Sunyoga Newsletter No22 May 2024

Foreword

The hibiscus is their national flower. Which country is it? Axel and I have stayed a long time (3 months) in Malaysia since the beginning of 2024. We experienced many fireworks and New Year celebrations, temple visits, workshops, Sunyoga daily practice, as well as weekly Sunday group practice at Taman Tung Dr. Ismail Park (TTDI), acupressure practice with patients at the Indian Global School of Brickfields, and at Dr. Jim’s local business Grand Thornton Financial for their staff members, as well as in personal settings in people’s private homes. 

We met new potential partners and attended organization meetings with Brother Ayavu at Sai Anand (Sai Baba) and Dato Yeoh Choo Hock at Sai Lotus (Sai Baba devotee). He wrote two books and generously gave all attendees a hard copy as a gift. I liked the quote from one of the books: “Help Ever, Hurt Never.” He spent his life as an Olympic Basketball coach and is one of the main devotees of Sai Baba in Malaysia.

Brother Ayavu is a retired architect and one of the foremost leading figures of Sai Anand in Kuala Lumpur (KL). He now dedicates his life to spreading Sai Baba’s wisdom, spiritual practice, and social service. Sai Anand is a modern school inspired by the ancient Gurukul system in KL, where children, vulnerable elderly, women, and people find comprehensive education, protection, spiritual practice, and support. Brother Ayavu and his team designed and built a heavenly garden in the hilly and heavenly jungle of Janda Baik. We had the pleasure of being invited to both Sai Lotus and Sai Anand, which are in the same area, barely a few minutes from each other, on the jungle hills of Janda Baik.

While in Malaysia, Sunyogi appeared in a few Zoom meetings. We are now in Rishikesh and finally reunited in person with Swamiji. 

We are now strategizing for the rest of our exciting 2024 schedule in India, Malaysia, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and the rest of the world. Sunyogi comes only if he is invited. If you are interested in having a workshop in your region, connect with our organizers’ team, led by Axel Johansson. We celebrated the end of our stay with a gathering in the local vegetarian Kuan Yin restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

Join us for Sunyogi’s Birthday! June 22, 2024 is crucial as Sunyogi will return from his 3-year Sadhana (spiritual retreat and research) and it will be his Be-Earth-Day (Birthday) as he likes to say with poise. Everyone is heartily invited at our Universal Peace Centre’s (UPC) headquarters, our Ashram, your home too. We are expecting hundreds, thousands of people, maybe. Let us know the size of your group. Make sure to include your friends and family members’ names and your logistical needs. Our UPC staff will take care of transportation from the Kolkata airport or major stations, as well as accommodation and delicious food for your convenience. Share your travel details with us, and we will ensure you and your group have a smooth and exciting experience.

We will also have something special organized for International Yoga Day on June 21, 2024. For both June 21 and 22, we will soon share the full program. 

Last minute update: Sunyogi wrote 2 new books!  
Today is the last day of the month, April 30. We spent a few days with Sunyogi Ji in Rishikesh and are now in Delhi. We went to the local TV channel Sadhna Tower for an interview of Sunyogi, and met with the owner of Niyogi Books, because Sunyogi just finished his 4th book manuscript, a novel about Romance for the Youth, Love, and Compassion. 

Sunyogi’s 3rd book is about how to live a prosperous and peaceful life as a layman in modern society. It is targeted toward the majority of the people as Swamiji wants to help as many people as possible to be successful, happy, blissful, and peaceful in any situation. It is for everyone who is wondering how to live a spiritual life and a “normal” life at the same time as living in a city with spouse and children AND still be balanced. In this 3rd book, Sunyogi uncovers the subtleties and depth of family relationships and multidimensional dynamics. He gives all the secrets and keys to understanding how to live a successful Sadhana (experience of practice, inner and outer research) as our entire life’s journey is about learning, reaching and going to higher Self-Realization, overcoming any obstacle, while finding purpose and meaning with the worldly life. This 3rd book is being translated from Bengali to English and may be available very soon. 

Let’s stay in touch. This year is epic already, and it’s just the beginning.
See you in person soon. It’s better than on Zoom!

Warm regards,
Jonathan and the Universal Peace Centre’s Editorial Team.

Sunyoga Basic Workshop in Kuala Lumpur

In Kuala Lumpur, a three-day Sunyoga course recently took place, led by the instructor Axel. The course offered participants a chance to learn about Sunyoga, a practice that connects individuals with the energy of the Sun for health and well-being. Throughout the three days, attendees engaged in gentle exercises and Sun meditation, all focused on connecting with the Sun and its healing energy. Under Axel’s guidance, participants explored enhancing vitality, knowledge, and inner peace. The course provided a brief yet enriching experience for those seeking to deepen their connection with nature and improve their overall wellness.

Animal of the Month: Nandi, the Enormous Ox

Life has been peaceful and serene over the past month at the UPC Ashram Ghosala. Nandi, the enormous Ox, and his herd of seventeen cows have been enjoying the tranquil surroundings. They’ve spent their days grazing in the lush meadows, drinking water from the pot, and resting under the shade of Bamboo trees.

Meanwhile, the two playful baby cows, Surya and Sashi, have grown up fast, exploring the pastures and learning from Nandi. With his guidance, they’ve been discovering the ways of life in the Ghosala.

FAQ – What is the difference between Sunyoga and Sun Gazing?

Sunyoga is a full-life philosophy on living in peace and harmony on every level, with self and society at large and further with the whole Universe. Sun Meditation is a small part of Sunyoga, the peak of the Sunyoga pyramid, and is the part that resembles Sun Gazing the most. We emphasize that Sun Meditation and Sun Gazing are two completely separate methods with different purposes developed by two great saints and that the philosophies and practices should not be mixed at any point. As beginners, we need to accept the more profound science behind these teachings that we do not understand. Most of the practice is done in an abstract, intangible reality that we do not comprehend at the beginning, and that’s why we need to rely on highly realized teachers who have done extensive research in the subtle spiritual sphere already for our good and protection. Only if we can surrender to them and what they teach can we receive and learn. If we come in with the attitude “I know better,” we will never be able to learn.

Hira Ratan Manek has developed the most known sun-gazing technique. In Sun Gazing, you are advised to look directly at the Sun during the first or last hour of sunset and sunrise. In Sunyoga, we never look directly at the Sun, and the mind preparation we do before and the relaxation after are strictly compulsory. It gives us complete protection and should be addressed. 

So, do not compare the practices. What is right for one practice can be wrong for another.

Calendar

4-5 May 2024 – Sunyoga Secondary Course (Level 1-2) Rijeka, Croatia)
10-12 May 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) Lodhadham, Maharashtra, India)
1-7 June 2024 – Advanced Course (Level 4) (Gujarat, India)
22 June 2024 – Sunyogi returns from his 3-year Sadhana on his birthday (Lachhipur, West Bengal, India)
28-30 June 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Lachhipur, West Bengal, India)
9-11 August 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Erbendorf, Germany)
15-18 August 2024 – Sunyoga Basic Course (Level 1-3) (Netherlands)
24-31 August 2024 – Sunyoga Advanced Course (Level 4) (Austria, Europe)

For all details about registrations, please consult our calendar page.

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