2016 march-april 01 - Bhakti Marga · 05-06/03/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Swami...

bhakti marga sa monthly newsletter march-april 2016

?05-06/03/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Swami Vishwachakradharananda in Seapoint, Cape Town?05/03/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Study Circle – Chapters from the Bhagavad Gita?06/03/2016 - Atma kriya Teacher's Training in Germany; 3 new teachers from South Africa?07/03/2016 - Maha Shivaratri Celebrations at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple and Shri Maha Jwala Narasimha Temple?10-13/03/02016 - Swami Vishwachakradharananda's trip to Singapore inclusive of Maha Om Chanting & Satsang at Costa Del Sol, Bayshore & Atma Kriya Yoga at One Heart, Tembeling?12/03/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Group Atma Kriya Practice?12/03/2016 - Seva Program in Nelsville, Nelspruit and Reasoma Protea North High School in Soweto?13/03/2016 - Satsang with Swami Vishwaparanthapananda, JHB?19-20/03/2016 - Swami Vishwachakradharananda visits JHB inclusive of Maha Om Chanting at Mainframe & Atma Kriya Yoga at Bryanston?22/03/2016 - Full moon Om Chanting at Westville North Library, KZN?23/03/2016 - Holika Sahan celebrations?26/03/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Dance Classes?26-27/03/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Mirelle (Shristi) at Hyde Park, JHB?29/03/2016 - New Om Chanting Circle at Edenvale?02/04/2016 - Fayre JHB at Edenvale?02/04/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Meditation?03/04/2016 - Mudra 2 Workshop at Makaranga Garden Lodge with Swami Vishwachakradharananda?04/04/2016 - Maha Om Chanting at Mountview Civic Centre, Verulam with Swami Vishwachakradharananda?08-14/04/2016 - Ramayan Week?09/04/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Ramayan Recital?10/04/2016 - Om Chanting leader's Workshop at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple?15/04/2016 - Ram Navami Celebrations at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple and at Shri Maha Jwala Narasimha Temple?16/04/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Legal Matters?17/04/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga at Makaranga Garden Lodge with Swami Vishwachakradharananda?22/04/2016 – Hanuman Jayanthi Celebrations at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple and Shri Maha Jwala Narasimha Temple?23/04/2016 - Full moon Om Chanting with Jothi Anbu Mayam in Phoenix and Victoria Country Club, PMB ?23/04/2016 - Maha Full moon Om Chanting in Mainframe, JHB and Mirrors Workshop with Swami Vishwaparanthapananda?23/04/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Hatha Yoga?27/04/2016 - Mirrors Workshop JHB with Swami Vishwaparanthapananda?30/04/2016 & 01/05/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Mirelle (Shristi) at Hyde Park, JHB?30/04/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Laughter Yoga

MARCH - APRIL 2016 EVENTS / PRAYERS

1 - Bhakti Marga SA Monthly Newsletter March-April 2016

BM Weekly Calendar Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple - KZN Shri Maha Kripalu Gayatri Devi Temple - KZN

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Om Chanting 6.30pm

Satsang 7.00pm

Yagna and at 2.00pm & YouthAbhishekum

Satsang 7.00pm

Om Chanting 6.30pm

Abhishekum every 3rd Saturday at 5.30pm

Shri Maha Jwala Narasimha Temple

Abhishekum, Yagna &Satsang on Saturdays

2.00pm - 5.00pmFullmoon Om Chanting - monthly

(Various places in JHB)

“When you do your duty in life, accepting what God is giving you to do, it draws you closer and closer to God realization. By accepting what God is giving you in your daily life, you are opening the gates to receive more. You are showing God that you are ready for a greater purpose. It doesn’t matter which path you follow or which you are doing. How you are doing it is the most important. When you do something, you are not disturbed by anything that happens around you. If one is peaceful, there will be nothing to worry about. One knows that all is the Will of God. He knows that all comes from God. It is He who gives, and it is He who takes.” ~ Sri Swami Vishwananda

05-06/03/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Swami Vishwachakradharananda in Seapoint, Cape Town

06/03/2016 - Atma kriya Teacher's Training in Germany; 3 new teachers from South Africa

