Sri Swami Sivananda never came to America, but several of his disciples did. They founded organizationally separate groups, which were yet connected by the teachings of Master Sivananda Maharaj. Among the most well known are the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, the International School of Yoga and Vedanta, the International Yoga Society, Yasodhara Ashram, branches of the Holy Order of Sri Shankaracharya, and the Integral Yoga Institute with its headquarters at Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville. Reverend Sri Swami Satchidananda met his Master, Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj, in 1947. He was initiated by his Master into the Sannyas Order of Monkhood in 1949. At this time he also received the name of Satchidananda, which means "Existence Knowledge Bliss Absolute." After seventeen years of work with the Divine Life Society branches in India and in Ceylon, he arrived in the United States in 1966 and, because of repeated requests from his American students, stayed on. In that same year, he founded the first Integral Yoga Institute in New York. BASIC BELIEFS: In the words of Sri Gurudev Swami Satchidananda, the goal of Integral Yoga is: "to realize the Universal Truth, to express the spiritual unity behind all the diversities in the entire creation, and to live harmoniously as members of one universal family. To accomplish this goal, maintain your natural condition of: a body of optimum health and strength, senses under total control, a mind well disciplined, clear and calm, an intellect as sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as steel, a heart full of unconditional love and compassion, an ego as pure as crystal, and a life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy." Integral Yoga is a synthesis of all Yogas (approaches to God and to communion with the Divine) and, as such, serves as a common denominator for all the traditional religions. Sri Gurudev teaches us that we should retain our peace at any cost. An impure, peace less, and selfish mind causes all pains and difficulties, but the pure, calm mind mirrors the Divine which is already within. Integral Yoga is also a system for purification of the body and mind. By practicing the following methods, the students experience harmony in every aspect of the self. Raja Yoga is the path of concentration and meditation. Based on ethical perfection and control of the mind, it leads ultimately to the state of Samadhi or Super consciousness. Japa Yoga, which is a part of Raja Yoga, uses the concentrated repetition of a man tram (a sound vibration representing an aspect of the Divine), leading to awareness of this vibration and attunement to it during the everyday life. Hat ha Yoga is also a part of Raja Yoga. Body postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), deep relaxation, and cleansing practices (kriyas) serve to purify and strengthen the body and mind. Karma Yoga is the path of action or work as selfless service. By performing one's duty, in the most efficient and peaceful way, without attachment to the fruits of the action, the Karma Yogi becomes a conscious instrument of the Divine Will. Bhakti Yoga is the path of love and devotion to God, an incarnation of the Divine, or a spiritual teacher. By transcending the limited personality one attains union with the Divine. Jnana Yoga is the path of wisdom. Through study, self analysis, and awareness, the Jnana Yogi ceases to identify with the body and mind, and realizes the Oneness or the Divinity within. Sri Swami Satchidananda teaches his students to experience, in their daily lives, the ease, peace, and usefulness which are the results of following the teachings. Basic texts and sources are: Integral Yoga Hatha, To know Yourself, Beyond Words, Sri Swami Satchidananda: Apostle of Peace (a biography), The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: A Translation and Commentary, The Living Gita, and the Integral Yoga Magazine. In addition, the writings of Master Sivananda, and the classical scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita and the Tirukkural, are frequently referred to. PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: Integral Yoga is a sadhana (path to Enlightenment) which also includes, similar to the Ten Commandments of the Judaeo Christian tradition, ten ethical precepts which are deeply rooted in ancient, Eastern religious tradition. By practicing these principles of Yama and Niyama, we may maintain our inner peace: Nonviolence, Truthfulness, Non stealing, continence, Non greed, Purity, Contentment, Accepting but not causing pain, Study of spiritual books, and worship of God (or dedication of one's life to humanity). Master Sivananda in his "Universal Prayer" asked, "Grant us an understanding heart, equal vision, balanced mind, faith, devotion, and wisdom. Grant us inner spiritual strength to resist temptation and to control the mind. Free us from egoism lust, greed, anger, and hatred." Guru Poornima, which is an occasion for honoring ally Spiritual Teachers, Saints, and Prophets, is celebrated on the Full Moon day of July. Students of Integral Yoga respect, and often celebrate, the religious holidays of all faiths, such as Yom Kippur, Navaratri, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Sivaratri, Easter, and the birthdays of the Buddha, Sri Swami Sivananda, and Sri Swami Satchidananda. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The office of Sri Gurudev administers 32 branches in the United States,one Ashram, 6 Integral Yoga ROLE OF MINISTERS: Under the guidance of Sri Swami Satchidananda, the National Board, which is an organ of the Office of Sri Gurudev, directs the Ashram Boards, Executive Committees, and the Executive Secretaries who run local branches. Monks are totally dedicated to serve the humanity, and are placed in positions according to their individual capacities and the need for WORSHIP: Daily periods of meditation, depending on the work schedules of the individuals, are required. Whenever possible, they meditate together. Mantra initiation or other preparation is recommended. Senior students may lead worship services. No minimum equipment is required. A candle, incense, meditation beads, and holy pictures and symbols are used by choice of the individual. With respect to facilities, each center has a sanctuary for silent meditation, complete with an ecumenical altar. Outside the Ashrams or institutes, special facilities are recommended for undisturbed, silent meditation. DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: Students of Integral Yoga are vegetarians for their physical, mental, and spiritual health. No meat, fish, or eggs are permitted. Also, no alcohol, tobacco, stimulants, or other drugs are allowed. FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: Respectful ceremony of burial or cremation. Cremation is preferred, but not required. MEDICAL TREATMENT: Natural healing techniques and preventative medicine are preferred over antibiotics. These approaches are followed by and taught at the Integral Health Services which was founded by the organization. OTHER: The Integral Yoga Institute believes that a person should do his duty. According to his conscience and guided by the teachings about non violence, the individual may choose to fight in his country's defense or serve in a noncombatant defense role. Observing vegetarian diet and the teachings about non injury (among the main tenets of Integral Yoga), may be in conflict with the present military directives. Members of the Sannyas Order wear the saffron robe. Other students and members generally wear simple, white clothing. A person of any faith may practice the teachings of Integral Yoga without compromising one's own religion. Sri Swami Satchidananda has taught that, "Truth is One, path are many." He has led and participated in many ecumenical programs. Among these, he organized Y.E.S., the Yoga Ecumenical Services, in which religious leaders of different faiths join in universal worship services to the Light of Truth. Sri Swami Satchidananda is also Co Director of the Center for Spiritual Studies, together with a Catholic Monk and a Jewish Rabbi. Members are recruited by word of mouth, and through advertisements in periodicals which invite people to open meetings, retreats, training courses, and Yoga classes. No high pressure techniques are used. The motto is, "Ask, it shall be given." GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS: Satchidananda, Swami. The Living Gita: The Complete Bhagavad Gita. Yogaville, VA: Integral Yoga Publications, 1988. 326 pp. Integral Yoga Hat ha. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970. 189pp. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville Buckingham, Virginia 23921 (804) 969-3121 |
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| Black Rose Spiritual Center, Inc : Belief Systems |
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| Integral Yoga International |
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| ADDRESS: Rt. 1, Box 1720 Buckingham, VA 23921 OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville, Integral Yoga Institute LEADERSHIP: Sri Swami Satchidananda, Founder/Director MEMBERSHIP: There is no formal membership. Staff and teachers for the centers currently number about 250 nationwide. An estimated 1,215,000 attend programs and remain affiliated with the IYI in some manner. HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj (1889 1963) was one of several swamis to arise in this century who became revered as saints and holy men. A medical doctor, Sri Swami Sivananda renounced his worldly life and began a pilgrimage. He met Sri Swami Viswananda Saraswati of the holy Shankaracharya tradition, who initiated him into the Sannyas Order. Sri Swami Sivananda entered a life of intense spiritual devotion and soon after began to practice medicine again. He advocated service as a means to devotion, as exemplified by his motto, "Be good, do good." He also is known to have achieved Samadhi, which is a mystic state of cosmic consciousness. Disciples began to gather around the Realized Master, and writings were circulated throughout India. In 1932, the Sivanandashram was founded in Rishikesh and, three months later, the Divine Life Society. |
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