Fall 2008 3 rd Edition E-NEWSLETTER Updates & info about Swami Paramanand Maharaj The latest news following the footsteps of Maharaj Ji New Website, Blog & Videos Online! APD Main Ashram: Rani Gali Saptover Haridwar, India 24941 Ph.01334260105 APD Office Opposite Pocket R Dilshad Garden Delhi, India 110095 Ph.011-22135108 WEB SITE: akhandparamdham.com Email: akhandparamdham@gmail.com Editor: Valerie Naiman valdevi@mac.com HGHILIGHTS: New Website & Blog 1 Russia Report...2 England Report..3 Guru Pumima.....4 For What?.....4 Gift of Knowledge....5 Haridwar Retreat Update.6 Note: Maharaj Ji s Message & Ask Maharaj Ji s colums are moving online. Check out the new website www.akhandparamdham.com Get interactive by participating at http://blog.akhandparamdham.com The purpose of the website is to provide up to date information on Maharaj Ji s schedule, disseminate his teachings and make his books and other teaching materials in English accessible online. This website blog (short for Weblog) is interactive and meant to connect the ever growing family of Maharaj Ji s students around the world. You can also view back issues of the E-Newsletter online. AND now you can watch the 20 min. video Introduction to a Living Legend on the web site or blog. This is a documentary in English of Gurudev s life and includes many pics of his youth and of various social projects. AND you can also watch 17 discourses on "Brahm Sakshatkar" by Maharaj at http://video.google.com/ In search field enter Brahm Sakshatkar -Then click "Search Video" (These are in Hindi & hopefully English subtitles will be up soon.) Thanks to the Spiritual Growth Foundation (501C3 USA NPO) for sponsoring the new website and blog. Special recognition to Zoe Bryant, our new webmaster, and to Ajay Kumar for help and online assistance. From RUSSIA with Love a picture is worth a thousand words Russian devotees finally got their long time wish fulfilled when Maharaj Ji arrived for 2 weeks of satsangs from July 21st Aug 5th Maharaj Ji blessed out devotees in Ufa.
Page 2 of 6 RUSSIA TOUR REPORT Maharaj Ji greeted in Orenburg stadium Maharaj Ji s first visit to Russia was memorable for thousands of new & old devotees. Swami JI gave satsangs in Moscow, Ufa, Chelyabinisk, Sterlitamak & Orenburg. Russia s major TV stations as well as leading newspapers and magazines interviewed him about his teachings and the concept of Self-Realization. Everywhere he went he was greeted by enthusiastic Russians offering traditional aarti & ushered into programs with drumming and much pomp with a touch of Russian flair. IN Moscow he was invited to speak at the Indian Embassy where he addressed many diplomats. Programs were also held twice a day in a large hall in the center of the city. IN Ufa, a 4 day seminar was held in the biggest hall of the city at Ufa State Technique University which was inaugurated by ex-president Mr. Putin. Guru Puja was celebrated at Center of Psychology and Yoga-Himalaya, where devotees came & paid their respect. Over 200 people were initiated at just this one program. -IN Chelyabinisk, Gurudev inaugurated the Param Akhand Dham Yoga Center & gave 2 satsangs a day for 3 days at the School for Japanese Traditional Fight (DZUBD) IN Sterlitamak, although only there for an afternoon, people say he sprinkled the divine Knowledge of Vedanta by giving satsang to the thirsty people of the city. Satsang in Ufa, Russia Maharaj Ji s visit changed the lives of many who are new to his teachings and enriched those who were already blessed by his guidance. -IN Orenburg, a 3 day seminar was held at a big sports complex called Orenburzhje,. Gurudev made his first appearance at the Center of Psychology and Yoga, Param Anand, which is now a year old. Guru Puja & a birthday celebration for Surya Kant was a blissful occasion. Kudos to Somya and Surya Kant Dobhal who coordinated the programs and have opened many yoga centers in Russia helping to spread the knowledge of the Vedant. Surya Kant was instrumental in all the programs by providing yoga & pranayam training & being the host with the most! Maharaj Ji s visit changed the lives of many who are new to his teachings and enriched those who were already blessed by his guidance. Satsang in Chelyabinisk Kudos to Somya and Surya Kant Dobhal, the coordinators of the programs, who have opened many yoga centers in Russia, helping to spread the knowledge of the Vedant. Surya Kant was instrumental in providing yoga & pranayam training & being the host with the most!
