A Quote about Truth
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”
Arthur Schopenhauer
Concentration and Meditation
The following is a short extract from the book “CONCENTRATION AND MEDITATION” by Sri Swami Sivananda.
“Truth is Brahman. Truth is Atman. Truth is quite pure and simple. You cannot realise the Truth without reflection and meditation. Be silent. Know thyself. Know That. Melt the mind in That.
Without the help of meditation you cannot attain knowledge of the Self. Without its aid you cannot grow into the Divine state. Without it you cannot liberate yourself from the trammels of the mind and attain Immortality. If you do not practice meditation, the supreme splendour and fadeless glories of Atman will remain hidden from you. Tear the veils that cover the soul by practising regular meditation. Rend asunder the five sheaths that screen the Atman by constant meditation and then attain the final beatitude of life.
The fire of meditation annihilates all foulness due to vice. Then suddenly comes Knowledge or Divine Wisdom which directly leads to Mukti or final emancipation.
There are many valuable types of training of the mind, which are essential to mental culture, for instance, the training of memory, cultivation of reflection, discrimination, Vichara or enquiry of “Who am I”. The practice of meditation itself is a potent clarifier of the memory. The practice of memory-culture powerfully helps the attainment of meditation.
Meditation is a powerful tonic. It is a mental and nervine tonic as well. The holy vibrations penetrate all the cells of the body and cure the diseases of the body. Those who meditate save Doctors bills. The powerful, soothing waves that arise during meditation exercise a benign influence of the mind, nerves, organs and cells of the body. The Divine energy freely flows like a Taila-Dhara (flow of oil from one vessel to another) from the feet of the Lord to the different systems of the Sadhaka (aspirant).
If you can mediate for half an hour you will be able to engage yourself with peace and spiritual strength in the battle of life for one week through the force of this meditation. Such is the beneficial result of meditation. As you have to move with different minds of peculiar nature in you daily life, get the strength and peace from meditation and you will have no trouble and worry then.
A Yogi who meditates regularly has a magnetic and charming personality. Those who come in contact with him/her are much influenced by his/her sweet voice, powerful speech, lustrous eyes, brilliant complexion, strong, healthy body, good behavior, virtuous quality and Divine nature. Just as a grain of salt dropped in a basin of water dissolves and becomes distributed throughout the whole water, just as the sweet fragrance of jasmine pervades the air, so also the spiritual aura becomes infiltrated into the minds of others. People draw joy, peace and strength from him/her. They are inspired by his/her speech and get elevation of mind by mere contact with him/her.
Meditation opens the door of the mind to intuitive knowledge and many powers.”
If you have the book yourself , this is from the pages 65/66.
Spring into the new Season
Spring is here !!! The days are warm, the sun is shining. An excellent time to come out of “hibernation” and kick-start your dormant yoga practice. If you have never tried Yoga before, it is a good time to begin something new. Your first class is free! Give it a try, you might like it!!
The current times, locations and cost are:
Cameron Park, Scout Hall , Easton Street, Booval
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Tuesdays, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights
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Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:30am *) followed by meditation 10:30am-11am, if you wish to stay.
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Wednesdays 9:00am – 10:00am Seniors Yoga class *) followed by meditation 10am – 10:30am, if you wish to stay.
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Thursdays, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
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Thursdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Cost
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first trial class: free
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drop-in class $14.00
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5-class pass (valid for 2 months) $60.00
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10-class pass (valid for 4 months) $100.00
Cost for Senior Class
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first class: free
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single class $10.00
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10-class-pass $80.00
In addition I teach the weekly Yoga Class for the PCYC Ipswich, every Wednesday evening 6:30pm – 8pm.
Yoga in the Park, FREE for everyone, every class. Thursday morning 9:30am – 10:30am at Mountview, Napier Park, Redbank Plains http://www.themountviewestate.com.au/festival-of-fun/
I look forward to welcoming you to one of these classes soon.
Prema Maria
© Photography Maria Steiner
Cat Yoga
Something cute for all the cat lovers !!
Satsang this Friday 23 August
This Friday 23 August 2013 is our next monthly Satsang (meditation, Kirtan, lecture on well being) and extra Hatha Yoga Class.
Where: Raceview Scout Hall, Taylor Street, Eastern Heights
What: Hatha Yoga Class (breathing exercises, sun salutation, 12 basic postures, guided final relaxation).
Time: 5pm – 6:30pm
Cost: $14.00 or regular class pass (no free trial class on this day).
What: Satsang, we begin with silent meditation, then Kirtan Mantra chanting and a lecture about some of the yoga philosophy, finishing with a purifying light ceremony (arati).
Time: 6:45pm – 8:15pm
Cost: $7.00 or FREE if you come to the 5pm class
In between the two sessions we have a cup of tea and something sweet. Don’t know yet what I’ll be baking or creating, some raw goodies or a vegan cake….
You are most welcome to join for just one of the classes. If you like an extra exercise session you come for 5pm.
If you like to learn/practice meditation and get deeper into the yoga philosophy or if you like the Sanskrit Chants (Kirtan) please come to the hall for 6:30pm.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Prema Maria
Weekly Message
Forgiveness is important for spiritual health.
SWISS YOGA
Today 1st of August is Swiss National Day.
Recently I received this funny postcard from Switzerland. I thought today is the right day to share it. Swiss humour often involves cows.
In Switzerland on the 1st of August many bonfires are lit at night and plenty of small and big fireworks everywhere.
© Photography Maria Steiner
Mantras I chant in the Yoga class.
Update August 13, 2019
The below mentioned links don’t work anymore. yoga108.org website has been discontinued.
I will write a new post with the Mantras and meaning soon, and share the link here. Prema Maria
The following links are helpful if you like the opening and closing Mantras of the Yoga class. Each includes an explanation and a mp3 sound file, scroll to the end of the page. The Mantras are in Sanskrit.
http://yoga108.org/pages/show/68 opening Mantra – Gajananam
http://yoga108.org/pages/show/69 closing Mantra – Om Tryambakam
Hatha Yoga Ipswich 