Great Beginnings at Ancient Oaks Satsang June 2015 | Volume 43 #2 | New Era 72
Table of Contents
Great Beginnings at Ancient Oaks
by Taylor Logsdon
When I came to Ancient Oaks last December, while in Baltimore for a visit, I felt as though the land were calling out to me, asking me to come be here, to be part of it. On that trip I was only able to stay for a few hours at the farm. When I left, the feeling stayed with me and I knew I would be back. A few months later I was able to return in the dead of winter when nature was silent and sleeping under a blanket of snow. Still I felt as if something were quietly speaking to me. As the weather warmed and the snow melted away, the voice grew stronger, growing with the pasture, the forest and the garden as they took on new life and became green again. Now, just past the summer solstice, that quiet voice has turned into a joyous song, a song sung by all of the beings that have made Ancient Oaks their home–the people, the plants, the cows, the wildlife, the nature spirits, devas and spiritual beings. It is a song those of us living here and everyone who visits or helps from afar are wrapped up in and are part of.
This song is a vision and a dream that the Baltimore Homa Community has been committed to bringing into the physical plane. With the help of the fires and the grace of the Divine, we are watching it unfold. Sunrise and sunset Agnihotra done here on the farm, along with four hours of daily Om Tryambakam Homa, are both part of the vision and purpose of Ancient Oaks, as well as the means to enlarge and expand the ways that we can serve each other, the land, the surrounding community and our planet. This manifests in the teaching of and demonstration of Agnihotra and Homa Therapy and its many applications. There is a whole lifestyle on the farm based around Homa Therapy that anyone can come and experience and learn.
This lifestyle includes the fires and meditations, Homa farming, community living and a sustainable business model for Homa farms. This business model is our Community Supported Agriculture program, a.k.a. CSA. It connects consumers directly to our farm by providing members with a weekly harvest of in-season Homa organic vegetables from the garden. Through this business we are able to practice Homa farming techniques and provide healing, vibrant produce to our members, while making our name and what we do known to the public.
The results so far have been impressive. We have had bountiful harvests for three weeks now and will continue to well into autumn. Our members rave about the size and taste of our vegetables- the result of Homa farming and the Baltimore Homa Community’s hard work and dedication. Some days I walk out into the garden and am shocked at how quickly the plants are growing. The garden is a lush, healthy place of beauty, a pleasure and joy to work and spend time in.
The garden is not the only place we are producing food. This spring we inoculated a hundred wood logs for growing mushrooms. Fruiting should begin next spring. We have three happy bee hives on the land creating Homa honey. A cowdung drying business is also in the beginning stages of creation. We have begun to provide Homa organic dung to Agnihotra practitioners in the Baltimore area. Cowdung, of course, is an essential element in Agnihotra and Om Tryambakam fires.
The dung is a gift from our Highland cattle, our two cows and young bull who grace this land. We have seen the transformative effect of Homa atmosphere and a loving environment in the change of behaviour in the cattle. When the two cows arrived in May, 2014 (the bull was born here last November), they were standoffish and unfriendly; they did not like to be touched or close to people. Since then we have seen them change before our eyes. Now, instead of moving away when we try to brush or pet them they move closer and push each other out of the way to be the one who gets to have all the attention! Of them all, the young bull is the most affectionate, having been born here and not ever knowing anything else.
Ancient Oaks is developing its Community Center and accommodations for groups of people to come and have access to the healing environment. The farm offers an ideal location for retreats, spiritual events, music and our autumn equinox farm festival. Groups can use the community center for workshops and classes and be encompassed by the healing atmosphere of Homa Therapy and surrounded by the natural beauty of the farm. Our two massive, majestic oak trees on the front lawn provide a wonderful spot for picnics, healing circles, music and fires.
As well as serving people, I feel Ancient Oaks serves the animal kingdom as well. I am struck by the diversity of wildlife that I see here on the farm. We have minnows in the stream, hundreds of songbirds in the trees and pasture, hawks, foxes, deer, gophers, rabbits, and salamanders, to name just a few! It is a joy to watch them and feel that they have a sanctuary here.
There are many moments in a day at Ancient Oaks that I am struck by the beauty and peace of this place. I am very grateful for my time living here and for the all the hard work, dedication and devotion of the many people who have been instrumental in making Ancient Oaks into the place it is and the place it is becoming. I feel nurtured by the land, the community and the fires. I continue to listen to the song, coming up from deep within the earth, the leaves of the oak trees, from the lips and hearts of all who are blessed to be contributing to it here at Ancient Oaks.
