SATSANG
Perform Agnihotra Heal The Atmosphere
New era 58 MAY 2001 Vol. 28 No. 7
Contents
SATSANG
Dr. Carlos Garcia is a psychiatrist who has a farm in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazon State, Venezuela. He healed his guava trees by doing Agnihotra on the farm.
In just a few hectares he has cultivated bananas, papayas, delicious sweet pineapples and many medicinal herbs.
When he first arrived at the farm all the guava trees were totally rotten and there were so many mosquitoes he thought he could not tolerate living there. In a few months he said it became a paradise. Now you don’t see mosquitoes there, which is very unusual because he is in the jungle.
(From Homa Farming for the New Age by Jarek Bizberg)
Whatever method you use to prepare and plant your farm, there are some basic practices of Homa Therapy Farming that will help. Regularly perform Agnihotra at sunrise and sunset in the center of the farm.
A minimum of one person should do Agnihotra at sunrise and sunset. If more people are available, each one can do Agnihotra and thus more Agnihotra ash could be available. A small gazebo or platform can be set up so that Homas can be done comfortably, even in inclement weather.
For basic Homa Therapy Farming, Agnihotra should be done at sunrise and sunset every day on the farm. It should be done at least from early spring until fall frosts and if possible throughout the year. Other Homas can be done to enhance the basic healing cycle created by regular performance of Agnihotra. Vyahruti Homa can be done at specific intervals during the day or anytime of the day other than sunrise and sunset. Om Tryambakam Homa should be done for four hours anytime of the day or for two hours after morning Agnihotra and for two hours after evening Agnihotra and for the entire twenty-four hours on full moon and no moon days to coincide with atmospheric variations. This helps establish a strong healing cycle, which is further intensified by the feedback effect coming from plants. By beginning these Homas early in the spring, you enrich the soil and the atmosphere around the planting area with nutrients and life-sustaining energies in the preparation for the planting of seeds and seedlings.
Before tilling or digging the soil sprinkle Homa ash, especially Agnihotra ash, over the soil along with your other organic fertilizers. The introduction of Agnihotra ash not only helps maintain soil fertility but also energizes the soil, imparting subtle energies that help plant growth. If you do this operation on a small farm, it is suggested that you spread the ash keeping your hand close to the ground or wet the ash slightly, enough to make it heavy. Otherwise, much of the ash will be carried away by the wind. If you are just starting Homa Therapy Farming and do not have much Homa ash accumulated, save your ash for planting and transplanting.
As stated earlier, Homa Therapy can be practiced with any organic farming methods you choose.
Letter from Croatia
We have about twelve hectares in the valley,
fertile land with plenty of water (many springs, creeks and three artificial
lakes), absolutely pure air (no industry in an area of three hundred kilometers
around), good continental climate and almost no people living in the valley.
We have two houses, in which about twenty people are living, and there
are more houses in the nearby village available for cheap rent. On our
property there is no electricity, in the nearby village there is.
We have put some pictures of our property and
the Valley of Heaven, as it is called, on the Internet:
http://lika-online.hypermart.net/lika/
Please visit this site to get an impression of
what we are talking about.
So far we grow spelt, wheat, corn, potatoes,
all kinds of vegetables, beans, apples, strawberries,
melons, squash, sunflower, and soy beans with very good results.
We have been practicing Agnihotra since last year and are very enthusiastic about it. In agriculture, however, we are only starting now to use it.
We also have a retreat with huge lands (about
one hundred hectares) in the mountains, absolutely remote and unknown even
by most local people. There is a smaller house
near the mountaintop on a sheltered meadow in the wood, which is ideal
for spiritual practices.
The owner and the people living here are about to emigrate to South America, where they will start a similar project with natural farming, Agnihotra and Ayurveda. Therefore, they are looking for someone to take over the property in Croatia, preferably someone who would keep it in the same manner. The conditions, of course, have to be negotiated.
