Summer Conference 2023 at Ananda Kanan

Welcome to the Summer Conference at Ananda Kanan, Missouri, from July 2 – 8, 2023!

This year’s theme is Neohumanism – Cosmic Brotherhood, and we will have workshops and classes related to that topic. The conference starts on Sunday afternoon, July 2, and finishes on Saturday morning, July 8.
The organizing committee is working on creating an interesting program with various workshops on different topics, a neohumanistic symposium, seminar classes, daily Akhanda Kiirtana, the 4th of July program in Willow Springs, an outing to the river, Katha Kiirtana, and other interesting programs.

Here is a link to a draft of the schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CmflYfNox-u1y2kFL-a-rjE57fh2YQgWpSXViFz1lWk/edit?usp=sharing

Please register in the registration form here below. If you have any difficulties with the registration process, please contact the organizing committee – Didi Ananda Acira, Dada Satyamitrananda, Dada Diiptimanananda, and Dada Iishvarakrsnananda. Here is a link to their contact information:https://ampsnys.org /departmental-roster/

We are planning for various renovations and maintenance work at Ananda Kanan, such as painting the houses, fixing windows, repairing the siding of the houses, etc. If you would like to contribute, please see the PayPal link below. You can also send donations to Ananda Kanan by Zelle to donations@anandakanan.org

PayPal Donations for Ananda Kanan

Yours brotherly,

Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. (SOS NY Sector)

Departments, Local News, Master Units, Retreats

Posted on May 29, 2023

Opening, Not Closing, the Heart With Kiirtana

A popular shloka is often quoted from devotional scriptures regarding kiirtana. It is said:

Náhaḿ vasámi Vaekuńt́he yogiináḿ hrdaye na ca

Madbhaktá yatra gáyante tatra tiśt́hámi Nárada.

Náráyańa says where He remains and where He does not. Náráyańa is all-pervasive (sarvánusruta). In scriptures the all-pervasive entity is known as Viśńu.

Vistárah sarvabhútasya Viśńorvishvamidaḿ jagat.

Viśńupuráńa –Trans.

“Náhaḿ vasámi Vaekuńt́he” – I don’t remain in Vaekuńt́ha. What is Vaekuńt́ha? “Kuńt́há” means “contraction.” Why does this contraction enter the mind? When a person commits sin and is guided by baser instincts, the mind gets contracted. And in a contracted mind, the átman does not get scope of expansion. For the sake of expression of the soul, the contraction has to be removed. When does this contraction leave the mind? It happens when the mind moves away from sin. When the contraction has left the mind, the sin is removed, and the person attaining this will have Vaekuńt́ha in the heart. “Náhaḿ vasámi vaekuńt́he” – Náráyańa says that He does not remain in Vaekuńt́ha.

“Yogiináḿ hrdaye na ca” – He does not remain in the hearts of yogiis, either. If He does not remain in the hearts of yogiis, where does He remain? But if Náráyańa says it, what should I say? We have to got to accept it.

Who is a yogii?

Saḿyoga yoga ityuktá jiivátmá Paramátmanah

When jiivátmá (unit consciousness) and Paramátmá (Cosmic Consciousness) become one, that is yoga. The word yoga originates from the Saḿskrta root word “yuiṋj” plus “ghaiṋ.” It means “addition.” If two plus two becomes four, the components can manage to keep their separate existences. Two mangoes plus two mangoes are four mangoes; but these four mangoes can be of four different types, though these two have become four. In this case, they have not become one; their separate existences are not united. This kind of addition is not real yoga. Real yoga is there where there is unification (samarasa), i.e., that kind of addition in which separate entities do not exist at all. All become one. This alone is the real meaning of yoga. One who has become perfected in this kind of yoga is a yogii. The second meaning of yoga is “yogascittavrtti nirodhah.” When different propensities in human beings are suspended, that state is known as “yoga,” and one who has done this is a yogii.

So, Náráyańa says that He does not remain in the hearts of yogiis either. How strange it is! Náráyańa is all pervasive. Is the heart of a yogii beyond sarva (all)? But there is an answer.

