Family Summer Camp in Greece in 2024

Greece 2024 2
Greece 2024 (2)
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The second year of the Ahymsin Family Summer Camp is already completed with great joy of all of us. This time we can call it a European gathering, as most of the participants were from Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece. It was really a beautiful meeting of people of different ages, from one year old to almost 80 years old. The central theme we worked on was “We are all one, nobody is alone”, as is stated by our Gurus, and in many ways united by our dreams and our purpose in life. To evolve not only respecting our material part but evolving in the spiritual realm.

The participant family members said it all. Nothing to add.  In the following lines, I tried to mention everything at least once, except our appreciation of the wonderful nature that is really a gift from God and from the scouts that take care of the place. Here is what was shared with us by the participants

  • The teachers were like mothers who took good care of us during the classes. Their presence was like a balsam in the heart. Great location.
  • I liked karma yoga, planting included. I enjoyed that time with all the children and the parents.
  • I like one hour a day meditation, videos of Swami Rama and/or Swami Veda. This retreat was great. Thank you all.
  • Everything was wonderful, unique. We learned a lot, we felt even more, and I wish everything becomes part of our life. I wish from my heart that this collective present continues to be given to us.
  • Thank you for inviting us to this beautiful camp, in this wonderful nature. I could get closer to myself, and I could learn a lot about slowing down. Bless you!
  • Thank you for helping me in deeper understanding Ahymsa. Blessed we are to be here.
  • What did I like most? The people. What did I like less? I tried to think of something for recommendation for next year, but nothing came to my mind.
  • What did I enjoy? Yoga classes, lovely teachers, food, good location and good price, kirtan. What to improve? Beach time, not 11.00-13.00 when the UV rays and temperature is the highest. More attention to special diets. More time at the beach on the trip day.
  • It was nice to have the plan of the day written on the board. It was nice being so close to the sea, I loved the day trip to the temple of Artemis and museum and being informed about the site in advance. Meeting the people here, everyone was very kind.
  • Dear all of you, dear each of you being all-one. Thank you for all the blessed energy!
  • Two important activities I liked: we played the “Treasure Hunt” and “Shadow Theatre”, the first showed us how many common things we have among and around us, and the second how much we are one and connected with nature. They both pointed out the interconnection with all beings.
  • Some children said : I liked the sea, the program but most of all, the people….. It was a community of people. I like cultivated earth and cultivated people. ……It has been very fun, beautiful. I liked it because in one day we did many different things like yoga, beach, play, rest, karma yoga. I enjoyed the museum. I felt fine with everyone because everyone was kind.

A few good tips were given to us in terms of improving some organizational aspects, which will help us to improve our service next year. We will have more meditation every day and more short videos by Swami Rama and Swami Veda and discussion, as we this time saw a part of the life of Mahatma Gandhi, after the outing day.

We express our gratitude to our Gurus and teachers that guided and protected us.

Thank you to all wonderful participants from Europe and different parts of Greece!

Thank you to the Scouts who offered this exceptional piece of land near Athens, that is imbibed with beautiful energy, and Scout Mr. Stathis who fed us with tasteful Greek specialties.

Thank you Christos Voinas Foteinas and Panayotis Foteinas Voinas for the photos and video.

Thank you to all teachers, who travelled from their countries to offer their services to the Himalayan Tradition: Carmen Lai (Italy and the Nederlands) and Louise Molenkamp (The Nederlands), Timi Varga (Hungary), Tamara Soru, Laura Linzi and Marilou Pistrito (Italy), Sofia (Greece).

A big thank you to the organizing team, who offered their services during the whole year to prepare the Family Summer Camp in a way that all ages were nourished in many different aspects, felt happy and were filled with love: Tamara Soru (Mozambique and Italy), Timi Varga (Hungary), Athina Papadopoulou, Anna Zaharopoulou, Irene Laskaratou, Sofia Foteina (Greece).

From the organizing team

By Sofia


Editor’s Note:

To know more about the Summer Camp in Greece in 2024, you may want to read

Summer Camp in Greece in 2024 by Louise Molenkamp – https://www.ahymsin.org/summer-camp-in-greece-in-2024-2/

Kalyana Mitra

November 24th, 2013

Welcome to all. Thank you for being here for this miniature sangha gathering.  It makes me feel warm all over.

Surrender your seat to the Guru.

Count your breaths for 3 minutes. When counting your breaths and doing any breath awareness practice, observe with care that there is no pause between the breaths.There are many advanced teachers and mantra initiators here. Do take advantage of their presence and direct your questions to them. They are going to get bored by my very elementary course.

Purpose of the course: Many people remain confused about how to use such enormous materials we have available. Many are not even aware of what is available and how to use it. Swami Rama started teaching in USA in 1969; this is 44 years of teaching and publication. There is the need to sort out the materials and use them.

A kalyana mitra is who? I have intentionally not used the word TEACHER. Some people say: I am not interested in being a teacher. Others say, oh, I have already done my teacher training!! A brother is a kalyana mitra, a neighbor, parents, children, school teacher.

