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Grand Opening of the Shiva Ashram Meditation Hall
On Saturday 2nd October 2010 the long awaited opening of our hall finally arrived. After a wonderful feast our guests and members of the community entered the hall which was festooned with flowers, garlands and Indian decorations.
As the crowd buzzed with excitement and anticipation the program began with a traditional palki. A murti (statue) of Bhagawan Nityananda was carried in on a palanquin while we chanted ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Nityanandaya’ and the Nityananda Arati.
After the chant Swamiji warmly welcomed everyone and then Devi Ma thanked the many people who helped build the hall noting that without their generosity and hard work it would not be here. To commemorate the opening there was then a special candle lighting ceremony as members of the interfaith community and representatives of Shiva Yoga lit a candle and placed it in a silver urn.
A ribbon cutting ceremony with Swamiji marked the official opening of the hall and then it was time for the kids darshan led by the rather startling appearance of Shiva. Dressed in a leopard skin loin cloth and with a blue face, Shiva (aka Zac) strode into the hall with a bag of ‘flat bears’ for the kids.
After kids darshan there was an Award Ceremony. Swamiji told us of how he was inspired to have an interreligious program each September 11th as a way to commemorate this day by bringing people of different faiths together. Swamiji said, “The Sages teach us that behind the many is the One…. the essence of every religion is the highest truth: God.” Even though, September 11th had past for this year, Swamiji wanted to celebrate it tonight and, in honour of this, four awards were presented:
I. Maha Seva Award - Presented to Iqbal Memmon for all his great work preparing for the Ganeshpuri retreat.
II. Swami Muktananda Award - Presented to Sandhi Kouroupidis for his work in the field of interfaith.
III. Bhagavan Nityananda Award- Presented to Panditji Abhay Awasthi for his work in the Hindu community.
IV. Sanatana Dharma Award - Presented to Rev Father John Dupuche for his interreligious work.
Each recipient was presented with a certificate and shawl and gave a short speech.
Swamiji then spoke to us saying that, “Baba’s mission was to awaken as many people as possible with Shaktipat.” He continued, “In Baba’s encounter with Bhagawan Nityananda he received Shaktipat when he met Bhagawan’s gaze. He experienced light and oneness.” On the power of kundalini Swamiji said, “Once the kundalini is awakened it works to expand consciousness. When the energy is fully expanded we become Shiva ourselves…If we increase our connectedness to the Shakti we grow closer to God.”
Swamiji referred to two of the great statements from the Upanishads:
- The Self is Brahman. Our innermost nature is divine.
- A Siddha is supremely free. The yogis say that most of our suffering is self inflicted and comes from our mind. Our true nature is beyond that.
Swamiji movingly blessed the hall with the hope that it would be a place where many would find the true Self. To end Satsang and lead us into meditation Swamiji then quoted Baba:
‘Meditate on your own Self.
Honor your Self.
Worship your Self.
Understand your Self.
God dwells within you as you.’
As darshan began, our friends from the Hare Krishna’s Bhakta Dasa and Bhakti Dasi led some devotional chants. It was a beautiful way to end a landmark evening in the history of Shiva Yoga.
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