“Madbhaktá yatra gáyante tatra tiśt́hámi nárada.” – Where devotees sing my name, there alone I remain. O Nárada, I transfer my nucleus to that place. What is the meaning of “Nárada?” There are three meanings of the word “nára” in Saḿskrta. One meaning of “nára” is “niira,” water. The second meaning is “Paramá Prakrti” (Supreme Creative Principle), from which the word Náráyańa has come. The third meaning of the word nára is “devotion.” “Nára” plus “da”. The word ́dá has come from the root word, “da”, which means “giver.” One who distributes devotion is Nárada. So it is said, to Nárada, “I transfer my nucleus to the place where my devotees sing my name.” Why? Because in devotees there is upsurge (Ucchavása) and emotion (Ávega). With the help of that emotion, I radiate vibrations in the universe.

How can vibrations emanate from the heart of a yogii who has closed all the ten doors of his person by suspending his propensities? Even if Náráyańa shifts His nucleus there, His radiation cannot unfold therefrom.

But if He seats Himself in the midst of devotees, the entire universe is vibrated with that vibration. The object of Náráyańa will be served in this very thing. Hence, it is wise on the part of Náráyańa to remain the heart of devotees. It is true that Náráyańa is everywhere, but the origin (sphurańa), radiation (viksurańa) and sensation (spandana) of His vibration will not be everywhere. He is everywhere, but that vibration originates from that place where His nucleus is. He seats that nucleus at that place where devotees sing His name. What can be a better place than that?

Hence, that utterance of Náráyańa is a fact.

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, 20 August 1978, Patna

Article

Posted on May 29, 2023

Successful Pracar in Monterrey, Monclova, and Santos, Mexico

Ac. Iishvarakrsnananda Avt., Ac. Anudhyanananda Avt., and Avtk. Ananda Sutiirtha Ac. visited Mexico for Pracar. Ac. Cirananda Avt. lives in Monterrey, Mexico, and joined them for the lectures. The programs were organized by brother Iishvara, who took LFT training two years ago with Ac. Iishvarakrsnananda Avt. There were three programs; one was in Monterrey, the second one in Santios, and the third in Monoclova.

On the first day, around forty people came. It was a beautiful place in Monterrey City. We gave a talk there. Around twenty-five people got initiated that day. They were mostly close friends and relatives of Iishvara.

The second program was in Santios. That was also a very nice place. Around thirty people attended, and twenty people got initiated. It was advertised as Tantric Meditation.

The third place was in the Monoclove city museum. That was a big place, and around one hundred people came. We had to do mass initiations. Ac. Iishvarakrsnananda Avt. gave a talk, and after the talk, eighty people wanted to learn meditation – around twenty brothers and sixty sisters. The brothers brought their wives and also some other relatives. There was a long line for the sisters to get initiation from Avtk. Ananda Sutiirtha Ac.

Collective meditation during one of the classes

Monterrey Margiis and the visiting Acaryas and Dada Cirananda

The sisters lined up for getting initiation from Didi Ananda Sutiirtha

The Acaryas did the initiations outdoors in a large hallway

Dada Iishvarakrsnananda giving a talk

IK Dada, Mexico, Monterrey, pracar

Departments, Local News, Newsletters

Posted on May 29, 2023

Spring Retreat and Ananda Purnima at Ananda Kalpataru MU, Boston Region

Ananda Marga New York Sector has recently conducted a Spring Retreat at Ananda Kalpataru Master Unit in Connecticut from May 4 – 7, 2023. The retreat started on Thursday, May 4, with the help of the Margiis of Boston, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.

In 2021, the Sector bought a new Master Unit, called Ananda Kalpataru, in Connecticut, near the Sectorial Office in New York, Boston, and the famous Harvard University. This Master Unit is very strategically located in New York Sector. The MU committee has been working from April 2021 until now, and good progress has been made under the leadership of SS NY Ac, Abhiramananda Avt., Brother Timir Prabhakar, Sister Shefali, Ac Kovid Brc (RS and MU in-charge) along with Ac. Druva, Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt., Naveen Joshi, Sanjeev Ahuja, Shiv Kumar Singh, and numbers of sympathizers and Margiis of the Sector.

The main organizers for the Spring Retreat were brother Timir, sister Shefali, Avtk. Ananda Acira Ac., Ac. Kovid Brc., Ac. Dhruva, Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt, and Ac. Abhiramananda Avt. Brother Piyush organized the food, Ac. Iishvarakrsnananda Avt. the RAWA programs and other Acaryas and Margiis helped in various ways to make this program successful.

