Feeling Hearts Blog

BABA SHUDDHAANANDAA'S USA PRESENTATIONS

2011-08-30T09:08:00.006+05:30

CHICAGO AREA: LISLE, IL 9/9/2011

Simple, powerful, user-friendly tools
for stress and life management.

Where: Yoga Rhythms
6450 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532
www.Yoga-Rhythms.com 630-778-5991

When: Friday September 9, 2011

Time: 7 – 8:30 PM
(free event, donations will be collected for Baba’s missions)

For information call Margo at (630-778-5991)
Or e-mail margo@yoga-rhythms.com

Visit Baba at www.feelinghearts.org

Sri Shuddhaanandaa (Baba) is a world-renowned motivational teacher and author of numerous books. He has presented his Regeneration program at numerous venues around the world, including locally Naperville City Council, Naperville Police Dept., Foundations Fighting Blindness, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Village of Downers Grove, Math and Science Academy, Central DuPage Hospital, Rush Copley Hospital, Carmelite Center, St. Thomas, Buddhist Library. He was the keynote speaker at the Global Youth Conference, Washington. DC and lectured at Parliament of World Religions. He was a delegate to the Millennium Peace Summit at the United Nations.

SAN JOSE, CA 9/16/2011

An inspiring talk bySri Shuddhaanandaa (“Baba”)

Karma:
From bondage to Freedom

Friday, September 16th, 2011
7 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Adobe Building, Jose Higuera Adobe Park, 1830 N Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas
Near the intersection of N Park Victoria Dr and Wessex Pl

What is Karma? Is it bondage of some work done in the past? Most people say 'why should a
child or I suffer today for something which was done in some unknown previous birth (past)?’.
Sri Shuddhaanandaa will take you deeper on this most mysterious riddle of all times. His
teaching revolves around the message that karma is not punitive but is the very step toward
higher life. Join us to listen to him and feel his presence which speaks the language of his
experience.

Sri Shuddhaanandaa is a pragmatic, universal spiritual teacher from Kolkata, India, where he is
also a leading-edge sustainable development leader. Baba leads workshops around the globe.
He supports human beings in awakening to our inherent power to transform our lives from within and create healthy, balanced lives that contribute to our world. His dynamic blend of incisive intelligence, immense compassion, his vibrant presence and free-flowing delight impart theenergy and naturalness of realization to everyone in his audience.
Contact: Ashis Khan, 408-907-0103; ashis@ieee.org
http://www.feelinghearts.org/

SAN JOSE, CA 9/17/2011

An inspiring talk by Sri Shuddhaananda (“Baba”)

Making Your Mind Your Best Friend

Saturday, September 17th, 2011
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Berryessa Library, Community Room, 3355 Noble Avenue, San José

Sri Shuddhaanandaa will speak on his popular book “Making Your Mind Your Best Friend”
(available at www.amazon.com) helping you to understand the difference between the
conditioned mind and the mind that is ever anchored in the Spirit of infinite potential and
possibilities. Instead of saying 'control your mind' he brings to you a new concept of 'Befriending
the mind'. Listen to him and meditate with him to reach to the calmed state of your own friendly
mind, the Essence of your divine SELF.

Sri Shuddhaanandaa is a pragmatic, universal spiritual teacher from Kolkata, India, where he is
also a leading-edge sustainable development leader. Baba leads workshops around the globe.
He supports human beings in awakening to our inherent power to transform our lives from within and create healthy, balanced lives that contribute to our world. His dynamic blend of incisive intelligence, immense compassion, his vibrant presence and free-flowing delight impart theenergy and naturalness of realization to everyone in his audience.
Contact: Ashis Khan, 408-907-0103; ashis@ieee.org
http://www.feelinghearts.org/

PORTLAND, OR 9/18/2011

SRI SHUDDHAANANDAA BRAHMACHARI (“Baba”)

BREATHING PEACE, BREATHING JOY:
Finding Sanctuary and Inner Harmony
through the Breath

Sunday, September 18th
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Old Church, SW 11th & Clay, Portland OR 97205

The gateway to freedom, peace and joy is as close as our own breath. In the breath, we all gain direct access to the infinitely harmonious, inherently intelligent, universal energies that give birth to vibrant health, beauty and balance in living systems. In the breath, we hold the emotional space, blueprint, and possibility for the freedom, joy and health of the spirit to amplify and deepen – and, ultimately, to manifest in ourselves and the world.

Baba Shuddhaanandaa is a pragmatic, universal spiritual teacher from Calcutta, India, where he is also a leading-edge sustainable development leader. Baba leads workshops around the globe. He supports human beings in awakening to our inherent power to transform our lives from within and create healthy, balanced lives that contribute to our world. His dynamic blend of incisive intelligence, immense compassion, his vibrant presence and free-flowing delight impart the energy and naturalness of realization to everyone in his audience.

Baba will also be available for a few private appointments on Monday, September 19th.
Contact: Ann Shannon, 503-539-7844; prayerdancer1@gmail.com.

