What is the purpose of religion?

“Whether you seek material peace, intellectual wisdom,

personal steadiness or religious salvation, know that the source of any and

all lies just within you.Look within and unearth

your own hidden treasures.Be humble, but bold and

keen in your attempt.”

- Swamiji

“Religion, as is understood, discusses the relationship between man and God as also between the world and God. It has the aim of informing, if not enlightening, humans, so as to help and strengthen their mind and intelligence. The outcome will be greater meaning, purpose and focus to life. When true religion is understood and pursued with zeal and fervour, the religionist will have greater confidence, inner strength and joy. The inner framework will be more stable, composed and poised – qualities otherwise rare and hard to achieve!

Religion is not intended to generate or enhance fear and doubt. On the other hand, it relieves one of all fears and bestows clarity. Love towards one and all, compassion and readiness to sacrifice for the sake of others, are the watchwords of true religion. A religious mind is tolerant, patient, peaceful and determined. Are not these qualities at any rate enriching and empowering interactional life for any one?”

‘ATMA SHAKTI’ Harnessing the Infinite

CIRD (North America) Volume I September 2006

Ask Swamiji...

Welcome to the first edition of the ‘Atma Shakti’ newsletter. This humble beginning is the work of a few inspired individuals who wish to spread the eternal and sacred knowledge of an unbroken lineage of enlightened Masters from ancient times to the present day.

All of us want to live with joy and peace in our heart. However, the unpredictable vicissitudes of life make this an elusive goal. For ages, people from all walks of life and from diverse cultures have sought ways and means to reach a state of happiness, which cannot be disturbed by external demands and pressures. Many a time this search has been guided by wise men and women, who provide the right counsel and sagaciously lead the seeker in the right direction. Their words of wisdom enhance understanding and help the individual realize the Truth and reconnect with the Source, their inner Self.

In our efforts, we at CIRD(NA) – Center for Inner Resources Development (North America), find inspiration from Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha of India. He has been expounding universal spiritual and philosophical truths in India and abroad for about five decades, revealing their relevance to the modern man of action. His rational exposition of the science of Self-knowledge and its application in the art of refining, strengthening and elevating the human mind, has benefited and transformed countless professionals, householders and students. Swamiji’s message is for everybody and it does not matter what faith or religion a person follows. There is a difference between Religion and Spirituality; and our focus is the latter. We hope that some of the ideas presented in this newsletter will resonate deeply within you!

The Power Within

What is Spirituality and what is its purpose?

“Spirituality, in reality, is refined religion. It is more an individual, personal pursuit and enrichment than otherwise. To practice spirituality, in fact, one has to outlive and transcend religion. A spiritual person always looks to his mind, intelligence and ego, to refine and enrich them at every step. It is thus a full-fold, all-time pursuit rather than a piecemeal, time-bound or short-lived one, as religious practices are. Spirituality has the aim of accessing the inner personality and strengthening it at every stage. It does not look to any external factors. By 'spirituality', I mean the kind of wonderful source which encompasses all the powers and potentials that you find manifest in the whole creation surrounding you.

Who is a spiritual man? One who is able to live and interact with this world harmoniously, with sufficient integration, without finding any interaction troublesome, tormenting or producing imbalance or tension. The Spirit is superior to matter. The mighty literature of this land is pivoted on this unique concept of ‘The Power Within’, which is also the Power behind the entire creation. All the scriptures sing in unison the supremacy of this Invisible Presence.”

For our next edition, we invite you to submit any questions you may have for Swamiji, to clarify any of your queries, doubts, or concerns.

Email us at cirdna@gmail.com

“When we analyze our lives, we find that to live a life of fulfillment there must be two basic abilities. One is involvemental in nature. We have to go ahead in life, getting involved in whatever is necessary from time to time. For this, we must have the necessary attitude, inspiration and compulsion. We must be ready to take up whatever we are expected to do and get involved in it with full dedication and sincerity.

The other is the ability and readiness to withdraw from any involvement and remain peaceful and quiet. Whatever comes or goes, the march of life cannot stop. So, to keep the stability and peace, often the mind will require withdrawal. We must be able to do both, easily and harmoniously. Then alone, we can hope to live a life of fulfillment and peace. And such a life will also be beneficial to the world at large.

To live a good and effective life, you will need clear direction and guidance from time to time. Whenever there is a doubt, look into your own heart. I am using the word ‘heart’ to distinguish it from ‘mind’. It is the mind that produces confusions and doubts. Look into a level much deeper than the so-called mind. Look deep within and from there seek or demand whatever direction or clarity you want.

I said the other day: “When the summer becomes very severe, sometimes the well goes dry. What do we do? We deepen the well and get a little more water.” Similarly, you have to dig a little deeper and find out loftier dimensions from your mind. Understand that the mind has got enormous dimensions. Never feel defeated. Never be subdued by fear. Always have confidence. Even when no help is forthcoming from anywhere outside, and you feel deserted, some invisible help will come, deliver the redress, and disappear in the same manner as it appeared!

You may wonder how this happens. Has not the entire world come to be like this? The whole visible universe has come from nowhere and nothing. Yes, from nowhere and nothing all these things have manifested. So, when the necessity arises, an invisible process can result in a visible help and it can also disappear. Understand this well.

cont...

Swamiji Speaks...

The Power Within (continued from pg. 2)

The mind has got great power. With the mind alone you can commune with the invisible, because the mind itself is resting on the invisible Self. Never fail to recognize this great potency of the mind. We call it mind, but actually it is a projection or expression of the Self, the Supreme Reality, which has created and is preserving this great endless Universe. It is not a small wonder. Man is great because he has such a greatly potent mind.

Harih Om Tat Sat.”

Please click on the link below to download a short talk by Swamiji. This is one of the many talks Swamiji has given over the past several years during early morning hours and are collectively known as ‘Prabhaata Rashmi’ or ‘Morning Rays’. These talks are sublime, invigorating, and cover a wide range of topics. In this particular instance, Swamiji discusses various concepts such as the Soul being different from the body, the essence of spiritual life, the three states of being, meditation as well as the concepts of pre and post meditational ‘saadhana.’ The word saadhana (pronounced saa-dha-naa) which you will hear in the audio clip refers to the physical and more importantly mental disciplines undertaken on the spiritual path. The clip is approximately 7 minutes long.

To listen to the audio clip, click here.

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Published and Copyrighted by CIRD (North America) To learn more, contact us at: C.I.R.D. North America, 5547 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA - 22207. Email: cirdna@gmail.com

Center for Inner Resources Development (North America) or CIRD(NA) is an organization dedicated to spreading the light of spiritual knowledge that can

uplift individuals and society at large to loftier dimensions. This Supreme Knowledge is verily the knowledge of your own Self. Through this newsletter, we will share various articles,

answers to cardinal questions, and audio clips to help you traverse the path of Self-Knowledge.

Swamiji will answer one or two questions for each edition of the newsletter. Please feel free to submit your queries at the email address provided below. To subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter,

please click on the appropriate link below. Also, if you would like to add any of your friends or family members to the newsletter mailing list, please send us an email indicating

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