2020 04 12 The Ashvins - physicians of the gods

The Ashvins (aka Asvins, Asvinau, or Asvini Kumaras) are two twin brothers of Hindu mythology, sons of the sun god Surya. They are considered the physicians of the gods. Mentioned in the Rig Veda, the Upanishads, and the Mahabharata, they have also been know to restore life to the dead.

To learn more, visit Ashvins or Asvins, the Hindu Godsof Healing and Medicine

I chose this subject because the world is in need of health and wellness on a grand scale right now. It was something of a bonus finding the Hindu connection to resurrection on this day, Easter Sunday. Certain important concepts are found in every spiritual tradition!

Six videos play for 67:75 minutes  

1 Ashwini Nakshatra gayathri manthra 01 3:33

2 Divine Physician Ashwini Kumar Temple in Varanasi. 6:15

In Hindi, Ceremony starts at 4:35

3 Ashwini Kumaras - The Gods of Rig Veda 19:21

A talk by Ramesh Chellathurai

Twin gods equivalent to respiration – inhalation and exhalation.

Breathing practices are often connected to health and spirituality (via meditation)

Their father is the Sun, their mother is the Air (Cloud Goddess)

4 Dhanvantari | Mantra for Healing | Namathraya Maha Mantra | Kavalam Srikumar | 12:13

singer Kavalam Srikumar

5 Sri Ashwini Devata Stotram - A prayer for good health 3:58

6 Mantra for Healing | Dhanvantri Mantra Chants | with text 22:25

Artist: T S Ranganathan

Playlist url

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLACmwZPBGZMfbiEDAbR6acLPMIBExgruD

Ashtavakra Gita - a classical Advaita Vedanta scripture

If you happen to celebrate January 1st as the new year, Happy New Year to you!

Today's post is a bit different, not a playlist, but an audio book at the end.

Today you will find links to a writing I just learned about this morning, the Ashtavakra Gita. Gita means song (which I sometimes take to mean poem or other writing that may/may not be set to actual music), and Ashtavakra is a Sage who taught King Janaka about Oneness.

Here is a bit of background from Wikipedia:
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtavakra_Gita
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Identification of Ashtavakra

"Ashtavakra is probably identical to the holy sage with the same name who appears in Mahabharata, though the connection is not clearly stated in any of the texts. Mukherjee identifies Janaka as the father of Sita and disciple of the sage Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Janaka is also depicted as a king who has attained perfection in the Bhagavad Gita (III,20,25).

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Overview

Janaka debating with Ashtavakra. Art from the epic Ashtavakra (2010).
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"Ashtavakra Gita is a dialogue between Ashtavakra and Janaka on the nature of soul, reality and bondage. It offers a radical version of non-dualistic philosophy. The Gita insists on complete unreality of external world and absolute oneness of existence. It does not mention any morality or duties, and therefore is seen by commentators as 'godless'. It also dismisses names and forms as unreal and a sign of ignorance.
In a conversation between Janaka and Ashtavakra, pertaining to the deformity of his crooked body, Ashtavakra explains that the size of a Temple is not affected by how it is shaped, and the shape of his own body does not affect himself (or Atman). The ignorant man's vision is shrouded by names and forms but a wise man sees only himself: <sup>"


There are a  number of resources listed at the end of the article. I liked these two in particular: 

Ashtavakra Gita in Devanagari with English translation side by side</sup>

 John Richards translation in pdf format

 

2014 12 21 Satsang with Isaac Tigrett

Happy Winter Solstice!

I was tickled to learn about this video today, that Isaac Tigrett was at Sathya Sai Baba's Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram in Puttaparthi, India, at the same time I was (December 17 - 26, 2012). I wish I had known, I might have tried to speak with him. This video was recorded in his rooms at the ashram in November 2012.

Four videos play for 59 minutes. 

There is an additional video following the playlist, the Sai Gayatri played at Sai Kulwant Hall on Maha Samadhi of Sathya Sai Baba. I include this additional video separately for your meditation pleasure. The first evening at the ashram, I participated in the 30-minute meditation in the small hall behind the main temple and had a mystical experience while this mantra played in the background.  

1 - Sathya Sai Baba chanting the Gayatri 5:10 

2 - Isaac Tigrett - A Message From Prasanthi 45:14

Isaac Tigrett is well known as the Founder of both the Hard Rock Cafe and The House of Blues. He is also known around the world as a spiritual man who for many years has had personal contact with Sathya Sai Baba.

Filmed by Gene Massey in Isaac's apartment in Sathya Sai Baba's ashram (Prasanthi, in Puttaparthi, India) on November 9, 2012, Isaac directs this message to young people all over the world. He speaks for 45 minutes on some of his experiences with Sathya Sai Baba, the Five Human Values, how we must forgive ourselves as well as others, how we are all Divine beings, and how Sathya Sai Baba has not gone anywhere, and is even even more accessible now that we can find Him in our own hearts and live His Teachings daily.

