1. Rishabha Rashi

Krttika-Rohiņi-Mrgaśira

Naksatras

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'The Lord is in all beings and the entire Universe is in Him.' - Bṛhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra

The meditation techniques included in this book are to be practiced only under the direct supervision of an ordained teacher of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam and in consultation with your personal physician to determine your fitness and ability to do the techniques. They are not intended to be a substitute for medical attention, examination, diagnosis or treatment. If someone tries these techniques without prior participation in the meditation programs of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam and without the direct supervision of an ordained teacher of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, they shall be doing so entirely at their own risk; neither the author nor Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam nor Nithyananda Publishers shall be responsible for the consequences of their actions.

Published by: Nithyananda Publishers Nithyanandapuri, Off Mysore road Bidadi 562 109, Bengaluru, Karnataka state, India

CopyrightC 2009 - 'Living Enlightenment year'

First Edition: December 2009, M.R.P in India only: Ebook ISBN: 979-8-88572-197-4 ISBN: 978-1-60607-116-8 ISBN: 1-60607-116-5

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. In the event that you use any of the information in this book for yourself, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions. All proceeds from the sale of this book go towards supporting charitable activities.

Printed in India by : W Q Judge Press, 97, Residency Road, Bangalore - 560 025, Karnataka state Ph: +91 80 2221 1168 Email: [email protected]

Universal Truth

If you look deeply, if you look beyond mundane life, beyond the day-to-day life we live ... If you contemplate on a night sky ... you will see that the most intimate and complete relationship man owns is the relationship to the Universe. In fact, it is man's ultimate relationship: he takes birth, lives and merges back into it. Nothing happens outside of it; even his enlightenment happens in it. Just as the child grows in his mother's womb, man evolves in the cosmic womb. He is the microcosm of a tremendous cosmic macrocosm. Therefore, all components of man, from the grossest to the subtlest, come from the universe: his body, his mind, his energy and his very consciousness are elements of the cosmos. Universe and man are indivisible. Whatever happens in the Universe resounds in the human consciousness, and whatever happens in the human consciousness resounds in the Universe. Both are a unique consciousness.

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The Great Vedic Astronomy

Man has been deeply fascinated by the Cosmos since the beginning of time. Early cultures worked on understanding the phenomena that happen in the sky; they observed them in order to understand what role the sky played in their lives. From these attempts, the science of astronomy was born.

In this field, the ancient Vedic contribution is well known. The earliest references to astronomy are found in the Rg Veda, which are dated 2000 BC. Around 500 BCE, Āryabhața, a great astronomer, presented a system that showed the earth to spin on its axis and considered the motions of the planets with respect to the Sun. He also discovered how the lunar and solar eclipses occur and was the earliest to discover that the orbits of the planets around the Sun are ellipses, just as Copernicus and Galileo concluded a thousand years later. He even determined the diameter of the Earth to be 5,000 yojanas, approximately 36,000 km, which is very close to the actual figure.

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These traditions related these objects and their movements to natural events such as rain, drought, seasons and tides; they related them to auspicious or inauspicious occurrences on planet Earth. Jyotişa, the science of Vedic astrology, took birth out of observations and perceptions based on these astronomical phenomena. The first astronomers were actually Rsis and sages, who understood the sky was a divine happening; they identified celestial objects with energies and Gods and connected astronomy to astrology.

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Jyotişa Simply Put

Astrology manifested in the inner vision of the ancient sages and Rsis of India. These yogis and enlightened beings were able to see beyond the realm of names and forms. They could feel and express the subtle reality that exists behind cosmic phenomena. As such, they perceived the primal powers of cosmic intelligence in the planets and stars (the macrocosm), and worshipped the cosmic powers within themselves (the microcosm) as powers of their being.

By concentrating intensely on the Sun and other planets, they understood the movement of the life force in their body, and by meditating on the life force, they also came to understand the movement of the Sun and the planets in the heavens. Through this technique called samyama, they could unravel the secrets of the universe. They brought down their understanding into a system of Vedic science, which became known as Jyotişa: the science of light.

Paraśara was one such sage. He is known for being

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the father of Jyotişa. He wrote the magnum opus Brhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra, which systematically explains the

theory of

predictive astrology. According to history, he is the grandson of Vaista and also father of Veda Vyāsa, who wrote the great epic Mähabharata. The depth of his astrological knowledge was so great that one evening while crossing a river in a boat, he casually looked at his favorite stars in heaven and suddenly realized it was an exceptionally auspicious moment. He concluded that if a child were conceived at that moment, he would be an expert in the scriptures. So he told this to the lady rowing the boat and requested that she marry him. She agreed and the son born out of their spiritual union was Veda Vyasa!

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By observing the movements of the celestial bodies through time and space, the science of Vedic Astrology can be applied to each human incarnation to encourage the soul to develop to its fullest potential.

In Paramahamsa Nithyananda's own words:

'The moment the consciousness enters the body, the energy level of the cosmos at the time of birth gets printed in that consciousness. Your inner space gets a print of the cosmic energy level and the position of the nine major energy centers of the solar system.

The astrological planets are not only astronomical, they are energies. A particular energy of push and pull exists between them. The different energy positions clearly decide the cosmic energy level during the time of birth. Based on that, Jyotisa will be able to predict the course of life. Understand, not exact incidences because you have freedom. You have freedom to decide whether to sit here or not, to read this or not.

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The major course of life- if you will get enlightened or not can be predicted. Principles can be predicted, not policies! Having an idea about your horoscope will give you intelligence and acceptance in your life: intelligence to take decisions and the acceptance to bear the inevitable things. According to me, a seeker should have a basic knowledge about his horoscope.'

