Saraswati Publications, LLC

Saraswati Publications Newsletter       (sanskritmantra.com) 

February 2009
The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony
 
 
Namaste Friends,
 
We still have a few places left on the India Pilgrimage Tour.  The deadline to register is March 1st.  If you would like to go, please email Kirit Pandya

Prem,
Namadeva Acharya
 

 

Collective Unconscious and Group Karma, Part 2

(Part 1 in the January Newsletter is archived so that you can read it by clicking on the link in this newsletter in the Quick Links box to the right or on our website.)

You can see from our previous discussion that there are great groups of people who are cast together at a particular place, with particular destinies, certain astrological configurations in common, and the corresponding group lessons to learn.

Most of us are usually too deeply enmeshed in our own individual lives trying to escape from undesirable circumstances to step back and consider these broad and interesting ideas, but the Masters who work with the inner and outer manifestations of mystical teachings recognize these groups as well as their influences and effects.

Consider:  The idea of service to fellow humans rests, in part, upon the desire for the eradication of those forces within the Collective Unconscious which hold back both individual and group progress toward liberation.  If one prays for others, the prayer affects the nature of the Collective Unconscious.  The whole Collective Unconscious "understands" the unselfish nature of the prayer, and that activity becomes encoded into the Collective Unconscious as a part of the group. 

This is possible because the Collective Unconscious recognizes the human interconnect. It is interesting to consider that the entire  Collective Unconscious is positively affected because of the nature of  prayer through our inter-connection. This is a graphic example of how helping one helping really helps all.

It works the other way as well: Harm one and harm all.  This is a problem we must all deal with, for group karma is powerfully affected.  Examples include:
● Genghis Kahn and the atrocities of the Barbarian hordes.
● WWI and the horrors of chemical warfare,to say nothing of warfare  in general, and the atrocities against the Armenians in Turkey.
●  WWII and the Holocaust with the massacre of Jews, Gypsies and others.

These incidents created karma that the species - our evolutionary  group - must work out.  It is a sobering idea.  Many might want to deny  it. But wanting the sun to remain always in the sky will not keep it there (unless one has the powers of the Sage Anasuya - now there's a story!), because there are physical laws at work. There are also karmic and spiritual laws.  I discuss some of these laws in the workshop "Siddhas, Masters, Avatars  and Gurus."

Of course we might want to think that the horrors listed above don't happen today, right?  Wrong.


●  Various genocides in Africa, including Rwanda.
●  Predatory practices of world leaders and corporations.
●  The Great Depression and our current economic difficulties, including  predatory practices by both banks and corporations.
● The downsizing of Western companies and its effect on the rest of the world.
●  Growth of violence in society, encouraged by violent movies and television.

So what do we do?

Here are a couple of very positive options.
1. We can follow the intimations of the Upaguru.  The teacher and enlightener without form can manifest as the inner teacher or as a  positive force in the Collective Unconscious that suggests our use of  positive actions and activities that are within our means.  This can mean that we are drawn to certain spiritual organizations and/or teachers.  We can, through prayer, devotion and other spiritual work, become vehicles for the Masters who work tirelessly in our behalf.  We can follow one or more of the examples set by historical  figures working for our general good, figures like Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Bishop Desmond Tutu.  All of the activities of these positive persons are nicely stored in our Collective Unconscious, and we can continue their work on our own scale.

2. We can dedicate a part of our individual spiritual efforts to mitigate some form of group karma.  For instance, we can dedicate fifteen seconds per day of prayer for world peace . . . just 15 seconds.  Or dedicate one minute of our daily spiritual discipline in service to others or whatever for the needy of the world.  We can choose to do affirmations directed at the Collective Unconscious which state that good always triumphs over negative forces.  We can choose to start each work-day with a prayer for positive forces to work through the nation's businesses and employees.  We can start each day with a  prayer that only positive energy will flow within our family for this day.  If we are really ambitious, we can pray for world peace as fervently as we pray for our personal desires.

Whatever our path, we can dedicate a few minutes of our meditations to support the work of the Masters in bringing humanity peacefully and  successfully to its next level.  There are those whose career helps us all. Those  who work for the Red Cross, for instance, or the U.N. Emergency Rescue Team help our collective Karma. We can understand and be grateful.  Every charitable work performed in the spirit of service, helps the entire species.

Paul, in the New Testament, is often quoted as saying that good works  alone are not enough to get into the kingdom of heaven. It may seem cheeky of me to say so, but I take issue with Paul on this, as I do many things he is reputed to have said. I say reputed because we do not know for certain that he even said the things attributed to him.  Dr. Leon Wright performed  ground-breaking work in the 1930s while at  Harvard University completing the research for his doctoral thesis, " Alteration  Of The Words Of Jesus In The Second Century."  If Jesus' words can be altered, Paul's are likely to have been as well.  But we do have records that indicate that Paul was not with Jesus in that upper room at the last supper, when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and opened the powerful  chakras in their feet so that the Holy Spirit could fully manifest  through them. With respect I say, Paul came later than this.

Finally, every act of true charity helps not only the doer but all of us. The good works of Mother Teresa, done as service to the Christ in all, will not only qualify her for the Kingdom of Heaven, but will reduce all of our karmic indebtedness as well.

So follow your own inner teacher and know that it is within your power  to help every last person in every group and subgroup on the planet.  

Every mantra you chant helps the entire species,  reduces our karmic  debt, advances our group evolution.  Knowledge is power, and  understanding this simple but far-reaching concept means that you have both knowledge and power.

