IntensIve & RetReat

New Age teachings tell us that ‘we can have it all’. If this is true then why don’t we feel as though we have what we want or that we can obtain everything we want? How can we reconcile what we want, with what we can achieve and with what we have? Why does it seem as though some people easily attract what they want, and others no matter how hard they try, cannot make what they want happen?

Kashmir Shaivism says that understanding is the key to ‘having it all’. If we are not achieving our goals, ideals and wishes, or if we feel blocked rather than open, flowing, and in touch with the Self, then it means our understanding of our circumstance is at odds with an inner truth, our own reality or our karma. Outer world expression is inextricably connected to what we want in our heart of hearts.

In this retreat we will explore practically and mystically the Shaivite teaching, ‘the world is as you see it’. By Self-inquiry and meditation we can come to understand the inner dynamic that frees energy to accomplish what we want. It also reveals how to let go of that which is in conflict with what we want. Connection with the inner Self reveals what is ours, what we truly want and teaches us how to realistically achieve our purpose.

Location: Shiva Ashram 27 Tower Rd, Mt Eliza

Date: 5pm Wed 7 Oct-Sun 11 Oct

Cost: Please see registration form

There are many options for the retreat. You can come and stay residentially, join us for the day programmes, attend Swamiji’s evening Satsangs, or come to the Intensive on Sunday. For more information about registration options and costs, please refer to the registration form.

Retreat schedule: 7.30am Meditation 8.30am Breakfast 10am Seva (Service) 11.30am Self-inquiry

with Devi Ma 1pm Lunch3pm Chanting Workshop 4pm Hatha Yoga 6pm Dinner 7.30pm Satsang with Swamiji Schedule is subject to change.

Ya Drishti, Sa SrishtiThe World Is As You See It

spRIng RetReat 2009

Location: Shiva Ashram 27 Tower Rd, Mt Eliza

Date: Sunday Oct 11

Time: 10am-5.30pm

Cost: $150 / $120 concession

Deposit: $50

True spirituality begins with shaktipat, the descent of divine grace, and the awakening of the kundalini shakti (spiritual energy). This awakening is transmitted from teacher to student in a lineage of Great Beings and heralds the beginning of your spiritual practice, which naturally unfolds and deepens. Once kundalini is awakened, meditation practice becomes easier, spiritual blocks are removed, and personal transformations are possible. The scriptures say that shaktipat can happen in four ways: by look, by touch, by word or by thought. Around an awakened master, all of these can happen spontaneously by grace, however the Intensive is the only time Swamiji formally gives shaktipat by touch.

This day-long programme is a great opportunity to listen to Swamiji’s talks, go deep in meditation, and spend time contemplating the inner Self. The Intensive is suitable for all levels of meditators, from beginners to advanced.

IntensIve Awakening the Spiritual Energy

shIva yogaEvents & Courses

September - November 2009

leaRn to meDItate

Locations & Dates: Shiva Ashram, Mt Eliza Wednesday evenings - ongoing

Brighton Centre Thursday evenings - ongoing

Time: 7:30-9:00pm

Cost: $85 / $70 concession per 4 sessions

Contemplations and Meditations from Happy For No Good Reason

This new incarnation of the level II course is designed to provide ongoing sessions of meditation for graduates of the Learn to Meditate.

Swami Shankarananda (Swamiji), creator of the Learn to Meditate course, is often asked by graduates what they should do next. He recommends that everyone develops a regu-lar meditation practice. Keeping in touch with the inner Self is the key to a happy life and through meditation we continue to access the love, peace, wisdom and energy that resides within.

These meditation sessions will focus on practices from Swamiji’s books, including Happy For No Good Reason, and Consciousness is Everything. The emphasis will be on helping practitioners to reduce the stress of daily life and can often facilitate insights into personal issues. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions that may arise and to receive advice about establishing a meditation practice.

These sessions will be taught by Devi Ma (Swami Bhairavi Ananda), Swami Girijananda, Swami Atmananda, Swami Durgananda and other trained Shiva Yoga instructors. These gifted teachers have spent many years studying meditation and carry the spiritual energy of Shiva Yoga.

