Diwali, or Dipawali, is a traditional Indian celebration also called the Festival of lights. This festival falls between mid-October and mid-November on the night of the new moon. During this dark night, people decorate their home with colorful lights, hence its name. Diwali, which translates as “a string of well-lit lamps or row of well-lit lamps,” also refers to knowledge and the light of Divine attunement, the ever-existing light of divinity.

Diwali is considered one of the most auspicious festivals in Indian culture; it is celebrated throughout the world in many Indian communities. This yearly event – timed precisely through astrological calculations – opens a “cosmic window” enabling participants to more easily attune themselves to higher spiritual energy. Diwali is filled with spiritualism and religious activities, such as worshiping Lakshmi, the goddess of joy, prosperity and success, or Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles. This year, the Birla Center will be holding its monthly meditation on Diwali Tuesday, November 13th at its wellness center in Chénéville. We would be delighted to have you join in on this traditional, festive Hindu celebration.

Diwali is an extremely auspicious time to meditate, pray, and focus on the goals you have set for yourself. This can be attained, in part, through the instrumentality of mantra, the science of vibratory sound, and its effect on the human nervous system. As a consequence of mantra recitation, we have the potential to arouse the powerful latent energy in our chakras, or spinal centers. The powerful synergy resulting from mantra recitation during the period of Diwali increases tenfold the beneficial effects — significantly more than at other times of the year. In the east, this practice results in the attainment of siddhis – powers which are byproducts in the process of perfecting our consciousness. They are evidence of an awakening consciousness and the ever-increasing connection with our divine nature, the light within – a light that, incidentally, manifests through the planetary radiations reflected in the chart and hand.

Depending on your individual needs, a specific mantra can be chosen for you that you can recite aloud or silently. For example, the Gayatri mantra is recited for peace of heart; the Maha Mritunjaya for health; and the Saraswati Devi mantra is recited for creativity. Consider that, according to ancient scriptures, each of these time-honored, potent mantras have been used successfully for centuries. A phonetic transliteration will be given to help you pronounce your mantra correctly.

If you cannot come in person to our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home in order to spread the healing vibration around you through the power of group meditation to promote world peace and betterment of life for everyone. This time can be devoted exclusively to mantra recitation and meditation to achieve the maximum benefits this auspicious day has to offer. It is recommended that you fast for the most part on Tuesday; then, having a light, vegetarian meal later in the day. You can then continue alternating your meditation and mantra recitation, preferably until midnight on the 13th.

How to Proceed
Choose a quiet, tidy room well lit by as many candles as possible. Christmas lights can also be used to make your “Festival of Lights” event an even more cheerful and festive celebration. It is a fact, that intention and visualization are powerful tools towards realizing our goals. Items, pictures and symbols, therefore, that represent our cherished dreams – also a part of the Diwali celebration – can be placed on a meditation altar or table alongside statues and images of saints, deities, and gurus that are close to your heart. For example, a writer focusing on successfully finishing a book could place pages from a manuscript in progress.

Whatever the desire, and as it has been said, “Nothing is too great for a child of God”; your wish can be affirmed visually on the Diwali altar. In addition, photos of loved ones should also be placed here, to vibrate peace, joy and prosperity to them.

Individuals who would like to experience Diwali with us are welcome to join our 39th annual Diwali night celebration. Please note that this activity is free, although it is recommended that participants bring a flower and a fruit to place on the alter. The celebrations of Diwali at the Birla Center are limited to the first 30 persons. Please call now at our toll free number 866.428.3799 to reserve your place and/or your room.

The Birla Center will be holding its next monthly meditation on Monday, October 29th at its wellness center in Chénéville. Come and celebrate the full Moon in Aries. It is a very auspicious time to embark upon cultivating healing powers, intuition, and, above all, integration of body, mind and soul.

