Swami Jyotirmayananda
Encyclopedia
H. H. Swami Jyotirmayananda (born 3 February 1931) is a prominent India
n teacher of Vedanta, spiritual Hindu
philosophy, and author of over 40 books on Vedanta
, Yoga
and several other topics. He was a disciple of the late Swami Sivananda
, and served as a religious professor at Vedanta Forest Academy, at the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh for nine years. Swami Jyotirmayananda is president of Yoga Research Foundation in Miami, Florida
.
, Saran District
, Bihar
, India
and lived his early childhood in the northern province sanctified by Lord Buddha and his holy associations. From his very childhood days he evinced various marks of his future saintliness. He was calm and reflective, brilliant in his work at school and college, loved by his friends and relatives. Always a source of inspiration to all who came in contact with him, he never faltered in his high ethical ideals. Side by side with his higher studies and duties of a practical nature, he reflected upon the deeper problems of life. While pursuing his education at the Science College of Patna University, at 19, he read Swami Sivananda's book Mind, Its Mysteries and Control, and when Swami Sivananda visited Patna in September, 1950, he had his first Darshana at Patna
.
The overwhelming feeling to serve humanity through spiritual life led him to embrace the ancient order of Sanyasa on February 3, 1953, at the age of 22. Tirelessly he practiced intense austerities, living in the Himalayan retreats by the sacred Ganges River. For over nine years he was professor at the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy, giving lectures on the Upanishads, Raja Yoga, and all important scriptures of India. Besides teaching, he was Editor of the "Yoga Vedanta Journal."
To his Guru, H.H. Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj, Swami Jyotirmayananda was a gem, ever able to assist foreign students in their understanding of Yoga and Vedanta. His intuitive perception of their problems endeared him to all. Swamiji has an unusual dimension in his range and richness of wisdom--he never contradicts the great scriptures of the world, but adds to them by his unique explanations.
His exemplary life, great command of spiritual knowledge, love towards all beings, and his very impressive and dynamic exposition of Yoga and Vedanta Philosophy attracted enormous interest all over India, and in many other countries. He frequently lectured by invitation at the "All India Vedanta Conferences," in Delhi, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and other parts of India.
"Behind his vast erudition lies a sincere and feeling heart, yearning for the upliftment of the seekers after Truth," wrote M.L. Bazaz, secretary to the late Prime Minister Nehru of India.
After many requests, H.H. Bhagavan Swami Jyotirmayananda came to the West in 1962 to spread the knowledge of India. Crossing Europe, he lectured in various countries. In 1964, he toured North and South America, inspiring and elevating numerous students of Yoga.
In Puerto Rico (from 1962 to 1969), as founder of Sanatan Dharma Mandir, he rendered unique service to humanity through his regular Satsangs, two radio lectures every week (one in English and one in Spanish), and numerous TV appearances. In march of 1969, he moved his center to Miami, where he appeared on many TV and radio programs, and was invited to speak at the most prominent philosophy educational centers. He conducts weekly classes on Meditation, Raja Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasistha, Viveka Chudamani and the Upanishads at his Ashram, The Yoga Research Foundation
Through his dynamic magazine, International Yoga Guide, his radiant guidance, his ever effulgent literature, H.H. Bhagavan Swami Jyotirmayananda stands as the glowing morning sun awakening the sleeping hearts to a new dawn of wisdom.
by Swami Sivananda in 1953, he became editor of the Hindi Journal of the Yoga-Vedanta Society and also conducted daily classes on Yoga Vasishtha, a text of classic Vedanta philosophy. He frequently lectured at India Vedanta Conferences in Ludhiana, Amritsar
, Delhi
and other parts of India.
In tireless service of his Guru, Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj, H.H. Swami Jyotirmayananda taught at the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy as a professor of religion. In addition to giving lectures in several languages including English, on the Upanishads, Raja Yoga
and all the important scriptures of India.
From 1962 to 1970, Swami Jyotir Maya Nanda headed the Sanatan Dharma Mandir in Puerto Rico. Swamiji presented classroom lectures, as well as weekly radio lectures, both in Spanish and in English. He also made numerous TV appearances. In 1969 he opened an ashram in Miami, Florida which has become the center for the international activities of the International School of Yoga, now known as the Yoga Research Foundation.
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n teacher of Vedanta, spiritual Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
philosophy, and author of over 40 books on Vedanta
Vedanta
Vedānta was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a morphophonological form of Veda-anta = "Veda-end" = "the appendix to the Vedic hymns." It is also speculated that "Vedānta" means "the purpose or goal...
, Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and several other topics. He was a disciple of the late Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda Saraswati was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga and Vedanta. Sivananda was born Kuppuswami in Pattamadai, in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. He studied medicine and served in Malaya as a physician for several years before taking up monasticism...
