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

Sister Amrita organized a very inspiring new people women’s retreat in Atlanta, and Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya gave all the classes on January 28, 2023. This retreat was in person, and some joined online. The day started with yoga, followed by an introduction to meditation, mantra, and Kiirtan. Everyone learned the basic technique of meditation. 

The main workshop was “The Layers of The Mind,” where everyone got a deeper understanding of how the mind works and how to develop the potentiality of each layer of the mind. It was an interesting topic and ensued in a long but enjoyable discussion. It was amazing that the participants came from ten different countries. After the classes, we served a delightful sentient dinner, inspiring the participants to change their diet to vegetarian. Everyone who came to the retreat expressed that they were happy and inspired by the retreat, and some of them wanted to stay longer in the Satsaunga.

Group photo after the art class

The Winter Retreat, New Year 2023, took place at Cleburne State Park, Dallas Region, from December 28 to January 1, 2023. The Winter Retreat was a great ending to the year 2022 and a start for the new year 2023. It was a very inspiring retreat organized by Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya, Avadhutika Ananda Hitaprabha Acarya, Sister Vandana, and supported by Dallas margiis. 

In this retreat, we had various activities and classes that some Margiis facilitated. Sister Sananda gave an interesting and interactive session called “The key to Happiness.” She elaborated on the explanation of Yama Niyama and had a great discussion on how to apply it practically in daily life. An Art Class by Sister Prema attracted the beauty and creativity in everyone, where everyone was able to create their own beautiful art piece, even if they had no experience at all in drawing, just by using a burned twig that we collected from nature and applying it on the paper. During the workshop, sister Prema delivered it vivaciously and in a fun way. Everyone was amazed at their own art and discovered that we all have that subtle creativity within ourselves that needs to be brought out.

Ac. Iishvarakrsnanda and Ac. Muktatmananda Avt. gave philosophy and devotional classes. They were very inspiring and gave deeper devotional feelings toward the Guru. Another interactive discussion and sharing on practical life as a sadhaka were facilitated by Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya and Avadhutika Ananda Aparajita Acarya. Sister Prema and brother Dave gave a capoeira class. It was fun, and everyone enjoyed the movements.

Ingenious artists brought the RAWA program to the next level, so many creativities were shown: acrobatic yoga dance, contemporary dance, Prabhat Samgiit dances, poems, capoeira, and devotional songs were so fascinating and inspiring. So many touching stories during Katha Kiirtan and bonfires colored our evenings with devotional feelings. Walking in nature every morning was another breathtaking activity where we felt so refreshed, and the closeness with nature also gave us a good feeling and helped deepen our meditation. Of course, we had so many Akhanda Kiirtans. A special New Year Kiirtan on the 31st December night was very vibrated, filled our hearts with love and devotion, and inspired us to start our 2023 with positive energy and spiritual movement.

Delightful sentient meals were served every day by Margiis and Acharyas. Throughout the retreat, everyone seemed ready to give helping hands in the kitchen as needed, making us feel at home. This time so many young margiis attended the retreat and created positive energy. Laughter and smiling faces reflected the happiness and inspiration that everyone got in this retreat. All happened by the Grace of our Guru.

Brother Girish performing during the RAWA evening

Acarya Iishvarakrsnananda Avadhuta, RU/RAWA Secretary, with children performing in the RAWA program

Bonfire

Welcome to the Online Spiritual Festival, November 11 – 13, 2022!

We hope you find time to join this exciting online program that will feature classes and workshops on PROUT, devotional topics, Neohumanistic Education, as well as Katha Kiirtana, a presentation from WWD (Women’s Welfare Department) and Master Units.

During the Pandemic, we mainly were doing online programs. We realized that the online format has many benefits, such as having presenters from various areas, affordability, and ease of attending for the Margiis. The Spiritual Festival last year was especially inspiring, and we are therefore continuing this online program.

Registration and Donations

Please fill out the registration form here below. Once you submit the registration form, you will get the Zoom link for the online programs. The Spiritual Festival is a free event, but please consider donating to support Ananda Marga, the organizers, and contributors. The suggested donation is $35, but you are welcome to attend for free or donate more or less.

The Rectory at Ananda Girisuta is now coming near completion. Recently, we completed the outside of the Rectory by painting the siding and the deck.
The first floor is completed, and brother Dharmapala has moved in. The upper floor still needs most of the finishing work. The electricity and plumbing are completed, but we will still need to connect the toilets and sinks.
Recently, Dada Diiptimanananda visited Ananda Girisuta and, together with a local handyman, finished most of the interior painting. We will install the interior doors, flooring, and kitchen cabinets in the coming weeks and months. The target is to complete the upper floor by the end of February 2023.

Donations

We are short of funds to complete this project; if you feel inspired to donate, please go ahead!