Collective photo after laying the foundation stone

We successfully organized Ananda Purnima and Spring Retreat this year at Ananda Kalpataru MU. Each and every Margii was inspired and encouraged to see the progress and development of the MU. The committee has planned so that everybody felt welcomed, encouraged, motivated, and inspired to enter the campus of the MU. Therefore, Brother Timir and SS Dada planned to clear one acre of land, and 1500 feet of road has been constructed by placing gravel for the smooth passing of cars to the camping area. So everybody felt comfortable reaching the camp where all the events were conducted. The accommodation was at a nearby motel, and the Kiirtana and other programs took place under rented tents, mostly at Ananda Kalpataru but the early morning and night programs at the motel. It was rainy and cool in the morning and night for the first two days but warmed up on Saturday and Sunday. The fresh spring air was refreshing at Ananda Kalpataru, and the children enjoyed playing in the paved recreation area surrounded by forest.

All brothers and sisters in the Master Unit thoroughly enjoyed the four days of celebration. The organizers arranged the programs, accommodations, and food so that everybody was thrilled and inspired. The accommodation was rented within 20-minute radius of the Master Unit.

Brother Piyush Patel digging for the foundation stone

Our sympathizer, Piyush Patel, came from New Jersey to Connecticut to visit the Master Unit. We organized a foundation stone ceremony on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 3 p.m. (for Bhumi Pujan). All the Margiis, brothers, and sisters participated. Ac. Dhruva started by chanting the mantra of the ceremony, and brother Piyush Patel laid the first stone for the progress of Ananda Kalpataru. It was a successfully conducted program, and everybody shared their good wishes and got the blessings of Baba for the progress of Ananda Kalpataru. Overall, the program was conducted very well, and everybody enjoyed the food and sadhana, hiking, fun, and the wide blissful campus of Ananda Kalpataru Master Unit. Some of our neighbors came over to participate in the public program and enjoyed a yoga and meditation class by Ac. Kovid Brc., lunch, ice cream, and relaxing at Ananda Kalpataru.

Also, special attention was made to decorating a small shed for Baba’s room as a nucleus for Baba’s presence and his divine love and blessing emanating from this room. Everybody was inspired and encouraged to celebrate Babaś birthday on May 5, 2023, to get a strong blessing from Ananda Vanii and any Margiis, along with young children, sang Prabhata Samgiita, Kiirtan and meditated and thoroughly enjoyed Babaś birthday. It was a historical program that was conducted at Ananda Kalpataru; I appreciate and recognize on behalf of the Sector all the brothers and sisters of the Sector, especially the Boston Margiis brother Piyush, sister Abha, brother Manish, Sister Tapasii, Sister Shefali, and brother Timir. Their active participation was appreciated. I wish all the best to their families, and Baba bless their families and responsibilities.

Didi Ananda Radhika (right) and Didi Ananda Hitaprabha

Didi Ananda Acira (left), Didi Ananda Sutiirtha (second left), Didi Ananda Hitaprabha, and Didi Ananda Radhika.

Dada Diiptimanananda

Ac. Dhruva reading the Laying the Foundation Stone blessing

The Margiis planted raspberry bushes at Ananda Kalpataru

Didi Ananda Radhika gave a class on the categories of devotion (Bhakti)

Class time under a rented tent at Ananda Kalpataru. The cleared land is in the background.

Acarya Abhiramananda Avadhuta giving a talk after Dharma Cakra

Laying the Foundation Stone Ceremony

Didi Ananda Hitaprabha and Didi Ananda Acira singing Kiirtana before lunch

Ananda Kalpataru banner and flowers

Akhanda Kiirtana on Ananda Purnima

Margiis participate in the foundation stone ceremony

Kalpataru, Master Unit, Spring Retreat

Departments, Local News, Master Units, Newsletters

Posted on May 29, 2023

International Music and Cultural Festival on March 12, 2023 in Flushing, New York

Ananda Marga organized an International Music and Cultural Festival on March 12, 2023, at the Community Hall Auditorium in Flushing, NY.

An excellent program was conducted with the help of local Ananda Marga community members, headed by General Bhukti Pradhan, Naveen Joshi, and Acarya Abhiramananda Avadhuta, Sectorial Secretary of Ananda Marga in New York Sector and Ac. Kovid Brc., Regional Secretary.

The program was based on devotional songs and international varieties of every culture – Russian, American, Asian, Chinese, Brazilian, Indian, and others. More than fifty artists performed music and dance. Those artists and singers created a very devotional and positive environment. Three groups presented their performance – the Shriniketan group, headed by Misses Purnima Desai, the Desai Band, directed by Malotra; and the international artists organized by RAWA New York, led by Acarya Iishvarakrsnananda Avt.