07/03/2016 - Maha Shivaratri Celebrations


Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple

10 - 13/03/02016 - Swami Vishwachakradharananda's trip to Singapore




12/03/2016 - Seva Program in Nelsville, Nelspruit


12/03/2016 - Seva Program at Reasoma Protea North High School in Soweto - Reflections by Priyal Ramdass

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all” Aristotle. It takes a village to raise a child – understanding that we each have a role to play in supporting the education of the hearts and minds of our children. Bhakti Marga JHB devotees spent 3+ hours doing Seva on Saturday the 12th of March 2016 at the Reasoma Protea North High School in Soweto. The intention for the seva was to work with the principal and teachers around empowering the school teachers/staff by building a strong cohesive team within the school community equipping them to lead and guide the students to grow a love for learning, build resilience and transcend from the current challenges of drug/alcohol abuse which is resulting in major discipline issues at the school. The goal is to improve the school pass rate and build leaders for the future. The principal and teachers' dedication to excellence and love for the growth & wellbeing of the students was evident. Together Bhakti Marga JHB and the teachers of Reasoma high school commit to partnering on this learning journey. Seva will take place once a month at the school with focus on building the core leadership skills and with the help & support from the Bhakti Marga team, the teachers have committed to leading by example to create a safe and supportive environment for the best learning to take place. The next dates for the seva at the school will take place on the 9th of April and 7th of May 2016.

19-20/03/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Swami Vishwachakradharananda, JHB

“The glories of God are all around, it just takes sincerity to calm yourself and see with the heart of Love what He has created for all of you.” ~ Sri Swami Vishwananda



On the evening of Saturday the 19th of March, the Mainframe in Maboneng opened its rooftop to a powerful and healing OM chanting practice with Swami Vishwachakradharananda. A group of over 30 people joined together, bringing an ancient therapeutic technique to the rocking inner city. The incredible juxtaposition of the busy street life of Maboneng rising up to the calming and harmonious vibrations on the rooftop, created an amazing experience for all the participants.By chanting OM within a specifically arranged group we create powerful healing effects on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. The group watched in amazement as the sky began shaping around the vibrations. When the chanting began the sky was clouded over with the near-full moon making occasional appearances. As the chanting came to an end, the sky had cleared completely giving everyone a perfect visual of how the powerful frequencies had helped to clear and heal the environment.

We've attached some powerful images of the event and would like to open an invitation to our next OM Chanting at the Mainframe 16h45 for 17h00 on the 23rd of April. OM Chanting is free and open to everyone. If you would like to support your own healing processes, uplift the vibration of the environment, direct the benefits to someone who cannot make it, to a place or a situation, then OM Chanting is a perfect channel for you.

19-20/03/2016 - Maha Om Chanting with Swami Vishwachakradharananda, JHB - Reflections by James Conradie

26-27/03/2016 & 30/04/2016 & 01/05/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Mirelle (Shristi) at Hyde Park, JHB

02/04/2016 - Fayre JHB at Edenvale



03/04/2016 - Mudra 2 Workshop at Makaranga Garden Lodge with Swami Vishwachakradharananda

04/04/2016 - Maha Om Chanting at Mountview Civic Centre, Verulam with Swami Vishwachakradharananda

10/04/2016 - Om Chanting leader's Workshop at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple

15/04/2016 - Ram Navami Celebrations at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple

22/04/2016 – Hanuman Jayanthi Celebrations

Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple



17/04/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga at Makaranga Garden Lodge with Swami Vishwachakradharananda

23/04/2016 - Full moon Om Chanting with Jothi Anbu Mayam in Phoenix

23/04/2016 - Full moon Om Chanting at Victoria Country Club, PMB

23/04/2016 - Maha Full moon Om Chanting in JHB with Swami Vishwaparanthapananda

30/04/2016 - Wellness Program at Shri Maha Shanta Narasimha Temple: Laughter Yoga




The Mirrors Workshop with Swami Vishwaparanthapananda was an amazing day spent in fascinating introspection and loving conversation. The workshop began in the most powerful way with a beautiful meditation led by Swamiji where he guided us deep within ourselves to get a glimmer of our true selves.For the rest of the day, we were blessed to peel more and more layers of lies off of our bright energy centers and beaming light-selves. The blessings that Swamiji gave to each and every one of us were tangible, beautiful, powerful and hysterical at the same time.For someone who is on the spiritual path, the Mirrors Workshop truly gave me a divine partner to my spiritual practice. As I delve deep into myself through my Atma Kriya, it's exciting and comforting to know that as I go through my day I now have an extra set of tools to help me wash away all the stories I have clung onto for so many years and lifetimes.

