WELCOME AND NOTICES 


WELCOME TO THE OBLATE PAGES

PLEASE CLICK ON SUBHEADINGS - 

CERTAIN SUBHEADINGS ARE PASSWORD PROTECTED

GENERAL SHARING ETC.

then enter your password next to Login

as well as next to Password and then click on Submit

***  If you are not an oblate but share the vision of the Founders of Shantivanam you too are welcome to join the Oblate Pages. Send an e-mail to shantivanamoblates@gmail.com introducing yourself (include photo) where you live and about your spiritual journey. Your e-mail shall be included under General Sharing and the login and password will be sent to you. Thank you.


PLEASE NOTE

The section under password is kept for the privacy of those who wish to share. Please do not copy or distribute information shared under this section without written permission from the source. 

NOTICES


FRIENDS AND OBLATES MAY INCLUDE NOTICES HERE

(SCROLL DOWN PAGE- click on underlined headings) 



FOR LATEST NEWS UPDATES - CLICK HERE


BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF FR. JULES MONCHANIN Born10th April 1895

"...What I would like to see prevail among Christians and Hindus is not mutual ignorance and scorn, or facile syncretism which smoothes down rough edges and reduces everything to a rather empty moralism, but instead a real philosophical emulation and especially an emulation of holiness." 


Fr. Jules Monchin (taken from Page 98 -  "In Quest of the Absolute", The life and works of Jules Monchanin. Edited and translated by J.G. Weber.


69th Anniversary of Saccidananda Ashram - 21st March

E-MAIL FROM FRA CHARLES (DHARMASAKHA) ON THE 69TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHANTIVANAM 21ST MARCH 2019

Happy Birthday Shantivanam!
Love, joy and peace to all monks, Oblates and friends!

pax+
Fra Charles (Dharmasakha)
Holy Name Hermitage.UK.

     



FEBRUARY 2019


André Mâge has shared the following message:-

Bonjour, Namaste,

En PJ le texte reçu ce jour de mon Grand Frère Gaston pour la préface du livre que je devrais écrire

Je rédige toujours un texte narratif, sans certitude de chercher à le publier; en tout état de cause il resterait pour moi un moyen " d'extraire " un vécu riche , mais également très lourd à porter.

Une thérapie par l'écriture , publiée ou pas !

En tout cas une fois de plus mon Grand Frère Gaston voit juste en moi et en ma démarche intérieure et c'est cela que je dois arriver à unir car mon action en Inde est directement liée  ma démarche qui se voudrait " spirituelle ", mot que je n'ose même pas employer me concernant.

Et pour unir ce chemin spirituel et d'actions tournées vers les autres il me faut ajouter une longue psychanalyse entreprise durant 20 ans de 1978 à 1999 et une reprise d'analyse que je n'aurais jamais envisagée des mon retour d'Inde en 2018...un chemin rude  très très dense.

Une sacrée prétention que de vouloir " livrer " une telle démarche...enfance difficile, foi, engagement de tout ordre, voyageur devant l’Éternel, recherche du Divin quasi permanente, et psychanalyse....et dans tout cela déterminer ce qui relève de la fuite / compensation et de la recherche réelle...où se trouve la frontière du réel dans une telle démarche ? Faut il seulement se poser la question ,?

Je vais l'écrire, publié ou pas !

Ne faut il pas essayer de se confronter au " réel " , " Réel ", avant de mourir ?

En partage

OM

André Mâge

 

PRÉFACE POSSIBLE


On entre dans ce livre en se demandant où on va arriver. On en ressort avec le sentiment  d’y avoir découvert un témoignage d’une grande  authenticité, d’une profonde humilité et d’une rare vérité.

Au démarrage de son périple, l’auteur n’est guère croyant, tout en gardant « la certitude du Divin » comme une intuition invérifiable. Son premier voyage en Inde le voit « bouleversé, fasciné, envoûté » par quelque chose qu’il ne peut nommer. Par pure chance –mais certainement pas par hasard – il tombe sur un livre livrant la pensée d’Henry Le Saux. La démarche de ce moine chrétien « chercheur de Dieu », enfoui dans l’hindouisme tout en restant fidèle à sa foi sur des sommets  vertigineux jamais rarement foulés par des ‘étrangers’, emporte l’adhésion d’André, cet industriel français qui avait tout abandonné pour « chercher à donner un sens à sa vie » Le livre sur Abhishiktananda lui donne l’impression d’assister à un « mariage entre la « mystique chrétienne et la sagesse hindouiste» Cette démarche inouïe par un personnage hors norme et  jusqu’auboutiste comme lui, d’éclanche la vocation d’André qui le prend comme Gourou, malgré sa mort quelques trente ans plus tôt. Esquivant le « facile exotisme » qui guette l’étranger dans les Ashrams des grands Maîtres spirituels, il décide de se lancer sur les traces d’Henry, depuis les tous débuts de sa recherche en France. Evidemment, il se heurte un peu partout aux « réticences des hommes de structures », en Europe comme en Asie. Il lui vient alors l’intuition fondamentale de « joindre l’action à la contemplation », car André est avant tout un homme d’action. Et maintenant de foi.  

