By Vedic Astro-Palmist Guylaine Vallée

 

March is a beautiful month as it holds a lot of hope with the end of winter and the return of Spring. But in addition to a shift in season, March is a mystical month full of profound events supercharged with spiritual energy. It begins on March 7th with the Mahasamadhi of Paramahansa followed with Shivaratri, the day of veneration for Lord Shiva, which this year falls on the 8th, and the Mahasamadhi of Sri Yukteswar on the 9th. On the 17th we celebrate the Day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and the 19th marks the feast day of St. Joseph, patron of workers and the promise of a peaceful death.

Then on Good Friday, March 29th there is the Mahasamadhi of Jesus, followed by the celebration of His resurrection on Easter Sunday, which this year falls on March 31st.

Mahasamadhi is when a God‑illumined master makes a conscious exit from the body at the time of physical death. What is so auspicious about this month is we can all benefit from these powerful moments. Paramahansa explains that whenever a Great One leaves the planet through Mahasamadhi, he (or she) creates a spiritual portal we all can access and through which we can raise our consciousness and feel tremendous peace, bliss and joy especially on that day.

So, while experiencing transcendent feelings of joy may seem like a pipe dream or something only saints enjoy, we can all experience this profound state of peace in this lifetime through deep and dedicated meditation. So, take advantage of these mystical March portals by setting aside some quiet time to meditate.

Of course, when you first sit down to meditate your mind runs wild in all directions. You think it is impossible to go deep. But if you sit still and persist long enough, you will travel inward and begin to feel that wonderful silence of peace in which we find great happiness beyond any of the worries of the world.

This deeply rewarding process can be challenging at first, which is why Ghanshyam always suggested his clients begin by reading Paramahansa’s Autobiography of a Yogi, and then to follow up by studying Paramahansa’s meditation techniques that are available through the Self-Realization Fellowship in California. Paramahansa founded the SRF nearly a century ago. We encourage you to explore what the SRF lessons have  to offer by clicking here.

If you would like to meet an SRF monk, several will be visiting Montreal in mid-April. For more information, contact Michel at the Montreal SRF center by email: [email protected],or by phone at 438-225-7122.

 

Take a Big Step toward Peace and Joy with The 90-Day Life Line Challenge

To assist you on your journey toward the joy of self-realization, we also encourage you to take our 90-Day Life Line Challenge: Rejuvenate Yourself in Body, Mind and Soul. This special program will help you achieve deeper states of meditation and experience Ananda, the joy of being alive. Over the course of 90 days, you will learn how to free your Life Force Energy (prana) by mastering simple yogic exercises and techniques that will help you declutter your mind, shed bad habits and de-stress your life.

You will be introduced to the lost art of natural breathing, which will harmonize the three aspects of your being—body, mind and heart. Practicing proper breathing will ignite your chakras, the spiritual energy centers along the spine, enhancing your immune system and electrifying your physical body with untapped reserves of energy, stamina and vigor while simultaneously lifting your awareness to higher realms of consciousness, creativity, passion and purpose. Take a closer look at what The Life Line Challenge has to offer by clicking here.

 

Saturday, July 24th, is a very special and auspicious day in Vedic culture known as Guru Purnima, which always falls on the day of the full moon (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July). This summer that occurs with the full moon in Capricorn opposite the Sun in Cancer.

Traditionally, this day is reserved for prayers, rituals and pujas to honor our teachers and gurus. The word puja comes from Sanskrit and means reverence and homage where a fire may be lit in their honor. Guru, or dispeller of darkness, refers to a spiritual guide who enlightens us through his/her knowledge and teachings. This day is auspicious as it also commemorates Veda Vyasa, the author of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

It is a day to acknowledge and honor whatever belief, philosophy or teaching we love and, if not doing an actual fire ceremony, we can take some time to meditate and say a few prayers in gratitude, reaffirming our commitment. We can examine how our beliefs are impacting our life and how to make the most of them. If we have not embraced any discipline, Guru Purnima is a good day to consider one and begin.

