Mantras for Spiritual Healing

Many potential students are often confused because Acharya Shree Yogeesh condemns spiritual teachers and their organizations for collecting large amounts from students, yet at Siddhayatan we also charge students for retreats and programs. They have every right to be confused, because there is only 10 minutes to speak on YouTube, so in this entry I'd like to clarify a few points and the difference between Acharya Shree Yogeesh and others.

Since I manage the administration of the ashram and retreat, its inquiries, its reservations, and its bills, I feel it is justified to charge affordable fees for meals, accommodations, and formal instruction to survive society, because the ashram and retreat has mortgage, utility, insurance, etc. bills, to pay, too. Just like you! Although we are a non-profit organization and accept donations, sometimes people are unable to donate (to cover all the maintenance and developments costs, as a result of the economy). Without charging affordable fees, we as monks, cannot survive and will not have an ashram to teach at, because we are not allowed to work. Therefore, through retreat programs,or selling a few books here and there, it helps us covers costs to run the organization. However, there is a difference between charging affordable fees to run an ashram and pay its bills versus charging outrageous fees for mantras, to become a student, receive an initiation, or even just to visit the master.

To be clear about Acharya Shree Yogeesh, Yogeesh Ashram, and Siddhayatan:

• we allow volunteers to stay for free if we need their help (other organizations charge fees for even the stay of volunteers), since they are helping us improve the facilities
• there are no fees to visit with Acharya Shree, or any fee to enter the ashram (some organizations in New York does this).
• no charges for personal (unique) mantras
• no charges for iniations, or to become his student
• no charges to help or heal via spiritual ways
• Acharya Shree also does not wear any diamonds, gold, or any type of accessory

Donations for the above are welcomed, but not required.

Relying solely on donations to pay for the bills is not smart, because donations are not expected or the amounts always determined. So, I ask you to understand and see this point.

I do suggest (always) to be weary of those organizations that charge hundreds to thousands of dollars for spiritual teachings, mantras, or just even visit them. Remember, there is a difference between raising money to support, run, and expand facilities versus raising millions of dollars which go into personal pockets than right back into the organization, which should be for you, your benefit, and help you improve somehow.

I know this can be seen as a controversial topic, but hopefully this brings some ease to your minds that have raised these questions.

What are your thoughts? Post your comments below.

Some of you may know that I have been writing online since 2003, and have changed my blog sites multiple times, but after taking initiation I went silent for almost a year in regards to writing, and publishing such writings. After 10 months of taking a break from writing, and just "experiencing life" I feel it is time now to launch a blog. I feel I am at the point in my life ready to share, putting the effort to express my experiences, and have more knowledge about the content I wish to write about.

After taking initiation, a few days later, I thought I was ready to create a new website filled with writings. Once I started to write a few lines, I felt deep within me that it was not the right time, so I closed the computer. I also felt that I needed to establish a foundation for myself first (based on actual real life experiences) before attempting to write about them. It's one thing speaking from "knowledge about something" but another thing writing from "direct experience". As a reader of this blog, on your search for truth, you deserve to hear my experiences directly, and not what I think about other topics and subjects.

Many retreaters have often requested my recipe for the ginger chai tea I make for them. I thought all of you might be interested in preparing a cup or two for yourself and friends.

Meditation is very healthy for the body, mind, and soul, and can help a person relax and feel calmness. Many meditate for their own reasons. For those visiting my blog seeking guidance as a truth seeker, it is important to emphasize that Meditation is something that happens, and cannot be forced. Meditation is an experience of deep relaxation, where you might have the opportunity to see and feel glimpses of the soul, thus increasing awareness and self-realization.

Every person on the path goes through the ups and downs of life. The same up and down cycle also applies to those who lead very spiritual lives. The reason I am writing about the downward cycle of the soul, is because I have been doing a lot of contemplating on how I've changed since my initiation, and brought up my concerns to Acharya Shree Yogeesh yesterday, and wish to share our discussion with you.

For a few months now, my meditation experiences haven't been up to "my standard." I know in meditation you are not supposed to expect anything, but my meditations are usually relaxed, consistent, and vividly revealing. However, lately, my mind has been giving me trouble as it seems to be distracted with work I need to finish for the ashram, and my own personal issues. The last few days, I have been putting a lot of effort to increase my concentration levels, which have brought me back to deep daily meditations (which I have tremendously missed). I was tasting bliss and peace again.