Jyotisa and Living Enlightenment

Jyotisa can help one to read his destiny. But what is actually destiny?

There are only two types of destinies:

The first one is destiny as defined by a dictionary: destiny lived within the boundaries of the ego, with its own expectations, hopes, desires, successes and failures. It is constantly changing. Because it evolves under mind's law, it is mechanical, accidental and coincidental. This 'destiny' is lived in the dimension of the mind, so it has no existential reality in itself. It is nothing more than a reproduction of one's past in the

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present, which conditions the future in a mechanical way.

The other destiny is existential and ultimate; it is the flowering of consciousness into enlightenment. Understand: the only thing predestined in the scheme of life is that man is meant to evolve to reach enlightenment. The rest is just incidental; it happens for no other reason than to teach and mold the being towards seeking enlightenment. Living enlightenment is all about making conscious choices, free from the unconscious push and pull of the samskāras.

The further you wander from your center, the more you lose yourself in your periphery, the more you are subjected to incidents and accidents. Whereas, when you live enlightenment, you are centered, you are within your boundaries, you are aware. You become predestined, because your predestination is to reach enlightenment; your destiny is to become more and more aware. Then you become the agent of your fate,

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and you move beyond grahas' influences. This is how you come to terms with your karmas.

For that to happen, a simple understanding of the forces at work in you can help clarity manifest in your daily routine. In addition to this, you can follow a couple of guidelines to keep your body healthy with the science of Ayurveda and raise your energy level with yoga, the use of gemstones, rudrāksa beads, mantra chanting, and a basic knowledge of your psychological tendencies coupled with the ancient Vedic wisdom expressed by the great enlightened Masters.

All these remedies will bring lucidity about your mental set-up and support for eventually dropping your conditionings, unclutching from your mind and emotions and fostering your intelligence and energy to Live Enlightenment.

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Understanding Grahas and Naksatras

The grahas are energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe. Each of the nine main grahas in Vedic astrology has a specific energy field that creates specific effects on our planet Earth. For example, the moon has a strong impact on the movements of the sea and on plant growth; it even influences the mind of human beings. In the same way, the major energy centers produce an effect on living beings and influence their potential at birth, their mental set-up and, therefore, the course of their destiny. In Jyotisa, grahas are often referred as the agents of the karmas for which the soul took birth. Human personality and life have their counterparts in the structure of the cosmic physiology, represented by the grahas and the naksatras.

There are nine grahas (nine influences or 'planets') in our solar system: the Sun (Surya), the Moon (Candra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Śukra), Saturn (Śani) and two nodes called Rāhu (ascending lunar node) and Ketu (descending lunar

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node). These represent archetypes. Sūrya, for example, represents consciousness; Candra represents the cosmic mind; Budha represents the cosmic intellect, etc.

Most of the calendars of the world have been set by the Sun's and Moon's movements (measuring the day, month and year) and were of great importance for agriculture, because the harvest depended on planting at the correct time of the year. But the Vedic tradition uses a system of 27 naksatras to calculate months. The naksatra is the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time. In each month, the full moon sits in a particular constellation, and the Vedic month will have this naksatra' s name.

Each naksatra falls under the rule of one, sometimes two grahas. Each graha is assigned three nakşatras. For example, if the child is born when the moon sits in Aśvini naksatra, his birth star will be Aśvini, and his sign will be Aries (called mesha in Sanskrit), ruled by planet Mars (Mangala). Bharani and Krttika, the two next naksatras, also fall under the lordship of Aries sign.

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All three will therefore have similar characteristics and will influence the child's mind and consciousness at the time of birth, shaping his destiny.

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If Venus is your Planet

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'I worship Venus, who has the beautiful luster of a snowy mountain, who is the supreme teacher of the demons, who explains all the scriptures.'

-Veda Vyāsa

Dynamic: How we love, enjoy and relate

Key Words: Relating, love, creativity, sociability, adaptability, harmony, intuition, the urge to unite

Signs: Taurus, Libra

Color: White

Gender: Female

Temperament: Rajas

Governing deity: Lakşmi

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Venus in Vedic Scriptures

In Vedic myth Venus, or Śukra in Sanskrit, is

known as the ------- teacher of the दब माहि २ तोवच २ हारती म

asuras.

The asuras are the demons who are in eternal battle with the devas, the auspicious aspect of the Divine. In one mythical episode, the devas became very concerned because Venus has come to know the mantra of immortality that raises the dead. It gave the asuras an advantage in their battle with the devas.

To counteract that, Jupiter, the guru to the devas, sends his son Kaca to study under Śukra.

Śukra has a beautiful daughter called Devayāni. She

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fell in love with Kaca at first sight. But the asuras, knowing why Kaca came, had decided to kill him.

Devayani could not tolerate Kaca's death. In her deep grief, she asked her father Sukra to repeat the Mrtyuñjaya mantra. Kaca came back to life but got killed again by the asuras.

Devayani, torn by grief, requested her father to once again repeat the mantra. Again, Kaca came back to life.

The demons followed their evil plan to murder Kaca many times, but each time, Sukra kept resurrecting him.

The demons started to contemplate how to destroy Kaca once for all. They came up with the idea to kill him, grind him up into a fine powder and put him in Śukra's wine.

Śukra drank the wine. Her daughter, in despair, asked him to repeat the mantra, but this time Kaca resurrected in Sukra's stomach itself, and spoke from inside of him.

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At last the demons appeared to be happy.

But, in their unconsciousness, they brought about the very thing they were trying to prevent, for Sukra revealed the mantra of immortality to Kaca, so that when Kaca would tear himself out of Sukra's body, he would repeat the mantra and raise Sukra from the dead.

