Awakening Ganesha

 April 1, 2005                       Monthly  Newsletter                                                  Volume 4  

Namaste,

This month Lawrence Graziose comes for 4 days to give several evening dharma talks on popular topics...as well as a special workshop. We have been bringing Lawrence to 7 Centers for the last two years as we feel his teachings are so powerful and transformative.  Come by for an evening talk or the weekend.

Check out the Hindu Gods and Goddesses with Rama Jyoti Vernon or the join the Conflict Resolution weekend

The weekend of April 30th, Ruth and Ambaya will be participating in the Sun Festival in Scottsdale, a fun-filled educational event that addresses the social and environmental challenges of our times, featuring entertainment and activities for the entire family.  We will be offering yoga classes in the Yoga Yurt and a talk on Yoga and Ayurveda Lifestyle.  See www.sunfestival.net.  Happy Spring Fever!

Dharma Talks with Lawrence Graziose 

Thursday April 14  7-9pm Tantra - Transformation of Desire

In the West, Tantra is mostly associated with 'transcendental sex'. Learning how to have a 'heart-orgasm' is fine, but the movement into the heart center is not the end of tantra, it is only the beginning.  Sex-pleasure transformed into heart-happiness transformed into the bliss-of-existence (God). This is Tantra. $10

Friday  April 15 7-9pm  Jnana Yoga: A Direct Experience

The deepest purpose of Yoga and all other forms of inquiry is to know the Self. The impulse to know the Self exists within everyone and Jnana is the direct perception and/or experience of the Self. During this evening talk, the small-I will move to the background and the Self will move to the foreground where it might be tasted and/or seen through the clouds of the mind. At our core is a peacefulness unaffected by circumstance and there will (most likely) also be alot of laughing. $10

Sat.  April 16 10:30-4:30pm    Love and the Nature of Mind

During this day, we will experience Love, and we will experience the mind. This happens every day, but because of the great habit of the mind to hold our attention, it often goes unnoticed. Living in the heart and experiencing Love is quite a different experience. We all know this,but why don't we do it? Countless lifetimes of countless human beings follow the mind over and over and over again. In Buddhism, this is called Samsara. In today's world, it is called 'regular life'. If you're ready for something different, day, experience Love and No-mind in this workshop. $20-45 sliding scale   

Lawrence has over 20 years experience with Zen and Tibetan Buddhist practices and became a Dharma Teacher in the KwanUm Zen Buddhist lineage in 1980.  He first learned the Enneagram during a year-long program with two teachers initiated in a Sufi order.  Since that time he has learned many additional Enneagram systems and teachings and uses his powerful tool in his work with groups, individuals and couples.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses Workshop

w/ Rama Jyoti Vernon

Thursday April 7- Shiva/Parvati/ Ganesha

Friday April 8th-  Rama/ Sita/ Hanuman

(8:30-5pm)

A journey through the archetypes in Hindu Mythology with Rama Jyoti Vernon, sponsored by the International Yoga College. For anyone interested in mythology and Vedic culture, yoga students and astrologers - each day will be devoted to different God or Goddesses from the Hindu pantheon. The workshop is designed create a deeper relationship to the consciousness represented by each deity so revered by the Eastern cultures.  Build an understanding of the symbols found in the images, surrounding stories and mythologies. Learn to connect to the energy of the deities by chanting the Sanskrit mantras, and by doing a series of asanas that represent the yantra for the deities.
 

Conflict Resolution: Individual to Global with Rama Jyoti Vernon and Max Lafser, the Weekend of April 9-10

Early reg. $125, Reg (day of) $150

Rama Jyoti Vernon and Rev. Max Lafser formerly of the Unity Church in Sedona, have co-designed an extensive curriculum for Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies using East-West psychology. Rama Jyoti Vernon is the founder and President of the Center for International Dialogue. As a citizen diplomat, Ms. Vernon traveled to the Soviet Union 47 times in seven years beginning in 1986 in the process of organizing over 200 Soviet-American conferences and counterpart exchanges. In 1992, Ms. Vernon began Regional Women’s Gatherings throughout major U.S. cities to give women a platform to express their vision for Peace in the Middle East and other areas of conflict.

Participation in the five weekends this year leads to a certificate in Citizen Diplomacy through Center for International Dialogue. The dates for the following weekends are: April 9-10, June 25-26, September 24-25, and October 22-23. Each weekend is $140 with early registration $125 or payment for all 5 at $575. For more information call Ginny Beal (888) 949-9642 or contact 7 Centers by phone or e-mail.                                          

The Adventures of  Lionheart, Temple Cat

On the advent of his first Revolution around the Sun....

