Conference on 'Celebrating
Yoga'
organized by Yoga
Alliance International, at
Vanaprashta Ashram,
Swargashram, Rishikesh,
Uttarakhand, 7th - 9th
November 2008
Yoga Alliance
International organized a 3-day function, titled 'Celebrating
Yoga', in Vanaprashta Ashram, Swargashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand,
from 7th November till 9th November 2008.
The
Founder-President of Yoga Alliance International, Shri Swami
Vidyananda, and the Organizing Director, YAI, Shri K.M.
Chandrashekharan, extended their heartfelt invitation to Shri
Swami Vishveshwarananda, President, Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
to attend the Inaugural Function of the International Conference,
'Celebrating Yoga', on 7th November 2008, as Chief Guest and
Speaker. Further on, Swami Vidyanandaji requested Swami
Vishveshwaranandaji, whether he can conduct a Hawana in the
beautiful premises of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, in order to
highlight the spiritual importance of Yoga. Swami
Vishveshwaranandaji immediately agreed, and with the help of the
Priests of Omkarananda Ashram, a special Yagna and Puja were
conducted in the presence of Swami Vidyanandaji and all his
disciples for a great beginning of the Yoga-Function. The Yagna
and Pujas were performed in a splendid way in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-
Devi-Mandir, Omkarananda Nagar, Muni-ki-Reti, in the morning of
7th November 2008. After having taken blessings from Omkarananda
Ashram, Shri Swami Vidyanandaji and all his disciples went to the
holy river Gangaji, and, via a bliss-full boat-drive, reached from
Muni-ki-reti, Distt. Tehri Garhwal, to the other side of Ganga Ma,
to Swargashram, where the Yoga-Conference was to start soon.
The objective behind the Yoga-Conference was, to bring devoted
practitioners and teachers of the many traditions, that make up
the Yogic heritage, on a common platform together. The Conference
intended to provide an opportunity for the participants to discuss
at first hand the problems, troubling mankind, and the ways and
means to tackle them through multi-faceted Yogic approaches.
Swami
Vishveshwaranandaji attended the Inaugural Function, in
Vanaprashta Ashram, Swargashram, on 7th November 2008, along with
Prof. S. Murthy, a Member of Omkarananda Ashram. At the function
Swamiji met Shri Swami
Ved'bharatiji, a great Vedic Scholar
and President of Swami Ram Ashram, who was extremely happy, to see
Swami Vishveshwarananda, since it was his long time wish to meet
him. He exclaimed: 'I must have a perfect combinations of Stars
today, since today I am here with Swamiji!' He also appreciated
very much H.D. Shri Swami Omkarananda Saraswati for his tremendous
contributions in the field of education and spirituality.
The inaugural function was attended by prominent speakers. The
great scholar and writer, Shri Swami Vedbharatiji, who often
travels to different countries, preaching the Vedanta Philosophy,
started with a small meditation and Mantra-Chanting. He then spoke
of several experiences he had, while meeting different people in
various countries. He further emphasized on the importance of Yoga
in today's stressful life. Then, in front of Vedic Scholars
and Yogis, Shri Swami Vishveshwar'anandaji presented his brilliant
speech about Yoga as a means for attaining Jivanmukti. Since his
speech was very practical and touching the most important points,
which have to be observed in order to reach this great aim fast,
Swamiji got a huge applause from all listeners, who considered
themselves fortunate, that they were blessed with the words of a
great Saint. There are many persons in this world, who talk about
or practise the vast subject of Yoga, but there are only a few
real Saints. If a real Saint talks about a subject, like Yoga, his
words have power, because he lives, what he talks. From the speech
of a Saint the listeners profit a lot, they get real inspiration
and divine help, which enables them to solve the problems of day
to day life more easily. That is the reason, why everyone, hearing
Swami Vishveshwaranandaji's speech, felt touched and blessed.
Swami Vishveshwar'ananda, in his speech, was mentioning many
different kinds of Yoga and sister-sciences, like Ayurveda, which
are helpful to acquire better health and to reach
Self-Realisation. He also cited important sayings of His
Sadgurudev, H.D. Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, who was a born
Mystic, Sage and Saint. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji thanked and
praised Swami Vidyanandaji for conducting this conference on Yoga.
He appreciated all the participants, who had come to further
improve their skills in Yoga and to share their own experiences,
they had during teaching. Swami Vishveshwarananda also
appreciated, that Yoga takes place near the holy river Ganga, and
he spoke about the entire area of Uttarakhand, where Saints and
Sages from times immemorial made their Tapasya.

The function continued
with many other speakers from India and abroad, who were requested
by Shri Swami Vidyanandaji to speak on their own experiences,
while conducting Yoga in their respective countries.
Several participants showed their skills in front of the entire
audience. This unique Conference on 'Celebrating Yoga' was
indeed a wonderful achievement and of great benefit for all
participants.

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