Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose for Satsang?
For those who are doing spiritual practices, it is very important to be aware of the subtle influences of all the things around. People are effected by the colors, sounds, images, thoughts, and feelings in their environment. The subtle influence of the people around are extremely influential to peoples' mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Because spiritual practice is the work of leading the consciousness toward positive spiritual thoughts and redirecting the awareness toward Divine realization it is very important for people to surround themselves with positive uplifting associations.
It can be equally important when possible to avoid those people who bring down the consciousness into dark emotional states and negative thinking patterns. This Satsanga is scheduled for the end of the workweek on Friday night. It provides a calm, healing space for people to become grounded after a hard week of work. The satsanga provides a wholesome alternative to the drinking and partying that many people begin at this time. These unwholesome habits dull the mind and encourage people to avoid dealing with stresses from their lives and jobs. These patterns of avoidance lead invariably to emotional problems and dis-ease. Satsanga provides an atmosphere of mindfulness which helps to soothe mental and physical stress. Starting the weekend with satsanga can help to establish a flow of peaceful, healing thoughts which establishes a precedent for a positive weekend.
It may not be possible to avoid the neighbors and co-workers entirely, but people can often minimize drawn-out exchanges of negative energies. It is generally not possible at all to avoid family, because people are intricately energetically connected to the family (perhaps through many lifetimes of past karmas). Though it may be difficult for people to love and accept the family, they are bound to the family who will serve as teachers by mirroring the faults and insecurities of the individual. To help maintain spiritual composure daily practice is necessary. Satsanga help empower peoples' daily practice to give them more success in overcoming the conflicts and obstacles they face in their day-to-day lives. Occasional visits to Swamis, Gurus, and Temples can be very helpful to enliven and sustain daily practice. Satsangha is powerful to help people in their practice because the strengths of the various members of the group help to uplift the group as a whole. The power of prayer and spiritual practice in groups should never be under-estimated. May the members of this Satsangha find spiritual peace and spread Light to the world.
For those who are doing spiritual practices, it is very important to be aware of the subtle influences of all the things around. People are effected by the colors, sounds, images, thoughts, and feelings in their environment. The subtle influence of the people around are extremely influential to peoples' mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Because spiritual practice is the work of leading the consciousness toward positive spiritual thoughts and redirecting the awareness toward Divine realization it is very important for people to surround themselves with positive uplifting associations.
It can be equally important when possible to avoid those people who bring down the consciousness into dark emotional states and negative thinking patterns. This Satsanga is scheduled for the end of the workweek on Friday night. It provides a calm, healing space for people to become grounded after a hard week of work. The satsanga provides a wholesome alternative to the drinking and partying that many people begin at this time. These unwholesome habits dull the mind and encourage people to avoid dealing with stresses from their lives and jobs. These patterns of avoidance lead invariably to emotional problems and dis-ease. Satsanga provides an atmosphere of mindfulness which helps to soothe mental and physical stress. Starting the weekend with satsanga can help to establish a flow of peaceful, healing thoughts which establishes a precedent for a positive weekend.
It may not be possible to avoid the neighbors and co-workers entirely, but people can often minimize drawn-out exchanges of negative energies. It is generally not possible at all to avoid family, because people are intricately energetically connected to the family (perhaps through many lifetimes of past karmas). Though it may be difficult for people to love and accept the family, they are bound to the family who will serve as teachers by mirroring the faults and insecurities of the individual. To help maintain spiritual composure daily practice is necessary. Satsanga help empower peoples' daily practice to give them more success in overcoming the conflicts and obstacles they face in their day-to-day lives. Occasional visits to Swamis, Gurus, and Temples can be very helpful to enliven and sustain daily practice. Satsangha is powerful to help people in their practice because the strengths of the various members of the group help to uplift the group as a whole. The power of prayer and spiritual practice in groups should never be under-estimated. May the members of this Satsangha find spiritual peace and spread Light to the world.
What to bring
Please wear comfortable, loss-fitting clothes. Clothes should be comfortable, and modest. Light bright colors are uplifting. Traditional Indian clothes are ideal. He asks that men and women keep with the Indian tradition of covering their legs to the ankles, and that women wearing short-sleeves or otherwise revealing tops wear a shawl. This attire will help keep the group focused upon spiritual thoughts.
Those who wish may bring flowers, organic fruits, or nuts to offer to Swamiji. He will bless these and give them to the people there. All of Swamiji's events are free of charge. He teaches that spiritual services should be a right for all people.
Recommended donation of $10 is appreciated because they help the people to open an energetic channel to Swamiji to receive his blessings. Donations help Swamiji to be able to afford travel expenses to the City and help him to continue his other services.
Please wear comfortable, loss-fitting clothes. Clothes should be comfortable, and modest. Light bright colors are uplifting. Traditional Indian clothes are ideal. He asks that men and women keep with the Indian tradition of covering their legs to the ankles, and that women wearing short-sleeves or otherwise revealing tops wear a shawl. This attire will help keep the group focused upon spiritual thoughts.
Those who wish may bring flowers, organic fruits, or nuts to offer to Swamiji. He will bless these and give them to the people there. All of Swamiji's events are free of charge. He teaches that spiritual services should be a right for all people.
Recommended donation of $10 is appreciated because they help the people to open an energetic channel to Swamiji to receive his blessings. Donations help Swamiji to be able to afford travel expenses to the City and help him to continue his other services.
What to expect
The format of Swamiji's Satsangha are unpredictable. They follow the needs and desires of the people attending. It is always the norm to expect the unexpected.
Generally, the following format is observed. Swamiji likes to receive questions from the people there, and encourage some group discussion. In this way he tries to help the group to address their most urgent concerns and questions of the group. Swamiji likes to focus attention in this group toward learning practical techniques for practice and deepening our understanding of practice itself.
Swamiji will talk on various subjects. He likes to end the Satsangha with some chanting practice. Chanting of the healing Mrityunjaya Mantra is usually the practice he chooses. Before Leaving Swamiji gives his darshan (blessing) to all present and offers individual guidance as time allows.
The format of Swamiji's Satsangha are unpredictable. They follow the needs and desires of the people attending. It is always the norm to expect the unexpected.
Generally, the following format is observed. Swamiji likes to receive questions from the people there, and encourage some group discussion. In this way he tries to help the group to address their most urgent concerns and questions of the group. Swamiji likes to focus attention in this group toward learning practical techniques for practice and deepening our understanding of practice itself.
Swamiji will talk on various subjects. He likes to end the Satsangha with some chanting practice. Chanting of the healing Mrityunjaya Mantra is usually the practice he chooses. Before Leaving Swamiji gives his darshan (blessing) to all present and offers individual guidance as time allows.