Baba Visits Bageshwar, UK Spreading Blessings

2011-08-06T10:26:00.003+05:30

Baba speaks at Mahalaxmi Temple: The Mahalaxmi Temple at Honor Oak Park, London, presided over by Sri Bankim Gossai, recipient of the honor of "Order of British Empire" welcomed with love Baba Shuddhaanandaa and devotees from Trinidad who built the temple, listened with rapt attention his nectarine words of wisdom. This is Baba's second visit to this Holy Shrine dedicated to Laxmi Narayana and other Deities of Hindu Faith. Baba said, It's all in the mind, happiness or unhappiness these are nothing but states of mind, and it is very much up to us as to what kind of mindset we create, for we only reap the consequences of our actions and thoughts in our life. The simple art of spirituality is, to grow in consciousness, so that you are conscious of your thoughts and actions and you take complete responsibility to set right your attitude to life and always be positive and faithful to the divine. He exhorted the devotees to be cautious about their thoughts and actions for they can create either bondage for them, or can lead them toward ultimate freedom. He said, there is no greater help than Self Help. it's only when we resolve to improve our life, by following the path of truth and love, forgiveness and tolerance, patience and perseverance, that we see the flowering of the seed of divinity that we all carry in our hearts. The audience was virtually mesmerized during the course of one and a half hours of Baba's lecture. Paying rich tributes to Baba's tireless work with the poor and underprivileged on the streets of Calcutta and in the remote villages of Sunderbans, Gossai ji, said, Baba Shuddhaanandaa personifies the teachings that so effortlessly flow from his mouth, which brings to life the holiest of the Hindu Scriptures in the language of the the modern times of rationality and practicality. He only wished, with all the other the devotees present at the Temple, that Baba should return to this Temple very soon for a series of lectures on practical spirituality for not less than seven days.

Gossai ji honors baba: Bankim Gossaiji, on behalf of all the devotees of Mahalaxmi Temple, honors Baba Shuddhaanandaa with a beautiful scarf as a sign of respect. Baba accepts it bowing with reverence.

Bageshwar Himalayas: standing on the terrace of Baba Lokenath Temple at Bageshwar, overlooking the picturesque snow capped mountains of Himalayas, Baba Shuddhaanandaa is inviting one and all to visit this wonderful heaven on earth.

Baba at Greenwich : Sri Shuddhaanandaa addressed the gathering at the Greenwich Temple in London on 2nd July 2011, where he spoke to devotees belonging to one of the oldest Hindu Temples of UK, on the Simple Path of finding peace and happiness in life. He led the group in to a silent meditation and also discussed at length about the simple things that every individual needs to keep in mind in order to first manage his/her own mind before one steps out to manage the minds of others. He said, happiness is not something that you can get by demanding it from others, but by sharing your inner sense of contentment in life with others first. Give before you ask, is the motto one should follow in life to see the beauty and beatitude that life offers, he said. The President of the Temple, Dr. Madhu Baksh, introduced Baba to the audience with the words, that with due respect to all the Swamis and Mahatmas, this simple saintly person brings to us a message which is fresh and new, practical and scientific. He indeed is a Saint with a difference. She promised to all the devotees, that next year when Baba comes back to London, she with the help of all others, organize a very big gathering at the most prestigious auditorium in London so that many youth and true seekers can listen to his practical approach to religion that transcends all dogmas, and sectarianism.

2011-03-12T23:59:00.000+05:30

I am in such awe and shock as i see the devastation in the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami in Japan, that i have lost all my words to express the deepest pain in my heart for hundreds of families who have lost their lives and lives of their dear ones.

Energy in her destructive manifestation is the most painful thing to witness, but the same energy in her manifestation of love is so full of compassion.

Let us all join our hearts in prayers to the Mother Divine so that She manifests Her compassionate form to her erring children. Who else but Mother can forgive Her children for any mistakes.

I do pray to all our devotees to sit in silence and feel deeply the pains of those who are in agony in Japan as if it is happening to ones who are members of their own families, and open their hearts in earnest prayers to the Lord of the Universe who is the Sustainer of life in this planet to have compassion for the afflicted in the Tsunami that hit Japan.

We have no powers other than to be in the path of Truth and Love and fill the world with positive vibrations of peace love and harmony. We can only pray with tears of devotion to melt the heart of the Most Compassionate One.

Pray and Meditate and evoke all that is Positive Light in this world for that is the need of the Hour.

Prayerful child of God,

baba

Lokenath Divine Life Mission Celebrates 25th Jubilee

2011-03-06T10:16:00.013+05:30

Lokenath Divne Life Mission, founded by Sri Sri Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari, celebrated its 25 Years of Celebration of service to the suffering humanity on 12 and 13 February 2011.

Colorful Dance presentation by the little angels of Mission run Street Children School, Kalighat

The Mission serves hundreds of thousands of poorest of the poor women and children in slums of Kolkata and islands of Sunderbans through Micro Credit, Children's Education and Community Health services with prime focus on 'Preserving dignity. Creating Consciousness'.

Children from Sunderban Village projects perform awesome gymnastics show at the Festival

Gosaba and Hingulganj islands of Sundarbans, our project hubs, come with amazing Yoga and gymnastic teams

Yoga and gymnastic is mandatory for all children in the Villages and Slum Street schools run by the Mission.

Gymnastic performance of the Mission's village schools stunned the audience.

An ailing child from our Sunderban school recovers through Yoga and gives his wonderful show

On 12 a very colorful procession through the busy streets of Kolkata "Nagar Sankirtana" was conducted followed by thrilling performance of dance and yoga by children of Village and Street schools.

Baba Lokenath (1730-1890) mounted on a decorated Chariot lead the Procession in South Kolkata on 12th Feb.

Men and women joined in large number in the procession on Calcutta streets with Baba Lokenath in a Chariot

Street and Village children of Mission's schools demonstrate "Education for all" at the procession

On 13 Holy ceremonies, distribution of prasad and also Bhajan and Chants were conducted highlighted by Baba Shuddhaanandaaji's Bhajans and enlightening discourse on Life and Teachings of Baba Lokenath and also on The art of Transcendence.