From the Orion Transmissions
received by Parvati Rosen-Bizberg
Wysoka, Poland
March 10, 2015 On Power of Mantra
Yes, yes. The power of the unsung Mantras rivals the power of the ones chanted aloud. The power and intensity of the inner Mantra is heard as well. There are a million voices chanting in SILENCE.
March 11, 2015 On Evolution and Unity
All predictions are subject to change. Such is the intrinsic nature of the universe. Whether predictions are for doom and gloom or for the fall of mighty empires and the rise of a new civilization—dear ones, everything is dependent on the present time and developments as they unfold. One can no more control the course of events unfolding than one can control the rise and set of the sun.
However, what is in your power to control is your own evolution, both individually and globally. Your spiritual evolution depends on your inquisitiveness, your true longing for higher purpose, your search for Truth, and your insistence on maintaining that Truth with integrity and honour.
All that has passed has shaped you in this moment in time. All that you are and have become in this moment in time shall shape the future—of you and of this lustrous, turbulent, majestic planet Earth.
Satisfying earthly desires and dividing yourselves into separate units that do not support or embrace each other as a whole is a folly.
This is the time to seek out similarities, to build and rebuild bridges of understanding between you. This is the time for UNITY and brotherhood, sisterhood.
Indeed, it is through Unity that the force of Light is strengthened, and the expansive nature of Love is given free rein to reach every crevice in this ancient landscape, touching every heart, healing the distances that lie between you.
May you all rise to the calling.
Those Light Workers who are able, heed the call.
ONE UNITY. ONE WORLD.
OM TAT SAT.
March 15, 2015 On Fortifying Your Spirit
Yes, yes. Those of you whose roles take you to the frontline in the revolution need also pay equal attention to raising your vibrational levels in your evolution. It is very easy to become so outward directed that you forget or neglect to fortify your spirit. Indeed, if you are striving to heal and save the planet, dear ones, you must pay heed to your own inner healing.
It is through the healing practices such as healing fires, prayers, conscious breathing techniques, intonation of sacred Mantras and meditation that you can fortify yourselves. It also takes stilling the will to attune to the Source, God, Divine, Higher Energies. This is an essential step in walking with awareness, speaking truth and living consciously upon the Earth.
Then, you can be on the frontline or behind a desk, in the classroom or in the boardroom, and your ability to follow through with all your goals will persevere.
Seek to release all fears, face your flaws with humility and rise to the occasion to SERVE others with Grace.
Answer your calling with both feet firmly planted on the ground, with your heart open to love and your eyes reflecting Truth. It indeed is a balancing act, but there is no other way. OM.
March 21, 2015 On Creating a Buffer Zone
Yes, yes. Realize the effects of atmospheric pressure on the mental state of human beings is great. Therefore, with awareness of the intensity of the energies on the planet combined with the energy fields’ disruptions all around you—comes the added responsibility to prepare your physical, mental and emotional bodies.
Creating a buffer around your psychic energy field is essential. Eat nutritive foods, with the aim of 100% organic food. Walk daily or get some minimal aerobic exercise. Drink water in abundance, preferably with Agnihotra Ash added to it.
Practice Breath Meditation. Keep your spirits uplifted with the fires you practice and chant sacred Mantras daily. All this is preparation for your multi-level bodies to be fully present on the Earth.
Preparing one’s body, mind and soul will be given a boost from the Source of all Light. One must also learn the fine art of surrender. OM.
March 28, 2015 On Positivity and Unity
Dear vehicle, we have a message for those beings living in harmonious interchange with the elements and with Nature here on planet Earth. It is important that all of you pay heed to this urgent plea.
We come at a time in this planet’s history where at every turn, there appears to be yet another apex or point where choices need be made. This exists in Nature, as well as in human nature. What is reflected in your environment can also be seen directly in your individual, as well as collective, lives.
Here is where your attentive minds need to listen. There are all sorts of negative energies poised to influence human minds, in order to cause apathy or lethargy, in order to cause confusion and even depression. Do not listen to that. Do not surround yourselves with negative news broadcasts designed to frighten you into submission.
Tune yourselves to the Truth, which is always that which uplifts, inspires and creates. If what you are attending to is not of the Light, shut it off.
The best way to thrive in these times and through these times—you will get through them—is by joining together, working in unity and refusing to be divided.
It is important to cease the tendency to compete between yourselves and actually, embrace your individual differences in favour of the greater whole.
Of course, if there are quite strong differences between schools of thought, then there may be the necessity to stay true to your own understanding and not join with others who are not of the same mindset. However, speak kindly of them. They can be different; they can walk a divergent path. Live and let live.
The main focus is to strengthen and support each other in times of need, in times of growth and development. Refuse any acts which could cause division.
The ‘dark side’, as you may call it, thrives on divisive politics, separation and denial.
When you know the Truth, you can rise above all that separates and divides.
Walk in Light, brothers and sisters of the Flame.
OM TAT SAT.
April 7, 2015 On Answering Your Higher Calling
Yes, yes. Let us speak to the sanctity of life.
Dear brothers and sisters of Planet Earth, our friends and co-workers in the efforts to save this planet:
We have knowledge of your lives on your planet and see that so often there is a tendency to avoid interrelating from the heart. This is due to a lack of respect for the sanctity of life.
The tendency of most human beings whom we have observed is to become so caught up in the dramas unfolding in their lives, that they do not have time for each other or for their true purpose!
Indeed, many of you carry the imprint of a higher existence in your spirits, which—if activated—could serve to heal many, enlighten many and create harmonious interchange amongst many. Yet, that great potential is rarely reached, much less realized.
We urge those of you who have an inkling of your Higher Calling to answer that call, make every effort to create or uncover avenues for that higher purpose to be realized in your lifetimes.
Your human life is seemingly short, as you see it, and as you see it, you are correct— it is short. However, the greatness of your human life, the potential in each of you, is far greater than it would appear.
Strive to find ways of right livelihood, where you can earn a living doing what resonates with your higher self, that provides the avenue for you to realize your greater potential and at least begin to reach those seemingly lofty dreams which inspire you.
Seek company of those who foster those aspirations and who follow or are keen to follow their own higher calling.
Do not rest on past laurels, as you say. Continue from every act of creative energetic manifestation to build upon that success. Success in the spiritual realm is far greater than anything you can achieve on the material plane. Yet, in some instances, they can manifest for the higher good of all.
Watch the tendency to become attached even to the spiritual path. There are those who become enamored with the power, with the glory of following spiritual tenets and seek to be masters before they even succeed as students. This tendency is curtailed naturally, but the urge for fame and notoriety can be strong in some individuals. Best to avoid that. There is no greatness in it, only a trap for the human ego, which can lead to more suffering.
There is something to honor in being humble. Let it be that even if you become great in the eyes of others, you remain unaware of your own greatness.
Become simple, humble as a child.
This is the way of Divine.
April 23, 2015 On The Sound of Healing
Yes, yes. It is through the agency of SOUND that healing will take place at a more accelerated rate. It is no accident that the emergence of sound-based therapies has become so much in demand. The evolution of this planet calls out for the intensification of Mantra. Indeed, these subtle energy matters are of urgent concern.
Blessings. Blessings. OM TAT SAT.
Healing with Homa Therapy
YYMM Program at Tapovan Pre-Primary & Primary English School
by Abel Hernandez and Aleta Macan
In the spring of 2015, Homa Therapy teachers Abel Hernandez and Aleta Macan visited the Tapovan English School to support the YYMM program. The program consists of Yajnya, Hatha Yoga, Mantras and Meditation.
The school is located within the property of Tapovan Homa farm in Maharashtra, India. Tapovan has been home to round-the-clock Om Tryambakam Homa for the last 14 years.–Ed.
Each morning the Tapovan English School starts with a Homa Fire. The children know the Mantras by heart. Afterwards the daily routine starts. This private school has nursery, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd standard.
If we want to better society with loving and caring people, the teachers are good examples for these children. Truthfulness, forgiveness, compassion, Ahimsa (non-violence), fearlessness, etc. are mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita as attributes of the wise. This is the stuff of which a healthy and caring society is made.
Since the school is situated in the Tapovan Homa farm (under the influence of Agnihota and 24-hour Tryambakam Fire) the YYMM program has almost immediately shown wonderful results in teachers and students. Children are disciplined with love and learn to be happy.
Shreekant Paranjpe
Manager of Tapovan Pre-Primary & Primary English Medium School
“Our school has 127 students at the moment.
“I have experienced the YYMM children’s program. It has a good concept that should be implemented in the schools. The practice of Yoga is very helpful for any student. With this program a change can be brought about in the children. In just a few days after we implemented this Yoga-Yajnya-Mantra-Meditation program, we could see the changes in the students.
“They were more active and enthusiastic, more focused on their studies and day-to-day activities. We will continue the program on a daily basis, also after the vacations in June.”
Nayantara Sendane
Teacher at Tapovan School
“I have 30 to 35 students from age 6 to 7. We have seen many changes in the students since we have started the YYMM (Yoga-Yajnya-Mantra-Meditation) classes with the children.
“Their concentration has increased. They are focusing on the studies and do their homework regularly. In the classroom, they were mischievous and did not listen; that has changed now. They do listen.
