Sivoham - A Beautiful Story

One day, a wandering sadhu (monk) came upon a boy herding buffaloes. He was
hungry, and the boy readily obliged him with some milk. After
drinking milk to his satisfaction, the monk began to feel generous, and
asked the herdsman, 'What would you like? I'm feeling fine, I'll give
it to you.'
The boy laughed and said, “I really don't need anything. I do nothing
all day long but herd my buffaloes, and am fully satisfied with that.
Besides, Oh..Monk, you came to me as a beggar and I
gave you alms. How can I expect anything from you in
return? I am the giver, not you.'

The sadhu was taken aback by the reply, and realised that this was no
ordinary buffalo-herd. But still feeling expansive he
asked, 'What is it that you love most in the world?
'
'Why??!!!, this buffalo', the boy replied innocently, 'the
one whose milk you just drank. She is the largest I
have, she gives me 10 gallons of milk everyday, she is
broad and string, so loving and beautiful, I love her
best of all.'

'All right', said the sadhu, 'please do one thing. Go sit in that
cave and imagine that you are this buffalo. Think of her, keep her
picture in mind, completely self identify with her, become
her ! As you sit doing all this, repeat to yourself
"Bhaisoham, bhaisoham"(I am a buffalo, I am a buffalo). Don't
worry about a thing, I'll look after your
buffaloes.'

The herdsman did exactly as the sadhu said, and after
3 days when the sadhu entered the cave, he found
the boy sitting motionless with his eyes closed,
repeating, "Bhaisoham, bhaisoham".

The sadhu said, 'So young man, how have you progressed? Come out
now.'

Out came the reply, 'Don't call me a young-man! I am a
buffalo. Can't you see that? Look at my broad back! How
can I leave this small cave? My horns are too broad
to go thru the entrance. Now don't be foolish; go
away and leave me alone or I'll gore you and toss you
out with these beautiful horns of mine.'

But the sadhu persisted and said, 'Try to remember my boy, I
told you to sit and do this. Now, instead of repeating, "I am a
buffalo", start to identify with Shiva and repeat "Shivoham,
Shivoham"(I am Shiva, I am Shiva).'

The herdsman did that, and in about fifteen minutes he was in a deep
trance (samadhi). He realized his goal: The Universal Soul in the form
of Lord Shiva.

The sadhu was astonished. Tears came to his eyes and he said to
himself, 'This fellow sits only three and a half days and achieves
and I have wandered around practising without success for so many
years.'

Then he had to take that buffalo herd as his guru, and
finally the sadhu also realized.

Yoga therapy for cancer

Yoga therapy for cancer: "Yoga may not help shrink a tumor, but it's helping some cancer patients feel better."

Finding the Perfect Guru

A young man told Swami Sivananda: "I want to find the perfect Guru."

"Are you a perfect disciple?" questioned Swami Sivananda.

The answer shocked the young man, so he stammered: "No, Swamiji. I quite realize that I'm full of defects."

"Then how can you find out a perfect Guru? What right have you to judge the Guru when you yourself are so full of imperfections? Anyone will do for you at this stage. Go to any one of the Mahatmas (great master), serve them and learn." Swami Sivananda

Hast Mudras _ Healing Hand Gestures

Krishna Das - Govinda Hare - Ramana Maharshi

There are 3 ways to hell. Lust, Hatred and Anger.
O.. lord of mercy and love,
Salutation and prostration unto Thee,
Free us from Lust, Anger and Hatred...

Guru Ashtakam - Shri Adi Shankaracharya

SYVC # 03 The History of Yoga Camp. Swami Vishnu-devananda

Never Mind

• Never Mind the words of discouragement. They have been spoken deliberately to test your resolve.
• Never Mind the difficulties in life. They have been placed there to take you closer to god.
• Never Mind the critics. They are only trying to improve you and keep your pride in check.