Truth Consciousness publishes the books and audio and video Satsangs of Swami Amar Jyoti, Light of Consciousness Journal of Spiritual Awakening, the Prayer & Meditation Wall Calendar, Kirtan and Sacred Chants, and other inspiring publications available on this website and at the ashrams.

We cordially invite you to become a supporter of Truth Consciousness. Your donations support the light-bringing work of Truth Consciousness. Truth Consciousness is a 501(c)3 non-profit spiritual organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible. Any amount is welcome. You will receive a receipt by email. Donations may be submitted using our secure online credit card purchasing system below, by mail or by phone to Desert Ashram, 3403 W. Sweetwater Dr., Tucson AZ 85745-9301, Phone: 520-743-8821. Please be sure to specify that the amount is for a donation.

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A small number of monastic disciples—monks and nuns—reside at each ashram. A simple, balanced blending of the inner life with outer service helps us maintain a spiritual focus.

You are invited to join us for a quiet personal retreat. Each ashram has limited retreat accommodations with space for relaxation, contemplation, meditation and prayer. Guests are welcome to participate in ashram life, joining the residents in their aspiration to make each moment an offering to the Divine.

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A simple, balanced blending of the inner life of meditation and prayer with outer service encourages each resident disciple to maintain the spiritual focus. Every aspect of life and every activity, whether

prayer, meditation, worship, hatha yoga, walking, work or study becomes part of spiritual practice, with the aspiration to become purified in body and mind, and to make each moment an offering to the Lord. Guests are welcome to visit the ashrams. To arrange a visit at non-program times, please call in advance.

SATSANG—COMMUNION WITH TRUTH

The major program at every ashram is Satsang, where devotees gather to imbibe Master’s transforming spiritual discourses. The words of the Master resonate within the mind and heart of the listener, awakening the inner wisdom that liberates the soul. Literally “communion with Truth” (from the Sanskrit), Satsang is the direct and awakening communication of the Satguru with each soul to realize our oneness with the Divine. In the Light and solace of His truth, we emerge purified, renewed and inspired on our spiritual journey.

MEDITATION, RETREATS AND OTHER PROGRAMS

The ashrams offer programs every week year-round, and all sincere seekers are welcome. Satsang is held twice weekly (Sunday and Thursday evenings), preceded by chanting and followed by meditation. Aarati (chanting of mantras and worship) is offered each morning and evening followed by meditation. Retreats are available; please inquire for details. Voluntary service (karma yoga) forms an integral part of the ashramites’ and devotees’ lives. For study, the ashrams maintain excellent libraries. There is no charge for any of these programs. Donations are always appreciated. Visitors are welcome to attend programs. Visitors are welcome by prior arrangement.  To arrange a visit at non-program times, please call in advance.

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Founded in 1974 by  Swami Amar Jyoti

Truth Consciousness is a non-profit spiritual organization that maintains ashrams based upon Sanatana Dharma (the eternal religion) and devoted to the unfolding of consciousness. The ashrams are universal and nondenominational, respecting all Prophets and faiths.

We cordially invite you to become a supporter of Truth Consciousness. Your donations support the light-bringing work of Truth Consciousness. Truth Consciousness is a 501(c)3 non-profit spiritual organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible. Any amount is welcome. You will receive a receipt by email. Donations may be submitted using our secure online credit card purchasing system below, by mail or by phone to Desert Ashram, 3403 W. Sweetwater Dr. Tucson AZ 85745-9301, Phone: 520-743-8821. Please be sure to specify that the amount is for a donation.

Image © Igor Mojzes | Dreamstime.com

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Human evolution and upliftment of consciousness do not come about through cultural or technological advance, but more by the blessing of spiritual unfoldment. In this sacred process, the Master-disciple relationship is paramount, so much so that it is known as the highest of all relationships on earth.

It is the Guru who helps awaken the sleeping consciousness within each soul to the eternal Truth, the Oneness of the Divine and all creation. The Guru brings each soul a vision for an awakened life, based upon spiritual principles, through Satsang (Sanskrit: Communion with Truth), Spiritual Retreats and personal guidance.

To foster this awakening, a firm foundation is needed, based upon the principles of Dharma, which is Sanskrit for “that which upholds”—Righteousness, Truth, Divine Law. Virtues such as truthfulness, humility, faith, purity and devotion are inherently Dharmic. This is the classical path of spirituality upon which Swami Amar Jyoti guides each seeker with love and compassion toward transformation.

Reverently addressed as Gurudeva, He is a Satguru (True Guru) in the ancient and timeless tradition of the Teachers of Mankind. He has authored a number of transformational books and His published Satsangs—a treasure of the highest wisdom—comprise more than 700 spiritual discourses available on CD and Audiocasette. With sparkling humor and loving wisdom, these illuminating Satsangs cover every aspect of life and the spiritual path, revealing humanity’s purpose and ultimate goal: realization of our Divinity within.

