LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES
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5th GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND OBLATES OF SHANTIVANAM AND SYMPOSIUM
at Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam India
12th - 17th DECEMBER 2025
The Theme for this Jubilee is:-
“Incarnation in Dialogue: Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam’s 75-Year Pilgrimage of Hope.”
Nurturing Your Inner Light in day to day life: The Kingdom of God Within: A Spiritual Journey (dorathick.blogspot.com)
https://dorathick.blogspot.com/2023/09/true-dialogue-begins-with-understanding_9.html
‘We only meet each other when we meet God.’
The Mountain of the Lord: Pilgrimage to Gangotri, Bangalore (CISRS), 1966; reprinted in Madras (CLS), 1967; new and revised edition, Delhi (ISPCK), 1990.p.42.
‘The essential awakening to being in the depth of the soul does not depend either on knowledge or on discipline of the will. Only God can bring it about. The only way to it is that of love –
love which releases man from the limitations of his ego, and throws him into the arms of God and his brothers;
love which is as strong as death (Song of Sol. 8:6), that death which, in God’s wise design, is the only road to life.’
Saccidananda: A Christian Approach to Advaitic Experience, Delhi (ISPCK), 1974 (revised version of: Sagesse hindoue, mystique chrétienne, Paris, 1965); new edition, 1984; reprinted in 1997. p.200.
Photo of Fr Bede Griffiths above shared by Roland Ropers
NOVEMBER 2019
Dear friends, I am happy to share this day when we had the blessing of my hermitage built in Jyothivanam. Pinto from Shantivanam oversaw construction. Bro Dorathick prior of Shantivanam blessed the Hermitage and Fr. Pinto cut the ribbon. Today is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, my patron saint. The Hermitage will bear his name. I am very grateful to my friends in France, Germany, Holland and Italy who generously contributed to the Hermitage. May the Lord bless them all.
Brother John Martin
Video of the construction of the hermitage:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kThXNe2rKCQ&feature=youtu.be
Swami Abhishiktananda
** "... God is only known and possessed when the self has been finally left behind. The only way to this abandonment of self is the way of love, and for that very reason love is the supreme commandment and the summing up of the whole Gospel."
Swami Abhishiktananda
** Taken from: Saccidananda: A Christian Approach to Advaitic Experience, Delhi (ISPCK), 1974 (revised version of: Sagesse hindoue, mystique chrétienne, Paris, 1965); new edition, 1984; reprinted in 1997 p. 7.
For Br. Martin's current programme click on http://www.frerejohn.com/rencontres
as we are all in lock down with fear and worries! here our monks singing gives you all hope, strength and prayers with Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu is a Sanskrit prayer. It has been used for many centuries to invoke greater states of compassion and peace . The Beautiful Meaning of Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu May all beings be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom for all.
REPORT FROM FATHER SEBASTIAN ON SISTER VALSA AND HER DANCERS
HAPPY EASTER
drawing by our brother Daniel Devananda r.i.p.
"...On this day Jesus calls us to be his messengers of peace. We pray that this peace will remain in our hearts always to make us his messengers in the world of today. The celebration of Easter is a call for us to change – and perhaps change radically – as Jesus’ own disciples changed. I wish you all to celebrate this day with peace, love and bliss. Have a blessed and holy Easter."
With Love
Fr. Dorathick
Message from Br. Martin on the 123rd Anniversary of Fr Jules Monchanin's birth
10th April
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone. But when it dies it gives a mighty harvest. Jules Monchanin is this grain of wheat whose death bore fruit. A seed does not see its fruits. It has to die. Jules Monchanin did not see his fruits but he died with the hope that the fruits come. The community of Shantivanam, the oblates, the friends and sannyasis all bear witness to the sacrifice of Monchanin. May this spirit of Jules Monchanin continuously guide our spiritual path."
