Sri Swami Satchidananda-Apostle Of Peace - Softcover

Bordow, Sita

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0932040314 ISBN 13: 9780932040312

Publisher: Integral Yoga Publications, 2002

Synopsis

Sri Swami Satchinananda: Apostle of Peace tells the life story of this remarkable being. Born into a deeply spiritual family, he became a successful businessman and happy family man. After the death of his wife, he chose the path of renunciation and devoted himself completely to spiritual life. Years of studying with many great sages and saints led him to his guru, the legendary Sri Swami Sivananda. Swami Satchidananda soon became know as a great spiritual teacher in both the East and the West.

About this title

About the Author:

His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda is one of the most revered Yoga Masters of our time. A much-loved teacher, well known for his combination of practical wisdom and spiritual insight, he gave his life to the service of humanity, demonstrating by his own example the means of finding abiding peace. His message of peace, both individual and universal, has been heard worldwide. Each year, he received hundreds of invitations to speak at conferences, colleges, medical groups, and houses of worship around the globe.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

The following excerpt is taken from a point about two-thirds of the way into Sri Swami Satchidananda: Apostle of Peace.

They didn't know they were creating history as they gathered in Max Yasgur's cow pasture for the Woodstock Festival-Aquarian Exposition--three days of free music, free food, free entertainment. Almost all of the most famous contemporary musicians had volunteered to perform at the Festival - for free. When the fences couldn't hold back the almost half a million young people, the promoters chopped up the ticket booths for firewood. Soon there were miles of tents--green, red, blue, orange,--on the hills. There were open kitchens for cereals and vegetables. The sun burned down, and then it poured rain. The ground turned to mire, but good spirit and a loving consciousness never faltered.

The promoters had expected a few thousand people, and as they watched many more than that pouring into the farm for the festivities, they became concerned. Such large numbers gathered in much less than perfect conditions usually made for trouble. One of the people in charge had met Gurudev [Swami Satchidananda] and felt that his calming vibration could have a soothing effect on the crowd.

The roads were too choked with cars and people for his car to pass so a police escort drove Gurudev toward the site. A boy fell off the back of a speeding car, and Gurudev sat by him until help arrived, rubbing his head gently and soothingly. When the roads became too clogged even for the police, a special helicopter was pressed into service, lifting Gurudev high into the air above the hundreds of cars parked every which way, and the thousands and thousands of people milling like tiny ants below. How he loved it, this smooth soaring above the festival, descending finally into the midst of it. Backstage he sat on a makeshift wooden stepladder, waiting to go on. Out front were 400,000 people.

"My beloved sisters and brothers," Gurudev began, I am overwhelmed with joy to see the youth of America gathered here in the name of the fine art of music. If fact, through music we can work wonders...

"One thing I wish you all to remember: with sound we can make or break. On certain battlefields animal sounds are used. Without such sounds - war cries - human beings couldn't become the kind of animals that kill their own bretheren.

"So I am very happy to see that we are all gathered to create some 'making' sounds rather than 'breaking' sounds, to find that peace and joy through the celestial music. I am honored for having been given the opportunity for opening this great, great music festival.

"America leads the world in several ways. Very recently, when I was in the East, the grandson of Mahatma Ghandi asked me, "What's happening in America?" I said, 'America is becoming whole. America is helping everybody in the material field, but the time has come for America to help the whole word with spirituality also.'

"That's why across its length and breadth we see people, thousands and thousands of people, yoga-minded, spiritual-minded. So let all our actions and all our arts express yoga or unity. Through the sacred art of music let us find peace that will pervade all over the globe. Often people shout, 'We are going to fight for peace!' I still do not understand how they are going to fight and then find peace. Therfore, let us not fight for peace, but let us find peace within ourselves first..."

Woodstock amazed everyone. Despite adverse conditions, the thousands of people lived together in total harmony for the duration of the festival. No comparable gathering before or since could make that claim.

About this edition

• Publisher: Integral Yoga Publications
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0932040314
• ISBN 13: 9780932040312
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 454