Genesis of the Youth Group 15th July '01

The youth group was formed after a meeting on the 15th of July '01. The meeting was a discussion or brainstorming session on the possible activities that the youth would be interested in. The youth under the guidance of Sri M Sankar Ramiah decided on meeting fortnightly for two hours. This session would include practice of yoga asanas. pranayamas, meditation and a one hour discussion group. If anyone is interested in the attending future youth group sessions, please email Amit Vaghela or M Sankar Ramiah.

Visit of H.H. Swami Jivanmuktananda 14th May '01 to 27th May '01

Swami Jivanmuktanandaji Maharaj from Divine Life Society (Rishikesh), also currently serving as Administrator of the Swami Sivananda Centenary Charitable Hospital, had visited Australia and New Zealand over a period of three weeks. Swamiji arrived in Perth on 6th May for several wonderful satsangs and then proceeded to Sydney on the 12th. He later visited Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Auckland, and Adelaide. Mr. and Mrs. S. Vijayaratnam (DLS Vice- President Malaysia Branch, Hqrs.) accompanied Swamiji from Malaysia to Australia and New Zealand.

Swami Jivanmuktananda was recently appointed by Pujya Swami Chidananda Maharaj as Chairman of the Second Global International Divine Life Society Conference at Cuttack, Orissa in December 2001. He is now undertaking a world tour to invite the devotees and disciples of Gurudev Sivananda to participate in this conference and also raise sufficient funds to make this global conference a grand success.

During his talks Swamiji gave very easy to grasp, and graphic, examples to help the layman spiritual seeker understand the sometimes complex sounding principles in Yoga and Vedanta. In one of the talks Swamiji's insightful references to Hamlet's "To be, or not be" speech by William Shakespere captivated the surprised but inspired audience. From the works of the English bard he moved to Vyasa's Gita to explain the relationship between Arjuna (individual soul) and Krishna (universal soul) on the battle ground of Kurukshetra (life).

To know more about Swami Jivanmuktananda Maharaj and his work visit http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

Visit of H.H. Swami Ramaswarupananda 1st Jul '00 to 7th Feb '01

Divine Life Society of Australia was honoured to host Swami Ramaswarupanandaji Maharaj during his extended visit to Australia. Swamiji was sent here with personal blessings of H.H. Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

Swamiji conducted many satsangs, spiritual discourses on Bhagavat Gita, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Yoga Vasishta and other scriptures. He conducted retreats in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Auckland. Swamiji's interactive style caused the audience to participate in all the talks where he answered the spiritual questions of the devotees. Swamiji explained and highlighted many of the practical aids to spiritual sadhana like the spiritual diary, resolve form and the writings of the great sages.

The devotees who were delighted to host Swamiji in their homes, had a close association of a Sanyasin. Youths identified with Swamiji, who provided them with practical advice on many of the special issues that they face. All the family members received practical advice from Swamiji on daily spiritual practices.

To know more about Swami Ramaswarupananda Maharaj and his work visit http://f216.dkm.cz/ramaswarup/

Visit of H.H. Swami Chidananda 10th Apr 1999 to 20th Apr 1999

H.H. Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj arrival on Saturday 10^th April '99 was followed by his characteristic Airport lounge satsang. He then proceeded to Wentworthville where he addressed a topic brought up by a local Hindi radio reporter on the efficacy of Hindu religion and its impact on the Australian community.

After one short discourse at Katoomba, over the next four days, Swamiji addressed overflowing crowds at Strathfield Town Hall. He covered such topics as Sadhana Chatusthaya, Patanjali's Raja Yoga, and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's attainment of self-realisation. On 14^th April many devotees were born into a new phase of spiritual life by receiving Mantra Diksha from Swamiji. The next day saw Swamiji attended a Paduka Puja and made a quick visit to Brisbane.

On the 16^th Swamiji arrived at Canberra via Woolongong. There Swamiji blessing the Mahakumbabishekam ceremony and opened the Divya Mandir at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre Complex. This was followed by a discourse at Australian National University.

It was an eventful eleven days for all of us and it opened up new vistas into the realms of spiritual attainment. It also provided to be a beginning, spanning a new chapter, with Swamiji's blessings, to carry on the good work associated with the Divine Life Society of Australia.

To know more about Swami Chidananda read This Monk from India.

Last Update: 21th July 2001