Essential First Step in Shiva Yoga Meditation

Time: 7:30-9:00pm 4 consecutive Thursdays

Cost: $185 / $150 conc.

Deposit: $35

Course includes: A complimentary copy of

Swamiji’s best-selling book and CD, Happy For No Good Reason

Four methods of meditation: guided chakra meditation, mantra, breath and meditation in the world

Establishing a meditation practice

locations and Dates: Shiva Ashram, Mt Eliza Begins Thursday 15 October Taught by Swami Shankarananda Brighton Centre: 50 Milroy St, East Brighton Begins Thursday 3 SeptTaught by Swami Atmananda

leaRn to meDItate: level I Be Happy For No Good Reason

leaRn to meDItate: level II Meditate on the Self

shIva pRoCess selF InQUIRy gRoUps Using Your Awareness to Unblock Your Life

Self-inquiry is a classical means of contemplation which uses questions to invoke the profound wisdom of the inner Self. In Shiva Process, Swamiji’s unique method of inquiry, we look directly at the blocks that separate us from peace, happiness and wisdom, and learn to undo them.

When Shiva Process is practised with a group of fellow seekers, a useful chemistry is created, and a collective understanding or “awareness” arises. From this awareness, participants are able to give and receive “feedback” which often leads to deeper insight.

Please note that a series of private sessions is recommended before joining a group.

Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Cost: $85 / $70 concession per 4 sessions

neW

meditations include:

Contacting the inner Self

Guided chakra meditation

Breath

Exploring the inner world

Becoming present

Self-recognition

Contemplating Awareness

Location & Dates:

Williamstown Thursday evening - ongoing

Shiva Ashram, Mt Eliza Wednesday evening - ongoing

Brighton Centre, Tuesday evening - ongoing

Satsang is a free programme held every Saturday evening at the Shiva Ashram in Mt Eliza, beginning 7:30pm.

selF-InQUIRy at satsang w sat september 26

sat sept 19satsang 7:30pm

Salutations to the Devi who abides in all beings in the form of reflection, of

meditation, and of happiness.

Salutations to Her who, pervading this entire world, abides in all beings in the

form of consciousness.

Salutations to Her who is the author of everything.

Excerpt from the Devi Mahatmayam (Glory of the Divine Mother)

Join us as we honour Devi Ma’s birthday. Devi Ma is lovingly referred to as the mother of the Shiva Ashram.

Self-inquiry is the mother of all spiritual methods and the crest-jewel of meditation. It is an inner investigation that removes obstacles like a laser. By Self-inquiry you not only attain the Self, but you solve the problems in your practical life. Everyone should learn to do inquiry.

Swamiji

In Shiva Process Self-inquiry we look directly at the inner blocks that separate us from peace, happiness and wisdom, and learn to undo them. In this series of four talks during Satsang, Swamiji will discuss his unique approach, along with other methods of Self-inquiry. This series will give people a taste of this powerful meditative practice.

DevI ma’s BIRthDay

CeleBRatIon

It is our good fortune that Melbourne is the site of the Parliament of the World’s Religions this year (3-9 Dec) (www.parliamentofreligions.org). Swami Shankarananda will be participating in the Parliament in a number of ways. Also in honour of the event, the Shiva Ashram is hosting an interfaith series as a part of its weekly Satsang in which leading religious figures from various faiths will discuss the mystical heart of their tradition.

In this age of religious tension it is very important that people of faith learn to communicate across religious boundaries. When you strip every religion of its ritual and dogma you find a common core. That core has to do with an immediate and direct relationship with God, however conceived. Each religion has its Great Beings, great realisers who have attained the ultimate mystical oneness with the Divine. Something of value can be obtained by listening to accomplished practitioners of other faiths. Swami Shankarananda

Saturday, 17th October, 7.30pm (Satsang)

the mystIC heaRt: satsang InteRFaIth seRIes

satsang speCIal events

Satsang with Swamiji Wednesdays 7:30pm 30 September 28 October 25 November

Kirtan: Devotional ChantingFriday 18 September 7:30pm

Chanting opens the heart and makes love flow within us.

- Baba Muktananda

sWamIjI In aDelaIDeSwamiji and Devi Ma visit Adelaide for a series of programmes hosted by Swami Dayananda, director of the Adelaide Centre.