23/04/2016 & 27/04/2016 - Mirrors Workshop, JHB with Swami Vishwaparanthapananda - Reflections by Emilia Arnerius

13/03/2016 - Satsang with Swami Vishwaparanthapananda, JHB - Reflections by Sharmala GovenderPilgrimage to India – On the Footsteps of Radha and Krishna with Guruji , 16-27 November 2015

Devotees of Bhakti Marga and friends gathered on 13 March 2016 to enjoy an evening in the beautiful presence of Swami Vishwaparathapananda who recently returned from Vrindavan. Swami shared moments of fun and laughter of the November 2015 retreat with Guruji and devotees. The village of Vrindavan is where the young Krishna is said to have grown up. Pilgrims flock from all over India and the world to enjoy the numberless moons of spiritual bliss and the sweet nectar of spiritual love. It is a place of mysticism, beauty, and serenity where ones pride is purified and where the ego is cleansed. Amidst the pollution, chaos, monkeys, cows etc., one still goes about ones journey in patience and the sweet chants of the Lord. One always hears the sweet sound of bhajans throughout the day and night, filling ones heart with so much love and nectar of the Lord, what sweet surrender to the Soul.

We were indeed very lucky to be in Vrindavan during November since it was also Kartik Month, all the temples were beautifully decorated including the Murtis. We enjoyed listening to personal talks at various temples by respected spiritual figures and Gurudev. Gurudev was so happy and calm throughout the pilgrimage. The mornings always started with abhishekam to Giridhari and the awe inspiring satsang before we started our tours. The energy of the musicians was beyond words, they uplifted the spirits of all of us for the day, since the days were very long, hectic and lots of walking, but inspiring and fruitful in every way."We say Radhe Krishna, Radhe Shyam, because She is the Shakti of Krishna. She is the One who gives power to Krishna. Actually, Radha represents all of us, the creation and the manifestation. She symbolizes the Love, the example. She symbolizes the bhav, the complete surrender to the Will of God." - Sri Swami Vishwananda

Highlights shared: Mathura - birthplace of KrishnaLord Krishna was born in a prison cell in the temple of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. The prison cell is regarded as a symbol of humility, the Lord being born in a humble environment speaks volumes of his very nature of love and humility for all beings and his sacred cows. The temple is situated alongside a mosque, the two places of worship stand side by side in total harmony, bringing about tolerance, peace, love, unity and humility amongst the respective devotees. There is a constant stream of devotees in and out of the temple daily who constantly chant the name of Radhe Radhe. The sound of chanting constantly rings in ones ears even when in total silence, power of sound travels within every living cell.

Banke Bihari - the Prince of Vrindavan: The Banke Bihari temple is a favourite temple of Gurudev, in Vrindavan. Banke means “bent in three places” and bihari means “Supreme enjoyer”. Evening of each day 3 devotees followed Gurudev on a temple tour around Vrindavan. The tour started at Shri Banke Bihari Temple which was extremely crowded, yet the energy was immense. Gurudev took blessings for all the devotees. Birth of Banke Bihari: The Banke Bihari Temple was established by Swami Haridas, a guru of the famous singer Tansen. Whilst singing with his disciples in Nidhivan in Vrindavan the celestial couple Shyama Shyam (Radha Krishna) appeared in front of him and his devotees and on the request of Shri Swamiji, the couple merged into one and the murti of Banke Bihari appeared. Sri Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most famous and crowded temples in Vrindavan visited by thousands of visitors daily.