Tendencies of Venus and Taurus

'Venus is charming, has a splendorous physique, is excellent or great in disposition, has charming eyes, is a poet, is phlegmatic and windy and has curly hair.'

• Brhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra

Symbol: The bull

Element: Earth

Ruling Planet: Venus/Sukra

Cakra: Mulādhāra and anāhata

Body Type: Kapha

Healing stone: Crystal

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Venus is the vehicle of desires and passion; it represents the cosmic principle of attraction. This results in pro-creative activity, and the enfoldment of music, harmony, love and the urge to unite.

The symbol of Taurus is the bull. Like the bull, Taurus is the most durable and stable sign. It displays a calm and relaxed disposition, self-reliance and a great deal of endurance, latent power and energy. He is known for his productivity, efficiency, practicality, willpower, great concentration, inner joy, good job skills, solidity and patience.

His memory power is remarkable, and his intuition ... surpassing. Affectionate, sentimental, obstinate and loving, the native will show a spirit of sacrifice. But liable to extremes, he can be jealous and possessive at times. Slow to anger, he will be furious like a bull when provoked, and slow to forgive the pain endured.

Taurus likes comfort in his home and he is very hospitable. Loyal and generous to his family and friends,

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he is very helpful and likes to enjoy in all pleasures of life.

The intellect of the Taurus-born has its own strong, often traditional principles, and the person puts his ideas into practice. He may sometimes be stubborn, prejudiced and unreasonable or overly ambitious. He may overuse his authority over others, which can manifest as pride or a fixed attitude difficult to change.

Spiritually, Taurus people are devotional, traditional and like rituals.

Taurus Nakşatras: Krttika, Rohiņi, Mrgaśira

Characteristics of a Krttika-born

When the moon occupies Krttika, you may be a good advisor, strong in purpose, determined and intelligent. You are very fond of relationships, of bright appearance and possess widespread fame.

Krttika's deity is Agni, the sacred fire. Just like fire,

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you are sharp, cutting and penetrating by nature. Your personality often expresses ambition and self- motivation, you are a fighter for a cause; you are a spiritual warrior.

Krttika is also known as the 'Star of fire' and is related to physical and creative force. It stands for the determined and tenacious will to achieve greatness. This naksatra indicates a life where negativities are burnt up and purified; you ripen the fruit of your efforts and spirituality. It can bring out the divine qualities in human nature through the fires of purification.

Your nature is witty, though stubborn and aggressive at times. Your creative drive does well in careers such as music, dance, design, military work, or any work that requires an engineering brain and brave qualities.

Be careful and balanced in the way you eat! You experience strong desires of all kinds. Some of your life lessons are to discipline your nature and to find

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activities that calm your mind, and fulfill, heal and revitalize your being. Those should be your primary goals.

Characteristics of a Rohini-born

If your nakşatra is Rohiņi, you will be expert, authoritative, artistic, an agriculturist, an agent in real estate, well-behaved, a good speaker and a poet. The primary motivation of Rohini's energy is liberation, or the seeking for enlightenment. It is said that Lord Krishna had both moon and ascendant located in this naksatra, blessing him with an alluring mastery of the flute and the ability to win all hearts through its beauty and charm.

Tremendous creativity and wisdom can be seen under Rohini's influence. You may actually be gifted for the fine arts. You have an ability to 'foster growth and creation'.

Under Taurus' influence, your energy signifies that the fruits of your actions can be fully realized in

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your life. Deep devotion and faith can be experienced here, and all religious activities bring fruits.

But Rohiņi naksatra can evoke some degree of jealousy and materialism. It can increase desire and an obstinate approach to one's aims. One of your life's lessons is to control your stubborn nature if you want to work in groups or be in professions that require dealing with people. You can be very critical of others and fault finding, looking down at their achievements, making it hard for people to relax with you. Be aware of it.

Characteristics of a Mrgasira-born

Mrgaśira is also called 'the searching star'. Its symbol is an antelope's head. People born under this nakșatra's auspices have the face of a deer and a strong body.

Mrgaśira has a pure temperament and the seeking for spiritual liberation is one of its primary goals. It is an excellent influence for research of religious and

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philosophical truths, and it has the power 'to confer fulfillment'.

If you are Mrgasira born, you will often feel you are looking for something without really knowing what. You have the quality of a seeker. You are sincere and expect others to be sincere as well. You have good perceptive powers and are endowed with a creative, gentle, peaceful and perceptive nature.

But you may lack firm or fixed views and have to learn to confront others in order to stay independent in your life. You are capable, but too shy sometimes to bring your skills forward. You may also be overly attached to strong earthly needs and laziness, which will stick you in inertia and stagnation.

You will do well in careers requiring a research oriented mind, teaching, writing and acting. You could be an astrologer, poet, or gemologist.

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Energy Centers and Taurus

Anāhata Cakra- Becoming Love

There are 7 major energy centers in our body, called cakras in Sanskrit. They are directly connected to our emotions and impact different aspects of our personality and the way we relate to ourselves, others, and to Existence.

Each planet resonates with a particular energy center in the body. The loving energy of Venus is connected to the anahata cakra located in the heart region. This energy works on this cakra, and tends to imbalance it when it is too oriented towards getting others' love, attention, and recognition. Anahata flowers when you start giving love unconditionally, without trying to possess the other.

It is a proven fact that cakras correspond to and affect the functioning of the specific glands that constitute the body's endocrine system. The deep need for love, the urge to possess somebody as a

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means for security can create dependency and emotional restlessness which can drain your system, creating chronic diseases or depression in the long run.

You should keep an eye on your diet, which can be extreme when depression or low moods assail you. Taurus can be prone to bulimia and seeking sweet items to counterbalance a lack of affection. Guilt is very often an outcome of this behavior, which roots should be addressed.

