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| AHYMSIN NEWSLETTER, ISSUE - March 2020 | ||||||||
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MahaShivaRatri 2020 at Sadhaka Gramaby Riemke de GrootMahaShivaratri was the night from Friday 21 on Saturday 22 February and at the ashram, a 3 day retreat was organized. Many Indian members of the spiritual family had come for this occasion, together with the ashramites and guests from all over the world. The retreat started on Thursday, this weekly silent day being a good preparation to turn inward. In the evening meditation, an audio was played, Swami Veda guiding us through a special manasa-puja for MahaShivaratri. As we were sitting in the initiation room hearing his voice, it was as if he was present again in the body. Thursday evening Swami Prayag Giri told us in her lively way about Shiva and the Shiva worship all over the world: that he is the most easy and accessible to be worshipped, no rules for shrines, even a simple Shiva-lingam will do. So you find Shiva shrines everywhere in India, from small ones along the roads till the big ones, like the nearby Virabadhra temple. She also told some legends about Shiva. The one that stays in my mind is that of the robber, who came to a Shiva temple and wanted to rob the copper bowl that was hanging over the lingam. To reach it, he had to climb onto the lingam. In that moment Shiva appeared, being very pleased because this person had offered himself, instead of water, milk or leaves. Swami ji emphasized to cultivate a positive and happy mind at all times, to honour and please Shiva. She also led us into a beautiful Shiva bhajan. Friday, the Shivaratri day started with heavy rainfall, as a blessing from the heavens. In the Shiva temple, the last work was done on placing new doors and windows and everything was cleaned and prepared for the evening. At 10 in the morning, we gathered again in the initiation-room. Swami Ritavan read and explained some words of Swami Veda, as a guidance to the celebration. We heard the noisy clebrations in the town all around the ashram, and we enjoyed our more silent meditative joy. Whoever wanted, could go to Sadhana Mandir, where the puja started at 18.00. For those staying at SRSG, evening meditation again was a guided meditation by Swami Veda. And again he said what's been in my mind since then: “Walk in the world like Shiva, always remembering your true identity!”
At 21.00 the ceremonies continued at SRSG. Sitting in the temple, listening to the pandits chanting the mantras, watching the Shiva Linga being washed and decorated with beautiful fragrant flowers, was an impressive experience. We all had the opportunity to make an offering of milk. And then, after midnight, when the noises from the festivities in town had ceased, we listened again to an audio Swami Veda, chanting the 1000 names of Shiva. His voice vibrating with life energy, all over the ashram campus and further. Chanting together the Mahamrityunjaja mantra in the end, and then the silence... For me it was bedtime after that (1.45), some others went to Virabadhra temple to continue the celebrations.
Saturday morning, in the silent time before breakfast, with only the birds singing, i went again to the Shiva temple. The mantras were still vibrating there in the silence. At 10 o’clock, a long guided relaxation was scheduled and i noticed how the body needed that after the long night and the short sleep, but also how effortlessly and deeply i could relax my body and mind. Saturday evening, a special satsang with Shiva kirtan concluded this retreat. As i had chosen to be in silence during these days, i contemplated on Shiva and on Mahamrityunjaja mantra. Walk like Shiva.... how is that? During brisk and contemplative walking, my mind pondered over it. And i remembered Swamiji saying so often: “Be ambitious!” A lot to remember and to take home and implement in my sadhana. (Photos by Michael Kissener) Editor’s Note:Riemke de Groot teaches in the Netherlands. Her website is www.yoga-enschede.nl.
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