Baba Shuddhaanandaa in ecstasy chanting the Divine Name

A section of the devotees at the Auditorium listening to Baba's Chants

Distribution of Prasad to thousands of devotees

Rahsberhari School Has a New Home

2011-01-03T11:36:00.007+05:30

Baba Visits the School on the Footpaths before the Move

Baba started this street school way back in 1995 for the children and their mothers who live on the footpaths near the Rashbehari -Chetla junction of South Calcutta. Ever since many many street dwellers received not only non-formal education in this pavement school (amazing as may sound!) but lots of love and caring which they are deprived of from the very birth. Many of the children who joined the first years of the school are now grown up and are married and have children. When ever Baba visits the school that is their happiest day.

Baba with the Children at the New School

The children after spending 15 years attending their daily classes on the footpaths, where many batches of children have come and gone to better schools or homes and are employed in different capacities, are now in 2010 shifted to a rented premises very close to where they had the footpath school earlier.

Children Meditate their Gratitude for School's New Home

When Baba inaugurated the school in Dec 10 he made the children to thank God for this gift through a silent meditation for few minutes. The pictures are taken during the meditation session.One photo shows Baba's visit to the footpath school in the same month of December before the new premises was rented.Baba asked the children how do they feel in the new premises; Very Very happy said the jubilant angels.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-24T10:43:00.001+05:30

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! Christmas is the time of celebration. We say Life in its true essence is a celebration. But how many of us miss the true celebration of Life by only celebrating on a holiday, when we exchange gifts or go to parties? Is this the only time we can have fun? What is a true celebration?

During this time of the year we give ourselves a happy, joyful time, forgetting the petty differences and routine problems of day to day life. For a brief while we feel free from all the nagging frustrations and the negative challenges of routine life at home and at work. But as soon as the holidays are over, we are all back to square one! I am afraid we sometimes do not celebrate the True meaning of Christmas; we only immerse ourselves into the transient pleasures of life and name it a celebration! Just as Siddhartha Gautama is not Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama transformed is Buddha, and Buddha is but the state of Consciousness of Unity or the Enlightened Self.

So also, Jesus of Nazareth is not the Christ, Jesus transformed is Christ, and Christ is but the state of Consciousness of Unity or the Enlightened Self.
True celebration in not in the name and form of Siddhartha Gautama or Jesus, which are ever changing and transient but true celebration is in the Buddha Consciousness or Christ Consciousness, which never dies. Let us all celebrate the Birth of Christ Consciousness by being conscious of the real essence of our Being, a state of Pure Bliss. It is only in a meditative state that we truly celebrate for then the Joy gushes forth from the Essence or the Root of our Being or Self.

This celebration does not stop a few hours after the New Year’s Bash, but continues to flow as the Life flows with all its true Merriment. If we practice meditation throughout the year then Happiness will flow spontaneously in the New Year, for then we are living life INSIDE OUT.
Love flows, Happiness happens, and Peace surrounds. Baba

2,000 School Children Fed in Honor of Baba's Mother

2010-10-02T10:32:00.011+05:30

On September 21 2,000 children from the street schools of Calcutta and the villages of the Sunderbans were fed a sumptous meal in honor of Baba's mother, who recently passed.

The children were delighted to receive this gift, and were happier than ever.

Baba and Maa served some of the children with their own hands.

Baba's Mother, who was popularly known to all the devotees as Bani Ma, taught Baba the highest principle of Service to humanity as service to God. She was the very embodiment of love and compassion and showered everyone who came to her with the abundance of prayers and blessings. All through her life she was very joyful, and made everyone very happy in her presence with all her inimitable sense of humor. The devotees of Lokenath Divine Life Mission paid their richest tribute to to her eternal soul by feeding thousands of children and destitute living on the streets of Calcutta and the villages with sumptuous food.

Happy, Happy, Happy!

Baba's Visit to USA, 2010

2010-06-17T09:15:00.006+05:30

Baba mesmerized the audience when he spoke at the American Theosophical Society in Wheaton, IL, USA on May 5. He reminded everyone that our true friend is our mind which is ever anchored in our positive thoughts and Love for God. Baba signed copies of Making Your Mind Your Best Friend after his presentation. A DVD and CD were made of Baba's Presentation and will soon be available. To order a copy write Susan@feelinghearts.org

Baba spoke at several other venues when he was in the US. One of this messages wherever we went is: we all have thought attacks that lead to heart attacks. We are always unconsciously thinking, thinking, thinking. This makes our cellular bodies unhappy and leads to stress which creates heart attacks. If we dwell on the body we purge it of its impurities.

He told the audience that we all tend to look for gifts from God rather than worshipping God and giving God gratitude for what we already have. Humans are restless and are always asking “What next?” We engage in materialistic pursuits versus spending time with God. Our exerting mind is always over-reactive and worried about what we have to do, do, do. We were never taught to relax without external props, material things.

Meditation is being conscious of what you have. Count the Gifts from God before you surrender. When you find the inter-connection between you and the Divine, God dawns in you. God will chase after you. Worship the Divine of your heart. Then open yourself to the Lord, say “I surrender”.

Baba visits the Circle of Compassion Meditation Group in Naperville, IL, USA. He also visited the Hindu Temple in Wisconsin USA and several other venues. All were blessed by his presentations.

TALE OF A COLD WINTER NIGHT: COMPASSION IN ACTION

2010-01-23T11:19:00.003+05:30

Seldom has the city of Kolkata experienced such a chilling winter. Braving the fearsome cold weather Baba and two mission volunteers recently set out to distribute hundreds of warm woolen blankets to the numerous, forgotten homeless destitute who don’t even possess a square piece of cloth to shield themselves from the coldness. Every individual is dear to them, be it rich or poor, irrespective of cast creed or religion.

