The Wisdom Fire

The Wisdom Fire by Sri Swami Sivananda 
This tree of samsara has been destroyed,
To its very root by the wisdom fire.
I felt the hidden pulse of the vast unseen, I dived into the infinite sea of the unknown, I have cut the asunder the tangled web of life. I emerged from the snare of maya, mind and senses, I have developed the matchless jnana vision.
In the absolute there is neither ‘was’ nor ‘is’ nor ‘will be,’ But there is the throbbing of the one voice of eternity. I have banished all differentiation of ‘I’ ‘thou’ ‘he,’ It is all now a homogenous wisdom essence.
Under the guidance of Swami Sivananda we study Vedanta philosophy, propagated by Sri Adi Sankaracharya. What is Vedanta? It is literally translated as ‘highest knowledge.’ Veda = scriptures or knowledge and anta = highest. When we speak of the highest knowledge we are talking about gaining the knowledge that will make us completely content with ourselves. We are all coming and going, undergoing constant change, we are human beings, but what are we in truth? Truth is something that never undergoes any change; the essential nature of myself never comes and goes. I need to recognise the fact that ‘ I am that.’ The universe is but names and forms; apparent manifestations, if we think of the ocean and waves, if we remove the names of ocean and waves only water remains. So what is left when I remove my own name and form? Studying Vedanta can bring us to really understand the nature of the universe and ourselves. Not knowing about ourselves causes suffering, we are veiled by ignorance. We are essentially looking for happiness everywhere, we search because it is our nature but we are searching in all the wrong places, like the Musk Deer running here and there trying to find the musk it can smell when all along it is inside. It didn’t need to search anywhere. By studying Vedanta we can come to the conclusion that happiness lies not in external objects but lies within. We need to transcend our suffering by understanding the truth about ourselves and become free from our limitations. What we think we are we are not, our individuality is false. Within Vedanta there is no problem, the only obstacle is my own thinking about myself.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the mat soon
om om shanti om

Yoga Intensity Day Sat 2nd June

Yoga Intensity Day Out @ Sri AuroBindo Yoga Mandir Ashram. Immerse yourself in a whole day of yoga activities at the lovely Sri Auro Bindo Ashram; Thankot, with Nicky – Sivananda Yoga Instructor. The Ashram has a wonderful view over the valley to the front and forested hills to the back. It is home to 140 children and 20 adults who have been orphaned or come from broken or very poor families, giving them a place to live in peace and security. The Ashram runs its own organic farm, growing many vegetables and they have 40 cows producing milk and biogas for cooking. They provide education in Yoga, weaving, Thankar painting and academic studies and sell all their produce to support themselves. Come and join us for lessons with Nicky in pranayama (yogic breathing) meditation, asana (yogic postures) and karma yoga (selfless service) whilst indulging in a wonderful fully organic lunch! 8.00am Dept from Pranamaya Yoga Centre – Moksh, Patan 8.40am Arrive at Ashram 9.00-9.30am Pranayama Class 9.30-10.00am Meditation Class 10.15-11.45am Asana Class 11.45-12.45pm Lunch and visit Ashram shop and grounds 12.45-1.45pm Talk with Ramchandra Das founder and director 1.45-2.45pm Karma Yoga 2.45-3.00pm Herbal Tea Break 3.00-4.00pm Gentle Asana Class 4.00-4.30pm Snack break 4.30-5.00pm Healing Activity or simply relax 5.00pm Dept for Kathmandu You will need to bring your own yoga mat, small towel and wet wipes, wear comfortable loose fitting clothes suitable for yoga and Ashram environment, shoulders and knees covered. Bear in mind the Ashram is a humble and simple place of learning and spirituality with no frills! Cost RPS1500 + a transport fee, Rps1500 is paid to the Ashram to help support them and the precious work they are doing. For information mail info@nicolazammit.net For bookings mail info@pranamaya-yoga.com More event details @ www.pranamaya-yoga.com

