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Light of the Vedas

W W W. V E D A N E T. C O M

BI MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF VEDIC STUDIES

Celebrating

YOGA SHAKTI

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Celebrating YOGA SHAKTI

Our March Yoga Shakti celebration in the Kumaon Himalayas was very special, with students joining us from India, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Romania, C a n a d a , U S A , Au s t r a l i a , F r a n c e , U K a n d Swi erland. We enjoyed everyone's dedication to the higher wisdom of Tantra, Vedanta, Jyotisha and A y u r ve d a . Va m a d e va S h a s t r i a n d Yo g i n i Shambhavi taught the powerful Inner Tantric Yoga of the Dasha Mahavidya Goddesses, which they had not previously taught publicly. Yogi Greg Van Acker harmonized everyone's energies with Yoga asana and Acharya Ed Zadlo guided everyone through the Ayurveda and Yoga. The festival of color's Holi celebrations unfolded an exhilarating exuberance of Shakti with the darshan of Kalika temple, followed by a group Holi with natural ower essences and ower petals. Our darshan of the sacred Kumaon temples in

Jageshwara, Almora, Dunagiri and Ranikhet drew everyone into rituals, re ceremonies, prayer and meditation. Harmonizing the trip was the delightful trek to the Mahavatar Babaji's Dunagiri cave witnessing the full blossoming of the red Rhododendron Himalayan trees. Our sadhaks had some amazing experiences amidst the Himalayan mysticism. Our next Yoga Shakti retreat is in the eclectic environs of Santa Fe in New Mexico, USA, Aug. 1825. We are most grateful to all our sadhaks who honor the deeper teachings, sharing the sacred space during our Yoga Shakti retreats. We have beautiful seekers joining us from our November, Italy and March, Himalayan Yoga Shakti retreats. Their dedication to drawing in the wisdom of the Rishi culture and Shakta traditions into their sadhana is most gratifying.

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Dharma Dhamma
Second International Conference in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Vamadeva Shastri, as a patron of the conference, and Yogini Shambhavi participated in the second International Conference on Dharma-Dhamma - Feb.28 - March 2, 2014 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, organized by Centre for Study of Religion and Society (CSRS), India Foundation New Delhi and Sanchi University of Buddhist Indic Studies, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. The conference's focus was on the viewpoints of Nature, Source and Relevance of Dharma Dhamma Traditions. Dharma is not only a pivotal concept, but it has also been the most pervasive concept within Indian cultural ethos. According to Indian thought, the cosmic process and human existence have built-in teleology and purposiveness. There is an inherent order in the cosmos called 'Rtam'. The Vedic Seers highlighted this concept and exhorted to adhere to the order inherent in the cosmic universe. Important guests and participants included the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan,

H.R.H. Princess Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuk of Bhutan. The esteemed patrons of the Sanchi University of BuddhistIndic Studies and its conference, are Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha Coimbatore, Ven. Samdhong Rinpoche Chancellor Sanchi University, Ven. Lama Lobzang, Ven. Geshe Ngawang Samten Vice Chancellor Central University of Tibetan Studies Sarnath, Pujya Swami Atmapriyananda Vice Chancellor RK Mission Vivekananda University West Bengal, Vamadeva Shastri (David Frawley) Director American Institute of Vedic Studies, Santa Fe NM USA, Dr. Lokesh Sharma, Director International Academy of Indian Culture New Delhi, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero President Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, and Dr. Kapil Kapoor Rector (Retd) Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi. Below left - Vamadeva Shastri, Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero, Prof. Lokesh Chandra, Yogini Shambhavi. Below right - Ven. Geshe Ngawang Samten and Vamadeva Shastri.

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with Sadguru Sri Sivananda Murty at Gurudham, Warangal Andhra Pradesh

It has been most auspicious to be with Guruji Sivananda Murty on Mahashivaratri, having the grace of Shiva's blessing through all the pujas and sacred rituals. Guruji took time out to be with us alone during the evenings sharing the deeper wisdom. He is a true sadguru with the most profound Jnana and wisdom of the Vedas, Tantra, Jyotisha and Ayurveda. He personally guides all his followers in the highest vedic traditions.