Tonight Baba has no specific destination in mind. As the car makes its way through the alleys and by lanes of south Kolkata he notices a number of homeless beggars who have made the pavement their temporary abode, all crinkled up, and partially covered with thin pieces of cloth. Baba gets out and with care he wraps every single one of them with warm woolen blankets.

This act of benevolence seems more like an offering to god than charity. All the poor homeless souls bow down in admiration and gratefulness for Baba’s gift to them. The whole affair seems to be an exchange of love and respect, taking place…in silence…in the cold of the winter night…whiles the whole city remains in a deep slumber.The night was becoming darker and colder. However Baba kept on moving forward and giving away blankets be it a wrinkled old man or a small handicapped boy……his service was towards humanity. Hence it was same for one and all.

A child and its mother were tucked away under a thin cloth at the corner of a street under the magnificent deep blue sky, though the wind is blowing fiercely. With love and care Baba covers them with a blanket. The mother opens her eyes in gratitude, speechless.

Baba’s work was not over yet. He keeps on walking and serving numerous homeless souls. Three small boys were sleeping alone with a thin blanket covering all three of them. Baba wraps them carefully with the thick woolen. They will sleep comfortably for the rest of the night, waking in the morning to find a beautiful present of love and warmth.

Baba Asks for Prayers and Assistance for Haiti Earth Quake Victims

2010-01-14T07:20:00.002+05:30

My heart bleeds with pain for those who have lost their lives in the Haiti Earth Quake and those who are struggling for little breath from under the debris of the destruction.

This is the time when every one of us have the opportunity to open our heart in prayer and send forth positive healing vibrations and financial support to those who are in dire need of funds. All of us from Feeling Hearts join our souls together and invoke the Higher Soul to help and heal the suffering people of this natural disaster.

Love and prayers, Baba

Happy New Year from Baba

2009-12-31T12:54:00.001+05:30

Radiant Eternal Spirits,

The mood of celebration is all over the world. Let us all celebrate the advent of 2010, a year that brings with it the promise of fulfillment of our deepest intentions.

As we think so we become. Let us breathe peace and let peace permeate every cell of our bodies and then ripple over to the rest of creations.As co-creators let us all resolve to hurt none and heal all as moments are presented to us, gifts from the Universe.

True Happiness is to share with those who are less privileged than us, care for those who need our help, and inspire others in the path of Light and Love by our own example.

Happy New Year 2010, it sums up to number 3 which represents the Guru, the Divine Force that dispels darkness. May the Divine Positive Light dispel the darkness of all negativity and fear from the hearts of us all and usher in Joy that springs eternally, effortlessly from the very core of our Beings.

May peace and bliss permeate the world.

Love and Gratitude to you all for joining me in the path of Light and Love.Baba

Baba Visits a Home for Seniors

2009-12-02T10:29:00.004+05:30

On 27 November Baba visited a home for seniors at Salt Lake, India. He shared his love and wisdom of the sages with the inmates of an old age home called Asha Niketan, which means the Home of Hope. About 30 inmates gave Baba a warm welcome. Baba said “I have come to meet my mothers and am thankful to each one of you for sharing your presence.”

Then Baba explained the Vedic period four stages of life. Brahmacharya, a period of 25 years, was where the child was a student and lived with the Master. They learned all arts,sciences, the art of Meditation and self control.

At 25 years one became a Householder, facing all the challenges of family life. Their knowledge was put to an acid test and they to matured into deeper seekers of the Wisdom.

At 50 years, they were ready to go to the Third Ashram called Vana Prastha, or the forest life. The householder gives up all family ties and retires into seclusion of the forests. Here they were immersed in the contemplation of the Divine Reality, detached from all worldly things.

Finally at 75 they were ready for the 4th Ashram called Sannyas, or State of equanimity. They lived a full 100 years as the most virtuous soul sharing the bliss of the Divine life.

Baba said "You have completed your family commitments, you have no more fetters or duties to your family, and now you are in the third stage of Vana Prastha. In olden times they would retire into seclusion, now you retire into a Home living with people of similar age and mental make up. Now is the time for you to detach your mind from all that is worldly and connected to your painful memories of the family life. It is your time to prepare your mind and soul for the 4th stage of Freedom from all bondage into a state of Divine Absorption.

Many of the senior women asked Baba "We are not able to forget the painful memories of the past; they haunt us all the time and cause all our sufferance, How do we get rid of them?”Baba said "First try to understand that the past is dead and gone, it will never come back to life. You keep it alive by feeding it with your energies. Once you know the cause you can start working from there. When ever the negative thoughts of the past come clogging your mind, wake up, and without any sense of condemnation just offer those thoughts into the Light of the Divine that you worship in your heart. Let each of the dark forces be offered to the Light so that they dissolve. You have to reverse your habitual pattern by cultivating a very Positive Attitude to everything that God has given you at this moment. Start counting your gifts, and always fill yourself with gratitude and love for all that is good with you. You only have to have the conviction that you can, and you will achieve it. Don't give up your efforts to wake up and become the worshipers of Light.

When Baba was about to leave, the old loving women came to take Baba's blessings, but Baba said, “I have come here to receive lots of blessings from my old mothers.” They were in tears, and said, "No one has come to us and showed us this path of light with such simple words and humility."

BABA VISITS STREET SCHOOL CHILDREN

2009-10-24T07:23:00.004+05:30

This is a sweet little angel from the Garcha Street school beaming with joy to receive new clothes and sweets from Baba on the eve of the festival of Durga Puja. Every year on the eve of this festive occasion, the Mission distributes new clothes to all the children of the Mission run street schools around the city of Calcutta.

