"That which is neither conscious nor unconscious, which is invisible, impalpable, indefinable, unthinkable, unnameable, whose very essence consists of the experience of its own self, which absorbs all diversity, is tranquil and benign, without a second, which is what they call the fourth state--that is the Atman. This it is which should be known."- Atharva Veda, Mandukya Upanishad 7.VE, 723

During these few weeks of Sadhua Paksha, the monastics have been enjoying a different morning routine. Instead of their usual group Siva puja and meditation they are rising before the sun to wander through nature and perform their sadhana. Here are a few images from their wanderings.

Devotees around the world are honoring Gurudeva today. It has been 5,738 days since his Great Departure, and today was our 209th monthly honoring of that day. A devotee sent an amazing and apt video of Nallur Temple festival in Sri Lanka.

The interesting thing is that the sound track is Yogaswami's Natchintanai talking about Nallur, where he met his guru, Chellappaswami. The power of the paramparai can be seen in this short video, a power enhanced by the fact that Chellappaswami lived in the chariot house on the temple grounds for years.

It was here, too, that he shook the bars and demanded from Yogaswami, "Who do you think you are?" That question was the seed of all that Kauai's Hindu Monastery is today.

Remember, we are going to Nallur Temple in Jaffna in February, 66 of us. Jai Nandinatha Sampradaya!

See the video here

Don't miss Bodhinatha's fascinating commentary on Lord Ganesha!

The monks' favorite topic of discussion is meditation. The ramifications of meditation can take many years to understand and a lifetime to fully appreciate but as we advance in years we have more time to devote to our meditation study, while also having less energy going to the passions of the body. Our energies naturally turn inward with each experience and over the many lifetimes we cycle through there is a steady inclination towards meditation. If you are reading this then that is a good indication you are indeed ready to pursue serious meditation.

The Shum language offers seekers a chance to navigate the many channels of our consciousness with confidence. Without a system of meditation we can easily get lost in thoughts or activities that the mind has within it. You need a map and we have one for you.

Let's look at April's Shum meditation together and see what we can get done. April's Shum map is called Kanif. Kanif names the contemplative lifestyle found within the structure and vocabulary of the Sum language. This map doesn't go into many inner details insomuch as it indicates that by learning the Shum language, understanding the mind's various aspects can become an indelible experience.

The inner meaning of this fifth-dimensional portrait is a state of being silent on the inside, so absolutely still that all life goes on around you while you remain centered. You are in the state of kanif when you feel your inner energies as being at the center of the universe--still, blissful, quiet.

When you are ready to explore Shum on your own, check out our Shum booklet that was published just for you. The book is free to download and gives much more detail on this topic then we have time for here!

You are officially invited to attend our 2018 and 2019 Innersearches to the island of Sri Lanka! Here is your opportunity to travel with Satguru and his monks for personalized instruction in The Master Course. Twenty-four Innersearch travel-study programs have been held since 1967, taking hundreds of seekers to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tahiti, Hawaii, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Russia, Switzerland, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius and dozens of other regions. You can be sure that Innersearch is not your typical vacation but a travel experience that combines the mystical path of Indian spirituality with a superlative retreat from your day-to-day routine.

Each voyage is a pilgrimage to the divine and spectacular inside of you. The beauty, color and grandeur of the outer voyage is but a reflection of a rich inner voyage as we delve the within together. A typical day includes morning classes exploring the esoterics of meditation and discussing how to live a spiritually dynamic life in a modern world and visits to holy places. There are hatha yoga and meditation classes, question-and-answer sessions, and lots of time for informal sharing with Bodhinatha and the swamis. Some of the most enriching moments are when we meet with local Hindus, often joining in grand celebrations as they welcome us to their temples and cultural centers.

The next Innersearch will be a two-week journey to northern Sri Lanka with fifty participants, scheduled to begin in Colombo, February 19 and end March 1 of 2018. An identical program, also leaving in February, is planned for 2019. On both Innersearches there will be days of classes and visits to the temples and holy places associated with the Gurus of our Parampara. Watch the Innersearch Travel-Study page on our website to see details about costs and about how the program planning is progressing and to submit your application

The monks gathered in the morning, after a sadhu paksha meditation, and worshipped Sri Yogaswami of Jaffna in their humble way.

The weather is getting warmer on kauai, from a cold and bitter 68F to a tropical 75F, and we are enjoying the enormous shift. A yogi walked around the monastery to see who would land in front of his camara and a long day of activity ensued. The dance video link: Youtube channel

Bodhinatha's Latest Upadeshas - Mahasivaratri Upadesha, 2017
" Mahasivaratri, 2017 - The Four Stages of Your Personal Evolution." (February 24, 2017)

The soul body takes many lifetimes to mature. The height of divine consciousness: There is no difference between you and God. Spiritualize what you are doing as you engage in the world. Unwind the karmas of the past. The stages in Saiva Siddhanta: Charya, kriya, yoga-meditation and jnana. In jnana you and Truth are one. Go deeply enough in meditation to identify with That which is eternal, always existed, never changed: Siva, Satchidananda, Pure Consciousness, Absolute Reality. Ask yourself: "What is the void or the nothingness which is the source of this consciousness?" Then you're getting close, getting close.

Merging with Siva Lesson 317

Tirumantiram

Words of Our Master

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Click here to go to an index of all of Bodhinatha's and Gurudeva's online audio.

Bodhinatha's Latest Upadeshas, Commentary on the Path to Siva, Lesson 18:
" Our Affirmation of Faith - All-Pervasive Love, Absolute Reality" (February 27,2017)

"God Siva is Immanent Love and Transcendent Reality." Devotion is present in each of Saiva Siddhanta's four paths in our relationship to God. When we begin the soul feels God is really far away. As we get closer and closer as in the lover and Beloved, it means a oneness. You alone exist and you are love. Love alone exists, which is Siva, but which is also you. I am Transcendent Reality and Immanent Love.

Path to Siva, Lesson 18

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Click here to go to an index of all of Bodhinatha's and Gurudeva's online audio.