Mahamandaleshwar Swami NItyananda

Spirit is a core module of integral life practice. We do our spiritual practices not just for our self but also to regive the blessings we receive to all of humanity and all beings. These blessings might include compassion, kindness, caring, service, inspiration, creativity, clear thinking, positive energy, healing, strength, courage, peace, trust, hope, love, and/or joy. So it is good to practice this module to the best of our ability. Ken Wilber has taught us through his words and his personal example that it is most helpful to receive the transmission and guidance of an authentic spiritual teacher as we practice this module.

Mariana Caplan has an intelligent discussion on the guru question here;  http://www.soundstrue.com/podcast/mariana-caplan-the-guru-question/?#bottom I like how she includes how we need to consider not just how good the teacher is as teacher but also how good we are as student. I would like to believe that there are many good and helpful teachers alive in our world today.

Swami Muktananda might be known in our integral circles as the teacher of Sally Kempton.  Before leaving his body in 1982 he named two successors to carry on his linage. One teacher is Swami Chitvilasananda. She might be known around here as one of the teachers of Mokshananda.

The other successor is Swami Nityananda. I believe that Swami Nityananda has accomplished much with limited financial resources. He provides fine charitable services for the very poor people of rural India. He provides food for the hungry, vision to the blind, and work for the unemployed. He has also established three ashrams to carry on the tradition of Swami Muktananda and Adi Shankaracharya.

One of these ashrams is located in Walden, N.Y. USA. He is scheduled to be there until September 15, 2011 and again from October 22nd until November13th.   

http://www.shantimandir.com/en/index.html

I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to spend some time with him and his peaceful community. On Saturday night, August 13th we had an evening practice of chanting and meditation. Afterwards we left the temple and went to an adjoining room and had a piece of cake (sorry Shawn Phillips). Then a group of about fifty people simply sat together in silent stillness. We were not practicing. We were not seeking. We were sitting together in and as peace, contentment, quiet joy, fulfillment, and love. It is so rare that a group of people can be together in and as that. This inner Ananda seems to permeate his ashram and my time there. The challenge seems to be in trying to hold on to the intensity of the Ananda in the midst of the trials and tribulations of daily life in samsara. I enjoyed my chance to be at the ashram and intend to share more on this.