Siddhaaloka Issue 1

SiddhaalokaTable of Contents

Letter from the Editor (p. 5)

Path of Liberation (p. 6)

Life @ The Ashram(p. 10)

Ask Acharya Shree Ask Acharya Shree (p. 12)

Tratka: a Meditation Technique(p. 13)

Spiritual Living(p. 15)

Healthy Living(p. 15)(p. 15)

Donor Gratitude (p. 18)

Past Events (p. 19)

Upcoming Events (p. 20)

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This question is asked many times, "What is the path for liberation?" because, more or less, everyone in the world is suffering, and they want liberation. Liberation from suffering, liberation from pain, liberation from death and taking birth. This is the cycle, and people are moving in the cycle. When the cycle of death, birth, and death continues, it makes a person suffer, and no one likes suffering.

Liberation is a blissful state; there is no happiness, there is no unhappiness, there is no joy, there is no pain. It is just peace, it is a state of being. Just be. To achieve this highest state of being is not easy. Buddha and Mahavira did a lot of sadhana. We are trying.

TThe main cause that keeps us from liberation is attachment, which is very difficult to break. You can be attached to anything; a person, an animal. If something happens to this person or animal, it makes you suffer.

WWith the earthquake in Haiti, many people died, and those lives are gone forever. They are not suffering, they are gone. The people who survived them - their relatives or friends - because they are attached to them, are suffering more than the ones who died. If someone is gone or injured, if we concentrate and meditate for them, we can help them, but if we begin to suffer, we cannot help another. So, you have to remember, the more we become neutral and stay in a balanced state, we can help others - we can help animals and all living beings. Like, if you get the news that your daughter is sick in the hospital, and you are in a different place, you might become shocked. You lose your bal-anced stanced state, because you fear for her. You can no longer help your daughter, because your concentration is gone. When you hear of anything bad happening to anyone, just bring the picture of the person to your third eye, visualize them, and give all of your energy to them. You will be surprised, even if a person is going into an intensive surgery, it will go very seamlessly and they will be healed soon.

That is the way to help, in balance. In attachment we forget our self.

What keeps us from liberation, mainly, is attachment.A saint with his disciple were invited to somebody's house to eat lunch, and there was a parrot in the house. The parrot thought how lucky he was that a saint was there, and he asked him how he can be liberated, to get out of his cage. "Even though I am safe, I have good food, I'd like to be free in the sky. When I see other birds are flying, I want to be liberated. But I can't find the way, I am always locked in the cage. I am happy that I have security, I am happy that I have food, but that is not freedom." The saint understood, and when they left, his disciple asked why he didn't ansanswer the parrot's question. As soon as the saint heard this, he became unconscious. After a few minutes he came back, and the disciple decided not to ask him again in case he goes unconscious. The parrot heard they were coming back next week, and he waited. This time the saint didn't come, but the disciple came. The parrot asked him, "Did your guru answer my question?" The disciple said that as soon as he asked him, he became unconscious. The parrot said, "Okay, I got my answer."

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Path to Liberation by Acharya Shree Yogeesh

The next day, suddenly the parrot became unconscious - he closed his eyes, held his breath, pretended he was dead. The people opened the cage, gave water and food, but the parrot didn't move. So, they unlocked him and everybody left. The parrot opened his eyes, and no one was near, so he flew off, and he was free.

TTo achieve that state of freedom is very difficult, but that is the path; even if you're alive, you act like you are dead. I always teach people that you have to be fully in that relaxed state. It's called shavasana - after the yoga posture. You do yoga for one hour, and in the end you do shavasana. It means dead posture. You leave your body on the floor, and you don't move it at all; everything is relaxed and there is no tension. That is the way to find liberation, to be totally relaxed.

about acharya shree yogeesh

“We cannot help other living beings unless we are in a balanced state; a neutral state.”

