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http://www.yoga-live.co.uk/April08/livingyoga.html

Date: 01/04/08

Review of a DVD …. “Living Yoga”
By Sabine

We feel deeply humbled and greatly honoured to have been invited by Integral Yoga International to write a review to announce the forthcoming release of their newly produced DVD documentary “Living Yoga: The life and teachings of Swami Satchidananda“. Produced by Joshua M. Greene and Shiva Kumar, this film which runs for slightly more than an hour, chronicles the life and times of the late Sri Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev), a disciple of Sri Swami Sivananda and a much revered and beloved spiritual mentor who brought Yoga to the West in the 1960s and developed Integral Yoga based on his own practical, accessible and integrative approach to Yoga, with centres in the United States and worldwide. A beacon of radiant light and pure love, fortitude and inspiration, benevolence and compassion to all in his lifetime, Sri Swami Satchidananda’s luminous spirit and sacred legacy live on brightly in the hearts of the many people whose lives he has touched and transformed and will keep on uplifting and guiding generations to come on their journey of awakening. This film is a celebration of the transcendent light of this divine being that shines brighter than ever within the heart and soul of his devotees since he took Mahasamadhi on August 19, 2002 in South India. “I will always be with you in spirit. Even if my body is not there, you will never be without me.” — Sri Swami Satchidananda

This intensely beautiful and inspiring film is a reverential offering and a soulful tribute to the immense spiritual contribution of this authentic holy man who, with true humility, purity of heart, childlike playfulness and a delightful sense of humour, devoted his entire life to selfless and unconditional service to others—irrespective of status, creed or religion—bestowing his grace, shining his love, tirelessly imparting his simple and clear teachings and spreading the message of peace, joy and enlightenment. He made the world a better place to live in for all through the gift of his loving presence.

The beauty of this film lies in its apparent simplicity that belies the profound wisdom it contains. This is a film with a deep spiritual resonance, a film with a truly meditative quality, a film that speaks directly to the heart and soul, a film that transports the viewer to a place of higher understanding and awareness. This is a film that captures the essence of Sri Swami Satchidananda’s life and timeless wisdom as seen through a series of cameo testimonies from followers from all walks of life who have had the good fortune to know him. Each personal story of transformation is an expression of the deepest gratitude and most ardent devotion to this most illuminating being.

This film is divided into distinct themed sections, each interspersed with a short though dramatic reflecting pause in which the viewer is suspended in the timeless present. Everything in the foreground of the screen recesses into a darkened background studded with twinkling stars upon which selected Sutras from Patanjali are strung like golden beads of wisdom. The receiving of these blessings is greatly enhanced by the playing of sacred chanting, which reaches out like a prayer, lingering in the heart of the listener and inviting deep contemplation and communion with the divine within. The inspirational and moving accounts given by the various members of the community are rendered even more compelling by the skillful addition of black and white archival footage and still photographs of Sri Swami Satchidananda, which are interwoven into the fabric of the film like a tapestry, providing insights and thoughtful reflections into the many extraordinary accomplishments of this great Yoga master.

The juxtaposition of visually striking, soul-uplifting and often unexpected contrasts in the broad spectrum of film participants, chosen imagery, sounds, colours and settings conveys a powerful sense of the multi-dimensionality of Yoga and creates a deep sense of universal unity and harmony. Listening to the pure and enlightened voice of Sri Swami Satchidananda dispensing his simple though powerful teachings takes the listener to an elevated place of peace and inexpressible joy and provides valuable opportunities for physical, mental and spiritual transformation on the path to Self-realization.

This film shows how, in the wake of his compelling opening speech at the Woodstock Festival, which gave a new sense of direction to a spiritually starved generation that was exploring mindexpansion through drugs and committing violence in the name of peace, Sri Swami Satchidananda’s popularity began to develop rapidly and how his protection and enlightened guidance became increasingly sought by an ever-growing number of devotees.

This film explores the many aspects of Integral Yoga, which include Raja Yoga, Japa Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga, with testimonials from senior monks and Yoga teachers. Yoga promises enhanced health and many seek it for its many therapeutic purposes and for restoring balance into stressful lifestyles. Eminent physicians of integrative medicine eloquently speak of the need to purify the body and mind and to maintain them in a state of optimum health. Yoga infuses every aspect of our life even though we may not know it yet; every breath that we take should bring us a step closer to god-consciousness. Sri Swami Satchidananda showed the world by his shining example that “The essence of Yoga and all the faiths and traditions is to be easeful in body, peaceful in mind, and useful in life.”—Sri Swami Satchidananda.

As a strong advocate that all religions are connected to the same ultimate reality and a strong proponent of honouring and respecting all world faiths, Sri Swami Satchidananda lived to his last day by his motto, ”Truth is One, Paths are Many.” He received many invitations from high dignitaries of church and state to share his message of peace worldwide. Once we begin to understand that the spirit that is within ourselves is also in others, we can heal the world. Peace in the world begins with peace within. The building of his unique interfaith shrine, the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS) in Virginia, where everyone can celebrate their oneness, is a true representation of Sri Swami Satchidananda’s beliefs.

Watching this film is an act of spiritual empowerment. It is our hope that many people will be graced with its viewing and be inspired to walk the path that Sri Swami Satchidananda illuminated for us all.

May we too be sincere in our intention to give of ourselves selflessly and cultivate the spirit of equanimity and the quality of compassion, truth and forbearance at all times so that we may become channels for universal love.

We are all in eternal gratitude for his blessings

“Our own true nature is infinite joy!
Always happy, always peaceful, always free.”
—Sri Swami Satchidananda
Thank you.