The practice of meditating on the full Moon helps bringing fulfillment in all respects of our life. This is a time of high energy. It is a good time to reflect, as often we might be out of touch with our emotions. This is a very potent time in our meditation to seek integration and achieve fulfillment.
Mark this date in your calendar. These monthly meditations can become, a special, and memorable occasions to share some time with like-minded individuals, and to recharge your spiritual batteries, helping you instill greater peace of mind in the midst of a hectic life. You can return home, better equipped to face daily challenges in a more serene manner.

If you cannot take part in person at our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home. Though not ideal, in terms of the benefits gained from participating in a group meditation, synchronizing your home meditation with that of ours here at the center provides a fellowship whereby we are all together on a similar spiritual quest.

Please note that our group meditations are free. To reserve your place and/or your room, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

Next Meditations at the Birla Center

Tuesday, November 13 - Diwali, the Festival of Lights
Friday, December 21 - Winter solstice and Christmas meditation

The Birla Center will be holding its next monthly meditation on Friday, August 31st at its wellness center in Chénéville. Come and celebrate the full Moon in Aquarius. It is a very auspicious time to embark upon cultivating healing powers, intuition, and, above all, integration of body, mind and soul. Referred to as Guru Poornima in the Indian panchang (ephemeris), traditionally, this full moon provides the opportunity to connect with your teachers, gurus and “guardian angels” in order to seek their blessings. In turn, the students offer them their love, devotion and commitment, as a sign of loyalty, in the form of gifts to God to attract all-round prosperity.

The practice of meditating on the full Moon helps bringing fulfillment in all respects of our life. This is a time of high energy. It is a good time to reflect, as often we might be out of touch with our emotions. This is a very potent time in our meditation to seek integration and achieve fulfillment. We can celebrate our success, harvest and enjoy the fruits of our labour. In addition, this full moon is a Blue Moon. This auspicious indicates that it will be the third of 4 full moons this summer, a rare occurrence.

Mark this date in your calendar. These monthly meditations can become, a special, and memorable occasions to share some time with like-minded individuals, and to recharge your spiritual batteries, helping you instill greater peace of mind in the midst of a hectic life. You can return home, better equipped to face daily challenges in a more serene manner.

If you cannot take part in person at our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home. Though not ideal, in terms of the benefits gained from participating in a group meditation, synchronizing your home meditation with that of ours here at the center provides a fellowship whereby we are all together on a similar spiritual quest.

Please note that our group meditations are free. To reserve your place and/or your room, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

Next Meditations at the Birla Center

Monday, September 29 - Harvest (full) Moon
Saturday, October 29 - Full Moon
Wednesday, November 28 - Full moon and lunar eclipse
Friday, December 21 - Winter solstice and Christmas meditation

As a reminder, this month’s meditation will be held Sunday, July 22nd at the Birla Wellness Center in Chénéville. Come and celebrate the Moon in Leo. The new moon just reappeared again and entered its crescent phase. This is a very potent time in our meditation to seek integration and achieve fulfillment. In addition, as there are no aspects impeding the enthusiasm associated with this emotionally capable sign, the green lights are on to initiate new projects regardless the theme.
We are holding a monthly meditation here at our center, provided to help support yours, as well as our continued spiritual growth. The progress you are likely to make during this upcoming year, ushered in part through the group meditation, will improve if you maintain your focus and dedication to meditate consistently throughout the coming months. Consequently, as we are living in tumultuous times, this would be a great time to initiate a spiritual meditation practice – if you haven’t done so already.
    
Mark this date in your calendar. These monthly meditations can become, a special, and memorable occasions to share some time with like-minded individuals, and to recharge your spiritual batteries, helping you instill greater peace of mind in the midst of a hectic life. You can return home, better equipped to face daily challenges in a more serene manner.

If you cannot take part in person at our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home. Though not ideal, in terms of the benefits gained from participating in a group meditation, synchronizing your home meditation with that of ours here at the center provides a fellowship whereby we are all together on a similar spiritual quest.

