Throughout the country, people were in awe of Sunandaji’s powerful presentations and practical wisdom.

If you missed the talks, then have a look and listen to the videos that we have prepared for you on YouTube & Facebook.

“There is no cosmetic for beauty like Happiness.”

Beauty is not something that is painted on, beauty comes from within. No matter how much we lather expensive creams or layer luxurious makeup, nothing can compete with the natural beauty that comes from inner happiness.

Happiness is an internal experience, gained when there are no agitations. Most people know only one method of gaining happiness and that is by fulfilling their personal desires. This method of gaining happiness is endless and the happiness experienced is temporary.

But, there is another method. This method, which is hardly known, brings permanent happiness and will be presented by Sunandaji at her public seminars in Australia this month.

Sunandaji is the daughter of Swami Parthasarathy, who is acclaimed as one of the globes greatest gurus.

Sunandaji began public speaking in 1986 at the age of 29. Since then she has been lecturing and conducting management seminars throughout the world. Her clear and powerful presentations are acclaimed by prestigious organisations, such as the Young Presidents Organisation and Harvard University.

Sunandaji’s message is simple, yet profound: When we act without ego and expectation we gain peace, success and happiness.

Sunandaji says, “When things aren’t going the way we want them to in life, there’s no use blaming the world. We need to look into our own thoughts and expectations and when we correct our thinking, then our perception of the world changes.”

Winding the clock back five decades, Sunandaji had a rare and privileged childhood. Surrounded by sages, she grew up in Chinmayananda’s ashram in Mumbai. It was there that her father studied and researched Vedanta for 20 years and Sunandaji has been immersed in the subject ever since.

Vedanta is the eternal philosophy of life and living, which gives us peace of mind, clarity, vitality and happiness. Vedanta originates from the Vedas, the ancient Indian spiritual texts, thousands of years BC.

Vedanta examines the human personality and explains the difference between our mind and intellect. Our mind is a constant flow of thoughts, like water flowing in a river, while our intellect is like the riverbanks, stabilising the flow and giving it direction.

Our intellect is that which gives stability to our personality, but for years the worldwide focus has been on gaining intelligence. Intelligence makes us brilliant in one or more subjects, but it cannot help us when we are faced with difficulties in life, such as trauma and loss. Just to be able to cope with everyday challenges we need to develop and strengthen our intellect.

Not realising the vital role the intellect plays in life, humanity has ignored and neglected its development.

“The consequences of such negligence are immeasurable.” Says Swami Parthasarathy in his  bestselling book ‘The Fall of the Human Intellect.’

Worry, anxiety, stress and depression are just some of the ramifications. Crime, terrorism, vandalism and militancy are the extremes.

It is our therefore primary responsibility to develop our intellect to remove bitterness and stress and promote peace and happiness within and with others.

The German Philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, said, “It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.”

“And we’re all trying to find it anywhere else.” Says Sunandaji.

“Everyone deserves to be happy, but lasting happiness can only be achieved by developing our intellect. Our intellect is like a muscle; it needs to be strengthened and Vedanta provides the perfect gym for strengthening the intellect. This gives us the success and happiness we are all looking for in life.” Says Sunandaji.

“When I was seven I watched my uncle, a sheep farmer, cut a lamb’s throat. I was horrified and ran away screaming!

The thought of that beautiful lamb being killed for someone’s lunch haunted me for years, but becoming a Vegetarian was not an option in my meat-eating family. It was not until I was eighteen that I boycotted meat-eating for good.

Today, many people ask me why I became a Vegetarian and to avoid complication I simply say that I don’t like the taste.

If they probe further I tell them there are two reasons: firstly, vegetarian food promotes calmness and concentration and secondly, when you identify with all animals as much as you identify with your own family pet how can you possibly eat them?”

Following are some of Meredith’s favourite Vegetarian quotes:

“For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.” ~ Pythagorus (6th century BC)

“A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite.” ~ Leo Tolstoy

“Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” ~ Albert Einstein

“The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined.  If beef is your idea of “real food for real people” you’d better live real close to a real good hospital.” ~ Neal Barnard, M.D.

“Vegetarian food leaves a deep impression on our nature. If the whole world adopts vegetarianism, it can change the destiny of humankind.” ~ Albert Einstein

“While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?” ~ George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

“Flesh eating is unprovoked murder.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

“If man wants freedom why keep birds and animals in cages? Truly man is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds them.

I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.” ~ Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

“Awareness is bad for the meat business. Conscience is bad for the meat business. Sensitivity to life is bad for the meat business. DENIAL, however, the meat business finds indispensable.” ~ John Robbins, Diet for a New America

“When we kill the animals to eat them, they end up killing us because their flesh, which contains cholesterol and saturated fat, was never intended for human beings.” ~ William C. Roberts M.D., editor of The American Journal of Cardiology

“We all love animals. Why do we call some ‘pets’ and others ‘dinner?’” ~ K.d. Lang

“If you knew how meat was made, you’d probably lose your lunch.” ~ K.d. Lang

“As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields.” ~ Leo Tolstoy

“Heart attacks… God’s revenge for eating his little animal friends.” ~ Author Unknown

“Men dig their graves with their own teeth and die by those fated instruments more than the weapons of their enemies.” ~ Thomas Moffett

“Animals, like man, feel pleasure and pain, happiness and misery.” ~ Charles Darwin

“Until he extends the circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Gandhi

“To become vegetarian is to step into the stream which leads to Nirvana.” ~ Buddha

“The most energetic workers I have encountered in my world travels are the vegetarian miners of Chile.” ~ Charles Darwin

Sunandaji says, “People want peace and they want prosperity, but they can only find one or the other.”

In today’s fast-paced world, people are distressed by demanding schedules and deadlines. The only way they know how to find peace is by escaping work.

“That’s why everyone looks forward to Friday evenings, holidays and early retirement.” She says.

Vedanta is the science of life and living. It teaches us how to live a dynamic life with perfect peace of mind.

This October Sunandaji will be in Australia to present talks in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

With over 10 years experience, Aasha prefers the traditional form of hatha yoga, which combines asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises) and relaxation techniques, to bring about balance and harmony to all aspects of the body.

Some of the benefits include removal of  physical discomfort, gained flexibility and strength, muscle tone, maintenance of a healthy spine, better breathing, relaxation and greater awareness.

Aasha says, “With the pressures and pace of life as they are, taking the time for yoga is invaluable. Furthermore, its practice complements the philosophy of Vedanta, making for a complete refinement of both the outer and inner personalities to encourage one to know one’s true Self within.” space.

Aasha’s classes are held in Claremont, Western Australia. Please contact Aasha for details 0438 398 966.

And he answered: You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?

There are those who give little of the much which they have – and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving; And is there naught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given;

Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors’.

You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.”

The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.

They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.

And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.

And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?

And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?

See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.

For in truth it is life that gives unto life – while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.

And you receivers – and you are all receivers – assume no weight of gratitude, les you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.

Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;

For to be over-mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.