Anyone on the street who helps you in guidance or whom you help.  Both for your benefit and for those for whom you are serving as kalyana mitra.

We need to create a worldwide kalyana mitra system. All kalyana mitras, are noble friends on the path.
Because in the teaching you are moved by compassion (karuna), you want to reduce the suffering of all living beings. So you offer yourself as kalyana mitra, a Noble Friend, to all:

  1. Help them to the extent that your knowledge reaches.
  2. Keep increasing your knowledge by way of
    1. sakshatkara, spiritual realization
    2. svadhyaya, self-study which is being guided.

We have announced the course as WHAT AFTER MANTRA, but many are not even aware as to WHAT BEFORE MANTRA. Many are receiving mantras without prior preparation. When you first want to introduce the path to someone, give him/her Swami Rama’s business card: the book Living with the Himalayan Masters. The company you are working for is the company of sages. This is the first book, it is a miracle book. I have heard of miracle stories about the book. Then go further to know about Swami Rama by reading:

  1. Walking with a Himalayan Master by Justin O’Brien. Let our bookstore advise you how to obtain it or look up YES Publishers.
  2. There are four volumes of At the Feet of a Himalayan Master, published by HIHT (our hospital). Here is the 4th volume [showing it to the people present].

Justin O’Brien’s book and the 4 volumes are optional. The business card is the most important.

I am busy working on two books:

  • refining my first volume of the Yoga sutras
  • writing the 3rd volume on Yoga sutras. The 3rd chapter of Yoga sutras is very complex. On Sutra 13 alone I have written 40 pages. The current sutra 17 will be 100 pages (on one sutra).

How many of you have read my Yoga sutra commentaries? Raise hands? 10-15 people. It cannot be understood without the mastery of Sankhya philosophy.

So, these are basic readings in preparation for mantra initiation:

  1. Living with the Himalayan Masters
  2. Superconscious Meditation – videos by Swami Rama, available from the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
  3. Superconscious Meditation – Swami Veda’s book
  4. Night Birds – Swami Veda’s book. If that is too much reading, there are small booklets Beginning MeditationHimalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation (most people have not studied it)
  5. Royal Path (used to be called Lectures on Yoga) – Swami Rama´s book. Some selections are important.

All teachers know the practicum preparations: relaxation (shavasana), diaphragmatic breathing (in makarasanashavasana, sitting postures—and at all times, which most people neglect), nadi shodhana, breath awareness. Always encourage people to master these practices.

There are times when an initiator agrees to give a mantra initiation even without such a preparation. In that case, make sure that it is explained that immediately after receiving the initiation one will complete these readings and practicums. No mantra appointment without such a promise. For more information consult typescript on “what is initiation”.

Where should a person go from a place where there is no centre and no teacher of our tradition?

There are many options. I urge our lecturing teachers to explain these options.

Can you remember what happened at your mantra initiation? Many people ask what will happen at the initiation. So write out your own memory of it. Refresh it. And explain it.

Many people arrive for initiation and cannot sit properly. Make sure you make arrangements for them to learn to sit correctly. Many people, especially Indians, start reciting the mantra as soon as it is whispered into their ears. Please explain that mantra is for internal, inward, absorption only. It is not a chant that many Indians think and start chanting. Again, it is for inward absorption only: not using the mouth or tongue at all. These things should be explained by all kalyana mitras.

If there is time, some of the lecturers can go over as to what happens at initiation – what is the procedure?
FIRST, the initiator has been sitting for an hour meditation beforehand – many would-be initiates do not know that. Some start talking and asking questions. They have not been prepared.

Kalyana mitras are to facilitate the initiators’ tasks. At the time of initiation or soon after two recordings are given or sent as sound file or as CD.

  • Recording of the initiation
  • Guided meditation for mantra initiate that the initiate should follow as a regular procedure until such time that s/he no longer needs to listen to it.

Then, we always recommend a period of 24-36 hours of total silence and mantra-sadhana to start immediately upon initiation. If one has to go to a job or take care of children, then a period of such silence and intensive mantra-sadhana must be created even if later. Lecturers explain what the initiates do during these 24-36 hours of silence sadhana. We have a lot of audio material on SILENCE. The lecturers/initiators please select the minimum material the new initiate must have studied before coming for initiation. The more advanced material is for those who will do longer silence sadhana.

Please address your questions to the advanced teachers present here.

Take also the time to explain the daily practice to a beginner:

  • Cleansing,
  • Asanas,
  • Relaxation,
  • Establish diaphragmatic breathing,
  • Nadi shodhana,
  • Then TWO phases of meditation. One may spend whatever length of time at each phase:
    • Mantra with breath awareness with nostril flow. Some mantras are two long for one breath – the syllables may be divided into several breaths (without pause, without break).
    •  Mantra in mind alone. No use of mouth or tongue. Close with breath awareness.

Editor’s Note

Swamiji said during this lecture: “There are many advanced teachers and mantra initiators here. Do take advantage of their presence and direct your questions to them.” This advice extends beyond this seminar.