We cordially invite you or someone of your team
to come to our place to get to know the property. From Poland it
shouldn’t be too far.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon
Dr. Thomas Herb
(If you are interested, please contact Dr. Herb.
His email address is: toh3000@yahoo.com )
News from Austria
Dear Satsang readers,
We had the good fortune to receive Aleta Macan
and Dr. Abel Hernandez from Peru. For about eight months we have been living
in Austria, in the so-called “Green Steiermark”, which is a very pleasant
and beautiful landscape. We invited ecological farmers and anybody who
wanted to know about Homa, Homa Farming and its applications, its effects
and its many possibilities in various areas.
Abel and Aleta gave a very interesting presentation on a six thousand hectare Homa Farming project which is planned for Peru. Abel and Aleta worked professionally, using laptop visuals which were projected onto a big screen. Everybody was able to follow their explanations visually.
We are looking forward to soon establishing one or two Homa Therapy resonance points nearby.
The next day we enjoyed the performance of a Rudra Yajnya in our home.
We hope that these experiences will spread and many of you will get the chance to participate and join in.
All love to all of you wherever you are,
Manuela and Reiner Szcypior
Tschagguns, Austria
We met with some relatives who had known about
Agnihotra for many years, but it was not until now that they decided to
do it. They reported that within a few days they were sleeping much better.
One lady had been suffering from respiratory problems and panic attacks,
but now she is doing better. It was very interesting and amusing to hear
how these three ladies, all over seventy years old, got up in early morning
before sunrise, went to the neighbor's cowshed, waited behind the cow with
a bucket for the desired cowdung, brought it home, formed patties and dried
them in the oven. This happened the very next day after the first Agnihotra
healing session. The second day they came with their own cowdung and ghee.
This is what you call enthusiasm!
Villach, Austria
We had 2 Agnihotra meetings arranged by Thomas
Konecny in a very nice restaurant and holistic center. Some people got
pyramids and will learn Agnihotra with Thomas. We also had the opportunity
to participate in one of Thomas’s Yoga classes in a Catholic convent. He
did some praying along with asanas. There were some nuns in the class;
it was a very beautiful, relaxing experience.
Graz, Austria
We met with approximately thirty people. Reiner
and Manuela had arranged this meeting. With their help and Gabriel and
Fiona’s assistance, it was possible to use high tech to demonstrate the
Homa Therapy work being done in Peru. Most of them have been practitioners
of Agnihotra for many years, some for twenty-five years. It was wonderful
to share our experiences with them.
Everyone was really amazed about the healings achieved with Homa Therapy in Peru in agriculture, animals and humans.
Stockach, Germany
There was a wonderful Agnihotra meeting at Ulrich
and Susanne Berk’s house. Most of the people there have been doing
these fires for more than twenty years. They were very supportive of the
six thousand hectare Homa Therapy farming project in Peru and also were
delighted with the results observed in Peru. Some people are planning to
visit Peru.
Puerto Santa Maria and Algodonales, Spain
We had another Ananda workshop in a nearby town, on a farm, called “Banos de Luz” (“Showers of Light”), run by Janet and Buzzel. This is a Buddhist center and they manufacture Bach flower remedies from plants which grow on their farm. Many of these people are interested in healing. Some of them learned Agnihotra and want to promote Homa Therapy in Spain.
We also had many Agnihotra meetings at the Mena’s house in Puerto Santa Maria. They will continue these meetings on a more regular basis, since many people felt attracted. We felt very fortunate to have all the support Ricardo, Christa and Elizabeth Mena gave us.
Bhrugu Aranya, Poland
We had the opportunity to stay for few days and receive many blessings in a very powerful ancient fire center, “Bhrugu Aranya”. Thanks to Parvati and Jarek, we received some special healing and guidance. Thanks to everyone (Parvati, Jarek, Jacob, Katherine, Kabir, Rory, Maria, etc.), we learned and shared many good times.