FR JULES MONCHANIN'S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY 10TH APRIL
Jules Monchanin born 10th April 1895
Bro. John Martin Sahajananda
Blessings of Peace Love and Joy to you and family
"...The one, eternal Truth, which cannot
be uttered, which cannot be known, is 'symbolized' in the life
and death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. At this point
in history the veil is pierced, the Mystery shines through. At
the resurrection of Jesus, human nature was taken up into the
divine, time was taken up into eternity. Yet these are only
phrases we use to express the inexpressible. It is not by word
or thought but by meditation on the Mystery that we can pierce
the veil..."
Bede Griffiths (Return to the Centre)
Father Pinto has sent some photos of celebrations at the Day Center Creche which is supported by Shantivanam.
Fr Pinto seen in photo below:-
OCTOBER 2017 (click below)
an epiphany by Fr. Cyprian Consiglio
BROTHER MARTIN ANSWERS QUESTIONS:
Are Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohamed predicted in the Vedas? If there is One God, why many religions? Who is the real saviour: Krishna or Christ? If God is Good, from where evil comes? Does God want people to worship him? Can any human being say he or she is God? Does God exist?
MESSAGE FROM BR. MARTIN FOR THE 60TH MAHASAMADHI ANNIVERSARY OF FR JULES MONCHANIN
SEPTEMBER 2017 (click below)
SEE GOD IN ALL
“In the salutation of all guests, whether arriving or departing, let all humility be shown. Let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground in adoration of Christ, who indeed is received in their persons.”
TAKEN FROM THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT
February 7th, is the historical feast day of St. Romuald which is now celebrated on June 19th the day he died in 1027.
“Realize above all that you are in God’s presence, and stand there with the attitude of one who stands before the emperor. Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God, like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings him.”
St. Romuald
FROM THE UNREAL LEAD ME TO THE REAL
FROM DARKNESS LEAD ME TO LIGHT
FROM DEATH LEAD ME TO IMMORTALITY.
APRIL 2017
Message from Brother Martin for the Birth Anniversary of Fr. Jules Monchanin
MESSAGE FROM BR. MARTIN - Thoughts for Lent
JANUARY - MARCH 2017 -WEBSITE UPDATES
21st March is the Anniversary of Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam was started on 21st March 1950
Oblates of Shantivanam website officially started 21st March 2013 on the Anniversary of Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam
Please click on link from Bede Griffiths Sangha's facebook for the eulogy given by Sr Neethi at Sr. Marie Louise's requiem mass in the temple of Shantivanam. She is buried just by the temple. https://www.facebook.com/bedegriffithssangha
BROTHER MARTIN'S ITINERARY 2017
EXTRACTS FROM FALLING IN LOVE WITH INDIA - LETTERS FROM FR BEDE GRIFFITHS
THE SPIRITUAL LIFE AND LIFE IN THE WORLD BY BR MARTIN
Message from Brother Martin 30th October 2016
Today is Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of light. There are many interpretations given to this festival,
the predominant one is killing of the demon, Narakasura, that rules hell.
People celebrate this event by placing lamps in lines in their houses. Deepavali means lamps in line. People burst crackers to celebrate this festival. People celebrate this as the victory of Light over darkness, ignorance or evil. For Christians it is the victory of Life over Death. It is the victory of Christ the light
over the forces of darkness and ignorance. Let us join with our Hindu brothers and sisters to celebrate this universal festival. May the light of truth dispel our ignorance which is the cause of divisions and violence
in the world and bring unity and peace in the world.
Birthday Anniversary of Swami Abhishiktananda - 30th August
We thank God for the gift of
Swami Abhishiktananda
born on the 30th August, 1910
"May the same Light shining in his eyes, enlighten our mind and heart."
LECTURE ON LEWIS-GRIFFITHS
BY RON DART
this autumn at the annual Inklings Institute Canada (IIC) conference at Trinity Western University
Contact - Ron Dart
_______________
PREACHED RETREAT: RON DART
Topic: C.S. Lewis and Bede Griffiths: Soul Friends:
When: April 21-23 2017
Where: New Camaldoli Monastery, Big Sur California
This retreat will explore the ever deepening
friendship between C.S. Lewis and Bede Griffiths
and Griffiths' ongoing defense of Lewis after his
death in 1963. We will, in the process, examine
the nature of spiritual friendships using Lewis
and Griffiths as markings on such a journey.