To keep anāhata balanced, developing awareness, understanding and experiencing how you can flower by sharing your love will benefit you. You can start today to practice this sutra: 'suffocate others with your love'.

This attitude will give contentment; fulfill your longings and teach you to put others before yourself.

A balanced anahata cakra will confer a broad and generous personality, radiating bliss.

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Taurus and Āyurveda: Understand your Constitution

In a birth chart, many influences have to be considered to find out one's body type. Consulting an experienced Ayurvedic doctor will help you to understand your body constitution.

Generally, the Ayurvedic dośa (body constitution) related to Taurus is kapha.

Let's use this scale:

If you experience symptoms such as lethargy, a feeling of heaviness, nausea, chills, looseness of the limbs, coughing, mucus discharges, breathing difficulties and a tendency to sleep too much and high cholesterol, you may be suffering from kapha imbalance. Other symptoms can be inertia, congestion, stagnation and circulation problems. There may be a tendency toward obesity and boredom, depression, apathy, laziness, and mental dullness may be present.

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If you are easy going, forgiving, physically strong, stable and reliable, slow to anger, active and positive minded, have a strong immune system, full of mental resolve, rational thinking, endurance, adaptability, long term memory, then your kapha is balanced.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have predominantly kapha body constitution:

O Relaxed disposition, slow paced

O Loving, forgiving, compassionate personality

Stable nature, reliable

O Faithful

O Physically strong and heavy and large body, enduring constitution

Slow speech, good memory power,

O Large watery eyes

Prone to heavy depression

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Gentle, self sufficient

O Excellent health, strong resistance to disease,

O Slow to anger, greedy, envious

Tend to hold on to things, possessive of people, money

O Physical problems generally include colds and congestion, sinus, headaches, respiratory problems including asthma and wheezing, hay fever, allergies, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and constipation.

How to manage kapha?

Kapha people are prone to lethargy, sluggishness and overweight. Therefore, they need activity and stimulation more than the other types of constitution. Daily exercise is a must for them. Getting out of the house, walking and actively seeking new and different experiences, breaking their routine is also valuable. They should learn to be receptive to useful change, renounce impediments to progress, implement life

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solutions and choose foods, mental attitudes, behaviors, exercise, relationships that can help them to balance kapha characteristics.

Food items to balance kapha:

Kapha people should consume little fried or fatty foods; avoid icy drinks, sweets or excessive amounts of bread. Butter, ice cream, cheese and milk should be avoided; they are among the worst foods which aggravates kapha. The consumption of salt should be kept in check, as it creates water retention in kapha body types.

They should enjoy plenty of fresh vegetables, raw fruits and salads. Pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes decrease kapha influences. Black pepper, ginger, cumin, chili, and some other spices provide the pungent taste; bitterness is provided by some green leafy vegetables like lettuce, endive and some green vegetables and beans provide the astringent taste, like cucumber and unripe fruits.

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Meditation for Taurus: Balance your Kapha!

Venus natives can be benefitted through techniques which boost their body, enable them to let go of their emotions, and counter their mental stagnation and lethargy. Taurus people should do more active forms of meditation, including mantra chanting, or meditation combined with activity. Taurus like to live in their body and senses. Yoga and the practice of rituals are also excellent techniques for them.

Here is a meditation for you: Free Dance Meditation

Step 1-Duration: 21 minutes - Close your eyes and begin to dance. Don't bother about the steps. Let your body be free to move as it wishes. As you continue to dance in this fashion, more and more energy will surge inside you, and you will keep going. The more you dance, the more energetic you will be!

Enter deeply into the dance. Dance as fast as

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possible, as freely as possible. Forget yourself totally. Just become the dance.

Step 2-Duration: 10 minutes - At the end of 21 minutes, wherever you are, in whatever position you are, just drop down on the floor. Lie down. Be silent and still.

In the sudden change from frantic motion to sudden stillness, you will experience a moment of blankness.

In a few moments, thoughts will start coming back. Watch the thoughts calmly. Don't fight with them, don't get lost in them. Just remain aware. You will become aware of a lasting peace inside you, a great silence that remains even after thoughts return.

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Nithya Dhyaan: the Universal Technique

Nithya Dhyaan is a formula and technique that works on all the components of your being. Whatever your birth sign may be, it awakens the cosmic powers within you and makes them available to your being to excel in all spheres of life.

This is a five-step technique. Allow seven minutes for each step. Keep your eyes closed throughout the meditation.

1- Chaotic breathing:

Sit in vajrasana (kneel and sit on your heels). Place your hands on your hips and breathe chaotically, without a repetitive rhythm. Just focus on your breathing; let your entire being become the breathing.

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2- Intense Humming:

Continue to sit in vajrāsana, form cin mudra with your fingers (with the thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other three fingers outstretched), and place your hands on your knees, palms facing upwards. In this posture, with your mouth closed, produce the sound 'Mmmm ... ' from inside your body, as loudly and lengthily as possible.

3- Cakra awareness:

You may continue to sit in vajrāsana or sit crossed legged if you wish. Keep your fingers in cin mudra position. Now, bring your awareness to each cakra one after the other, from mūlādhāra cakra (root center) to sahasrāra cakra (crown

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center). Feel each cakra completely as if your whole being has become that energy center.

4- Silent Meditation: Be unclutched

In this step, carry the understanding with you that your thoughts are unconnected, irrational and unclutched. Don't try to create thoughts, don't try to maintain thoughts, do not try to destroy thoughts or react to them. Just sit and watch them. Understand, by your very nature, you are pure being and bliss.

5- Guru Pūja

Now, connect, relax and rest into the universal energy. Just sit in a very deep and passive way, feeling one with the whole, God,

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or your Master. Listen to the Guru puja mantras and feel their vibration in you. Express your gratitude with reverence.

