The Heart of Yoga With Shree Swamiji

The Spiritual Heart of Yoga

At Barsana Dham, under the Divine guidence of H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, (Shree Swami Ji) we learn about the spiritual heart of yoga.

The spiritual heart of yoga is the recognition that we are not only physical beings. We have a Divine energy within us. Yog helps us to improve our physical and mental wellbeing. It gives us clarity of thought and peace of mind. The spiritual essence of yog helps us to experience fulfillment because our inner self is longing for perfect happiness. At Barsana Dham we learn what that happiness is and how to find it.

Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, Shree Swamiji, says that the Sanskrit word bhakti comes from a root word which means to serve. The word yog comes from a root word that means to join. So, through bhakti yog we develop our feelings of love and relationship with God. Bhakti is the heart of all true yoga because the word yoga itself means union of the heart and mind with God. Barsana Dham hosts workshops and retreats on hatha yog and yogic breathing processes for enhancing physical well being. But on a more important and deeper level, it teach about the nature of the soul, cosmic energy (maya) and God.

Bhakti is the heart of all spiritual practices and all true religions. Shree Swamiji says that Opening of the heart and the loving aspect of devotion is the essence of true spirituality.

It’s very valuable to understand that the Bliss of God, God’s love, can be experienced by anyone. Learning how to become receptive to experience that love is something very special. Barsana Dham, through its retreats, intend to guide a person to experience for themselves what already exists within their own heart. Because the chants that are sung at Barsana Dham are imbued with Divine love and Graced by Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj they are very special. That Divine love can be experienced by anyone who is open to receive it.

Barsana Dham retreats and satsang programs help us to develop our positive potential and to gain a deeper and enriched understanding and experience of God’s love. In English, the word God is not clearly defined, but in Sanskrit there are many, many words for the single Supreme Divinity, which has uncountable Divine powers and Divine aspects. Specifically, Swami Prakashanand Saraswati teaches about the supreme power of God – the power of Divine love, and how to experience that love in our lives. This philosophy explains how to live a spiritual life so that our practice is not just an intellectual study or physical experience.

When we trace the yog practices that we see prevalent in the Western world back to their original source, we find they were part of a greater system that was spiritual. The lectures of Swami Prakashanand Saraswati reconsile and explain how all the true teachings of the original masters of various practices and religions from India are part of one greater whole.

Barsana Dham, by holding satsang programs and retreats on yoga, is a multifaceted, precious spiritual resource. The Workshops, intensives and retreats are regularly held at the ashram. The Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple established at Barsana Dham is one of the largest Hindu temples in the United States. Inside the temple meditation hall a natural depiction of the sky and a decorated shrine provide a serene atmosphere for meditation. Large glass windows look out over the lotus pond fountains and 200 acres of beautiful Texas hill country on which Barsana Dham is established.

(Used with permission from Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, Barsana Dham. © 2002-2009. All rights reserved.)

Upcoming Hindu Family Camps at Barsana Dham, Austin

Upcoming Hindu Family Camps at Barsana Dham, Austin
Thurs, November 26th – Sun, November 29th

An awakening of the great value of Indian culture, heritage and spirituality will be received by attending this extraordinary Family Camp at JKP Barsana Dham Austin. Kids will experience pride in being Hindu, and the whole family will have a new devotional way to share time together. Through lively learning sessions, authentic Hindu knowledge will be shared.Take this opportunity to absorb yourself in the teachings of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, and taste the sweetness of Radha Krishn devotion in your life.

In an easy style and a serene setting, adults, teens, youths and children will learn devotional philosophy that provides answers to fundamental questions such as, “Who am I? Who is God? Am I separate from God? How can I meet God?”

Through the teachings of the scriptures of Sanatan Dharm, the answers to these core questions of our life will unfold and participants will gain a firm faith and pride in the Hindu heritage.

Every aspect of the camp has been designed by H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati specially for families.

