve been working on memorizing them on my morning walk. I discovered a great resource to learn both the melody and words of these “Guru Mantras.”

On Track 5 of Spiritual Hunger & Fulfillment, I get to hear Gurudevi’s beautiful voice repeating them for a full 25 minutes.  I love her chanting because it honors the source of our potential enlightenment — the lineage of Gurus.  It is they from whom we learn, and they continually shower us with Grace.

If you want to learn them, listen to Track 5 on Gurudevi’s Spiritual Hunger & Fulfillment album and chant along:

Gurubrahmaa guruvishnur  

gurudevo maheshwara

Gurusakshat parabrahma

tasmai shree gurave nama.h

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Here is the translation:

Guru is the creative force (Brahma) & the sustaining force (Vishnu)

Guru brings an end to all things (Shiva)

Guru is the Supreme Reality (Parabrahman)

I bow with heartfelt gratitude to my honored Guru.

Let this inspire you to join in!

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The Wonders of Shaktipat

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By Ashley (Tarini) Molson

Interviewed by Lori (Priya) Kenney 

I was alone in my own home for the September Shaktipat Retreat.  Even online, I had profound experiences.  Gurudevi has no limitations.   

Remarkable things happened and are continuing.  Chanting had been something I felt uneasy doing.  With no one listening, I sang out freely.  By the end of the weekend, I had no inhibitions and was chanting loudly from my depths. 

While receiving Shaktipat from Gurudevi, I found myself falling at her feet.  It wasn’t me making a heartfelt or mental choice to fall.  It truly felt as if I fell at her feet in full surrender.  My spine was straight up, but my heart was bowing.  It wasn’t something I thought myself into, it happened inside. In this moment, I fully embraced Gurudevi as my Guru.     

The devotion has continued blossoming. I immediately signed up for Meditation Club so I can meditate with Gurudevi and the other Svaroopis.  It wasn’t a priority before ¾ I always hit snooze.  I now wake up most mornings between 3:45 and 4 am.  

After Shaktipat, meditating more and spending more time with Gurudevi isn’t even a question. It’s like breathing.  I want more time with Gurudevi to continue deepening my experience.    

Shaktipat lit a fire that is filling me with the strength of my Sanskrit name.  Tarini is one of the names of Durga.  I’m feeling her strength, and it’s moving me to do things that seemed impossible before.   

I own my own business and work full time. It’s intense and there’s no “off button.”   I’ve been remembering what a gift it is to learn this yoga.  I feel incredibly grateful to Gurudevi.  She poured into me and now I’m saying, “Where am I needed?  Where can I pour it out to others?”    

I’m inspired to teach yoga again. It’s amazing — time and space are opening up for me.   

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My Online Miracle

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By Joan Bragar

My online connections with the Ashram have been a godsend. I participate twice a week in online yoga classes taught by the Swamis. 

The benefits of Svaroopa® yoga have been huge through my online yoga therapy sessions with the Swamis. I fully recovered from two major surgeries within a year.  I now can engage in life with full mobility and strength. This is increasingly important as I turn seventy.

I’ve also taken additional online classes, including the Magic of Ujjayi program, Gurudevi’s illuminating Telecourses, and her “live from the Ashram kitchen” Yogic Nutrition course.  I even participated in my first Shaktipat retreat online!  

So I feel very close and connected to the Ashram.  My knowledge, commitment and dedication to this spiritual path have deepened over the past few years. I now offer seva (volunteer service) to support the work of Svaroopa® yoga in the world.

Last year, I got to Downingtown PA for my first in-person Shaktipat Retreat.  I was happy to be there in person at last, and Gurudevi greeted me warmly.  

During a dinner, I had a funny and fun-loving conversation with some of the swamis.  It was about how tall they had thought I was from seeing me on Zoom. Some thought I was taller, and some thought I was shorter.  That seemed to be the only information that wasn’t easily discernable online.  Everything else — including emotional connection and physical and spiritual development — had occurred through several years of virtual programs.

I am always surprised that more people don’t take advantage of these weekly classes with true Svaroopa® yoga masters. The organization’s website makes it easy to find and sign up for classes and programs.  I invite you to join me.

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Yogic Nutrition

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Online — Beginning Tuesday March 26

What does a yogi eat? To achieve health as well as pleasure and (most importantly) spiritual development, yogis feed themselves consciously.

This course focuses on what to eat, when and why. Drawing on yoga, Ayurveda and scientific nutritional guidelines, Swami Samvidaananda and Gurudevi give you easy ways to improve your nutritional profile.

Each class includes teachings as well as a tasting session with discussion and easy recipes for your homework. If you were able to be in-person, your tasting session would be foods prepared by the Ashram, but for an online course, you’ll have to do some simple preparation before class. It may include slicing apples or perhaps the heating up of milk or a non-dairy alternative. 

As these principles begin working for you, you’ll notice a change in your digestion, assimilation and elimination. Taste is also important, especially as it contributes to your nutrition as well as your quality of life.   

I loved taking this joyful, practical online course! It was full of fascinating nutritional information that showed me new ways to approach meal planning. Much of it happened in our kitchens, which created a relaxed vibe. We had fun tasting our experiments and comparing results. An especially important part for me was the personal advice I received. As a result, I am now consulting an Ayurvedic doctor to help with digestive imbalances. – Agnes H.

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Sitting Auspiciously

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By Valerie (Atmananda) Light Trautlein, Yogaratna

Right now, my favorite pose is Swastikasana.

I love this pose because it supports my spine to be so upright in meditation. The “envelopes” of my thighs and calves are wonderful supports for my feet. Props for my knees give my hips and spine support.

They rest in alignment with each other. The support of blankets and my own body allows Kundalini to rise up my spine. Any blockages are cleared.

This support allows me not to work so hard at meditation. As I sit in the pose, I feel my body as one unit. This sensation of wholeness supports the truth of experiencing the One Reality as I sit.

I can remember a time when I could not sit in this position for long periods. I would experience hip and knee pain towards the end of meditation. So I decided to focus on deeper spinal release poses in my home practice.

The deep, consistent spinal release opened up the tight parts of my body. This of course addressed mental tension too. This focus created lasting change. It gave me the ability to enjoy sitting in this pose without pain. The whole thing got much easier.

The name of the pose, I find, really describes the gift of the pose. Swastikasana means auspicious sitting. Also, one translation of the Sanskrit name Shiva is “auspicious.” When I sit in Swastikasana, my body is aligned in a way to sit as my Self auspiciously with ease.

I receive support from the blankets as well as from my own body. Outside and inside work together with one goal. Sitting as Self.

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Experiencing Shavasana & Ujjayi Pranayama  

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Gurudevi’s Audio Recording

By Barbara (Girijananda) Hess

The cover says it all: “Discover more of yourself in these inner explorations into the vastness of your own beingness …”

Listening to Gurudevi Nirmalananda guide me into Shavasana with this CD has supported me for many years. The CD offers a wide range of Shavasana and Ujjayi Pranayama experiences. Some are short and others long.  You can choose the tracks that fit your available time.

I especially love the Track 4 “Long Guided Awareness” with tamboura. Gurudevi begins with the familiar “Become aware of your toes, all ten toes …” Then she continues with an in-depth inner exploration throughout your body.  I especially love the section when she tracks up your spine one vertebra at a time. I must say I missed this section for more than a year.  I would pass in before I even got to the sacrum!

Now I mostly stay conscious.  I love the deepening awareness of each vertebra.  I sense the subtle presence of the inner conduit through which Kundalini arises.  I have new, deepening awareness at different areas of my internal terrain each time I dive inside with Gurudevi’s guided awareness. It gives me a full 30 minutes of Divine exploration. 

I have recommended this CD to many students who want to be guided in Shavasana in their home practice. They report, just as I do, many new insights each time they practice Shavasana guided by Gurudevi.  

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