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Ananda Sangha of Portland
December 306 Dwapara (2006)
PDF (hi-res) 2.17M, |
PDF (low-res)
511K (PDFs include photo galleries)
PDF
December Calendar, 60K
In This Newsletter
Articles & Letters
Christmas Blessings
Christmas as it Was Meant to Be
News, Events and Schedules
Dear Friends, Greetings.
This issue of the Sangha News is dedicated to Christ, and the celebration of his birth and life here on Earth. But far more, it is dedicated to his consciousness, and the mission of his life, the awakening of divine consciousness in each one of us. We have included news of activities for the next few weeks, both locally and from around the world. We have included a photo essay of life at Ananda from the last month (see PDF versions--hi-res 2.17M, | low-res 511K), showing that divine consciousness reflected in our Sangha members. And we have included messages and thoughts from Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda, encouraging and inspiring us to abandon ourselves ever more fully into His love, and into the disciplines that awaken us to our own oneness with God. Join us in making this the most divine Christmas any of us has ever experienced.
In His Love and Joy,
daiva and ganga mata
Christmas as it was Meant to Be
As a child, Christmas held for me the wonders and magic that are probably common for most of us.
Mystery, anticipation, novelty, heightened awareness, secrecy and discovery, joy and kindness, lights, stories, all tumbled together in these early memories. As the years passed, so too did the experience. Santa turned out to be the folks, the meals became familiar, behind the lights and gifts and secrecy was discovered a layer of stress and tension. And the stories became empty of meaning, imaginative but disconnected from anything that was touched my daily life. In my experience Jesus was a mythical figure, his teachings superficial and lost in the vagueness of history and platitudes.
As the teen years of my siblings were reached, we began to explore how to bring meaning into life, and into the holidays. Since the gift-giving seemed at least a little perfunctory we decided not to give gifts that were purchased (but hand made). We focused more on spending time with each other. We included friends at meals, played games together, and relaxed away from the forms.
We found these things to be a decided improvement, but these were all things that we were working on anyway. What was the point of Christmas, specifically? I found myself becoming increasingly cynical and with this change came an emptiness of heart—where was the magic, the promise that I had experienced in those first years?
When I discovered the teachings of Yogananda, they went a long way to filling my heart with understanding, but I did not have the depth of character to truly experience His presence. Though I was earnest, my best effort at meditation lasted somewhere around 15 minutes.
We found Ananda a couple of years later, in July of 1984. I loved what I found there: the light in people’s eyes, the joy they shared, the deep inspiration and simple kindness, the beauty of the music and the support for my meditation practice. We began to visit as often as possible. With the influence of Ananda combined with my own determination and will, I was up to nearly 20 minutes of meditation twice a day.
As Christmas 1984 approached, folks began to talk with anticipation of the 8 hour Christmas meditation. I ignored the talk, dismissing the possibility of personally attending. Some of my new friends began to encourage me to attend, suggesting that this particular meditation held a grace that made it possible for even neophytes to endure and benefit (actually they said that the time would pass surprisingly quickly, and that it would be easy to dive so deep in meditation that I would forget myself and feel His presence inside—which I listened to with much suspended disbelief). Eventually I decided to go.
I will not pretend that it was 8 hours of ecstasy. Much of the time was spent simply enduring, and praying for relief for my aching knees and tired back. But I did endure, and the periods of restlessness were offset by times (hours in fact) where I disappeared into an inner world I had never even imagined. I left the temple full of a peace and wholeness I had never felt before. As the day went on, I realized that I was feeling God’s presence. The simple discovery that He was real, and accessible shocked me as powerfully as the peace that soothed and filled me.
The experience did not end with the final Om of the meditation. The feeling of wholeness grew through that evening and filled the passing days with richness. Friendships were touched with depth and gladness, the festivities of Christmas eve and Christmas day suddenly made sense as they were filled with sharing from heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul. The gifts were a reflection of His gifts, the lights reflections of His light, the stories full of reality and possibility for my own life.
Since that time, I have not missed a single year of attending the 8 hour Christmas meditation. Some years I come with deep enthusiasm and readiness, and it is easy to disappear into the inner world.
Some years I am profoundly tired, or have some amount of spiritual resistance that I am coping with, and the meditation is more difficult. Yet I go. I go because it is the one thing I can do. And each year, I leave changed, full of His presence, and discover once again Christmas as it was meant to be.