Mr. Piyush Patel with brother Timir and Ac. Abhiramananda Avt. (Sectorial Secretary)

The chief guest of the program was Mr. Piyush Patel. He is a well-known community leader, philanthropist, and charitable social worker. Another chief guest was Mr. Naveen Shah. He is the executive director of Navika. Guest of honor was Shrimati Basundara and Shrimati Purnima Desai. Also, Ankur B. Vaidya, chairman of the Federation of India Asociation of (FIA), appreciated the work of Ananda Marga.

More than 40 organizations attended the program. Several community leaders from New York, New Jersey, and Long Island participated in the program. The New York State representative, Mr. Lee, a senator, was also in the program. Two counties gave their appreciation by providing a citation to Ananda Marga, the Nassau County and District of Queens, from the Assembly Office. The Nassau County representative, Owen Naqui, Queens County representative, Dr. Sheetal Desai, and Mr. Deelip Chauhan also attended the program. Everybody appreciated the work of Ananda Marga. All the honorable guests were appreciated by giving a token of love and appreciation for contributing to Ananda Marga and for the memory and were given a certificate of appreciation and a kind word.

Acarya Diiptimanananda Avadhuta presented the projects of Ananda Marga in the New York Sector and started the program by singing a Prabhata Samgiita Song No. 4279, Tvamasi Sarvesham Pita by the founder of Ananda Marga, Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. Brother Timir Prabhakar presented the new project of Ananda Kalpataru in Connecticut that Ananda Marga plans to build in the future, including a meditation and wellness center. The prominent artists widely performed colorful music, dance, and singing programs. Everybody enjoyed the program. After the program, a delicious vegetarian dinner was served to all the participants and artists.

The participants came from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Boston, Charlotte, Long Island, and other places in the US. Brother Naveen Shah encouraged the audience to support Ananda Marga’s meditation center and learn and practice meditation. Mr. Patel also encouraged all the volunteers of Ananda Marga for their great work. His support is always with Ananda Marga. Brother Aravinda Bohra from the Shanti fund in New York also encouraged and appreciated the program. Mr. Indrajiit Saluja, Mrs. Indu Jaysaval, Balbeer Singh Pahwa (from Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara in Hicksville), and Sunder Luhra from the Asa Mai Temple encouraged the audience to help the Ananda Marga community for service and the new project.

Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi expressed her gratitude to Ananda Marga.

Ananda Marga in New York Sector committee members. The program director, Mohan, and Ac. Dhruva, corporate secretary, Timir Prabhakar, and his wife Shefali, Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. and Ac. Kovid Brc. were appreciated for their contributions and recognized. I like to record this note for future generations that Ananda Marga conducted the first major program on March 12, 2023. It was very successful and well attended. We appreciate all the community leaders that attended this program.

Acarya Abhiramananda Avadhuta, Cultural Festival, RAWA

Departments, Local News, Master Units, Newsletters

Posted on May 29, 2023

Ananda Purnima Celebration and Meditation Retreat at Ananda Kanak MU, Quebec, Canada

On the occasion of Ananda Purnima (Baba’s Birthday), we had a weekend festival at Ananda Kanak from May 5 to May 7. Thirteen adults and six children attended the event; from Toronto, Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal, and Saint-Andre-Avellin. It was a successful Ananda Purnima, during which we enjoyed a total of nine hours of Akhanda Kiirtan. It was the first time the celebration was held at the master unit. We decided to do Akhanda Kiirtan on Friday and Akhanda Kiirtan on Saturday. We did it outside, and the weather was great!

Avtk. Ananda Kalyanmitra Ac. and Ac. Dayashiilananda Avt. and the Margiis in Toronto organized a beginner retreat from May 12 – 14 at Ananda Kanak. The retreat is called “the white rabbit retreat” because one of the sisters brought her white rabbit Tutù. He became the mascot of the retreat within the first half an hour!! We had people from Iran, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Argentina, Russia, and Ukraine. The family atmosphere at the end of the retreat confirmed that it was a success, and some of the initiated sisters got inspired to create new units in their cities.