Please note that our group meditations are free. To reserve your place and/or your room, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

Next Meditations at the Birla Center

Friday, August 31 - Blue (full) Moon
Monday, September 29 - Harvest (full) Moon
Saturday, October 29 - Full Moon
Wednesday, November 28 - Full moon and lunar eclipse
Friday, December 21 - Winter solstice and Christmas meditation

What Is Meditation?

Meditation is the science of reuniting the soul with your essence, the Source, the Infinite Spirit, with God. By meditating regularly and deeply, you will awaken your soul — the immortal, blissful divine consciousness at the innermost core of your being.
Yoga meditation is the time-proven way of unlocking our soul’s infinite potential. It is the direct means of freeing the attention from life’s distractions, stilling the turbulent and restless thoughts that keep us from knowing our real Self — the wondrous divine being that we really are. Through the discipline of meditation, we learn to concentrate within, discovering our center of unshakable peace and joy.

Why Meditate?

As you progress in meditation, gradually you experience an ever-increasing inner peace and joy that comes from the soul. In the most exalted states, your soul realizes its complete oneness with God. This is the goal of meditation — ecstatic, superconscious, blissful divine communion, which is called Samadhi.

Paramahansa Yogananda taught a system of powerful meditation techniques as part of the science of Kriya Yoga. These techniques are available through the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. Anyone wishing to learn and benefit from the highest techniques of meditation will find these lessons to be an invaluable resource and lifelong support.

If you have not yet enrolled for the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, you will find on this article some basic instructions on how to meditate, which you can use right away to begin experiencing the peace and divine consciousness that meditation brings.

From the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda:
“Even though you may be able to do everything else but meditate, you will never find joy to equal that which comes when the thoughts are silent and your mind is tuned to the peace of God.”— Paramahansa Yogananda, Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons
Benefits of Meditation

The benefits of meditation are multiple. Through regular practice, subtle transformations take place in one’s body, mind, and inmost consciousness. Some of these benefits are experienced right away; others unfold progressively and may take more time to become apparent.

• Inner peace is one of the first fruits of meditation. Along with that come greater clarity, understanding, and guidance from within.
• Meditation brings objectivity and intuitive knowledge of how to address the problems that arise in the course of daily life. It improves one’s concentration and efficiency, and one’s attitude toward work.
• It brings greater harmony and joy to relationships and family life, awakening the capacity to give — and receive — unconditional love.
• It harmonizes the life forces in the body, removing harmful stress and promoting health and vitality.
• Most importantly, it helps to attune one’s consciousness to the Divine, bestowing an unshakable inward happiness and security amidst all circumstances of life.

These results come with sincere effort and by mobilizing the will to continue striving until one finds the ultimate goal in life — ever new bliss and union with God through Self-realization.

How to meditate

Find a quiet, peaceful place where you can be secluded and undisturbed during meditation. Create your own sanctuary exclusively for your meditation practice.

Sit on a straight chair or cross legged on a firm surface — cover that with a woolen blanket and/or a silk cloth. This insulates your seat from the downward pull of subtle earth currents.

Instructions on Posture for Effective Meditation

Sit straight with the feet resting flat on the floor. Hold spine erect, abdomen in, chest out, shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground. Those persons whose legs are supple may prefer to meditate sitting cross-legged on a cushion on the floor, or on a firm bed.

The hands, with palms upturned, should rest on the legs at the juncture of the thighs and the abdominal region to prevent the body from bending forward.

If the correct posture has been assumed, the body will be stable yet relaxed, so that it is easily possible to remain completely still, without moving a muscle.

Now, close your eyes and gently lift your gaze upward, without straining, to the point between the eyebrows — the seat of concentration, and of the spiritual eye of divine perception.

A Beginner’s Meditation, ss taught by Paramahansa Yogananda

1) Prayer  

After you are established in the meditation posture, begin by offering God a prayer from your heart, expressing your devotion and asking His blessings on your meditation.

2) Tense and Relax to Remove All Stress  

• Inhale, tensing the whole body and clenching the fists.  
• Relax all the body parts at once and, as you do so, expel the breath through the mouth in a double exhalation, "huh, huh."