_______________
GOOD NEWS
13h July 2016
Shantivanam will have what is called a PV-HYBRID system for electircity generation and delivery. This hybrid is PV generated power along with grid power.
PV is the acronym for photovoltaics. These are cells which take the light of the sun and convert that into DC power. A number of such cells held together in a ‘frame’ is called an array. Shantivanam will have 2 such power system of 4 & 2 KW. There is a high quality Inverter that converts DC into AC power. It also delivers STABLE power and will sense and prioritise the source of power FIRST from the solar source ie the SUN (and strenth of rays called solar insolation). Only if there is ‘no sun’ /insufficient will it source from grid power.
The systems’ providers (Omega Solar) will also install 1 day’s back-up power storage in a bank of batteries.
I think it will take them a week or so to install.
I hope this has the clarity of a good sunshine day!
love
Aruna
ABOUT NEW FILM ON SWAMI ABHISHIKTANANDA PLEASE CLICK BELOW
http://www.bedegriffiths.com/2016/07/11/dawn-of-the-abyss/
HAVE A LOOK AT THE NEWLY UPGRADED BEDE GRIFFITHS TRUST'S WEBSITE NOW CALLED "THE GOLDEN STRING"
http://www.bedegriffiths.com/
JUNE 2016 UPDATES
MESSAGE FROM BR. MARTIN ON THE FEAST OF ST. ROMUALD
TO LISTEN TO
BROTHER MARTIN'S TALKS - U.S.A. 2016
PLEASE CLICK ON LINK BELOW-
http://www.offeringsfromtheheart.com/new-album/
----------------------
SHARED ARTICLES - a booklet on C.S. Lewis and Bede Griffiths by Ron Dart
"The Holy Trinity, where there is love there is God"
Pope Francis
"Jesus Christ in our Christian understanding is one in whom this capacity for God was totally fulfilled ("in him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily") and the image of God was realized in its perfection.
Each of us as we grow in grace can come to share more and more in the gift of the Holy spirit and so grow in the likeness of Christ so that we share in his Sonship and are able to know God as our Father. "God has sent the Spirit of his Son in our hearts crying Abba, Father". (Galatians 4.6) In this way we come to share, as you say, in the inner life of the Trinity."
extract from a letter from Fr. Bede Griffiths
13TH MAY 2016 - 23RD MAHASAMADHI ANNIVERSARY OF FR BEDE GRIFFITHS
10th April
Birth Anniversary of
(born10th April 1895)
He would give his last rupees to the
poor
and would then have to beg for a few annas from the parish
priest
Fr. Monchanin gave his all for Shantivanam.
MARCH 2016 UPDATES
TRIBUTES - REMEMBERING FRIENDS OF SHANTIVANAM - Fr. Bruno Barnhart osb Cam. (l931-20l5) click here
SR MARIE LOUISE INTERVIEWED BY JILL HEMMINGS click here
Subheading under heading BR MARTIN please click on title link below:-
Entering places of worship outside of our own religion? by Brother Martin
SACCIDANANDA ASHRAM SHANTIVANAM IS ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010373499376&fref=ts
BROTHER MARTIN IS ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/johnmartinsahajananda.kuvarapu
Anniversary of Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam 21st March 1950 - 2016
Anniversary of Oblates of Shantivanam website - officially started 21st March 2013 on the Anniversary of Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam
FEBRUARY 2016 UPDATES
ASHRAMS: HINDU AND CHRISTIAN by Sr.Pascaline Coff
OBLATE PAGES - New entries under GENERAL SHARING
JANUARY 2016 UPDATES
OBLATE PAGES
click on NEW SUBHEADINGS
INSPIRATION OF THE FOUNDERS - FR SEBASTIAN
subheadings below need login and password
GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM DEC 2015 - REVIEW
GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM DEC 2015 - FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS
GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM DEC 2015 - PHOTOS
GENERAL SHARING - new entries
DECEMBER 2015 NEWS AND UPDATES
UNDER HEADINGS:
OBLATE PAGES - General Sharing - some messages for our Gathering
NEWS - MORE QUOTES FROM SWAMI ABHISHIKTANANDA FROM SETU - see under heading FOUNDERS
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAHASAMADHI 7TH DECEMBER 2015
The only way to this abandonment of self is the way of love,
and for that very reason love is the supreme commandment
Swami Abhishiktananda
(Taken from: Saccidananda: A Christian Approach to Advaitic Experience,
Delhi (ISPCK), 1974 (revised version of: Sagesse hindoue, mystique chrétienne, Paris, 1965);
new edition, 1984; reprinted in 1997, p. 7)
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH 17TH DECEMBER 2015
Each religion has to hold to its own tradition,
yet to allow that tradition to grow as it opens itself to other aspects of truth.