We feel and felt that the Divine Hand was behind all scenes. There is a MASTER PLAN. There are many positive changes taking place in Europe and they will be increased by Master Vasant’s presence in the European Homa Therapy Gathering taking place in May. We are very happy that our purpose for coming to Europe has been fulfilled by Divine Grace. That means we will receive all the copper materials necessary for the six thousand hectare Homa farming project in Peru. The agricultural HOMA REVOLUTION is on its way!
Every Sunday between 9 and 11 A.M. children from the villages surrounding Tapovan come for free classes. The children are very keen and sometimes come as much as two hours early for the class. Anne is leading the classes.
One Sunday more than sixty children came. The class had to be divided into two. Bruce took one half for Mantra and Anne took the other half for painting. Classes have also been given in puppet-making, cushion-making and gardening.
First thing, the children go to the Yajnya hut where the round-the-clock Yajnya Fire is being conducted. There they take turns at doing Yajnya. Then they come to the dining huts in the mango orchard where the main class takes place.
All the children seem to love the class and when 11 o’clock arrives they are reluctant to leave to go back to their homes.
(For more information on programs at Tapovan,
please contact Bruce Johnson and Anne Godfrey at “Tapovan”, PO Ratnapimpri,
Tal: Parola, Dist: Jalgaon, Maharashtra State, India
Tel: 91-2597-35-203
email: annegodfrey@pocketmail.com.au
[text only, no attachments or pictures] )
Priyam sarvasya pasyata uta sudra utarye
—Atharva Veda 19-62-1
Forgiveness is born of strength and can never be associated with weakness. You have the power to give the blow and you abdicate it; this is forgiveness. It ill becomes a weak man to talk of forgiving others.
If you beg for mercy for your own debts of Karma then it follows that you have to forgive others who trespass against you. Debts of Karma can be wiped out only by reaping as you have sown. However, Almighty forgives you if you are full of repentance. Hence it is stated, “Judge not others lest ye be judged”. You earn the right to be forgiven for your sins only when you practice forgiveness towards others.
“For I say unto you that except your righteousness
shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in
no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”
—Matthew 5:20
“He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on
the good and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.”
—Matthew 5:45
Forgiveness is associated with perfection.
“Be thou perfect as thy Father in Heaven is perfect.” -Matthew 5:48
Perfection is the goal to be attained in life. Perfection is unfoldment of the Divine within you. Krishna says, “He resides within the heart”. Animals go by instinct. Humans progress by intelligence. Further evolution can be escalated by the proper use of free will. This means the mind has to be purified. Forgiveness acts as a cleansing agent to get rid of evil tendencies which pull us in wrong directions.
“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” --Matthew 5:41
If you choose, you have the ability to pull someone ten miles in the direction you want and yet you choose to walk a mile with him, then it is forgiveness. You have the capacity to tear off the other man’s coat and you choose to offer him your own shirt, then it is forgiveness. Forgiveness is not cowardice. It is valor tempered with discretion. Forgiveness reduces the intensity of the evil result of wrong actions wrought by body, mind and speech.
When it is your turn to be judged you will pray for forgiveness, hence you have to practice forgiveness in your daily life. This is an independent meritorious deed (Karma) that you do; thereby you earn the right to be forgiven. Forgiveness is potent Karma. By practicing forgiveness in your daily life you deserve the right to be treated liberally when it is your time to be judged. You reap as you sow and you are forgiven.
A thief stole silver candlesticks from the Bishop’s residence under cover of the night. He was apprehended by the king’s soldiers and was brought before the Bishop. The Bishop said, “I have presented the candlesticks to him. It is a gift from me”. This is forgiveness. This made a strong impact on the thief and he took to better ways. This act of the Bishop has found a merited niche in English literature as “The Bishop’s Candlesticks”.
“Forgiveness is Divine virtue. The universe is held together by virtue of forgiveness. It is the might of the mighty. Forgiveness is virtue eternal.” (From an Indian epic)
“Then came Peter to him and said: Lord, how oft
shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus
saith unto him: I say not unto thee seven times, but until seventy times
seven.”
-Matthew 18:21
Muhammad stressed the virtue of forgiveness.
