Swami Rama the Himalayan Master, part 2

in 1971 he founded the Himalayan International Institute of yoga science and philosophy of the USA having spent almost 40 years closed Mitra Swami Rama encouraged his students to do the same the garden surrounding the Institute were a manifestation of respect for nature far from the chaotic and stressful pace of life it provided students with a peaceful healthy environment to discover their potential using his knowledge of ancient Indian practices Swami Rama designed practical courses to counter the ills of modern-day living here anxiety depression loneliness and mental trauma he started with basic lectures and programs on breathing exercises hatha yoga diet and meditation residential programs were started for those who felt the need to stay and work on the habits and lifestyle Swami Rama trained a faculty of psychologists physicians and philosophers to conduct seminars and courses to address these problems his scientific as well as practical approach to spirituality appealed to many but perhaps it was his undying love for every living being and his spiritual wisdom that captivated those who met him soon the community grew as entire family settled down at the Institute swami rama explained for those seeking awareness there is no superior or inferior path it is immaterial which path one follows they all lead to the same destination but one must watch one's mind the first step was to learn how to meditate meditation is beyond thinking you do not meditate on your problems in order to solve them but with meditation you see through the problems you have set up for yourself one cannot expect you lasting joy from short live objects of the exterior world for that joy will never be permanent his was a call to look within the Institute published numerous books explaining the five thousand-year-old tradition of the himmelen sages values that cut across barriers of religion caste or creed these were subsequently translated into various languages as affiliated centers spread in cities across the United States Canada England Germany Italy Spain and Southeast Asia Swami Rama stressed the importance of physical fitness an unhealthy body he explained dissipates the mind maintaining physical health is thus an integral part of scripture practice yet he cautioned against excesses remember you have a body he said but you are not just a body an avid tennis player he was also a master of kungfu under his guidance biofeedback was used as a therapeutic modality and the foundations of stress management and holistic health programs were established those living close to him were astonished and the various facets of his personality a sensitive poet an accomplished singer musician and painter the predominant essence in his work was unconditional love and humility as portrayed in his painting of the Buddha to cultivate the quality of humility he said is one step towards enlightenment all Arts and Sciences are expressions of the creative force of the divine creativity flows when the mind is peaceful and joyful for that one must renounce fear anxiety and the ego and live each moment with awareness there are no limits on human accomplishment provided one has faith in self effort and in the grace of divine and cosmic consciousness Oh good shot but everything Oh Swami Rama had come to the United States with a mission to build a bridge between science and spirituality his master had explained to him that the objective of both was the same to find the source of peace and happiness science seeks that in the external world spirituality in the inner world Swami Rama had accomplished his mission but his work was not over yet in 1985 he journeyed to India to his beloved Himalayas for two years he searched for an appropriate location in utter Pradesh to set up what he had in mind he finally found it between Rishikesh and Dehradun a piece of land at Charlie grant he had noticed that only the most basic medical care was available in this remote region here at jolly grant he established the Himalayan Institute hospital trusts dr. Rama you are also building this very modern hospital near Dehradun tell us about it that's my dream being metallized the sea and I think the dream is fulfilled when it comes into action and I had a great fire within me to build this great hospital which will serve people particularly poor people and you know the people of the mountain of Kamala and Garhwal region has really poor they cannot afford to go to the hospitals because hospice are far away people die before they reach the hospital so I want to give them all these facilities and modern amenities so that they don't have to rush to Bombay Delhi Chandigarh and all the problems can be solved at the head room it began as a small outpatient facility serving people from nearby villages and towns within three months the size of both the staff and the facility is expanded fourfold in five years the hospital was complete inaugurated in 1994 by dr. Manmohan Singh India's finance minister of the time the Himalayan Institute hospital is an ultra-modern Medical Center designed to serve the medical needs of 10 million people of the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas but Swami Rama's vision was not confined to a hospital besides a nursing school a medical college was established in 1995 it is a unique model of education in the country combining medical education with an understanding of integrated holistic health recognized by the Medical Council of India it is the first private medical college in the state of a purple-ish but Health Care was only a partial answer to the problems of the region a rural development project was started to improve living standards in villages with a dedicated staff of a handful the RDI provides outreach programs for 600 villagers through mobile clinics and satellite centers the RDI offers education in sanitation immunization maternal and child care health nutrition Family Planning and prevention and control of endemic diseases Swami Rama personally supervised every single detail a jolly grant he was in the FATA Keable perhaps it was his yogic training and practice perhaps it was his unconditional love or perhaps it was his determination to serve humanity that gave him the energy he displayed they hold a volley approp Taji whoa Dave sanatana my philosophy this human body the highest of all shines and the inner dweller Atma is the diva and a human being is the highest of all beings my god is in you if I don't adore God in you and then go to there to a temple that's all Shiva Christmas Swami Rama received many accolades including the Martin Buber award and the shirani award from the vice-president of India but these meant little to him it was not on him to take credit for what he did I'm a messenger he said a messenger delivering the wisdom of the himmelen sages of my tradition my job is to introduce you to the teacher within life is a beautiful song sing it and you will find the composer seated in the Lotus of your heart Swami Rama left his body on 13th November 1996 his had been an extraordinarily fascinating journey rather unbelievable for those who did not know him for those who did he will live forever in the Lotus of their hearts goodest our chart but if you good you know mum that's my she

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Keywords: Swami Rama, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, himalayan institute, HIHT, india

Id: s07V08JKO3M

Length: 12min 19sec (739 seconds)

Published: Wed Mar 14 2012