, and served as a religious professor at Vedanta Forest Academy, at the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh for nine years. Swami Jyotirmayananda is president of Yoga Research Foundation in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
Early life
H.H. Swami Jyotirmayananda was born in a pius family in DumariDumari block
Dumri is a community development block in Giridih district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Dumri is located at .The Jamunia River runs near the Grand Trunk Road from around Bagodar to past Dumri and then turns south, forms the border between Dhanbad and Bokaro districts and joins the...
, Saran District
Saran district
Saran District is one of the thirty-seven districts of Bihar state, India. The district, part of Saran Division, is also known as Chapra district after the headquarters of the district - Chapra...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and lived his early childhood in the northern province sanctified by Lord Buddha and his holy associations. From his very childhood days he evinced various marks of his future saintliness. He was calm and reflective, brilliant in his work at school and college, loved by his friends and relatives. Always a source of inspiration to all who came in contact with him, he never faltered in his high ethical ideals. Side by side with his higher studies and duties of a practical nature, he reflected upon the deeper problems of life. While pursuing his education at the Science College of Patna University, at 19, he read Swami Sivananda's book Mind, Its Mysteries and Control, and when Swami Sivananda visited Patna in September, 1950, he had his first Darshana at Patna
Patna
Paṭnā , is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in Eastern India . Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world...
.
The overwhelming feeling to serve humanity through spiritual life led him to embrace the ancient order of Sanyasa on February 3, 1953, at the age of 22. Tirelessly he practiced intense austerities, living in the Himalayan retreats by the sacred Ganges River. For over nine years he was professor at the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy, giving lectures on the Upanishads, Raja Yoga, and all important scriptures of India. Besides teaching, he was Editor of the "Yoga Vedanta Journal."
To his Guru, H.H. Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj, Swami Jyotirmayananda was a gem, ever able to assist foreign students in their understanding of Yoga and Vedanta. His intuitive perception of their problems endeared him to all. Swamiji has an unusual dimension in his range and richness of wisdom--he never contradicts the great scriptures of the world, but adds to them by his unique explanations.
His exemplary life, great command of spiritual knowledge, love towards all beings, and his very impressive and dynamic exposition of Yoga and Vedanta Philosophy attracted enormous interest all over India, and in many other countries. He frequently lectured by invitation at the "All India Vedanta Conferences," in Delhi, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and other parts of India.
"Behind his vast erudition lies a sincere and feeling heart, yearning for the upliftment of the seekers after Truth," wrote M.L. Bazaz, secretary to the late Prime Minister Nehru of India.
After many requests, H.H. Bhagavan Swami Jyotirmayananda came to the West in 1962 to spread the knowledge of India. Crossing Europe, he lectured in various countries. In 1964, he toured North and South America, inspiring and elevating numerous students of Yoga.
In Puerto Rico (from 1962 to 1969), as founder of Sanatan Dharma Mandir, he rendered unique service to humanity through his regular Satsangs, two radio lectures every week (one in English and one in Spanish), and numerous TV appearances. In march of 1969, he moved his center to Miami, where he appeared on many TV and radio programs, and was invited to speak at the most prominent philosophy educational centers. He conducts weekly classes on Meditation, Raja Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasistha, Viveka Chudamani and the Upanishads at his Ashram, The Yoga Research Foundation
Through his dynamic magazine, International Yoga Guide, his radiant guidance, his ever effulgent literature, H.H. Bhagavan Swami Jyotirmayananda stands as the glowing morning sun awakening the sleeping hearts to a new dawn of wisdom.
Teachings
After being initiated into SannyasaSannyasa
Sannyasa is the order of life of the renouncer within the Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men or women at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to renounce worldly...
by Swami Sivananda in 1953, he became editor of the Hindi Journal of the Yoga-Vedanta Society and also conducted daily classes on Yoga Vasishtha, a text of classic Vedanta philosophy. He frequently lectured at India Vedanta Conferences in Ludhiana, Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
and other parts of India.
In tireless service of his Guru, Sri Swami Sivananda Maharaj, H.H. Swami Jyotirmayananda taught at the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy as a professor of religion. In addition to giving lectures in several languages including English, on the Upanishads, Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga
Rāja Yoga is concerned principally with the cultivation of the mind using meditation to further one's acquaintance with reality and finally achieve liberation.Raja yoga was first described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is part of the Samkhya tradition.In the context of Hindu...
and all the important scriptures of India.
From 1962 to 1970, Swami Jyotir Maya Nanda headed the Sanatan Dharma Mandir in Puerto Rico. Swamiji presented classroom lectures, as well as weekly radio lectures, both in Spanish and in English. He also made numerous TV appearances. In 1969 he opened an ashram in Miami, Florida which has become the center for the international activities of the International School of Yoga, now known as the Yoga Research Foundation.
Publications
Swami Jyotirmayananda has written over 40 books emphasizing yoga philosophy in everyday life, helping people understand how to works towards a goal of attaining self-realizationSelf-realization
Self-realization is a self-awakening.Self-realization may also refer to:* Self-Realization Fellowship, worldwide spiritual organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda...
.