May 09, 2025; Ishvar Parvat, Phulchatti
Book Release: The Light In-Between: A Journey of Recognition
The autobiography of Bettina Sharada Bäumer, 'The Light In-Between: A Journey of Recognition', covers her life from childhood in Austria, her way to India and her spiritual as well as intellectual path, bridging Europe and India. It describes her close contacts with important spiritual and academic personalities such as R. Panikkar, Swami Abhishiktananda, scholars like Kapila Vatsyayan and Alice Boner in the fields of Indian Art. This path finally led her to the living tradition of Kashmir Shaivism as personified in the Guru Swami Lakshman Joo. By studying and translating the important texts of Kashmir Shaivism she has contributed to the continuation of the tradition. In her teaching of these texts over 25 years she has combined the spiritual with the textual aspects. Thus the book also contains a kind of personal introduction to this tradition which has much to contribute towards addressing the problems humanity is facing at this crucial moment of history.
This book is the outcome of an academic project of the Austrian Fund for Scientific Research (FWF), located at the University of Salzburg, which has collected and archived important biographical material.
The book was released with a small ritual at Dhyan Mandir, Ishvar Parvat, which can be viewed on her YouTube Channel.
Available from the Publisher: Order Online
Available on Amazon: Order Online
Table of Contents: Download here
Video: Book Release Ceremony
February 18 - 19, 2025; Tiruvannamalai
Satsanga with Ramanacaranatirtha Sri Nochur Swami
Bettina Sharada paid a visit to Tiruvannamalai and Arunachala in February (before Shivaratri), where she attended the ongoing teaching of Ramanacaranatirtha Sri Nochur Swami. Since she offered him a copy of her latest book “Pasyanti”, he chanced upon the hymn Anuttarastika by Abhinavagupta. He was inspired to teach this hymn on two consecutive days (18th-19th February). On the second day he requested her to give a brief introduction to Abhinavagupta and Kashmir Shaivism, which she did spontaneously. His special interest was also in the spiritual connection between Kashmir and its Advaita and the South, historically, as well as in the 20th century unique encounter between Swami Lakshman Joo and Sri Ramana Maharshi. This meeting and the shared teaching was very touching for everyone and there was great interest o know more about this connection.
Anuttaraashtika (Video 1): Watch here
Anuttaraashtika (Video 2): Watch here
February 12, 2025; Sirigere, Karnataka
Taralabalu Purnima Mahotsava
Dr. Shivamurthy Mahaswamiji of Taralabalu Brihanmath in Sirigere, Karnataka, invited Bettina Sharada to the annual festival of the Virashaiva community, on their Taralabalu Purnima Mahotsava, and requested her to give a speech to the assembled devotees (over one Lakh in audience). It was a great honor and experience to be a part of this festival, and the speech was well received by Swamiji and other dignitaries. It was also translated into Kannada.
Swamiji extended a wonderful hospitality at his centre in Bangalore, and at his Ashram Shantivana in Sirigere. It was an occasion for sharing memories and thoughts about the future.
Video recording of speech: Watch on YouTube
August 16, 2024; Salzburg
Meeting with Brother David Steindl-Rast
A blessed meeting with Brother David Steindl-Rast took place in Salzburg on August 16, 2024. It was inspiring to share experiences with him. Brother David is 98 now, but intellectually and spiritually lively as ever. I could express my deep gratitude that it was he who invited me to give retreat seminars in the ‘House of Silence’ at Puregg, which I continued for 20 years. To revive this connection, we went to Puregg with friends.
August 07, 2024
Book Release: 'Bettina Sharada Bäumer - ein Leben zwischen Indien und Europa' by Christian Hackbarth-Johnson
"Bettina Sharada Bäumer - ein Leben zwischen Indien und Europa : Biographische Studie zur interreligiösen Existenz der österreichischen Religionswissenschaftlerin, Band 1: 'Man muss flexibel sein!' Kindheit und Jugend (1940-1964), Innsbruck-Wien, Tyrolia, 2024" authored by Christian Hackbarth-Johnson.The book has been published as part of a research project at the Center for Intercultural Theology, University of Salzburg, with the generous support of FWF (Austrian Scientific Fund). The second Volume is still work-in-progress.
Available at: www.amazon.de/Bettina-Sharada-B%C3%A4umer-interreligi%C3%B6sen-%C3%B6sterreichischen/dp/3702241655
April 17, 2023
Book Donation to Ishvar Parvat Samvidalaya Library
On 17th April, 2023, the Jayanti Puja of Swami Lakshman Joo has been celebrated in the Dhyan Mandir of Ishvar Parvat, in the presence of the students of the Advaita Bhakti Retreat and members of the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama in Rishikesh. Pandit Sameer Jotshi was the celebrant.
It was fitting in that context that Professor S.K. Sopory and Srimati Meena Sopory paid a visit to Ishvar Parvat on 19th till 21st April. After the mahasamadhi of Sushri Prabha Deviji they came for the first time and brought her blessings and a precious donation of books for the Samvidalaya Library. Deviji had destined them for this ashram since they contain books which she has received from Swami Lakshman Joo and her own books, with the trust that they will be used for sadhana and study of Trika Shaivism, to continue the tradition. We the Trustees are extremely grateful to Deviji and to Professor and Mrs Sopory for taking care of her inheritance in all respects.
We are planning to get an annotated list or catalogue prepared which can also be put online. These precious books will engage me for years to come to receive Swamiji’s and Deviji’s blessings and understanding of the tradition.