Visit to Nidhivan – ForestGuruji spoke about Nidhivan which is the forest where the Ras Leela (dance of passion) first took place and still continues. It is said that during the night no one is allowed inside the forest, even the animals leave as it is said that anyone who stays inside would die. At night each tree becomes one of the gopis, each tree (very noticeable) is split in half, a Gopi and Krishna. It has been said that the forest has not grown or died since the first Ras Leela (dance of passion) happened.A legend associated with the forest is a small room for Radha and Krishna to rest after their dance, it is said that every evening the pujaris prepare Prasad, a bed, leave toothbrushes etc and lock the room. In the morning when they open the door, everything is used even the laddu is bitten into. The Gopis of Vrindavan were true devotees who totally surrendered themselves unto the Lord. Their love towards Krishna was intense and unconditional divine love. They even left their husbands and chores to be with the Lord when he played his flute, and totally mesmerised by Him. Their minds were totally absorbed by Krishna, such was their undying love for Him.

A visit to Barsane, birth place of Radharani was another highlight of the tour. Sri Vinod Bihardasji Maharaj a saint, in Barsana. We joined him for Parikrama around Barsane which he does everyday whilst distributing sweets to children and monkeys, thereafter we had darshan with him in the temple of Barsana. The Barsana temple is located on top of a hill which is a part of a small ridge composed of four hills. These hills are revered in the local legends as either the four heads of the god of Brahma or the three largest peaks as a form of trinity.It was a long walk up the steep hill to get to this amazingly beautiful temple of Radharani. Thousands of people climb up to pay their respects to Radharani and get her blessings. Radha is revered as one of the most worshippable Goddess or Shakti.

Another beautiful place visited is called Radha Ra, it contains a murti of Srimati Radharani in deep meditation, she lived there for around 50 years after Krishna left Vrindavan. She was constantly absorbed in Krishna japam and dhyanam (meditation)Lord Krishna loved butter and was very mischief in stealing the butter. It is said that he did not steal the butter for himself, but for his gopis who were hungry, he did not do it for his own sake. He was known as the butter thief. As Krishna grew older his pranks increased. Tales of his love for milk and butter spread in every household. Whenever the milkmaids crossed the fields, Krishna and his friends shot pebbles at them to break the milk pitchers. He always got a spanking from his mother for stealing butter no matter how high up the ceiling she tied the jars.

A boat trip on the Yamuna river was an experience of bliss, peace and serenity. It is one of the country's most sacred rivers and holy places of worship for hindus.

Story of KaliyaA poisonous serpent named Kaliya lived in the Yamuna river in Krishna's time. His venom had poisoned the waters so neither people nor animals were able to approach the Yamuna river. Young Krishna jumped from a tree branch into the river to fight Kaliya by dancing on his multiple heads. The wives of Kaliya begged Krishna not to kill him. Krishna agreed but with one condition, that Kaliya leave the Yamuna and never return. The Kaliya Ghat temple has a statue of Krishna dancing on Kaliya's head, surrounded by his four wives. The temple is also famous for an ancient giant tree which has Krishna's footprints on it, the tree is where the gopis would hide pots of butter from Krishna.

Another interesting temple visited was Jami Krishna temple, also known as Hukka Krishna. Every day they offer a hookah (tobacco pipe) to Krishna. It is said that one can hear the pipe bubbling when offered, signifying that Krishna is actually smoking it.

The Bhumi Devi Puja was performed on the grounds specifically done for mother earth. According to tradition one must always perform Bhumi Devi Puja in honour of the Divine Mother before starting construction – seeking permission from Mother Earth to build on her. Visit to Radha Kund and Shyama Kund was very special where Guruji performed abhishekam to Giridhari and all was blessed with the special ceremony. The group also performed parikrama around the the two kunds and visited the place where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to stay and found the two kunds before anyone knew of their existence.

Darshan - end of PilgrimageSwami also asked those who went on the pilgrimage to share their experiences. Experiences shared was that of surrender, letting go and enjoying Vrindavan for the mystical pure sweet energies it offered despite the poverty, pollution, streams of cars and people. None of that mattered but the beauty and sweetness of the holiness of Vrindavan and what Radhe and Krishna brought into each ones hearts.Guruji did indicate during his last talk to the devotees that Radha Rani was the one who chose each devotee to participate in the Pilgrimage, it was not him. All devotees were very touched by the sentiment and felt very special for having been chosen by Goddess Radha Rani. The evening ended with a few questions and information being shared, blessings by Guruji and tea.

2016 march-april 01 - Bhakti Marga · 05-06/03/2016 - Atma Kriya Yoga with Swami...

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