3 - SAI BABA :: ASATO MA 6:30

4 - SAI GAYATRI - Sathya Sai Baba 2:39

Playlist url:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLACmwZPBGZMdFzAq66YVyNu9wfwGwLIl6



Sai Gayatri 14:54
Sai Gayatri played at Sai Kulwant Hall on Maha Samadhi of Sathya Sai Baba

Om Saieeshvaraaya Vidmahe
Sathya Devaaya Deemahi
Thannah Sarvah Prachodayaat

We realize that Sathya Sai is Divinity personified.
We meditate on this God of Truth
We pray to Him to lead us on the path of liberation.

2014 05 02 Satsang Fr Richard Rohr, Christian Mystical Tradition

If nothing else, I am eclectic in my beliefs, and along with Daoism and Vedic tradtions, I very much enJOY the daily inspirational messages sent by the Center for Action and Contemplation.

There is a tradition that says Jesus visited India for a period of time, and I would not be a bit surprised since the non-dualist teachings of the Christian mystical tradition are so closely compatible. Having been on pilgrimage in India for 74 days, and having spoken to many Indians as well as Westerners while I was there, as well as having had mystical experiences of my own, I can whole-heartedly say that the non-dualist teachings of Fr. Rohr fit perfectly with the Vedic teachings one finds in India. I also follow and teach A Course In Miracles which offers no conflict with these experiences as well. Divine harmony at its finest!

Every true Yogi is a Mystic. It is the only way to experience Oneness.


1 - Gayatri Mantra 9:04

2 - Fr. Richard Rohr: The Paradox of Truth - an Aspect of Christian Mysticism 42:48
Published on Feb 23, 2014
Paradox is at the heart of reality, says Franciscan Priest Fr Richard Rohr, but we're just too wedded to our egos and dualism to embrace it.

In this Interview Fr. Richard Rohr talks about his latest book The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See, which offers an understanding of the Christian mystic tradition as a nondualistic way of seeing the moment. This is what Fr. Rohr says is the most important book that he has written to date.

Fr. Rohr is a Franciscan priest, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, and the author of Everything Belongs and Things Hidden. Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) https://cac.org/richard-rohr


3 - OM TRAYAMBAKAM YAJAMAHAE Version 2    7:24


Playlist url:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLACmwZPBGZMdXDWUiF4wVMROe2lcO9IwB

2012 04 11 Satsang with Paramahamsa Nithyananda

Today's Satsang is approximately 67 minutes long and has one main component, Paramahamsa Nithyanda speaking on how Your Thoughts and Emotions Affect DNA


1 - Gayatri Mantra 9:04

2 - Your Thoughts and Emotions Affect DNA: Nithyananda Morning Message (23 Oct 2010)  50:17

3 - OM TRAYAMBAKAM YAJAMAHAE Version 2    7:24






Playlist url
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL53E4A95B0A378B7D

2012 03 28 Vasanta Navaratri Festival Part Two

Today is the seventh day of Navaratri and this playlist celebrates the last few days of this festival with both song and satsang.

Seven videos play for approx. 52 minutes
EnJOY



1 - Ganesha Saranam 7:39

2 - The Gayatri Mantra - Music for a peaceful Planet by IndiaJiva 4:44

3 - Bhajan Navratri_Aarti Saraswati Mata  6:36

4 - Spring Navaratri Day 7&8 part 1.mov  8:27

5 - Spring Navaratri Day 7&8 part 2.mov  9:49

6 - Navratri Song - चारॊं धाम का फल पायेगा (Charon Dham Ka Phal Payega...) 6:50

7 - OM TRAYAMBAKAM YAJAMAHAE Version 2    7:24





Playlist url:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4C02FDC7FECC8722

2012 02 14 Mahashivaratri Satsang and Festival

Monday, February 20 is Mahashivaratri, the "Night Of Shiva." Today's playlist contains talks and explanations, excerpts from Mahashivaratri festivals, a meditation interval with a beautiful slideshow of temples, Shiva's nataraja dance, and two Om Namah Shivaya bhajans by artists from India and the West.

The Bend Kirtan Community is celebrating Mahashivaratri at The Peaceful Heart, 29 NW Greeley Ave in Bend with a kirtan on Sunday, February 19th from 5 - 7 pm, the festival celebration on Monday February 20 from 7 pm - midnight (you don't have to stay for the whole thing but it's going to be fabulous!) and a Fire Ceremony at midnight following the singing.

(I just want to mention that Mahashivaratri in February 2009 was the first event I attended with the Bend Kirtan Community and, like the woman says in the first segment of today's playlist, it changed my life! Shellie) 

Eight videos play for 85 minutes

EnJOY!

1 - Gayatri Mantra ( 3 Times ) Artist: Rattan Mohan Sharma 1:51

2 - Shivaratri 2012 Webcast Celebration - Rituals Remove Karma, Increase Prosperity 5:04

3 - Om Namah Shivaya ( Awesome DHUN ) (Must Listen) 10:10

4 - Creating the Universe - Shiva Lingam Mahashivaratri festival special 15:44

5 - Maha Shivaratri Meditation 2011 16:27
Meditative music for Shivaratri 2011 with a pictorial tour of 275 temples visited and sung by poets of the 1st millennium.