Repeat this practice three to six times.
Then forget the breath. Let it flow in and out naturally, of its own accord, as in ordinary breathing.

3) Focus Attention at the Spiritual Eye  

With the eyelids half closed (or completely closed, if this is more comfortable to you), look upward, focusing the gaze and the attention as though looking out through a point between the eyebrows. (A person deep in concentration often "knits" his brows at this spot.) Do not cross the eyes or strain them; the upward gaze comes naturally when one is relaxed and calmly concentrated.

What is important is fixing the whole attention at the point between the eyebrows. This is the Christ Consciousness center, the seat of the single eye spoken of by Jesus: "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light" (Matthew 6:22).

When the purpose of meditation is fulfilled, the follower finds his consciousness automatically concentrated at the spiritual eye, and he experiences, according to his inner spiritual capacity, a state of joyous divine union with Spirit.

4) Pray Deeply to God in the Language of Your Own Heart

Whether you see the light of the spiritual eye or not, however, you should continue to concentrate at the Christ Consciousness center between the eyebrows, praying deeply to God and His great saints. In the language of your heart invoke Their presence and Their blessings.

A good practice is to take an affirmation or a prayer from the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons, or from Paramahansa Yogananda's Whispers from Eternity or Metaphysical Meditations, and spiritualize it with your own devotional yearning.

Silently chant and pray to God, keeping the attention at the point between the eyebrows, until you feel God's response as calm, deep peace and inner joy.

5) Daily Practice as Preparation for the Deeper Techniques

The meditation period should last at least thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes at night. The longer you sit, enjoying the state of meditative calm, the faster you will progress spiritually. Carry into your daily activities the calmness you feel in meditation; that calmness will help you to bring harmony and happiness into every department of your life.

Through daily practice of the foregoing instructions, you can prepare yourself for the practice of the deeper techniques of concentration and meditation that are given in the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons. These scientific techniques will enable you to dive ever more deeply in the great ocean of God's presence. We all exist at this very moment in that ocean of Spirit; but only by steadfast, devoted, scientific meditation may we consciously perceive that we are individualized soul waves on the vast ocean of God's bliss.

For your inspiration, here are some extracts about meditation drawn from Metaphysical Meditations by Paramahansa Yogananda.

“Meditation is the science of God realization. It is the most practical science in the world. Most people would want to meditate if they understood its value and experienced its beneficial effects. The ultimate object of meditation is to attain conscious awareness of God, and the soul’s eternal oneness with Him. What achievement could be more purposeful and useful than to harness limited human faculties to the omnipresence and omnipotence of the Creator? God realization bestows on the meditator the blessings of the Lord’s peace, love, joy, power, and wisdom.”

“Meditation utilizes concentration in its highest form. Concentration consists in freeing the attention from distractions and in focusing it on any thought in which one may be interested. Meditation is that special form of concentration in which the attention has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God. Meditation, therefore, is concentration used to know God....

“The first proof of God’s presence is an ineffable peace. This evolves into joy humanly inconceivable. Once you have touched the Source of truth and life, all nature will respond to you.”

“Finding God within, you will find Him without, in all people and all conditions.”

We invite you to come to experience meditation as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda, Saturday, July 21 from 13:30 to 15:00, at the workshop, "Meditate and live better" to be held as part of Greet & Meet Saturdays at the Birla Wellness Center of Cheneville. For reservation, visit our website by cliking HERE, or cal at 1-866-428-3799

May your meditation bring you peace and divine joy to reconnect to your source.

Namaste

Source: Paramahansa Yogananda, Self-Realization Fellowship

As a reminder, this month’s meditation will be held Wednesday, June 20th at the Birla Wellness Center in Chénéville. Come and celebrate the Summer Solstice and Mother Earth. Vishnu is one of the gods of the Hindu trinity whose role is to preserve and protect the universe. The Summer Solstice is a very important time to invoke Vishnu to help and preserve Mother Earth.