Swamiji asked, “How many of you have read my Yoga sutra commentaries?” Those commentaries are:

  • Yoga Sutras of Patañjali: With the Exposition of Vyāsa: A Translation and Commentary, Volume I, Samādhi Pāda by Pandit Usharbudh Arya
  • Yoga Sutras of Patañjali: With the Exposition of Vyāsa: A Translation and Commentary, Volume II, Sādhana Pāda by Swāmī Veda Bhāratī

We invite you to watch and read (click on title):

In addition to Swami Veda, those designated to give mantra initiation within the AHYMSIN family include: Alexander Benjamin, Carolyn Hume, Helen Choe, Lalita Arya, Linda Billau, Michael Kissener, Nina Johnson, Pandit Hari Shankar Dabral, Rajah Indran, Raghavendra Adiga, Savitri Jugdeo, Shi Hong, Stephen (Stoma) Parker, Swami Ma Radha Bharati, Swami Nityamuktananda Saraswati, Swami Prashant Bharati, Swami Ritavan Bharati, Swami Tat Sat Bharati, Wolfgang Bischoff, and Yoong. We invite you to get to know them and let them get to know you.

Sangha Blessings

Jyotir Bhava: Illuminating Joyful Living

“May all the lights you see remind you of your self-luminous soul.

Seated in the lotus of the heart, pray to that, the source of light, love, and happiness.”

We have gathered here, in solemn remembrance and joyous celebration, as we recall the teachings of our Himalayan lineage through our Master Gurudev Swami Rama and the life of our beloved saint, Swami Veda Bharati, and through so many others to whom we give gratitude in appreciation.

Who are these masters and saints and spiritual guides influencing our life journey? Mysteriously they entered into our lives, like a whisper upon a breeze. And before we knew it, they were in our hearts. Yet, perhaps they were always there and we did not know.

We are blessed with the love and light of our guru-guided path through those words: Love, Serve, Remember.  We remain steadfast to continue on the path of light serving selflessly as our expression of gratitude.  The essence of sacrifice is giving selflessly. It is a complete expression of love in the true sense. We have learned to be content with our essential needs fulfilled using our resources in service of others.

We are all here for a purpose; it is an ongoing spiritual process. We are all here for spiritual liberation and to serve that mission. This spiritual path, the Guru’s mission, is alleviating pain and suffering in the world. All pain and suffering arise from our mind: from the conflicts in our mind, from the selfishness in our mind, from the greed, anger, and desires in our mind. Meditation serves as a way to heal the wounded mind. So in your mind decide what area of the pain of the world you want to alleviate, by what means, and offer your services there with all your capacity. Today, let us resolve to consciously weave the fabric of our lives with waves of illuminating light.  Let Sadhana ignite hope in reforming and transforming our deep emotional patterns, deconditioning our minds, and to use the inner eye to “see” through the light of compassion, with empathy and understanding.

We are all aspiring to live a spiritual life, and we are linked through that spiritual aspiration to the Tradition and the mantra-seed that was planted is part of this beautiful garden of the guru-mind. We rejoice in this common-unity, this community that is with us always even when we are not aware of it. The beauty of this garden extends worldwide, embracing the entire global sangha.

Our sangha, spiritual community, is a single mind-field in which the stabilized personal minds, the stabilized lives of each of us, are as soft, gentle ripples in a calm lake.  So raise your level of consciousness.  Raise your level of awareness.  Let these Realities become your Realities.  You operate in the world knowing that this world then operates within another world, and you are in both worlds, so remain aware of both simultaneously.  You become aware of a heartfelt connection and linkage to the Tradition.

Tasmai shri gurave namah.

srb


Editor’s Note:

To know more about the 2024 American Sangha gathering, you may want to read

1) Experiences from the AHYMSIN U.S. Sangha by Dowlat Budhram – https://www.ahymsin.org/experiences-from-the-ahymsin-us-sangha/

2) Why I Will Joyfully Attend the Sangha of the Americas by Jenny May – https://www.ahymsin.org/why-i-will-joyfully-attend-the-sangha-of-the-americas/

3) A loving invitation to the Sangha of the Americas by Swami Ritavan Bharati – https://www.ahymsin.org/a-loving-invitation-to-the-sangha-of-the-americas/

4) AHYMSIN Sangha of the Americas – https://www.ahymsin.org/event/ahymsin-sangha-of-the-americas/

Experiences from the AHYMSIN U.S. Sangha

Sangha Gathering Group
Sangha Gathering Group
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The AHYMSIN gathering returned to St. Olaf’s College, Northfield, Minnesota after 24 years for its Meditation and Silence Retreat. The beautiful serene grounds at St. Olaf in the summer were very conducive and inspiring for the event, particularly for meditative and contemplative practices. The gathering comprised more than 60 participants of the Americas that included those who have been in the Himalayan Tradition of Swami Rama and Swami Veda for a few or many years, as well as new participants who were attending to experience the rich and rewarding practices for the first time.