As an inspiring revolutionary spiritual leader and in-demand speaker worldwide, for

over forty years Acharya Shree has dedicated his life to helping guide hundreds of

thousands of people on their spiritual journeys of self-improvement and self-realiza-

tion. It is Acharya Shree’s mission to spread the messages of nonviolence, vegetarian-

ism, oneness, and total transformation. FaceBook.com/AcharyaShreeYogeesh

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Clouds at Siddhayatan, 2013. Miles O’Sullivan

Sunrise at Siddhayatan, 2013. Miles O’Sullivan

Jai Siddhatma, Truth Seekers! It is so wonderful to have the opportunity to share with you my life @ the ashram. I’ve been here for about one month and half and I have to say that I am so blessed and fortunate to be here.

So So why am I here? In August 2011 I visited the ashram as a retreater and learned yoga, meditation, breathing exer-cises and Acharya Shree Yogeesh’s universal teachings of non-violence, love, compassion and knowing one’s true self. While at the ashram and as I returned home, I went into a profound state of realization and understanding of life. I knew that if I practiced everything that I had just learned, I would grow so much internally that I would be able to accomplish great things.

With time and continuous guidance from Acharya Shree, I soon realized that I wanted to live and follow a more meaningful life. I realized that I wanted to fully dedicate my life to unceasing spiritual growth and helping people. I was eager to follow my life’s purpose, so I made the decision to take my spirituality to the next level. I renounced the worldly life in order to follow my heart and dreams, and this is what brought me to the ashram.

I am cuI am currently in training to become a monk. I am learning from Acharya Shree to gain a deeper understanding and realization of TRUTH. As Acharya Shree says, “Help yourself first, and then you can help others.” I am trying to do this. I am working on myself first so that later I can direct my learning and growth to help people over-come fears, doubts and the challenges that life presents to them. I want to share the sweetness of the real spiritual path with everyone, because we all deserve to experience it.

Everyday I thank my soul and the universe for having brought me here. I am beyond grateful to be in the presence of an enlightened master and to learn from him everyday. To be inspired and guided by the extraordinary soul of Sadhvi Siddhali Shree, and to meet all the wonderful people that visit the ashram.

I look forward to sharing my experiences and thoughts with you so that we can grow together...

… and remember that your current state is not permanent. You can always put time, effort, and love into improving yourself, and when you do, you will do great things!

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about anubhuti

Life @ The Ashram by Anubhuti

Inspired by the universal teachings of Acharya Shree Yogeesh, Anubhuti has

dedicated her life to purifying and freeing her soul. Since beginning her stud-

ies in 2011 under the direct guidance of Acharya Shree, she continues to blos-

som, realize the truth, and advance on her path. Humble, well-intentioned,

joyful and with a big heart, she continues to positively affect the lives of those

around her.

I was walking shortly after the sun had set last night, when the color in the sky has mostly faded and you can look out to space. Just the rim of the moon was shining as it came over the distant trees, a few bright stars were close-by, and a planet, I think. I just stood there, feeling like the same kid that looked at the same stars and sky many years ago, taken by a feeling that’s always changing and deepening – something more than words. It was just for a few moments and then I kept walking. Now, as I write this, I’m sitting in the shadow of a tree and the wind is in the grass around my legmy legs. For some people it can be difficult to look at nature and find something else within it. The grass just grows and dies, and the wind just blows by, but everything is like this - it’s always changing and flowing.

Throughout my life I’ve held on to this feeling above all else. When I was little, I felt at home by myself in nature, but didn’t understand it until much later. Any time that I felt I wasn’t there in it, I would ask myself, “Can I improve the way I’m living?” I would try to see where the connection had dimmed, and every time, it was caused by some-thing unnecessary; bad habits, poor communication, misunderstanding, resisting. I wanted to understand these things so I could drop them from my hands and move by.

Acharya Shree Yogeesh always says that we have to be as natural as children – it’s hard to be like a kid! Can you imagine living just one day without thinking about being judged or criticized? Or criticizing others? The wind is to-tally unrestricted and free like that, it doesn’t worry what the grass will think of it as it’s flowing through - I hope some of that rubs off on me while I sit here.