Il tombe une fois encore, poussé par ses recherches, mais surtout l’Esprit, qui clairement le guide, sur Shantivanam, qui fut le tout premier ashram catholique et où  il découvre avec étonnement la fusion des deux fondateurs, dissemblables s’il en est, mais vivant une communion unique avec l’Inconnaissable et pourtant si abordable Être Suprême. C’est à une Présence qu’ils ont donnés leurs vies, et c’est à la même Présence qu’André décide, definitivement cette fois, d’orienter sa vie, mais dans l’action. Il nous raconte alors, paragraphes après paragraphes, ses rencontres parfois surprenantes avec ceux et celles qu’il appelle des « saints anonymes » (qui pullulent en Inde, je me permets de le rajouter !) Il découvre dans le même temps, la résilience des pauvres, qu’il qualifie de « purs » parce qu’ils…le sont vraiment ! Qui en Europe les a jamais considérés comme cela ?

Puis survient la découverte à grands pas, de « l’expérience du Divin » dans les grandes souffrances des malades du Sida, pour lesquels il lance des structures médicales, inadéquates, certes, mais d’autant plus efficaces que la pratique ici est plus importante que le savoir…Qui viendra quand même lorsqu’il se découvrira lui-même médecin généraliste et spécialisé du Sida. C’est là qu’il réalise, avec sa femme toute aussi dévouée et enthousiaste, sa propre « Expérience du Divin », qui le relancera sur les traces du cher Le Saux  à travers la Présence d’une Communion qui ne se livre guère,  mais au service d’une action sociale  qui l’emporte là où il n’avait jamais cru pouvoir aller, là où, après avoir compris « qu’on n’a rien donné tant qu’on n’a pas tout donné », on se sent obligé de se donner soi-même.

Ce livre ne s’explique pas. Il se vit. Et je souhait que chaque lecteur utilise l’humble recherche d’André pour se poser la question : « Mais finalement, quel est le sens de ma vie ? » Et s’il vit en Inde peut-être  pourra-t-il répondre comme moi : « Dans le mystère du « Saccidananda » de l’ashram de Shantivanam, dans le « Je Suis » de la communion entre le Père et le Fils dont Le Saux et Monchanin étaient les disciples et qui ont  guidés André sur le chemin de la « Vraie Liberté des enfants de Dieu »

Gaston Dayanand,

Laïc consacré suisse devenu indien depuis 1973.

Roland Ropers sent a photo of the cover of his book on Bede Griffiths - See below:-

In Hindu tradition you speak of Jivanmukta, of total liberation while still alive. In this state one has integrated his whole being in the one Supreme Reality. This is when emptiness becomes fullness, beyond the beyond, here and know.

Existing from the beginning, hidden behind your body, senses, your feelings and all your limitations.

 We are all manifestations of the Supreme Wisdom and Reality.


JANUARY 2019

NEW POST FROM JUDY SIQUEIRA - COSMOLOGICAL-EVOLUTIONARY SPIRITUALITY AND WOMEN’S MOVEMENTS 

MESSAGE BY FR DORATHICK


Just in case you'd like to put this on our webside.  I liked especially the consciousness of the sun.   
I think this newsletter is nice in the light of fr. Dorathick's latest.  Judy
From: Rupert Sheldrake <sheldrake@sheldrake.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 17, 2019 at 10:17 PM
Subject: News from Rupert Sheldrake

From Rupert Sheldrake
London, January 17, 2019
www.sheldrake.org

My new book Ways To Go Beyond, and Why They Work is published in the UK next week in print, ebook and audio versions (read by me). It can be preordered from amazon.co.uk or from hive, a site that supports actual book shops, and is also slightly cheaper than amazon. This book will not be released in North America for at least a year, but the print edition can be ordered from amazon.co.uk It is a sequel to Science and Spiritual Practices, and discusses seven further spiritual practices, including some that are not usually thought of as spiritual, like sports and learning from animals. I also discuss spiritual openings through cannabis and psychedelics, as well as more traditional practices like fasting, prayer and celebrating holy days and festivals.

I will be giving several talks about this book in Britain, including book-launches in London on January 28 and February 7, and in Edinburgh on February 11. Details are on my schedule.

The sound track of the new iPhone ad is a song called "Come Along" by my son Cosmo. You can see it yourself on Youtube. His brother Merlin and I will be giving a workshop together on March 2 in Londonon the themes of my new book, and also a four-day workshop in Canada, at Hollyhock, on Cortes Island, BC, from July 31-August 4.

A new talk of mine on Psi in Everyday Life given at the University of Northampton is now online. You can also listen to my latest dialogue with Mark Vernon on Subtle Bodies.