The program of the retreat covered three main aspects: lectures and presentations on important topics and practices of the Himalayan Tradition and Yoga Philosophy by various senior disciples of Swami Rama and Swami Veda; a four-day Silence Retreat from July 29 to August 03; and several profile presentations on Centers and activities. The silence component included special sessions on Akhanda Japa which was preceded by a special lecture and recitation of the Akhanda Mandala mantra from a recording by Swami Veda.

The daily program was an intensive schedule of activities that included early morning group meditation followed by guided hatha yoga practices, individual study, contemplative walking, japa, morning and afternoon workshops (practicums and practices), digestive breathing, personal practices and rest. The evening program consisted of lectures followed by group meditation and preparation for rest with Atma Tattva Avalokanam.

Lectures and presentations were made by several senior disciples and initiates that included Swami Ritavan Bharati, Swami Ma Radha, Stoma, Dale Buegel, Pierre Lefebvre, Charles Crenshaw, Cynthia Gran, Gary Gran, and Paul Emerson among others. The themes and presentations covered such topics as various aspects of Silence, Meditation and Transition, Joyful Living, Pillars of Sadhana, Sadhana in Applied Spirituality, Chitta-prasadana, Ishwar-pranidhana, Mantra Japa and Ajapa Japa, Special Mantras, Marks of Spiritual Progress, Pleasant Mindedness and Forgiveness and Journaling and Introspection.

Although the first couple of days were challenging to particularly the “first timers”, participants settled quickly into the meditation and silence routine, and expressed their wonderful and excellent experiences of participating in the Sangha. For those who participated in previous Sanghas including the one that was held in St. Olaf in 2004 and even afterwards, it was a sort of homecoming for them, bringing back years of a memorable experience. It was wonderful to see old friends again and meet so many new ones as one spiritual family. For the several newcomers to the event, the Sangha provided them the opportunity of a new experience, enabling them to delve into their individual personalities and learn of themselves through silence, japa, group meditations, asana practices and prayers.

Very notable experiences of the participants include:

  • For those who were initiated in the tradition, the Sangha provided the opportunity to regroup, recommit and rededicate themselves to their practices and discipline, particularly on mantra practice and silence techniques, and to the teachings of the Himalayan tradition.
  • Discoveries of their inner personalities through self-observation that came about from spiritual and contemplative practices throughout the day that led to a stable mind, which allowed for observation of samskaras and the ability to shift them through the practices.
  • While the overall Sangha provided so many wonderful experiences, the one aspect that stands out for many that was so impactful was the silence practice which was at the core and underscored all other practices. The silence experiences were found to be intense and overwhelming in so many ways ranging over a broad spectrum of emotions. They provided a good opportunity to dive deeper and gain insights into their individual personalities, learn from themselves of themselves, and stabilizing their mind to become more of a friend and guide. This practice has induced the need of a longing to continue the practice of silence and introspection.
  • The guided subtle body practices in the loft during the Akhanda japa sessions had a profound impact on participants. Coming together in the mind field that participants created in silence during these sessions was a memorable experience of all. After the yoga nidra session in the silence practices, some persons expressed a greater closeness of being held by their mantras since their initiation a time ago.
  • The gathering reminded many persons of the human personalities of Swami Rama and Swami Veda, and to experience the Guru spirit that was the light that shone through their lives. This energy was very much alive and accessible through the current leaders and an eagerness was expressed for all those participating to move forward and continue the momentum created in the past.
  • The Sangha provided an excellent opportunity to sit in prayer and meditation with members of the Sangha, develop a spiritual network with a common goal and one spirit, share individual experiences and learn of the challenges and successful approaches to individual and social life.
  • Most “first timers” expressed their gratitude for the event which enabled them to connect with and being in the presence of many leaders of the Himalayan tradition, an experience that they will continue to cherish. The Sangha provided a conscious energy field that revitalized their beings and they look forward to returning to another Himalayan Yoga Meditation and Silence retreat again.
  • Many participants were inspired by the personal sharing of the history and experiences of AHYMSIN disciples from across North America. They gained good insight into the history of Swami Rama’s and Swami Vedas’s work that have touched the hearts of today’s senior leaders and encouraged the growth of many centers. The videos of lectures of Swami Rama and Swami Veda were especially inspiring and several participants expressed their hope to have access to such videos and to read and study their publications.
  • The Sangha also provided the opportunity to come to meet and greet teachers and other initiates that they met online but wished to meet in person for a long time.  Meeting in person, feeling the energy, knowing each other and easily connecting just sitting together as ONE in a spiritual home was a very positive experience.
  • Many left St Olaf with a full heart, a recommitment to their personal practices and a renewed sense of responsibility and gratitude to serve wherever and whenever they are able to do so. Everyone understands the inner work that they are all doing, together, and they expressed their support to one another fully and joyfully.
  • There was unanimous gratitude and thanks to the organizers of the Sangha, particularly the Meditation Center in Minneapolis, the AHYMSIN Board of North America, the teachers and presenters.