Mahashivaratri celebrations

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Karma As an Evolutionary Force

Theme for our Santa Fe Yoga Shakti August 18-25, 2014
Looking deeper, we see that karma reects the actuality that we create our own reality. We fashion both our lives and our environment according to all that we do in life. Karma, therefore, means that we are universal creators, not simply the helpless products of external forces. Karma is the underlying process of the 'self-creating universe'. It indicates that the universe creates itself according to its own inner intentionality. Through the power of karma, we are self-creating beings in a self-creating existence. Even the forces of nature, like time or gravity, which appear beyond our control, are manifestations of an intelligent reality in which we are active participants. The soul can be dened as our 'karmic being' as opposed to our merely human personality that is its mask. The soul carries our karmic propensities called samskaras from one body to another. Our karma, we could say, is the DNA of our soul. Just as the body has its particular genetic code, the soul has its particular 'karmic code'. The soul's karmic code is based upon the life pa erns it has createdthe habits, tendencies, inuences and desires it has set in motion over its many births. These karmic tendencies or samskaras like seeds ripen in the soil of our lives, taking root and sprouting according to favorable circumstances. Our soul's energy is ltered through our karmic potentials, which create the very pa ern of our lives down to subconscious and instinctual levels. refusal to accept the transformative changes of life that continuously break down our boundaries. We create our own suering when we refuse to open ourselves up to life's new movements, particularly those which go against our worldly expectations and cherished beliefs. Only when we learn to honour this power of transformation even in death and destruction will we move beyond the limitations that surround our existence with suering, strife and pain. Desire plays an important role in shaping our karma. The fullment of desires must arise from the Atma through the intention of satya sankalpa which understands the desires of the heart. The desires of the heart are cultivated through dharma, a conscious awareness of our desire based nature. In the pursuit of dharma lies the fulllment of our karma. Shakti sadhana creates an awareness of our desire based nature, training the mind to realize and harness its innate tendencies. Understanding the lila or play of desires in our karmic cycle creates awareness based on viveka or discrimination. The Tantric path guides us in the expansion of our deeper desires of love, compassion and empathy. The path of desire is what allows us to evolve into higher consciousness.

Karma compels us to develop our awareness, not simply internally but in the eld of action where it really counts. Karma, therefore, is an evolutionary force. Our own human karma is part of the evolution of consciousness on the planet, not simply part of our personal growth The sacred art of living life unfolds as a Yagya or and development. Karma prods us to a greater sacrice. Life unravels a series of soul stirrings, sense of unity by making us responsible for all sometimes stirring up a hornet's nest through that we do both to ourselves and to others. our personal experiences. Suering arises from a

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It is imperative that each one of us is both aware of our karmic path and also learn the tools to modify it. The Vedic system provides us probably the best tools in this regard, through its many disciplines including Yoga, Tantra, Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology and Vastu. Yet if karma is an evolutionary force, then there is a positive goal to its development. It is not merely sharing a common suering but developing a common joy, in which we help others become free, independent and happy in their own natures. Evolution is an expression of the very joy of life from which creation naturally arises, what Yoga calls 'Ananda' or Divine Bliss. We must follow this deeper bliss if we want to discover true happiness and understanding in life. That true delight is not a personal achievement but the joy of unity, the power of love. If we look to the wisdom of karma, it will take us to that greater oneness in which all our sorrows disappear, in which the very possibility of sorrow will cease to exist.

full scope of the greater Yoga tradition that shows us a sacred way of living that is relevant to all and encompasses all that we can do or imagine. Join us in our Yoga Shakti celebrations in the mystical environs of Santa Fe NM, USA, reecting the power of the lofty Rocky Mountains, the luminous high desert, ancient Native American and Hispanic traditions, numerous artists and spiritual groups from throughout the world who have made this land of enchanting light their home. Prayer is the sacred art of divining with the higher self.these mystic moments of prayer are the essence of union with the divine where the devotee is one with the divine force .Our prayer is an oering of devotion and selessness, the hearts yearning for discovering the secrets hidden in the guha of Shaktis compassion and love.

