Awakening Ganesha

 June 2 , 2005                       Monthly  Newsletter                                                  Volume 7  

Namaste,                              

Join 7 Centers and the Sedona Kirtan Wallahs in a special double anniversary celebration featuring a free Yoga class, food and live music. Festivities mark the second anniversary of 7 Center's present location on the side of Airport Mesa as well as the first anniversary of the Sedona Kirtan Wallahs, who have brought kirtan to the community every Sunday for the last year at 7 Centers. We begin at 4:30pm Sunday June 12th with a yoga class led by Ruth Hartung followed at 6:00 pm with refreshments of kitcheree (an Indian rice soup), chai and other goodies. Kirtan begins at 7:00 pm.

There will be a Summer Solstice ceremony in our yurt Tuesday, June 21 at 7:00pm facilitated by Mark and Harold of Sedona Mystical Tours.  Bring your intentions and harness this powerful celestial alignment!

            Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, England

Moving- One of Life's Bardos                      

    by Lionheart, Temple Cat

Sogyal Rinpoche says that, "Bardo is a Tibetan word that simply means a transition or gap between the completion of one situation and the onset of another."

My latest bardo adventure was to move. It was a curious, chaotic and rather fun transition that seemed to last for weeks, even though we didn't go very far.

I observed a preoccupation about getting "Good Boxes," filling them and then telling stories about what was in them to anyone who would listen. I learned that when you don't know what to do with something but can't throw it away, you put it in another box which disappears into "Storage."  (Frankly, I find it much more interesting to hide inside boxes rather than to hide the boxes themselves.) And then there was the carrying of boxes into cars and borrowed trucks and making many trips. It was similar to one of my favorite pastimes, watching black ants.

This was followed by cleaning, which was not only exhausting to watch, but made it impossible to find a peaceful spot to nap! Next we drove in a car to our new place, and same thing started all over again in reverse. First came the cleaning, then the opening of the boxes and the merry-go-round of moving furniture.

I escaped this atmosphere of vata derangement to survey and explore my new territory, as this house has a yard filled with tall grasses, pine trees and a fountain for the birds to drink from and bathe in. A veritable paradise for a lion, a tiger, or a temple cat! I have been called to higher duties as hunter and householder. My work-- keeping track of birds, lizards, snakes and other creatures-- has tripled.  Now I only have time to sleep at night, when my curfew is enforced from dusk to dawn because of the coyote clan.

The greatest Bardo is that transition between death and heaven. And from this tiger's eye view of the world, I am indeed in heaven!

Ambaya's Corner....Practical Ayurveda

I have been impacted greatly by the generous and profound teachings of Dr. Vaidya Mishra, who has led me to realize once again what a great gift Ayurveda is and how it guides us in a holistic approach to life.

Most of us are familiar with the translation of Ayurveda as the Science of Life, but have you asked "What is Life?" The meaning of Life, according to Ayurveda, is the balance of our spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and sensual body. If we are out of balance (and most of us are), are we really alive? Or are we simply responding to life in a robotic manner, with no real joy, no true experience, and little satisfaction?

Dr. Mishra explains that without connecting the spirit to our heart lotus, there can be no connection from our heart to our mind. Leading a disconnected life has its consequences--at the very least, deteriorating health, unhappy relationships and unexpressed creativity. So how do we access this connection? And why haven't we been able to maintain it?

This is a topic we could discuss for a lifetime, but Ayurvedically speaking, we access life energy, or Prana, through our breath, our food and Nature. Let's look at just one aspect--food. Do we actually take the time to feed ourselves with reverence and love? Or do we take shortcuts, thinking we can grab something on the go and be well nourished?

During the last 1 ½ years at 7 Centers, we have integrated yoga trainings with an Ayurvedic lifestyle, feeding our students Ayurvedically prepared foods, and we have seen some remarkable if not miraculous results.

We invite you to take the time to cook fresh, organic foods every day, to cook them with love, to eat in a calm atmosphere and to give your meals the same attention, time and dedication you would want from your lover. Remember, our bodies are our lovers; they serve us our whole life. If we treat them well, we will experience much love and joy.

7 Centers Yoga Arts

Upcoming Yoga Training and Special Workshops

Personal Retreats

For those in the midst of transition who would like to get away for purposes of reflection, retreats offer an opportunity to go inside, reconnect and find serenity.  Or, if you simply want to deepen your personal practices or develop a program to take home with you, we are able to assist.

We are able to design programs based on needs and desires for an experience that will satisfy those parts of you that need attention and nuturing.  Whether it be yoga, ayurveda, hiking, spiritual growth, chanting & meditation or spa-like services, we are able to personally design programs.  We recommend at least 3 full days (travel days not included).  We can include accommodations or help you find the right place to stay.  Again, it's your choice.  If you would like to discuss the possibilities, call Sydney at 877-603-4400 or email us at yoga@7centers.com. 

Teacher Training Alumni News

Veronique Plante (Oct 04) has continued to expand her spiritual practice. She completed a Vipassana retreat in April.

Rebecca Kovacs (Oct 04) is teaching in San Diego. Visit her website (www.theyogahutpb.com) to see photos and memories of her training in Sedona.

Leslie Beia (Jan 04) moved to a ranch/farm/homestead in Washington. She says she is "Living her dream."

We love hearing from our students. What's new in your life? Are you teaching? Would you like to share something about your journey that might inspire others or help you reconnect with your classmates? Send us a note, and we'll pass it along. If you'd like to share your email address with former classmates, contact Sydney, and she'll help you keep in touch.

Sedona Community Bulletin Board

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

For Sale

1995 Lexus ES300 - Fully equipped, well maintained, excellent condition - $6,500.Call Sydney at 928-203-4400

1987 Toyota SunRader Motor home- 100,000 mile, automatic transmission a bargain at $6500. For more info

call Jenny(928) 301-3523.