THE 6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (17TH JAN 2011)

An abridged report of The 6th International Conference on ‘Mind and Beyond…. A traditional Yogic Approach”

Held on 17th January, 2011, at Lonavla in Fond Memory of Dr. M. L. Gharote

Organized by The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India)

An International Conference on “Mind and Beyond…A Traditional Yogic Approach” was organized on 17th Jan. 2011 at Fariyas Holiday Resort, Lonavla. This one day yearly event was held to solemnize loving memory of Dr. M.L. Gharote who is the founder of The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India), Lonavla.

The occasion was presided over by Dr. Vishwanath Karad, who is the Founder President & Director General, World Peace Centre (Alandi) MAEER’s, MIT, Pune, India,. Dr. Pankaj Chande. who is Vice Chancellor Kavi Kulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek. & President Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi ordained the chair of chief Guest and keynote Speaker. Dr. BKS Iyengar was also present as a Guest of Honour. Shri. Ramchandra J. Tawde, Secretary of The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India), was also present for this occasion.

To begin this auspicious occasion a light was enkindled by the honored guests on the dais as it dispels darkness and brings light.

Shri. Ravindra Sathe a well–respected classical singer sang soulful prayers in the praise of the Supreme Lord. His mellifluous voice toned and christened with delicate emotional tenderness enthralled the august audience and transcended them to the lofty state of peace and harmony.

Shri Ramachandra J. Tawade, Secretary, The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India), welcomed the guests on the dais by offering them bouquet of flowers.

Dr. Manmath M. Gharote, Organizing Secretary and the Director of ‘The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India)’, welcomed all the guests and participants through a short speech. In his speech he stressed on the importance of Traditional knowledge of Yoga and its utility in modern times. He expressed that with rich knowledge and wisdom of yoga, aspirants may progress on the path of self-regulation and Self-realization. He also threw some light on the salient features of the new publication ‘Amanaska Yoga’ which was released during the conference.

Special Guests like, Shree Gurav Maharaj, a Great Siddha of Gorakshanatha Tradition, Dr. H. R. Nagendra, Vice Chancellor, S-VYASA UNIVERSITY, Bengalore, Dr. Mrs. Hemalata Murthy, an Eminent scholar in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy, New Delhi, Shri. Shrikrishna Vyavahare, President, Ghantali mitra Mandal, Thane, Padmashri. Sadashivrao Nimbalkar, Mumbai, Shri. Ravindra Sathe, a Great singer, Mumbai, Shri. Yogiraj M.Lal, an Eminent Yoga expert, New Delhi, Dr. Chandrahas Sharma, a Reputed Scholar in Sanskrit literature, New Delhi, Dr. Madan Palsane, Ex. Head of Psychology Dept., University of Pune, Dr. Nayana Nimkar, Head, Physical Education Dept. University of Pune, & Dr. G.V.Pargaonkar, Principal, BPCA’s College of Physical Education, Wadala, Mumbai, were respectfully honored with a memento, a shawl & a bouquet of flowers.

Mr. Jim Mallinson, England, was invited to give voice to his memories. He focused on the humility of Dr. M.L.Gharote when he was working on the project of “Khecari Vidya”. As he quote that ‘ I never met Dr. M.L.Gharote personally but when I requested him to send some manuscripts regarding my work on Khecari Vidya, Dr. Gharote procured all the relevant Manuscripts from different oriental libraries and very kindly supplied them to me. He expressed that to share his feelings in this conference is a priviledge for him as this conference was organized in fond memory of Dr. M.L.Gharote. At the end he offered his publication “Khecari Vidya” as a complimentary to Dr. Manmath M. Gharote.

A number of messages from well-wishers and close associates of The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India) like Dr. Daya Mullins, Germany, Katharina Mainhard, Germany, Mr. Kim Je Chang, Korea, and Mr. Kawee Kongpakdepong, Thailand were received from all over the world for this occasion.

It was the time of the Guest Speaker to deliver his speech. The guest speaker, Dr. Pankaj Chande, who is the Vice Chancellor Kavi Kulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek, elaborated on the value of traditional approach of Yoga. He was emphatic on importance of implementing all the eight aspects of Yoga as recommended by Patanjali, which is an integrated system, to bring about best results. One can follow this system to reach the highest state of Consciousness denoted otherwise by the term amanaska or non-mental. He also was in praise of the textual work being carried out by The Lonavla Yoga Institute for restoration, preservation and also spreading this wisdom.