There were also several profile presentations made during the retreat. These provided information on personal experiences of Swami Rama and Swami Veda, overview of the programs, classes and other activities of the various Centers in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, Teachers and Training programs, Social Media, Promotion and Retention, Preparation for Initiation, further Guidance for Initiates, Holistic Health and Yoga Practices, Charity Projects, Yoga and Lifestyle Applications, Mental Health Addressing, Retreats and Silence Days, Youth and Families. New publications of AHYMSIN and other materials were on display also during event.

One session focused on the AHYMSIN Board of North America. Some new members were added to the Board to replace a few who were not seeking re-election as well as to have a greater geographic representation on the body. More information on the new Board will be available soon and the next meeting of the Body is scheduled for August 27 this month. Among the various issues to be discussed will be the next Retreat of the Americas.


Editor’s Note:

To know more about the 2024 American Sangha gathering, you may want to read

1) Why I Will Joyfully Attend the Sangha of the Americas by Jenny May – https://www.ahymsin.org/why-i-will-joyfully-attend-the-sangha-of-the-americas/

2) Sangha Blessings by Swami Ritavan Bharati – https://www.ahymsin.org/sangha-blessings/

3) A loving invitation to the Sangha of the Americas by Swami Ritavan Bharati – https://www.ahymsin.org/a-loving-invitation-to-the-sangha-of-the-americas/

4) AHYMSIN Sangha of the Americas – https://www.ahymsin.org/event/ahymsin-sangha-of-the-americas/

 

Universal Brotherhood

The human race is suffering from its ego-born narrow-mindedness. Discrimination exists, based on religion, color, and nationality. In the same locality, people are being discriminated against just because they are European or Asian, black or white, Hindu or Moslem. As long as these man-made divisions exist in our society, there is no hope for peace or happiness. We must understand that we are born as humans and all other identifications are superimposed on us later. Loving others and receiving love from others is our birth right. True freedom means loving all and hating none, including all and excluding none. For cultivating the true human within, we have to reach out to the hearts of our fellow beings. Political treaties and alliances are of little value. There has to be a desire in every human heart to overcome mutual differences that have been artificially imposed by selfish political, social, and religious leaders.

Removing differences and moving from diversity to unity are the essence of real spiritual practices. This process has to occur at every level of our individual and social lives. By realizing one Reality within all, we will be able to purify our hearts and minds. This purification can lead us to the experience of the Divine Light within. Once we experience the Truth within, we will find ourselves to be part of the universe, and vice versa. Upon such realization here and now, we will not need to imagine a heaven apart from this universe. By loving all and excluding none, by sharing everything and possessing nothing, we will attain freedom from the fear of hell and the desire for heaven. We can have our own heaven here on earth.

Our interpersonal relationships must be based on the philosophy of universal brotherhood.


Editor’s Note

This is an excerpt from A Call to Humanity by Swami Rama, Chapter “Humanism,” pages 116-117 in the 1988edition.

This book is out of print, but available as a used book.

For all Swami Rama’s and Swami Veda Bharati’s published works, please email hyptbooks@gmail.com

Published works of Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati are also available at other venues.

2024 – Journey with the Teachers of the Himalayan Tradition in Korea

wonkwang group
wonkwang group
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Hari om~

First of all, we appreciate Swamiji, Yoongji, Tuatyienji, Shiongji, and Rabindraji who came to share the teachings of Himalayan tradition. We also appreciate Hansaji, Dr. Choe, Dr. Lee and all members of AHYMSIN Korea. Hansaji and Dr. Choe are the mother and father of AHYMSIN Korean family. Dr. lee is the first Korean disciple of Swami Rama and he was the seed of Ahimshin Korea TTP. Specially Dr. Lee accompanied this journey all the way.

Dorothy Yeung and Quincy Leung from Hongkong and Tao Yan and Chu Yang from Beijing, thank them for the joining us. Special thanks to Quincy who was the official photographer at the Jeju Retreat.

Our journey in 2024 began on May 27 at 6 am with the arrival of Rabindraji from India. In the afternoon, Swami Ritavanji, Yoongji, and Tuetyienji arrived from the retreat in Taiwan. Voluntary service of Younggi, Seokwon, Doori and Kangju Jung allowed us to warmly welcome Teachers.

On May 28, we, Hansaji, Dr. Choe, Dr. Lee and some Korean TTP students gathered for lunch with the teachers at the Hansa Yoga Center inside Dr. Choe’s Cardiac Clinic in Wonju. In general, Koreans place a lot of importance on sharing food in relationships. This may not be unique to Koreans, but it can be said to be a bit more unusual. On this particular day, Hansaji’s first Korean TTP student, Myungja Kim who is 83 years old, made vegetarian dumplings with her love. We had a happy time with her, eating her delicious dumplings. However, on that day, Myungja underwent surgery for a brain hemorrhage, and she has not yet regained consciousness. Doctor says that it is difficult for her to regain consciousness. This is sad news, but we feel that she was deeply connected to our tradition as her last memory is of her beloved Swamiji, Hansaji, and the AHYMSIN Korea family preparing food by hand, eating it together, and having a good time. That day, under the guidance of Swami Ritavanji, we started Sankalpa and Maha Mrityujaya Mantra for her, and even today the AHYMSIN Korea family continues to do Maha Mrityujaya Mantra japa for her.

