Saraswati Publications, LLC

Saraswati Publications Newsletter       (sanskritmantra.com) 

May 2008
Namaste Friends,
 
The rest of May will be devoted to making the recordings I have been planning for ages.  June 13-15, we will do a Ganesha Puja and workshop, Myths & Mantras of Ganesha, in London, England, and June 17-29, Mantra: A Path to Spiritual Evolution and Abundance in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Prem,
Namadeva
 
What Is A Guru?

Thomas Ashley-Farrand (Namadeva)

Part III
A true guru has spiritual gifts to give, and they give them - sometimes lavishly - to students, disciples and complete strangers.  A true guru will know the appropriateness of the gift and can "see" how it will be applied.  That's not to say that all possible outcomes from application of the gift are known.  Although a sadguru has this ability, the true guru does not.  Still a clear direction is apparent to the guru which points strongly to how the gift will be employed. This is how the appropriateness of the gift is determined. Sometimes a new color, signifying a new gift, is added to the aura.  Orange, for instance, might be given, and with it a definite body of knowledge.  Suddenly, many things become clear for no apparent reason.  This new knowledge ends up changing everything about the life of the person who receives it.  Old relationships may end and new ones begin.  New goals and ways of reaching them appear in the mind.  All from one new color/gift.  All the while, increasing the ability of the ego-mind-personality to eventually merge with the soul or self is the overriding objective.

A true guru can change the direction of the life-paths of those he/she meets with relative ease.  A word, a glance, a thought can change the course of a life as easily as one switches the path of a train from one track to another by pulling a lever. The self of the individual is accessed, and a new set of instructions or a new instruction is issued that changes the conditions one will meet in life.  Or the true guru may make a tiny change in the set of foundation assumptions (or knowledge) the ego-mind-personality uses to make decisions. Often only one tiny change can completely alter the nature of the decision-making process.  If one has a near-death experience and survives, for instance, the fear of death is usually completely eradicated.  The elimination of fear from the ongoing decision-making process affects everything.

A true guru is compassionate.  S/he has usually "been there."  The experiences of many lives have been integrated so that probable choices and decisions resulting from certain circumstances are clearly seen.  Understanding not only mentally but almost viscerally what a particular aspirant is going through, the true guru may search intensely for an acceptable way to help deserving ones whose karma may mitigate strongly against such help.  Compassion is active, not passive.

A true guru knows his/her limits, the limits of how they can help or how they can speed things along.  The boundaries are always in sight and usually observed.

May Mantra of the Month

HUNG VAJRA PEH
Vajrapani: The Protector Of Dharma And Great Initiator, who is often seen at the entrance of  a temple, holding a vajra (thunderbolt) to keep out negative entities.

This is the Tibetan version of the Sanskrit, Hum Vajra Phat (Fat).

This mantra is very powerful in clearing space of negativity, whether that negative energy is within us or in a room in our house or at work.

Mantra: Hung Vajra Peh (Phat)
An approximation of the meaning is, "Invoking the word (object of power) and putting it forth with force from the throat chakra, I destroy negativity."

"Hung" is the Sanskrit word "hum," spoken in the back of the mouth with lips parted. This pronunciation is most common in Northern India, Nepal and Tibet. "Vajra" means object of power/thunderbolt. "Peh" is a peculiarly Tibetan and Chinese pronunciation form of the Sanskrit work "Phat."

In His beatific form, his energy is said to empower initiators giving various empowerments.

 The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony Recordings
The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony
 The Ancient Power of Sanskirt Mantra and Ceremony, 2nd. Ed., is now being revised to simplify pronunciation.
 
As promised some time ago, Namadeva is recording all of the volumes to be sold in CD sets of 10 or more CDs.
 
Volume I will be for sale at our online store at the end of June.  Volume II will be ready in August 2008, and Volume III shortly thereafter.

The works of Thomas Ashley-Farrand (Namadeva) give unprecedented, detailed instruction in how to empower yourself using the techniques of the ancient sages and rishis.  He and Satyabhama have been given the mission by their Gurus Sadguru Sant Keshavadas and Guru Rama Mata to bring these teachings to everyone. 

To that end, he has written and recorded a number of works, and he travels to North America and the UK to teach workshops.  Bi-annually they lead a Pilgrimage Tour of India's Holy Places, visiting with the Shankaracharayas at Kanchi Math, Guru Mata at Vishwa Shanti Ashram, and doing fire ceremonies in the Himalayas, among the highlights of the trip.
 
They have founded a religious organization, Sanatana Dharma Satsang, which has opened a Gayatri Temple in Beaverton, Oregon.  Plans are in the works to found temples with residential communities in Oregon, New Mexico, and other locations. The link to it is in the right column.
 
These works are offered in a spirit of service. We sincerely hope that they will further you on your path.
 
Prem & Shanti,
Satyabhama (Margalo Ashley-Farrand)
Saraswati Publications, LLC
In This Issue
What Is A Guru? Part III
Mantra of the Month
CDs of Ancient Power Volumes
2008 Schedule of Workshops
 We will be doing workshops in the following places in 2008:
 
June - London, England; Atlanta, GA

July - Portland, OR; Indralaya on Orcas Island, WA

August - Seattle, WA; CA:  Far Horizons Camp, Sierra Mountains (near Fresno)

September - Charleston, SC, and Kripalu, MA

October - IL: Arlington Hts, Highland Park, Chicago;  CA: Los Angeles, and  CANADA:  BC, Calgary (10/31)

November - CANADA: Calgary, Red Deer.

December - Bangalore, India

India Pilgrimage - May 2009

Please see our schedule for details and updates: 
http://sanskritmantra.com/schedule.shtml
The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony
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