Astrology for Cool Cats

Lionheart was in the midst of a morning nap, casually listening to a teaching about these divine beings, the Planets in the sky, our cosmic family: Jupiter-the Teacher; Saturn- Father of Time and the Great Disciplinarian; Mercury -the Communicator; Venus - the bringer of Love, Romance and Sensual Desires (or not); Mars - The Warrior; Moon - the Mother; and Sun - the Father. It was shortly thereafter he received a Vedic Astrology reading from his friend Debra on the advent of his first birthday (which he hoped would bring pastries and edible mice.)

Dear Lionheart,

You get great blessing from Jupiter, who much like a favorite uncle gives you the gift of leadership, self-confidence and divine protection, being in your first house with your Ascendant.  You are under his protection and it helps that you have a picture of a guru on your ID tag on your collar.

Your Rising sign is Leo the Lion, who is known as the King of the Jungle. Leos are most at home as the center of attention or sleeping center stage during classes.

The Sun is exalted in Aries in the 9th house, and it gives you a strong sense of purpose and dharma, high integrity, generosity and optimisim, with a spiritual and philosophical nature and promise of a successful career as a temple cat.

Venus is in your 10th house of Career in its own sign, so your career and you will reflect Venusian qualities such as devotion, having an artistic temperament and a healing ability due to a caring and compassionate nature. In addition, you will be much loved and benefit in your contact with women. Your Moon is in the lunar mansion of Dhanistha (musical drum), and in the 7th house bestows you with passion, harmony and many friends, as well as difficulty with marriage (like Princess Diana).  Mars is your planet of power in the 10th house of career and in this combination makes you athletic, a great tree climber and a spiritual warrior.   You are in Rahu Dasha (a cycle ruled by the North node of the Moon), which is about experiencing life! It also indicates some eccentricity. It gives ambition and strong desires, perhaps for food, sleep, or small moving prey. Karmic influences will dominate. You can be successful, and must work with self-discipline and self-knowledge instead of over-expressing your desires. Allow the spiritual side to dominate. Your Rahu is in 9th house – gives success, prosperity, and pilgrimage or foreign travels. 

Many blessings for this coming year, Debra

As Lionheart settled down for his afternoon nap, he considered perhaps a temple tour down the Nile was in order, with first-class cabin service, or perhaps a safari in the savannahs of Kenya, or trekking through the Himalayas on a dais. Next year...

Ambaya's Corner....Practical Ayurveda

We've all heard about our Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  However, we may not have heard what to do when they are out of balance. Here are a few tips. 

   If your Vata is high, you will experience greater anxiety, fear, and more than likely, insomnia, so please treat yourself gently and slow down. Give yourself some very nourishing soft, moist and wet foods. Treat yourself to calming activities and massage.  Contribute your Spiritual insight to others and put your creativity to work. Inspire a Pitta friend to take it on, and have a Kapha friend make sure it sticks around.

   If Your Pitta is high, you will be experiencing levels of frustration, leading to anger and greater intolerance.  Cool yourself down in terms of food and activity. Avoid confrontations. Go for a pleasant walk by the creek or near any body of water, preferably where there is a lot of green. Stay out of the midday sun; moonbathe instead. Go to bed before 10:00 PM. Avoid hot, spicy, sour and salty foods.  Find a good Kapha friend to energize and support with your admirable leadership quality. Learn tolerance and compassion.

   If your Kapha is high, you may experience depression and lethargy.  Get a good Pitta friend to support you in engaging in some physical activity. Get out of bed before 6:00 AM. Go out and do your favorite hike or exercise.  If you are not hungry, skip breakfast or eat some light fruit until lunch time, when you are hungry and can eat and digest more. Stay away from salty, heavy, soft foods. Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat live, fresh food and stay active. Don’t eat any later than three hours before bed. Give your television away. Sleep on the floor; don’t get too comfortable! Establish a routine, and find a project you can put your whole self behind.  Allow your generous heart to contribute to others and keep them calm.  Most of all, enjoy yourself, your work and your life. Be grateful you are alive!!!!  Ayurveda is quite a gift, isn’t it?!

Upcoming! Special Workshops with Dr. Mishra

May 21st   Intro to Transdermal Marma System   Level I

May 22nd  Prana and Kurma Nadi   Level II

May 23-24 Training for Marma Face Lift

For more information call Ambaya 282-1756

7 Centers Yoga Arts

Upcoming Yoga Training and Special Workshops

                                 
Sedona Community Bulletin Board

Wish list: 2 Drawer Filing Cabinet for the new metaphysical library. Call Sydney 203-4400.

Housing available at reasonable rates for any of the above events.  Call 928-282-1756.

For Sale:  1995 Lexus ES300 - Excellent condition - $7,000

Call Sydney at 928-203-4400

7 Centers Yoga Arts Director/Teacher: Ruth Hartung

Ayurvedic Practitioner: Ambaya

Center Manager:Sydney Pinkerton

Teachers: Gary Majchrzak, Ildiko Chikan, Kathleen Bryant, Rebekah Crisp, Ana Camacho, Paula McClintock, Jeannie Strauch