Living at Siddhayatan is much different than what I expected it to be, in a great way. For me, it is sometimes difficult to let go and be natural, but it helps to live with a master (is that an understatement?) observe them and receive guid-ance, as well as having the changing company of people who may all be on different paths, but are willing to put the effort to improve themselves and unfold their understanding. The road which brought me to Siddhayatan was full of confusion and doubts, and impatience as well as patience (mostly impatience!), but it was also full of curiosity, wonder and incredible experiences lead by a love of life and eagerness to look within myself.

I feel blessed and deeply grateful to be a part of the growing Siddhayatan family, and to contribute to our new publi-cation, Siddhaaloka. I sincerely hope you enjoy growing with us, and fully benefit from our efforts to share Acharya Shree’s teachings with you.

Jai Siddhatma.

Life @ The Ashramby Miles O’Sullivan

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about miles

When a meditator feels tingling sensa-tions within the body, this shows there are a lot of blockages. This is not called advancement, but a sign you need to work on your blockages and activate your chakras.- Acharya Shree

I have been meditating for a while now. I've been getting that tingling sensation again followed by a sense of 'nothing and something' -- As good as this all might or might not be, once I am done with meditation I seem, a few hours later, to slip back into my normal day-to-day self -- if this is in fact an advancement of any sort, why am I slipping back to my normal self? I do not know if these experiences are good or bad or whateveare good or bad or whatever.

A few years ago I worked with a man who, I think, awakened my soul and kundalini after a few months of working with him. I learned a lot however the symptoms also made me experience psychosis and delusional schizophrenia. I have been on and off medication and now I am no longer being schizophrenic. My question is, is there a way I can get an awakened soul and kundalini back without the side effect of being schizo-phrenic and having psychosis?

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ASKAcharya Shree

If your soul and kundalini were truly awakened you would have never experienced schizophre-nia or psychosis. But I do suggest to try and think positive and practice meditation or other spiritual sadhana, and maybe you can awaken one day.- Acharya Shree

JUST

$1We know you are kind. We know you care. We know you are compassionate.Please spread your love and help Siddhayatan Tirth continue to flourishand help truth seekers awaken. Your AWESOMENESS is appreciated.

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A green smoothie is a great way to incorporate green leafy vegetables into your daily diet. Green leafy veggies are loaded with iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamins A, E, K and C. Not only do you get these nutrients, but also a tremendous amount of fiber, folic acid, and chlorophyll. The benefits of eating raw green leafy veggies are that you obtain better digestion and your body is able to absorb more nutrients. Some green leafy veggies are: spin-ach, swiss chard, beet greens, arugula, bok choy, kale and watercress.

Rukmani Breslav, one of Acharya Shree’s dedicated students, shared with us this healthy and yummlicious (yummy & delicious) recipe.

1/2 cup natural yogurt1/2 cup water1 bunch spinach½ teaspoon spirulina (optional)½ teaspoon pollen3 d3 dry dates2 teaspoons chia seeds1 banana1 handful berries AND … enjoy this nutritious smoothie!

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Did you know?Did you know Acharya Shree drinks a green smoothie and eats almonds each day…. he follows a healthy rigid diet to stay strong and he encourages everyone to nourish the body with the best and healthiest foods.

Healthy Living by Anubhuti

about sadhvi siddhali shreeSadhvi Siddhali Shree is the Spiritual Director of Siddhayatan Tirth, the Chief Dis-

ciple of Acharya Shree Yogeesh, a spiritual teacher, speaker and author. She passion-

ately writes and speaks on spirituality, revolutionary change and personal growth. She

credits Acharya Shree for her advancement on the spiritual path, since meeting him

when she was 20 years old. She is known amongst her peers for her playful, witty yet

wise shining spirit. FaceBook.com/SiddhaliShree // SiddhaliShree.com15

GRATITUDE

JANUARY - JUNE 2013Dr. Rashmi Jain (Ft. Worth, TX) 20-Rooms Furnished ($20,000 value)

