Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA -107






















































Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA  







  Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaveille, Buckingham, VA

Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville
108 Yogaville Way | Buckingham, VA 23921, USA
 General Info: 434.969.3121 ext.  : 800.858.YOGA (9642)  
   http://www.yogaville.org

Welcome! Yogaville is more than an ashram, Yoga Teacher Training facility or Yoga Retreat Center; it is a vibrant spiritual community built on the precepts of Integral Yoga as taught by Sri Swami Satchidananda.  Blending the power of the various branches of Yoga into one complete practice, Integral Yoga’s holistic and gentle approach brings benefit to many aspects of one’s life. 
The Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville community is diverse and spiritually rich, fostering the simple and powerful teachings of Yoga.  Take some time and  get to know us better, from video teachings on YouTube to books and DVD’s, inspiring yoga workshops and retreats, our mission is to share the transformative teachings of Integral Yoga will one and all.  We hope to see you here.
Mission
Our mission is to practice, live, and impart the Integral Yoga teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda, to experience Supreme Peace and Joy, and to share that Peace and Joy with one and all

Satchidananda Ashram

Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville® is a vibrant spiritual center founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda. A unique Yoga community, it serves as an oasis for spiritual unfoldment, benefiting residents and guests alike. Situated on the banks of the James River in Buckingham, Virginia with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, it encompasses over 600 acres of serene, wooded landscape. Five sacred sites, including LOTUS, provide a variety of options for meditation, prayer and spiritual gatherings. Our members have come together from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities to live the simple yet profound teachings of Integral Yoga®, based on maintaining our natural condition of an easeful body, peaceful mind and useful life.
Our mission is to practice, live, and impart the Integral Yoga teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda to experience Supreme Peace and Joy, and to share that with one and all.
If you are interested in visiting this idyllic yoga ashram community please call us (434) 969-3121 ext 108  or (800) 858-9642


Sri Swami Satchidananda

Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville was founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev), an esteemed spiritual leader whose message of peace has been heard around the globe. Honored with the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, Sri Gurudev dedicated his life to the cause of peace – both individual and universal – and to religious harmony among all people. His teachings are the Ashram’s guiding principles.

His Service

Swami Satchidananda received many honors for his public service including, the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, the Juliet Hollister Interfaith Award and the U Thant Peace Award. In 1999, the 50th anniversary of his ministerial ordination was commemorated during the interfaith service prior to the opening of the 54th General Assembly of the United Nations. Swami Satchidananda dedicated his life to the cause of peace – both individual and universal – and to unity and harmony among all people.

The LOTUS

Witnessing the genuine peace and joy experienced by all who participated in these gatherings, Sri Gurudev was inspired to create a permanent place where all people could come to realize their essential oneness. Built in Yogaville, in Central Virginia, the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (known as LOTUS) is unique in the world because it has altars for all the world faiths. Dedicated to the Light of all faiths and to world peace, the LOTUS is an enduring symbol of unity in diversity. It was completed in 1986 and is open to the public.

Mahasamadhi

Sri Swami Satchidananda took Mahasamadhi on August 19, 2002 in South India. Shortly before leaving the body, he told many people: “I will always be with you in Spirit. Even if my body is not there, you will never be without me.” That is the reason we refer to his “having dropped the body” or as having “left the body.” That is what the Yoga tradition teaches us about the ongoing relationship with one’s Satguru.

His Teachings

The teachings and practices of Integral Yoga®, as taught by Sri Swami Satchidananda, integrate the various branches of Yoga in order to help one find inner peace and joy. These teachings are the foundation of Dr. Dean Ornish’s work in reversing heart disease at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Dr. Michael Lerner’s notable work with cancer patients at the Commonweal Cancer Help program. Sri Swami Satchidananda authored many books, among them: Integral Yoga Hatha, To Know Your Self, The Living Gita, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and The Golden Present.  Many of these books are also available on DVD.  He is the subject of two biographies, Sri Swami Satchidananda – Apostle of Peace and Portrait of a Modern Sage.