So we realize that truth is one, but that it has many faces and each religion is an aspect of that face.
The one truth is perceived to be manifesting itself under different signs and symbols."
Fr. Bede Griffiths
(Taken from:"The Universal Christ, Daily Readings with Bede Griffiths Page 18,
NOVEMBER 2015 NEWS AND UPDATES
‘Can we prove God? Some of the saints, like Thomas Aquinas, tried to prove God.’- EXTRACT FROM BROTHER MARTIN'S FOUR O’CLOCK TALKS - SEE UNDER HEADING BR MARTIN OR CLICK HERE
OBLATE PAGES - General Sharing - new entries
Fr. Cyprian Consiglio on Fr Bede Griffiths' Centenary Celebrations at Shantivanam click here
Human Desires and the Search for God - EXTRACT FROM BROTHER MARTIN'S FOUR O’CLOCK TALKS CLICK HERE
Remembering
Fr. Jules
Monchanin
Mahasamadhi
Anniversary 10th October 1957
He planted a seed which has grown into a forest of peace
Shantivanam
"...I never saw him angry. If he had been an ordinary man, there would have been a word called ‘angry’, but Monchanin was always praying. How could he get angry [when he was praying all the time]? Even while walking, Monchanin used to pray: when he walked from his hut to the chapel, he would pray the rosary... "
The Memories of Mr. Vishvasam – Cook and Friend to the Hermits (see Tributes to Fr. Jules Monchanin)
SWAMI ABHISHIKTANANDA
Photo courtesy:
O. Baumer - Abhishiktananda Centre
for Interreligious Dialogue
taken in October 1973, just 2 months
before Swamiji’s mahasamadhi
REMEMBERING
A BEAUTIFUL SOUL
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH 30TH AUGUST 1910
"That which is at the centre of the space in my heart,
it is the very same which is in the sun,
which is in the earth,
in the heart of every man,
at the heart of every being."
A verse in the Chandogya Upanishad which meant much to Swami Abhishiktananda
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MESSAGE FROM BR. MARTIN FOR DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF FR. BEDE GRIFFITHS
Date: Tue, 12 May 2015 20:24:03 +0530
From: John Martin Sahajananda <brothermartin111@outlook.com>
We are all very grateful to his response to the call of God, to his sacrifice, to his dedication for the truth, for building bridges and being a peace maker.
Jesus said, 'Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God'. Fr.Bede and our founders, Jules Monchanin and Henri Le Saux for they worked hard to break down the walls of division and bring peace and unity in the world.
They inspired many people on their spiritual path and gave clear guidance to their lives.
We thank God for the gift of their lives.
What we are today is because of their sacrifice.
May they all continue to protect us and inspire us.
Br.Martin and the Community of Shantivanam
A wonderful drawing of Fr Bede Griffiths by Daniel Pittman (Devananda) (see below)
posted here especially for the 13th May - Anniversary of Fr. Bede's Mahasamadhi.
photo © Daniel Pittman
BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF FR. JULES MONCHANIN
Today 10th April we celebrate the birth anniversary of Jules Monchanin, the co-founder of Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam. Born10th April, 1895 in France in the village of Fleurie near Lyons.
