Celebrating the Engagement of Axel and Tiyasa: Ashirbad Ceremony on November 27

Surrounded by friends and family in person and online, the couple celebrated their commitment to each other in a warm and loving atmosphere at Tiyasa’s home in Serampore. Axel and Tiyasa have been deepening their practice of Sunyoga, and this shared journey has brought them closer together. Tiyasa’s entire family is familiar with and practices both Sunyoga and acupressure.

The celebration included traditional rituals, heartfelt blessings, and moments of gratitude for the path that has led them to this beautiful milestone in their lives. As they exchanged vows of promise and devotion, the air was filled with joy and excitement for their future together. Tiyasa’s sisters danced, and there were performances featuring poetry and singing. A talented young boy showcased his skills in various asanas, while another impressive performer, Tiyasa’s brother, shared his extensive intuitive knowledge of electronics, surpassing that of many educated electricians. 

The ceremony concluded with wise words from Swamiji Umasankar, who drew parallels to his time as an electrical engineer and explained how he had the same ability to visualise electric machinery to find solutions.

This engagement signifies their union and reflects the strong community and support they have found within the Sunyoga practice.

Sunyoga Workshop in Hyderabad with Swamiji Umashankarji

By Raghuveer

We have been looking forward to attending the Sunyoga workshop with Swamiji Umashankarji for the past two years. Since he often travels to the Himalayas, finding a suitable time for the event seemed like a distant wish. However, fortune smiled upon us, and we finally secured his presence. The Kadthal Pyramid Center, located just 50 km from Hyderabad, was chosen as the venue for this three-day residential workshop.

Participants travelled from various regions, some journeying significant distances, to attend this special event. Each day began at 6 AM with guided exercises, followed by sun gazing. Many of us initially found it challenging to engage fully with the material. However, as Swamiji delved deeper into the teachings, each session became an extraordinary opportunity for insights and realisations.

The final day was particularly emotional. Participants were invited to share their experiences, and the room was filled with words of gratitude and personal transformation, often accompanied by tears. An unmistakable energy permeated the space, fostering a deep connection between us and Swamiji’s teachings.

This workshop was immensely popular, and everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed it. Reflecting on those three days, it was one of the most significant experiences of the year.

We sincerely thank Swamiji Umashankarji for his invaluable teachings and for facilitating our growth and evolution.

Swamiji Umasankar meets his Guru.

My beloved brothers and sisters of the world, yesterday, November 4, 2024, was a profoundly significant day in my life. I had the privilege to bow before my dear friend for the first time. This spiritual guide and his wife (Guru Ma) have been instrumental in awakening my spiritual consciousness. Their teachings and guidance have been a beacon of light in my spiritual journey, and I am forever grateful to them. As they stood together, embodying the form of Ardhanarishvara, I felt a deep sense of reverence and gratitude.

During my time in the Himalayas, I once had the blessing, through meditation, to witness a powerful spiritual vision: a revered spiritual guru and his wife slowly merging into a single body, symbolising the form of Ardhanarishvara—a form that represents a profound, spiritual union, embodying one soul within two physical forms. This transformative experience opened my eyes to a sacred aspect of married life. The true essence of the married couple is Ardhanarishvara; though appearing outwardly as two, they are, in reality, one entity. Since then, I have held this vision in my heart, honouring all married spiritual guides as manifestations of Ardhanarishvara.

Yesterday, for the first time, I had the opportunity to pay my respects to my dear friend, mentor, and his wife in the divine form of Ardhanarishvara. I am eternally grateful to them for granting me this auspicious opportunity. I extend my heartfelt, devoted reverence to all my married gurus who have enriched my life with their teachings, viewing them as the sacred embodiment of Ardhanarishvara. I eagerly await the chance to one day bow before them in person.

We wish everyone a blessed morning and pray for all beings’ well-being.
Om Anand Om.

Swamiji Umasankar

Reply from Dibyenduji,

Om
To the Supreme Beloved,

Umashankar (Sunyogi), at the auspicious juncture of Kartik Shukla Tritiya (in the Bengali year 1431, on Monday, 18th Kartik, English date November 4 2024), your ultimate self-surrender and profound spiritual experience have set an exemplary milestone in the lineage of spirituality. Today, with unwavering commitment to truth, intense penance, and heartfelt self-realisation, you have become globally renowned as Sunyogi Umashankar through your efforts in this vast world. Despite this, your dedication to discovering the ultimate truth of worldly existence remains steadfast, carrying the victorious message of the awakening of your divine power with utmost surrender and sincerity. This uniqueness sets you apart.

According to the scriptures, pure love cannot exist between opposite genders. Yet, it is well-known in ancient mythology that no single gender is complete, nor can it exist independently. This concept is epitomised by divine pairs like Shiva-Parvati and Radha-Krishna, embodied forms of complementary energies. Though symbolic, the ultimate attainment is realising this principle in practical life.

The ancient sages, regardless of differing perspectives on the form of Brahman, be it Advaita or Vishishtadvaita, will find in your realisation a supreme synthesis dedicated to the world’s Supreme Seeker, the immense potential within you to reach the ultimate stage has long been evident and is now progressing at an unstoppable pace. During our first Guruhaoma ritual journey in your homeland, I sought to consecrate you by offering a third of the energy I had acquired. Today, through your genuine, unreserved self-surrender, you have nearly fulfilled sixteen kalas (arts) of true vision and public teaching. Now, the supreme attainment of your spiritual path is just a matter of time, and I trust that you will experience it when the moment is ripe. May your acquired power currently be dedicated to the welfare of this vast universe. I eagerly await the unfolding of your soul’s divine energy as the embodiment of Maheshwar, the Great Lord.