Dr. BKS Iyengar graced the occasion by his highly spirited presence. He spoke on mind having various layer and levels of functioning. Based on style of working of mind, it can be divided into as many as 30 or more sections which can offer a better and transparent outlook of the same. This can also help one to go beyond the mind to enjoy the Supreme Bliss.

He too praised the work of The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India) in the exclusive area of Traditional Yoga literature.

Thereafter, Dr. Vishwanath Karad, being an eminent personality and at the same time having his feet well-grounded only the reality of the life, espoused a highly balanced outlook. He said that what spirituality culminates into a deep exercise of the Absolute state or the Truth an also be expressed as the minutest form of matter very nicely worked as ‘god particle’. It is to say that though approaches can be diverse, yet realization of the Truth can be one and the same.

Publications like “Amanaskayogah” and Hathapradipika (10 chapters) were released on this occasion.

Mr. James Mallinson from Englind, Dr. Alicia Souto from Argentina, Rosemarie Stein from Germany, Prof. Hiroshi Aikata from Japan, Ms. Sayuri Hongo, from Japan, Lucilla Monti from Italy, Adalberto Zappala from Italy were also respectfully honored with a memento and bouquet of flowers at the end of pre-lunch session.

Post-lunch session began with the panelist speaker Swami Nikhileswarananda-ji, President of Ramakrishna Mission, Vadodara, Gujarat,………..

Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Vice Chancellor, S-VYASA UNIVERSITY, Bengalore, who presided over the plenary session, summed up the contents of the speech of the speaker Swami Nikhileswarananda-ji by…………..

Swami Nikhileswaranandaji, who is a monk of Ramakrishna Order, has pointed out on basic human weakness. Human beings wish to soar to lofty heights and that also at the faster pace. But they are reluctant to do any hard work or to pay the price. It does not work. One would have fancy for Samadhi but without implementing the values of Yama and Niyama. This is not only strange, but also impossible. At present the Indian society is facing utter and shameful de-generation of values and ethics at high places. It shows that people at large have conveniently forgotten the values system which forms the bedrock for a harmonious society. Simply, there is no alternative to Yogic values of universal claim.

In his speech Dr. H.R.Nagendra congratulated Dr. Manmath for his continues organization of the International Conference every year. He specially mentioned that this is a grand success and a great gathering of more than 500 participants from all over the world, only because of the support from well wishers of The Lonavla Yoga Institute.

The second panelist speaker Swami Chaturvedi-ji, is an spiritual head of Ramanuja Mission Trust (TN). He is spiritual Master per excellence. It would be quite difficult to find another personality of his stature. He mesmerized the audience with his extraordinaory speech. He dwelt on elaborating various facets of mind and also importance of experiencing the state of non-mental or amanaska. He is of firm opinion that the path is touch and one has to tread systematically. One cannot afford to ignore any aspects of eight-fold path of Yoga and secure success. For example practice of Pranayama (Kumbhaka) depends on implementation of Yama and Niyama and the like. One aspects of eight-fold path prepares one for the succeeding aspects. Thus alone gradual progress is made possible.

Swamiji’s erudition truly is matchless. This was truly inspiring…..

Dr. Satya Pal Singh, Additional D.G.P. of Maharashtra Police, Mumbai, who presided over the plenary session, summed up the contents of the speech of the speaker Swami Chaturvedi-ji by quoting some of the Upanisadic thoughts. .…………..

Dr. Satya Pal Singh, Swami Chaturvedi-ji & Swami Nikhileswarananda-ji were respectfully honored with a memento, Shawl and bouquet of flowers.

While giving concluding remarks Dr. Manmath M. Gharote, Organizing Secretary of the Conference announced next year’s topic for 17th January as “Yoga in Upanisads” The conclusion of the Conference was spirited with a promise to meet again on such highly educative and informative Congress of scholars and experts of international repute.

The Conference came to an end with the prayer ‘Pasayadan’ of one of the greatest saints of Maharashtra, Shri Jnaneshwara.