What is your inner nationality?

I've just completed a quiz about my inner nationality and they say that I am Spanish!
Cool, always wanted to be one!
"The world is your oyster. You are confident -- or at least, confident in your self-expression, and this often leads to confidence in all things. You love your friends and hate your enemies, and when you want something, you go out and get it. You are both bold and friendly, sunny and perspicacious. You laugh frequently, smile even more, but are not a sucker and will always fight for yourself."

Guided Vipassana meditation by S.N.Goenka

Today I want to share a recording of the guided vipassana meditation. It should be helpful for those who experience difficulties with concentration and get distracted, like me. Please note that you absolutely MUST complete at least one 10 days course before meditating at home. You can download the file from here. The file is password-protected and the password was shared upon completion of the course amongst the students, so don't ask me I will not tell.
Wish you all success and equanimity. Bhavatu sabba mangalam.

10 Days are over

The course is over, but something deep inside of me that had changed during the meditation remains. To those who did the course - keep on with the practice, to those who haven't done it yet - find the time and do it, you're bound to be successful. Bhavatu sabba mangalam. - May all beings be happy.

Vipassana

My new 10-days course starts today.
In couple of hours I hit the road to Belgium, to Pajjota Vipassana center.

Beautiful place. If you haven't done a course yet, please take my advise and do so as soon as you can.
Find 10 days in your busy schedule and just go for it. It's worth it. You will never be the same again.
Goood luck, see you in April.

Jaya Ganesha

Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Paahimaam
Shree Ganesha Shree Ganesha Shree Ganesha Rakshamaam

Sharavanabhava Sharavanabhava Sharavanabhava Pahimaam
Subrahmanya Subrahmanya Subrahmanya Rakshamaam

Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati Jaya Saraswati Pahimaam
Shree Saraswati Shree Saraswati Shree Saraswati Rakshamaam

Jaya Guru Siva Guru Hari Guru Raam Jagad Guru Param Guru Sat Guru Shyaam
Om Aadi Guru Advaita Guru Aananda Guru Om Chid Guru Chid Ghana Guru Chinmaya Guru Om

Hare Raama Hare Raama Raama Raama Hare Hare Hare
Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Sat Guru Naatha Shree Guru Naatha Jaya Guru Naatha Sivaananda
Sivaananda Sivaananda Sivaananda Sat Guru Devo
Vishnu-devaananda Vishnu-devaananda Vishnu-devaananda Shree Guru Naatha

Hare Raama Hare Raama Raama Raama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Om Namah Sivaaya Om Namah Sivaaya Om Namah Sivaaya Om Namah Sivaaya
Om Namo Naaraayanaaya Om Namo Naaraayanaaya Om Namo Naaraayanaaya Om Namo Naaraayanaaya
Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivaanandaya Om Namo Bhagavate Sat Guru Naathaya Om Namo Bhagavate Vishnu-devaanandaya Om Namo Bhagavate Shree Guru Naathaya

Shree Raam Jaya Raam Jaya Jaya Raam Om Shree Raam Jaya Raam Jaya Jaya Raam

Aanjaneya Aanjaneya Aanjaneya Paahimaam
Hanumaanta Hanumaanta Hanumaanta Rakshamaam

Dattaatreya Dattaatreya Dattaatreya Paahimaam
Dattaguru Dattaguru Dattaguru Rakshamaam

Shankaraachaarya Shankaraachaarya Shankaraachaarya Paahimaam
Advaita Guru Advaita Guru Advaita Guru Rakshamaam

Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum
Shree Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum

Aanandoham Aanandoham Aanandam Brahm Aanandam
I am Buss I am Buss Buss Absolute Buss i am

Om Namah Sivaaya Om Namah Sivaaya Om Namah Sivaaya Om Namah Sivaaya

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina

“Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina ,
Sarve Santu Niramaya
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu ,
Maa Kaschit Dukha Bhagh Bhavet”

May all be happy;
May all be without disease;
May all have well-being;
May none have misery of any sort.