Class Schedule @ Yoga Mangala Studio May and June

YOGA MANGALA Monday, 8.30-10am Sivananda Open Class, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons 4.30-6pm Gentle Yoga, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons Tuesday, 10-11.30am Prenatal Yoga, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons 4.45-6.15pm Sivananda Open Class, The British School Kathmandu unlimited Wednesday, 4.30-6pmpm Sivananda Open Class, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons Thursday, 7.30-8.30am Rise and Shine, Pranamaya Yoga studio Moksh, Patan 9.45-11.15 Prenatal Yoga, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons 4.30-6pm Gentle Yoga, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons Friday, 8.30-10am Sivananda Open Class, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons 4.30-6pm Sivananda Open class, Yoga Mangala Studio max 3 persons Times and dates for weekend Satsangs and yoga days out to be confirmed. Yoga Mangala dedicates itself to a holistic approach to the system of yoga, with a passion for teaching, sharing and the health of its practitioners. Prices Drop-in-class Rps 450 Package of 10 classes Rps 4000, can be shared with friends and family Gift package available: choose how many classes you would like to buy for a friend. Due to limited space at the studio please book in for your class by sms to Nicky on 9849819510 or email info@nicolazammit.net All classes are with Nicky Zammit 500 hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher.(registered as Nicola Zammit) Sivananda Trained Yoga Teacher The studio is based in the heart of Jamshikel area of Patan-Kathmandu; Nepal, close to many cafes and restaurants. Only a 20 minute walk or so to Patan Durbar Square, a concentrated mass of temples with the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen. If you are coming to Nepal for a holiday or to visit friends or family and want to try yoga beneath the mighty Himalaya or continue with your practice do get in touch for availability of classes. Looking forward to seeing you all on the mat, Om shanti Om Om Lokha Somasta Sukino Bhavantu may all beings find harmony and balance and peace. www.yogamangala.blogspot.com

Turning our Roots Upward.

In the beginning was a sound, OM. Atoms came from that sound or vibration, they cannot be divided. When they bond together they form molecules, which have an enormous amount of characteristics. For example H2 – hydrogen is an atom, O2 – water is an atom when they join to form H2O they have made a molecule. Molecules organise themselves and perform individual functions; they form organelles, the organs of cells. Many cells with the same function form tissue, tissues form organs, organs have many different tissues. Organs cannot live by themselves, they form complex systems i.e. digestive system, respiratory system etc. All the systems of the human body need to work together in a harmonious way so we can have life. The cells are the functional units of the body and a cell is complete. The mystery of life expresses itself through us; if cells behaved like many human beings they would be dead within an hour! What cells have agreed to be is highly spiritual, when you become silent you can feel the intelligence of the cells or inner voice or true self. We perform asana (yogic posture) in our yogic practice to help us move into the silence. Asana are to prepare us for a higher awareness. Sirshasan – the headstand brings many benefits physically, mentally and spiritually. It is practiced first out of the 12 basic postures in a Sivananda open class and is regarded as king posture out of an estimated 84,000 different asana. Turning ourselves upside down helps us to begin to look at things from a different perspective, open our hearts to different possibilities. In this pose the brain can draw a rich supply of oxygenated blood, it is important we feed this essential organ, no other posture equals the headstand in brining fresh arterial blood to the brain and sympathetic nervous system. As a result all body functions are toned and enhanced. Inverting the body enhances deep breathing increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood. Sirshasan strengthens the respiratory and circulatory system, disorders to the eyes, ears and nose and improved. Stagnant blood drains from the lower extremities preventing or giving relief to varicous veins and pressure is relived from the lumbar and sacral areas of the back. Memory and intellectual capacity are increased and improved concentration and focus are gained. It is said that a person practicing headstand on a regular basis will rarely suffer from any nervous disorders. It is one of the most powerful asana for body and mind, a virtual panacea for all human ills. People with very high blood pressure or very low blood pressure, more than 4 months pregnant or who suffer with glaucoma should not practice this asana. If you are starting out always practice with your teacher and get the correct steps to come in and out of the posture safely. Remember yoga also teaches us patience and acceptance, there is certainly absolutely no rush with headstand, take your time to learn it and only move on to the next step if you feel completely confident to do so, remembering what the reasons are for doing this asana and the many benefits even the beginning stages of the pose brings. Sirshasan is one of my favourite postures although of course we should love them all! Enjoy turning your roots upside down and looking at the world around you from a different point of view. Om Loka Somasta Sunkhino Bhavantu May all beings find harmony and balance Om shanti