THE YOGA CONNECTION

Introducing: Swami Atmarupa Saraswati

By Mantram (Mary Baird)

During the trip to India this past December, our Director and Atma Center Owner, Beverly Singh, received poorna sannyasa initiation from her guru, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. Moving beyond Karma Sannyasin she has been graced with a new title: Swami Atmarupa Saraswati. On behalf of the Atma Center staff and students, Yoga Connection wishes to honor and congratulate our leader. As in past years, Atmarupa continues to bless us with her teaching and inspire us through the example of her unfaltering dedication to the path of Yoga. To shed light on the significance of Swami Atmarupa's new status, here are her responses to our questions:

In our Satyananda tradition, what are the different levels of “initiation?”

First, I want to clarify that any level of initiation is a very personal choice and is not a required step as a student of yoga. To receive initiation is an opportunity to establish a connection with a particular guru or lineage.

Within the Satyananda Yoga lineage, we have four general levels of initiation; 1) Mantra, 2) Jignasu Sannyasa, 3) Karma Sannyasa and 4) Poorna Sannyasa. Each level has certain yoga and lifestyle practices associated with it. These practices are meant to further the aspirant’s progress on a spiritual path. We have an initiation folder with more information about each level available for anyone that’s interested.

What does it mean (generally or to you personally) to be initiated into Poorna Sannyasin? What changes at this level?

For several years, I’ve received advice from Swamis visiting the Atma Center that I should request poorna sannyasa. I would simply laugh. Since I enjoy working so much, I truly identified with being a karma sannyasin. Living outside the ashram in society, I felt it was an appropriate level of initiation.

When I went to India this year, I felt something shifted in me and I began to consider the possibility of becoming a swami. I spent many hours contemplating this step and whether to even discuss the possibility with Swamiji (Niranjanananda). In the end, circumstances arose that permitted me the privacy to ask Swamiji if such a step would ever be appropriate. He not only confirmed that it would be, but told me I would receive initiation the next day. And so it happened.

When you ask what changes at this level – I don’t really know how to answer. I can give an answer based on my understanding of what I’ve studied, but this won’t reflect the challenges that are sure to unfold as I progress on this path. Perhaps you should ask again in a few years.

In fact, as everyone congratulates me, I often wonder if congratulations are quite right, knowing

initiation is given first and then I must find the strength and commitment to live it fully. I feel I am just at the very beginning of a challenging journey that will unfold throughout my remaining years.

A long time yoga teacher added to her best wishes, “May you find this a carryable load.” I hope I do.

Swami Atmarupa Saraswati with Sri Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati in India (2002)

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Sannyasa

by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

Ganga Darshan, December 8, 2000 July 2001 Yoga Magazine

Sannyasa is a parampara. Parampara means 'tradition'. It is a tradition of people who leave society to follow spiritual pursuits, who have no ties with society in any way. This was how the concept of sannyasa developed traditionally. . . .

The traditional approach to sannyasa was absolute separation of the individual from society, but few could follow it. So the propagators of the sannyasa way of life decided that as long as the aim remained the same, it would be acceptable to allow different modifications to the process of sannyasa, which would permit other people to have the belief, lifestyle and discipline of sannyasa. . . .

Many people come to the ashram and suddenly decide they want to take jignasu or karma sannyasa. Why did you decide that? Think about why you took karma sannyasa or jignasu sannyasa. And I can only pray that God may grant you with enough wisdom to keep that focus all the time, without any diversion from or dilution of the aim. You will find it is very difficult to maintain. Definitely poorna sannyasa is a commitment. It is a karmic commitment, it is a psychic, spiritual commitment. If you consider sannyasa in this way, then there are not different lifestyles in sannyasa. How you live externally and what your attitude is internally both have to match. Once they both match, sannyasa can be fulfilled, otherwise it is very difficult.

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Why Have a Guru?

by Atmadarshan (Laura Santoro)

Guru literally means “one who dispels darkness.” In yoga, a guru is an advanced teacher committed to helping others to develop themselves.

One of the guru’s many jobs is to reflect back to us who we truly are and give us the means to overcome the obstacles we put in our own way. If there is a formal guru-student relationship through initiation, the guru is with you for the long haul. It’s not like some TV talk shows, where a guest gets 20 minutes of intense guidance with a limited amount of follow-up. The guru commits to working with you for as long as you are willing to work on yourself.

Musicians, athletes, doctors – they start from their own initiative and expend independent effort to excel. Yet at some point, they all need to look outside themselves for schooling, guidance, coaching, mentoring. Why would we expect spiritual seekers to be any different?

Unfortunately, in our culture the word "guru" can conjure up images of zombie-eyed followers doing their master's whim. Actually, it is the guru who is doing a lot of work, as anyone who has had the pleasure of teaching can attest. A guru's primary motivation is to give us more personal freedom, not to take it away. In fact, one guru I met is always telling his students that they need to rely on him less and take more personal responsibility, which is a far cry from what I had expected to hear.

How can one find a guru? There are no listings in the yellow pages. The process is similar to finding a good counselor. Get recommendations from friends, do some background research, and meet the person. Use your head to help you choose whom to meet. But when you are face to face with a potential guru, use your heart. The final selection of a guru is not an intellectual process. My personal experience, and that of others I have spoken to, is that when one has found his or her guru, there is a sudden knowing that goes beyond the rational. The guru, meanwhile, is also examining you. Sometimes a teacher will not accept a person as a student. That does not mean that there's anything wrong with the student; it simply means that the teacher recognizes that he is not the best guru in this situation.

How does one know when to start looking for a guru? For some of us, a classroom instructor is all we will ever require. The need for a guru is in direct proportion to our need for personal growth. Many of us are willing to invest some time and money into bettering ourselves, but when the urge for self-knowledge starts to drive our lives - when we are ready to give up old comforts, habits and preconceptions, then a guru becomes a necessity. Anything might point you toward a potential guru – a book, a seminar, a chance encounter. But don't look too hard, and don't allow an impatient mind rush you to a quick decision. There is great truth to the saying, "When the student is ready, the master will appear.” Having a guru will be as natural as breathing when the time is right.

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Atma Center Calendar of Coming Events

Feb 16	Sanskrit: Combining Consonants and Vowels 1-4 pm.
Feb 9 - 24	Explorations in Yoga Six workshops exploring various topics in yoga including Karma & Kundalini. Come to one or all. Check events page or phone (216) 371-9760 for times and location.
March 2	Yoga for Healthy Aging Add life to your years! 1-4 pm. Limited enrollment.
	The latest on upcoming programs can always be found at our Events Page

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This newsletter is provided to you by the Atma Center, 2319 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. [216-371-9760 www.atmacenter.com] The Atma Center is the only location in North America to offer advanced training in Satyananda Yoga through Yogic Studies and Teacher Training courses.