Yogoda Satsanga Society India: Learn Kriya Yoga Meditation- Public talks Bengaluru
On the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India is organizing public talks around the country, to disseminate ancient yoga-meditation techniques as expounded by Yoganandaji for the well-being of body, mind and soul, and the benefit of society-at-large.
Two public talks titled: “Kriya Yoga Meditation: A definite way for a healthy, happy and successful life” followed by meditation classes were organised at Bengaluru as a part of the 125th anniversary celebrations, one at HAL Convention Centre, on Old Airport Road, and the other at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, on Race Course Road, on December 15th and 16th. These programs were supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The events were presided by our beloved Swami Smaranananda Giri, who is a senior monastic and Vice President of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS). Swamiji’s highly accomplished educational, technical, professional background made him an attractive speaker for Bangalore audience. Swamiji is a Post-Doctoral Fellow from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. He obtained his PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1980. He received a state Gold medal at the school level and a University Gold medal for engineering. IIT Kharagpur conferred on him the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018 for his outstanding achievements and contributions.
Swamiji’s free talk was attended at both venues to packed halls, overflowing into the corridors, and into additional seating spaces in the Annex Hall and a Basement Hall at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. A very large number of them stayed back to learn Kriya Yoga meditation techniques from the visiting monastics, who are both long-time meditators.
Here is a quick round-up of the events for those who could not make it:
Venue 1: HAL convention centre - 15th December
Chief guest: Shri R. Madhavan, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL
Venue 2: Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan - 16th December
Chief guests: Shri. T Sunil Kumar, IPS
The venues were aesthetically decorated and a bookstall presenting YSS publications was set up in the entrance of the premise for both the locations.
Attendees were ushered by the smiling courteous volunteers to the refreshments section. After which they were welcomed to the main hall. Soothing Cosmic chants, written and tuned by Paramahansaji, were sung, this helped the participants to get into a meditative frame of mind. The chief guests lit the lamp and prayers were sung to inaugurate the event. A brief introduction on YSS and about Swamiji was given.
During the talk, Swamiji explained the meaning of the concept of God, he explained how God is ever new joy: "Sacchidananda”. He asked the audience to contemplate the notion of life filled with joy and inner security forever. He shared some personal anecdotes and examples illustrating the importance of meditation and how it leads one to be actively calm and calmly active in an otherwise hectic life.
Swamiji explained how Kriya yoga is a scientific methodology to reclaim a richer inner life. He compared its authenticity to maths, how if you follow the certain mathematical process the result is same always and also foolproof - no matter what country, race, faith or time one belonged to; same is true with Kriya yoga -if one follows the methods ardently the result is definite. After the introduction, he urged people who were interested to stay back to register for the YSS lessons to avail the opportunity to get immediate instruction and guidance on the practice on two techniques: Energization Exercise which fill the body with energy, and Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration.
Swamiji also explained how Paramahansaji’s detailed instructions about the Kriya Yoga Meditation techniques that were captured in the form of YSS home-study lessons, which also included important instructions on how to live a balanced, successful life - how to increase our initiative, improve memory, eat right, how to raise children, be a good employee and other such daily relevant topic.
The participants were handed first four YSS Lessons on the spot after they subscribed for the lessons. Swamiji guided them through the principles and practice of the Energization Exercises and gently explained ways to practice them effectively. After this, all the participants practised Hong-Sou Technique of Concentration under Swamiji 's guidance. The hall reverberated with peace and joy in each of the two venues - with many participants expressing gratitude for having this opportunity to not only learn about meditation but to be also able to take home techniques that they can practice in their homes guided by the YSS lessons.