Yogaville

Surrounding the Satchidananda Ashram is the Yogaville Community – a community diverse in its make-up and unified in its dedication to living a Yogic lifestyle, Yogaville is truly a Heaven on Earth.
Yogaville includes all the Ashram and the surrounding private homes owned by devotees of Sri Swami Satchidananda and students of the Integral Yoga teachings.  With over 200 citizens, Yogaville is a close-knit population in Buckingham County that includes the Integral Yoga School (Vidyalayam), Integral Yoga Distribution, Shakticom Multimedia, Lotus Conference Center, Sacred Sites, and various other private businesses.
If You Want to See Heaven…
By H. H. Sri Swami Satchidananda

It’s impossible for us to transform the whole world overnight. We have to start building a better world somewhere. That is the purpose of Yogaville. Let one little village become a beautiful one, a heaven on earth. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should not do anything for other parts of the world. But remember, charity begins at home.  That is why in Yogaville we are trying to lead a life filled with caring and sharing—and a life with the recognition of our spiritual unity. We are trying to prove in Yogaville—in this one little miniature world—that people from various places come together and can live together harmoniously as one family. If we can’t make this little world a happy place to live, a harmonious place to live, then there is no point in talking about global harmony or global peace.
Here, in Yogaville, all are in good company: the company of like-minded people seeking to live easeful, peaceful, and useful lives. If you are in this kind of good company, your mind is more calm. When your mind is more calm, you experience your own inner Self. It’s as simple as that. Those who find it difficult to follow any spiritual practices will find an immediate benefit by living in such an environment. They will get great benefit just by leaving the bad company behind, just by changing the environment, and by finding the good company.
That is the purpose of Yogaville. Here we are as one family. We came from various places. We have various tastes, various temperaments, various faces, various beliefs, but we are living here as one family, helping each other. Everyone is growing and helps others to grow. It takes a lot of understanding, a lot of cooperation, and coordination. That’s why, when I travel around the globe, I say, “If you want to see a heaven, come to Yogaville.”
Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi

Sacred Sites
Sivananda Centenary Hall
Satchidananda Ashram –Yogaville is blessed with several sacred sites where prayer and worship services, holiday celebrations, and meditation sessions are regularly held.  The holy vibrations that result from all the devotional and meditative activity fill the Ashram with healing energy, and an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This beautiful, serene environment attracts devotees, students, and spiritual seekers from around the world who come to recharge and progress on their path.

Sivananda Hall

Sivananda Hall is named after Sri Swami Sivananda, the Guru of Sri Swami Satchidananda. Since its dedication on March 12, 1986, the hall has been used for multiple purposes including serving as the venue for our weekly spiritual gathering, known as “satsang”, which features: kirtan (chanting), a DVD of Sri Swami Satchidananda, a spiritual discourse by a guest presenter or senior member, and closing prayers for world peace. Sivananda Hall also serves as a venue for our annual spiritual celebrations such as Guru Poornima and the Jayanthi (Birthday) of Sri Swami Satchidananda, among others.

Chidambaram

On August 19, 2002, Sri Gurudev attained Mahasamadhi, the term used to describe the final passage of a God-realized soul from the body. Beginning on August 22, 2002, and lasting for an entire week, Sri Gurudev’s body was interred according to traditional Vedic rituals inside Chidambaram, his special Mahasamadhi Shrine. In accordance with Sri Gurudev’s wishes, the ceremonies were conducted by a revered priest from the Perur Temple of South India.
Before his passing, Sri Gurudev spoke about the special blessings that would emanate from Chidambaram and told devotees: “I will always be with you in Spirit. Even if my body is not there, you will never be without me. When the day comes that I leave the body, you will be able to come here to receive the answers to your questions and the solutions to your problems.”
The Shrine is open daily for prayer and meditation. Special intentions and prayer requests are offered at the daily puja (worship service) every morning.

Guru Bhavan

Dedicated on July 16, 1989, Guru Bhavan serves as the primary meditation hall at the Ashram. Located on the central area of the grounds, a meditation session is held at 5:00 am, followed by another session at 6:20 am. At 12 noon, Guru Bhavan serves as one of the three venues for silent meditation, along with LOTUS and Chidambaram. In the evening, there is a session held at 6:00 pm.
Guru Bhavan is also used for spiritual initiations, ordinations, graduations and memorial services.
The hall is lined with display cabinets containing memorabilia from the life and service of Sri Swami Satchidananda, including: artifacts from his personal life, gifts presented to him from devotees around the world, and hand-crafted items.

On the walls at the back of the hall are some of the many awards presented to Sri Swami Satchidananda honoring his dedicated service to humanity.