You will find further details on the benefits of Nithya Dhyaan; along with the meditation instructions, in the comprehensive booklet and audio CD called Nithya Dhyaan- Experience bliss.

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Nithya Yoga for You

When the dynamism is low in the person, martial arts can be practiced to assist Venus gentle energy. Otherwise, yoga postures practiced slowly, as well as Sūrya Namaskār (the ancient Sun salutation), can be practiced by all natives!

Paścimottānāsana:

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Instructions:

· To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any asanas, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine loosened up and stretched out before entering the postures.

. In a seated position, stretch your legs in front of you and bring your heels close together.

. Shuffle your hips back right and left a few times.

· Move your buttocks out of the way with your hands.

· Take each thigh and rotate the inner thigh in and the outer thigh out.

· For most beginners, you should bend the knees up slightly to start, to prevent over-rounding of the spine.

. Inhale, sweep your arms above your head.

· Exhale, sweep your arms forward, reaching for the toes, and bring the forehead down close to the knees.

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. Inhale, sweep the arms up above your head.

· Exhale, relax your arms down by your side.

· Close your eyes and visualize this movement once. See your entire body performing the posture with smoothness and grace.

· Open your eyes and repeat Paścimottānāsana five more times.

· On the fifth time, keep the head down close to the knees and hold for three smooth breaths.

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Sūrya Namaskār

Sūrya Namaskār (the Sun salutation) is called the king of asanas. It is a sequence of 12 postures, each symbolizing a sign of the zodiac. This sequence of asanas has the amazing ability to activate the best characteristics of your birth chart by bringing energy to your body, a clearer thinking through emotional balancing, and a restored health, thereby enabling you to express your intelligence and uniqueness. It is a technique to experience a conflict-free life, fulfillment and eternal bliss.

Its practice awakens the body's innate intelligence to produce energy from the sun. It is designed to access the etheric energy all around you. When performed facing the East in the first rays of the morning sun, along with the appropriate breathing technique and the mantra, the effect on the individual mind, body and spirit is incomparable.

It is said that the daily practice of Sūrya Namaskār

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is enough to work on the whole body organs, cakras and mindfor the whole day.

Sūrya Namaskār mantras

A mantra is a composition of syllables, words or sentences that, when repeated with awareness and visualization, has a powerful and penetrating influence on the mind. Before each repetition of Sūrya Namaskār, one chants the corresponding mantra, which is a glorification of the Sun. This simple method leads us to the experience that the outer Sun symbolizes the shining intelligence in our inner sky. We come to understand our connectivity to the cosmic energy that pervades all the grahas. The characteristics of our sign get activated to unfold its inherent potential.

· Aum hrām mitrāya namaḥ Salutations to the friend of all

· Aum hrĪm ravaye namaḥ Salutations to the shining one

· Aum hrūm sūryāya namaḥ Salutations to the one who induces activity

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· Aum hraim bhānave nama Salutations to the one who illumines

· Aum hraum khagãa namaḥ Salutations to the one who moves swiftly · Aum hraḥ pūșne namaḥ Salutations to the giver of strength

· Aum hrām hiraņyagarbhāya namaḥ Salutations to the golden Cosmic Self · Aum hrĪm marĪcaye namaḥ Salutations to the Lord of dawn

· Aum hrūm ādityāya namaḥ Salutations to the son of Aditi, the infinite Cosmic mother

· Aum hraim savitre namaḥ Salutations to the eternal benevolent mother

Aum hrauḿ arkāya namaḥ Salutations to the one who is praiseworthy · Aum hraḥ bhāskarāya namaḥ Salutations to the one who leads to enlightenment

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Sūrya Namaskār āsana sequence

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any asana, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine limber and stretched out before entering the postures.

3 4 2 5

I 6 II

IO 9 8 7

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· Stand with feet slightly apart. Bring hands together into prayer position in front of your chest. Keep your eyes open during the practice of the asanas. Chant the corresponding mantra loudly.

· Inhaling, gracefully sweep the arms up over your head and gently arch the spine backwards.

· Exhaling and bending from the hips, sweep the arms forward and down so the hands touch the floor close to the feet and the forehead comes in close to the knees. Bend the knees to allow for greater ease in doing this.

. Step the right foot back as far as you can and as you inhale, lift your heart center up.

· Step the left foot back and assume the plank position with spine, neck, and head in a straight line, hands placed directly under your shoulders.

· On the exhale, lower the knees, chest and chin to the floor assuming astanga namaskar. Point the toes.

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. Inhale, raise the head and chest off the floor by engaging the lower back and gently pushing with your hands. Keeping the elbows bent at a 90-degree angle, come into bhujangasana.

· Exhaling, push with your hands, raise your hips into the air and back and assume the downward dog pose. Push your heels towards the floor.

· Gently look forward at your hands and step the left foot forward as far as you can, close to the hands. Inhale, lift your heart.

· Step the right foot forward to meet the right hand. Bend your knees if you need, exhale, and bring the head in close to the legs.

. On an inhale, sweep your arms up over your head and gently arch the spine, saluting the Sun.

. Exhale, bring your arms down and your hands back into prayer position in front of your chest.

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Nithya Yoga is Paramahamsa Nithyananda's unique offering to the world, helping the practitioner to be in the state of yoga every moment. You will find further details on the benefits of Sūrya Namaskār in the book titled: Nithya Yoga - The Ultimate Practice for Body Mind and Being.