Another girl from Garcha street school and she has grown up with the Mission, for when she first joined the mission run school she was a small girl of 5 years. Baba gives her the gift of news clothes to her.
Namaskar with gratitude from a young student of Garcha school

This is a very joyful girl from Kalighat Street school. The Kalighat street school draws its students from the families who live on the road side pavements and huts. They are very poor. Yet, look at the face of this girl performing a dance right on the road where the school sits with such joy and positive light on her face. The other children look on.

Isn’t she so cute! They are deprived of most things that go to make one happy in life, yet they are the children who teach us one and all, that happiness is an attitude and it is the positive light of the Soul.

Subhash is physically and mentally challenged. He joined Kalighat street school when he was a small boy, he has been with this school for last 14 years. He loves Baba and always wants to be comforted by his touch and hug. When he joined the school he could not talk nor could he walk properly, but the love and attention of the teachers and volunteers of the Mission and the Grace of Baba Lokenath (whose ardent devotee he is) transformed him and he started to talk and walk. Now he sings when the music class is on. Dance when the dancing class is on session. Paints when the drawing teacher comes to teach them creative paintings.

Baba with Subhash and the street side where the Kalighat street school is located. The children look on compassion in action.

The children of SwinHoe Street school perform “We shall overcome” the dance that steals the show. They were participating in Dance Competition hosted by another NGO in Calcutta.

Breathe for Bengal Fund Raiser a Big Success

2009-07-23T08:17:00.008+05:30

On July 18, 2009 the Circle of Compassion Meditation Group of Naperville, Illinois, USA hosted a fund raiser for Lokenath Divine Live Fellowship. The event raised over $1,000 for Baba's Mission's work.

Members of the Circle of Compassion Meditation Group prepare for the benefit the night before.

Here one of the participants gets ready to purchase a copy of Baba's book Making Your Mind Your Best Friend.

One of the members of the Circle of Compassion Meditation Group demonstrates the breathing and relaxation exercises that Baba taught to the group when he visited last May.

Another member of the Meditation Group led all the participants through several yoga poses based on Savroopa Yoga.

The evening ended with a wonderful Gong Bath where 30 bowls and a gong was played while the participants joined together in Meditaton.

Baba says:
"It is lighter music, deeper contemplation and united prayer that would create the ripples both inner and outer which would individually and collectively helpful." During this beautiful evening there was plenty of this, and all were blessed, both the receivers and the donators.

“What ever you give to the poor and needy, the Divine receives it.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABA FROM YOUR CHILDREN

2009-06-03T05:42:00.004+05:30

Dear Baba, All the street school children of LDLM Wishes You A Very Happy Birthday!! Today I made a visit to Kalighat where all the street children came up dressed for the occasion Wishing their Baba A Very Happy Birthday! Food packets were distributed to the street children from the Mission. From there I went to our Garcha center where they made an elaborate arrangement to Celebrate Baba's Birthday. They had purchased a Birthday Cake for Baba with candles. We all sung Happy Birthday To You ! Happy Birthday Baba! They all offered the cake to Baba ... One child offered me a piece of cake with her own hands which I readily had. I also went to Swinhoe slums. There children came with Roses that they offered to their Dearest Baba and prayed to him. It was all joy and fun ! We all celebrated your Birthday knowing that your Blessings are always with us. We all love you. That's what the children had to convey to Baba. They have a complain why their Baba didn't come to visit them.. I told them he is with you all the time! From Babai in Kolkata

Baba's visit to Hingalganj on February 6, 2009

2009-03-12T09:39:00.008+05:30

Baba, along with the Mission's guest Ann Shannon, made his annual visit to Hingalganj for the festival celebrating LDLM and its work. The villagers were overjoyed to see their Baba. The Self Help Group (SHG) women met Baba and escorted him to Baba Lokenath's Temple, which they e constructed with the Mission's help. Baba served 4,500 people food prepared by SHG women
with grains provided by the grain bank of Dulduli.

In the afternoon all SHG women came to meet Baba to discuss their achievements and the problems they are facing with their groups. The bank managers always give them trouble when withdrawing money from bank or a loan disbursement. Baba and LDLM Rural Program Director, Amalendu Haldar, presented details of a plan to Cluster SHGs in groups of 20. The bank manager will then have to deal with one very skilled committee that represents all SHG transactions and accounts. The committee will submit complaints to Bank officials if the bank managers obstruct the loan or banking process in any way.

Baba reminded the SHG women that the main target of the Mission is to make them economically independent and to believe in their own abilities. He assured them that Baba Lokenath's blessings are always with them in their endeavors to become self reliant, and that
the network of support that they provide to each other is an irreplaceable, precious safety net.

The villagers and SHG members then felicitated Baba and Ann and other guests with flowers. Then the children from the families of SHG members presented songs, poems, dance-drama and highly advanced yoga and gymnastics program that thrilled the crowd. Baba addressed the villagers and stressed the importance of this human body, how we are blessed as human beings to have organs like eyes, nose, ears, brain and heart, which gives us so many different types of senses. "Express your gratitude to the Lord for all these blessings and create awareness through the gift of your Body," Baba said. The villagers treasured every word Baba spoke.

Flexible to the Core, Yoga Students from Villages Perform at Annual Celebration

2009-02-27T10:00:00.005+05:30

Baba's visit to Hingalganj on 6th Feb,'2009 -- Baba, along with the Mission's guest Ann Shannon, made a visit to Hingalganj for the festival they put on celebrating LDLM and its work for Baba's annual visit.

