September Equinox, 23rd September 2010

Adorable Soul and Blessed Self,

Today on 23rd Sept is the anniversary marking exactly five solar years since the conception of our esteemed Nonprofit, Self Enquiry Life Fellowship. This year the full moon converged with the autumnal equinox and the foundation day.

The full moon and autumnal equinox together is a rare convergence that has not occurred for nearly two decades. During an equinox, the earth’s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the line connecting the centers of the earth and the sun. The duration of night and day across the world is nearly equal. And the day is slightly longer in places further away from the equator.

Right nostril breathing is governed by solar rhythms whereas left nostril breathing is governed by the lunar rhythms. An equinox signifies balance. And soli-lunar rhythms are in equilibrium. Hence the breath is said to be in a calmer phase. This crossover point thus happens twice a year, once in autumn and once in spring. Both of these soli-lunar junctures have special significance in the soli-lunar Vedic calendar. This synergy is harnessed by devotees and spiritual lineages by founding their organizations at these times.

On the vernal equinox of March1903, the renowned monk Swami Shriyukteshwar founded an ashram in Puri, India which is hailed in KriyaYoga history as a receptacle of many spiritual masters who emulated the founder. My monastic master, Swami Hariharananda spent more than three decades at this ashram training and guiding numerous seekers and devotees.

In keeping with honouring the power of balanced breath, spiritual organizations have been founded in and around the equinox time. Thereby the calmness deemed as a purity of mind is the foundation from which the nonprofit intent is set into evolution. In the same manner on 23rd Sept. five years ago, Self Enquiry Life Fellowship, founded to disseminate the Sanskrit wisdom of the Swamahiman mission, was conceived as a nonprofit organization. Following a ten-month nurturing period, the baby was delivered on 25th July 2006 when the exempt status was approved. And a fledgling Nonprofit started functioning.

This conception time on 23rd Sept. 2005 was thus carefully chosen based on the subtleties of the soli-lunar calendar and other planetary positions so that the original momentum will outlast a thousand years. So far this momentum has lived up to its promise and the fledgling Nonprofit has already carved its niche. On this day, I offer my warmest greetings and choicest blessings to all the volunteers, devotees, seekers and servers who have believed in this platform and have supported the noble cause. I trust you share this cause of preserving indigenous knowledge along with its Himalayan meditation practices and embellish the Nonprofit through your continued support.

Swami Vidyadhishananda