I am doing research on spiritual experiences that occur while taking part in sports. If you would like to share something about your own experiences (in confidence) please email me atsheldrake@sheldrake.org


Rupert Sheldrake


Oblates meeting (2018) a personal review
by Judy Siqueira - Shared Articles and Reflections


Message from Bob Harvey

Celebrate my 75th birthday in style!



   


Shared Articles and Reflections 2 - Sharing by Roland Ropers


DECEMBER 2018

Messages remembering Brother Daniel Pittman in General Sharing

Shared Articles and Reflections 2 - Article by Judy Siqueira - Reign of God - Universal Gift, Universal Antidote to Fundamentalism


NOVEMBER 2018

News of Sister Pascaline Coff in General Sharing from 2018


OCTOBER 2018

You will find interesting newsletters from the Bede Griffiths Sangha at this link:-
https://bedegriffithssangha.org.uk/newsletter/


THE BEDE GRIFFITHS TRUST WEBSITE HAS SOME WONDERFUL RECORDINGS OF TALKS BY FR BEDE GRIFFITHS WHICH YOU CAN LISTEN TO AT THIS LINK http://www.bedegriffiths.com/recordings-of-bede-griffiths/


ROLAND ROPERS SHARES HIS ARTICLEs ON SOME GREAT SPIRITUAL SAGES OF THE 20TH CENTURY

11 October 2018 - Vietnamese ZEN-Master THICH NHÂT HANH will celebrate his 92nd birthday

To read article by Roland Ropers please click here


MESSAGE FROM BOB HARVEY:-

In the heroic words of Baldrick-


I need a cunning plan . . !


The challenge is immense, 
but so is the opportunity.


Follow my adventure as I set up home in India, and work with the team helping impoverished kids from the slums find their self-confidence and learn that they can make their wildest dreams come true.

You'll find more details by following this link to his blog. https://bobharvey5.blogspot.com/



MESSAGE FROM ROLAND ROPERS

My new book „MYSTIKER und WEISE unserer ZEIT“ (320 pages) will be published in February 2019 with a cover photo of Bede Griffiths taken in September 1992 in Big Sur/California. The chapter about Bede Griffiths is titled: „Die Liebe ist das Grundprinzip des Universums“ („Love is the fundamental principle of the Universe“)
The last chapter in my book deals with Selvarajan Yesudian (1916 - 1998) „Der Geist in Dir ist der König“ („The Spirit within yourself is the King“
Yesudian was a famous yoga teacher, born in Sholinghur/Tamil Nadu (his parents were medial doctors). In 1936 he came from India to Hungary to study medicine. Later he moved to Zurich/Switzerland, where he had his Yoga Center.


PLEASE CLICK HEADING BELOW:-

ROLAND ROPERS SHARES HIS ARTICLE Sri EKNATH EASWARAN - one of the Great Spiritual Sages in the 20th Century





MESSAGE FROM BOB HARVEY:

Time for a career change!

I am on my way to India to work with the team on our Five Year Plan. We are setting out our vision for the future of the Building Blocks educational project.

When we have determined our specific objectives, we shall work out how to achieve our ambition of creating an Escape from Poverty for thousands of children who currently live in slum conditions.

You'll find more details by following this link to the blog. https://bobharvey5.blogspot.com/



25TH ANNIVERSARY OF FR. BEDE'S MAHASAMADHI 13TH MAY


FR JULES MONCHANIN'S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY 10TH APRIL



2ND GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND OBLATES OF SHANTIVANAM

at Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam 

3RD - 8TH DECEMBER 2018

"Deepening our Relationship"  

"Deepening Our Relationship with Shantivanam And Ashram Friends"

For those who would like to visit Tiruvannamalai - the holy hill of Arunachala, Sri Ramanasramam etc.

a tour/pilgrimage will take place after the Gathering organized by Michael Giddings

Christmas Retreat at Sivananda Ashram Rishikesh after Arunachala - organized by Zen Moraes

ENQUIRIES:- shantivanamoblates@gmail.com

FOR DETAILS CLICK HERE



APRIL - NEW PRIOR OF SACCIDANANDA ASHRAM CLICK HERE


FEBRUARY 2018


GENERAL SHARING - UPDATED

SHARED PHOTOS - ADDITIONS

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND SHARING - UPDATED


NEWS - CLICK HERE


https://bobharvey5.blogspot.co.za


Bonjour, Namaste,
 

A 20 jours de notre retour en France nous vous adressons ce nouveau numero de EN DIRECT DE KAVALI en PJ et en PDF  Bonne lecture et a votre disposition si vous le desirez...echanger et partager , y compris les desaccords, ne peut etre qu'enrichissant. En Cliquant sur le lien  http://andre-mage.com/  vous aurez en lecture direct l'article que j'ai redige.

Bien Cordialement.

