What Is Sadhana?

“Sadhana is practiced…wherever a pure, serene atmosphere can be found.” Achieve steadiness, control of emotions through abhyasa-regular consistent practice with devotion, yoga-the restraint of mental activities and vairaghya-dispassion. Like the growth of a kauri tree, it’s a slow process; check it every few years, see the progress.

Path to Siva, Lesson 43

Nartana Ritau – A Season For Planning

Bodhinatha describes Nartana Ritau, one of three seasons as created by Gurudeva. Each season corresponds to a book of the Master Course Trilogy. Nartana Ritau-Dancing with Siva-philosophy, begins on the Tamil New Year and is a time for planning.

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What Is Sadhana?

Nartana Ritau – A Season For Planning

Aum Namah Sivaya

Our Monks have come to the end of their week and tomorrow will begin a two-day retreat. Everything at the aadheenam is going along in its usual wonderful way, with the added bonus of the sound of chipping stones at Iraivan Temple.

Nasadiya Sukta
RV X, 129
1. At first was neither Being nor Nonbeing.
There was not air nor yet sky beyond.
What was its wrapping? Where? In whose protection?
Was Water there, unfathomable and deep?
2. There was no death then, nor yet deathlessness;
of night or day there was not any sign.
The One breathed without breath, by its own impulse.
Other than that was nothing else at all.
3. Darkness was there, all wrapped around by darkness,
and all was Water indiscriminate. Then
that which was hidden by the Void, that One, emerging,
stirring, through power of Ardor, came to be.
4. In the beginning Love arose,
which was the primal germ cell of the mind.
The Seers, searching in their hearts with wisdom,
discovered the connection of Being in Nonbeing.
5. A crosswise line cut Being from Nonbeing.
What was described above it, what below?
Bearers of seed there were and mighty forces,
thrust from below and forward move above.
6. Who really knows? Who can presume to tell it?
Whence was it born? Whence issued this creation?
Even the Gods came after its emergence.
Then who can tell from whence it came to be?
7. That out of which creation has arisen,
whether it held it firm or it did not,
He who surveys it in the highest heaven,
He surely knows or maybe He does not!

It's been one year since we first started the process of growing Shitake mushrooms using our own naturally fallen ironwood. Once the logs are inoculated, it can take up to 18 months before the first fruiting, and consequently confirmation that the process was done correctly! We are happy to report that our first inoculation was a success!