Shankarananda (Shiva Yoga)
Swami Shankarananda Saraswati is a Western-born guru, author and spokesperson for Hinduism in Interfaith dialogue.
Life
Born in New York in 1942, he taught English Literature at Indiana University. In 1970, a decisive encounter with the American yogi Ram Dass inspired him to go to India where he met his guru, Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa, the disciple of Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri.[1]
In 1974 he was initiated by his guru to awaken people spiritually through touch (the awakening of spiritual energy by shaktipat diksha). Since that time, he has headed ashrams in Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, New York and Melbourne, Australia.
In 1977, at the request of his guru, he was initiated into the Saraswati order of monks by Mahamandaleshwar Swami Brahmananda.
In 1991 he founded the Shiva School of Meditation in Melbourne, establishing a residential ashram on the Mornington Peninsula.
Work
Swamiji’s teaching emphasizes the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism, and especially its transformative practice sadhana, and the awakening of kundalini[2].
Swamiji has published five books. Two important ones are: Happy for no Good Reason, an introductory guide to meditation, and Consciousness is Everything: The yoga of Kashmir Shaivism. The latter book focuses on the philosophy and practice of Kashmir Shaivism. The noted scholar Georg Feuerstein said in his review of it:
Swami Shankarananda has succeeded in making Kashmir’s Shaiva Yoga come alive in these pages and I consider this work the best introduction to that tradition so far[3]
Swamiji has developed a method of Self-inquiry called the Shiva Process, which is based on his own practice and the techniques of Kashmir Shaivism. A new book describing this method titled Self-Inquiry will be published later in 2007.
Swamiji has joined with two other spiritual teachers in the lineage of Bhagawan Nityananda. In a series of programs called The 3 Gurus he was joined by Swami Chetanananda (USA) and Master Charles Cannon (USA)[4]. Programs have taken place in the USA and Australia[5].
Interfaith dialogue is an important aspect of Swamiji’s work and he is the Hindu representative on the advisory board of the Asia Pacific Centre for Interreligious Dialogue and spokesperson for the faith in Australia. Swami Shankarananda also regularly participates in interfaith conferences and symposia [6][7].
In recognition of his international work in “spreading the Sanatana Dharma”, in early 2007 Swamiji was invested as a Mahant (spiritual leader) in a formal ceremony that took place in Haridwar, India. His official title is Sri Mahant 1008 Swami Shankarananda Saraswati of the Panch Agni Akhada.
References
- ^ Andrew Cohen, ‘Shankarananda: The Life and Times of an American Swami’
- ^ ‘Awakening Now: Explore the possibility of another reality’, DVD, Mish Mash Multimedia Pty Ltd, 2006
- ^ Book Review: Consciousness is Everything: The yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Georg Feuerstein
- ^ Kathy Wyer, ‘Energy Rising’ in Yoga Journal, August 2007, pps.117-118, 120
- ^ Andrew Cohen, The Guru Dialogues, 2005 The Three Gurus: the truth is controversial
Tom Huston, ‘Two weeks on the Road with Andrew Cohen - ^ Faith in Troubled Times, Symposium for Religious Leaders, April 2004
Tantra, consciousness and reality seminar, October 2004
Working with the Mind and Emotions: Hindu and Buddhist perspectives, April 2006
Celebrating Rumi and Mystics of East and West’, 2007 - ^ Confessions of a Western Hindu, Hinduism Today, October 2005
Bibliography
- Happy for no Good Reason, Information Australia, Melbourne, 2000.
ISBN 1863503145 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)
- Consciousness is Everything: The yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2003.
ISBN 0975099507 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)
- Carrot in my Ear: Questions and answers on living with awareness, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2004.
ISBN 0975099523 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)