Thursday, December 3, 2009

Anandmurti Gurumaa


An embodiment of love, grace, compassion, and empowered with the wisdom of the times, forward thinking and dynamic in her approach and outlook, Anandmurti Gurumaa stands as a constant source of inspiration for all. She is a source of light to those looking for an answer, peace, wisdom, and unconditional love. Defying definitions, pragmatic, realistic, of liberal views, she is open-minded like sky and intense like space.

Anandmurti Gurumaa was born on 8th April 1966. She had a wonderful childhood - when other children were learning nursery rhymes, she was listening to the philosophy of Vedanta. While other children dreamt of dolls and cars, she was learning the art of awakening. She was always seen meditating or sitting in silence. Meditating and lovingly serving spiritual masters, she had her awakening at the age of sixteen.
She travelled in different parts of India, finally settling in Rishikesh - a holy city on the banks of the Ganges. While in Rishikesh, she went into silence and wanted to remain in this state forever. However, the world needed her presence to show light to the mankind groping in dark; seekers were flocking from everywhere seeking guidance. Out of her compassion for humanity she came out of silence and began to show the way.
At a very early age, life groomed her to be a master and a guide to seekers. Soon the fragrance of her spirituality spread and people from all over started coming to her seeking knowledge and guidance.

She started travelling to address conferences, meet people and to give them guidance. Later she started her meditation retreats which gave her a working ground. Thousands of people would come to unlearn the worldly ways; to rise above dogmas and doctrines of religion. She simplified meditation for the masses and made it of such ease that no one ever felt that this path was for a chosen few only.

As fish to water, so did poetry come naturally to her. Anandmurti Gurumaa has written hundreds of poems. She has also set them to music and sung them in her mellifluous voice.

Anandmurti Gurumaa teaches the essential precepts that we must understand and internalize, if we are to progress on the path of spiritual understanding. A pragmatic approach of her teachings empowers the seeker with the wisdom to live with absolution. With her characteristic humility, Anandmurti Gurumaa says, “I have nothing new to offer in terms of words; but much to offer in terms of the essence of truth.”

Redefining spirituality: Anandmurti Gurumaa says, “The Spiritual path is a warrior’s path where you have to wage a war against your own darkness, your own ignorance – not to fight with your own mind but to understand it so as to transgress it. It is like the seed that is always there but flowers only in the right climate, rich soil and with the loving nurturing of a gardener.”

Gurumaa says she does not belong to any one tradition, religion, path or label. She considers herself a citizen of world and is not limited by narrow considerations. She is a free-spirited, transendentalist and is carving out a path-less path for seekers. She says that no guru can grant you enlightenment; no master can awaken your kundalini; one has to toil hard oneself in the presence of the master- but without making the effort seem a strain. Seek, but with patience; meditate, but without any goal; sharpen your awareness so that you rise above the ‘me-mine-I’ syndrome of identification with the self.

Today Anandmurti Gurumaa resides in a beautiful ashram in Gannaur, Haryana, India. Ever welcoming to seekers; ever inviting to all; a hard task master who will not appease your ego, Gurumaa says, “People do not need a living guru; they need a look-alike guru, a toy. As one has to surrender totally to the guru, people, who love their selves so much, find it difficult to do so. Therefore most prefer to stay away!”

Anandmurti Gurumaa is a living master who is so ordinary in her extraordinariness! She is a challenge to the intellect, a pleasing sight to the eyes, humorous, and a lively new age Buddha.

Gurumaa Speaks
Self is Pure Consciousness
Why am I Away From Bliss
Stop Thinking, Enjoy Living
Don't Look for a Master
Truth and God
The Mystery Called LIFE
Where is Mind Located
Sufi Way to Know the Mind
Renounce the Mind
What is Meditation
The Grace of the Guru
Be a Monarch, Not a Beggar
The Law of Karma
From Sex to Divinity
You & I - Relationships
Faith, Beliefs & Spirituality
Too Stressed? Just Relax
Right Way of Living Life
Key to Lifelong Happiness
Gurumaa to Women
Gurumaa to Youth
Save the Planet Earth
8 Things for Balanced Living

Anandmurti Gurumaa
C/O V.K.Mundra, 29,
Bank Street,
First Floor Fort Street,
Mumbai-23.
Contact No. 022-22661611 / 5695.
www.gurumaa.com

Art of Living





Art of Living is a multi-faceted, not-for-profit educational and humanitarian NGO with a presence in over 140 countries. Founded in 1982 by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living, today, is one of the largest voluntary organisations in the world.

Inspired by its founder’s vision of making the world a violence-free, stress-free global family, the organisation is engaged in various initiatives that uplift humanity and enhance the quality of life. The goal of the organisation is to bring peace at the level of the individual, society, nation and the world as a whole. Its areas of work covers conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, poverty alleviation, empowerment of women, prisoner rehabilitation, education for all, campaigns against female foeticide and child labour and environment sustainability.
Guided by Sri Sri’s philosophy of peace, “Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace,” the Art of Living offers several stress-elimination and self-development programmes based mainly on breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. These programmes have helped thousands around the world to overcome depression and violent and suicidal tendencies.