This is a very auspicious time to embark upon cultivating healing powers, intuition, deep introspection and a sense of dedication to what we hold near and dear to us. This full moon provides the opportunity to connect with your teachers, gurus and “guardian angels” to seek their blessings. In turn, we can show gratitude by offering our love, devotion and commitment.

The practice of meditating on the full moon helps bring fulfillment in all aspects of our life. This is a time of high energy. It is a good time to reflect, as often we might be out of touch with our emotions. This is a very potent time to practice the fine art of devotion. So, find a passion or a noble cause to dedicate your heart to.

Happy Guru Purnima!

We are currently experiencing a rare Shoola Yoga, where all the planets are situated in only three signs affecting three houses related to specific areas of your life. This accentuates those areas, making things very intense for us. This yoga with its concentration on three houses corresponds to the three-prong trident, or tri-shoola, Lord Shiva uses to ward off negative energy threatening to disrupt the harmony of our body, mind and heart.

Consequently, this yoga is considered auspicious if we approach it with reverence and respect. During this period, prayers and devotion will be rewarded with good fortune. As we mentioned, the energy of the Shoola Yoga is so powerful because all planetary energy is being concentrated in just three houses. If we can channel this energy calmly and purposefully, we will achieve a great deal of success. However, if we fail to direct this intense energy constructively it can overwhelm us.

If we are able to remain focused, flexible, and patient and adapt to the surge of concentrated cosmic energy, we can achieve miracles and move mountains.

What makes this Shoola Yoga so special is that it coincides with Maha Shivaratri, the ‘Great Night’ of Shiva, the Lord of yoga, meditation and transformation.

This year, Maha Shivaratri falls on Thursday, March 11th.

It is said that during Maha Shivaratri we gain many blessings by reciting the name of Lord Shiva: Aum Namah Shivaya, by chanting the Shiva mantra, Maha Mrityunjaya. Also, we invite you to experience a Maha Shivaratri fire ceremony with Ghanshyam on our YouTube Channel.

For any questions, call us toll-free at 866-428-3799 from Canada or the U.S.
You can reach us from anywhere in the world by calling: 819-428-4298, or click here.

By Ghanshyam Singh Birla

 

Havens are sacred fire ceremonies that have been practiced in the East for centuries. The intention of a haven is to provide us with a renewed sense of hope, purpose and happiness by burning away negative karma and connecting us to our spiritual self . . . our best self.

I am conducting the haven at this time because today is Akshaya Tritiya, which is  one of the most auspicious days of the year. Akshaya means never-ending prosperity, hope, joy and success. It is celebrated just once a year . . . when the two celestial luminaries, the Sun and Moon, are in their most exalted position of Aries and Taurus respectively. When we perform any healing ceremony on Akshaya Tritiya, it raises our vibrational energy. So, no matter when you happen to watch this video, those elevated healing vibrations will be reverberating both around you and within you.

Havens involve a mantra meditation. At the end of each mantra, a small offering is placed in the fire, such as a sacred herb or some ghee, while the word swahah is chanted.  Swahah means “so be it”; it a personal offering to the universe, an offering that includes a silent commitment that we endeavour to become the best we can be. When the offering is made, visualize that you are offering the herbs in the fire with your right hand while supporting your right elbow with your left hand. As you chant swahah, gently release the herbs into the fire with a sense of gratitude.

The ceremony begins with a prayer that is offered to the Divine to accept our offering and to overlook any mistakes we might make while pronouncing the mantra.

 

Forgiveness Prayer

Awahanam nay jaw naw mee

Nay jaw naw mee tawarchanam

Poojashchaiva nay jaw naw mee

Tataha kshama swa Mameshwara

 

Following the Forgiveness Prayer, I recite the Ganesha Prayer. Ganesha is the Lord of Wisdom and the Divine Sciences. This prayer, recited as a mantra,  promotes your personal healing and increase your intuitive abilities.

Throughout the haven, I chant a mantra to Lord Shiva called the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. It is a very powerful mantra for raising our vibrational energy, warding off negativity and getting rid of unwanted karma. It is chanted in its original Sanskrit, India’s most ancient and sacred language.

