• This Month On Vac

    Namovaha dear kula -

    Welcome to the Winter '08/'09 issue of Vac. This is an exciting time for the kula - there has been much change and growth in this last year, and the kula is quickly becoming a large international entity. In that spirit we have an article by our esteemed puja teacher Rami, which addresses the structure of kulas in general and what is needed for a successful and healthy kula body.

    This season's Vac also features an article on Adi Yoga (actually an excerpt from the Adi Yoga First Gate training manual) by Dharmanidhi, explaining what Adi Yoga is, how the system is structured, and how it is taught.

    We also have the first several articles in what we hope to be an on-going series on the topic of permaculture. Permaculture is of significance to us for a couple of reasons. The first and most obvious is that Kailash Akhara, the new kula retreat center in Thailand, is being designed and run using the principles of permaculture, so it would behoove all of us to have at least a cursory idea of what permaculture is and how it works. The second is that permaculture is founded upon the ideas of living in harmony with the wisdom and cycles of nature - an idea that is foundational for everything we are practicing in tantra, ayurveda, and yoga.

    Additionally, Dharmanidhi has written an article on the subject of cults - what is meant by the word 'cult', charecteristics of cults, cult leaders and members, brainwashing and mind control, and how to discern whether or not a group, individual, or path are exhibiting cultish behavior.

    We round out the issue with a smattering of articles on various topics of interest, including an introductory article on Jyotish by Bette Timm, an Anandamayima book review by Kirana, an article on the connection between body and fire ceremony by Sri Acala, and an article on patterns of suffering and how to escape them.

    In service,

    Muktabodha


    UPCOMING EVENTS

    Dharmanidhi's Bay Area Schedule

    We are happy to welcome Dharmanidhi back to the Bay Area this Spring. We highly recommend pre-registeration as these courses are liable to fill up early. Special discounted package available - Click Here for details.

    *All courses taught by Dharmanidhi unless otherwise specified. Clicking on a link takes you to our online registration service through Yoga Mandala.


    History & Theory of Tantrik Sexual Practice
    March 7, 6-9pm (Sat.)
    $25

    Tattva Shuddhi:
    Transforming the 5 Elements

    March 9 & 10, 7-9 pm (Mon. & Tues.)
    Mon night pasu and vira practices
    Tues night divya practice
    $40 ($20 for one night)

    Tantraloka*
    March 11, 7-9pm (Wed.)
    w/Manomani, Omkarnath, Sasisekhara & Sruti
    $15

    Tantrik Relationship Series:
    Identifying and Resolving Karmic Relationship Patterns
    March 12, 7-9pm (Thur.)
    Dharmanidhi w/ Sumanasa
    $20 or $54 full series (3/12, 3/19 and 3/26)

    Lakshmi Abhiseka
    March 13, 7pm sharp, seated by 6:30pm (Fri.)
    $5 suggested minimum donation (towards food and ceremony supplies)

    Transforming Ignorance to Enlightenment:
    The 12 Stage Tantrik Journey

    March 14 & 15, 9am-5pm (Sat. and Sun.)
    $130/pre-reg or $150/door

    Yoga Nidra: Practice and Theory
    March 17, 7-9pm (Tues.)
    $20

    Life, Works and Teachings of Adi Shankaracarya
    March 19, 7-9pm (Wed.)
    w/Swami Maheshananda Sarasvati
    $20

    Tantrik Relationship Series:
    Picking Compatible Partners for Dual Cultivation
    March 19, 7-9pm (Thur.)
    $20 or $54 full series (3/12, 3/19 and 3/26)

    Kali Abisheka
    March 21, 1pm sharp, seated by 12:30pm (Sat.)
    $5 suggested minimum donation (towards food and ceremony supplies)

    Consort, Mother, Witch
    March 21, 7-9pm (Sat.)
    $10

    The Kriya Yoga system of Swami Rudrananda
    March 23 & 24, 7-9pm (Mon. and Tues.)
    $40

    Tantraloka*
    March 25, 7-9pm (Wed.)
    w/Manomani, Omkarnath, Sasisekhara & Sruti
    $15

    Tantrik Relationship Series:
    Parvati & Shiva as a Model for Spiritual Cultivation
    March 26th, 7-9pm (Thur.)
    $20 or $54 full series (3/12, 3/19 and 3/26)

    Gateway to Freedom:
    A beginner's guide to getting started on the path of Tantra in the tradition of Jnanagnikula.
    March 28 & 29, 9am-5pm (Sat. and Sun.)
    9am - 5pm
    $130/pre-reg or $150/door

    A Yogini's Journey:
    Advice from a Tantrik practitioner and consort
    March 30, 7-9pm (Mon.)
    Kiranamayi Sarasvati
    $20

    Recognizing the Enlightened Capacity of our 6 Inner Beings
    (Including yoga practice)
    May 30 & 31, 8:30am-6pm (Sat. and Sun.)
    $150/pre-reg or $175/door

    Tantrik Satsang - Open Q & A
    June 1, 7-9pm (Mon.)
    $5 minimum suggested donation

    Please send any correspondence to newsletter at trikainstitute.org.

Guruji’s Book Reviews

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Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

by Jared Diamond

This is a must read for anyone interested in establishing a society in a new land. The perma-culture, meteorological, political, archeological, and dharma teachings found in this book are priceless. What makes it even better is that they’re woven with great stories of both ancient and modern societies that have succeeded (Iceland, Papua) and failed (Mayan civilization, Easter Island, Greenland). Mr. Diamond describes a 5 factorial method he has developed for analyzing a society’s longevity potential. Slowly, as he applies the methodology to the societies studied in his book, he helps the reader to see the implications for current American society.

air america

Air America

by Christopher Robbins

The fascinating, highy informative and entertaining tale of the CIA’s airline and its world-wide operations with a special focus on its history in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Not only is this a great read because of its historical context, it helps a recently landed ex-pats in Southeast Asia understand the history of American imperialism in the area which flavors how Americans are perceived even now. Very well written and authorized as the official story of “Air America” by the flyers and administrators, beware of imposters by the same name.

Bangkok 8Bangkok 8: A Novel

by John Burdett

Although this is a crime novel about the Bangkok narcotics and crooked police scene, it is fun, comical at times and chock full of excellent dharma teachings presented in a way that makes them very alive. The main character is a criminal turned monk that is ordered to become a cop to work off his karma. Great stuff AND a great primer on Bangkok.

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