Checks:

Please address the check to Ananda Marga, Inc., and mail it to:

Ananda Marga, Inc
524 Ananda Girisuta Drive
Marshall NC 28753
United States

Painting the Rectory

The rectory seen from the driveway

Dada Diiptimanananda and Max painted the second floor of the Rectory in October 2022.

Ananda Kanan Master Unit has been the home for Ananda Marga for more than three decades. Sudhiira and the Ananda Kanan ACB have many plans to maintain the buildings and gradually strengthen the Master Unit aspect of Ananda Kanan. We plan to plant new fruit trees and utilize our greenhouse and raised beds. 

The water comes from our well and is pumped by electricity. If the electricity goes out, Ananda Kanan is also without water. We have recognized the urgent need for establishing solar panels to prepare for future emergencies and occasional blackouts. The ideal location is on the roof of the kitchen and dining hall. That roof is slanting towards the south and has excellent sun exposure. 

The roof needed new asphalt composite shingles, and fortunately, Sudhiira found a good contractor. That work has now been completed with the help of the income from our Summer Conference and the Ananda Kanan maintenance funds. We are next in line for installing the solar system. We have all the equipment now except some wiring. We also need a guy to design the system. Hopefully, it will be ready before winter sets in.

The Dining Hall roof

Fundraiser Video with Sudhiira (YouTube link)

We have purchased the solar panels but need to install them along with the rest of the system. Here is the breakdown of the cost:

• $6000 Solar Panels (24 units)
• $2000 Fasteners for the panels

Budget for the Remaining Work for the Solar Project

• $9,000 Inverter
• $6,000 Batteries
• $3,000 Installation
• $1,000 Electric stuff
• $2000 System design and misc. 
• Total of $21,000

Some of the other urgent repairs and renovations include:

• The siding on the Dining Hall (replace rotten or badly warped boards, and paint)
• Repair or replace parts of the roof, siding, and windows on the Jagrti (the White House)
• The siding and windows on the Brothers and Sisters Dorm (replace rotten or badly warped boards, and paint. Fix windows that don’t open well.)

We hope to complete the solar project by the end of this year and start on other projects in the early spring. 

If you can contribute with money or manual labor, please contact Sudhiira ‭(417) 252-4797‬) or Dada Diiptimanananda (+1 929 257 8099.)

Donations

Please consider giving your donation to Ananda Kanan.

You can send by PayPal using the button here below

PayPal Donations

Donations by Check

You can also send a check addressed to Ananda Kanan, Inc. and postmarked to

Ananda Marga, Inc.
3157 County Road 1670
Willow Springs, MO 65793
United States

Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya, Avtk. Ananda Hitaprabha Ac. and Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. and Margiis in the San Fransisco Bay Area organized Los Angeles Regional Retreat. The retreat took place at Ananda Dhiira Master Unit in Grass Valley, CA, from October 6 – 9, 2022, and was attended by thirty people. 

The retreat was the first regional retreat for LA Region since 2019, and the Margiis were happy to come together for a retreat at Ananda Dhiira. The retreat was held a day after RDS at Los Altos Hills, and all the Dadas and Didis attending the RDS came to the retreat. 

Some of the highlights of the retreat included an interactive workshop on Friday morning facilitated by Ac. Diiptimanananda Avt. and a class on devotion by Ac. Muktatmananda Avt. in the afternoon. In the evening, we had Katha Kiirtana. 

On Saturday, October 8, we celebrated Kiirtana day with Akhanda Kiirtana in the morning and afternoon. In the morning, after breakfast, we walked to the South Yuba river and divided into groups, brothers in one area and sisters further down the river. Some of the brothers had mudpacks, sunbathed, and bathed in the river. We did noon meditation by the river. Brother Rudranath and sister Ánandii had revolutionary marriage in the evening. Rudranath was born in Algeria but moved to Russia, and sister Ánandii is from northern Russia. They have recently moved to the US. The wedding ceremony was beautiful, and everyone was happy with the program. Ac. Muktatmananda Avt. and Avtk. An. Acira Ac. led the wedding ceremony. 

Getting ready for a group photo after the wedding

Dadas and Didis attending RDS at Los Altos Hills Jagrti, October 3 to 5, 2022

Didi Ananda Acira leading group discussion during a morning workshop.

Group photo on the deck at Ananda Dhiira.

Revolutionary Marriage Ceremony of sister Ánandii and brother Rudranath

Group photo of Didis and sisters during the retreat. From left: Ánandii, Yogeshvarii, Isabella, Haripriya, Arunima, Priiti, Nirmala, Didi Ananda Sutiirtha, and Didi Ananda Acira.

On Friday morning, we went to the river for relaxing and taking sunbath. Brother Girish sitting in awe over the beauty and stillness!

South Yuba River. This photo is taking from the bridge.

Friday morning workshop group discussion. Arunima is explaining, and Dada Iishvarakrsnananda, Isabela, and Haripriya are listening.