6 - Mahashivarathri / Yaksha 2012 20:01

7 - Nataraja Dance 5:58

8 - OM Namah Shivaya - Krishna Das (Extended Version_HQ Audio) 9:55





Playlist url
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAC16FB2D4650671E

2011 08 09 Satsang with Santoor Maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma

Today's satsang is a little different from our past presentations in that the main portion of the program is a radio interview, Santoor Maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma in Conversation with Dr. Samuel Sandweiss, speaking on the connection between spirituality and music. We link to it from here, but the interview itself is on the Sathya Sai Baba radio network.

The arrangement for today is one video, the radio interview, and a second video for a total of  73 minutes.

Enjoy!


Shivkumar Sharma (born January 13, 1938, Jammu, India) is an Indian santoor player. The santoor is a folk instrument from the valley of Kashmir. Sharma is often referred to by the title Pandit.


First, a video of Pandit Hariprasad and Pandit Shiv Kumar - Raga Bhopali  8:28

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma click here to hear interview

The second video is Pt Shivkumar Sharma & Rahul Sharma - Santoor Duet in 2001 4:28

Satsang 2011 07 12 with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Welcome to this 60-minute satsang featuring Sri Sri Ravi Shankar!

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher and ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people the world over through service projects and the courses of The Art of Living.

In 1982, Sri Sri entered a ten-day period of silence in Shimoga located in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique, was born. With time, the Sudarshan Kriya became the center-piece of the Art of Living courses.

Visit http://srisriravishankar.org/ for more information.

1 - Gurudev Satsang - Jaya Jaya Shiva Shambo (9:19)

2 - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar @ University of California, Berkeley (9:14)
"Uplifting Spirit through Education" - A talk by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the University of California, Berkeley, USA
3 - JGD-Value of Singing (5:13)

4 - Radhe Radhe Govinda Radhe (6:42)
5 - Gurudev singing Jai Jai Radha Raman Hari Bol (3:36)

6 - Mind is a great factor in energy levels: Sri Sri Ravishankar (6:30)
7 - Consciousness vs Matter - a talk by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Jan 26th, 2011. Bangalore.(6:24)
8 - Believe that divinity is with you, nothing can harm you: Sri Sri Ravi (4:42)

9 - tryambakam mantra HD (9:32)



Playlist url:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BB073AA687E5BA9

Satsang 2011 06 13 OSHO on Awakening, Mantra, Love and Compassion

Welcome!  Please enjoy this 56-minute satsang with talks by OSHO

Gayatri Mantra V2 3:31
Ravi Shankar and George Harrison

OSHO: Waking Up the World 13:50
Excerpts from an Interview with Roberta Green, Santa Ana Register. Orange County, CA


OSHO: Silence Over Tibet - the Music of OM 9:56
Osho speaks on the Tibetan mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum."

INTERLUDE:
Magical Healing Mantra: Om Mani Padme Hum 9:29
The mantra Om Mani Padme Hum (literally: "Aum, to the Jewel in the Lotus, hum) is recited by Tibetan Buddhists to invoke Chenrezi, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Repeating this mantra accumulates merit and eases negative karma; meditating upon it is believed to purify the mind and body.

OSHO: Love and Hate Are One 5:48
What happened to love? Everybody is looking for love, but the world is full of hate. With love something very drastic has happened. This OSHO TALK goes deep into the psychological understanding of how our authenticity about love was spoiled. - "Never judge anybody by his act, because the real thing is not the act but the consciousness through which that act has been performed."

OSHO: Compassion - The Ultimate Flowering of Love 10:16
Osho examines the nature of compassion from a radically different perspective. He points out that "passion" lies at the root of the word, and then proceeds to challenge assumptions about what compassion really is. He shows how the path to authentic compassion arises from within, beginning with a deep acceptance and love of oneself. Only then, says Osho, does compassion flower into a healing force, rooted in the unconditional acceptance of the other as he or she is.
Excerpt from an original, 104-minute talk by Osho now available on DVD with the book COMPASSION -- St. Martin's Griffin (February 2007)

Mahamritunjay Mantra - Shiva Mritunjay Mantram to Chant for Surya Grahan 1:29

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu by Deva Premal&Miten 1:43

YouTube Playlist address:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL3F0F1D874FD5D316

Satsang 2011 05 25 Krishnamurti - The Real Revolution

Welcome! _/\_

This 43 minute virtual satsang features Jiddu Krishnamurti speaking in 1966 on "The Real Revolution" (Consciousness) and includes 5 segments:

1 - Opening chant: Sanskrit Chant - Gayatri Mantra 5:15
2 - Speaker part one: Krishnamurti - The Real Revolution - Part 1 of 2 (1966) 14:2
3 - Interlude: Take 5: The Forest Awakens - Nature Sounds for Stress Relief
4 - Speaker part two: Krishnamurti - The Real Revolution - Part 2 of 2 (1966) 14:37
5 - Closing chant: Sathya Sai Baba singing "Subramanyam Subramanyam" Bhajan 3:08

YouTube Playlist address:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL9B379D4104CF895B