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Highlights in the Life of

H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji

Maharaj (Muniji)
 

FEBRUARY 2002

 

Index: 

1. WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM - NEW YORK
2.
Mathur Vaish Mahasabha - AGRA
3. ECKART TOLLE COMES TO PARMARTH NIKETAN
4. INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL
5. Pujya Swamiji's itinerary
6. Upcoming Events
7. Special Event: Pujya Swamiji's 50th Birthday 
9. Pujya Swamiji's Divine Message


January 31- February 4 -- New York, USA

World Economic Forum: 

From January 31 � February 4, over 3000 of the world�s leaders � business leaders, political leaders, social leaders and religious leaders � gathered together in New York City for the World Economic Forum.

Pujya Swamiji speaking with Bill Clinton, former President of America during one of the sessions

For the last 30 years, under the leadership of Mr. Klaus Schwab, thousands of top business leaders, social leaders and political leaders have gathered together to see how � together � they can work towards improving the condition of the world.

The Annual Meeting is held each year in Davos, Switzerland.  However, this year, in order to show its solidarity with the United States, the Forum shifted its location to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, New York.

The theme of this year�s forum was �Leadership in Fragile Times.�

For several city blocks surrounding the venue, streets were closed to both vehicles and pedestrians. Only those with official WEF badges were allowed within the guarded area. With over 3500 officers on special duty to prevent any mishaps � ranging from vehement protesting to violence � New York City provided with the Forum with not only protection, but with matchless opportunities for delegates to enjoy the creme of American culture and entertainment.

Top leaders who attended the Forum included Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, CEO of Coca Cola Douglas Daft, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Rock Star and Social Activist Bono, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo-Macapagal, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Indian Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minster Nara Chandrababu Naidu, New York Senator Hilary Clinton, famous cardiac specialist and proponent of meditation/yoga, Dr. Dean Ornish, and so many more. 

This year, as the business and political world are realizing the important role played by religious leaders, the Forum included a delegation of approximately 40 religious leaders from across the globe, including, The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Meir Lau; H.E. Frances Cardinal Arinze; H.E. Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia; H.H. Patriarch Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, His Grace George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury; Archbishop Desmond Tutu,

top: His Grace George Carey, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pujya Swamiji

bottom: Pujya Swamiji shakes hands with Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thami, Emir of Qatar, at the end of the Plenary Session

Hindu leaders present were H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Muniji) and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The religious leaders were brought for the first time in 2001 and with an expanded role this year in 2002, by the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Shri Bawa Jain, the Secretary General of the World Peace Summit, is committed to bringing religious/spiritual leaders together as well as uniting them with political and social leaders in order to achieve peace and harmony throughout the globe. 

Plenary Session on Bridging Religious Divides � left to right: Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thami, Emir of Qatar; Mr. Klaus Schwab; The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Meir Lau; H.E. Frances Cardinal Arinze; H.E. Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia; H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Muniji); and His Grace George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury. Pujya Swamiji and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Pujya Swamiji talks with Chief Rabbi of Britain, Jonathan Sacks

There were daily working sessions between the religious leaders and other groups (including the Global Leaders of Tomorrow, the Social Entrepreneurs and the media). Additionally, there was a special, large plenary session titled, �Bridging Religious Divides� at which a top leader of each religion as well as a scholar on religious texts, discussed issues related to peace, tolerance, conversion, etc. Pujya Swamiji was a discussion leader at a session titled "What is Sacred in Today's World." He was also the Hindu representative in the main religious plenary session titled "Bridging Religious Divides." 
Click here to read Pujya Swamiji's speech on Tolerance in the Plenary Session
Pujya Swamiji and Rabbi Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Israel embrace after a plenary session. On the right is Shri Bawa Jain, Secretary General of the Millennium World Peace Summit.

 

On February 3, a leader of each religion was taken to Ground Zero (the site of the World Trade Center devastation), where each leader offered a two minute prayer.

 Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Muniji) immediately renamed Ground Zero as �Ground Hero� on behalf of the fire department, police department, New York mayor Guiliani and all the brave souls who gave their lives in the service of others. He also offered sacred Ganga jal onto the land. 

 

Om Sahanaa Vavatu Sahanau bhunaktu, saha veeryam, karavaavahai, tejasvina vadhitamastu, maa vidvishaa vahai. 
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Oh God today as we stand upon a ground which bares witness to hatred, anger and ignorance,
As we stand upon a ground saturated with the stolen life force of so many innocents,
As the cold wind whispers memory of terror, pain and death.
Oh God, Please bestow upon your planet Earth the blessing  that this sort of insidious, malicious devastation may never again come to pass.
Please grant us hearts which overflow only with love and never with hate.
Please grant us minds filled only with peace  and never with anger or violence.
Please grant us hands which strive only to heal and never to hurt.

