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The first thing that one would have to say about a "typical
day at the Sivananda Ashram" is that there is definitely no typical
day at Sivananda Ashram! This is true for various reasons. One is due
to the absolute large-heartedness and tolerance of Swami Sivananda himself.
He did not demand that people hold to a definite daily schedule, although
he did lay out very specific suggestions in his writings. Finally though,
every individual seeker was free to formulate his own daily programme,
in whatever way he thought best. Another reason why it is hard to chart
out a typical day is that there are so many festivals, special worships
and activities, and one might be hard-pressed to rigidly hold to one routine.
Having said that, here is what a typical day might look like.
Gurudev believed very firmly that one should rise early, preferably at
4 am if possible. Each morning beginning at 5 am there is morning meditation
in the Samadhi Shrine with chanting, 30 minutes of meditation and a 10-minute
talk in English. Following this, many people go next door to the Viswanath
Mandir (Temple of Lord Siva) for the morning puja and prayer. The puja
begins promptly at 5:40 am, and while the puja is going on the devotees
will be chanting the sacred mantra of Lord Siva, "Om Namah Sivaya."
The puja and chanting conclude at 7 am with the distribution of prasad.
Breakfast follows from 7 to 7:30 am. If one is feeling especially energetic,
one could leave the worship early and attend a Hatha Yoga class from 6:30-8:00
am. (Missing breakfast may not be a problem as lunch is served at the
relatively early hour of 11 am.)
Having invigorated oneself physically, one could turn one's attention
to the highest Vedanta philosophy, and that opportunity is provided in
a small class that is offered from 8:20 till 9:00 am. Morning is also
a good time to offer some service. Swami Sivananda himself worked tirelessly
for the benefit of all and advocated extensive Karma Yoga (selfless service).
One could inquire in the various departments if any regular assistance
were needed.
If one is of a devotional sort, each morning at 7:30-8:30 am, the mantra
"Om Namo Narayanaya" is chanted in the Samadhi Shrine. One could
also attend a mid-morning worship service in either the Samadhi Shrine
or the Viswanath Mandir. On Thursday, Guru's day, pada puja worship is
performed beginning around 9:30 am in the Samadhi Shrine. For the more
philosophically minded, there is a discussion and meditation from 9:30
to 11 am in the Academy.
After such a busy morning, one would surely be ready for lunch in the
Dining Hall. There are two sittings: 11 and also 11:30 am to accommodate
people's different schedules. The sannyasi, brahmacharis, sadhaks, guests
and workers are seated in rows on the floor with a thali (steel plate),
a cup for water and a small bowl for dhal. The Mahamantra is chanted along
with the 15th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita as the food is being served.
The Dining Hall attendants come around with vegetables, dhal (lentils),
rice and chapattis (unleavened bread) and one can have as much as one
likes, as long as the food is not wasted. The food should be eaten in
silence with attention and devotion. The attendants come around once more
offering seconds, and no one goes away hungry! On feast days the devotees
are given a special bhandara (feast), which is paid for out of the generosity
of contributors. Special dishes and sweets are prepared to the delight
of all! The Dining Hall takes care, whatever the day may be, to prepare
nutritious and filling pure vegetarian food.
After the lunch, one might choose to take a short nap, as is the custom
in India, to rest up for the remainder of a very full day. The afternoons,
even in winter, can be quite warm, sunny and pleasant. Later in the afternoon,
one could go down to the Ganges bank and visit Gurudev's Kutir and sit
there for a while in meditation. Various personal articles from Swami
Sivananda's time are also on display for the visitor. An opportunity that
should not be neglected is the chance to bathe in the Ganges at Sivananda
Ghat. It is an aspiration of many people all over India to have darshan
(holy presence) of Mother Ganga at least once in a lifetime.
Whatever the time may be, day or night, winter or summer, one can always
go to the Bhajan Hall to meditate or just sit quietly and listen to the
Akhanda Kirtan (unending chanting). Ashram residents living in quarters
adjacent to the Bhajan Hall share the duties of chanting the Mahamantra
for world peace every minute of every day, each day of the year. Most
amazingly this chanting has been going on unbroken for 59 years!
In the morning and afternoon one can enjoy the Library which houses 18,000
books, almost all of which were donated to the Ashram by devotees. The
card catalogue is presently being entered into a computer system, and
one can select any number of worthwhile books. If one's interest is more
visual and less literary, one can go to the Audio-Visual Library that
is located just below the main Library. There one can listen to audiocassettes,
view videos and see pictorial displays of saints from the Sivananda Ashram
as well as from all over India. Cassette players with earphones and VCR/TV's
are available there to be used. A display case of cassettes and CD's is
also on-hand for those who want to purchase some material for their own
use. After the Main Library closes at 4 pm, the space there is made available
for women who want to attend Matri Satsang between 4 and 5 pm. The devotees
do chanting of Sanskrit prayers and stotras and also read from Scriptures.
Later in the afternoon a visitor has a number of choices. One can attend
a group meditation outside the office of the General Secretary from 4:30
to 5:30 pm, or attend the afternoon chanting of the "Om Namo Narayanaya"
mantra, also 4:30-5:30 pm. As the sun begins to set and the workday concludes,
there is still more to keep the heart and mind engaged. Yet, the schedule
described here would be overloaded if one did everything, every day without
finding time to oneself. The point is however that these worthwhile activities
are available to whoever chooses to participate and to whatever extent
they choose. No one is compelled. One should also mention at the same
time that the overall effect of years and years of this level of unbroken
devotion, meditation, Satsang and worship is that the Sivananda Ashram
has an incredibly powerful atmosphere. One need only pass through the
gates and a peace just overtakes a person. The feeling is palpable, even
powerful at times. Visitors who came planning to stay for two days often
end up longing to stay 20 days. Devotees of the Ashram find themselves
returning year after year, drawn by this mysterious force that so animates
and elevates this place.
But, oh, we were talking about the schedule, weren't we!! At the very
auspicious time around sunset, worships are held at both the Viswanath
Temple and Samadhi Shrine. At the same hour as the worship, 5:30 pm or
so, one can also go down to the Ganges for a Ganga Arati-a worship of
Mother Ganges with lights and lamps which are set loose to slowly float
downstream-a truly impressive and inspiring sight. Once again one is invited
to the Dining Hall and at 6:30 dinner is served.
Afterwards wouldn't it be fitting to speak to some of the other devotees-"what
did you learn today, how were you inspired, how have you grown, etc.?"
Fellow aspirants can come together and support and encourage one another.
This coming together with other wise and sincere people is called "Satsang."
Swami Sivananda was convinced that Satsang is one of the most important
aspects of the spiritual life and attended Satsang himself every evening,
no matter how tired his body might be from the enormous work and responsibility
of his day. The Ashram continues that tradition and each evening, 7:30-9:30
pm, the devotees come together for chanting, reading of the Gita, lectures
in English and Hindi, bhajans (devotional songs) and a concluding worship.
With this, the organised activities of the Ashram are concluded, but one's
day of contemplation and meditation need not itself be finished. As one
edges closer to sleep, one should recall the things encountered and learned
during the day, and with a rested and peaceful heart, one can merge into
sleep and arise the next day fresh with possibility.
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