Astronomically when the phase of the moon is new, it is in conjunction with the sun and invisible from earth. It is shortly after the phase of the new moon, when it again reappears, that it enters its crescent phase. Astrologically speaking, during the time of the new moon both it and the Sun occupy the same zodiac sign. During the upcoming meditation, the Sun and Moon will both be in Gemini.

During this time emotions run deep as they are infused with solar power; our often nebulous, subconscious feelings can rise to the surface of our conscious awareness whereby they can be observed objectively and with greater detachment. As a result, we can learn much about ourselves. Meditating and doing a little self-reflection during the dark night phase of the moon allows us the opportunity to be more in touch with our unconscious feelings and motivations. It is a favorable time for self-discovery.

The new moon also signals the potential for new beginnings – a time to plant new seeds of inspiration, which we can continue to nurture throughout the month. It is also a time to give new life to past dreams and promises that we have made to ourselves though, perhaps as a result of other pressing responsibilities, they have been overlooked or forgotten over the past busy month.

A new moon meditation offers the occasion for us to get back on track and to remind us of our essential spiritual needs. During this dark phase of the moon, great insight can be generated.  Consequently, whatever is revealed during meditation or brought to light in situations during the day, it would be helpful to take note of these observations in a diary or journal. Accordingly, the new moon offers hope for a new cycle of creativity.

If you cannot take part in person at our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home. Though not ideal, in terms of the benefits gained from participating in a group meditation, synchronizing your home meditation with that of ours here at the center provides a fellowship whereby we are all together on a similar spiritual quest.

Please note that our group meditations are free. To reserve your place and/or your room, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

Next Meditations at the Birla Center

Sunday, July 22 - Sun in Leo
Friday, August 31 - Blue (full) Moon
Monday, September 29 -  Harvest (full) Moon
Saturday, October 29 -  Full Moon
Wednesday, November 28 - Full moon and lunar eclipse
Friday, December 21 - Winter solstice and Christmas meditation

The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year where nature is in full bloom. On Wednesday, June 20th, the Birla Center will be holding its monthly meditation at its healing center in Chénéville. Come and celebrate Mother Earth.

Vishnu is one of the gods of the Hindu trinity whose role is to preserve and protect the universe. The Summer Solstice is a very important time to invoke Vishnu to help and preserve Mother Earth. This New Moon in Gemini will also be a good time to meditate in order to remain peaceful and reflective, especially with our loved ones at this time.

We are holding a monthly meditation here at our center, provided to help support yours, as well as our continued spiritual growth. The progress you are likely to make during this upcoming year, ushered in part through the group meditation, will improve if you maintain your focus and dedication to meditate consistently throughout the coming months. Consequently, as we are living in tumultuous times, this would be a great time to initiate a spiritual meditation practice – if you haven’t done so already.

Mark this date in your calendar. These monthly meditations can become, a special, and memorable occasions to share some time with like-minded individuals, and to recharge your spiritual batteries, helping you instill greater peace of mind in the midst of a hectic life. You can return home, better equipped to face daily challenges in a more serene manner.

If you cannot take part in person at our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home. Though not ideal, in terms of the benefits gained from participating in a group meditation, synchronizing your home meditation with that of ours here at the center provides a fellowship whereby we are all together on a similar spiritual quest.

Please note that our group meditations are free. To reserve your place and/or your room, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

Next Meditations at the Birla Center

Sunday, July 22  - Sun in Leo
Friday, August 31 - Blue (full) Moon
Monday, September 29 - Harvest (full) Moon
Saturday, October 29 - Full Moon
Wednesday, November 28 - Full moon and lunar eclipse
Friday, December 21 - Winter solstice and Christmas meditation

The Birla Center will be holding its next monthly meditation on Saturday, May 5th at its retreat center in Chénéville. Come and celebrate the full Moon in Libra. It is a very auspicious time to embark upon cultivating healing powers, intuition, and, above all, integration of body, mind and soul. Referred to as Guru Poornima in the Indian panchang (ephemeris), traditionally, this full moon provides the opportunity to connect with your teachers, gurus and “guardian angels” in order to seek their blessings. In turn, the students offer them their love, devotion and commitment, as a sign of loyalty, in the form of gifts to God to attract all-round prosperity. The practice of meditating on the full Moon brings fulfillment in all respects of our life.