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Remedial Birthstone for Taurus

Crystal stone bracelet

This book comes with a unique energy bead bracelet which beautifully combines semi-precious stones with rudraksa beads, enhancing and radiating the properties of the stones. This bracelet attunes you to the Universe and contributes to destroy sufferings related to negative karmas. It is specially blessed by Nithyananda, the enlightened Master of our times for the fortunate ones who wish to receive the blessings of the Universe! Enlightened Masters are said to be the manifestation of the Cosmic Energy that radiates Enlightenment.

Jyotisa uses different gemstones (also called birthstones) to strengthen each planet's energies.

Gemstones are the finest and purest consolidation of minerals that exists, formed under extreme heat and pressure inside the earth. Stones are crystals of clear and purified minerals that are also found in the human body.

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Because of their mineral quality, they are agents of electromagnetic energy, which influences the electromechanical nature of the human body. When a stone is in contact with the skin, it starts working on the physiology and energy level of the body, as well as the pranic layer of energy.

Crystal represents planet Venus in the natal chart. It rules over purity, inner and outer strength and the viśuddhi cakra. It is beneficial for:

· Speaking the truth

· Expression of one uniqueness

· Creativity, imagination, ingenuity, inventiveness

· Wisdom, benevolence

· Drawing abundance of wealth

· Happiness, success

· Mental clarity

· Weakness

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· Venereal diseases

· Happy conjugal life

· Diabetes

· Kidney problems

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Rudrākșa Beads

Taurus' Cosmic seed

Today, scientific experiments have verified the intrinsic properties of the rudraksa. These are: dynamic polarity, bioelectricity, and paramagnetic and diamagnetic propertiesall of which effectively control

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hyperactivity, eliminate stress and bring beneficial effects on body and mind.

Rudrāksa beads are emblems of Lord Śiva, who is believed to be at the very core of the centrifugal force of the universe, representing Brahman or the cosmic Sun: the aspect of creation which continually dissolves to begin a new cycle of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the Universe. Therefore, wearing rudrākșa attunes one with the cosmic energy that destroys karmas and confers spiritual liberation. It cannot have an adverse effect on the wearer because of its auspicious signification and can be worn by anyone, irrespective of his or her moon sign. Rudrākșa beads have immense benefits:

· They protect against negative planetary positions and enforce the positive effects of the birthstone which you wear

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· They keep, foster and protect one's own energy

· They can tap into energy fields to restore energy in the wearer.

· They stimulate an individual's consciousness and sub-consciousness

· They stimulate the mind, sharpens the intellect, gives power and opens the third eye

. They ensure peace of mind and harmony of relationships

· They help to cure dangerous diseases such as epilepsy, cough, and small pox and heal poisonous wounds

· They actualize Master's blessings into your life

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Navagraha Pūja

The Navagraha pūja is a Vedic prayer which produces tremendous positive energy, and helps everyone to gain courage to face any situation in life.

This ritual traditionally performed for the nine planets, brings solace to the person's mind, and dilutes any negative influences which can be felt during certain period called 'Navagraha dośa'; when the planets are not in proper alignment, influencing the person negatively. Due to these, people fall into depression and certain

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low moods. This period may last for some time, depending on the power of the planet.

However this can be averted with intelligence. Navagraha pūja is conducted to connect oneself to the cosmic intelligence, to avert any hindrances and to bestow tremendous peace and contentment in life. This puja is a collection of prayers and rituals performed to the planets in the form of deities.

With the blessing of these nine planets, the person is helped to attain good health, prosperity, knowledge and enlightenment.

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Navagraha Homa

Homa is a fire ritual, and an intense spiritual practice which becomes a powerful meditation technique when performed with devotion. During homa, one invokes the cosmic energy and visualizes it in the fire. Offerings to the planet deity through the fire are made at the same time.

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Through the mantra chanted and the purification effect of the fire; the body, the space in which the ritual happens and the people attending the prayer are benefited, and the planetary effect decreased.

When this homa is done as a personal spiritual practice, the energy is brought from the nirvanic to the physical layer of the body through all subtle energy layers, healing the person and raising his level of energy- allowing him to transform his destiny.

Navagraha pūja and homa services are available in all Nithyananda Vedic Temples throughout USA, and Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam ashrams throughout India.

Find out your nearest Temple in India on www.nithyananda.org and www.nithyanandavedictemple.org for USA, contact them to have more details if you are interested in benefiting from these services.

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Mantra for Taurus

Aum hrīm Nityānandāya namaḥ (Om Hreem Nithyanandaya Namaha)

In this mantra, Aum is the primordial sound and is the representation of Siva's energy, the male aspect of the universe. Actually, Aum is the cosmic sound that pervades the grahas, their movements and their effects on us.

The Bija mantra (seed sound), Hrim, has no linguistic meaning but encloses a powerful vibration which attunes you to the primordial energy from which the grahas originate: the female energy, Śakti.

Nithyananda means Eternal Bliss and invokes the truth which is our true nature, and the nature of our own intelligence. It is the pūrņa mūla mantra (the complete mantra) because it represents a straight path to both Śakti (success in this world) and to Siva (success in the cosmic world) which is 'enlightenment'.

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Namaha means 'I surrender' my ego to Existence, to the Master. Thus this sacred mantra awakens the completeness and fulfillment inside us and balances the male and female energies which exist inside every one of us.

The repetition of this mantra is a powerful technique which can be performed throughout the day as you go about your daily routine. It can also be uttered aloud 108 times every morning. The number 108, which is a multiple of 9, has been sacred since time immemorial. That is because the number 9 is the limit of all numbers: 0 to 9 is all one needs to make up an infinite amount of numbers. Therefore, 108 symbolizes and connects you to infinity.

Its beautiful sound should be pronounced clearly and as loudly as possible and from the navel region.

Eventually, this mantra will replace your inner chatter and create silence in your mind. Your whole being integrates itself towards enlightenment which leads you out of the dynamic of karma and planetary effects.

