Christmas is a time to celebrate two things: one is the birth of Jesus and the other is the dawn of Christ consciousness. Jesus was a person and Christ consciousness was the spirit that descended.

You are a person, you have a body, you are limited and restricted by the senses and the mind, but at the same time there is the life force, vitality and dynamism which physically or externally is recognized as spirit, and which in esoteric terminology is recognized as the Divine consciousness or Christ consciousness.

Just as there is a maturity or evolution of the physical body from birth to adulthood to old age to death, similarly there is an evolution of consciousness. This evolution of consciousness culminates as Christ consciousness. Christ consciousness is the consciousness that is in communion with the Divine nature, the consciousness that is united, not fractured.

At present the consciousness is fractured, in the sense that we have no concept or awareness of what is happening on our unconscious level. We have a very basic understanding of the subconscious level and we have a partial understanding of the conscious level. So, our consciousness is fractured or broken.

Today we are made aware of two important events: the birth of Jesus, who was recognized as the son of Mary and Joseph, and the dawning of Christ consciousness, or the state of turiya, which is recognized as the concept of the son of God – Ishwara ansh jiva avinashi.

The understanding of the son of God is stated in the Ramayana, it is stated in the Bhagavad Gita, it is stated in all the literature dealing with spiritual life. We have to connect with this unified spirit. People do it in different ways and forms. It is like saying, “All roads lead to Rome” – roads is plural, not singular.

The road is decided for everybody from their point of evolution in life.

 

Ganga Darshan, 24 December 1999

 

From “Yoga Magazine, Issue March 2000”, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

How you can be part of this beautiful community of service

You are welcome to come and unite in our efforts to help us accomplish our aims and goals. Our association needs people who are ready to offer their hearts, their skills and ideas as well as monetary contributions, and to integrate their ‘head, heart and hands’ in service.

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If you consider the needs of others, we need you.
If you have a generous heart, we need you.
Ιf you have large hands, we need you.
If you have bright ideas, we need you.

Your contributions allow us to reach out to more and more people. Your contributions enable us to support and work towards the fulfilment of the vision of Swami Satyananda, Swami Niranjanananda and their lineage – that of peace and prosperity for all humankind.

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The Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate two things: one is the birth of Jesus and the other is the dawn of Christ consciousness. Jesus was a person and Christ consciousness was the spirit that descended.

You are a person, you have a body, you are limited and restricted by the senses and the mind, but at the same time there is the life force, vitality and dynamism which physically or externally is recognized as spirit, and which in esoteric terminology is recognized as the Divine consciousness or Christ consciousness.

Just as there is a maturity or evolution of the physical body from birth to adulthood to old age to death, similarly there is an evolution of consciousness. This evolution of consciousness culminates as Christ consciousness. Christ consciousness is the consciousness that is in communion with the Divine nature, the consciousness that is united, not fractured.

At present the consciousness is fractured, in the sense that we have no concept or awareness of what is happening on our unconscious level. We have a very basic understanding of the subconscious level and we have a partial understanding of the conscious level. So, our consciousness is fractured or broken.

Today we are made aware of two important events: the birth of Jesus, who was recognized as the son of Mary and Joseph, and the dawning of Christ consciousness, or the state of turiya, which is recognized as the concept of the son of God – Ishwara ansh jiva avinashi.

The understanding of the son of God is stated in the Ramayana, it is stated in the Bhagavad Gita, it is stated in all the literature dealing with spiritual life. We have to connect with this unified spirit. People do it in different ways and forms. It is like saying, “All roads lead to Rome” – roads is plural, not singular.

The road is decided for everybody from their point of evolution in life.

 

Ganga Darshan, 24 December 1999

 

From “Yoga Magazine, Issue March 2000”, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati