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.
A Goddess Among Us by Swami Mangalananda