News & Activity Report for the Month of June 2005

Spiritual Retreat at Seashore of Tithal, Valsad ( June 1, 2005- June 6, 2005)

Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh, organized its annual Sadhana Shibir (Spiritual Retreat) from June 1, 2004 to June 6, 2004 at the seashore of Tithal near Valsad, at Shantiniketan, a hermitage of famous Jain Sadhus’ Bandhu Triputi in peaceful and blissful atmosphere. 

During the retreat every day in the early morning hours chanting of “Vaidik Hymns” started with the background music of roaring ocean, ringing of bells from Shirdi Saibaba's Temple . It was a good morning in the real sense for all. After prayer and meditation Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj conducted a Yoga and Pranayama session for the Yoga students at the seashore only.

Forenoon commenced with Gita chanting, discourses by Pujya Swamiji on “Shanti Mantras” and  followed a mid-day meditation. In the afternoon also sadhana continued with Gita Chanting, discourses on Gita and different Sadhana related topics covered by Resp. Kirtichandraji Maharaj, Mrs. Rupa Majmudar and others. Evenings were spent in the company of beautiful ocean waves and sunset at seashore. The days ended with Question & Answer session and prayer for peace at night satsang.  

Activities at the Ashram  

In the month of June, 650 kg.of grains and wheat was distributed in thirty-five needy families. As always third of the month  nutritious food packages were distributed to underprivileged children of slum area.  

In the month of June, about  530 to 600 people participated daily in Yoga classes at the ashram.  Morning Yoga classes are conducted by the experienced yoga teachers in the Ashram at 5.30am, 7.00am and 10.30am. Afternoon yoga classes at 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm. especially for  women. Other than regular yoga classes every month, from 1^st to 10^th in the morning and from 15^th to 25^th in the evening, yoga classes run for the beginners.  

As always daily satsang from 8.30pm to 9.30 pm, Sunday satsang at 9.15am to 10.15 am and Paduka pujan on Thursday morning were performed at the ashram. Sunderkand path is being recited in Dukh Bhanjan Hanuman temple at the ashram on every Saturday.  

Visit to Ambala, Ludhiana & Jalandhar (June 25, 2005 to June 30, 2005) 

From June 25, 2005 to June 30, 2005 Sri Swamiji Maharaj had his tour to Punjab including Ambala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Swamiji’s Spiritual discourses were organized at Ambala Cant and Ambala city. Ambala is the place where, “ The Divine Life Society” was registered by the most worshipful and Rev. Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on January 13, 1936.

At Ludhiana, morning meditation classes for general public were held at the beautiful lawns of Satluj club. Evening discourses and tree plantations were organized at different places namely at Air force station Halwara, Rotary Club Mid-town and Sri Dayananda Medical College, Ludhiana. Sri Swamiji was also invited at Citibank, Firoz Gandhi Complex, for a talk on ‘stress management’.

Early morning meditation and evening discourse on the subject of ‘Gita in daily life’ at Arya Samaj Bhavan at Jalandhar were well received by people. Television center, Jalandhar and All Indian Radio recorded and telecasted Swamiji’s discourses for the benefits of people at large.

Other News

• At Billimora - On  June 4,  satsang was arranged at  banglow "Vrandavan" of Sri. Vinod & Surekha Vashi. Pujya Swamiji  Adhyatmanandaji blessed their beloved parent Sri. Bhikhubhai (ninety years old) & Smt Nirmalaben Desai. They were happy to have Pujya Sri.'s darshan & satsang. Also present at the satsang was Sri. Moghabhai, President of famous Vasundhara dairy. 
• On June 6, 2005 Rev. Swami Adhyatmanandaji was invited to preside over an Arangetram Bharat Natyam Indian classical dance recital by Miss Nitika Soni, at famous Tagore Hall, Ahmedabad.  
• Sivananada Ashram welcomed H. H. Sri Swami Prasannatmanandaji Maharaj from Sivananda Ashram headquarters of the Divine Life Society. He stayed at the ashram for a week from June 17, 2005 to June 23, 2005.
• At the meeting of new executives" Lions club" Sanand, Rev. Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj delivered a lecture on the subject of  “Breathe Excellence”  Rev. Swamiji said that key to achieve excellence is to surrender unto the supreme. One needs to forget the “little I “ and work for the benefits of others.
•  Rotary club for handicap of  Bhavnagar is one of its kind. On the completion of  four year and at the commencement of its fifth year Sri swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj was invited at the meeting of their new executives. The program was held at the "Bhavnagar Apang Manav Mandal" (Handicap peoples Association).  Pujya Swamiji spoke on the subject of  “Service before self”.  In the evening a satsang was conducted on account of Gujarat Divya Jivan Sanskrutik Sangh at Dr. Naren Joshi’s place. 

• Shri Narayan Cultural mission located in the neighbourhood of Sivananda Ashram run a school from grade I to XII. On June 21, 2005 they started a Commerce college. Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj was invited at the inauguration ceremony.  
• On June 21, 2005 famous Gujarat Vidyapith’s nature cure and yoga training center at Randheja in Gandhinagar (A’bad) invited Rev. Swamiji Maharaj at their annual Gyan Satra. Mrs. & Mr. Shukla  of the institute gave a tour of the center to Swamiji. Other dignitaries were present also namely Mr. Arun Oza, trustee and vice president of Shri Divya Jivan Sanskrutik Sangh, Mr. Joshi, past chancellor of Bhavnagar University and Mr. Ghanshyam Vyas.  
• Pujya Swamiji was invited at conference of chartered accountants of west zone at the country club. He spoke on  the subject “Power of Knowledge” and inspired all.
•   Upon the request of ETY channel, Revered Swami Adhyatmanandaji and his Yoga team, have recorded about Ninety episodes of “Yoga for health” for  their “Health Plus” TV series. 
• On June17,2005  and June 18 Rev. Swamiji  joined in the annual prayer meeting of Hero Honda family in memory of late Sri Raman Munjal, the worthy founder of Hero Honda automobiles.

Guru Purnima Celebration (July 21, 2005 to July 28, 2005)

Ashram will have a week long Sadhana Shibir and Maha Samadhi day (Aradhna day stasang) of H. H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj from July 21, 2005 to July 28, 2005. People wishing to attend the Shibir, please contact the ashram.