“Forgive and overlook till God accomplish His
purpose for God hath power over all things.”
—Holy Quran II-109
Three different words are used in the Quran for forgiveness. AFA means to forget. Obliterate the incident from your mind and be done with it. SAFAHA means to ignore. Treat the incident as if it did not happen. GAFFAR means to forgive others as God forgives us our sins by showering GRACE. He forgives again and again.
Buddha asked people not to get angry but to forgive even if somebody were to cut them to pieces.
“You shall cast out all malice, anger, spite and
ill will and shall not cherish hatred even against those who do you harm
but embrace all living beings with loving kindness.”
—Precepts of Buddha
“Hatred does not cease by hatred at any time;
hatred ceases by love. This is true nature.”
--Dhammapada
Buddha’s doctrine of MAITRI represents perfection of loving kindness. Compassion and goodwill result from loving kindness.
Shall we ask ourselves the question, “How many times have I been forgiven by the Lord for my evil actions. How many more times will it be necessary for me to beg forgiveness for my evil thoughts and deeds?” We must attempt to deserve His Grace. Therefore let us forgive him who does us wrong.
One may ask if the law of Karma, the law of reap as you sow, is inevitable then how does forgiveness and mercy of the Almighty fit into the picture? If justice is to be tempered with mercy do we compromise the law of Karma? The answer is simple. The law of Karma also states that any action, good or evil, if done with extreme intensity fructifies in a short time. Repentance and forgiveness are intense good actions. This Karma fructifies to undo the effect of previous evil Karma. Repentance begets forgiveness towards all.
If you think it is difficult to practice forgiveness think it over again. Consider the consequences. If you do not imbibe the virtue of forgiveness you are bound to get angry. When you get angry then it affects the metabolism, the endocrine secretions and the nervous system. This puts a heavy burden on the mind, resulting in emotional disturbance. It leaves a distasteful dent on the mind. This sets in wrong perception. Wrong perception, when multiplied, leads to added doses of misery. Hence, it is in our own interest to forgive others.
We are capable of making new discoveries and producing new gadgets in the material realm. What makes you think that we are utterly bankrupt in the spiritual realm? With a little determination on our part we will be able to practice the virtue of forgiveness in day to day life. Forgiveness purifies the mind. It gives you the added strength to experience oneness of all beings. It removes all frustrations and makes your life happy and purposeful.
From Ten Commandments of Parama Sadguru
Commentary by Vasant
Tan me manah shiva sankalpamastu
—Shukla Yajurveda, Vajasaneya Samhita 34-1
Although fettered by the strings of destiny man is blessed with the power of discrimination. The power of discrimination is the capacity to discern right from wrong. Man can use his free will to act up to the judgement given by his power of discrimination.
“God created man in his own image, in the image
of God created He him.”
—Genesis 1:26
Only in the human species is this power manifest. Judicious use of this faculty of discrimination means exercising free will in the right direction. This delivers us from the bondage of Karma. It is essential therefore that the mind entertain thoughts that uplift. When this innate creative power is cognized one can command the weeds to wither and seeds blossom forth. Constant affirmation to do so is necessary to maintain awareness of the Spirit that resides within.
When we get into the habit of affirming the holy the creative power of the mind tends to shape towards fulfillment. Sublimation of the outgoing tendencies of the mind correspondingly alters our reactions to circumstances. Thoughts impinge on the atmosphere. When we have holy thoughts the process of upliftment is accentuated. Thus, man is the maker of his destiny. Thought can buffet circumstances or it can liberate us from the bondage of circumstances. Hence the commandment, “May my mind always affirm the holy”.
Circumstances improve when we set into motion the factors that lead to inner purification. Constant affirmation of a loving mind alters the material conditions around us. We become better receptacles for the manifestation of Divine Grace. We get into the habit of always performing the right action. This is character building. This habit loosens the grip of desires that cloud the intellect. This is purification. This purification is functional, i.e. it enables us to reach higher states of evolution. One cannot truly improve conditions unless inner improvement takes place.