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Five Techniques for a Taurus Mind

Be grounded!

How beautiful can it be to feel your feet are planted on firm ground? Stand far away from the turmoil of doubts, low self-esteem and jealousy; then you will find the secure space in you, from which you can express your energy peacefully in many spheres of your life. Work on becoming yourself, the fertile soil in which you can plant and grow many trees which will soon bear fruit. This beautiful feeling is felt and will be felt each time you consciously choose to feel fulfilled, to feel whole. Be whole and share your wisdom.

Be patient ...

Enlightenment is passion with patience. Passion alone will raise a great number of thoughts: this passion, this rajas, will allow you to be successful in the outer world. If you have just patience, you will deeply accept everything and earn peace in the inner world. But with either one or the other alone, you will not get

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the ultimate experience of enlightenment which gives you the fulfillment in both worlds. Enlightenment is the total sum of passion plus patience. It is a mix of a strong will and a deep prayer that raise your frequency to a higher level, to a different dimension. Through that alone will you be able to break through all your automatism to awaken the non-mechanical part of the brain, which will bring revolution to your experience of reality. Be passionate, be patient! Be actively passive.

Find true greatness

Many times, you feel like looking down on people, thinking you know too much and nobody can understand your depth. You may even feel lonely and misunderstood. This will happen each time your ego holds on to your knowledge, your achievements, your wealth and manifests itself as pride. The problem starts with the attitude of possessing the feeling of 'mine'. True greatness lies in the knowledge that you don't own anything. You just need to understand that

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you are a temporary custodian of what you have, which is a part of Existence, just as you are as well. Then you won't need to be proud about it, you won't have to disrespect other's presence in your life, because you never possessed anything in the first place!

Nobody can hurt you without your silent permission!

If you look deeply within, you will see that you cannot do anything directly against your fear, your selfishness and your greed. If you attack the fear and try to remove it from one side, the greed will come from the other side; if you attack the greed from one corner, fear will come from the other corner. You can remove a thought or emotion with another thought, but you'll struggle with thoughts endlessly. Simply remember, that whatever you experience is a dream. When somebody hurts you, just remember this simple truth and you'll quickly regain balance and tolerance. Let this idea sink into you! Whatever struggles you're going through will become settled. Try these simple technique for 11 days; you will experience its power.

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Surrender yourself

Worry and tension come when you think you are the doer. And you get tired soon. But if you shift the sense of ownership to a higher energy and continue to do your work blissfully, you will feel tremendously relaxed! Be very clear, when you surrender to an enlightened Master, you are actually surrendering to one who has no ego, no identity and hence no vested interest of his own. He is one with and overflowing with Existence. By holding his hand, you ask him to take you with him to the ocean of bliss he is in. When you surrender to the higher energy, you can never feel drained and exhausted because you are directly connected to the one who is an embodiment of the infinite energy. This is the gift of surrender. Become the surrender.

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Śukra (Venus god) as represented in Tiruvannamalai Ashram (India). Around Venus stand the other 8 Navagraha deities (deities associated with the nine planets), along with their Navagraha trees (trees associated with the nine planets), to bless all with abundance. The circle of deities is placed around the main deities of the temple, Sri Anandeshwara and Anandeshwari; located near a powerful energy field of 1008 Śiva lingas radiating Śiva's cosmic energy in an extremely auspicious atmosphere.

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Glossary

Naksatra: the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time, commonly called as 'birth Star'

Vedic sciences: refer to a number of disciplines found in the Vedas, a large body of texts originating in ancient India, among the oldest sacred texts

Rg Veda: an ancient Indian sacred collection of hymns, among the four canonical sacred texts of Vedic tradition known as the Vedas

Āryabhata: one of the first astronomer and great mathematician of India, born in 476

Copernicus: (1473-1543) the first astronomer to formulate a heliocentric cosmology, which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe

Galileo: (1564-1642) Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and important astronomical observations

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Yojanas: a Vedic measure of distance used in ancient India, between 6 to 15 km (4 and 9 miles).

Rsi: a sage through whom the Vedic hymns flowed, a "seer" able to reach states of higher consciousness

Yogi: a practitioner of various forms of spiritual discipline known as yoga.

Paraśara : author of many ancient Indian texts and important astrological texts, known as a traveling Master.

Brhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra: a prominent astrological scientific text, written as a recorded dialogue between Parāśara and his disciple Maitreya

Vaśişta: Rāma's guru, a great Rsi who had complete knowledge of the whole cosmos and the gods

Veda Vyāsa: a sage of ancient India, compiler of the Vedas and great epics like the Mahabharata

Mahabharata: one of the major Sanskrit epic of India and philosophical scripture, depicting a great war that happened in India; written in 250 000 verses

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Samskāras: engraved memories, memories stored in the subconscious part of the mind. They are continually interfering with our decision making process

Grahas: energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe; generally assimilated to 'planets'

Karmas: the collection of unfulfilled experiences and actions that stay in us and constantly pull us to fulfill them

Āyurveda: is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian Subcontinent. The word Āyurveda consists of the words ayus, meaning 'life', and Veda, meaning 'related to knowledge' or 'science'

Yoga: literally union, union of the individual self and the divine Self, often taken to mean Hatha yoga, which is one of the components of yogasana, relating to body postures

Rudrāksa: a large broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally revered and used for prayer beads, or

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malā. Rudraksa mainly grows in foothills of the Himalayas up to South-East Asia

Sanskrit: the language of the Rg Veda and of many scriptures, as well as mantras.

Mantra: a sound, a formula, sometimes a word or set of words, which because of their inherent sounds, have energizing properties. They are an approach to spiritual evolution.