We pray:  
Let us walk together hand in hand.
Let us talk together with love and compassion.
Let our minds understand each other well.
Let us live together in peace through mutual sharing and acceptance.
Let us lay down our arms so that we may lift up our arms to the Creator.

Let us not only pray for peace but let us work for peace. Let us live for peace. Every moment of every day in every way we can.

Last but not least, as I hear everyone calling this place Ground Zero  it occurs to me that it is not only Ground Zero but it is also Ground Hero!  For it is here that the great souls of New York City �Mayor Giuliani,  the police department, the fire department, and all the citizens �  joined together courageously and selflessly showing the world the elements of true, human heroes.

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina, sarve santunirama, sarve badrani pashyntu, ma kashchit dukha babhave

May all be happy. May all be healthy. May all attain peace and perfection. 
May no one bear suffering or pain. 

May all be Healed. May all be fed.  May all be loved.
Om peace, om peace, om peace.

 

 

Pujya Swamiji holds flowers and Ganga water, overlooking the site of the tragedy  

 The presence of the religious leaders was a great asset to the Forum, and the Forum organizers emphasized that next year there would be an even larger spiritual delegation and even more interaction between the spiritual leaders and the leaders of other spheres of influence.


February 16 -- Agra, India

In the sacred, historic land of the Taj Mahal, Pujya Swamiji travelled with H.H. Sri Shankaracharyaji Maharaj, Bhanpura Peeth and H.H. Sadhvi Ritambharaji to inaugurate a new library and hall of the Mathur Vaish Mahasabha

February 16 - 25, Rishikesh

Respected spiritual leader Eckart Tolle, author of Living in the Now, came to Parmarth Niketan with 140 of his followers from across the globe for a 10-day spiritual retreat. While here, he and his devotees participated in the divine Ganga Yagna and Aarti as well as spent time with Pujya Swamiji.

Respected Eckhart Tolle takes part in Parmarth Niketan's divine Ganga Yagna and Aarti with Pujya Swamiji


During the retreat, there were also special evening programs, including a special cultural performance by the children and women of Sanskar Vidya Mandir and Parmarth Vidya Mandir. 

On his final day, Respected Eckhart came to sit with Pujya Swamiji in His garden where they shared special moments together, engaged in discussions about carrying the world toward piety, divinity, spirituality and simplicity. 

The week was a beautiful union between East and West.  On the one hand, the nearly 100 Westerners who came for the retreat, also had the divine touch of Ganga Aarti, prayers and the spirit of India. On the other hand, Respected Eckart, as a teacher from the West, touched the lives and souls of innumerable Indians who flocked both to the full retreat and  to his public lecture on the 24 February. 

 


February 26 - March 3, Rishikesh

International Yoga Festival

A treasure chest of wisdom, insights, answers, solutions and cures are buried within the art and science of Yoga. However, this rich science is neither esoteric nor only for the spiritual elite. Rather, yoga has something for everyone, and its value is as marked today as it was thousands of years ago when the great, ancient sage Patanjali wrote the yoga sutras. 

In the last decade, the science of yoga has gone on an exodus to the West, touching, inspiring and transforming millions of people from every walk of life, every language and every culture. One can now find yoga classes offered in cities across the globe. 

Yet, although, one may be able to take a yoga class in any one of a thousand cities worldwide, it is India that is the Mother of this science. It is here, in these ancient Himalayas, that birth was given to the intricacies, the details, and the rich possibilities of transformation inherent in Yoga. 

Keeping in view Yoga's universal appeal and applicability, Uttranchal Tourism and Parmarth Niketan Ashram organize International Yoga Festival each year. The Festival this year ran from February 26 - March 3. 

International participants from USA, UK, Portugal, Canada, Japan and India, travelled here, to the lap of the Himalayas and the holy banks of Mother Ganga not only to learn yoga, but also to live yoga. The schedule/program of classes and lectures on yoga, meditation and pranayama included the following renowned yogic experts, teachers, spiritual leaders and philosophers:

1. H.H. M.M. Swami Veda Bharatiji Maharaj
2. H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Muniji)
3. Respected Gurmukh, a world famous Kundalini yoga teacher,
4. Shri Swami Sakshatkritanandji
5. Respected Shantimayi
6. Swami Ramanandaji Saraswati
7. Brahmachari Vishwa Pal Jayantiji, a revered Pranayama and Power Yoga Expert. 
8. Smt. Pratibha Joshi, the head of Parmarth Niketan's yoga/meditation department
9. Sadhvi Bhagwati
10. Dr. Anne Glasier
11. Margo Velog a disciple of H.H. M.M. Swami Veda Bharatiji Maharaj


The participants also enjoyed a special cultural program given by young children who have been trained in special Indian dance and song, as well as a special sitar recital. 
Additionally, each evening they took part in divine Ganga Aarti on the beautiful ghat at Parmarth Niketan. 


