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The Great Way of LifeThe Great Way of Life

Yesterday, Today, and TomorrowYesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

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The Essence of Sanathana DharmaThe Essence of Sanathana Dharma

One Great Power pervades all and sustains everything We are that One, potentially There is a past and hence a future Every soul transmigrates Creation is the biggest blessing To be born as a human being is a rare privilege and a

great responsibility Self Realization is the individual goal Active concern for the welfare of all living beings is

everyone’s responsibility

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The Essence of Sanathana DharmaThe Essence of Sanathana Dharma

Every one has a right to design his own path. No one has a right to interfere in other’s faith.

Everything in creation has come to be on the basis of trigunaas

Ignorance causes karma. Karma results in birth. Birth is the opportunity to achieve freedom.

Each one to his destiny Mind is the reason for bondage and freedom Freedom here and now is the goal Every plane in cosmos and every field of life has its own

set of rules. They must not be mixed up.

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DharmaDharma governed Life governed Life

Dharma is appropriateness in thought, action and attitude Satguru Sivananda Murty

Differs from plane to plane, time to time, circumstance to circumstance and person to person

Dharma is like the cow. It nourishes him who protects it. Satguru Sivananda Murty

The basis for any thought, word and deed No one is above dharma Spirituality is the goal, backdrop and undercurrent. Every

aspect of life was considered as an avenue leading towards that.

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Everything in its placeEverything in its place

Four stages of life – childhood, youth, adulthood, and old age

Four stations in life – student, householder, mendicant, and the ultimate walker

Four concepts of life – dharma, material life, desire, and deliverance

Dharma rules all Inter-dependence is creation’s mega message Dharma ensures order, civility, ethics, and morality. It is

the platform for conducting life and launch pad for soaring unto the sky.

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Why was the past glorious?Why was the past glorious?

The highest wisdom was available even before the first human being was born here, like milk being ready in mother’s bosom even before the child is born Satguru Sivananda Murty

Nothing can be created. Experience is discovery and not creation. Creation is for experience.

Truth is the height of wisdom and its basis at once A transparent and open system Religion was a part of culture Satguru Sivananda Murty

Where religion ends, spirituality begins Satguru Sivananda Murty

Wisdom was not a classified secret. Nor was it easy to obtain. The highest wisdom demanded sustained tapas.

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Civility at its best?Civility at its best?

Vedas are revelations of the experience of Truth, as perceived by the Rishis

They are universal, secular and all encompassing Truth was offered. Nothing was imposed on anyone. The disciple could differ from the Guru. There was no

dispute. They agreed to disagree! Truth alone was sought and spoken

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Bharath, the glorious landBharath, the glorious land

Cradle of Wisdom. Origin of Yoga. Fountainhead of fine arts. Pinnacle of civilizations.

Gods walked and lived among men Rishis could even correct Gods. They lived like ordinary

men. Spirituality is the core-character of Bharath The Guru of mankind

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What went wrong?What went wrong?

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The Story of DeclineThe Story of Decline

Tapas...Vedas...Yagnaas...Temples... Intellectualism – spirit of experience overshadowed by

schools of philosophy Vain display of wealth Arts became avenues of pleasure Personal whims imposed on people at large

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The Intellectual OnslaughtThe Intellectual Onslaught

Philosophies at loggerheads Neglect of the common man Voluminous works confused the average man Religions forgot the original purpose and the essential

unity

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The InvasionsThe Invasions

Islam Christianity – Europeans Communism The IT onslaught and the Western Influence Inner enemies Lack of Unity Values not passed on to the next generation Confusion, pressure, conflict, guilt etc.

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The ImpactThe Impact

Mediocrity replacing quality in all aspects of life Corruption in society Absence of citizenship Loss of knowledge and values Prophetiesm – spurious religious schools Patriotism eroded. No sense of belonging. Values ridiculed today, will not even be remembered

tomorrow. Two generations are at crossroads. Whatever we lose by way of ancient Indian values will be

lost to humanity forever Satguru Sivananda Murty

Humanity’s well-being depends on the health of Indian values

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What can we do?What can we do?

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Home sweet home…Home sweet home…

Pray we must Take marriage seriously Treat family as priority Celebrate festivals with awareness/knowledge Observe occasions like Guru Poornima Plan pilgrimages Practice vegetarianism Eat together at least once every day Have time for discussion

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Read History With…Read History With…

Eyes and mind wide open Some knowledge of astrology Study of Astronomy A sense of responsibility Children Establish the truth

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Read ScripturesRead Scriptures

The Originals Bhagavad Gita for Attitude Patanjali Yoga Sutras for yoga Ramayana for Idealism in routine life Mahabharatha for understanding dharma Biographies/works of Saints

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Active CitizenshipActive Citizenship

Citizenship is seizing initiative; collective functioning Collect facts, discuss with friends and circulate comments Practice reaction as a religion Create websites in English, Tamil, and Hindi Pressure the media Address two generations Organize campaigns, protests Do not miss the opportunity to appreciate Have a citizens’ forum

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Collective FunctioningCollective Functioning

Letters... letters… letters Observe National Days Remember the poignant moments in our history and keep

the children enlightened Cultural Events during festivals Worship a Deity together every month Booklets on symbolism, burning socio-religious issues,

worship and important quotes from scriptures Organize Satsanghs and Sankeertans Stay together under one umbrella

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Basic QuestionsBasic Questions

What have you done with yourself? What has been your contribution to society? What do you represent? When do you propose to retire? Do you consider your life a success? What have you understood of life? What is your message?

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““India’s India’s future lies in its past, future lies in its past, not the recent past, but the remote past”not the recent past, but the remote past”

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Thank you