Andre et Catherine Kavali / Kandukur

 
Andre Mage


EDK n- 15 format pages A4 (2).pdf EDK n- 15 format pages A4 (2).pdf
Size : 549.065 Kb
Type : pdf

DECEMBER 2017

Bless school by Jill Hemmings - shared articles

Swami Abhishiktananda's Mahasamadhi Anniversary 7th December 2017 - see message from Br. Martin

The Birth Anniversary of Fr. Bede Griffiths falls on 17th December 2017


New entries under General Sharing and Shared Articles and Reflections


Bob Harvey continues to write some interesting articles in his blog:-

https://bobharvey5.blogspot.co.za/2017/12/home-for-next-month.html


NOVEMBER 2017



We now have a Facebook Page kindly created by Iris Eisenlohr.
Please have a look at https://www.facebook.com/friendsofshantivanam/

Below is the Brazilian page created by Marcos Mohan  
https://www.facebook.com/groups/257999317557316/

PHOTO OF THE TOMB OF SISTER LOUISE AT THE ENTRANCE OF ANANDA ASHRAM  - See under OBLATE PAGES - Tributes - Remembering friends of Shantivanam   - CLICK HERE



In India Children's Day is celebrated on 14 November, on the birthday anniversary of the first Prime Minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Father Pinto has sent some photos of celebrations at the Day Center Creche which is supported by Shantivanam. click here to see photos


Aranya Ashram


"Aranya Ashram is an interspiritual and contemplative ashram in Rishikesh, northern India, which springs from the tradition of the Hermits of Saccidananda. The foundress and co-ordinator is Carrie Lock. She has uploaded nearly forty talks that she has given at the ashram in recent times, which will be of interest to many oblates and friends, including the series of three talks on "The Hermits of Saccidananda", specifically related to Jules Monchanin and Henri le Saux. The audios are available for free download or listening at www.ivoox.com/en/carrielock "





------- Forwarded message -------
From: "Escape from Poverty" mail@bobharvey.co.uk

Subject: A superb show by kids from Building Blocks
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 12:50:11 +0200

dasvafvadfbdsdb

   

School is all-singing, all-dancing, when it's Indian National Children's Day!

                        

http://escapefrompoverty.org.uk/



FROM: Roland R. Ropers
4.0 out of 5 stars

At home in the Inner Universe
November 2, 2017

Another wonderful account of Dr. Alexander's journey in his heart of consciousness.
From the viewpoint of a deep mystical experience the Inner Universe is ultimately liberated from any vision and imagination. The pure void (Sanskrit: Sunyata) is the fullness of life beyond birth & death.

In Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, chapter 47, we read and learn:
Without going outside, you may know the whole world.                                                                                                                                                                                 Without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven.
The farther you go, the less you know.
Thus the sage knows without travelling;
He sees without looking;
He works without doing.

With all respect, the book "Living In A Mindful Universe" does not reveal new insights into the innermost temple of the Holy & Universal Spirit.
We all need to unveil the veil of ignorance (Sanskrit: Avidya) to get access to the Castle of Brahman.




Happy Diwali! 

May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! May you all attain the inexhaustible spiritual wealth of the Self! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as spiritual planes!

Swami Sivananda. 





FROM ROLAND ROPERS

On October 17th Dr. Eben Alexander’s new book will be released, world-bestseller-author of „Proof of Heaven - A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife“ (German edition: „Blick in die Ewigkeit“). At present everyone can follow a 33 Day Journey into the Heart of Consciousness.

Today’s topic deals with „reincarnation“.

You may read and follow (?) my respective comments:

Roland Ropers says:

We need to make the distinction between reincarnation and rebirth. From a deep spiritual point of view life is a never ending process beyond the duality and polarity of birth and death. Life is eternal without beginning and end. Every moment we are reborn. We undergo a permanent change, our innermost essence remains immortal. After-Life is a wrong terminology. We need to correct our concept of life. The visible existence is the smallest part of our eternal life.
Roland R. Ropers


OCTOBER 2017

Br. Martin's programme in Italy

SEPTEMBER 2017

From Maarten Turkstra (Brother John) - an account of his visit to Shantivanam after his pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in 1986 - includes talks between Fr. Bede and Maarten see SHARED ARTICLES AND REFLECTIONS

Please see under OBLATE PAGES - subheading  GENERAL SHARING ...from 2015
-  André Mâge, who has been invited to share about Swami Abhishiktananda at our Gathering at Shantivanam of Oblates and Friends of Shantivanam in December 2018 has shared some writings of Fr. Jules Monchanin in French.