Nataraja Shrine

The magnificent Lord Siva Nataraja Shrine is situated at a lovely hilltop location overlooking theLOTUS Shrine, with a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. Dedicated in 1991, the site is known as “Kailash,” named after the holy abode of Lord Siva in the Himalayas.
The seven-foot tall bronze Moorti, or sacred statue, that is installed within the Shrine was generously donated to the Ashram by Sri Dr. Karan Singh and his wife, Princess Yasho. Dr. Singh is a former Indian Ambassador to the United States and a well-known scholar and public servant.
Lord Siva Nataraja, the Lord of the Cosmic Dance, dances with a flaming halo symbolizing the Pranava OM or universal intelligence/energy. He “dances,” or rotates, every six hours for approximately ten minutes, at 12 noon, 6 p.m.,12 midnight, and 6 a.m. The Moorti is enclosed by glass on all sides.
At the feet of Lord Nataraja sits a beautiful Lingam (the universal symbol of Lord Siva) with smaller Moortis of Nandishwara Deva (Sri Nandi), Sri Ganesha, Sri Subramanyam (Lord Muruga), and Sri Sivakami Mata, His Consort.
Adjacent to the Shrine are additional enclosures housing marble Moortis of Lord Sri Ganesha, Lord Siva in His Aspect of Lord Sri Shankara, Lord Sri Krishna, and Sri Durga (Parashakti). These welcoming Deities were created in Jaipur, India and installed here in 1993. An additional bronze Moorti of Sri Swami Satchidanandaji sits a short distance away gazing toward Sri Nataraja.
Puja (Hindu ritual worship) is performed daily inside the Sanctum, generally at 11:45 a.m. On Pradosham (Lord Siva’s special holy day), puja is performed at dusk instead. The Sanctum is open only during pujas. Please check with the Ashram for exact timing and any timing changes.

Light Of Truth Universal Shrine – LOTUS

Perhaps the crowning glory of Swami Satchidananda’s interfaith work is the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine - an interfaith shrine built in Yogaville in 1986. LOTUS celebrates the unity behind the diversity of the world religions.  Open to people of all faiths to meditate and pray, this shrine uses the universal symbol of light as the symbol of the Divine. It is the first shrine ever built to house altars for every major faith and also faiths less well-known and those not yet known.  For in depth information including video clips, a virtual tour and much more please visit the official LOTUS website at www.LOTUS.org

 LOTUS PRAYER

By H. H. Sri Swami Satchidananda

O Lord, the Light of Lights,
You are the Indweller of the entire Universe.
You are the Light of Awareness.
You are the Light of our Consciousness.
You are the One who enlightens everything and everybody.
You are the One who makes the sun shine, the moon shine,
Who makes the stars shine, who makes the fire burn.
Kindly lead us to that Light of Wisdom and remove the darkness of ignorance; enlighten our hearts.
Help us experience that Light within and without.
Help us see the same Light, the same Spirit dwelling everywhere in everything, or to be more accurate, as everything.
Help us to understand You and You alone through all these various forms and names, through all these different approaches and ways of worship.
Help us recognize the central unity. Help us realize we are Your image,
Your children, no matter what the differences are.
Let us behold Your Spirit running through all.
Give us the strength and courage and capacity to experience that Peace and Joy and share that experience with everyone.
Help us to get away from these selfish temptations with which we are creating all the differences, all the fights, and all the wars.
We have suffered enough due to our ignorance.
Please guide us to know our brothers and sisters and to know we are all parts of your family.
Enlighten our paths, O the Light of Lights, Lord of Lords. Help us, guide us. 

About Integral Yoga
“The goal of Integral Yoga, and the birthright of every individual, is to realize the spiritual unity behind all the diversities in the entire creation and to live harmoniously as members of one universal family. This goal is achieved by maintaining our natural condition of a body of optimum health and strength, senses under total control, a mind well-disciplined, clear and calm, an intellect as sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as steel, a heart full of unconditional love and compassion, an ego as pure as a crystal, and a life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy.”
- HH Sri Swami Satchidananda 

The word “Yoga” means union or yoke in the ancient Sanskrit language. It is a perfect description of the science and philosophy of Integral Yoga. Integral Yoga® synthesizes the various branches of Yoga into a comprehensive life style system. The aim is to promote harmonious development of every aspect of the individual . The six branches of Integral Yoga® are each powerful tools to gain self-mastery. When combined to effect the whole being the results are at once subtle, profound and measurable. Some basic descriptions of each of the six branches are listed here:
Hatha Yoga
Focuses on the physical aspects through asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), mudras, kriyas, yogic diet, and deep relaxation.

Raja Yoga
Balance and control of the mind through ethical practices, concentration and meditation.

Bhakti Yoga
The path of devotion, by constant love, thought, and service of the Divine. Bhakti Yoga can be practiced by everyone. All that is needed is faith and constant remembrance of God.

Karma Yoga
The path of action and selfless service. Serving without attachment to the fruits (or results) of the action.