Right thought eliminates suffering. Affirmation of the holy consolidates the habit of performing right action under all circumstances. We can choose our thoughts despite circumstances. This is the thin end of the wedge which enables us to overcome the pangs of destiny.
“One chooses to become his own friend or his own
foe.”
—Bhagavat Geeta 6-5
The word MAN in English or MANAV in Sanskrit comes from the Sanskrit root MAN, meaning to think. Man can discern the Changeless among the changing, the one among the many. Human intellect is not able to grasp the ONE that pervades all manifestation. When, after purification, the intellect is transmuted into a higher state known as PRAJNYA we perceive Reality. Affirmation of the holy creates proper channels in the mind to intensify the process of purification.
It is good practice to spend some time daily over self introspection. We come to know that we are full to the brim with selfish desires that await gratification and evil thoughts that prey on others. When we become aware of these things we become less prone to find fault with others. The egotistical attitude wanes. The gates to the Kingdom of Heaven within us are unbolted. Holy affirmations on our part during the period of introspection help us consolidate the habit of right thinking. Then we think along the right lines not only during the introspection but all the time. Evil thoughts are then unable to make their way towards us. This is purification of the mind.
“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest
he fall.”
—1 Cor. 10:12
“Lead me from illusion to Truth Lead me from darkness
to Light Lead me from death to Immortality.”
—Vedic prayer
“And God doth advance in guidance those who seek
guidance.”
—Holy Quran 19.76
Buddha stated that undesirable impressions on
the mind cause TANHA, the attitude to cling to life. Jesus remarked:
“Whosoever will save his life shall lose it.”
—Luke 9:24
Non-attachment to material possessions or conditions removes the fear of death. The duality of attachment and aversion agitates the mind constantly and involves us in huge energy expenditure.
Ignorance of the Divinity within prevents us from manifesting Love. This gives rise to hatred and jealousy. We then react in an undesirable manner to the events that come about in life. This agitates the mind and disturbs tranquility. Purity of mind brings about tranquility and we get into the practice of always affirming the holy.
The purpose of human life is to unfold the Divine within us. Ethical life, where control over sense organs is stressed, is the foundation for spiritual unfoldment. Mere foundation is not enough. The journey has to culminate into soul vision which is Bliss eternal.
Purity of body and mind comes first. The science of Yoga prescribes YAMA (prohibitions) and NIYAMA (observances) to achieve this. Purity comes under the latter category. One has to go through some discipline if one wants to establish himself into happiness that is not followed by unhappiness.
Purified mind is incapable of holding undesirable thoughts. Thinking, feeling and willing shall manifest purity. Replace an undesirable thought by its antidote. However, there is another way. Concentrate your mind on the image of a holy person of whom you know or you have seen or met. The undesirable thought will lose its potency. You will immediately start attracting similar thoughts to yourself and this leads to the purification of the subconscious. Even a little practice will bring the influx of spiritual forces which will loosen the grip of desires that harass you. Thus, undesirable elements will be washed off and the flitting tendency of the mind shall be curbed. This leads to one-pointedness and purification of the mind.
A gardener sows useful seeds and weeds out all other growth. If neglected, the lot of land will bear useless weeds. Even so is the mind. When we observe the operation of free will that liberates us from the cycle of Karmic attachments we come to know the gateway to the Kingdom of Heaven. Our total identification with body consciousness is loosened and we transcend the bodily tabernacle to enter the subtler regions that lead us to the Spirit that resides within. Our consciousness is enlarged and deepened. The mind-conditioning is redeemed. Latent faculties become patent and the homeward journey is made smooth. For this process to operate it is necessary to cultivate the mind with seeds of virtuous thoughts and throw away the weeds that tilt us sensewards. The final illumination that dawns is not a process of accretion but is instantaneous. The process related only to the removal of dress in the form of coiled up desires. Hence, “May my mind always affirm the holy”.
Be quick to forgive the faults in others. Practice this and eventually you will not even see the faults in others.