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| AHYMSIN Newsletter, Issue - Mar 2013 | |||||
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Thai TTP GroupAnother Step of Himalayan Yoga Meditation, Thailand Center by Little student of Himalayan Yoga and Meditation
  In November 2012, Himalayan Yoga Meditation (Thailand) has for the first time organized a group of people from Thailand to join Teacher Training Program (TTP) at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama. I have known Swami Veda Bharati for nearly twelve years and he more than once had asked me to set a meditation group in Thailand and get people to attend TTP at his ashram. I never took action – a good example that in spite of one’s dedication to one’s own Guru, the person can still disobey his beloved Guru if he allows his own personality aspects to stand in the way. Guru always knows a disciple better than the disciple knows himself and he only asks the disciple to undertake tasks that are beneficial to developments of his disciple in all areas, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Yet, Guru’s love for a disciple is always reflected in his patience and understanding (of disciple’s limitation and weaknesses).   Finally, I decided to send out invitation to people in Thailand to join the TTP program last year, not expecting more than 2 people (myself included) to participate. However, we ended up with nine participants. Not only the number surprised us, the names were least expected while how each of them finally decided to join was also unique on each own term. Some people also noticed that to join TTP in 2012 could be very special for all of us because it was the last year before Swami Veda enters 5-7 years silence. For whatever reason, it appeared to be Guru’s will to have all of us there during this particular time of our lives. To our astonishment, we found out at the Ashram that TTP is actually a program about “Self Transformation” more than anything else. This means that home study, self-discipline and commitment are much bigger parts than the two week training program at the Ashram. If we can follow the guideline exactly (which would be extremely difficult for most people), in 4 years, we can expect some positive transformation within ourselves. But when I deeply reflected on this concept called “Self Transformation”, I realize that it is a long, continuous process that stretches over many life times. The process will not be complete until one’s own Self-realization (equivalent to Enlightenment in Buddhism). When the two week program the Ashram was completed and all of us awarded acknowledgement certificate, I knew that this was just one of small steps in launching a tiny boat into a vast (spiritual) ocean, aiming to cross over (the samsāra) to the other shore. I wondered at the time, how many of us would continue through the TTP program, not to mention crossing the ocean of samsāra that seems so endless.   Well, two months later (January 19-20 2013), the group has taken a further step – we were all able to come together at Hua Hin, one of the most famous beaches in Thailand, for our first retreat. Also, a few people who had not officially taken TTP (but they joined our trip to the Ashram in November) would like to be part of the group so that they can learn more about the teachings of Swami Rama and more importantly about themselves. It seems like Gurus always have their own ways to work out their missions through each of us. Surrender to Guru force is one of the best ways to progress spiritually. Going as a group  As all of us have different worldly responsibilities and personal affairs to handle, we realize that the best way to meet the requirements of TTP is to work as a group. We decided to work together and go along at the same pace so that none of us is left behind. We can support and help each other to move ahead. At this stage, this is our group’s strategy and policy and we will keep refining our process as we track along. First, we aim to complete the first two assignments and cover the materials recommended before completing these assignments. We divided the work among ourselves, with each taking responsibility to lead the discussion of the topic he/she was assigned to. In this way, we can slowly build up confidence and leadership among all of us.   The most important thing from this experience is that it provides an excellent opportunity for all of us to handle relationship among us; Swami Veda said that when one wants to know if he/she is progressing spiritually, then one needs to examine the quality of his/her relationship with other people. Within our TTP group, we need to learn how to be open-mined, flexible and tolerant of each other. We need to learn how to make sacrifice for others and at the same time to take assistance from others. We need to learn how to provide selfless services and see how much purification effects they have on our minds and emotions and these should be ongoing process. During the two-day retreat, we benefitted so much from the topics we discussed as most of us have our own personal experiences that help us to relate well to the teachings. Swami Veda encouraged us to carefully list our weaknesses and to see clearly what kind of strengths in us that have been reduced by those weaknesses. He also told us to look for our strengths (that are not affected by weaknesses) so that we can better utilize them in our daily lives.   One of his teachings left very interesting insight for us to contemplate. He said that a weak mind is like a rock and a strong mind is like a water, which can over time wear away the rock and turn it into sand. If one wants to develop strong mind, one needs to cultivate the quality of water, which is resilient, flexible but at the same time can be very powerful. This is in sharp contrast to general understanding that if we want to be seen as strong people, we should be like a rock. Swamiji suggested that we include the assessment of our strengths and weaknesses in our journal as well. We are encouraged by him to test our emotional strengths or weaknesses by intentionally omitting things that we are so used to or things that give comfort to us; for instance, skipping one meal per week, selecting one of our bad habits and having commitment not to do that for extended period. These things appear easy but I am sure everyone has similar experience that to overcome one’s own undesirable habits is not that simple. I am also delighted to see stronger connection with Himalayan traditions developed in some of us. Svetlana said she feels Swami Rama is her Guru although she never met him in person because everything he said is so inspiring. She was assigned to discuss some chapters from Living with Himalayan Masters and she told the story from the book so beautifully and inspiringly. Our program also includes the fun part – having fun should not be an obstacle as long as we know where we are heading to. We had yoga on the beach (not exactly Ashutosh’s style….but in our morning hatha classes, we try to include essential parts of his teaching as far as each of us can). During an afternoon break, we were gifted with Kaushiki dances from Anne (Supawadee) and May (Mayurachat). Overall, we accomplished our goals. Some of us had doubt at the beginning that this kind of retreat would work but in the end their doubts have been cleared. Of course, it is not a guaranteed success formula, but to be able to change their perspectives is a great thing in itself as it could open new doors that lead to the next steps in the future. I pray that all of us find way to deepen our links to the tradition and grow in inner strength and wisdom. I would like to thank everybody who participated in this retreat; without contributions from each of you , we would not have accomplished what we had. My special appreciation goes to Mayurachat (May), who came up with this initiative and generously provided nice and free accommodation. Finally, our gratitude to Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati, who represent Himalayan Lineage and all Enlightened Beings who have secretly inspired us and guided us to this point in our lives. Our next retreat would be in May, when we would be blessed with the presence of Swami Ritavan Bharati and Ashutosh Sharma. — Little student of Himalayan Yoga and Meditation ParticipantsMs. Darunee Temeyajaraswong Editor's Note Himalayan Yoga Meditation (Thailand) is pleased to invite you to join a yoga / meditation course, "Explore the Richness of Inner Life", with Swami Ritavan Bharati and Ashutosh Sharma on Saturday and Sunday, 18th - 19th May 2013, in a peaceful surrounding at Baan Phu Waan Sampran Nakhon Prathom. With many interesting and useful topics such as Yoga Nidra and Hatha Yoga as philosophy for daily living. Also, a discussion on similarity and difference of the utimate goal of each path such as Anatta/Atman, Nirvana/Brahman/Union with God (see details in the leaflet) Interested persons, please contact svbretreat2012@gmail.com To read about the November 2012 teacher training retreat that the Thai sadhakas attended, please use this link: ttp://www.ahymsin.org/docs2/News/1212Dec/03.html
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