Sannyasa is not a profession, it is an opportunity given by God: Bishop Dr.Samuel Mar Irenius

Pothencode: Bishop Dr. Samuel Mar Irenaios, the President of Pathanamthitta Diocese of Malankara Catholic Church, said that  Sannyasa is not a profession, it is an opportunity given by God.  It is the inner peace that controls the senses and identifies with God.  Sanyasis are those who carry the signature of God.  He was speaking while  the meeting held today (Thursday 29-09-2022) at 10am at Santhigiri Ashram Spiritual Zone Conference Hall in connection with the 38th Sannyasa Deeksha Varshikam celebrations. Gurus are holy births born here making the presence of God felt.  Guru is the light that moves the world.  The calmness,meditative life, self-sacrifice, dedication, and self-effacing life of the gurus are the wealth of the world.

India is a land of Rishis. This country with its foundation of spirituality can never be broken.  The bishop said that he had been able to learn about the teachings of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru and this earth is so full of his radiance that one cannot even say the word samadhi about the Guru. Santhigiri Ashram is a platform of friendship, unity of heartland sharing.  The monastic community of the Ashram is different.  Even young people are initiated here.  He told the members of the Guru Dharma Prakasa Sabha that they should have the necessary vigilance to accept the call of God and organize their lives accordingly.   It is not enough that you give whatever you have; what is important is giving your heart.   We should see the pain of the poor, marginalized and sick people as our own pain, he reminded the sannyasis.

A sannyasi should be one who struggles against himself.  He must fight and fight and gain victory over himself.  If not, you will lose your life by fighting with others.  Never lose the sparkle in your eyes and the grace in the face.  Sannyasis are also plain human beings.  Every sanyasi must become a warrior who constantly gains victory over the senses to overcome the forces of evil through physical and emotional surrender. Fasting and prayer are the means to gain that victory over materialism. He also said that one should not be enslaved to pride and gain victory over the ego. Sannyasis and sannyasins never lose their fatherhood and motherhood. By seeing the people of the world as one’s own children, these two aspects are broadened.  Material attachments should be sacrificed with the knife of poverty-vow. The neck of ego must be cut with the knife of obedience. Weaknesses should be subjugated by celibacy.  An ascetic’s life is one of surrender, not capture. One should be able to find happiness through Sannyasa. Never see it as a burden.  Asceticism is the path to simplicity. It is the grandeur in the path of simplicity.  He said that the sanyasis should become healers through dedication and the Sanyasi Sangha of Santhigiri should become the face of the society.  Sri Karunakara Guru taught us not to live lonely in the forests, but to live with the vision of “Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam”.  The Bishop concluded his speech stating that ascetic life is complete self-surrender and is not limited by any compulsion.  Seventy members of the Gurudharma Prakasha  Sabha participated in the meeting  presided over by the Ashram General Secretary Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi.