Friday Evening Program in Byron Bay
Even though Amma fills the hearts of her Australian devotees to overflowing every time She visits, we can often feel a little 'heart-broken' when She departs to visit Her other children around the world. Out of Her compassion for our post tour 'blues', Amma sent Brahmachari Shantamrita Chaitanya to visit the Byron Bay Satsang group for a two day program, less than three weeks after She had left our shores.
On Friday, April 30, a quaint country hall in the hills outside Byron Bay was packed with more than 70 devotees from the Byron Bay, Brisbane and Gold Coast Satsang groups. Br. Shantamrita led us through a workshop on Conscious Living, guiding us in the principles of self-transformation through awareness.
Swami gave a talk on the need for a shift in the awareness of the human mind, which is the ultimate source of all the problems in our lives. Swami suggested that it is up to us to look within, listen to the voice of our conscience, and find a place of inner tranquillity and contentment. He examined the differences between an introverted mind and an extroverted mind, demonstrating through a range examples that we should strive for an introverted mind and suggested ways that we could do this.
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We were then encouraged to break-up into smaller groups to discuss the issues raised by Swami, using a Sample Spiritual Journal to evaluate how we were choosing to live and what we might do to live 'more consciously'. After the group discussions, we came back together to examine the issues that had been raised. Swami answered questions, made some suggestions and then led the group in a meditation.
All the devotees felt gratitude Amma had sent one of her Swamis to Byron Bay, with many making plans to join in the beach meditation and chanting the following morning. (By Lasita).
A Morning & Picnic with Br. Shantamrita - May 1
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Around 40 people arrived on this sunny morning at a beautiful beach near Byron Bay to chant and meditate with Swami Shantamrita. Everyone gathered around Amma's photo on the sand altar which was embraced by rocks in the shape of a heart. A cleansing shower of rain fell as we began, then the sun returned. We chanted 108 names and 1000 names of the Divine Mother, meditated and sang bhajans. The arati offered by Swami with the clear blue waves crashing in the background was so beautiful to see.
After a break and some photos we moved camp to a grassy area under a tree where we sang more bhajans, (including He Amba led by Amadeus who is 4!), asked some questions relating to spiritual teachings and texts, listened to some stories and ate a picnic lunch. Swami told us an amusing story of his first meeting with Eric Wainaina, a (unknown to Swami then!) famous Kenyan musician. Eric is also a UN ambassador for peace and his music features on the DVD of Amma's visit to Kenya in 2009.
But all too soon it was time for Swami to leave for Melbourne. I think we could have listened for much longer.
Thank you Amma,
(Written by Karen Dandy)
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"Conscious Living" Workshop
with Br. Shantamrita - April 30
Click here to view Photos from the program >
Today’s world faces turbulent international conditions, economic instability, increasing crime, as well as climate change and global environmental pollution. Towards a solution, our efforts at ameliorating social, economic, educational and political systems worldwide, have achieved a degree of success.
However, is a shift in the structures we have created really sufficient to bring about a fundamental solution to the world’s problems? Or, is the most urgent need of the day a shift in the awareness of the human mind, which is the ultimate source of all the problems and instability? Is it not time for us to look within, listen to the voice of our conscience, and find a place of inner ranquillity and contentment?
With this in mind, Brahmachari Shantamrita Chaitanya conducted an evening program with an emphasis on Conscious Living, guiding us in the principles of self-transformation through awareness.
About Brahmachari Shantamrita Chaitanya
Brahmachari Shantamrita Chaitanya grew up in the USA, where he studied Japanese and Asian Civilizations. He began living at Amritapuri (Amma’s Ashram), India in 1993. In 1997 at the age of 29 he was initiated by Amma as a Brahmachari (formally becoming a monk and priest) and since then has been engaged in social, educational and spiritual activities throughout India, Japan, USA and Europe.
In India he has worked on projects such as the Amrita-Kuteeram Housing Construction scheme (supplying housing to people of low income) and the Gujarat Earthquake relief project. In Europe and the USA he has been involved in activities for the Youth as well as accompanying Amma on Her World Tours.
Since 2002 Brahmachari Shantamrita has lived primarily in Japan, where he is Director of M.A. Center Japan and on the Board of Directors of the Japanese branch of Embracing The World (www.embracingtheworld.org). He continues to travel around the world, with Amma and on his own, conducting pujas and homas and inspiring devotees with his heartfelt talks. |
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