Be Still

To still your mind, sit down each day, close your eyes, and just watch your thoughts. Don't resist the thoughts, but just watch them come into your mind. As you watch each thought, it will disappear. Practice this each day and you will get better and better. You will find your mind will be without thoughts for five seconds, and then ten seconds, and then twenty seconds.

When you can command your mind to be still and have it obey your command, just imagine the power you will have to create what you want.

Shivapuri Baba

Shivapuri Baba was a Hindu saint who reportedly lived from 1826 to 1963, making him 137 years old at the time of his death. Shivapuri Baba was born in the Indian State of Kerala in 1826 and became a seeker of truth at the age of 18. He joined his grandfather in the forest of the upper Deccan, near the banks of the river Narbada. His grandfather insisted that after his own death, the boy should meditate until he obtained God-realization, then make a pilgrimage on foot not only through India, but also around the world. After the death of his grandfather, the young man received initiation as a sannyasin and took the name of Govindananda Bharati. He then retreated to the Narbada forest and spent 25 years in absolute seclusion. At the age of 50, he achieved the beatific vision and became aware of the divine as absolute, beyond name and form, which in Hinduism is considered the highest and most difficult stage of Godrealization. He then undertook his great pilgrimages.

He visited all the holy places of India, meeting Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Aurobindo. He went on to travel through Afghanistan and Persia, then made a pilgrimage to Mecca. After this experience of the Moslem shrine, he next traveled to Jerusalem, the holy city of Judaism and Christianity. He went on to Turkey, through the Balkans into Greece and then through Italy to Rome, so that he might better understand the Christian religion. After visiting most European countries, he was invited to England by Queen Victoria's Indian Secretariat and had 18 private visits with the queen.

That enlightened soul continued his pilgrimage on foot, covering countries of Greenland, Canada, United States, countries of South America, Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, etc., and finally reached back in India via Tibet and Nepal. He traveled more than 25,000 miles, eighty percent on foot. Again he took a final pilgrimage of India. During this time, he visited Kerala and his own ancestral house where he found that nobody of his generation was living.

He, then decided to spend the rest of his life in the forest of Sivapuri, near Kathmandu, Nepal. Thereafter, Govindananda Bharathi became Shivapuri Baba. Even after the age of 100, he often used to undertake pilgrimage to Kasi and other places, on foot. At the age of 120, he shifted to Dhruvasthali - another forest retreat - nearly 1.5 km from Pasupathinath Temple, Kathmandu, due to cancer which he himself later cured with Yoga, after medical advice failed.

Being a man who had realized the "Absolute Truth", Shivapuri Baba had astral vision and omnipotent power. But he was extremely calm and serene, and never felt tense or anxious. Very rarely did he use his powers, believing that it may create reactions and disturb the serenity.

Babas' Teachings to realize GOD is simple. His teaching is Right Life (SWADHARMA) which means Devotion And Discrimination.
Right Life comprises following Physical, Moral and Spiritual Disciplines.

Physical Discipline

• Take care of the Body.
• Decide how much to eat, how much to drink, how much to Sleep, how much sex and extra activity.
• Have a professional duty.
• Earn money to maintain Life and family. Look after your dependents.

Moral Discipline

• Follow the 26 divine virtues mentioned in the first three verses of 16th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita..
• Do not harm people.
• Use discrimination and help people at the time of need.
• Contribute at least 10 percent of your income to the needy people, educational institutions, students etc.
• Save 30 percent of your income to use that amount at the time of need.
• Begin charity from the home, neighbors.
• Make your mind strong.The strong mind is the link between two worlds which enables human being to face their duties with serenity and to enter upon his search for God.
• Read the Books like Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Books On Buddha, Christ, Mohammad and other spiritual personalities.

Spiritual Discipline

• Devote maximum time in God worship.
• Meditate on him, in the beginning with form and try to go beyond form.
• If you go on passing your time on meditating on God, God will come in a flash.
• If you see God or Truth, all your problems will be solved and no re-birth in the world.
• After God realization also the soul immediately will not leave this gross body.
• It stays in the body so long as one enjoys prarabdha.
• Prarabdha is the accumulation of your deeds in your past life. When balance is not left, no rebirth.

Shivapuri Baba died on January 28, 1963. His final message was: "Live Right Life, Worship God. That is all. Nothing more." He took a drink of water then said "Gaya" (I'm gone), laid down on his right side and passed away. His teaching of right living involved duty, morality, and worship. The sole purpose of human life was to find the Ultimate Truth, or God, and to this end a certain code of life was required—a spiritual, moral, and intellectual order.

*reference: Bennett, John G., with Thakur Lal Manandhar. Long Pilgrimage: The Life and Teaching of Sri Govinananda Bharati known as the Shivapuri Baba. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1965.

25 Years - CDG

"Oh Great Spirit whose voice I hear in the winds, I come to you as one of your many children. I need your strength and your wisdom. Make me strong not to be superior to my brother, but to be able to fight my greatest enemy: "Myself"

~ Chief Dan George (1899.07.24-1981.09.23)

On Saturday May 1st we celebrated the 25th anniversary since the opening of Chief Dan George Public School. The event bought together classmates that attended CDG as early as 1983. The same year the students and faculty members had gathered letters, drawings, programs, audio tapes, and even class lists of the students and their teachers, and enclosed them all into a time capsule which was revived this weekend. Some of those very students returned more than 25yrs later to view the articles and reflect on the memories of their school years at CDG.

What was unique and special about this reunion was more than just the memories of our youth. It was recognizing that we were apart of the foundation and the tone that was set for CDG. From the beginning, marching with the school on Generation Blvd from John G Diefenbaker P.S with pride and anticipation of a new school awaiting our arrival. To seeing the recognition of students like my sister, Andrea Robinson, named the first 'Athlete of the Year' award engraved on a plaque hung proudly in the schools foyer.

What seemed even more rewarding was the conversations of the former students and their former teachers and principal. Our principal at the time, Mr. Smiley, was among the crowds of laughter and fond memories. Mr. Smiley genuinely cared for all his students, and his students cared for him. It was apparent of the magnitude, with the impression he left on his students to see this day when we all reunited. Mr. Smiley will gracefully turn 70 this year, mind you he looks the same he did when I was in grade 5...so we asked "What's the secret to keeping young?" He replied, "Keeping active, travel, and love what you do". He still plays volley-ball. He travels with his wife, we know as Ms. Sutcliffe and sees the world. He also loved his job. These were the words of wisdom coming from a man so admired and missed by so many.

The afternoon was a hit! Many people were all too happy to be there, some travelled as far as Windsor, On. Some brought their family, and their cameras to capture the moments. So cheers to another 25 years! May we all continue on our journey with a strong positive spirit and love.

Cheers to the Chief Dan George Alumni!