Jnana Yoga
The intellectual approach. Through the knowledge of what really exists, that is, what is not changeable, one who engages in the Path of Wisdom realizes Oneness with the entire Universe.

Japa Yoga
Japa means repetition of a mantram – a sound structure of one or more syllables which represents a particular aspect of the Divine Vibration.


IY  Ministry

“Remember to keep the mind free of selfishness. Have this attitude: ‘I am living for the sake of others, for the sake of the world. Because the same force that created me created everything else, I have a duty to serve others. If I don’t serve others, I don’t even need to live in this world.’ Become service-oriented, service-motivated. That way you can have your house, your food, your clothes, your sleep, but, ultimately, you realize: Why do I eat? I eat to gain enough energy to serve others. I sleep to get a good rest so that I can wake up and serve others. I live in a house because I need shelter to sleep comfortably, to eat, and then to serve others.” – Sri Swami Satchidananda  

Integral Yoga ministers are dedicated to leading a lifestyle that is in harmony with the Integral Yoga teachings of their spiritual Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda. Their goal is to deepen their spiritual practices and to serve humanity in whatever opportunities come their way.
Integral Yoga ministers are called upon to officiate at ceremonies and functions that mark the milestones in people’s lives. Thus, they perform such sacraments as weddings, blessing and naming ceremonies for newborns, funeral services and others, as called upon.
Aside from officiating at ceremonies and public functions, ministers’ responsibilities may also include: teaching classes and lecturing on the various aspects of our religious teachings and practices. Additionally, they offer spiritual counseling to those who seek it. When functioning in an official capacity, the ministers wear white robes with gold trim.
Our ministers need not change or leave their occupations or families. A minister may serve as a married person or as a single person. They strive to be examples of our spiritual teachings by living peaceful and useful lives.
 Satsang; the weekly gathering in spiritual fellowship
“Satsang” is a Sanskrit word meaning “gathering of seekers of the Truth.” Here at Yogaville, we traditionally hold Satsang on Saturday evening where we participate in kirtan (devotional chanting), view a video of Sri Gurudev speaking at a former satsang (different every week) and listen to senior members or guest presenters speak on a topic related to spiritual growth.  Often times we also enjoy a musical or other cultural offering of dance, skits, poetry or story-telling; all spiritually inspirational.  Satsang concludes with a ceremonial prayer for world peace and the distribution of prasad (a blessed food item).
This weekly fellowship offers the chance for new visitors and long-time Ashram denizens to share spiritual ideas and camaraderie.  We hope you will look for the weekly Satsang schedule on the Community Events Calendar and make plans to join us.
Satsang is also available live online at – http://new.livestream.com/yogaville
You can also view past satsangs on this same channel!

 
New to Yoga or Yogaville?  Take part in our “Welcome Weekend”— one of our most popular programs,  designed to help you experience, perhaps for the first time, the benefits of yoga practices in your life.
Experience some of the basic teachings of Integral Yoga as taught by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Relax, refresh and renew with a Yogaville getaway.  Immerse yourself in the daily schedule of the Ashram. This program offers you guided experiences in meditation and Hatha Yoga (the physical postures, relaxation and breathing practices), informative videos, three delicious vegetarian meals daily, a tour of the Ashram grounds, time for enjoying the hiking and walking trails, and our beautiful interfaith shrine – LOTUS.
Our goal is to help you become better acquainted with Yogaville and the yogic way of life through participation with our yoga-rich daily schedule, special classes and a tour of the grounds.  On Saturday evening, there is a public program called satsang, which includes kirtan (chanting), a presentation by a senior member or a guest speaker and a video of Sri Swami Satchidananda sharing his warmth and wisdom with us. The weekend concludes Sunday morning with a class on the Various Branches of Yoga and how each one benefits your life.  Every weekend is a Welcome Weekend at Yogaville.

Programmes:

Silent Retreats ~ Integral Yoga Signature Retreats,
Workshops
Retreats
Personal Retreats
Living Yoga Training
Residential Programs


Links

The Golden Present
Daily inspirational readings from Sri Swami Satchidananda
www.TheGoldenPresent.org

Integral Yoga Teachers Association
www.IYTA.org

Sparkling Together
Childrens book by Swami Jyotirmayananda
www.SparklingTogether.com

Integral Yoga Magazine
Each week receive an inspirational message from H. H. Sri Swami Satchidananda
and a beautiful photo of him sent to you via email.
http://www.iymagazine.org/








Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...)                                                                                                                              



(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )

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