Daiva
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“Share the Light” Fun! Raising Dinner and Auction--Saturday evening, December 9, join us for a fabulous dinner by Hollis and Deb, followed by a fabulous auction. The dinner and auction are fundraisers for sharing the Light of God through Ananda. Dinner is $50 and will go to operations, while the proceeds from the auction will go towards payment on the balance of the remodel loan. Come for a memorable evening. Get your dinner reservations soon, as seating is limited!!!
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The Mandir Boutique—is filling up with all kinds of goodies to help uplift your life, beautify your home and take you deeper into the inner world. Keep an eye open for new items for you and for your holiday gifting—a great way to spread the light.
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Chanting Groups: Devotion and Portland are impossible to separate, and chanting feeds devotion like nothing else. Karin LaBriere is working with anyone who would like to participate in chanting at any level—bring your voice, kirtals, drums, harmoniums, guitars, flutes, harps, strings...and your deepest aspirations. Call 503-452-3332 to participate. Watch for a weekend workshop on chanting with Jeannie Tschantz from Ananda Village sometime after the turn of the year.
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Membership—For those of you who are members of the Ananda Portland Sangha (Gold, Blue, or White) we have created a special graphic icon next to the description of classes that will indicate that your membership benefits apply. Look for the special star µ symbol throughout the newsletter! Want to become a member? Talk with Daiva or Ganga Mata Glazzard.
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India—Celebrating Three Years of Service
Swamiji and all our gurubais have just celebrated three years of service in India. While things are growing and moving along, still very much a pioneering effort, and everyone can use your continued prayers and support…Our own Bill Smith is planning on joining the India team in late January. -
Join
Crystal Clarity’s Each One—Reach One Campaign!
The Each One - Reach One Campaign is, in some ways, like the Random Acts of Kindness and Pay It Forward movements that swept the nation a few years ago. These movements inspired people to reach out beyond their immediate family and friends, often to people that they didn't even know and maybe wouldn't ever know, and give them an unexpected gift. Our Each One - Reach One campaign offers, in the form of The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, a tool to help bring uplifted consciousness, deep inner peace and bliss.When you purchase a copy of The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita at the regular cover price, we will provide you with additional copies at half price! Purchase additional copies to give away to family, friends, co-workers, local libraries, and others you would like to reach out to and help us uplift the world one person at a time.
from Metaphysical Meditations (1932) by Paramhansa Yogananda
Lift your eyes and concentrate within. Behold the astral star of divine wisdom and let the wise thoughts in you follow that telescopic star to behold the Christ everywhere.
In that land of everlasting Christmas, of festive, omnipresent Christ Consciousness, you will find Jesus, Krishna, the saints of all religions, the great guru preceptors, all waiting to give you a divine floral reception of ever-new, everlasting happiness.
Prepare for the baby Christ by decorating the Christmas tree of your universal love with gifts of calmness, forgiveness, nobility, service, kindness, spiritual understanding, and devotion, wrapped in your golden good will and bound with the silver cord of your pure sincerity.
On the Christmas tree of Christ Consciousness hang your material desires to remain forever. Give unto Christ all your gifts of love and devotion. Let Him, on the Christmas morn of your spiritual awakening, unwrap the gorgeous present of your heart offerings that have been sealed with the tears of your golden joy and bound with the cord of your eternal fidelity to Him.
He accepts only the gifts of sacred soul-dreams, and His acceptance will be His greatest gift to you; for if He gives anything to anyone, He gives nothing less than Himself. In giving Himself He will make your heart big enough to hold Him; then your heart will throb with Christ in everything.
Enjoy this festivity, the birth of Christ, in your mind and soul and in every living atom.
By daily meditation you will prepare the cradle of your consciousness to behold the infinite baby Christ, and every day will become a true Christmas of Christ communion .
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The daily practice of meditation is the bed-rock of all that we do here at Ananda. Each month, we offer both introductory (one-night) and comprehensive (four week) classes. Look for Meditation for Starters, (one night) December , 7:30-9pm $40 (includes materials) or Deepening the Inner Life: Meditation, Energy, and Magnetism, (three weeks) beginning December 5, 7-9pm, $100 (includes materials). µ
from The Path by Swami Kriyananda
“My will,” Master often said, “is only to do God’s will.” The proof of his statement lay in the fact that the more perfectly we followed his will, the freer we ourselves felt, in God.
