Hari Om,

Dear Members of the International Ahymsin Family,

We are glad to share some events with you from the Hungarian community that we spent remembering Gurudev’s teachings and loving heritage. Please feel free to join us even if you don’t speak Hungarian but are eager to visit us, as live translation is provided at most events.

Our yearly gathering took place on 24th March at the Budapest Center. The program included Swami Ritavan’s teaching on Shradha, Smrti, and Samadhi – transmitted by Ilona, the current leader of the Hungarian community – that we received during a 3-week long ‘Mantra and Purascharana’ retreat at the SRSG. Those who were present at this early Spring occasion could listen to the personal experiences of those who attended the Purascharana retreat. Tamás Margittay gave us a vast and yet colorful lecture on the Guru-disciple relationship, covering some stories from Gurudev’s life with his Master. These stories serve as inspiration on how to advance on our path with ardent determination and devotion, even at times when devastation or our own personal limitations create blockages. Yet, as the stories from Gurudev’s life remind us, we are all held and guided by the finest and subtlest of forces, the Guru force, the more we dare to lean on it.

We continued with the introduction to the new Sangha Mantra, the Akhanda-mandalakaram mantra, contemplating the many layers it encompasses. The event ended with a meditation guided by Anna Mezősi, which opened our 100-day long Purascharana with a sankalpa to complete 150,000 mantra repetitions honoring Swami Rama’s 100th Birthday.

There are more upcoming events as part of the centenary celebrations. Since Covid, the Community has been providing free evening meditation sessions online at 9 PM (CEST), which will now serve as the core practice for the 100-day Purascharana. On Sundays, right before the meditation class, a regular session is offered for those who have questions related to the mantra practice. Personal sharings and discussions on different topics supporting our sankalpa are encouraged.

This year marks a milestone for the Hungarian Community as we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. We are grateful to host Swami Ritavan on 21st June for our community’s birthday, which is open to everyone interested, including potential new members as well as those who have been contributing in many ways over the last 20 years. It is our pleasure to welcome Ashutosh Sharma and John Sellinger, our excellent teachers in TTP, and Stephen Parker. Stoma can join us through an online lecture. The regular one-week-long silence retreat will be held by Swami Ji, Ashu Ji, and John this year, making it even more exceptional.

The 100-day-long Purascharana will be completed on 30th June.
As Swami Ji reminded us, the centenary can serve as an opportunity for each one of us to deepen and strengthen our relationship with the Guru spirit.

May we delve into this sacred celebration through the vibrations of the Akhanda-mandalakaram mantra. May the Guru bless our local and global communities so that we can flourish and provide shelter in these austere times for those who are in need.

Om,
Dora Mariasi