Page 3 of 6 England Tour Report Maharaj Ji returned to the UK for 2 weeks at summers end. Daljit Singh Ji who coordinated the tour couldn't begin to fit all the request for programs into the schedule but Maharaj Ji was a trooper and began as soon as he got off the plane. A sadhna retreat began every morning at 6am at the Durga Bhawan Temple in Birmingham and ended with evening meditations & satsangs including a beautiful celebration on Krishna's birthday. One devotee said " Maharaj Ji attracts us with his magnetism & his deeply penetrating eyes cleanse our souls. Durga Temple in Birmingham In Derby, 2 days of programs were held at the new Geeta Bhawan Hindu Temple. Gurudev talked about the ultimate experience and explained Uproksh anubhav hua hai. (The true experience is within your own Self.) In London, Maharaj Ji spoke at the Vishwa Hindu Kendra in Southall. When he was questioned about enlightenment, he said "The only remedy for agyaan (not understanding the truth) is gyaan (divine knowledge)" Maharaj JI also traveled to the Castle Rock area, in Bradford Yorkshire, where he gave a satsang at the Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple. Maharaj challenged us to wake up and said "Naashi (That which can die) can be seen even by a fool. Avanashi (the non-destructible everlasting) can only be seen by those who are awake. Swami JI addressed UK's Sikh community in London at the Gurdwara Nanaksar of Middlesex and in Namdhhari Sangat at Forest Gate. In Wolverhampton he spoke at the Gurdwara Isher Dabar London: Maharaj JI speaks in front of the famous painting of the Sikhs first Guru Nanak at Gurdwara Nanaksar in Middlesex. Castle Rock, Yorkshire: (L to R) Sant Hardeep Singh, Swami Paramanand Ji Maharaj, Valerie Naiman, Sant Nirmal Dass Singh,& Daljit Singh Nirmal "Special thanks to Guru Nanak Nisham Seva Jatha of Birmingham, Daljit Singh, Harjit Kaur, Davindra Kaur, Gurbsh Singh, Mrs. Champa Rani, Darshan Singh Bhia, Surrinder Kaur, Bhai Chattar Singh, Bhai Amandeep, Bhenn Indu Dhanjal, D. Pargat Singh, Dr. Sadhu Singh, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Dr. Naresh Sharma and all of their families.
Page 4 of 6 Guru Purnima in India The same day after returning from his 3 month USA tour, Maharaj Ji began a busy India schedule. After a brief stop at APD offices in Delhi, we were off the Gurgaon ashram for Maharaj Ji to bless the wedding of a long time devotee s son. The next morning we flew to Indore to inaugurate the new wing of Paramanand Hospital which will be used exclusively for the mentally & physically challenged children's project. Swami ji congratulated all the children on their progress and gifted toys and supplies for their programs. We also visited the ashram in Indore and saw the building progress of Paramanand University where Maharaj Ji blessed the opening of yoga certification classes. To keep up to date with the developments go to www.puindia.org Being Guru Purnima was close, all his devotees wanted his darshan before he left the county again so the next stop was his ashram, the Char Dham Mandir in Ujjain where thousands of devotees came with gifts to hear his lecture. The next day we went onto Jhanse for a Guru Purnima program and then to his ashram in Gwalior where thousands of devotees awaited. That same evening we were on a train to Delhi and continued then onto Haridwar for the culmination of Guru Purnima on the full moon. Satsang in APD Haridwar Ashram Haridwar Celebration Guru Purniam 2008 Inauguration at Parmanand University What For? is what Maharaj Ji said. As you can see in this newsletter, Maharaj Ji has a supremely busy schedule. That's a lot of traveling in a brief time but Swami Ji's life is always like this. I once typed up a 6 mo. schedule for him and there was a day left open. I wrote R & R in the slot. When he reviewed it, he only had 1 question and that was what R & R is for? I explained it was to have a bit of rest & relaxation and his response was: "What for?"
Page 5 of 6 Donations and Gifts YOUR INPUT GOES A LONG WAY! Thank you goes out to the many folks who have donated to the many social projects of Swami Paramanand Ji Maharaj in the past. We ve tried to make it easier to do this and you can now make your donations through The Spiritual Growth Foundation using PayPal on the new web site. Your donations make a big difference in the lives of so many people Give a holiday gift card that keeps on giving! Send a gift of knowledge to an underprivileged child being educated at one of Maharaj Ji s many schools. Choose from one of 3 cards: $30 Gift: A card is sent from you to the recipient informing them that you have sent a gift in their name to support a child s primary or secondary education and living expenses for 1 month. OR $300.00 Gift For 1 year support $150.00 Gift: A card is sent from you to the recipient informing them that you have sent a gift in their name to support a child s college education and living expenses for 1 semester. This year give a gift of Knowledge Check out the WebShop at www.akhandparamdham Talking Book Series at $10 each Inner Peace - Full book read with music. 108 Insights from Gurudev - read with music in English and Hindi. Direct Experience of Truth Full book real Body Consciousness to Soul Consciousness- Full Book read. Books: The Direct Experience of Truth -$20 Uniting Divinity with Science -$10 Meditation (Available in Book or CD)- $12 Awareness as an art of Meditation -$12 Journey to Self Realization -$10 Inner Peace -$10 108 Insights from Gurudev -$7.Perfection in Life -$10
Page 6 of 6 Invitation to India UPDATED NEWS about the English Retreat in Haridwar Pilgrimage to India October 30th thru November 5 th With Swami Paramanand Ji Maharaj An invitation to come to India! Located in Haridwar next to the magical Gangi River where the sun rises like to place else in the world Come for this experiential spiritual weeklong retreat where you will be immersed in satsang and meditation under the guidance of Yug Purush Mahamandaleshwar Swami Paramanand Giri Ji Maharaj. This pilgrimage will nourish the depths of your soul in numerous ways, seen and unseen. The intense spiritual environment in Haridwar on the banks of the Ganges River is well known for quickening your soul s purpose. Maharaj JI has announced that the retreat starting October 30th is now only for those of us who speak English! We are very fortunate to be able to have this time with Maharaj Ji in a small group this year! This may be the last time we will have an opportunity like this, so come if you can. Email akhandparamdham@gmail.com if you would like to join us. There will be a small group making a pilgrimage to Gangotri after the retreat as well. Haridwar Ashram Sign up now It is not too late! Information akhandparamdham@gmail.com