There are many tools to guide us through the yogic practices of pranayama, pujas, re rituals, The Vedic and Tantric approach to life is to focus mantra, prayer, contemplation and meditation. on the creative power behind what we see, rather We must also approach these practices and than the outer form, which is ultimately a power studies with an inner peace and composure. of consciousness and love. We will show you how to awaken that inner power of light as a descent of Living with awareness in the Light of Dharma! grace within your mind and heart. Shakti Yoga Jai Ma Guru! energizes our Higher Prana and Inner Self awareness for total well-being and harmony with all of nature and our greater Self that extends to For more info visit us @ the entire universe and beyond! Join us in h p://www.vedanet.com/retreatscelebrating the Bliss and Divine Grace of the programs/santa-fe-retreat-2014/ Mother Goddess through ancient Vedic and Tantra, Mantra & Transforming Karma Tantric teachings made relevant to our lives today! Santa Fe NM (USA), August 18-25, 2014 Learn how to transform your karma into freedom For further information email with rituals, mantras and meditations, reecting yoginishambhavi@aol.com the wisdom of Ayurvedic healing and the secrets Vedic astrology. We will guide you through the

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May 14 19, 2014 | Moscow

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Travel Schedule | May to August 2014

International Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda conference
h p://www.vedanet.com/bleckt/

May 23 27 | St. Petersburg

Festival Vedic Astrology, Ayurveda and Shakti Sadhana

May 29 8 June | Soya, Bulgaria

Seminar on Ayurveda and Healing

June 19 22

Council of Vedic Astrology (CVA) 20th Anniversary Conference

June 19 | Special Pre-Conference Workshop 10:00 AM 4:00 PM with
Vamadeva Shastri and Yogini Shambhavi on the Role of Shakti in Vedic Astrology h p://www.vedicconference.com
July 4-6 | North Carolina

Ayurveda and Yoga Conference in Boone with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
h p://www.aapna.org/conferences/11th-conference-july-2014-boone-nc

August 18-25

Yoga Shakti Retreat in Santa Fe NM Tantra, Mantra & Transforming Karma with Vamadeva Shastri and Yogini Shambhavi

Santa Fe Yoga Shakti Retreat

Tantra, Mantra & Transforming Karma
Santa Fe NM (USA), August 18-25, 2014
Harmonize your Karmic Life-Play through Vedic Ritual, Mantra and Meditation!

With Pandit Vamadeva Shastri & Yogini Shambhavi

Shakti Yoga empowers our Higher Prana and Inner Self awareness for total well-being and harmony! Join us in celebrating the Power and Divine Grace of the Mother Goddess energy through ancient Vedic teachings understanding our Karmic disposition in life.

Awaken and Nurture the Shakti force within you Explore Tapas, your inner fire through Shakti Sadhana Enhance your Drishti Yoga, the Inner Yoga of Perception Meditation as a Tantric Art of Awakening Shakti within us Tantra as a Spiritual Path for Transformation of Consciousness Tantra as weaving our Prana with the Cosmic Prana (Life-force) Understand your Karmic unfoldment through Vedic Astrology Harmonize your Karmic Lila or Divine Dance through Mantra

Become immersed in the deeper teachings of Vedic and Tantric wisdom, Raja Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta in the mysticism of Santa Fe's powerful environs. Enjoy the healing grace of Our lady of Guadalupe amidst the repose of Northern New Mexico's high desert and the lofty Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and explore the culture, arts and crafts of Santa Fe. Explore the 93rd Annual Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest arts and crafts fair of the Natve Americans, August 23-24.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

PO BOX 8357, SANTA FE NM 87504, USA

YOGINI SHAMBHAVI email: yoginishambhavi@aol.com www.vedanet.com