As Christmas approached, my heart was singing with a happiness I had never before dreamed possible. Christmas was an important holiday at Mt. Washington, the most sacred in our entire year. Master divided it into its two basic aspects: “spiritual Christmas,” which we celebrated on Christmas Eve, and “social Christmas,” celebrated the following day with traditional present-opening and a banquet. (Master later agreed to shift our “spiritual Christmas” back to the twenty-third, so that devotees wouldn’t have to stay up all night afterwards, preparing food for the large Christmas Day banquet.)
On the 24th we gathered in the chapel at ten in the morning for an all-day meditation, to invite the infinite Christ to be born anew in the “mangers” of our hearts. I don’t know how many have approached their first experience of this long meditation without trepidation. Few, I suspect, and among them certainly not I.
We took our seats, Master at the front of the room facing us. The doors were closed. From that moment on, save for a short break in the middle, no one was supposed to enter or leave the room except in case of emergency.
We began with a prayer to Jesus Christ and the other masters to bless us on this holy occasion. There followed some fifteen or twenty minutes of chanting.
Paramhansa Yogananda’s “Cosmic Chants” consist of simple sentences repeated over and over again, each time with deeper concentration and devotion. I had been raised on the intricacies of Western classical music. It had taken me some time, as Master’s disciple, to adjust fully to this rather stark form of musical expression. But by now I loved the chants. In their very simplicity I found beauty, and a power that surpassed that of most music I had ever heard. For these were “spiritualized” chants: Master had infused subtle blessings into them by singing each one until it elicited a divine response. As buildings and places develop vibrations according to the consciousness of the people frequenting them, so music also develops vibrations beyond those of actual sound. Chants that have been spiritualized, particularly by great saints, have a heightened power to inspire whoever sings them.
One chant we sang that day was “Cloud-colored Christ, come! O my Christ, O my Christ, Jesus Christ, come!” I found it marvelously effective for taking me deep into meditation. Periods of chanting alternated with increasingly longer periods of meditation. Sometimes, to alleviate any physical tension we might be feeling, Master asked us to stand as we chanted; for some of the more rhythmic chants he had us clap our hands.
At some time during that afternoon Master had a vision of the Divine Mother. In an ecstatic state he related Her wishes to many of those present. Some he told to give themselves unreservedly to God. Others he informed that the Cosmic Mother had blessed them specially. And then he spoke to Her directly, out loud so that we might hear one side, at least, of this blissful communion.
The meditation that day was so deep that the customary ten-minute recess halfway through it was omitted. The apprehension I had felt at the outset proved a delusion. “The soul loves to meditate,” Master told us. It is the ego, in its attachment to body-consciousness, that resists entering the vastness within.
On Christmas Day we exchanged gifts in the traditional manner. Included with a more serious present that I gave Master was a “Slinky” toy, in memory of that incident of the toy pistols at Twenty-Nine Palms. In return, I received from him a four-color pencil—”To split infinitives with!” he told me, smiling.
This day had, for its main feature, an afternoon banquet at which Master presided. I helped to serve the curry dinner. Afterwards Master addressed us. The sweetness of his speech so charmed me that I felt as though I were living in heaven. Never had I thought such divine inspiration possible on this, our prosaic earth.
µ Ananda Portland membership benefits apply to this class or event
Winter Holy Season Schedule--See Long Term Calendar
Beginning with Thanksgiving and ending with Paramhansa Yogananda’s Birthday Celebration in early January, these six weeks provide a powerful time for tuning into God’s presence, both inwardly and outwardly. From the simple practice of gratitude, exemplified in Thanksgiving, through the self-offering of Christmas, the fresh start of a New Year, and the celebration of God’s current guidance through Yogananda’s life, we can completely re-inspire our lives. Join us for the inspirations of this holy season.
