SMILING MEDITATION

Smiling is a practical yoga. When one smiles, one becomes bright and divine. Smiling applied in all our activities helps us to attain a practical life long, full time meditation. All our activities are done with a total perfect, effortless ease. There is no strain, no stress, no expectations. There is no ego “ I ” imprints – hence no sins so no rebirth. Smile with love, faith and trust.

EFFECTS OF PRAYERS DONE WITH A SMILE :

1. The thought flow stops.
2. Ego “ I ” gets removed from every cell.
3. Sarguru ( THE COSMIC SUPREME MASTER FORCE ) enters into every cell.
4. Thereby lots of bio-current is produced and transmitted into electro magnetic divine current ie. creative energy or divine deposits.
5. This creative energy than becomes the will power or patience.
6. There is no more stress or strain.
7. So when we chant with a smile, it is done with SARGURU awareness. There will be no expectations.
8. The DIVINE COSMIC ENERGY helps to remove all sickness and acute allergic energy.
9. All sins are erased, thus the prayers become meaningful.

PRACTICAL WAYS TO SMILE :

1. Smile at the god within you as you rise up from your bed.
2. Smile and fill up your body with light.
3. Smile and brush your teeth, bathe and comb your hair.
4. Smile and start your morning duties.
5. Smile at family, friends and strangers too.
6. Smile and cook the food - food will be fresh, tasty and energetic.
7. Smile while praying and chanting.
8. Smile while meditating – Smile like a child.

If there is a rebirth, from the very beginning there will be an automatic clarity and life will be totally divine without “ maya ” , earthly struggle and the ego “ I ”. The smiling face comes from within the blossomed heart – so smile within you and become divine.

SWAMI SIVANANDHA

29TH AUGUST 2004

GURU PURNIMA (18th JULY 2008)

What is Guru Purnima?
The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus

Significance of Guru Purnima
On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a 'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'.
This day is of deep significance to the farmers, for it heralds the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual 'sadhana' from this day.
The period 'Chaturmas' ("four months") begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.

How to Observe the Day
1. All aspirants awake at Brahmamuhurta, at 4 o'clock. They meditate on the Guru and chant his prayers.
2. Later in the day, the sacred worship of the Guru's Feet is performed. Of this worship it is said in the Guru Gita:
Dhyaana moolam guror murtih;
Pooja moolam guror padam;
Mantra moolam guror vakyam;
Moksha moolam guror kripa

"The Guru's form should be meditated upon; the feet of the Guru should be worshipped; his words are to be treated as a sacred Mantra; his Grace ensures final liberation".
3. Sadhus and Sannyasins are then worshipped and fed at noon.
4. There is continuous Satsang during which discourses are held on the glory of devotion to the Guru in particular, and on spiritual topics in general.
5. Deserving aspirants are initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyas, as this is a highly auspicious occasion.
6. Devout disciples fast and spend the whole day in prayer. They also take fresh resolves for spiritual progress.