SHARAD SANGAM 2010

This yearly event, which we all look forward to, comes with ever-new inspiration and new -tidings of joy each time. Once again with great anticipation of meeting, greeting, and meditating with all of you, we warmly extend our invitation. We invite eligible YSS devotees to join us for a week-long spiritual fellowship during the Sharad Sangam from November 14 – 20, 2010.

The Sharad Sangams, are replete with satsangas, meditations, review of Gurudeva’s techniques of meditation, Energization Exercises, bhajan sessions, spiritual counselling by sannyasis, and Kriya Yoga diksha. However, what is overwhelmingly predominant is the unmistakable presence of Guruji and the Great Ones during these days.

For all of us here at the Ashram, it is a divine opportunity to serve our Guru in all of you. We want you to enjoy the sylvan beauty of the Ashram, the angelic expressions of devotees, and the presence of Gurudeva.
Although we want all of you to be a part of this blessed experience, due to limited accommodation, we would have to request devotees from Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Orissa, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh not to register for this Sangam. However, we may make exception for new Lessons students from these States who have enrolled after September 2010, and for those who would like to take formal Kriya Yoga diksha.

Devotees from these States will have an opportunity to attend the Gurudeva’s Janmotsav function in January 2011 to be held simultaneously in Bhubaneswar and Jodhpur or the Sadhana Sangam in Delhi in October 2010. Separate bulletins giving details of the Janmotsav and Sadhana Sangam functions will be mailed to all devotees shortly.

Please note that only YSS devotees may attend the Sharad Sangam. Relatives of YSS devotees and children under 15 years of age, are not eligible to attend the Sharad Sangam. Also, owing to the Sangam’s concentrated schedule of activities, we request devotees with fragile health or debilitating conditions not to apply, but are most welcome to visit the Ashram at other suitable times.

All devotees intending to participate in the Sangam may prepare themselves well in advance, by regularly studying the teachings of Guruji and by practising his principles as far as possible. This united effort will help us all make the Sangam an unforgettable event that will nurture our journey toward God.

Gurudeva said, “May we all realize the joy of such occasions as this Convocation, and receive such upliftment from these experiences that the darkness of ignorance may be forever dispelled by the beacon light of that joy.”
           May God bless all your spiritual ambitions and noble aspirations.

SANGAM OVERVIEW

The Sangam will be a weeklong spiritual fellowship uniting devotees in the highest sense — their shared love for God. The schedule will include group meditations, satsangas, explanation of the meditation techniques, bhajan sessions, and audio-visual presentations on Gurudeva. The schedule has been prepared to provide opportunities for personal spiritual counselling with sannyasis and also ample time for rest and relaxation.

MEDITATIONS

Monastics will lead the twice-daily group meditations throughout the week. The Dhyana Mandir and all the sacred shrines in the Ashram will be open for individual meditations.

YOGODA SATSANGA MEDITATION TECHNIQUES

The techniques of concentration and meditation and also the Energization Exercises will be thoroughly explained and demonstrated. Classes will be conducted in English and Hindi.

SATSANGAS AND CLASSES

We endeavour to select topics that are of the greatest benefit to devotees for their threefold development of body, mind, and soul. Sannyasis will deliver talks on various aspects of the spiritual life, based on the teachings of Gurudeva to help devotees gain deeper insights and help progress on the spiritual path.

KRIYA YOGA DIKSHA

All Kriyabans attending this year’s Sharad Sangam will have the opportunity to participate in a Kriya Yoga diksha ceremony to be held on November 18, 2010, along with the new devotees receiving Kriya Yoga initiation.

ELIGIBILITY FOR RECEIVING KRIYA YOGA

Devotees who have completed the study of the first 52 Lessons are eligible to seek Kriya Yoga diksha. If you are one such, please send your answers to the questionnaires at the end of Steps I and II of the Yogoda Satsanga Lessons (enclosed with Lessons 26 and 52, respectively) to Yogoda Satsanga Ashram, Ranchi, before September 14, 2010. If your answers are found satisfactory, you will be informed of your suitability for the diksha.
Even if you will  be  eligible  by November 2010, and will be coming for the Sharad Sangam, you may submit the answers to the questionnaires, for consideration on your arrival at the Ashram.

VOLUNTEERS

Many of you have so enthusiastically served in different areas in previous years. Your devoted service helps to make the Sharad Sangam a success. As on earlier occasions, many devotee-volunteers will be needed this time too. Some of the areas where you could help are: Registration office, accommodation arrangements, audiovisuals, stage-arrangement, bookstall, canteen, decorations, kitchen, maintenance, medical, sanitation, security, ushering, etc. In some of these areas a few volunteers will be needed one week before the function and a few volunteers may have to stay up to 3 days after the function.
If you would like to volunteer please fill in the Registration Form. After receiving this information, we will select volunteers for various areas of work and guide them.

PROGRAMME

The Sharad Sangam will begin on the morning of Sunday, November 14, and end at noon of Saturday, November 20, 2010. You may plan your arrival and departure accordingly. Except for volunteers, devotees are requested not to arrive at the Ashram before November 13, 2010 nor stay beyond November 21, 2010.