 

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Aum Treeum Backum Yajaw Mahay

Soogum Din Pushtee Were Ta Nam

Urwa Rookum Eva Bantanan

Mrityor Moke Shiya Mamritat

 

If you are familiar with the Shiva mantra, please chant along with me. If not, just sit back, close your eyes and listen. In either case, chant swaha at the end of each mantra and visualize that you are placing the herbs into the fire when I do.

I chant the mantra 108 times. You will hear a bell ring at the end of a series of 36 mantras. It would be wonderful if you stay with us for the full 108 mantras. If you cannot watch the entire ceremony, it is best to end your recitation at a multiple of 9—such as at the end of the 9th, 18th or 36th recitation. Listening for the bell will help you in this regard.

But if at all possible, please stay until the end of the haven. Chanting or listening to all 108 mantras in one sitting will benefit you greatly.

We close the fire ceremony with the following short mantra:

 

Closing Mantra

Servam Way, Survam Guam, Swahah

 

Normally we end the meditation with a sweet. So, have a little rice pudding or a piece of chocolate standing by to treat yourself as a celebratory way to kick off a new beginning and a new you.

Thanks for being here and God bless you!

Click here to view the ceremony:

By Ghanshyam Singh Birla, Vedic Palmist-Astrologer

One of the greatest lessons Vedic Palmistry has taught me is that, no matter how old we are, it is never too late to fill our lives with love. The energy of love is the energy of Sat—it is eternal and omnipresent. Love brings us into this world, remains with us constantly during our lifetime and will carry us into the next life. There is never a time, from birth to death, when we are not surrounded by love.

But wait just a minute, you say! If love really is all around us, why can it be so hard to find? Well, because too often we can’t see what’s right in front of us. Our egos, desires, daily concerns, hardships, personal tragedies and imbalances in our energy can blind us to love’s constant presence, and it’s difficult to embrace what we cannot see. Sometimes, especially as we get a bit older, we may find ourselves regretting the times in our lives when we had the chance to express our love but didn’t or regret that we did not love as well as we might have. We may feel that love has passed us by, or that it’s too late for us to love. But I am here to tell you that love never passes us by—that it’s never too late to feel and express love! Even if it sometimes seems elusive, love is everywhere in our lives—just follow your heart line and you’ll find it waiting for you.

When we balance our heart line and open our heart center, we make the invisible visible . . . we become aware of the love that we might have missed due to our lack of mindfulness, sensitivity or receptivity—and we can pull that new understanding of love into our present life and let it guide us into the future. In this respect, the heart line is like a time machine—it can transport us between all the ages and stages of our life on an amazing journey of the heart. And Vedic Palmistry teaches how to navigate that machine.

 

A HIGHER LOVE

The heart line is located in the sattwa zone of the hand, which represents the most evolved aspects of our consciousness and is intimately related to our soul. Sattwa energy is our spiritual compass; it vibrates with a purified light that points us toward the Divine within. It is an energy that is timeless and, when balanced, frees us from the heavy, anchoring demands of daily survival. The heart line can lift us high above mundane concerns; it is shrouded in sattwa energy, which means it is designed to express the eternal, idealistic qualities of unconditional love. A healthy and balanced heart line tells us we are being guided by an enlightened consciousness, both in our life and in our loving relationships.

As it travels across the palm, the heart line is supported by the four mounts of the hand’s sattwa zones. Each of these mounts represents the attributes of a corresponding planet in Vedic Astrology, and each interacts with the heart line differently at different times in our lives.

Originating on the Mount of Jupiter, the heart line crosses the mounts of Saturn and Sun before terminating on the Mount of Mercury. The Mount of Jupiter represents our higher self, our enlightened, expansive nature, as well as our life’s purpose; Saturn represents our fortitude, discipline and dedication; Sun represents our love of life and personal magnetism, and Mercury represents our ability to communicate our creativity, ideas and concepts to the world.

Each of the four sattwa mounts infuse the heart line with their individual sattwic qualities, which include kindness, goodness, generosity, compassion and empathy—the cornerstones of unconditional love. It is these sattwa mount qualities that give the heart line its transcendent nature—the dynamic fuel that allows the heart line to transcend both the laws of time and gravity.

