Swami Paramahamsa Nithyananda Back in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, March 24, 2009
Dilip Butani

On Wednesday, March 19, 2009, Paramahamsa Nithyananda was enthusiastically welcomed back to the Vedic Temple, Montclair by more than 700 visitors and devotees.

With less than 24-hours notice, word of the Swamiji’s public appearance in Los Angeles was spread rapidly though phone calls and email. Devotees and visitors began arriving at the temple early in the afternoon to await the arrival of Nithyananda. “It was wonderful to be here to see Swamiji. I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity,” said one devotee who made a six hour drive from Phoenix.

At his first public event in the United States in more than a year, Swamiji announced the US release of Living Enlightenment, a comprehensive volume of his teachings that covers a wide variety of topics, including yoga and meditation and provides practical life solutions for blissful living. The book is available in both hardcover and an abridged softcover edition.

Speaking to a packed auditorium in a beautifully decorated hall, Nithyananda engaged the audience with his authenticity and his humor as he delivered the keynote message of the YOGAM tour: “Living Enlightenment”.

“Dedicate this year to radiate and live enlightenment” said Nithyananda. “Living Enlightenment”, said Nithyananda, “is living an integrated and conflict-free life”.

Swamiji explained, “Living Enlightenment” is defined by four elements: shakti (energy), buddhi (wisdom), yukti (clarity), and bhakti (devotion). Shakti is the ability to change what needs be changed, buddhi is the wisdom to accept what need not be changed, yukti is clarity that everything is part of a constant, continuously changing dream, and bhakti is devotion to the unchanging Energy, Existence or Master. Expression of all these dimensions is “’living enlightenment”.

Following the talk at the Vedic Temple, leaders from the Indian Community of Southern California came forward to receive blessings from Swamiji. Leaders of this diverse community worked together for the first time ever, in order to organize an event for Swamiji. A special public discourse by Swamiji on March 29 at Excelsior High School Auditorium (15711 S. Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650) is the result of this collaborative effort.

After the event, visitors and devotees had the opportunity to meet individually with Swamiji, to receive blessings and guidance. Maha Prasad was served to all guests after the event. Visitors lingered late into the evening to watch discourses, enjoy dinner and visit the two temple stores, Life Bliss Galleria and Nithyananda Sacred Arts. Volunteers at the temple were kept busy answering questions about upcoming events, completing temple tours, and assisting with program registrations.

Swamiji will continue his message of “Living Enlightenment” as he conducts two unique meditation workshops, Kalpataru Program and Yoga Spurana Program (YSP). These workshops are specifically designed to enable participants to experience “Living Enlightenment” and to carry this experience with them into their daily lives

The Kalpataru Program is being offered for the first time in the USA during the YOGAM tour and will be held on Friday, Åpril 3. Through meditation techniques, one learns how to live a fulfilled life with more love, happiness and compassion.

Following the Kalpataru Program is the weekend-long Yoga Spurana Program in which participants can apply these teachings, experiencing greater fitness and health, increasing productivity, bringing clarity, and leading to success in all walks of life. Yoga Spurana Program will be held on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5, from 8:00am- midnight both days.
Swamiji will also be offering free, public discourses on the Yoga Sutras at the Vedic Temple, Montclair (9720 Central Ave, Montclair, CA 91763) on Mar 24, 25, 26 and April 1 and 2 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm in addition to public discourse and dinner being sponsored by the Indian Community of So California, will be held on March 29 at 5:00pm at Excelsior High School.

Swamiji began The YOGAM tour began on March 7 in Toronto, Canada and has been received with an overwhelming response, with up to 2000 people attending discourses and more than 600 attending the workshops. “It was really beautiful and amazing. We see many people being lit up and feeling connected to all aspects: his presence, his message and his meditations“ said one local organizer of the visit to Vancouver.

Swamiji was born in the temple town of Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, which boasts a rich Vedic Tradition and is home to a succession of enlightened masters, including Ramana Maharishi and Annamalai Swamigal. He began his spiritual quest at a young age, studying yoga, meditation and Vedic rituals.

His teachings offer guaranteed and practical solutions for all situations and all individuals. He is identified by his unique ability to share this practical experience and to recreate the experience of “Nithyananda”, in every individual, from top executives to rural farmers.

The simple, dynamic meditation techniques offered during his meditation programs and his lucid understanding of practical issues enable individuals to blossom at physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Swamiji has ordained meditation and yoga teachers around the world.

Under the guiding mission statement, "Transformation of humanity through transformation of the individual", with hundreds of centers worldwide, Swamiji’s spiritual mission continues to grow, touching millions of lives around the world.

YOGAM will continue until May with Swamiji delivering discourses and conducting meditation workshops in 11 North American cities and reaching out to thousands of individuals to provide guidance and blessings. For more information call 909-625-1400.

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