We are holding a monthly meditation here at our center, provided to help support yours, as well as our continued spiritual growth. The progress you are likely to make during this upcoming year, ushered in part through the group meditation, will improve if you maintain your focus and dedication to meditate consistently throughout the coming months. Consequently, as we are living in tumultuous times, this would be a great time to initiate a spiritual meditation practice – if you haven’t done so already.

Mark this date in your calendar. These monthly meditations can become, a special, and memorable occasions to share some time with like-minded individuals, and to recharge your spiritual batteries, helping you instill greater peace of mind in the midst of a hectic life. You can return home, better equipped to face daily challenges in a more serene manner.

If you cannot take part in person at our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home. Though not ideal, in terms of the benefits gained from participating in a group meditation, synchronizing your home meditation with that of ours here at the center provides a fellowship whereby we are all together on a similar spiritual quest.

Please note that our group meditations are free. To reserve your place and/or your room, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

Next Meditations at the Birla Center

Wednesday, June 20 - Summer’s Solstice
Sunday, July 22  -  Sun in Leo
Friday, August 31 -  Blue (full) Moon
Saturday, September 29 -  Harvest (full) Moon
Monday, October 29  - Full Moon
Wednesday, November 28 - Full moon and lunar eclipse
Friday, December 21 - Winter solstice and Christmas meditation

The Birla Center will be holding its next monthly meditation on Friday, April 6th at its retreat center in Chénéville. Come and celebrate the full Moon in Virgo. It is a very auspicious time to embark upon cultivating healing powers, intuition, and, above all, integration of body, mind and soul. Referred to as Guru Poornima in the Indian panchang (ephemeris), traditionally, this full moon provides the opportunity to connect with your teachers, gurus and “guardian angels” in order to seek their blessings. In turn, the students offer them their love, devotion and commitment, as a sign of loyalty, in the form of gifts to God to attract all-round prosperity. The practice of meditating on the full Moon brings fulfillment in all respects of our life.

We are holding a monthly meditation here at our center, provided to help support yours, as well as our continued spiritual growth. The progress you are likely to make during this upcoming year, ushered in part through the group meditation, will improve if you maintain your focus and dedication to meditate consistently throughout the coming months. Consequently, as we are living in tumultuous times, this would be a great time to initiate a spiritual meditation practice – if you haven’t done so already.

Mark this date in your calendar. These monthly meditations can become, a special, and memorable occasions to share some time with like-minded individuals, and to recharge your spiritual batteries, helping you instill greater peace of mind in the midst of a hectic life. You can return home, better equipped to face daily challenges in a more serene manner.

If you cannot take part in person at our center in Chénéville, you can still join us in meditation from the comfort of your home. Though not ideal, in terms of the benefits gained from participating in a group meditation, synchronizing your home meditation with that of ours here at the center provides a fellowship whereby we are all together on a similar spiritual quest.

Please note that our group meditations are free. To reserve your place and/or your room, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

Next Meditations at the Birla Center
Sunday, May 20:New Moon in Taurus and Solar Eclipse
Wednesday, June 20: Summer’s Solstice

Maha Shivaratri, generally referred to as Shivaratri, is one of the most important festivals in India. It is a night of worship to pay homage to Lord Shiva, the force behind all transformation and growth. Shivaratri means Great Night of Shiva and is an extremely auspicious time to meditate, pray, and recite mantra to invoke Shiva’s presence in our hearts.