Weekend
with Uma McFarlane: Keeping CHrist in Christmas
Uma McFarlane has been one of Ananda’s primary teachers for over 30 years. Steeped in wisdom, her talks exude the joy of Spirit. Friday evening will be a general satsang—the chance to chant and meditate together, begin to focus our thoughts on the power of the Christmas season, ask questions and spend time informally with Uma. Saturday morning we will have a retreat and class on the inner blessings of Christmas. Sunday Uma will be our guest Lightbearer. Join us and set the tone for a powerful Christmas season.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 1, 2, 3. Friday Satsang—Donation, Saturday Retreat—$35 µ
"Share the Light" Fun!Raising Dinner and Auction
In the Christmas season each year, we hold a time of inspiration, an opportunity to donate to the outreach provided by the Sangha office and Mandir building. This year, on Saturday, December 9, we will “Share the Light,” holding an inspired dinner with entertainment, followed by an auction fundraiser. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards operating expenses, while proceeds from the auction will go towards the loan incurred during the Mandir remodel.
The list of Auction items is IMPRESSIVE, and Dinner will be catered by Hollis and Deb.
Be Still and Know: Christmas Meditations
The Christmas season an easy time to touch into God’s peace and joy—provided we take the time. Yogananda began the tradition (which Ananda has maintained) of holding an 8 hour meditation on the 23rd of December each year. We invite everyone—whether you are a seasoned meditator or new to the path—to participate. The blessings are manifold and fill Christmas with Christ.
In addition to the 8 hour meditation, we have a 5 hour meditation on Saturday the 16th, and a meditation on Christmas morning. We look forward to sharing these deeply blessed times with you.
(Availble at the Mandir Boutique)
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Autobiography of a Yogi
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The Path
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The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
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Cities of Light—a Plan for This Age
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Out of the Labyrinth
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Hope for a Better World
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God is for Everyone
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Conversations with Yogananda
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The Essence of Self-Realization
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The Artist as Channel—a guide to Self-Realization
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The Art of Supportive Leadership
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Money Magnetism
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Affirmations for Self-Healing
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Scientific Healing Affirmations
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The Art and Science of Raja Yoga
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Saints Who Moved the World
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The Soul Journey
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Practicing His Presence
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How to be Happy All the Time
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New Release: Swami Kriyananda as We Have Known Him
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New Release: Many Hands Make a Miracle, Ananda History Part 1
Excerpts from a talk by Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters), Founder of Ananda (given as a Christmas gift to Ananda Community, 291 Dwapara)
We human beings have a tendency to look at the world around us superficially: We don’t see beneath surface realities. When it comes to religion, we view it in terms of its outward manifestations—Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam—but overlook its essential message of inward reformation. Worshiping superficially, we blind ourselves to the deep truths on which the truly great religions were founded.
Our essential reality is not our outward humanity: It is the eternal soul. For we are not this body with its trappings of nationality, language, sex, and competitive ambition. Still less can we achieve self-definition through the religions to which we adhere—sometimes with such fanatical loyalty! Our essential reality is beyond every physical and mental limitation.
This one inner reality, although defined variously in Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism, and though appearing outwardly in the garb of male or female, of American, African, or Asian, is forever beyond form. Though we, as human beings, are born into imperfection and limitation, our eternal, indeed our only, mission in life is to learn how, through the lessons of earth life, to unite our souls with the Infinite Source of all life.
When Jesus said in the Bible, “I and my Father are One,” he was declaring that he had united his soul with the Infinite Spirit. His words, albeit spoken in truth, might have seemed boastful, had they not been meant as a challenge and an inspiration to us all to “go and do likewise.” He was saying that he had accomplished what he had come on earth to help all of us to accomplish: to unite our souls with the endless source of Divine Love.
And that is what all the great religions are about. Theologians have attempted logically to define the eternal truths, but no verbal statement can possibly replace the actual experience of those truths in the soul. The religious spirit is that aspect of human nature which reaches up in longing for eternal realities. And religion is that teaching and code of behavior which inspires and guides mankind toward the fulfillment of this soul-aspiration.
In this deeper sense, a self-styled atheist may be more truly religious than many an avowed religionist, albeit without realizing it. For if he expresses selfless love for others, and serves them with dedication and humility, what, essentially, is missing? Is God petty, that He would reject such a man simply because he doesn’t believe in Him with his mind, and embrace all the bigots who worship Him through grandiose prayers while feeling no charity for his other human children in their hearts? Does the human parent, on discovering his human child after years of searching for it, reject the child if it refuses to accept their relationship?