Upcoming Events  



March 10 - April 6, 2002: Yoga Teachers Training Course 


This 4 week course includes: Syllabus: Yogasanas, Pranayama, Bandha, Mudras, Yoga Philosophy and the standard texts, Yoga Nidra, Relaxation Techniques, Music, Mantras, Meditation and Practical aspects including lesson planning and demonstrations.
To register, please CLICK HERE

 

A Special, Divine Invitation:  
JUNE 3, 2002: PUJYA SWAMIJI'S 50th BIRTHDAY 

            From June 1 � June 3, at Parmarth Niketan, in Rishikesh (Himalayas), India, on the banks of the holy Mother Ganga, there will be a special Sadhana Camp in honor of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (Muniji)�s 50th birthday. It will be a time in which people can come, have His darshan, offer their respects and love, and participate in what is sure to be a divinely charged sadhana camp.

            We will have special meditation and yoga programs, as well as a special Ayushya yagna burning for 5 continuous days. There will also be continuous chanting of japa, and daily recitations of the Bhagvad Gita by the young rishikumars.

            Devotees who come will have the opportunity to partake in any or all of the activities which appeal to them.

            There will also be special musical programs each evening, including Shri Anup Jalota and Smt. Anuradha Paudwal

            Further, as we are celebrating the birthday of one whose life is dedicated to service of the world, there will be special daily seva activities including Ganga Clean-up, plantation of sacred trees, free medical camps and children�s programs. All who come will be encouraged to take part in this divine seva, the fruits of which we will lay each evening at the holy feet of He in whose honor it was performed.

This Sadhana Camp will culminate in a large Sant Sammelan on the afternoon of June 3.

The Sant Sammelan will be graced by the presence of 

H.H. Shankaracharyaji, Bhanupura Peeth,  Swami Divyanandji Maharaj
H.H. M.M. Swami Asanganandaji  Maharaj
H.H. Sant Shri Rameshbhai Oza
H.H. M.M. Swami Gurusharananandji Maharaj
H.H. M.M. Swami Veda Bharatiji Maharaj
H.H. Dr. Pranav Pandyaji
H.H. Shri Singh Sahib, Dr. Manjit Singh
H.H. Swami Chinmayanandji, MP
H.H. Swami Harinarayananji
H.H. Swami Pragyananandji Maharaj
H.H. Acharya Kishore Vyasji
H.H. Acharya Shrikant Vyasji
H.H. Maulanna Wahiddudin Khan Sahib
H.H. Sadhvi Ritambharaji
H.H. Brahmachari Brahmaswarupji
H.H. Amrendra Muniji
H.H. Acharya Navneet Priya Shastriji
H.H. Rasayni Baba
Dr. L.M. Singhviji
Shri Anup Jalota
Smt. Anuradha Paudwal

And many more revered saints and distinguished dignitaries

            You are all invited to come and take part in this special camp, to have the blessings and darshan of so many pujya saints, and to offer your pranam and obeisance at Pujya Swamiji�s holy feet.

            As June is the busiest month anyway in Rishikesh, PLEASE write to reserve your place.
We will confirm your place after receipt of your reservation.

PLEASE RESERVE YOUR PLACE  IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1.      Go to www.parmarth.com/registration/sadhanacamp [CLICK HERE] and fill out the form

2.       Send a fax to +91 (135) 434399

3.      Send courier mail to us c/o Sadhvi Bhagwati, Parmarth Niketan; P.O. Swargashram, Rishikesh (Himalayas), Uttranchal -- 249304

UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE RESERVATIONS BY PHONE. 

 


 

Pujya Swamiji's Itinerary
February - May 2002
March April
1-7 Rishikesh   1-2 Sydney, Australia
8-11 Delhi   4-31 Rishikesh
12-14 Varanasi      
16-17 London      
21-24 Pittsburgh      
24-25 San Francisco Bay Area   May
26 Los Angeles   1-30 Rishikesh
28-29 Hawaii      
31 Sydney, Australia      
         

CLICK HERE FOR 
DIVINE MESSAGE BY PUJYA SWAMIJI


Contact information:

Phone: + (91-135) 434300; Fax: + (91-135) 434399;
E-mail:
Swamiji333@aol.com

  • Also, please note that Pujya Swamiji now observes silence (Mauna) from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. and from 2:30-4:30 p.m. He is unavailable in person or by phone during these times.

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