Legend

Several legends surround the origin of the Shivaratri. One of them recounts the story of a hunter who was looking tirelessly for a prey in order to feed his family but to no avail. In the evening, he climbed up a tree to spend the night. He started plucking its leaves and throwing them on the ground, hoping to attract an animal. A doe came but pleaded to the hunter to let her live so she could see her family one more time after which she promised to return. The hunter agreed to let her go. The doe returned, this time with a male deer who asked the hunter that he be killed instead. The hunter took pity on them and, despite his hunger, spared their lives. Unknown to the hunter there was a Shiva Lingam - a representation of Lord Shiva used for worship in Indian temples - under the branch he was sitting on. The hunter had unwittingly worshipped that lingam by sprinkling water and throwing leaves on it. When he had pardoned the deer family even in dire hunger, he had pleased Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in front of the hunter and blessed him with wisdom.

This festival  takes place every year beginning on the night before the new moon of the 11th or 12th month of the Hindu calendar*. More specifically, celebrations occur on the 13th night and follow through into the morning of the 14th day of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha).
This year, at our center, the Shivaratri will be held on February 20th.

Celebrations during the Shivaratri consist mostly of mantra recitation. A fire ceremony is traditionally performed as an integral part of the celebrations. During the proceedings, individuals in groups of 3 are invited to be seated in front of the hoven, a ceremonial fireplace, whereby ahutis, offerings of sacred herbs, are put into the fire. This activity not only symbolizes the burning of karma but, according to Vedic texts, eliminates negative traits in our temperament, character and behavior.

As the ahutis are being offered, the entire assembly simultaneously chants specific mantras, chosen for the occasion. During Shivaratri, we will focus on the Maha Mrityunjaya, one of the mantras of Lord Shiva. The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra helps release our consciousness from the restraints of any limiting patterns of thought and behaviour. It sets the stage for greater freedom of self-expression. Specifically, this mantra is recited when we need strength to meet a challenge, attain a goal or overcome any blockages that may be interfering with our well-being. A phonetic transliteration will be given to help you pronounce the mantra correctly.

At least one mala, the equivalent of 108 recitations of a mantra, is completed for each mantra that is being recited. Using a rudraksha mala* during the Shiva mantra recitation can bring even more potent results. Rudraksha beads, from the rudraksha tree have a mahogany-like color; they are said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva.

*Malas are available at the Birla Center

Part of the Shivaratri celebrations also includes ahutis, offerings made by pouring milk over a Shiva Lingam as the Shiva mantra is being recited.

The Shivaratri celebration will be held between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

Additional Information

The tradition of reciting mantra, while offering sacred herbs into fire, is an especially powerful ritual to burn old karma and invoke the favor of Lord Shiva for the year to come. The custom is to clasp the right forearm with the left hand while holding a pinch of the sacred herbs with the fingertips of the right hand.  As you end each repetition of the mantra, for instance Aum Namah Shivaya Swaha, sprinkle your offering of herbs gently into the fire upon saying the last word Swaha.

At the end of the celebration, a tilak, a red paste - also made of sacred herbs - will be placed at the point between your eyebrows, indicating the 3rd eye. This symbolic gesture is meant to ignite spiritual awareness. In addition, a moli, a bracelet made of string that is dyed red, will be tied around your right wrist as a symbol of commitment to remain joyful and contented in body, mind, and soul throughout the year. In closing, Kheer, a sweet Indian dessert, will be served to everyone.

Celebrants are advised to bring their meditation cushions or blankets to sit comfortably on the floor. Chairs, however, will be available for those who prefer to sit off the ground.  Everyone is invited to bring a devotional offering of a fruit and a flower during this auspicious occasion.

Please note that this activity is free. To reserve your place and/or your accommodations, call us toll free 866.428.3799.

* The months of the year are based on the lunisolar calendar governing the spiritual life of Hindus; an extra month is inserted once every three years.

Upcoming meditations at the Birla Vedic Center

Thursday, March 8: Full Moon and International Women’s day
Friday, April 6: Full Moon
Sunday, May 20: New Moon in Taurus and Solar Eclipse
Wednesday, June 20: Summer’s Solstice