Here is a good question: Do Christians love Love because Jesus loved? Do they not rather love Jesus because he manifested the principle of love so perfectly?
Human beings achieve greatness only insofar as they manifest higher principles. Always, it is principles that count, not the countless forms in which principles have, at various times through the ages, been decked.
Let us then, during this Christmas Season, view the birth of Jesus not only as a particular event in history, but as a particularly sweet expression of a universal truth. Let the birth of Divine Love in that little form two thousand years ago inspire us to conceive and give birth to that Love within ourselves, through the virgin purity of our hearts’ devotion.
In this way, Christmas can become a holy season not for Christians alone, but for people everywhere on earth, regardless of any religious affiliation.
The three wise men represented the other world religions in their visit, filled with respect and adoration, to the Christ child. Let us, like them, open our hearts and souls to Universal Love, as it calls out to us from the altars of every religion. Thus, we may solve at last the eternal challenge to our understanding: the Christmas Mystery.
Words to Swami Kriyananda's song, The Christmas Mystery
1. Long ago there was a little shed.
There three mighty kings did bow their heads
To a gentle babe of low degree,
Whom men called the son of Mary.Chorus:
Who’ll tell to me this mystery:
How a tiny babe in a manger laid
Could so many hearts to love persuade?
This holy son of Mary.2. Shepherds came and knelt in wonder there,
Seeing Him in light beyond compare,
And His eyes that told them all love was he
Whom men called the son of Mary.3. Wonderful it was, that Christmas Day,
How from far and near they came to pray,
How from far they glimpsed his majesty
Whom men called the son of Mary.4. Could it be that in that little one
Spirit’s universal love did shine?
If it’s true, he lives in you and me
Whom men call the son of Mary.
Weekly Postures Schedule at the Mandir
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Monday |
5:45-7:00pm |
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Tuesday |
5:45-7:00pm |
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Wednesday |
10:00-11:15am |
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Thursday |
5:45-7:00pm |
Note that Monday morning Extra-Gentle Yoga has moved to Wednesday!
$10 per class or $36 for 4 classes. µ
5 Kris Hettema
29 Alex Madsen
Joan Gunness31 Hank Hettema
T Farmer
Blessings to all these great souls! If you’re missing from our list, please let us know.
Dec 1
Satsang with Uma, 7-9pm
Dec 2
Retreat and Class with Uma—Spiritualizing the Christmas Season, 8am-noon, $35 µ
Dec 3
Sunday Service with Uma
Dec 5
Class: Deepening the Inner Life—Meditation, Energy, Magnetism begins, 3 Tuesdays, 7-9pm, $100 (materials included) µ
Dec 9
“Share the Light” Fundraising Dinner and Auction, 5:30-9:30pm
Dec 15
Living Wisdom School Holiday Program (donations welcome), 7-9pm
Dec 16
5-Hour Christmas Meditation, 8am-1pm
Dec 16
Christmas Gala Evening, 7-9pm
Dec 23
All-Day Christmas Meditation, 8am-4pm
Dec 24
Christmas Eve Service, 10pm
Dec 25
Christmas Morning Meditation, 8-10am
Vegetarian Potluck ay Ananda Community, 1:30pmDec 31
Ring in the New Year Meditation and Prayers (AC), 11pm
New Year’s Eve Sunday Service
Ring in the New Year Meditation and Prayers (AC)
Jan 1
New Year’s Morning Meditation and Retreat (AC), 8am-noon
$25 (Light breakfast included) µ
Open House w/ Ganga Mata and Daiva (AC), 4-6pmJan 5
Yogananda’s Birthday Celebration, 7-9pm
Jan 9
Class: Developing an Inner Life--The Foundation of Daily Meditation begins, 4 Tuesdays, $150, 7-9pm. µ
Jan 24
Class: Kindness as a Spiritual Practice beings, 2 Wednesdays, $75 µ
Feb 6
Class: Developing an Inner Life--The Foundation of Daily Meditation begins, 4 Tuesdays, $150, 7-9pm. µ
Art & Science of Raja Yoga begins (details)Feb 10
"High Tea" Fundraiser, 4-7pm
Feb 21
Class: Pranayamas with Uddhava, 4 Wednesdays, $100 µ
Watch for details on these events in upcoming newsletters.
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