Foreword

Welcome to January´s Newsletter.

The UPC ashram was the stage for many activities and events this past month. We started a new vegetable garden, harvested some rice, laughed, cried, ate a lot of sweets, and organized a Sunyoga workshop too!

As we enter the new year, the UPC ashram had a lively and meaningful December. This newsletter highlights spiritual activities, farming projects, joyful celebrations, and Sunyoga workshops.

The ashram’s rooftop is now a construction site showing progress. Thanks to the dedicated team of Anarul, Abu, and Naran, the vision of Universal Peace, Unity, and Brotherhood is taking shape.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata.

Looking ahead, our calendar is filled with upcoming Sunyoga courses and events like the Kalpataru Festival and the Universal Peace Conference in 2024. Each event is a step toward creating a harmonious Universe-City where Sunyoga’s transformative power resonates.

We wish you a Happy New Year, Universal Peace, Unity, and Brotherhood. May the light of Sunyoga guide us through the unknown paths of the coming year.

Om Anand Om.

Vegetable Garden

Swapan and Prasenjit, our Driver/Butler and Accountant have been taking care of a plot of land in the ashram’s garden, planting vegetables and flowers. Like most Indians from the countryside, they have been helping their family with farming duties since childhood. Their knowledge and craftsmanship are being put to good use at UPC, and they are helping the ashramites in their farming experiments.

Indeed, next to their already existing vegetable garden a new one is slowly taking shape, following the principles of Natural farming from Masanobu Fukuoka. We plowed the soil gently, added manure from our cowshed, and then some organic material on top, in this case, unusable straw bundles. In this way, the soil is enriched and stays humid.

We planted in a 2^nd step, by preparing trenches in the straw and manure cover, until we reached the earth. We then transplanted ready vegetable seedlings such as cauliflower, tomatoes, beets, etc…

This style of farming is a test for now, and if successful we will implement it in our UFH project. The main principles of Natural farming are: No plowing, no watering, no pesticides, no fertilizer, no pruning. Prakash got initiated into it by Kutuhan Özdemir, more details on naturalfarmshizhen.org

Work and play in the garden and rice fields.

Rice field adventure

Rice harvest time! Many of us experienced rice cutting for the first time, in the Indian traditional way. Sickles in hand, we made our way through the paddies and had some enjoyable physical exercise. Some experienced workers did most of the work though (they were 5 times faster than us), and now organic rice is ready to be eaten at the ashram!

The ashram has 4 paddy fields, all organically cultivated, and there can be up to 2 harvests a year. This time we are letting our fields rest for the winter, we will plant again next summer.

Ashram calf enjoying his time.

On the social side

These farming activities were punctuated with music, cakes, and laughter from the festivities that went around at the same time. We indeed had 4 birthday celebrations in December! Axel and Jonathan were born on the same day, the 4^th of December 1984, and Swapan was born on the 10^th of December 1985. We also had Ivan’s birthday on the 5^th of December, which we celebrated through video call since he is in Europe at the moment.

We thus had the customary cake-feeding event 3 times and were also invited to Swapan’s home to celebrate the occasion with his family and friends. At such times the digestion version of the Vajrasana becomes a precious tool for body preservation 😉

Cleaning in the Ashram.

Two of our residents left the Ashram around that time, which was a major emotional event for our little community. Ravi, a long-time Sadhaka at UPC will walk on his own path for now. Some of you may have befriended him during your visit here. Wishing him the best in life and in his spiritual journey.

Joystna is also going away, back to her French motherland, and she will stay with her parents to work there for some time. Joystna wants to come back in June when Swamiji returns.

Sunyoga Level 1-3 

Group meditation at our course in Lachhipur.

To complete the month, we had a Sunyoga beginner workshop from the 24^th to the 26^th of December. Axel led the course, supported by the ashram’s staff and devotees. We had 7 people coming from Kolkata, plus our 4 Europeans, which made for a happy little group of 11.

Sumona and her daughter Tiyasa, who are advanced Sunyoga practitioners, came to help us with the Bengali translation. The people who attended all spoke very good English so we soon discarded the translation and everybody focused on the course.

We had Amit, who owns a Gosala of 250 cows, his wife who is 4 months pregnant, and his sister-in-law. Amit came after seeing some videos from the YouTube channel, and his wife and sister-in-law joined him without expecting what was to come. We had another Subashish-Ji who has also been following the YouTube channel. And we had a last-minute participant, Mithu-Ji, who works at Nightingale Hospital.

Morning exercises for our health.

The course went well, students were quite attentive and respectful of the instructions and followed Swamiji’s teachings, and we saw them change little by little over the 3 days. Everyone had nice experiences with the Sun meditation, eyes opening more and more each day, and eye angles getting better with practice. Axel gave us thorough classes, with detailed, accurate content, resembling Swamiji’s course. The theoretical parts were punctuated with stories of Saints, tea breaks, and little chatting.

The ashramites helped manage the flow of the group, making sure everyone was on time, preparing the classrooms, sharing their experience… The staff made sure that food was always plenty, performed the daily Puja in our stead, and made extra decoration and administrative tasks…in short they did their best to bring a good atmosphere for the spiritual gathering.

We had a Christmas celebration throughout the workshop with songs, cakes, and sweets. After the 3 days, people went home with good memories in their hearts, continuing their journey, or actually their Spiritual journey 😉

Group photo with all members for Sunyoga Course in December 2023.

Apply NOW to volunteer work opportunities with us!

Embark on a transformative journey with the Universal Family Home Universe-City project, inspired by the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “The World is One Family.” Join our mission for universal peace, unity, and brotherhood.

Opportunity: Be a part of practical social work remotely – contribute your skills and passion for a meaningful cause.

Timeline: Fundraising starts January 2024. Urgent action is required as negotiations for suitable land are underway.

Network: Share our vision with your unique network; every individual’s contribution matters.

Purpose: Establish a haven for individual and family life, focusing on education, organic agriculture, health, and environmental protection.

Impact: Swamiji’s urgent message: Humanity faces a critical stage; 95% of the population may disappear. Act now for a blissful future.

Inclusivity: Regardless of background, age, or circumstance, everyone can play a crucial role. Remote digital work opportunities are available.

Connection: Connect with us for a global change. Together, let’s build a Universe-City where nothing can stop us.

Contact:

• Axel: axel@sunyoga.org, +91 74090 63393
• Jonathan: jonathan@sunyoga.org, +1 6126702264

Learn More: Universal Family Home Universe-City

Om Anand Om: Blissful life to all. 

Looking forward to connecting with you!

Morning Agnihotra in UPC Ashram.

Ashram Rooftop Construction Update

Ashram Rooftop Construction Update

Exciting Progress at Universal Peace Centre!

In a matter of months, our rooftop has transformed from a serene space for meditators, birds, and insects into a bustling construction site. Steel beams stretch towards the sky, concrete walls take shape, and red bricks accumulate, reflecting the swift realization of our vision.

Current Milestone: Bare Wall Structure Nearing Completion

As we speak, the bare wall structure is nearing completion, symbolizing the tangible manifestation of our commitment to fostering Universal Peace, Unity, and Brotherhood. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue building a sanctuary that transcends boundaries and promotes a harmonious existence for all.

Official Timeline:

• January 2024: General area mapped out with wall structure
• February 2024: Plaster
• March 2024: Floors, Paint, and Decorations
• April 2024: Project Completion

We’re happy to report that we’re on schedule!

Meet Our Dedicated Construction Team: Anarul, Abu, and Naran

Our three Ashram construction workers show off their skills.

These loyal workers have been integral to our Ashram family for years, contributing significantly to our progress.

Ashram Rooftop Construction Fundraising Update

Fundraising Update: Progress Towards Our Goal

• Total Amount: ₹1,400,000 (INR)
• Total Raised: ₹317,860 (INR) = 22.7% of our Goal
• Remaining Amount: ₹1,082,140 (INR) = 77.3% Remaining
  

Pie chart showing missing funds for new rooftop buildings.

Your generous contributions have brought us closer to our target, and we’re grateful for the support received so far. As we strive to reach our goal, every donation propels us further in creating a transformative space for Universal Peace, Unity, and Brotherhood.

Thank you for being a vital part of this meaningful journey.

Om Anand Om.

Three new dogs was born just outside our Ashram.

Upcoming Sunyoga Courses & Events

28 January 2024 – Kalpataru Festival (Lachhipur, West Bengal, India)

2-4 February 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1,2 and 3) (Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)

19-21 April 2024 – Universal Peace Conference 2024 (Online)

10-12 May 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1,2 and 3) (Dehari, Maharashtra, India)

17-19 May 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1,2 and 3) (Warengal, Telegana, India)

Sunyogi Umasankar and Swami Raghvendra, head of Ishavasyam Ashram, Gangotri, Uttarakhand, India.

Jun 28-30, 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) at UPC Ashram (in English)

Aug 15-18 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) Netherlands

For all details about registrations please consult our calendar page

Video

Our successful video with 5,600 views about the 5 elements has now been subtitled. Refresh your knowledge and see it again today.

Summary: Sunyogi Umashankar, discusses the significance of the 5 elements in the context of life. He explains that life originated from these elements, and all problems stem from an imbalance of them. The 5 elements—Space, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth—derive from cosmic energy, specifically photon energy from the sun. Sunyogi explains the transformation of these elements, emphasizing the interconnectedness and balance required for a peaceful and healthy life. The discussion spans from the creation of the atom to the formation of complex structures, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance in the 5 elements for overall well-being.

Sunyogi in front of Gaumukh.

Donations

If you feel from your heart that Sunyoga and our work are helping individuals and humanity, please consider supporting our mission by donating.

All information can be found on our donation page.

Om Anand Om.

New Year Celbration in the Ashram 2024.

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