After lunch, we traveled to Woljeongsa, Buddhist Temple in Pyeongchang. Dorothy and Quincy joined us from Hong Kong. We enjoyed the simple food and the tranquility of the temple in the mountains. With a monk, Hyungi who had a relationship with Swamiji almost 10 years ago, we had a tea time and took walks in the forest trail.

On Friday, May 31, we traveled to Seoul for a workshop at Wonkwang Digital University. The Department of Yoga and Meditation at Wonkwang Digital University is 20 years old and is the first yoga and meditation department in Korea. The department’s professor, Jongsoon Seo, used to travel with his students to India for training in the Himalayan tradition and has a deep connection to Raghavendra Adigaji. In addition, Mikyoung, a senior faculty member at Ahimsin Korea TTP, teaches in the department. As a result of these connections, Ahimsin Korea TTP now has a steady stream of graduates and current students from this department. The workshop was organized with the serevice of Soonkyu, Kyungmin, Bo-seo, and Hee-ra, who are all Ahimsin Korea TTP students and graduates or current students of the department. The workshop was held on the weekend of June 1 and 2, with the theme of Practical application of Yoga Sutra by Patanjali, and was attended by more than 120 alumni and current students of this Department. The workshop classes began with Swami Ritavanji’s J&G Exercises. For me personally, it was the first time since Swami Ritavanji, then Anataji, guided us through J&G Exercises at the Yoga Cultural Center in Seoul, 2005, and it was a rare class. In this particular class, some participants, who were new to the Himalayan tradition, seemed to have a heightened interest and focus in the teachings of the Himalayan tradition, as they were guided through subtle movements that were different from the hatha yoga they were used to.

Other classes included Digestive Breathing, Hatha Yoga practice, guided Relaxation and Meditation practices, and lectures on Rabindraji’s Yoga Sutra and You, Yoongji’s Relaxation of Effort, and Swamiji’s Yoga Sutra & Self Transformation. Each day, before returning home after the lectures, many students hugged Professor Seo, who organized the workshop, with gratitude, love and happiness. Without going into the details of the lectures, these attitudes and behaviors of the participants explain how the teachings of the Himalayan tradition impacted them.

During the workshop, we were treated to a hearty meal.

On June 3, we traveled to Jeju Island. Dr. Lee, Younggi, Seokwon from Seoul, and Swami Atma Bodhi Shriji, Younae, Haesun, and Eunsuk from Changwon, joined. Until the morning of the 6th, when the retreat began, we stayed at a resort close to the Jeju Olle Trail and the sea in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si. We had a quiet and peaceful time with a great view of the ocean and a walk along the Olle Trail. Haesun, Younae, and Eunsuk prepared three meals with love for us every day.

On the evening of the 5th, Shihongji came from Beijing after giving Yoga Sutra classes, accompanied by Tao and Chu. Soonhong, Youngmi, Miran, and Eunhee warmly welcomed them at Jeju Airport.

On June 6, AHYMSIN Korea held a three-day retreat at MG Jeju Training Center. The theme was Bhakti Yoga. The retreat was announced in November last year, with the theme:The teachings of Himalayan Yoga Meditation. At that time the theme seems to be wide and not specified, but many people registered to participate. The theme was then finalized in February this year after visiting SRSG and meeting Swamiji. The theme plays an important role in any event, as it often determines whether people attend or not. However, most of the participants at the AHYMSIN Korea retreat were more interested in being together in the teachings of Himalayan tradition than in the theme.  Some realize that even if it’s the same theme, it sounds like new lectures when they hear them again.

The retreat began with greetings from the teachers and a short-guided meditation by Swami Ritavanji. Although it was a short meditation, the participants were ready to dive into the teachings of the Himalayan tradition. Hatha yoga classes, guided meditation and lectures on bhakti yoga followed, drawing from the teachers’ experiences. The very presences of the teachers, who were willing to travel a long way to share their valuable experiences, was the examples of Bhakti Yoga.

In the early morning hours of June 9, Shihongji, Tao, and Chu returned to Hong Kong. In the afternoon we attended the Jeju Yoga Festival, to which Swamiji and Rabindraji were invited. Before the event, Swamiji distributed fruits as prasad to the organizers and yoga teachers.  Some of them were happy as children with the fruits Swamiji gave them. Swamiji gave the opening remarks, and Rabindraji, led a short Hatha Yoga class with other Hatha Yoga teachers. Centering, the introductory part of Hatha yoga, was given. The yoga festival was a fairly active event, with lively music and asanas, unlike events in our tradition. In the midst of such festivities, Swamiji’s short talk and Rabindraji’s Makarasana guidance helped the yoga teachers and participants, who were practicing Hata Yoga-centered yoga, experience that there is more to yoga than physical movement.

After all this, we returned to Seoul on June 10th. Gisuk, Miryang, and Miryang’s grand nephews were at the airport to greet us. As usual, Gisuk drove the teachers to the hotel near Incheon Airport, and in the evening, Dr. Won and her students visited Swamiji.