For more info on The 90-Day Heart Line Challenge or to register: click here.

 

Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals in India, a night to pay homage to Lord Shiva, the force behind all transformation and growth. It is one of the most auspicious times to meditate and recite the mantra that honors Lord Shiva—the powerful and majestic Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Reciting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Shiva Mantra) releases our consciousness from limiting patterns of negative thought and behavior; it opens us to deeper insight, gives us a greater freedom of self-expression and instills within us the strength needed to meet a specific challenge, attain a desired goal or overcome blockages interfering with our well-being.

Our informal gathering is free of charge and we will happily provide you with an instructional leaflet explaining the significance of the mantra and how to recite it.

We will celebrate Shivaratri at our Wellness Center in Cheneville on Friday, February 24th between 6 and 8 p.m. Please join us! Reserve your spot by calling us in advance at our toll-free number: 866 428 3799. We will be delighted to see you! If you can't make it in person, join us in meditation from wherever you are, blasting the universe with the healing sound of the Shiva Mantra.

Introducing the Be My Valentine Zoom Special with Guylaine

Guylaine Book frameTo promote and celebrate lasting love, we are offering a 20 % discount on all one-hour Zoom* consultations with Guylaine during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day! That’s right, reserve a one-hour consultation with Guylaine between February 7 and February 14 for just $119 (reg. $149)!

This heart-warming special can be used anytime between February 7 and April 30—but space is limited and the offer ends on Valentine’s Day, so book your consultation now!

Discuss your love lines, how to bring the romance back into your relationship, or anything else you heart desires! Remember, the best thing about a Zoom consultation is talking to Guylaine from the privacy and comfort of your own home. What are you waiting for? Love is just a mouse click away!

Give us a call today at 1-866-428-3799 from Canada or the U.S . . . or from anywhere in the world at 1-819-428-4298. Or simply click here to book a consultation instantly.

* Zoom offers Video Communications similar to Skype

 

Knead some TLC? Introducing the Be My Valentine “90 for 90” Massage

Massage DTTo ensure you at your best for Valentine’s Day, we are introducing the new “90 for 90” massage special by slashing the standard $125 price tag of a 90-minute massage to the exceptionally low price of $90! Could there be a more perfect (or affordable) way to pamper yourself and your special someone this Valentine season? Enjoy the rejuvenating effects of a deeply soothing massage that will allow your body, mind and spirit to relax and unwind. The 90 for 90” is a special, time-limited offer, so don’t delay!

Book your 90 for 90” massage today with one of our incredible therapists—Rémi or Francis—by calling us at 1-866-428-3799 or clicking here. Don’t forget to ask for the 90 for 90” special offer!

Terms and conditions:

You can use your 90 for 90” special offer any day and on any massage up to and including April 30, 2017, but only if you book it between February 7 and 14.

This offer is valid for massages at our Montreal office and at the Chénéville Wellness Center. The 90 for 90” cannot be combined with any other offer.

screen-shot-2016-12-08-at-10-07-54-amTake Advantage of our Year-End Promotion!

Our Gala December Promotion is now underway, just in time for the holiday season! Check out these fabulous offers on Gift Certificates that will bring health, happiness and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Ensure that everyone you care about is feeling rejuvenated and inspired when the New Year rolls in. The savings are so incredible that you’ll be able to treat yourself as well! What could make for a happier Christmas?

 

Check out these amazing December Specials*:

90-minute massage just $99! (regularly $125)

1-hour consultation with Ghanshyam, just $159! (regularly $189)

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Slip a Happy Palmist under your tree!

Not certain what to buy for that special someone this Xmas? Guylaine's biography, The Happy Palmist (available in French and English), is a sure winner! Treat yourself or a loved one to this inspiring story of hope and achievement. This hugely popular book can now be purchased in paperback from our boutique at just $14.95 (plus tax and shipping) or $9.95 by eBook. Order your copy today and have it arrive at your home before Santa does!

 

Details and conditions:

-Valid on purchases made between December 9 and December 31, 2016

-Gift certificates valid for services rendered between December 9, 2016 and December 31, 2017

-Redeemable at our Westmount office and Chénéville Wellness Center

 

Call us at 514-488-2292, toll-free at 1-866-428-3799 or email us at [email protected].

