Greetings from Amma

December 26, 2007

Divine Selves “T’ is the season to be merry!” Well! Though that phrase is normally associated with Christmas – New Year’s cheer, it is really a Mantra for all times! “A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine” says the prophet in the Old Testament. When the student asked the Guru for a Mantra to live by, the Guru whispered in his ear – “Be Cheerful!” As I grow older, I think I value good will and cheerfulness more than anything! Certainly it has more value than intelligence or talent! A sad day can be made bright by a smile from a cheerful face! The merriment which is the celestial music of children, frolicking in wild abandon, is an elixir which intoxicates the soul! I have written a Christmas poem for you expressing these thoughts. A MERRY HEART So! Let us deck our Minds with Thoughts so jolly That a smile will serve To ward off folly Our fellow men may Commit against Us. The sincere clear heart With no

pretence Will a fortress be A sweet defence From the sour taste Of the bitter soul Whose eyes lay waste Wherever it goes Let us laugh loud and long Whenever we can Making life a song Well sung! Let our mirth Be pleasant fragrance, Perfuming the earth In exuberant dance! We had such a great Christmas eve! Swamiji’s 14th Guru Purnima Aradhana Puja was held December 23rd this year, the full moon in Marghazhi, marking his passing from one form to another in this sacred month. We celebrated it grandly, as he would have approved, with about 60 singers of Yoganjali Natyalayam giving soulful concerts in their sweet innocent childish

voices. Little Dhivya Priya sang two songs with Vidya, Lalitha’s daughter, in a most profound manner. We lit 1008 oil lamps and did Abhishakam, Aradhana and Aarthi in traditional style. We spoke of the Guru’s message. The Ashram looked splendid in the moonlight with coloured lights every where and happy faces exhibiting benevolent feelings! A sumptuous Prasad closed off the night about 11 pm! From 5 to 11 pm we had marvelous mantras, songs and a grand function! We had guest groups from Italy (four of Arunanath’s students) and three Spanish people. Omaru’s friend Aranoh from France also was present. So the Puja was witnessed by people from (hold your breath) Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Ireland, England, Canada, Indonesia, U.S.A and India. New born babies and old people in their eighties. Educated, uneducated, professionals and laborers all sat together to enjoy the feast. More than 400 people

gathered in Swamiji’s honour! Many senior students of Yoganjali Natyalayam paid their respects, like Vivekananda, Padma, Tamil Sengolan and others! They have “graduated” from the Guru Kula to the world, born into Maya and now standing on their own two feet! Working in Bangalore, Chennai, Bombay – pursuing higher studies! But what we gave them will help them. Keep their balance in the hurricane of modern materialistic chaos! Doctors, lawyers, engineers and computer professionals, but with the Ashram’s unique flavour in their bones. Truly it was sang of Sri Kambliswamy “Ulagameelam Anjalisei Deivamagi” – “whole world will offer Anjali (the highest respect”) to thee!” About 400 persons participated in a great burst of energy. Swamiji’s Samadhi was resplendent with exquisite floral decorations! The

full moon shown through the trees. Elaborate Kholams decorated the floor. At the end of the evening Dr Ananda took little Anandraj on his lap and that darling little two year old sang the Tamil Bhajan so much beloved of Swamiji “Radha Samedha Krishna” in his baby lisp into the microphone in a most intelligible, complete fashion. It was totally magic! Christmas Eve was great in another more worldly way with a Christmas tree, coloured lights, presents, party games, great food, lots of laughter, songs and good merry fun. We had a small Santa Claus (Dhivya Priya) who distributed the gifts and a helper elf (Anandraj). About 35 people gathered

for that, with seven children to add their mirthful laughter to the chorus of happy voices. It was a wonderful evening from 6:30 to 11 pm and so, we spent our holiday season with great joy and merriment and good will and fellow love! We send you all our best Christmas greetings and love and thank you for your fondly expressed good will towards us! May we cultivate and cherish this affection and good will we have for one another. It is a precious gift and gives human life, its unique flavour. Without it, the life is arid and dry! Thirumular, the great Tamilian saint of two-three millennia ago said it so well! “ANBE SIVAM! SIVA IS LOVE! This is a love which contains the sweetness of affectionate interest and concern, a love which wishes well and enjoys the presence of the other! May we all not only feel this Anbe every moment but also express Anbe

at every opportunity! Have a great year of Yogic growth! Affectionately yours in Yoga AMMA Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi

Bhavanani Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER Hon General Secretary, Pondicherry Yogasana Association 25, 2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry, South India-605 013 Tel: +91-413 - 2622902 / +91-413 -3203314/+91-413 -2241561 Mobile: 9842311433 Website: www.icyer.com www.geocities.com/yognat2001/ananda

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