For more information about Barsana Dham and Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, visit www.BarsanaDham.org

Barsana Dham: A Taste of India in Austin

The Barsana Dham: A Taste of India in Austin

Barsana Dham – the Beautiful US Ashram of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj

Author: Joe Cline

Most expect that to be able to see a true Hindu temple you would have to travel to . . . well . . . India, or at least a country in which Hinduism is a more dominant religion. But that’s not necessarily true. Throughout the years, as immigration has become more common, Hindu temples have been erected wherever believers have settled, including in America, including in Texas.

The Barsana Dham is located just south of Austin in the hill country. It was built in 1990 and today is the main U.S. center of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, a holy man in Hinduism born in 1922 in Mangarh village. It is said that all who saw his sweet smile and serene look loved Jagadguru Kripaul Parishat from the start. His virtues and intelligence were lauded from a young age, particularly when, at age 14, he traveled to Indore to study Sanskrit literature and mastered every topic he chose to tackle. At age 16, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat finished school and took up his Divine nature. He spent the rest of his life, which continues on today, teaching the people of India and all who would listen about his beliefs and ideals as a divine and devout Hindu man.

In 1990, Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat gave his blessing for the creation of Barsana Dham. It was designed on a 200-acre property to be a representation of the holy land of Braj, where Shree Radha Rani and Shree Krishn appeared more than 5,000 years ago. Those who visit it are meant to take from the Temple and its surroundings a sense of serenity and calm that often cannot be found in the outside world. It is also hoped that visitors will walk away having learned of the knowledge of the Vedas, the Gita and the Bhagwatam, as well as the process of divine love consciousness, the energy Hindus believe unites one man’s soul with the Supreme God.

Every year, all the major Hindu festivals are celebrated at Barsana Dham in the traditional style. For example, in September, Radha Ashtmi is celebrated. This is a day commemorating when Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani descended into Barsana. The celebration begins with chanting of the leelas and virtues of the goddess, followed by more chanting and praying and a prepared lunch. It is a day in which many in the United States come to celebrate, just as all of the other Hindu festivals are from Mela Fair to Maha Shivrati to Jhulan Leela.

Truly, Barsana Dham is not a place to be missed when you are in Austin, regardless of whether you are there for religious or simply tourist purposes. But do be aware that the visiting hours are compact; general visiting is only permitted between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., daily. At those times, all may visit the holy places, view the temple architecture and take in the beautiful culture living within the site. At other times of the day, holy services are taking place and it is requested that general visitors not roam the grounds.

About the Author:

About the Author:

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas REALTOR. Other articles written by the author related to Austin REMAX Realtor Blog and Austin Real Estate Agent can be found on the net.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Barsana Dham: A Taste of India in Austin

Copyright Notice

All content used with permission from Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, Barsana Dham. © 2002-2008. All rights reserved.

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Barsana Dham

Barsana Dham Evacuee Guests

Visitors to Barsana Dham, speaking about their time there.

Barsana Dham Appeal

With the blessings of H.D. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, Barsana Dham is conducting a Bihar Flood Appeal.

Dear Friends,

The organization I am affiliated with, JKP Barsana Dham in Austin, TX is conducting a disaster relief fundraising drive to help flood victims in India, called the Bihar Relief Campaign.  Our sister organization in India has just donated $450,000 to provide relief for those affected by the floods.  We have started a drive in the U.S. to support their efforts.

Nearly one million people in the Northeastern Indian state of Bihar were displaced from their homes when the banks of the Koshi river burst over its banks in Nepal, sending walls of water to Bihar in the worst flood in 50 years.

More than 400 villages are uninhabitable and aid has yet to reach many of those affected.  The state is facing a severe shortage of supplies.

Please help us reach our immediate goal of sending $150,000 to India which will provide much needed medical supplies, clothing, temporary shelter and food for the nearly one million displaced villagers.

To donate visit: www.BarsanaDham.org or call (512) 288-7180 x30

P.S. There is strength in numbers, so please forward this message to your friends, co-workers and relatives and ask them to do the same.

You can also mail your check to:
Meenu-Vinod Kapoor
P.O. Box 5834
Pasadena, CA 91117-0834

If you have any questions, please call me at: 626-351-5253

Thanks for your support,

Meenu-Vinod Kapoor