Prepare to Brighten Your World!

When the sun goes down this weekend, the lights will come up around the world. Hundreds of millions of people from every walk of life, race and religion, from Mumbai to Mexico City, from Tokyo to Toronto and from the tiniest of Indian villages to the largest cosmopolitan metropolis, will join together to illuminate the darkness by celebrating Diwali—The Festival of Lights.

Diwali is the most famous, joyous and beloved of all Hindu festivals, not to mention the brightest. It is celebrated with city-wide carnivals, community dances beneath colorful street lighting, candlelit communal dinners and massive firework displays.

And of course, there are many reverent religious ceremonies in temples and homes commemorating the festival’s ancient and sacred origins—the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil.

According to tradition, the first Diwali was celebrated in honor of Lord Rama’s victory over an army of demons led by Ravana, the demon king and ruler of darkness. The name of the festival itself is derived form the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians keep lit on their doorsteps to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. Lakshmi, the goddess of joy, good fortune and prosperity, is also honored during Diwali. It is said that she travels the Earth on this special night, entering houses that are clean, pure and bright and to bestow her blessings upon the inhabitants.

Astrologically, the festival coincides with the October new moon—a period with no lunar light to guide us into and through the long, dark winter nights. The lights of Diwali signal that we are entering this darkness with our souls ablaze in divine love and awareness.

While it is easy to get caught up in the festive atmosphere, colorful clothing and delicious treats that are part of Diwali, it is important to remember the spiritual message this celebration has carried for countless generations since time immemorial: There are dark forces at work in the universe that can only be vanquished by the light of personal spiritual awareness.

So, no matter how you celebrate Diwali this year, take a moment to light a candle and say a prayer of thanks and gratitude to your own higher power for the love that shines on us even in the darkest night.

Light up the darkness and have a Happy Diwali!

We are celebrating a Diwali meditation at our Wellness Center in Cheneville Saturday, October 29th from 6 to 8 pm. Please call in advance our toll-free number 866.428.3799 so we can reserve a spot for you.

 Navaratri - October 1st thru October 10th

Navaratri, one of the most sacred and joyous festivals in the Hindu world, begins this Saturday and continues for the next nine nights and ten days.

Navaratri symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is observed through fasting, prayer, worshipful offerings and communal song and dance. It is a celebration of the power, fertility, strength, beauty, purity, courage and wisdom of the Divine Mother—the feminine aspect of God embodied in the supreme goddess, Durga.

Durga’s name translates from the Sanskrit as the “invincible one” and “remover of all miseries”. According to Hindu Mythology, Durga bravely slew the demon Mahishasura, who was terrorizing the universe with all manner of wickedness: violence, selfishness, and arrogance. Her heroic action freed us to peacefully pursue happiness, success and a higher awareness free of the bonds of ego. Durga epitomizes sacrifice, salvation and the countless other noble attributes of motherhood, which are represented by the many different avatar goddesses (or Devis) through which she appears. The word Nava-ratri itself means "nine nights”, and each night of the festival is dedicated to honouring a goddess presenting a different facet of Mother Durga.

And, as Durga is also considered the unified representation of the Tridevi—the trinity of the goddesses Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati—the blessing of each of these goddesses are invoked individually for three nights during Navaratri. The first three nights are dedicated to Parvati, who instills in us the indomitable strength of her divine love and devotion. The next three nights are devoted to Laskshmi, the goddess of spiritual and material prosperity, who bestows inexhaustible wealth upon her devotees. The final three nights of the festival belong to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, who leads us to wisdom and higher consciousness.

Mother Durga is often referred to as Devi Shakti, the manifestation of the divine female energy through which the universe was created and is sustained, an energy that defies the cycle of birth and death, that defies time itself—the cosmic energy that animates the universal life force and illuminates every soul with eternal consciousness.

Weather we celebrate Navaratri or not, this nine-night period is a goddess-given opportunity to reflect upon the beauty, strength and sacrifice symbolized by motherhood; to remember our own mothers and thank them for all they have given us and helped us to achieve.