JULY/AUGUST 2017

click headings

PLEASE SEE NEW PAGE HEADED VIDEOS AND AUDIOS SHARED -





 


2ND GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND OBLATES OF SHANTIVANAM

3RD - 8TH DECEMBER 2018

For those who would like to visit Tiruvannamalai - the holy hill of Arunachala, Sri Ramanasramam etc.

a tour/pilgrimage will take place before or after the Gathering organized by Michael Giddings (details will be available at a later date)

a tour/pilgrimage may be arranged to visit Rishikesh (details will be available at a later date)
           




19th June Feast of SAINT ROMUALD (founder of the Camaldolese Order)

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 


 



13th May 2017- Mahasamadhi Anniversary of Fr. Bede Griffiths


"Behind all the differences of religion which are infinite in the scale of multiplicity we find a common tradition a common wisdom which we all share and that’s the hope of the future – religions will discover their own depth. As long as they remain on their surface they will always be divided in conflict." Bede Griffiths


See General Sharing contributions



from: Bob Harvey in Lincoln mail@bobharvey.co.uk

We can finally launch Escape from Poverty
A Lincoln-based fund-raising operation to support the education of slum kids in India

Escape from Poverty is now part of UK Charitable Trust 1000179 and is partnering with Family Development Services (an Indian Charity) to raise sponsorships and scholarships to fund the education of children from the slums of Bangalore through to age 16.
Family Development Services operates seven"Building Blocks" pre-schools for 3-year-olds from impoverished slum districts. By the age of 6, many of these children gain places in good quality English-language-medium schools.
We raise sponsorships and scholarships to cover school fees and after-school coaching and tutoring through to age 16...


21ST MARCH 2017

GENERAL SHARING: SR. JUDITH SHARES HER OBLATE CEREMONY TODAY

Today 21st March is the Anniversary of Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam
-  Saccidananda ashram Shantivanam was started on 21st March 1950 "...'Our Advaita and the praise of the Trinity are our only aim,..." wrote Monchanin

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


Sister Marie Louise of Ananda Ashram

FR PINTO'S ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SACCIDANANDA ASHRAM SHANTIVANAM FACEBOOK

Dear Brothers, sisters and Friends,
Saccidananda Ashram Shantivanam is saddened to announce the death of our dear sister Marie Louise. Who passed away this evening Sunday 12th March 2017 at 08:45 p.m., in Ananda Ashram.
Eternal rest grant unto her oh Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace… Amen.




click link below for post on The Golden String Newletter:-

From:BobHarvey-Volunteer

To all who were with me with your thoughts and best wishes

The event smashed its target

A BIG Thank - You!

From:BobHarvey-Volunteer <mail@bobharvey.co.uk>
22/02/2017
On Friday night I shall be sleeping rough outside Lincoln Cathedral to increase awareness of homelessness and to raise funds for Nomad Trust - the local homeless charity. 
                                                   
                           

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Robert-Harvey5


To All the Oblates and friends of Shantivanam the happiest of New Year's ever. May we first of all ask Mary, Jesus' Mother to let HIM know our need.  And when HE asks her "what does that have to do with me?"  She knows what to answer with -  "silence" to HIM and whatever else needs to be asked of whomsoever.  And may the "wine" that comes forth last you, each of you and all of us - last all year!  No doubt, dear Fr. Bede is adding a word for/to each of us "do whatever HE tells you!" Prayers for each of you - and as Pope Francis so often requests "pray for each of us too."please include all Americans."  

One ❤sr. pascaline and all your fellow Oblates

 

INTRODUCING A NEW OBLATE OF SHANTIVANAM


Sybille Joniaux shares an article read by her a few days before Christmas - see under Oblate Pages - Subheading - General Sharing


CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS
May the Christ Child live in our Hearts and may we carry the Spirit of Christmas throughout 2017

PEACE IN OUR HEARTS

PEACE ON EARTH

DECEMBER 2016 UPDATES TO OBLATE PAGES:-

click below

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS- The Christmas Mystery by Fr. Sebastian Thottippatt

GENERAL SHARING - Mary Lou sent a letter addressed to "all at Shantivanam and Ananda and Fellow Oblates"  AND MORE SHARING FROM FRIENDS


DISCUSSIONS ON 2018 GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM RESUMED



Notice below shared by
ROLAND R. ROPERS 
Sprach- & Kulturphilosoph

Kolumnist WORLD ECONOMY S.L.
Kolumnist EPOCH TIMES, Berlin
Kolumnist KIRCHE IN, Wien

Alte Münchner Str. 12
D 82407 Wilzhofen


75 Mystic-Giants of our times - book presentation Vienna, 4th April 2017



CHARITIES

http://bgct.org.uk/    - The Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust (for those who wish to support Shantivanam in helping the poor surrounding the ashram)

Bob Harvey-Volunteer <mail@bobharvey.co.uk>http://bobharvey5.blogspot.com (Bob Harvey is now involved in helping poor children in India).