Free satsang Saturday 12 September 7:30 – 9:30pm

meditation Intensive Sunday 13 September venue: adelaide shiva yoga meditation Centre79 Military Rd, Semaphore South

the mystic heart of ChristianityRev Hans Christiansen is the Assistant Priest in the Parish of Sorrento and Rye on the Mornington Peninsula. He has completed a Bachelor Degree in Christian Theology in Copenhagen and a Postgraduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction from the Melbourne College of Divinity. He is ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church of Australia and is an oblate in the Camaldolese

Benedictine Order, a contemplative monastic order that is committed to interfaith dialogue.

CentRes

BRIghton CentRe50 Milroy St, East Brighton

hatha yoga Be Good To Yourself - Do Yoga

Beginner yoga Course Shiva Ashram, Mt Eliza

w Begins Tues 13 Oct, 7:30-8:45pm w Begins Wed 21 Oct, 6:00-7:15pm

8 once-a-week classes$110 / $95 conc.Deposit: $35

Intermediate yoga Classes – ongoing Shiva Ashram, Mt Eliza

Monday 6pm Tuesday 10:30am Wednesday 6pm Saturday 10am

$120 / $100 conc. 10 classes(booklet of tickets)

pregnancy yoga Shiva Ashram, Mt Eliza Monday 7pm $15 per class

yoga for Kids Shiva Ashram, Mt Eliza Monday 4pm $10 per class

For all course inquiries:Phone: 03 9775 2568

Fax: 03 9775 2591Email: askus@shivayoga.org Website: www.shivayoga.org

shIva sChool oF meDItatIon anD yoga 27 Tower Road, Mt. Eliza, Vic 3930

The Shiva Ashram is located forty-five minutes outside of Melbourne on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. It is a centre of learning, practice, spiritual growth and transformation. Set on six acres, it is an idyllic and tranquil place to immerse yourself in the teachings and tradition of meditation and yoga. The Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga is a nonprofit organisation.

Location: Shiva Ashram 27 Tower Rd, Mt Eliza

Date: Sunday 4 October

Time: 11:00am-1:30pm

Cost: $25 / $20 concession

hatha yoga WoRKshopsUpcoming Workshops

pilates and ashtanga vinyasa yoga1 November

Teaching Children Yoga In this workshop Anandi Fenwick, a senior Shiva Yoga teacher, will share her experience of teaching yoga for children and young adults. You will learn how to make yoga fun for the 7-11 age group by utilising games, group exercises and meditation. Also find out how to incorporate the Shiva Process Self Inquiry method into classes for the 11-16 age group. This workshop will expand your creativity and expression in this specialised area of yoga. Workshop will include a yoga class and theory session.

onlIne CoURses Now Available

We are now offering on-line, via Skype video, individual and small group Learn to Meditate courses and Shiva Process Self-inquiry sessions. Perfect for those who live interstate or internationally.

seva Selfless Service

Location: Shiva Ashram 27 Tower Rd, Mt Eliza

Date: Begins 3 September 4 consecutive Thursdays

Sally (Lakshmi) Thurley, a talented cook will be teaching a four week cooking course: an introduction to Indian Vegetarian cuisine.

CooKIng FoR yogIs Time: 7:00-9:00pm

Cost: $225 / $200 concession

Deposit: $35

Working-B Seva is the spiritual practice of selfless service and is one of the greatest yogic paths. Spiritual wisdom tells us that it’s always better to work for something higher than our own personal desires, and service to the Divine is the perfect way. Seva is also a great way of participating in the Ashram community. Come to the working-B and help us maintain the Ashram garden and properties. There are projects to suit everyone and a free lunch will be served afterwards.

Location: Shiva Ashram 27 Tower Rd, Mt Eliza

Date: Sunday 27 September

Time: 10:00am-1:30pm

Contact: Indira

Level I

Cost: $250 AUD for 3 sessions

Session time: 1 ½ hours

Includes a copy of Happy For No Good Reason or Self-inquiry book

Level II

On-going support sessions also available

Prerequisites: Web camera & Skype Payment: via PAYPAL (see www.shivayoga.org)