"...Our Advaita and the praise of the Trinity are our only aim,' wrote Monchanin, and with these words he put his finger on the precise point where the meeting in depth between Indian and the Christian faith has to take place..." Fr. Bede Griffiths (Preface to In Quest of the Absolute)
"I ask you all for your prayers, Christians, Moslems, Hindus alike, you who adore 'Him Who is,' the One whom we cannot name, for He is beyond all thought, but whom, through His Grace, love may reach." Fr. Jules Monchanin's words shortly before his death.
"From the
unreal to the real,
From
darkness to light,
From death to immortality.
Om peace peace peace ."
HAPPY EASTER
and the 2nd anniversary of the website of oblates of Shantivanam.
"...'Our
Advaita and the praise of the Trinity are our only aim,' wrote
Monchanin, and with these words he put his finger on the precise point
where the meeting in depth between Indian and the Christian faith has to
take place.
The Hindu experience of the Atman, the ground alike of being and of
consciousness as 'one without a second', and the Christian experience of
God as a Trinity of Persons, are complementary truths. Within the
depths of the One there is revealed a communion of knowledge and love,
which does not destroy but perfects the unity of the One Being. But to
discover this point of unity in the two traditions we have to ascend, as
Monchanin observed, to the source of both traditions, to the point at
which they originally burst forth and took shape, before they had
hardened into systems..."
excerpt taken from the Preface by Bede Griffiths to In Quest of the Absolute - The Life and Works of Jules Monchanin.
FEBRUARY 2015 UPDATES
Dear Friends
Greetings of peace and joy from Br.Martin, from Shantivanam. I hope you are fine, hale and healthy. The community of Shantivanam ashram comes to you with a request. The present need of the ashram necessitated us to initiate a project called ‘Friends of Shantivanam’. We are trying to gather some friends who commit to support the mission of the ashram spiritually and economically. Please click here for full message. The ashram community will be grateful for your support.
With best wishes and prayers
Br.Martin and the Community of Shantivanam.
Saccidananda Ashram,
Shantivanam
MESSAGE FROM FR. GEORGE NELLIYANIL - Fr. Bede, man of Prayer and Communion (see subheading under NEWS or click below)
Fr. George Nelliyanil was prior of Shantivanam from 1997 to 2014. From October 2014 he was appointed Prior and Rector of the Monastery of S. Gregorio Magno Italy.
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM BROTHER MARTIN FOR 2015
Dear Oblates and friends,
I wish you all a happy new year 2015. Let us thank the Infinite for the year 2014. Let us accept all the positive and the negative aspects of the past year. Let us also forgive those who have caused difficulties to us and also ask forgiveness if we have done any harm to others. Let us pray to the almighty for a world where there will be peace, equality, freedom and respect for the human dignity.
br.martin
MESSAGE FROM BR. MARTIN ON THE 108TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF
FR. BEDE GRIFFITHS - 17TH DECEMBER 2014
REMEMBERING FR BEDE GRIFFITHS
ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH
17TH DECEMBER 1906
DECEMBER 2014 NEWS AND UPDATES
Message from Br. Martin on the 41st Death Annivesary of Swami Abhishiktananda - 7th December 2014 - see under News subheading "Messages from Br. Martin"
BR. Martin - Isa Upanishad: an interpretative translation - see under heading Br. Martin
NOVEMBER 2014 NEWS AND UPDATES
BROTHER MARTIN'S PROGRAMME FOR EUROPE"
"I have just finished my program in France and I go tomorrow 25th to Luxemburg.
On 30th. I go to Germany.
On 3rd.December I go to Holland.
On 9th. I go back to India from Brussels..."
Br.martin
- MESSAGE FROM BROTHER MARTIN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 57TH MAHASAMADHI
(DEATH ANNIVERSARY) OF ABBE JULES MONCHANIN 10TH OCTOBER 2014 -
Bro. John Martin Sahajananda
On this occasion on the mahasamadhi of Abbe Monchanin, the book "Reflections on the Hermits of Saccidananda" has been made available as an eBook for free download or to read online at www.ctlock.org This book is a compilation of articles by Ma Atmajyoti-Ananda ("ctlock") of Aranya Kutir Ashram, Rishikesh.
SEPTEMBER 2014 NEWS AND UPDATES
News from Shantivanam:-
Fr.George has gone to Italy on a sabbatical and possible responsibility in Italy.
AUGUST 2014 NEWS AND UPDATES
GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM DECEMBER 2015: A reminder for those who wish to join the gathering of friends and oblates of Shantivanam in December 2015 at Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam to send an e-mail to shativanamoblates@gmail.com so that we can start to organise the programme with your input.
Tomorrow we commemorate the 104th birth anniversary of Swami Abhishikthanada. We thank God for the gift of his life to our ashram, to the Catholic Church, to Christianity and to the whole world. He had the courage to trod the untrodden path and to open a new vision to the Church, to Christianity and to the world. It was not an easy path. It required tremendous courage and sacrifice. His soul had to go through the pangs of a woman in travail and also the pangs of a child that is going to be born. He endured the process and gave birth to a new vision. He was a pioneer of Hindu-Christian Meeting point. We are still very far from the vision he inaugurated. It seems that his voice is like the voice of John the Baptist,crying in the wilderness. Neither the Church nor Christianity has taken his vision seriously. It still remains at the individual level. Only the individuals that go into the desert listen his voice and try to walk on the path he walked. We wish and pray that the Church and Christianity open their minds and hearts to hear his prophetic voice and contribute for a genuine inter-religious dialogue and work for unity and peace in the world. May the soul of Swami Abhishikthananda bless us from above and help us to be caught by the fire of his vision.
John Martin Sahajananda,
Saccidananda Ashram,
Shantivanam
29.8.2014
MAY 2014 UPDATES
NEWS - UPDATE ON ADRIAN RANCE'S BOOK - BEDE ON LOVE - Read excerpts taken from the book and report by Adrian Rance under NEWS Subheading.
On Friendship- The Letters of Bede Griffiths to Richard Rumbold 1943-1961 edited by Adrian Rance (read review under heading BOOKS) Adrian has included a photo of Richard Rumbold in Second World War RAF uniform.
BROTHER MARTIN - on Baptismal Promises
OBLATE PAGES - General Sharing - Sr. Pascaline shares her first experience and impression of Fr. Bede
NEWS - MESSAGE FROM FR GEORGE FOR THE 21ST MAHASAMADHI ANNIVERSARY OF FR. BEDE GRIFFITHS
Dear oblates and friends,
Today, 13th May we are celebrating the 21st Mahasamadhi of our beloved Guruji. Fr. Bede. On this occasion I am glad to share with you one of his messages which touched me very much. That is “Go Beyond”, Fr. Bede was a charismatic and prophetic figure which we could find in his gentle face and eyes filled with compassion. His kavi colored cloth and simple life touched the heart of everyone who met him and he radiated to them the message ‘Go Beyond’. (Please see under NEWS - MESSAGES FROM FR. GEORGE for the complete message.)
ADDITIONS TO OBLATE PAGES - GENERAL SHARING
13TH MAY 2014 - 21ST MAHASAMADHI ANNIVERSARY OF FR BEDE GRIFFITHS
..."But in that stillness, in that silence, the Word is hidden, the Word in which everything exists eternally in the plenitude of being. And in that Word the Spirit is present, the Spirit which is in all creation and in the heart of every man, and in our own inmost being. And that Spirit is Love, a love which penetrates every atom in the universe, which fills every living thing, which moves the heart of every man, which gathers all into unity. In that Spirit we are all one in the Word, each one unique in himself, reflecting the light of the Word, and in that Word we are one with the Father, the Source of all. 'That they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us.' This is our destiny, to be one with God in a unity which transcends all distinctions, and yet in which each individual being is found in his integral wholeness.