SEE BELOW FOR THE LATEST PROJECT AT SHANTIVANAM:-

SEPTEMBER 2016


TRIBUTES - REMEMBERING FREINDS OF SHANTIVANAM

SR PASCALINE SHARES SOME MEMORIES OF SR. PRISCILLA DURING THEIR TIME AT OSAGE FOREST OF PEACE

My personal tribute to Raimon Panikkar(Barcelona 3rd November 1918 – Tavertet 26th August 2010)by ROLAND R. ROPERS 

AUGUST 2016

GENERAL SHARING and introducing friends and oblates - NEW ENTRIES

Topics for Discussion - Interfaith Dialogue




LECTURE ON LEWIS-GRIFFITHS

BY RON DART

this autumn at the annual Inklings Institute Canada (IIC) conference at Trinity Western University

Contact - Ron Dart

rdart@shaw.ca

_______________


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.


_______________




July 2016

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

Inter-religious Dialogue, a daily Reality in life by Fr. Sebastian Thottippatt


GENERAL SHARING  New entries


SHARED LETTERS FROM FR BEDE - (click here) Letters from Bede Griffiths to Ron Dart   


FROM ARJAY - BOB HARVEY

http://bobharvey5.blogspot.co.uk/


JILL HEMMINGS SHARES HER STORY -  A Greek adventure!

20th May 2016

My dear friends,

I am sorry to send you a round robin but it feels more personal than Facebook and I wanted to be in touch with you all so

Greetings from  Alexandreia , Northern Greece  near the border with Macedonia. As many of you  know  when the Pope took 3 Syrian refugees familes back to the Vatican I decided it was time to stop shouting at David  Cameron on tv and radio and do something  myself so ... here I am  and some of you sweetly asked me to let you know how things are going  so  I will do my best to share what I have discovered ....But where and how to start?  The problem so immense, the suffering so vast , the pain so huge and at times overwhelming.

Spent the first 3 days in Athens  just trying to find out whats going on ,not easy but on day one went to Victoria Square where refugees from Syria,Afghanistan,  Morocco, Libya, Somalia etc gather. It was pretty heartbreaking. Families wandering about with nowhere to go filling the benches in the park. Police politely asking them to move on which they did but where to go? The day is so long when you have no home. One delightful young family from Afghanistan told me they are in a camp but no money ,no work,he was a medical engineer back home ,no hope ,and wish they had never left the violence, better to die on the spot at the hands of the Taliban than die here every day,they will ask to be repatriated and probably killed.  For now all they do is wait, and wait and worry about their children who should be in school . Processing applications takes for ever.They can't leave till given permission!

Checked out Hotel  Plaza off the square ,huge place ,squatted 3 weeks ago by young Greek volunteers  now home to 300 families delighted to have a room per family, bathroom, running water ,security, privacy, almost luxury after the gruesome conditions at the port .Fed by volunteers carting boxes of fruit and veg up the interminable  stairs to the fancy hotel kitchens.  Apparently it was owned by a wealthy Syrian who wasn't planning to evict them.They had struck lucky at least for now. But  sorry its FULL !said the notice on the door.

Day 2 and 3   I spent at the port of Piraeus where thousands of refugees had landed after their terrifying journey from their homelands and huge cruise liners are arriving full of wealthy tourists. The docks had been covered with tents but now refugees are hastily been shipped out to camps in Athens and around Greece, tent cities not a pretty site for the tourists and the Greek  economy desperately needs any money it can get.   Greece is currently accommodating something like 59,000 refugees!  A bankrupt country burdened with such a tide of suffering, dispossessed humanity!  What a tragedy!

But at dock E1 and 2 hundreds of refugees remain in their tents on the  tarmac mainly Afghanis .Syrians seem to get priority.  Volunteers cooking vast meals in huge dark smelly warehouses also filled with tents!  A ghastly environment in which to set up home.  A wonderful woman from USA had arrived in February gathered a couple of caravans and set up a  support centre for women, offering pregnancy testing, check ups with midwife or doctors who are on site,   contraceptive advise and a particularly sweet van offering warm water baby bathing! lots of cuddles and love! I spent  a happy day filling carrier  bags with nourishing food for pregnant and nursing mums. Many are suffering from malnutrition.  Generous donors from  Sweden and Ireland dropped by with boxes of goodies. Tuna,nuts ,raisins high energy bars,fruit.

Conditions were grim. Unfortunately I had to use the toilets ,truly disgusting in spite of the good offices of the port cleaning gang.  For people used to squat toilets they must be a nightmare.  I am truly amazed that the refugees seem to cope as well as they do. Constantly  being checked by the police for their papers.  Living in gruesome conditions. Of course I don't really know anything!

So I had done the research now what should I do? Where should I volunteer for the next couple of weeks?
Athens didn't feel the right place to stay. Too chaotic, I needed a proper project so looked on Facebook my new toy and found Paul Hutchings and this camp in Alexandreia. Applied to sign up,was accepted and I was on my way.

So Day 4 a splendid train ride, 5 hours for €33 up to  Alexandreia, the birthplace of Alexander the Great...well .its a pretty deprived and impoverished town now...Fine hotel for  £15 a night including breakfast , special rates for volunteers! Yanya a delightful  hostess  making us all so welcome. Feel very blessed and relieved to have a quiet and comfortable place to recover from a day in the camp.