This is the Journey with the Teachers of the Himalayan tradition in Korea

Not everything went as planned during the journey. But even when things didn’t go according to plan, they happened more naturally and smoothly than we could have ever prepared for. We should prepare, but we don’t have to worry too much. There is an invisible force helping us. We just need to have faith in it.

Om, Gurave namaha.

Heejung Lee

Fearlessness

Fears, if not examined, will develop strong roots, though they are often rootless. Fear invites danger.

Self-preservation is the instinct that remains always vigilant to protect the body. This instinct is useful up to a certain extent, but it should not become an obsession in life. When fear becomes an obsession, all spiritual potentials become dormant. Fears are never examined—that is why they are able to control human life. They should be examined boldly.

Fear has two faces: I might lose what I have, and I might not gain what I want. These two thoughts should not be entertained, and cannot be when you remember your mantra or the presence of the Lord within.

Fearlessness is very important. One should constantly remain in spiritual delight, so that no fear is entertained. Fearlessness comes from knowing that God is with us, and that we are with God.


Editor’s Note

This is an excerpt from The Essence of Spiritual Life by Swami Rama. Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust. 2002. Page 26.
To watch the short video Swami Rama Discusses Self Preservation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy9zl_m_R4E 

Why I Will Joyfully Attend the Sangha of the Americas

In the beautiful mountains of Idaho, USA, is a remote town of just 500 people. This is where I live. The opportunity to physically be with a sangha is very rare for me, and while I deeply appreciate that I can connect in other ways with our Himalayan Tradition, at times I long for a more personal interaction.

Last year, I was delighted to attend my first structured Himalayan Tradition seven-day silence retreat with The Meditation Center in Minnesota. If you have experienced a retreat like this, you may relate when I say that I came away with an unbound feeling of connection: the mind in silence closing the gaps around separateness, and creating a ball of cohesive awareness around us all. The energetic vibrations that we as a group produced was palpable, and I knew at the retreat’s end, I would be signing up to come to this year’s silence retreat, without question.

When I received the announcement for AHYMSIN’s Sangha of the Americas, offering ten days of various activities, including presentations from our Himalayan Tradition senior leaders as well as five days of silence, I signed up immediately, knowing that this year, too, I could receive that same feeling of connection.

I started reading about the event and listening to our Himalayan yoga meditation leaders and teachers, and I became curious about why this was being called “Sangha of the Americas.” What is a sangha? How do I offer my sense of spiritual connection to others? I read what Swami Veda said about sangha being a spiritually oriented community: a group working toward stabilizing the spiritual mind field. I hear him asking us the question, “How can we, as a group, help the ‘greater family’ in a spiritual sense?” He says this will evolve if we can succeed in developing a “sentiment of sangha.” It was then I changed my focus–not about coming to the retreat, no, but about how I wanted to experience this time at Sangha of the Americas with our AHYMSIN family.

And so, to embrace the sentiment of sangha, as Swamiji suggests, I will attend this event, not asking what I can receive from this event, (though with the remarkable presenters, musical performances, workshops, and the experience of silence, one can’t help but receive numerous riches!), but this time, in the light of sangha, I am asking, “How can I serve? How can I offer the sentiment of sangha to our AHYMSIN family, and even greater than that, to our world?”

I offer my support to those who plan the event, who speak at the event, to those who attend, to those who can’t attend. I offer my prayers of connectedness. I offer the movement of vibration to envelop us all in love and compassion, in grace and knowing. I offer my meditations to all, that we might not forget who we truly are and how strong we are when we come together as one, as a sangha.

I offer my physical presence at the Sangha of the Americas, to honor our spiritual community. May we all draw strength and connection from each other to lift our troubled world. If my attendance at this inspired event can create some good, then I am all in, not for what I can receive, but for what I can give. My time, my presence, my donations… I offer it all, with sincere service and gratitude for the gift that meditation has given me.

May we all come together at the Sangha of the Americas, in whatever capacity we can, to uplift and support each other in our like-mindedness, making the positive energetic wave of love that is the Himalayan Tradition felt where it is needed in our world. Let us serve that bounty to others. Many hands make light work.

May all beings awaken further. May our hearts soften. I offer this in service to the Guru. Om.


Editor’s Note:

Location: St. Olaf College, 1520 St Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057 & Virtual

Date and time: Thu, Jul 25, 2024 5:00 PM – Sat, Aug 3, 2024 5:00 PM CT

Registration Link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dukr9ym

Contact: info@himalayanyogatradition.com

 

To know more about the 2024 American Sangha gathering, you may want to read

1) Experiences from the AHYMSIN U.S. Sangha by Dowlat Budhram – https://www.ahymsin.org/experiences-from-the-ahymsin-us-sangha/

2) Sangha Blessings by Swami Ritavan Bharati – https://www.ahymsin.org/sangha-blessings/

3) A loving invitation to the Sangha of the Americas by Swami Ritavan Bharati – https://www.ahymsin.org/a-loving-invitation-to-the-sangha-of-the-americas/