I salute you in your work for good.
February Mantra
 
Om Vakra-tundaya Hum        

Salutations to Him with twisted trunk who eliminates negativity with the mantra, Hum
.
 
Application: When something is not working properly, individually or universally - nationally or internationally - or when the minds of people get curved in a negative way, this mantra draws the attention of Ganesha to straighten things out. This mantra is given many times in the Ganesha Purana to curb the atrocities of cruel demons. This mantra works powerfully to dispel any kind of negativity in oneself or others. 
 
Om Ucchhista Ganapatayei Namaha

Salutations to the Dark Ganesha who eradicates evil.
 
Certified Priest in Los Angeles
Mahashwara
Maheshwara (David Fahncke) has long been an explorer, teacher and practitioner of meditation and of alternative and spiritual healing arts.  He has studied more than ten years with Thomas Ashley-Farrand / Namadeva Acharya, building an understanding of the transformational and practical applications of Sanskrit, healing mantras and ceremonial, worship services, called pujas.  Maheshwara is certified by Sanatana Dharma Satsang as an Instructor of Mantra and now also certified as a pujari.  Being certified as both, he now also has the title of Priest in Sanatana Dharma Satsang.  He currently performs pujas, leads workshops and Sanskrit chants in the Los Angeles area.  He leads the Los Angeles Jyoti Atma Chanting Group  with Jagadamba (Jonni Wrestler) who is also a Certified Instructor of Mantra.
 
The Jyoti Atma Chanting Group is doing the Esoteric Prosperity Puja monthly. 

If you are interested in a puja done at your location, please contact Maheshwara.  He can be reached at [email protected]
Certified Pujari in New York CityMahavir

Mahavir (Marc A. Bennett) has been a pujari certified by Sanatana Dharma Satsang for 7 years.  He is Satyabhama's son and Namadeva's stepson.  Mahivir met Sadguru Sant Keshavadas and Guru Rama Mata when he was 15 years old and immediately began a lifetime of daily saddhana.  At first, he chanted a lot of Om Namah Shivaya, later Om Hum Hanumate Vijayam. In recent years he has concentrated on Ganesha japa.  Mahavir took the Kala Chakra Initiation from Kalu Rimpoche in 1982 with Satyabhama and Namadeva.  He has taken several empowerments and retreats through the Karma Kagyu Lineage (the Karmapa's line.)

Mahavir has performed many pujas and fire ceremonies over the years, and recently has set up a schedule to perform the Esoteric Prosperity Puja on the full moons and on New Year's Eve. 

Marc is available to do puja at your location on a donation basis.  He can be reached at [email protected]

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, we 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.
 
We 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
Collective Unconscious
Mantra of the Month
Certified Priest
Certified Pujari
New CDs of Ancient Power Volumes
The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony
Visit Sanskritmantra.com 

At Henson Studios in Hollywood, Namadeva and Satyabhama recorded a DVD of  5 pujas-Ganesha, Dattatreya, Shiva, Lakshmi and Saraswati.  If you want the great spiritual energy of puja in your home, get the Pancha Devata Puja DVD and play it often, even while you are out.
 
Mantra Therapy for Prosperity CD - Help with blocks to prosperity and mantras to bring it in

Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony, Volume I & II CDs now recorded and available

Mantra, Path to Spiritual & Material Attainment - a 15-hour workshop on 14 CDs
Quick Links
Online Store
Preview of Ganesha Puja from DVD
Vishwa Shanti Ashram
Vijaya Vittala
Vijaya Vittala
 
 Guru Rama Mata
Universal Form of Vishnu
 
2009 Schedule of Workshops

We will be doing workshops in the following places:

February - London, England

March - Portland, OR; Boston & Kripalu, MA;

April - Kansas City, MO; Portland, OR

May 1-24  India Pilgrimage
 (We still have places left.  Click on the link in the box above for more info.)
 
June - Guru Mata-Portland, OR; Pensacola, FL; Atlanta, GA, and Charleston, SC

July- Boston, MA; St. Louis, MO.

August - Far Horizons, Sequoia Nat'l Monument, CA

Sept - Lansing, MI; Chicago, IL; Keene, NH, MA: Boston & Kripalu

October - CANADA:  BC - 3 workshops, Alberta - 2 workshops

November - CANADA, Alberta
 
December - Austin, TX 
 
2009 information:  http://sanskritmantra.com/schedule.shtml

Gayatri

CHANTING GROUPS

Portland, OR
Gayatri Temple
Gayatri Temple Meetup

Cochrane, Alberta, Canada Contact [email protected]

Las Vegas, NV
Contact Janardana, who is a Certified Mantra Instructor, at
[email protected]
 
Los Angeles, CA
Jyoti  Atma Chanting Group, Contact Jagadamba, who is a Certified Mantra Instructor, at
[email protected]

Chicago, IL
Contact Mary Huddleston, who is a Certified Mantra Instructor at
[email protected]

Western  MA
Contact
[email protected]

New Hampshire
Contact
[email protected]




Join Our Mailing List 
 The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony Recordings
The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony
 The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony, 2nd. Ed., is now being revised to simplify pronunciation.
 
As promised some time ago, material to be chanted is being recorded by Namadeva
to be sold in CD sets of 7 or more CDs.
 
Volume I and Volume II 7-CD sets are now for sale at our online store for $65 each.
Volume III, which will be more than 7 CDs, will be ready in late 2009.