“Before, the children hesitated to answer when I asked questions. Now the students are encouraged to participate and they give the answers regularly. Even students who were not participating are raising their hands and answer questions now. They have full confidence. There is a lot of difference.”
Suresh Patil
Tapovan School Principal
“With this YYMM Homa children’s program, we have experienced much difference. The children are concentrating now on their tasks and there are fewer disturbances.
“I also see a lot of difference in the teachers and their way of communicating with the children. In fact, the children are happy with the teachers and the teachers are happy with how the children behave.”
From Shree Vasant’s Teachings
Silence
“The silence of the guru is his sermon and all the doubts of the devotees are dispelled.”–old Sanskrit proverb
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”–Matthew 5:37
These two quotes mean the same thing. Silence is very important.
“if speech is silver, silence is golden.”
Whenever you utter one word you have to breathe out through the mouth. That means so much energy is consumed. If, instead of counting our lives in terms of years we count in terms of breaths, so many breaths are given to you–make the best use of them. Most of those breaths are wasted. When we breathe out we use so much energy. That energy could be turned inward.
If we look at the speech of any normal good person, we see that most of it is not necessary. What are these things we speak? Four things occupy a large part of our speech:
- Talking about subjects of which we have very little or no knowledge at all.
- Talking about what other people do or say. Gossiping and back-biting.
- Talking about ourselves in order to impress other people.
- Emotional reactions to other people.
We are trapped in so-called emotions and then we go on talking from that emotional standpoint. We have to look at ourselves as a stranger. I am not the body, I am not the mind. It is like an intoxicated person babbling about anything at all. We must see ourselves in this light if we observe ourselves as a separate entity. Why are we talking? We are trapped in emotions and we are saying all these things. Also in the man/woman relationship, it is like warfare. Everyone loses, no one wins. So if we can’t react with love, then don’t react at all.
Practice of silence is a great tool. So much power comes. People ask, “Where is the charm in life?” Okay, but first check that we are not speaking any of these four things; then we can talk. Be full of good humor. Smile all the time–no sad faces.
Concentration
If you come to an impasse it is always best to improve one’s concentration in order to overcome obstacles to success in any venture. If one is not concentrated the energy dissipates and loses its direction. Avail yourself of this energy. It takes some effort to become organized and still further effort to become efficient at organization.
Divine Love
Divine love is the opposite of attachment. Do not concentrate on the attachment.
Changing Bad Habits
To rid yourself of negative habit patterns, replace them. Concentrate only on positive thoughts. Positive actions will result. Get out of these material worldly desires.
It is not a question of liking or disliking oneself. You take care of the physical body because it is an instrument. You take better care to train the mind so that it to can be utilized as an instrument. If there are habits you wish to change, you were told what to do to change them. Do not concentrate on the bad habit. Replace it with a good one, one which promotes good health and awareness. If you tend to be critical of those nearest to you, then make all efforts to praise them. Compliment them–not to employ flattery, but sincere positive effort. It will help you. The other person may also benefit, but you are able to break your habit. It is like that.
If you truly feel the need to change yourself, try not to negate all that is good in you. If you feel that these traits you don’t like are so unbearable to face in yourself, then leave them aside and focus on the Master. Do Mantra intensely. One by one these fears will subside. One by one you will be able to take the opportunity to better what characteristics you find disturbing in yourself. If you feel you are too critical, instead of finding fault in others, find something positive and either think it our speak it, or both. Do the same things with yourself. Refuse to focus on what is negative in yourself. See it, then let it go. Do not be snagged by this negative self-appraisal. Humility. At the same time, let go of expectations of yourself and of others. The less you judge yourself, the less you will judge those around you.
Television
If the child watches television, reduce his television watching. Do not be too extreme. Allow the child to watch television, but less and less. Plan more activities for the children that draw them to the ancient holy fires and to the teachings of old. Teach them and listen to them as they in turn teach you.
Focus on the Present Moment
Do not think, “What will be?” Focus on what already is, i.e., “Be here and now.”
Fivefold Path for Happy Living
- Perform AGNIHOTRA for purification of the atmosphere which leads to automatic purification of mind.
- Practice DAAN (sharing of assets in a spirit of humility to reduce attachment to worldly possessions).
- Practice TAPA (becoming better managers of our energy expenditure by training the body and mind to react to all circumstances in life with Total Love).
- Perform KARMA (every action for self purification only and thus no expectations which bind us to the material world).
- Practice SWADHYAYA (Self-study) for liberation. Who am I? Why am I here? My work on this planet is to learn to react with total LOVE with each opportunity given to me.
This is the Fivefold Path for happy living on the planet. By practicing the Fivefold Path you become better members of your society, group, religion, community, etc.