Akhanda Kiirtana outdoors at Ananda Kanak MU during the Ananda Purnima festival

Greeneries surrounding the Akhanda Kiirtana

Collective photo after Akhanda Kiirtana during the Ananda Purnima Celebration

Collective meditation at Ananda Kanak during the meditation retreat

Collective meditation outdoors during the beginner meditation retreat

Selfie after Didi Ananda Kalyanmitra’s class in Toronto

Departments, Local News, Master Units, Newsletters

Posted on May 29, 2023

Good News from Ottawa Region

The Margiis in Canada have reestablished the monthly Akhanda Kiirtana, discontinued during the Pandemic. The downtown Toronto unit continues new people’s classes and Dharma Cakra in a rented yoga studio. Brother Nirmal, Ananda Mohan, and other Margiis have initiated this pracar effort and are planning new people retreats with Ac. Dayashiilananda Avt. and Ac. Parinirvanananda Avt. in the spring and summer. They also continue the homeless feeding program regularly. Brother Chitrainjan Deo and Saumya Gupta have recently moved to Toronto with their daughter and have added joy and live to the Margii community.

Ac. Dayashiilananda Avt. gave seminar classes in Toronto and Gatineau with a good attendance of the Margiis. He writes: “We resumed in-person yoga classes at Carleton U and uOttawa in the second half of January. We had a successful online retreat with new meditators from January 20 – 22. We had a good New Year 2023 celebration with Akhanda Kiirtan in Toronto at sister Mita’s home; twelve people participated

Dada Dayashiilananda is giving a seminar class in Toronto

Sattvik collective meal

Dharma Cakra

Yoga studio that the Margiis rent for beginner classes and weekly Dharma Cakra

Ananda Kanak, Good News, Toronto

Departments, Local News, Master Units, Newsletters

Posted on May 29, 2023

Good News from Ananda Dhiira

Homely feelings, nature, and hospitality attracted more and more people to the Ananda Dhiira Master Unit in Grass Valley, California, Los Angeles Region. Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya organized four small retreats in the last six months, and this helped the people to deepen their daily spiritual practices.

Didi Ananda Acira with Kai and her dog, Rudranath, and Anandii on the deck at Ananda Dhiira

The rainy season was long this year, and storms affected our property. Some fallen trees and erosion in some parts of our land needed to be taken care of. We started to clean up the garden, cultivate the soil and prepare for the plantation. We had karma yoga and took care of repairs daily with our volunteers. In this small retreat, we had four times Kiirtana and meditation, regular yoga asanas, sharing on philosophy and spirituality, being in nature, and giving a chance to do service by doing karma yoga. Of course, the participants also got their meditation lessons reviewed and personalized asanas. Even though a small retreat but everyone feels good energy and inspiration.

Avtk. Ananda Acira Acarya and Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. organized a beginner retreat at Ananda Dhiira Master Unit from March 29 – April 2, 2023, with the participation of sixteen people. Most of the people were new to Ananda Marga, and they enjoyed spending time in nature, classes, and other activities.

It was a very nice and inspiring retreat because even though the participants are of different nationalities, backgrounds, and cultural diversity, there is so much connection between us. A lot of laughter, sharing, enjoying nature, singing, and meditating together were unforgettable memories.

Collective photo at Ananda Dhiira during the meditation retreat from March 29 – April 2, 2023

We enjoyed delicious healthy sattvik meals during the retreats

Cultural sharing (RAWA) in the evening

Ananda Dhiira, meditation retreat

Departments, Local News, Master Units

Posted on May 29, 2023

Ananda Kanan Solar Project Completed

The Ananda Kanan Master Unit Solar Project was completed at the beginning of March 2023. The solar panels power the water pump and part of the Kitchen and Dining Hall and ensure that Ananda Kanan can access water and electricity, even during an outage in the county. The solar project was the most significant project at Ananda Kanan in the last ten years and essential for long-term sustainability. Brother Sudhiira and Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. were coordinating this project.

Electrician with the solar panels batteries and electricity panels

Departments, Local News, Master Units, Newsletters

Posted on May 29, 2023

Ananda Maya Retreat Center and Ashram in Guatemala

After one year in Guatemala, Ac. Satyamitrananda Avt. has almost finished renovating the Ananda Maya Retreat Center and Ashram. Several volunteers are already visiting the center and helping Dada with renovations, cleaning, and decorations.

The dining hall has also been renovated with new windows and ceiling. The water supply has been improved by constructing a cistern (water storage) that can hold up to 12 tons of water (12 cubic meters.) Dada is planning to have the first retreat in September 2023.