Harinder & Ashu Kumar (Baltimore, MD) $5,500

Nina & Mayur Doshi (Long Island, NY)$3,000,,Rob Secades (Windom, TX)$2,200

Dr. Kenneth Christian (Sacramento, CA)$1533

Rajni Jain (Chatsworth, CA) $1,100

Chris & Debbie Brackmann (Plano, TX)Chris & Debbie Brackmann (Plano, TX)$1,000

Vanita & Sanjeev Jain (McKinney, TX)$900

Nidhi & Pramod Jain (Cypress, CA)$600

Dr. Shubha Jain (Malibu, CA)$500$500

Ramesh Gudavalli (Frisco, TX)$360

Shunta Kobayashi (Riverside, CA)$300

Anu & Bhashi Jain (Chatsworth, CA)$251

Ajay JainAjay Jain$250

Vijay & Rashmi Jain (Dallas, TX)$204

Ulka & Abhay Kothari (Long Island, NY)$151

Daniella Romero (Riverside, CA)$150$150

Preetham Jain (Dallas, TX) $120

Eileen Shahbazian (Corona, CA)$105

Rukmani & Boris Breslav (Frisco, TX)$100

Riddhika & Aman Kelley (Regina, CAN)Riddhika & Aman Kelley (Regina, CAN)$100

Michael B. Moore (Seattle, WA)$100

Manju & Suresh Arora (Dallas, TX)$100

Thomas Wolfe (Ok City, OK)$100

Anonymous (Atlanta, GA)Anonymous (Atlanta, GA)$100

Anonymous (NJ)$100

Ronnie &Tania Reily (Paris, TX)$135

Zsuzsa Novak (Los Angeles, CA)$50$50

Julie Tijerina (Dallas, TX)$40

Danielle Foletto (Anaheim Hills, CA)$25

Ania Szary (Houston, TX)$20

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We would like to thank the following families for financially contributing to Siddhayatan Tirth and helpingus implement Acharya Shree Yogeesh’s vision to createa universal, peaceful, spiritual and soul awakening

environment.

Special Thanks to Rukmani & Boris Breslav, Rob Secades, Jesman & Progress Mutangadura, Rashmi and Vijai Jain, Vanita & Sanjeev Jain, Consuelo Maynez, and Kathy Alvarez for bringing food, vegetables, fruits, spices and supplies to the ashram.

Past Events Mahavir Jayanti by Miles O’Sullivan

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Upcoming EventsSpiritual Children’s Camp - TBD

Siddhayatan will be conducting a 4 day, 3 night children’s camp for ages 5-16 in July or August. Details to be an-nounced via email soon. To be notified about the camp’s updates, email [email protected].

Sadhvi Siddhali Shree Speaks at LCU - August 23-24, 2013Sadhvi Siddhali Shree will be speaking at Lincoln Claremont University’s International Jain Conference

(California). Her proposal, "Where There is Ego, There is No Equality: The Unequal Treatment of Jain Sadhvis" has been accepted for presentation by the selection committee. The theme of the conference is “Women's Perspec-

tives in the Dharma Traditions.” You may register to attend at: http://jain.claremontlincoln.org/2013-conference/registration. Please inform us of your attendance so you can meet and speak with Sadhviji.

Inauguration @ Siddhayatan - September 1, 2013Acharya Shree Yogeesh will inaugurate the 20 room housing area and the commercial kitchen and dining hall. This will be an all-day grand-scale event, from: 10:00am-6:00pm. Please email [email protected] if you will be

attending.

Acharya Shree Yogeesh: Europe Trip - October 2013AAcharya Shree will be traveling to India for his annual trip and might stop at a select number of countries in Europe. If you would like to organize a lecture or workshop in your home or larger centers, please contact

[email protected] for details. Please include your name, phone number, approximate number of attend-ees, topic of teachings requested, etc.

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Siddhayatan.org/Scholarship

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In order to change the world, we must first change ourselves.-Acharya Shree Yogeesh