Fasting days - 2009

Fasting Chart - Year 2009

Time Zone = GMT+1

date	event	start	end
Jan 7 (Wed)	Ekadashi	01/06 21:08	01/07 18:28
Jan 10 (Sat)	Purnima	01/10 08:08	01/11 04:27
Jan 21 (Wed)	Ekadashi	01/20 20:15	01/21 22:47
Jan 25 (Sun)	Amavasya	01/25 06:39	01/26 08:55
Feb 5 (Thu)	Ekadashi	02/05 07:00	02/06 04:13
Feb 10 (Tue)	Purnima	02/09 18:51	02/10 15:49
Feb 20 (Fri)	Ekadashi	02/19 16:44	02/20 19:23
Feb 24 (Tue)	Amavasya	02/24 01:30	02/25 02:35
Mar 6 (Fri)	Ekadashi	03/06 15:15	03/07 12:49
Mar 10 (Tue)	Purnima	03/10 05:38	03/11 03:38
Mar 21 (Sat)	Ekadashi	03/21 13:08	03/22 15:10
Mar 26 (Thu)	Amavasya	03/25 17:35	03/26 17:06
Apr 5 (Sun)	Ekadashi	04/04 22:38	04/05 20:51
Apr 8 (Wed)	Purnima	04/08 16:41	04/09 15:52
Apr 20 (Mon)	Ekadashi	04/20 07:34	04/21 08:23
Apr 24 (Fri)	Amavasya	04/24 06:20	04/25 04:23
May 4 (Mon)	Ekadashi	05/04 06:03	05/05 05:07
May 8 (Fri)	Purnima	05/08 04:26	05/09 05:01
May 20 (Wed)	Ekadashi	05/19 22:43	05/20 22:12
May 23 (Sat)	Amavasya	05/23 16:11	05/24 13:11
Jun 2 (Tue)	Ekadashi	06/02 14:27	06/03 14:32
Jun 7 (Sun)	Purnima	06/06 17:25	06/07 19:12
Jun 18 (Thu)	Ekadashi	06/18 10:35	06/19 08:54
Jun 22 (Mon)	Amavasya	06/22 00:12	06/22 20:35
Jul 2 (Thu)	Ekadashi	07/01 23:48	07/03 01:57
Jul 6 (Mon)	Purnima	07/06 17:53	07/07 10:21
Jul 18 (Sat)	Ekadashi	07/17 19:46	07/18 17:20
Jul 21 (Tue)	Amavasya	07/21 07:20	07/22 03:35
Jul 31 (Fri)	Ekadashi	07/31 13:51	08/01 15:57
Aug 5 (Wed)	Purnima	08/04 23:29	08/06 01:55
Aug 16 (Sun)	Ekadashi	08/16 03:12	08/17 00:06
Aug 19 (Wed)	Amavasya	08/19 14:28	08/20 11:02
Aug 30 (Sun)	Ekadashi	08/30 05:51	08/31 08:27
Sep 3 (Thu)	Purnima	09/03 15:26	09/04 17:03
Sep 14 (Mon)	Ekadashi	09/14 09:50	09/14 09:50
Sep 18 (Fri)	Amavasya	09/17 22:27	09/18 19:44
Sep 29 (Tue)	Ekadashi	09/29 00:13	09/30 02:36
Oct 3 (Sat)	Purnima	10/03 06:53	10/04 07:10
Oct 13 (Tue)	Ekadashi	10/13 16:37	10/14 14:22
Oct 17 (Sat)	Amavasya	10/17 08:07	10/18 06:33
Oct 29 (Thu)	Ekadashi	10/28 19:37	10/29 21:06
Nov 2 (Mon)	Purnima	11/01 21:23	11/02 20:14
Nov 12 (Thu)	Ekadashi	11/12 00:29	11/12 23:01
Nov 16 (Mon)	Amavasya	11/15 20:18	11/16 20:14
Nov 27 (Fri)	Ekadashi	11/27 14:31	11/28 14:44
Dec 1 (Tue)	Purnima	12/01 10:54	12/02 08:30
Dec 11 (Fri)	Ekadashi	12/11 10:25	12/12 10:02
Dec 15 (Tue)	Amavasya	12/15 11:36	12/16 13:02
Dec 27 (Sun)	Ekadashi	12/27 08:40	12/28 06:38
Jul 1 (Wed)	Purnima	12/30 23:30	12/31 20:13

notes: Starting and ending times are obtained from the Ananda Marga Diary. The actual fasting day is calculated as to include most of the indicated lunar phase. Calculations follow the Indian convention of starting the days at dawn rather than midnight.

I'm back home!

India is one big mystery!
I'm so happy that my never loud-spoken dream came true so suddenly.
Few points to summarize my impressions:

1. Goa is a fantastic place to catch a breath and relax, perfect destination for a colder season.
The tableau of Goa showcases religious harmony by focusing on the Deepastambha, the Cross, Ghode Modni followed by a chariot. Western royal attire of kings and regional dances being performed depict the unique blend of different religions and cultures of the State.







2. Kerala - the land of Ayurveda, worth a separate visit in the future.
According to legend, Kerala was an Asura-ruled kingdom under Mahabali. Onam, the national festival of Kerala, is dedicated to Maveli's memory. Another legend has Parasurama, an avatar of Mahavishnu, throwing his battle axe into the sea; from those waters, Kerala arose.







3. Sivananda ashram is one of these rare places where one can learn about their subtle self. The ashram program covers classical yoga techniques, taught in a warm and friendly environment, helps to instil in guests a deep awareness of the spiritual essence of life.








For more photos click here and wait 15 seconds (65 Mb).

Goa is beautiful

This is short update from my trip through India.
I have spend 13 wonderful days in Goa at Mandrem beach next to paradise.
Weather is great, food delicious, people friendly and interesting, what can be better :-)
But it's time to move on. Today I go to Kerala on the night train from Madgaon to Trivandrum.
Have taken lots of photographs, but unfortunately cannot find an internet cafe where they have a card reader, so no photos today.
Will keep you updated when possible.
Thanks for reading my blog.

Trip to India

I'm leaving to India NOW!
The plan is as follows:
1. Flight Dusseldorf - Dubai - Mumbai.
2. One night in a Mumbai hotel.
3. Bus Mumbai - Goa.
4. 2 week stay in Arambol, Goa. Will be practicing ashtanga at the beach and watching the sunsets.
5. Train Madgaon, Goa - Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala.
6. Three weeks in Neyyar Dam Sivananda Ashram, Kerala.
7. Flight Trivandrum - Koci - Mumbai.
8. Flight Mumbai - Dubai - Dusseldorf.
9. Sweet Home.

Yogi Bhajan's Birthday Anniversary August 26

August 15 - August 25, chant 31 minutes of Guru Guru Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru at any time of the day.

In gratitude we celebrate the spirit and wisdom of Yogi Bhajan with 11 days of meditation leading up to the anniversary of his birth. Join the global community to connect with the spirit of Yogi Bhajan, offering thanks for all the blessings he so generously shared with us.

Then on
August 26, worldwide simultaneous meditation, beginning at 3:00 AM Pacific Daylight Savings Time: chant Guru Guru Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru for 11 minutes. It is also traditional to do 2.5 hours of Long Ek Ong Kars at a time best suited to your time zone.

• Guru Guru Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru
By Dev Suroop Kaur
By Gurunam Singh

• Long Chant (Adi Shakti Mantra o Morning Call)
By Wahe Guru Kaur
By Snatam Kaur
By Sat Kartar Kaur

Gobinde Singh

I have a big news to share with those who care. In my pursue to master Kundalini Yoga I have undertaken many activities and now have been fully rewarded!
On my birthday I have received the most beautiful gift of my lifetime, I have been given a spiritual name. This is the email that I had received from the Kundalini Yoga Organisation officials:

You have been blessed to live as Gobinde Singh, which means the Lion of God who belongs to the Lord of the universe, who helps everyone, and who walks with grace and courage throughout his life.

Gobinde means the Lord of the Universe, one who serves all. Singh means the Lion of God who walks with grace and courage throughout his life. Singh is a name that Yogi Bhajan gave to all men. He taught that every man has the potential to attain a true state of grace and courage, to be a great lion-warrior for God, and he encouraged each man to manifest that potential.

Using the name Gobinde Singh will expand your consciousness so that you experience yourself as a true servant of all, and so that you support the higher consciousness of yourself and everyone you serve.

The power of a Spiritual Name is that the more people speak your name, the more it permeates into your being…and the more you will experience its power to manifest in your life. The power of that 'Naadh' can have an effect on you at the cellular level. The vibration of the word actually vibrates your cells, and restructures them to come into harmony with your spiritual names meaning, which reflects your destiny.

You are the pure love of God. Create a connection with it and share it wherever you go.

May Guru Ram Das bless you and guide you, now and forever. In the Name of the Cosmos which prevails through everyBODY, and the Holy Nam which holds the world.

Many blessings,

M.S.S. Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa
Chief of Staff

Yoga Festival, Fondjouan - 2008

Kundalini Yoga and White Tantra festival was held this year on 22-28 June in a beautiful "Domaine de Fondjouan" in France and the theme was "Energy and Vitality"
Yogi Bhajan, the Master of both, tantra and yoga, taught that a human being consist of ten "bodies". Beyond our familiar physical body, there are other, more etheric bodies that deal with our feelings, mind, karma, projection and protection. These bodies go throuh many processes and transformations, and each one offers us a potential for growth. For ten years, each Yoga Festival focuses on one of the different bodies. This year we worked on the eighth subtle body, the pranic body. Yogi Bhajan says about this: "You are a bunch of molecules living by the pranic body. You are nothing more, nothing less. Human existence is a combination of the pranic body and the energy of the psyche in proportion. This concept is very difficult. I don't want to be "I" I don't want to be "we" I want to be "just as it is".
The love of existence, of our lives, and of our breathing will be in need of the flow of the psyche in us; therefore, we can be a real combination of self within the self. And the sensory system that will develop automatically out of us will be our archangel protecting us and glorifying us.
Those who hustle and hassle and move and want will suffer. They will not get what they want. Now the time has come that we will have a meditative mind to wait and see what come to us" (Yogi Bhajan)

Three weddings on the Festival day.

On the last day three Sikh couples got married.

5 Elements with Karta Singh

This year, on June 23-27 Karta Singh Khalsa gave the training on 5 elements to the 1st level of the KY teachers training students himself. It was the week full of vents. Sorry, I did not shot many photos this time, just a few on the day of Fire. On that day we built a sweatlodge in the woods and spent the whole night there learning how Fire manifests.
On other days we covered the Earth, Water, Air and Ether (Akash) elements.
In the end of the training I wrote the exam and now Karta has to decide if my knowledge and practical skills suffice to give me the KY teacher diploma.