Flexible to the Core - Our yoga teacher Nimai Biswas showed us what we can do with our body through yoga. His students gave a spectacular show of yoga and gymnastics, including human pyramids, high wire feats with fire, and having 3 fully grown, strong men get inside a single, 1/3 meter steel circle . Ann just could not believe her eyes what she witnessed. She was busy snapping away with her camera. Everybody praised our yoga teacher for his work he is doing for the villagers through Lokenath Divine Life Mission.

A talented young painter and former LDLM preprimary studentand encouraged to continue developing his artistic skills.

2009-02-19T10:01:00.001+05:30

Asgar Ali, a talented young painter and former LDLM preprimary student, had an exhibit of his work at the festival. Asgar had drawn a sketch of Baba which he showed and later presented to Baba. Baba was deeply touched by how Asgar had captured Baba's energy, and encouraged Asgar to continue developing his artistic skills.

Baba's Visit to Gosaba, Bijaynagar on 1st of February, 2009

2009-02-16T10:47:00.004+05:30

Baba and our guest, Ann Shannon, were greeted in the Bali village by the Mission's project supervisors and Self Help Group women, as Baba landed from the boat to visit the Bengal Tiger Conservation Project compound. A huge crowd formed to welcome and escort Baba to the Mission's compound at Bijaynagar. The villagers celebrated every moment Baba was with them with broad, beaming smiles.

The SHG women prepared the food to be served to 8,000 villagers from the grains collected from their own, hard earned effort. This day is special, as all the nearby villages and villagers come to participate in what has become the favorite annual local festival. They are all served a meal. Baba served food with his own hands to the children and elderly.

In the evening, all the school children and students presented a wonderful, culturally rich program of poem recitals, elegant traditional dances, music, playful nature skits, and advanced yoga. Ann Shannon, the guest of LDLM, was overwhelmed by the extraordinary program, all of the effort and planning it obviously required, and the immense talent of the performers.

She was especially pleased to hear women's personal stories of the SHGs. The people of Gosaba were delighted to see their Baba and hear Baba's inspiring words, which they will carry to their heart for the next year. Baba spoke of the importance of lending a helping hand to one another other in leading a happy and prosperous life.

A New Life Given by Lokenath Divine Life MIssion

2009-02-13T10:28:00.002+05:30

An Indian family of four living in the Sunderban region, Gosaba Bally district, Vijaynagar village, was stricken by poverty. The family consisted of a brother named Koushik Bera, a sister named Bandita Bera, and their father and mother. Due to unfortunate reasons the mother fell seriously ill and was admitted to a local hospital. The family did not have money to pay for proper medication so it was not given to her. As a result she suffers from a chronic mental illness. The children’s father was a mason and used to come for work in Kolkata. While in Kolkata, he remarried and neglected his earlier family totally. He would not even send money to his family.
Brother Koushik was adopted by a school teacher and Bandita was left alone in the house. Stricken by poverty she was left with no option but to borrow from people in the name of her father. As the lenders came to know about it they realized they would never get their money back. They tried to molest little Bandita. Bandita somehow managed to flee from their grasp and fled home. Panic stricken, she would not come out of the house. She lay at home without food for fifteen days.

A local coordinator of Lokenath Divine Life Mission contacted Baba and informed him of the situation of little Bandita. Baba instantly asked the coordinator to take steps and rescue Bandita. The Mission took full responsibility for Bandita and shifted her to a safe place and arranged for her food and daily needs. She was admitted to school where she was studying in ninth standard. This year she has passed her 10th grade examination by the grace of God.
Now she has been admitted to 11th grade and she is happily staying in a student's hostel adjacent to the school. She gave a spectacular solo dance performance. Her dancing talent is immense, but she is also very bright and now has 4 tutors to foster her rapidly advancing academic life. Under the loving guidance of the SHG women and the Mission, she is flourishing as never before. Baba blessed her with all his heart as she grows into a perfectly healthy, accomplished young woman.

Lokenath Divine Life Fellowship President Ann Shannon visits the Sunderbans with Baba

2009-02-12T10:31:00.006+05:30

Ann Shannon, President of Lokenath Divine Life Fellowship, a branch of Lokenath Divine Life Mission in the United States, was recently a guest of the Self Help Group (SHG) women in the Sunderbans and accompanied Baba on his annual visit.

While there Ann heard many true stories of how incredible the SHG are!

SHG Group Intervenes to Save Village
Family in Time of Health Crisis

When a Gosaba area village woman recently fell critically ill and required Rs. 30,000 for immediate hospitalization and treatment, the family was going to be forced to sell their land, their only means of survival. The local LDLM SHG called an emergency meeting to discuss whether they could lend the large sum of money to the family. The woman was not an SHG member, so this loan would be made outside of the SHG's rules. The group members had to wrestle with the very real question of what would happen if the family could not pay the money back, since that would threaten the very survival of the SHG and its ability to function. Binodini Mondal, the cashier of the SHG since 1997, and Anima Mondal, SHG President, and Sushma Mondal, the Group's Secretary, stepped forward to personally guarantee repayment of the huge sum over time if for any reason the loan was not repaid. The SHG voted to make the loan. The woman received the necessary treatment and is now safely home and well, with her family. Because of the SHG's generosity, the family had the time necessary to raise the funds from other sources. They repaid the loan in only 2 months.

"This is so moving," Ann Shannon said to Baba, "it demonstrates so profoundly the difference that SHGs are making at a human level, the power of their commitment to everyone in their village, and why SHG members are becoming such powerful, honored and respected leaders in their local areas. I cannot imagine a Westerner making this kind of financial commitment to help a neighbor. The power and importance of what SHGs are doing to create a sense of family in their villages is unfathomable.

