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Namasté! I’m not very good at the whole “bio on the fly”, so here is a bit copied off the back of one of my books:
“Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, “The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk’s Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones”. He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds — teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, improve their financial situations, and live healthier, more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.”
Blah-blah-blah…
All that nonsense aside, I am a simple Buddhist-Franciscan monk, whose only religion is compassion; whose only god is Love; and whose only spiritual path is service to those who suffer.
Not into the fluff and refinery of titles, such as “Lama”, “Venerable”, etc. I’d rather be called “dude” or simply Gurudas.
Honoured to be here!
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Wow, you are so active. And I am envious that you have worked with louise Hay. Welcome here and I am sure I will profit alot from your insights. I will already borrow one of your affirmations. Wish you all the best in your progress, Afi
In response to ThisIsBruce’s comment:
Thank you, and thanks for adding me to your friends’ list, Bruce! That affirmation is actually called the Gâyatrî Mantra, and was first recorded in the Rig Veda, about 3000 years ago; although it has more likely been used for hundreds of years further back than that.
The word Gâyatrî is a combination of Sanskrit words: gaya (vital energy) and trâyate (that which preserves or leads to Enlightenment). Thus, the words “Gâyatrî Mantra” might be translated as: an instrument of thought that awakens the vital energies and gives liberation.
Sri Aurobindo, in Hymns to the Mystic Fire, wrote:
"We have to invoke the gods by the inner sacrifice, and by the word call them unto us - that is the specific power of the Mantra, - to offer to them the gifts of the sacrifice and by that giving secure their gifts, so that by this process we may build the way of our ascent to the goal... We give what we are and what we have in order that the riches of the Divine Truth and Light may descend into our life."
A literal translation from the Sanskrit would be:
Om - Om (Sunyata, that which is inexpressible and Is the Numenal Reality)
tat - that (referring to Savitri, Paramatma, the Divine Essence)
savitur - (mw1190) - Savitri, the Spiritual Sun (the all-pervading Consciousness)
O nourishing Sun, solitary traveler, controller, source of life for all creatures, spread your light and subdue your dazzling splendor so that I may see your blessed Self. Even that very Self am I!
Isa Upanishad (16)
varenyam - most excellent, adorable, fit to be worshipped, venerable, worthy of being sought
bhargo - radiance, effulgence, splendor (the light that bestows understanding)
devasya - divine essence
dhîmahi - we meditate upon... or may we meditate upon, reflect upon, be devoted to
dhiyo - prayer, noble thoughts, intuition, understanding of Reality (buddhis)
yo - the one who
nah - our, of us
prachodayât - may it energize, direct, inspire, guide, unfold...
Translated into a non-theistic, universal and postmodern language, the mantra says:
We meditate upon the radiant Divine Light of that adorable Sun of Spiritual Consciousness; May it awaken our intuitional consciousness.
As with all spiritual practices, this is a vehicle for intent. The stronger and greater the intent, the stronger and greater the results.
I am glad you found something in it resonated with you! May your results be meritorious!
Namasté!
gurudas śunyatananda
In response to aftab’s comment:
Thank you, and Namasté! I was really fortunate, in 1983-84, to be among a group of (then) 45 or so Gay men, who would meet in Louise’s living room, on Santa Monica Boulevard, in West Hollywood. We were all living with AIDS, and it was a particularly unsettling time, as the media was still referring to the dis-ease as a “gay plague”, so it was vitally important work to be dispelling the fear involved in that experience.
Louise immediately began teaching us to approach AIDS as an acronym for “Anger Incorrectly Directed at the Self”, and many of us began to get well. For some, like myself, the manifestations of dis-ease continued, but some amazing things occurred. In my case, despite all the markers of the dis-ease being there, and multiple incidences of opportunistic infections arose, I began to recognise the dis-ease as a Teacher, and no longer feared it. I saw it as a gentle (yes, gentle!) reminder of the fact that I sometimes allowed anger to arise, and often let it become self-directed/inflicted. As a result of that realisation, despite my not being able to take medications (due to resistance and liver function issues), my viral load became “undetectable” and remains so to this day, mystifying even the Centres for Disease Control. My t-cell count remains extremely low, and I still live with AIDS, but it is no longer a dark spectre… no longer a threat… but like the sometime annoying relative, who settles in to live with us, whose noise in the kitchen in the morning interrupts our desire to “sleep in”.
Louise was one of my first teachers for my Science of Mind courses, and without question, helped save my life.
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement!
gurudas śunyatananda
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. You are a wonder.
In response to dharmadude’s comment:
Sorry, somehow, my reply (above), ended up not word-wrapping…
Thanks for the affirmations. They are very inspiring.
In response to goldenman1’s comment: Thanks for the kind words!
Blessings friend, I have been off for a while. Came across your Blurb, sending love and Blessings from Perth Western Australia.
Thanks for the Affirmations! And, thanks for sharing some of your personal story with us. I find it inspiring that you do not allow dis-ease to run your life; thus you are not in the state of dis-ease that takes its toll on so many of us.
Blessings to you and yours!!!
C.
Thank you Sarvaga and Cordieb! Know that my thoughts, appreciation and love are with you and that I affirm for each of us, peace, happiness, ease and vibrant health!
Namaste! gurudas
BTW, for those who catch this message in time, tonight at 11 PM EST (that’s 4 AM GMT)be sure to catch our radio show “Dharmadude LIVE!” on BlogTalkRadio Network - http://blogtalkradio.com/punkmonk
Hi Dharmadude,
I have enjoyed reading your profile and learning of your life experiences. I hope your friend Craig is in good health, as are you. Perhaps if you have an opportunity sometime in the future, and when it is very convienient for you , I would be honoured to hear you write some words and have you share some of your insight concerning, “The 37 practices of Bodhisattavas”.
I have been studying the comentary and the self examination, written by Lama Surya Das in his book “Awakening The Buddhist Heart”, based on his earlier translation of the Tibetan texts, while in retreat with his teachers.
I have been a follower of Louise Hay for quite some time and I have been blessed by all that I have learned and continue to learn today from her teachings. I have added you as a friend.
Namaste! db
Hiya, hope all is well with you. Haven’t heard much from you lately.
In response to aftab’s comment:
Just been crazy-busy, and haven’t checked in as much. It’s always easy to keep tabs on my though… either through the main website: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com or through Facebook: http://facebook.com/punkmonk and Twitter: http://twitter.com/dharmacharya
Namaste!
In response to db…’s comment: Concerning the 37 Practices, the Noble Eightfold Path covers all of them, but the 37 Practices simply casts a new light on the path of compassion, mindfulness and non-attachment. I’ve commented about getting too hung up on rigid practice, lists, such here: The Gentle Path.
And I have talked a bit about the qualities of a true Bodhisattva in this post.
Namaste!
In response to dharmadude’s comment: Ooops… the links didn’t show up…
Gentle Path: http://blog.dharmadudeunplugged.com/?p=610 Bodhisattva: http://blog.dharmadudeunplugged.com/?p=596
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9 posts
2009-02-26
Welcome, your Affirmations are awesome. I’ve borrowed all but the “Ohm bhur” one, I don’t understand that one. Perhaps one day you will teach me.