4) AHYMSIN Sangha of the Americas – https://www.ahymsin.org/event/ahymsin-sangha-of-the-americas/

Growing Together in Harmony and Inclusion: Seeds of Yoga at School

“Childhood is the best of all periods in life, and it never returns. Children are the most beautiful flowers; they can make our society bloom. Without children, no nation can survive. We need the help of children who have been loved, well cared for, and wisely educated, if we really want to improve society.
There is no better foundation for a happy life than a happy childhood”  –  Swami Rama

When I stop and think about the reason I started to share the practice of yoga with children and adolescents, I feel Swami Rama’s words resonate within me and it comes to my mind the light in Swami Veda’s eyes when, in La Verna in June 2012, he announced the Children Retreat, at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram, inviting the entire Ahymsin family to participate.

In the same way, it arises spontaneously the memory of the experience I made in 2014 during the Children Retreat at the Ashram, again at the presence of our beloved Swami Veda. The image of Swami Veda with children is like a lighthouse that illuminates and guides the path: we don’t teach what we know, but we share what we are.

Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati have always encouraged children and adolescents to approach yoga from an early age, future generations in which it is essential to focus, “planting” in them some small seeds that may, with time and care, grow and blossom.

Sharing these teachings, the Himalayan Yoga Institute of Florence has been participating for many years in yoga projects in primary and secondary schools, in collaboration with the Municipality of Florence and the municipalities of other cities.

Seeds-of-Yoga-at-SchoolSeeds-of-Yoga-at-School

One of the most known projects is “Tuttinsieme per l’integrazione” of the Municipality of Florence, dedicated to classes where there are kids and adolescents with special needs.

It is difficult to share, through words, the experience lived during the years within this path: the eyes and the joy of kids and adoloscents, with and without special needs, in finally feeling accepted and part of a group without perceiving differences in comparison to their companions, cannot be told, but can only be imagined! And this allows us to feel the true strength and power of yoga, a tool for overcoming all those barriers that our minds often create: a ‘universal language’ that everyone can understand and that allows us to get in touch with others, understanding that we are all unique and unrepeatable.

Seeds-of-Yoga-at-School

Through simple lessons based on the eight steps of ashtanga yoga, where students experience an activity that integrates body-breath-mind, the depth of the teachings of the Himalayan Tradition is expressed in all its fullness and colours.

Yoga educates, transforms, creates unity, develops self-confidence, awareness and self-discipline; facilitates intercultural understanding, individual and collective peace; enables the acceptance of all forms of diversity; develops a sense of belonging to a group; encourages inclusion and active participation of children and adolescents with special needs; proposes relationships models, in the class and in the society, based on ethical principles of non-violence, respect and tolerance; develops self-esteem, strengthens talents, potential and qualities and, finally, creates joy.

Seeds-of-Yoga-at-SchoolSeeds-of-Yoga-at-School

The experience of practicing yoga with children/adolescents is a wonderful ‘mirror’, because they have so much to teach to adults and they invite us to deeply reflect on the quality of the future we would like to offer them. At the same time, it is a great responsibility: the delicate age and the emotional fragility, children and adolescents experience, make us feel how these young generations are increasingly searching for values and reference points that may give them an anchor. The competitive society we live in and the pandemic have increased feelings of unease, anxiety and stress in the younger generations. We strongly feel the importance of sharing and transmitting yoga as a tool to offer children and adolescents the opportunity to assimilate a practice that may accompany and support them in their growth, to build a personal philosophy of life.

And again, the remembrance of Swami Veda appears, like a lighthouse that illuminates and guides us: we don’t teach what we know, but we share what we are.

“Let peace prevail in the minds of all those who have been educated in the art of becoming free from conflict.”  –  Swami Veda

In loving gratitude,
Ilaria


Editor’s Note:

Ilaria Sarri is one of the center leaders of Himalayan Yoga Institute Italia – Centro Per La Salute Globale in Firenze (Florence), Italy. She is a long term initiate in the Tradition, and a TTP teacher and mentor since several years.

Draw Yourself to Yourself

Draw yourself to yourself. Empty your mind of all things from sources outside you and look into your mind for a force that may be entirely yours. A body in meditation is totally relaxed. All muscles are limp, there is no twitching, no movement. The mind has no memories and, therefore, no anxieties. When the mind has no anxieties the breath flows evenly and smoothly. All the hollows of the mind are filled and there are no sharp edges. The brain becomes clear. The thoughts do not arise at random.

That evenness of the mind brings an evenness of emotions, and a quality of equilibrium develops in your personality. That equilibrium may last for a moment or two while in meditation, and initially that is so. But as your meditations prosper they begin to permeate your personality and through all your thoughts, words and physical deeds your natural equilibrium begins to show.

Drain all waters from the Pacific Ocean and fill them with liquid light — these are the unfathomable depths of our mind.

I wish you a dive into the depths of an ocean called consciousness, filled with light.


Editor’s Note

This is an excerpt from The Light of Ten Thousand Suns by Swami Veda Bharati, page 68.