Share Ann's joy, and help the women and children! If you are in the United States you can make a tax deductible donation to Lokenath Divine Life Fellowship on this site.

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

2009-02-05T10:01:00.003+05:30

We encourage you to make comments on this blog! Your feedback helps us to continue the good work LDLM is doing. We love to hear from you, you are our family, supporting us and sharing with us this beautiful service to God in helping the poor and the needy!

Thank you from Baba and LDLM!

SARASWATI PUJA CELEBRATED AT THE STREET SCHOOLS ON 31ST JAN, 2009

2009-02-05T09:49:00.007+05:30

Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of learning in Kolkata. All the street school students of Kalighat, Rashbehari, Swinhoe and Garcha schools are taught to pray to Goddess Saraswati and ask for her blessings so that they all grow up enriched with the power to constantly learn and evolve. Through learning and evolution they then have the tools to fight their poor economic condition and bring smiles in the faces of their parents.

Lokenath Divine Life Mission is committed to bring these street children into mainstream schooling and instill them with confidence in themselves. The Teachers constantly remind the children “Yes, we are with you! You can do it as every other normal child does!” The Mission believes that planting the seed of education in these children will enable them to overcome their miseries and make them bloom in times to come.

Sports Held for all the Street Schools of Lokenath Divine Life Mission

2009-01-23T11:30:00.006+05:30

17^th January ’09, Saturday was a day full of fun and joy for all the little children of our street schools . This day they all participated in sports meet organized by Lokenath Divine Life Mission.

Little students came well dressed raring to go on the field. The children were so happy they all came to Baba for his blessings. Baba was also full of ecstasy to see his little children bouncing with energy. The events were 100 mts run for the boys and the girls, biscuit race, skipping for girls, spoon and marble race, letter run and a 50 mts run for little children. In total 31 boys and 64 girls participated in the Sports. Each of them gave their best in the events. Baba distributed toffees to them. After successful completion of all the events the children had their lunch on the field. Then there was prize distribution, they were so proud to receive their prizes. Children were distributed little colorful hats which they wore and went to our Ashram and prayed to Baba Lokenath before leaving for their homes.

Let Baba’s grace be on the blessed souls.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM BABA

2008-12-24T21:09:00.003+05:30

We are, once again, at the brink of completing one more year of our journey of life on this most blessed planet Mother Earth. We all are passing through a transition time in the human history. On the one side we see millions all over the world meditating, praying and worshiping the Divine from diverse paths only for individual and World Peace. On the other side we see thousands of people who are trained in acts of barbaric terrorism which are unleashed on the most innocent and loving souls.

It is also the irony of fate that at the same time, the overwhelming greed in the minds of people and the financial institutions in advanced countries are leading us into a global economic crisis of unprecedented dimensions. The gloom seems to be deepening every day.

But we humans are blessed with the infinite power of our Spirit and Mind. This is not the time when we can allow ourselves to be overpowered by the reality of the crisis. We need to always remind ourselves of the reality of the Higher World, the Power of Positive Mind. If individually and collectively we evoke our Positive emotions of prayerfulness and meditation, if we usher in the New Year with our heart and soul surrendered at the Altar of the Divine, who is Infinite Compassion, then we all can be instruments of divine transformation.

By denying the lower forces we can allow space for the Higher forces to work in our individual lives and also in the collective life of humanity. Yes, we all want nothing in this world today and in the New Year but Peace, abiding peace for all beings on earth. Yes, it is possible provided you and I join hands together in Spirit, and walk the path of positive light and grace and spread ions of peaceful coexistence and spiritual oneness.

May Christ Consciousness, which is divine consciousness, touch our souls and uplift us to welcome the New Year with open hearts and open minds of optimism, peace and happiness.

Love prevails in our hearts in union with the Divine,
Baba

LITTLE HANDS IN MOTION AT LDLM STREET SCHOOL PAINTING CONTEST

2008-11-16T11:51:00.002+05:30

Teachers from Lokenath Divine Life Mission street schools celebrated children's day on November 14. All the children were overjoyed when they heard there would be a painting competition. They were given paper, pencils and colored crayons to draw their imagination on paper. Little hands were put in motion. Slowly, slowly their canvases came alive with their scribbles. After coloring their drawings they proudly came up to the teacher to show their drawings. Their eyes and face were gleaming with the joy of creation and excitement that Baba will see their drawings. Baba will award prizes to the winners soon!

Tiny Girl's Burns Helped By Mobile Health Clinic

2008-10-21T09:55:00.017+05:30

This little 3 year old child named Radhika Paswan is a regular patient to the Lokenath Divine Life Mission Mobile Medical Clinic. When she was one year old she was badly burned in a cooking accident in her home. She suffered from multiple burn injuries.

LDLM's mobile medical van came to her rescue as there is no nearby hospital and her parents cannot afford the costly medical treatment. She was treated for burn injuries through Homeopathy. She was thoroughly cured over time. Now she suffers from allergic cough and is undergoing treatment from mission’s doctors.

LDLM's mobile medical van serves so many poor families like Radhika who live in the slums of Kolkata. It is the lifeline of the slums, giving medical advice, medicines, and treatments to the poor and downtrodden. The slum dwellers thank Lokenath Divine Life Mission for carrying on the mobile medical service for over 16 years.