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See more and order here

Our Autumn Special issue, MEDITATION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES, includes articles to encourage and inspire you on your own chosen path. Featuring Swami Amar Jyoti’s Satsang: Sadhana: Faith and Devotion in Spiritual Practices, this issue also includes Transforming Suffering by Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Not Complaining-But Taking Responsibility by Tsem Rinpoche, Parenting With Presence by Susan Stiffelman, Unplug: Breaking Free from Habitual, Stressful Patterns by Sharon Salzberg, To Live a Sacred Life by Rivvy Neshama and more. The Autumn issue is available at your local bookstore, on iPad and other online newsstands, and at our website here.

Read and share a sample of Light of Consciousness Digital Edition.

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~ SWAMI AMAR JYOTI

“Swami Amar Jyoti was one of the most insightful, gentle and inspiring teachers that I was fortunate to meet. His book Consciousness: Where Science and Spirituality Meet is one of the best explanations available of the secrets of universal awareness. It makes easily accessible to the modern reader the profound system of Vedanta and its transformative path of Self-knowledge. The book will be of great help to Yoga practitioners, meditators and spiritual aspirants everywhere. We look forward to additional titles in the series of Swamiji’s books.”

–Dr. David Frawley, D. Litt., author of Shiva: The Lord of Yoga and Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide

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Summertime Projects

Repairs and renovations are in full swing during these few summer months on our mountaintop. After 30+ years, our greenhouse had a complete makeover this year with new polycarbonate panels and rebuilt screens on the four louvre windows. Plans are under way for a new watering system and with more light coming in, we are happily contemplating more varieties of veggies in the coming years.

• A sunken cement area outside Shakti Dham (ladies residence) that had been causing a room inside to flood was raised using a modern process of “mud jacking.” More exterior work for this “Yucca Pod” structure, designed 50 years ago by Boulder architect Charles Haertling, is planned.
• The yurt that served us well for years had been falling apart for decades, so what remained, primarily the deck, was dismantled in July. The wooden entry has been converted into a gazebo we have named Aspen Kutir, with a new roof and fascia. We plan to eventually make it into a rustic summer cabin for retreat guests.
• Florence Lodge at Sevalaya had some badly needed restoration. We plan to remodel this carriage house to make it into a 2-bedroom retreat cottage in the near future.
• The Annapurna gazebo, damaged by age and 100+ mph winds last January, was re-roofed with asphalt shingles to match Annapurna dome. The cedar shakes that were removed will be used for kindling in our many wood stoves.
• Our second annual yoga class Seva Day took place on July 18th. Much gratitude to everyone who came and helped in so many ways. It was heartening to see the yoginis, their spouses and their children painting, gardening, and helping clear building refuse from the greenhouse and dismantled yurt platform. Afterwards everyone share a meal at Annapurna.
• Rains in recent years have caused flooding inside the greenhouse, so in early August local earth movers sculpted and leveled the land to allow water to run away from the greenhouse. In addition, they removed  old footers at yurt site and cleared boulder strewn paths near Shakti Dham for safer walking year-round.

Lakshmi, Buddha and Krishna
New statues of Lakshmi and Buddha were installed in their respective places: Buddha at the Aspiration sculpture and Lakshmi in the sunken garden that we have renamed Lakshmi’s Garden. New stepping stones were placed in the area before Krishna in the Garden of Prophets.
Higher Consciousness Retreat
We are only a few days away from our summer retreat on August 8-10 when we will listen to Gurudeva’s Enlightenment Retreat. Everyone who is coming has expressed gratitude for this time of meditation and spiritual renewal. Throughout the summer and autumn our guesthouse will be available for personal retreats. Let us know well in advance if you would like to come for a few days to a few weeks of prayer, meditation, Satsang, kirtan, silence and solitude. We look forward to sharing this heavenly land blessed by Gurudeva.

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~ SWAMI AMAR JYOTI

It’s our joy and privilege to share with you the various happenings at Gurudeva’s ashrams. And to thank all of you who keep in touch, give us feedback, support us in many ways, and let us know that Gurudeva is a significant and living presence in your life.

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On May 4th we celebrated Buddha Purnima which falls 2 days prior to Gurudeva’s Birthday.  Mantras were chanted, kheer (rice pudding) was offered to Buddha, we listened to a lovely Satsang about Buddha’s life and all shared the prasad.

Gurudeva’s Birthday

According to the Vedic calendar, Gurudeva’s Birthday fell on May 6th this year, the same date as His birth year. This was a specially blessed day of celebration and remembrance of the Love He embodied. We offered Aarati and Puja, shared stories, chanted and saw His Satsang video, The Liberated Soul. A festive Indian meal was served for Master along with a beautiful birthday cake. It was truly a heavenly day for all those fortunate to attend.

Gurudeva’s Mahasamadhi

We observed Gurudeva’s Mahasamadhi (conscious departure) with Satsang on the 12th night and meditation on the 13th at the time of His passing, 3 am MDT. As the dawn arrived we offered Aarati and sat in that incredible peace He bestows. At Sacred Mountain Ashram, we offered havan, Vedic fire ceremony, on a grassy area east of Annapurna. At Desert Ashram we listened to Gurudeva’s Satsang, The Highest Relationship, reminding us that there is no relationship as deep and sacred as the Guru and disciple.

Guru Purnima

Reverently and joyfully we celebrated Guru Purnima on July 31st, a day to renew our dedication to the guiding Light of the Guru, the wayshower and bestower of ultimate Liberation.

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