Now I am working with a good team of volunteers in the camp set up at the beginning of April on a disused  army camp along  with the police . Paul and John another Brit  set up www.refugeesupport.eu   to finance the work here  and I and others chose to come here cos they have a pretty good structure and an organisation to navigate this complex situation. They have done a brilliant job but still life is incredibly tough for the 700 refugees here so far. Tents are pitched on tarmac and cement , its hot and uncomfortable and floods when it rains.
Its pretty heartbreaking as you can imagine.  750 Syrians are living in tents provided by UNHCR  ,pitched on tarmac and concrete, some lucky ones have shelter from the sun under roofs but mainly they are in full sun and its hot already.  I took  tea with a  sweet  family,husband, wife and gorgeous one year old in their tent,both graduates Kurds from Aleppo speaking perfect English . They had lost everything but what does the future hold for them,begging me to get them to England?  " How will we live in this tent in the summer, already its too hot for Judy ?the little one we need air conditioning, and in winter how will we survive?  " They are desperate, hundreds of desperate people.   over 50% of the camp residents are children so far with nothing to do. No hope,no future?

Our job as volunteers is to run and stock the shop . The camp is divided into 7 groups and twice a week they come to collect food supplied by Mr John and Refugee Support with donations from  abroad. 500 kilos of muesli from  Germany,  bras are on their way from?  Milk ,soap powder ,shampoo ,pampers coffee ,sugar etc is sourced locally by Mr John . The army provides 3 meals a day croissant and box of juice for breakfast, pasta for lunch ,potatoes for supper.  no sauce, no fruit, no vegetables!   Again  John  tries to provide some fruit but such a mass of people to feed!  A bottomless pit ! A nightmare?  
Have spent the last 2 days sorting endless bags of clothes and shoes so that on Monday we can open a clothes shop.  Everyone needs new clothes and their shoes are in dire condition!  Its raining today!   Apparently another 100 refugees are on their way.  The camp at Idomeini near the Macedonian border is being closed . They were teargassed yesterday. 40 unaccompanied  children  will also  join us!  Mr Cameron are you listening? 

I  am so inspired by the volunteers, hundreds of them here in Greece,  mainly young people from Europe, the US willing to give up their jobs to come and serve the refugees. Mr John is not young!  A few oldies around !  And amazed on the whole  by the resilience of the refugees who come into the shop,never grasping ,grateful for everything they are given  , saying no we don't need more sugar ,only one milk please? Extraordinary!  How would I behave in their shoes? I hope I would be so pleasant.

Slowly  other NGO s are coming in cos the camp has a good  reputation thanks to John and Paul.  Some are  here to provide  health and safety for kids ,women and men , others offering education ,some sport. A clown shipped up yesterday ,great fun.Today  250 beds were distributed by UNHCR .  The greek government has committed to provide education for all children but... These are traumatised  people  with huge needs both physical, psychological and spiritual.  There are Syrian Muslims,  Kurdish Muslims,  some Christians,  Zoroastrian and a Sufi I think there is an Imam here too.

How will this humanitarian crisis be resolved?  Apparently in a couple of weeks  assessments will begin  ,some will qualify for  Germany but what will happen to   sweet Judy and his mum and dad?  They have no relatives in Europe, they left too late to get over the borders  they have no money, they can't work,can't go back .....Few want to come to England  Cameron will be pleased to hear!

So dear friends I am soooo glad I came.  It will be hard to leave after 3 weeks ..If anyone feels they could offer a donation however small that would be wonderful  ,just go to the website  www.refugeesupport.eu  and read all about the work here  . The needs are  huge,  our sisters and brothers are suffering unbelievable hardships

my love to you all
Jill  xx


16th May 2016 


"Pentecost is the celebration of the divine spirit dwelling in our heart. 
A day of love and understanding of different languages. 
My wish as an oblate of shantivanam is that we all could deeply merge into the inspiration 
and „language" of each other and the different cultures and spiritual traditions, 
finding love and unity in diversity."

Peace and love

Andreas

OBLATE PAGES UPDATES - MAY 2016

click below

ANOTHER PHOTO OF FR. BEDE SHARED BY ROLAND ROPERS

Additions to General Sharing - and introducing friends and oblates

Topics for Discussion - Interfaith Dialogue

Feedback from December 2015 Gathering - new entry

PÁGINAS EM PORTUGUÊS


UPDATES APRIL 2016

click below

TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION - INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

PÁGINAS EM PORTUGUÊS

PHOTOS SHARED

2018 GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND OBLATES OF SHANTIVANAM



Arjay has updated his blog http://bobharvey5.blogspot.co.uk/

 

GENERAL SHARING - NEW ENTRIES


 


- 10th April -

Birth Anniversary of 

Fr. Jules Monchanin
(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.

click to read MESSAGE FROM BR MARTIN FOR THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF FR. JULES MONCHANIN

MESSAGE FROM  Aranya Ashram, Rishikesh FOR THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF FR. JULES MONCHANIN

Dear Friends, 

Sunday April 10 will mark the birth anniversary of Jules Monchanin (1895, France), founder of the tradition of the Hermits of Saccidananda, on which Aranya Ashram, Rishikesh, is inspired. 

