• Table of Contents
  • Natural Laws and God’s Hand by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Determination by Swami Rama
  • Taiwan Seminars 2015 by Stoma
  • Programme in Gurgaon by Veena Maitra
  • The Pilgrimages By Françoise Paradot
  • Pilgrimage by Anna Stromma
  • Heat Wave Diary by Joanne Sullivan (Divya)
  • News from India by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is…
  • Inspirations by Meeta Jagtap
  • Truly Historical Day in Pune by Dr. Shirin Venkat
  • Hazel Diaries IX by Roxanne Currie
  • 2015 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is…

Sometimes students write to or ask Swami Veda and other senior teachers in our tradition questions about practice.  This is one such “Question and Answer,” or Q&A.

Question:

I would like to know which possibilities in education there are in continuing education / spiritual practice. I have done teacher trainings in the Sivananda organization (500 hr) and regularly follow courses, but I would like to go deeper into spiritual practice. Are there possibilities when you already have done teacher training courses?

Answer: Three have answered this question: Michael Smith, Lalita Arya (Ammaji), and Carolyn Hume.

From Michael Smith:

The best thing to do would be to spend some time at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) and receive counsel from the Swamis there about undertaking meditation and spiritual practices.  
The Himalayan Yoga Tradition’s Teacher Training Program (HYT-TTP) is also a Continuing Education Program. This link can provide details: http://www.himalayanyogatradition.com/progression.html#continue

From Lalita Arya (Ammaji):

Spiritual experience deepens with Guru's grace and constant devoted, dedicated and determined practice.

From Carolyn Hume:

Congratulations on your having completed a teacher training course and continuing your education. Teacher training can offer one a foundation that significantly impacts one's spiritual growth.
Sadhana is a lifetime practice of spiritual practice and growth.  Regular practice in your daily life is the main way to go deeper.  Swami Rama has said that there are 3 secrets: practice, practice, practice. And this practice includes practicing the yamas and niyamas as well as hatha, pranayama, and sitting for meditation.  I think the possibilities unfold throughout one's life, and one's understandings and realizations become deeper and more comprehensive.

I am providing you a link to an article written by Swami Veda. "The Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation" at http://ahymsin.org/main/himalayan-tradition/what-is-the-himalayan-tradition-for-yoga-meditation.html  will tell you some more about our tradition.

Many of the people who have taken teacher training courses continue to come to our ashram, Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG), for participation in the guest programmes because it gives them the opportunity to have a period of time devoted to day times filled with hatha, pranayama, and meditation. A main focus is to share with all who visit the science and philosophy of meditation. It can give one the opportunity to be with like minded people. 

Also Swami Veda Bharati is in residence at SRSG, and when his physical health allows, he sits with people staying at SRSG during the daily silent meditation; many find this to be an experience that is profound and that deepens their own practice.

Silence retreats can help one deepen one's practice. We offer guided silence retreats, both at various centers and at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama. 

In addition, at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama we offer a variety of seminars and retreats.  People who have taken teacher training courses sometimes attend these.  Please see a listing for our Upcoming Events at http://ahymsin.org/main/events-maps-schedules/upcoming-events.html   I think perhaps some of these offer continuing education units, but you would have to inquire at hyt.ttp@gmail.com  to find out for sure.

We also have a 3 to 5 year residential course called Swami Rama Dhyana Gurukulam. Come for no less than one year. School year: 1st October – 15th May. Deadline for applications: 15th August For more information, please see http://dhyanagurukulam.org/  Enquiry at: dhyanagurukulam@ahymsin.org

A list of Self-Study Readings, Recordings and Videos of Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati can be found at http://ahymsin.org/main/himalayan-tradition/standard-reading-list.html .

Editor’s Note:

If you have a question about spiritual practice, you can use this link to ask it:  http://ahymsin.org/main/adhyatma-samiti-spiritual-committee.html