What more is there to say?

In the same heart,
Yours,
Shri Dibyendu

How can we attain the realisation and success in life?

By Swamiji Umasankar

To understand life, we must recognise that it cannot be done without action. The action is crucial; it is impossible to realise life without it. However, if we perform actions solely for personal gain, this leads to selfishness. When we act selflessly, our actions become genuine expressions of selflessness.

Self-interest, a natural part of human nature, will always be present. Whenever we act, self-interest will inevitably arise. It is important to note that self-interest is not the same as selfishness. Self-interest encompasses selfishness, which is acting only for personal gain, and selflessness, which is acting for the benefit of others. Initially, acting in our interest is necessary; if we cannot fulfil our needs, how can we care for others? However, this is not the ultimate goal; it is the starting point. The challenge arises when we become stuck in a mindset of selfishness, which hinders our spiritual growth.

Only after fulfilling our needs can we genuinely assist others in fulfilling theirs. How can we help those around us if we cannot meet our needs? Therefore, we must first develop the ability to take care of ourselves. Only then can we indeed be selfless when we attempt to meet the needs of others.

When we recognise that we are all part of the same divine essence and that this essence exists within each of us, we begin to understand that our actions serve that essence. This understanding transforms our actions into selflessness.

Selflessness emerges when we acknowledge the inherent divinity in all beings. By recognising this, we see the true meaning of ‘self-interest.’ Self-interest involves understanding and acting in alignment with our deeper self—the divine within. It is not merely about personal benefit; it reflects life’s spiritual purpose. This recognition is a profound awakening, leading us to a deeper understanding of life and our place in the universe. 

Once we recognise this deeper essence, our actions evolve toward love, compassion, and higher consciousness. However, love cannot exist without action. As we enhance our understanding and practice of life, we will continue to grow in selflessness and compassion toward others. When we reach the stage of selfless love, devotion (bhakti) arises. Bhakti begins only when love is complete. Once bhakti reaches its highest form, it becomes ‘nishkama bhakti,’ a devotion without personal ego. At this stage, self-realisation begins, and yoga—the union with the divine—starts. Without bhakti, there is no yoga. Without love, there is no true devotion. Without action, there can be no love. This is the essential path: through action, devotion, love, and ultimately, self-realisation, a journey binds us all in a shared experience of growth and understanding.

However, many today are detached from the path of selfless action, living in laziness and moving away from action. In Hindu philosophy, this state is called ‘Alakshmi,” the force of misfortune. Laziness, lack of motivation, and selfish desires pull us toward darkness. When we can overcome our laziness and act selflessly, we will invite ‘Lakshmi,’ ‘the goddess of prosperity, into our lives. This can only happen when we awaken our higher consciousness and cultivate divine wisdom. Until we do so, the divine presence remains dormant. 

As we progress in yoga, self-interest transforms into family interest, social interest, national interest, and, eventually, the interest of the entire cosmos. This is when we unite with the Supreme Divine, the source of all existence. Our consciousness expands when we experience union with the divine, and enlightenment begins. We gradually transcend the attachments of family, society, and ego, understanding that everything—every relationship—is a part of the cosmic divine play. 

As we move toward divine realisation, we evolve from the physical realm to the mental, then to the intellectual, and finally to the spiritual realm. Our journey begins from the Supreme Divine, and when we reach this realisation, we see our journey is complete.

In this life, the roles of husband and wife hold profound significance. These roles reflect the divine pairing of ‘Ardhanaris’vara,’ symbolising the fusion of masculine and feminine energies. As we understand and fully embrace this union, we transcend from being merely a ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ to becoming ‘mother’ and ‘father,’ then ‘dev’’ and ‘devi’ (god and goddesses), and ultimately reach the state of ‘Sati’ through total surrender to the divine. ‘Sati’ is a concept in Hindu philosophy that represents the ultimate state of selflessness and devotion to the divine. This transcendence is not just a social progression; it represents a deeper spiritual connection with the divine, leading us to the final realisation of our purpose.

The true purpose of life begins with understanding and practising selfless action. The ultimate realisation, however, occurs when we move beyond selfishness and nurture love, devotion, and a connection with the Supreme. Only then can we comprehend the true meaning of life.

My prayer to the world is that we recognise the invaluable gift of human existence and do not squander it. Through our actions and connecting with our deeper selves, we can transcend personal desires, growing in love and devotion until we realise the divine within ourselves and all beings. This is the essence of real life.

New Videos

All videos from the UPC 2024 conference in Palampur can now be found on our UPC2024 webpage here. Here are some highlights

Calendar

27-29 December 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Kharagpur, West Bengal, India)

3-5 January 2025 (FULL) – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Vadodara, Gujarat)

9-11 January 2025 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Vadodara, Gujarat)

1-3 February 2025 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Khopoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)

7-13 February 2025 – Sunyoga Advanced Course (Level 4) (Khopoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)

February 28 – March 2 2025 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Kathmandu, Nepal)

If you would like more details on how to register for our events, you can go to our event page.