Swami Shankarananda (Shiva Yoga)

Swami Shankarananda is an American-born guru, author and founder of the Shiva Ashram in Australia. He is also a 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. [cite web|url=http://www.wie.org/unbound/media.asp?id=139|last=Cohen|first=Andrew|title=Shankarananda: The Life and Times of an American Swami|accessdate=2007-09-16] .

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 and Yoga in Melbourne, establishing a residential ashram [cite journal|url=http://ayl.com.au/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf_docs/issue_16_Shiva_School_ART.pdf|title=Growing with the Guru, Self-Inquiry with Swami Shankarananda|first=Nancy|last=Jackson|journal=Australian Yoga Life|issue=16|accessdate=2007-09-16] on the Mornington Peninsula.

Work

Swami Shankarananda is a prominent spiritual teacher in Australia. He often features in newspaper articles [Kaarin Fairfax, By Chris Beck, The Age, Section: A2, Page: 2, 17/05/2003
Less ritual, more reality, By Chris Beck, The Age, Section: A3 page 2, 14/11/2003
Breaking the guru hoodoo, By Michael Dwyer, The Age, Section: A2 Page: 4, 20/11/2004
Natural mystic, By Samantha Lane, The Sunday Age, Section: Sport, Page: 10, 28/01/2007
Look inwards to promote a peaceful world, By Yvonne Nicolas, The Age, Section: My Career, Page: 79, 05/05/2007
] and has appeared on national radio [ [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/relig/spirit/stories/s225729.htm Garry and the Guru, Interview with Swami Shankarananda and Garry McDonald, Radio National Australia 05/11/2000] ] . As a spokesperson for Interfaith in Australia he actively promotes Interfaith Dialogue and regularly participates in Interfaith conferences and symposia [ [http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/eic/documents/CICDIGESTforApril2004withnewLogo-FINAL.pdf Faith in Troubled Times, Symposium for Religious Leaders, April 2004]
[http://www.arts.monash.edu/mai/newsletters04/news061004.txt Tantra, consciousness and reality seminar, October 2004]
[http://www.columban.org.au/assets/files/bridges/bridges_08_2005.pdf Third Catholic Interfaith Symposium, June, 2005]
[http://www.arts.monash.edu/cgi-bin/inc/print?page=/mai/seminars06.html Working with the Mind and Emotions: Hindu and Buddhist perspectives, April 2006]
[http://arts.monash.edu.au/religion-theology/news-and-events/index.htm Celebrating Rumi and Mystics of East and West’, 2007] ] [ [http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2005/10-12/60-61_swami.shtml Confessions of a Western Hindu, Hinduism Today, October 2005] ] . He is also the Hindu representative on the advisory board of the Asia Pacific Centre for Interreligious Dialogue. In public forums and appearances he emphasises practical methods such as Meditation and Self-inquiry for developing Self awareness and understanding in everyday life.

Swami Shankarananda's teaching emphasises Kashmir Shaivism which he calls a "philosophy of Consciousness", especially its transformative practice sadhana, and the awakening of kundalini [ [http://mishmash.com.au/News.html ‘Awakening Now: Explore the possibility of another reality’, DVD, Mish Mash Multimedia Pty Ltd, 2006] ] . Swami Shankarananda is the author of six 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 [ [http://www.traditionalyogastudies.com/reviews_yoga_kashmir.html Book Review: Consciousness is Everything: The yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Georg Feuerstein] ]

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 book describing this method titled "Self-Inquiry" was published in January 2008.

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.

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)

*"Self-inquiry: using your awareness to unblock your life, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2008.
ISBN 9780975099537 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)

References

External links

* [http://www.shivayoga.org Shiva Yoga home page ]
* [http://www.the3gurus.com The Three Gurus]