Namaste! We hope this greeting finds you well, and enjoying peace and Self-discovery in your spiritual practice.

Since our last newsletter, much is news. Swami Vivekananda wrapped up his first North American tour, with a final 10 days in beautiful Monterrey, Mexico. Elisabeth will henceforward coordinate Agama teachings for this country; contact her at . See the tour journal for a summary of on-the-road daily life. The reception to these teachings was very enthusiastic everywhere Swami went and we met many wonderful new students. As for Swami, he enjoyed visiting Canada, the United States, and Mexico much more than he expected. At three months of nearly daily teachings and frequent travel by both car and air, the tour was certainly not relaxing, but we can definitely call it a great success!

In Swami's absence, Mihaiela also brought Agama to Tel Aviv, Israel, this year, teaching not only an advanced Tantra workshop, but also a Parapsychology seminar. She held a Yang Spiral alongside introductory Agama teachings, as well as gave plenty of advanced teachings and consultations to the dedicated students there. Mihaiela was also kept busy with back-to-back scheduling for the 10 days of her late November visit! See www.agamayoga.net for our Hebrew site detailing the ongoing, year-round courses held in Tel Aviv with our teaching team there, or contact .

The day after Swami returned to Europe, he flew to Greece (Athens) to present teachings for three days at a large Yoga Symposium, and although he heads toward Thailand on Monday for the start of the new season, he still has not had a rest: today he is teaching a Metaphysical Workshop in Bucharest. After this busiest year ever, Swami may enjoy the end-of-year retreat more than most of us. :-)

Lastly, Agama brought its teachings to our former headquarters of Rishikesh, India, this past autumn with beginner-level courses under the guidance of head teachers Debora and Khushru. Debora reports that a wonderful energy was present among the special students who studied there over the past three months. In addition to daily courses, bhajan evenings, twice-monthly anahata meditations, and other events took place, creating a warm community in Swargashram. Simultaneously, now until 16 December, the first-, second-, and third-month courses continue. But after that time, Agama will suspend classes for the winter, to be reconvened in mid-February.

We are on the verge of beginning the 2007 teaching season - our fifth - on Koh Phangan island in South Thailand. To kick off the season, we will hold what have become annual teachings in Kashmir Shaivism, this time an Introduction (having no prerequisite), 17-21 December. Kashmir Shaivism is truly one of the most exquisite, elevated spiritual systems, and if you have the chance to attend you should take this opportunity. Swami Vivekananda is one of the last living authorities teaching on this subject today.

Immediately following this workshop, we will hold our annual 10-day silent New Year's Retreat, a special course in meditation commemorating both the spirit of Christmas and the energy of the New Year. Please join us!

Throughout this period, we will continue our First Month Intensive Course (which now runs year-round), but will abridge the course running 16 December-6 January, 2007, as our full roster of courses restarts on 8 January.

We are very excited to host a full Teachers' Training Course this year! Although reservations reached 27, necessitating a waiting list, a number of these students ultimately had to withdraw for personal reasons, leaving this year's class at 20 (and possibly 21) - our enrollment cap. We look forward to an incredible program!

A few events to put on your calendar: In February (21-22), Agama is delighted to host internationally renowned spiritual guide Jasmuheen, who will give two one-day seminars on living on and maximizing the pranic life force. We will also hold our first workshop of the new year, Tantra 1, from 2-6 April, 2007. And Swami Vivekananda will shortly announce the 2007 workshop season courses he intends to hold later in spring. Stay tuned!

We hope to host you this coming year in Thailand! If you cannot join us there, we wish you strength and many blessings wherever you are in the world, and joy in this holiday season.

Love,
Lori for Agama Yoga and Swami Vivekananda