Unclutching: understanding that each thought is completely independent, unconnected to the precedent; which leads to disengage oneself from the mind, resulting in experiencing the no-mind state

Maņipūraka: third energy center, meaning 'the city of jewels', in reference to the treasures it holds

Pitta: one of the three dośas (or attributes) of the body in Āyurveda, principle of heat

Lakșmi: the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm, consort of Lord Visnu

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Guru: master, literally one who leads from gu (darkness) to ru (light)

Cakra: literally a 'wheel': refers to energy centers in the mind-body system

Mūlādhara cakra: the first energy center, mula is root; adhara is foundation, here of existence

Anahata cakra: the fourth energy center, literally 'that which cannot be created', referring to love

Kapha: one of the three dośas or attributes of the body in Ayurveda, related to the element of water and earth and the structure and lubrication of the body

Vajrāsana: common yoga and meditation posture, where the person sits on his heels

Cin mudra: palms upraised with thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other three fingers outstretched

Guru Puja: form of ritual worship

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Asana: body postures performed in yoga, literally means 'seat'

Aşțānga namaskār. 'cobra posture' in yoga, in which the head and chest are raised while lying down

Bhujangāsana: 'cobra posture' in yoga, in which the head and chest are raised while lying down

Pranic layer: the energy sheath of the body related to prana, or life energy

Viśuddhi cakra: the fifth cakra, or subtle energy center located in the throat region, locked by comparing ourselves with others

Lord Siva: the Supreme God, generally represented as immersed in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava upon maya (ignorance) in his manifestation of Nataraja, the Lord of the dance

Brahman: the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality, the Divine Ground of all matter,

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energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe

Pūja: a ritual made of different offerings related to the deity propitiated

Navagraha dośa: literally means 'planetary defects' or inauspicious alignment of planets

Homa: ancestral Vedic fire ritual

Nirvanic layer: seventh subtle body that we have and last layer of energy which is the space where one experiences intense bliss

Physical layer: the gross body made of flesh and bones

Aum: the primordial cosmic sound from which the whole Universe emerged

Bija mantra: refers to the single syllable mantra used to invoke certain deities

Śakti: energy, intelligent energy, considered feminine aspect of Śiva

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Rajas: one of the three gunas or attributes of nature. Attribute of activity and aggression

Jivan Mukti: the state of achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and death during one's lifetime

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About Paramahamsa Nithyananda

Paramahamsa Nithyananda is an enlightened master living amidst us today. With a worldwide movement for meditation and inner bliss, Nithyananda offers solutions for situations as practical as every day stress to the quest for something as profound as enlightenment. He left home at a young age and traveled the length and breadth of India, visiting holy shrines and associating himself with spiritual masters and mystics. He realized his intrinsic knowledge through the paths of meditation, yoga, tantra, knowledge, devotion and other Eastern metaphysical sciences. With an enlightened insight into the core of human nature, Nithyananda has defined his mission for humanity at large. Rooted in the ancient tradition of living enlightenment, and embracing all world religions as sacred and unique, Nithyananda draws people from around the globe, crossing all societal, cultural, language, age and gender barriers.

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About Nithyananda Mission

Nithyananda Mission is a worldwide movement for spreading meditation and inner bliss. The services provided by the organization include meditation, yoga, corporate leadership programs, free energy healing through the Nithya Spiritual Healing system, free education to youth, promoting art and culture satsangs (spiritual gatherings), free medical camps and eye surgeries, free meals at all ashrams worldwide, a holistic system of education for children through the āśram gurukul and a host of specially designed meditation programs.

Programs Offered by Nithyananda Mission

Inner Awakening

Inner Awakening is a 21-day 'master' program that is intensely transformative. It is designed to reproduce all the components of Jivan Mukti or 'Living Enlightenment' in every individual and brings about

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an irreversible alchemy of moving from the mundane to the Divine.

Life Bliss Engineering (LBE)

LBE is a 90-day residential program to experience the intense and transformative power of being in an enlightened master's presence. Conducted at the Bengaluru ashram in India, it takes you to the depths of your being through yoga, meditation and a wide range of multifarious activities and helps you to awaken your innate peak potential. It is a lifetime opportunity to learn directly from a living enlightened master, to engineer your very body and mind for enlightened living.

Kalpataru

A one-day meditation program that sows in you the seed of Living Enlightenment. This program empowers you with the energy to align your actions with your intentions so you move with outer world success and inner bliss.

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Contact Us

USA:

Los Angeles Life Bliss Foundation 9720 Central Avenue, Montclair, CA 91763 USA Ph .: +1 909 625 1400 Email: [email protected], [email protected] URL: www.lifeblissfoundation.org

MALAYSIA:

Kuala Lumpur 14, Jalan Desa Gombak 5, Taman Desa Gombak 53000 KL, MALAYSIA Ph .: +601 78861644 / +601 22350567 Email: [email protected], [email protected] URL: www.mynithyananda.com

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INDIA:

Bengaluru, Karnataka (Spiritual headquarters and Nithyananda Vedic Temple) Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, Nithyanandapuri, Off Mysore Road, Bidadi, Bengaluru - 562 109 Karnataka, INDIA Ph .: +91 97422 03311 / +91 92430 48957 Email: [email protected] URL:www.nithyananda.org

Visit : www.nithyanandagalleria.com www.lifeblissgalleria.com

for more information. E-mail: [email protected] & [email protected]

Over 500 FREE discourses of Nithyananda available at http://www.youtube.com/lifebliss foundation

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"Let you all experience and radiate Jīvan Mukti, Living Enlightenment"

• Paramahamsa Nithyananda

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NOTES

8 II 69

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Ebook ISBN: 979-8-88572-197-4 80 Moon in Taurus