The Art of Living has several sister organisations which are dedicated to realising its vision. International Association for Human Values, Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir, Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, among others, formulate and implement social projects of the Art of Living.

Art of living
341, 2723,
Motilal Nagar No 2,
Opposite Bangur Nagar Poli,
Goregaon West,
Mumbai - 022 28790855
www.artofliving.org

Amma ji


Spiritual

The Amritapuri ashram in India was the first spiritual center that was established by Amma. Amma lives there today along with two thousand residents who come from all over the world. Today Amma has spiritual centers established all over the world. These centers provide an ideal environment to meditate, perform selfless-service supporting Amma's innumerable humanitarian activities and gives solace and peace to all who come in search of some comfort.

Speaking about Amritapuri ashram in India, Judith Cornell, the award-winning writer in her book, ' Amma - Healing the Heart of the World' says - 'Amritapuri Ashram is a center where Amma has a thousand arms of compassion stretching worldwide to help nurture human beings spiritually, mentally, and physically.'

Swamini Krishnamritaprana, Amma's senior lady disciple said that the ashram is like a miniature of the whole world, but in a controlled atmosphere. " It's a place where you have to face and work through the problems that come up, because there's no one to run to. This fact is very beneficial, because people learn to work through their psychological processes (mental processes) more quickly."

A definite requirement for the spiritual life is getting rid of desire for physical comfort. Swamini Krishnamritaprana said, " Mother is a good example. She is just as happy to lie down on a bare, cement floor as on a fancy bed - it's all the same to her. She has peace of mind in all situations. Someone once gave her a car to travel around in, but if She has to walk or catch a bus, that's just as good. Detachment is to use the things that God has provided, but if they are not there, or if they are taken away from you, you have to be able to surrender them easily."

Apart from these spiritual centers,the Brahmasthanam temples that are consecrated by Amma's divine resolve is a great blessing from Amma to all humanity.

It has to be mentioned here that Amma travels around the world for more than 8-9 months in a year and sits day after day receiving all who come to her for comfort, in a loving embrace. Amma's hug should not be mistaken to be an ordinary one. Those who have experienced it alone can understand the truth of this statement.



Amma
MAM MUMBAI, Brahmagiri,
Plot No. 5, Sector 20,
Nerul West, Navi Mumbai 400706 Maharashtra,
Phone: (022) 2772 2385, Fax: (022) 2771 6055,
E-mail: mumbai{at}amma.org.in
www.amritapuri.org

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Brahma Kumaris


Spiritual Leaders

One of the first questions frequently asked upon encountering the Brahma Kumaris is, “Is this a women’s organisation?” The answer is “no”. Although primarily administered by women, it is an organisation in which both women and men participate equally.

The Role of Women

In October 1937, Brahma Baba formed a Managing Committee of eight young women and in February 1938, he surrendered all his property and assets to a Trust administered by them. The soundness of his decision to choose women and young girls as administrators and spiritual teachers has been born out by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) becoming a respected global institution under their leadership. Brahma Baba also correctly foresaw that core values based on traditionally feminine qualities – patience, tolerance, sacrifice, kindness and love – would increasingly become the foundation of progress in personal growth, human relations, and the development of caring communities.

Spiritual Partnership

Brahma Baba’s vision of the future world was one of harmony between the sexes and of partnership rooted in spirituality, for spirituality is the key to trust and respect. Today, although women head the organisation, there are many men coordinating centres and playing other key administrative roles.

Courses

All of the Brahma Kumaris centres offer courses in meditation and spiritual knowledge, as well as seminars and special events facilitating self development and personal change. All courses, seminar and workshops are offered to the public free of charge, as a community service.
The Foundation Course in Meditation, described below, is available at every Brahma Kumaris centre on a regular basis. The other courses are offered from time to time. For information as to what is available in your area.


The Foundation Course in Raja Yoga Meditation

At the heart of the University’s teachings is The Foundation Course in Raja Yoga Meditation. This course provides a logical and practical understanding of the relationship between spirit and matter, as well as an understanding of the interplay between souls, God and the material world. The series of classes in this course will facilitate your inward journey in an efficient and effective way.


Positive Thinking Course

If you are not sure that you’re ready for meditation but would like to understand your mind better, gain greater clarity and learn how to manage your thoughts, the Positive Thinking Course is for you.


Stress Free Living Seminars

Stress getting to you? Everyone experiences difficult periods in their lives when deadlines, family worries, financial pressures and or turbulent relationships take their toll on our sense of mental and physical well–being. Calm down and learn to relax through a Stress Free Living Seminar.

Brahma Kumaris ,
Near Strand Cinema Colaba,
Mumbai 40005.
http://www.bkwsu.org/