Extract from "Return to the Centre" by Bede Griffiths
UPDATES APRIL 2014
EASTER MESSAGE FROM FR. GEORGE - see under NEWS
EASTER-THE VICTORY OF UNITY OVER DIVISIONS by Brother Martin- The feast of Easter has
many messages to communicate to us: - See under Brother Martin
APRIL 2014 - UPDATE
Today 10th
April we are celebrating the birthday of Jules Monchanin, the
co-founder of Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam. On this occasion I would
like to share with you some of his thoughts about this above mentioned
foundation, Saccidananda Ashram....." MESSAGE FROM FR. GEORGE - SEE
SUBHEADING UNDER NEWS
JANUARY 2014
Update - (see) Br. Martin
Brother Martin has offered alternative Introductory Prayers, based on the Psalms, which can be recited privately, for friends and oblates who cannot follow the usual introductory prayers.
Brother Martin has also composed a prayer inspired by the Lord’s Prayer.
DECEMBER 2013
"The great people will not die because they live in the heart of the people. Mandela is a man of great soul. We remember him and the people of South Africa in our prayers."
Fr. George Nelliyanil, Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam, India
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Dear Friends and oblates of Shantivanam,
Christmas is a celebration of joy. We celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts, decorating the houses, making a crib at home and putting Christmas stars, visiting friends, attending the Holy mass, sharing Christmas cakes, decorating the Christmas tree etc. The reason for this joy is Emmanuel: God with us. Christmas tells us that we are not alone. The Creator is with us and within us. This is the reason for which we celebrate Christmas with joy. The shepherds were the people who were privileged to experience first the nearness of the Lord.
Christmas is a love story only lovers will understand it. Thus, Augustine,” Give me a person who loves; he will understand what I am saying. Give me someone who does not love; he or she will not understand what we are saying.” The nearness of God cannot be understood with our cleverness. To understand and experience the nearness of God one has to attune one’s life with the life of Jesus.
In Jesus God comes closer to us as He can and He becomes one of us. He came to us as tender compassion and to bring light to those who live in the darkness. Wherever we experience His presence we experience Peace and Love even in the midst of chaos of the world.
God has no plan to leave us alone. This is the message of the parable of the Prodigal son and the Lost Sheep. In Jesus God’s unconditional love is manifested to the whole humanity.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May this advent and Christmas season help you to become more like Jesus and burn like a candle which gives light to the world of darkness and pain with love and goodness.
Fr. George Nelliyanil
Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam, India
5th to 7th December 2013 - Celebration at Shantivanam of 40th Anniversary of Swami Abhishiktananda's - Mahasamadhi -7 December 1973 and of 20th Anniversary of Fr. Bede Griffiths' - Mahasamadhi - 13th May 1993
BR. MARTIN - New:-
10TH OCTOBER - MAHASAMADHI ANNIVERSARY OF FR.JULES MONCHANIN -
we welcome more tributes
BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI ABHISHIKTANANDA
30TH AUGUST
Bulletins of the Abhishiktananda Society are reproduced here http://www.dimmid.org/ under heading Abhishiktananda
THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF FR BEDE GRIFFITHS' MAHASAMADHI - 13TH MAY 2013
MESSAGE FROM FR. GEORGE NELLIYANIL, PRIOR OF SHANTIVANAM
Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam was started on 21st March 1950 by Jules Monchanin and Henry Le Saux therefore on 21st March we are celebrating the 63rd birthday of our ashram.On this occasion I am pleased to announce that we have opened the website for oblates of Shantivanam to be in communication with each other and with our community. I am sure that this website will help us to deepen our spiritual pursuit and promote the communication between Shantivanam and oblates.
NOTICE
THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THE FOUNDERS OF SHANTIVANAM - FR. JULES MONCHANIN, SWAMI ABHISHIKTANANDA AND FR. BEDE GRIFFITHS ARE INVITED TO SEND TRIBUTES TO THEM WHICH I WILL INCLUDE UNDER SPECIAL HEADINGS.
Please send to shantivanamoblates@gmail.com
BROTHER MARTIN HAS SHARED ANOTHER ARTICLE
(see under Br.Martin)
Brother Martin's new book published in French - Un Nouveau Chant de la Création -
A New Song of Creation in english is now available and shown under BOOKS etc.