School Children's Faces Light Up With Gift Of Clothes From Baba

2008-10-11T09:29:00.013+05:30

In October Baba made a visit to Swinhoe Street School. The students were full of joy to see Baba come to their school. The children presented yoga, dance and recitations to Baba and a huge gathering of the people from the community. It was so lovely to hear poems from their soft voices. Baba praised each and every one of them and encouraged them with applause and cheers.

It was a true celebration to see the kids faces lighting up as Baba pulled out the most beautiful outfits and handed them over to the little children. It was indeed a true celebration to see the children in such joy going back home with their prize possession.

Garcha Street School Sponsored

2008-10-01T09:42:00.003+05:30

Garcha Street school was established by Baba Shuddhaanandaa in the year 1995. The people of Garcha are mainly migrant labourers from neigbouring states doing menial jobs in kolkata and are from lower starta of the society. The mission wants to pull them out of social deprivations. The children are offered training on the practice of hatha yoga, meditation, creative art, dancing apart from literacy.The initial batches of students from this school were groomed enough to join better schools run by government and private houses. Our task was to create interest in their hearts through fun, playful education and love.Our experience says what they needed most is for somebody to say they are wonderful children of god and deserve to become worthy citizens of mother India. Love has the power to transform and raise the spirits of each soul to its highest sense of Freedom.We on behalf of Lokenath divine Life Mission in Calcutta do express our sense of gratitude and thankfulness to Connie Weaver for her generosity and love for these destitute yet smiling children of God.

Young, Inspiring Trailblazers for the Street Schools and Active Compassion

2008-09-20T09:34:00.008+05:30

Carleen Sinton and Jamey Rossano, two 12 year old friends who live in Boston, have been collecting and sending money for the street schools for over a year now. Last Fall, after Carleen's grandma told them about the street schools, Carleen and Jamey got very excited. They wanted to adopt a school. They wanted to do something for these children who had so much less than they did! They quickly got to work raising money to help support the schools. During the school year, they created a program they called "Save The Change" and got their families to save all their coins. Their efforts generated two separate $100 contributions for the schools . Carleen's grandparents were so inspired by Carleen and Jamey's efforts that they sent $400 for the street schools. Then this past summer Carleen started making bracelets to sell in order to raise more money. She makes bracelets and sells them for $1 each; so far, she has raised $23. Jamey has also started making bracelets now; he plans to sell them in his Mother's store. Carleen and Jamey have also sent letters, artwork and photos over to the street schools, so that the children in the schools can learn something about other people in the world, and will know that others in the world love them and think about them. One of Carleen and Jamey's goals is to get some bit of communication going with the children and themselves. (If anyone would be interested in periodically translating a few letters into Bengali from English, and from English to Bengali for that purpose, please email raehack@comcast.net to volunteer). We all have a lot to learn from Carleen and Jamey, their open hearted vision and concentrated effort to reach out and serve others in need.

Baba Meets Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Dr. Md. Yunus

2008-09-20T09:16:00.004+05:30

Baba recently met with Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. Md. Yunus , pioneer in the field of Micro Credit as a tool for eradication of poverty. Baba had a long meeting with him in Calcutta on the 17th of August from 5-10 pm, discussing the different aspects of Baba's Micro Credit Program. Baba’s program is being implemented in its purest form in India, vis a vis the model that Prof. Yunus developed in Bangladesh through the Bangladesh Grameen Bank. It was a very fruitful discussion about the possibilities and limitations of the implementation of the model in India. The Nobel Laureate promised Baba all help and cooperation. He highly praised the work that Baba has been doing to empower women in the villages of India, particularly in Sunderbans in West Bengal since the early 90'.

Meditation Group Sponsors Swinhoe Street School

2008-09-13T08:22:00.008+05:30

Baba Shuddhaanandaa started Swinhoe Street School to try to give the slum children the feeling that they are important in this world, and that there are people from their own country and other countries of the world who love them and adore their capabilities and creativity.

The children who come to Swinhoe Street School are from nearby slums in Calcutta. Their parents earn through doing menial work such as cleaning people’s homes, carriers of luggage and goods on their heads in the nearby railway station. The Swinhoe slum is situated beside the railway tracks in South of Calcutta. The road to the slum is a dark narrow lane with small shacks on the both sides. The shacks are so small that it is difficult to believe that any human being can fit into it let alone live in it.

The parents are so poor that they are unable to send their children to school. Even some of the parents force their children to go and do odd jobs to earn money for the family thereby robbing the right of the child to go to school and have a natural childhood. These children are abused daily at home. Some of the children roam the streets the whole day doing all kinds of mischievous activities. Our mission’s main role is to make them feel that they are loved.

One of the major focuses of the street schools is to fight the curse of child labor. The Mission continually educates the parents on the need for education for the children and encourages them to not just think of earning some money out of their child's labor.

The major challenge for the Mission is to first bring the children to the school and then hold their attention. To facilitate that major focus is given to the Play Way Method of education. Along with literacy they are continually encouraged to explore their innate creativity and playfulness.

The children are offered training on the practice of Hatha yoga, Meditation, Creative art, Dancing apart from literacy. The initial batches of students from this school were groomed enough to join better schools run by government and private houses. Our task was to create interest in their hearts through fun, playful education and love. Our experience says what they needed most is for somebody to say they are wonderful children of God and deserve to become worthy citizens of mother India.

The Naperville, Il Meditation Group has recently agreed to sponsor this school. Their contributions will cover a honorarium for teachers, school supplies, daily snacks for the children, and an outfit of clothing during the holiday season.

We on behalf of Lokenath Divine Life Mission in Calcutta do express our sense of gratitude and thankfulness to the Naperville Meditation Group for their generosity and love for these destitute yet smiling children of God.