Yesterday, whilst reading Thomas Merton's book "Contemplative Prayer", I chanced upon this quotation from Monchanin. Here, Monchanin is referring to the vocation of the contemplative, and I'm sure - more specifically - that of a Hermit of Saccidananda. They are words which bring me great consolation!

"For us, let it be enough to know ourselves to be in the place God wants for us (in the modern world), and carry on our work, even though it be no more than the work of an ant, infinitesimally small, and with unforeseeable results. Now is the hour of the garden and the night, the hour of silent offering: therefore the hour of hope: God alone. Faceless, unknown, unfelt, yet undeniable: God." (From Ecrits Spirituels, p.126)

Praise for the life and teachings of Jules Monchanin, and for the desert he entered with faith, hope and love.

Aranya Ashram welcomes enquiries from women seeking to be part of this interspiritual, contemplative community longer term.

To keep in touch with Aranya Ashram news, please feel free to follow on FB.

OM!

Atma

Aranya Ashram, Rishikesh

FROM: ARJAY BOB HARVEY

 mail@bobharvey.co.uk

1st April 2016

Starting tomorrow we are serving 2,000 meals every day to refugee families
                           
Now working in partnership with Refugee Child
in Piraeus. Follow the story in the blog at http://bobharvey5.blogspot.co.uk/
11th March 2016 


"Next Saturday (03/12/2016) at 15:00, the dialogue will take place between Hinduism and Christianity: from the life and work of Bede Griffiths, here in São Paulo.

The meeting will be attended by the theologian Angelica Tostes, a member of the Collective for Libertarian Spirituality, oblate of Shantivanam, who has been studying the relationship between Hinduism and Christianity, the work of Bede Griffiths, and the Sangha."



No próximo sábado (12/3/2016) às 15h00, ocorrerá o Diálogo entre hinduísmo e cristianismo: a partir da vida e obra de Bede Griffiths, aqui na cidade de São Paulo.

O encontro contará com a presença da teóloga Angélica Tostes, membro do Coletivo por uma Espiritualidade Libertária, que vem estudando as relações entre hinduísmo e cristianismo, a obra de Bede Griffiths, assim como a Sangha. O diálogo será mediado pelo Gabriel Macedo e pelo Stephen Dass.



 

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

 

OBLATE PAGES ADDITIONS SEE SUBHEADINGS:

A LENTEN MEDITATION BY ORSOLA NERI -  GENERAL SHARING 

GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM 2015 - REVIEW

PHOTOS SHANTIVANAM GATHERING 2015

GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM 2015 - FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS

NEW ENTRIES UNDER GENERAL SHARING

(*** usual password required for above subheadings)

SR. MARIE LOUISE INTERVIEWED BY JILL HEMMINGS

TRIBUTES - REMEMBERING FRIENDS OF SHANTIVANAM - Fr. Bruno Barnhart  osb Cam. (l931-20l5)

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

 

SWAMI ABHISHIKTANANDA'S QUOTES FROM SETU AND WORDS OF INSPIRATION HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER HEADING - ABOUT - Founders


 

GATHERING AT SHANTIVANAM evening of 13TH - 17TH DECEMBER 2015 - We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Eternity is here

Jesuit-Father and Friend of Mahatma Gandhi Michael Anthony Windey

A Dialogue with Roland R. Ropers

See subheading SHARED ARTICLES AND REFLECTIONS 1

 


SHARED ARTICLE -January 6, Epiphany in the Christian tradition

Homily by Fr William Skudlarek,  Secretary General, Monastic Interreligious Dialogue



_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 


 

WISHING YOU MANY BLESSINGS THIS CHRISTMAS AND THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR
 PLEASE READ A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BR MARTIN - The meaning of Christmas:
  See subheading under NEWS 

and A parable on The Virgin Mothers of God -see under heading BR MARTIN

 

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRAYERS OF THE SHANTIVANAM COMMUNITY - PLEASE CLICK ON SUBHEADING Morning, Midday and Evening Prayers

You may also listen to mp3's of chants above the prayers


A monk of the diaspora - Witness

New Catholic Times, Jan 5, 2003,

by M. Charles Brandt

Article shared by Sr. Pascaline Coff with permission from Fr.M.Charles Brandt

(see subheading SHARED ARTICLES AND REFLECTIONS 1)

 

How do I experience God?  See subheading "Topics for Discussion and Sharing"

New reflections have been shared. Please let us have your contributions. Thanks.

 

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