Namaste! We hope you were blessed abundantly by the bright Solstice moment this week and brought closer to inner tranquility as the sun “stood still”….

It is a very newsy newsletter this month, with many exciting announcements unveiled in a new and colorful html format. The modern era arrives!

When we last met on this virtual plane, Swami Vivekananda and Mihaiela Pentiuc were in the Holy Land of Israel, where they caught a glimpse of the Easter Light in Jerusalem between successful teachings in Tel Aviv attended by many grateful students. Next stop: OWO-Kun Istanbul, a chic Osho-inspired center that also warmly welcomed Swami for a workshop, and has already invited him back for two more next year.

May brought our dynamic “workshop season,” with back-to-back-to-back immersion courses for four weeks in a row. Tantra 2, as always an eye- and soul-opening occasion, presented the deeper mysteries of Tantra. Khushru, Justine, and Moses co-taught the workshop, whose uplifting talks on the real nature of love and transcendence of love over possessiveness elevated the exquisite and erotic workshop themes. Participants enjoyed sweet and powerful meditations of transfiguration as well as learned transformational methods to assist the victory of the couple relationship. A highlight of the week was a ritual presentation representing maithuna, the sublime Tantric ritual union.

The following week, we welcomed author, expert, and first-time Agama collaborator Eugen Birgaoanu, teaching on Parapsychology 2, which dealt with phosphenes, radionics, and methods to awaken Kundalini, with translation assistance from Swami. Attendees relished their chance to participate in live experiments with phosphenes and radionics daily as well as learning about Hartmann grids, device construction, and the spiritual foundations of parapsychological science and practice.

After years of urging, Swami agreed to teach a Tibetan Yoga Workshop for the first time to about 50 eager and budding bodhisattvas. Swami led the group through intense studies of the Tibetan lineages, the Yoga of Voidness, Dzog-chen, Maha Mudra (assisted by Claudiu Trandafir), and the Six Yogas of Naropa, among others. To put them into the mentality of this tough tradition, Swami set participants to do 100 prostrations one evening in Yoga of the Disciple training, and other days led them in the rejuvenating Tibetan rites. It was a fascinating week, albeit short on time for such expansive studies.

Rounding out the month, our community was polarized into camps as the women embraced the secrets of the multifaceted Goddess in Complete Femininity, presented by Mihaiela, and the men were coached toward an amplified, enhanced masculine ideal with Vira Training, under the leadership of Swami. An electricity of delight and discovery permeated both groups. The women reported being challenged to open themselves in bold and spiritual ways to the energy of Shakti in a group dynamic. The men were drawn into intensified levels of Shiva Consciousness and valiant exemplification, some reporting profound changes in themselves in just five days.

Claudiu Trandafir continues to lead the popular Revelation of the Spiritual Heart Retreats at Green Hall, tucked in the peaceful pine and palm forest of Bovy Resort. July’s retreat will be the last of the season on Koh Phangan, so there is still one more opportunity to experience these 10 days of silence, meditation, aspiration, and joyful communion with the supreme Self, Atman. Among this month’s participants were some who journeyed from as far away as Australia, Greece, India, and Canada to attend this retreat.

On a lighter note, in the middle of this heroic marathon of teachings and by student request, we heated up things further with a “Hot Latin” Tantra Party. The belly-cum-pole dancing shaktis spiced up our lakeside hall with sensual moves and fire-twirling, while the men played “lap-dancing musical chairs” to be the top Shiva – a prize won with chair crushing drama! Quieter partygoers chatted by the bonfire as DJ Fatih spun tunes into the wee hours….

There is a lot of local news from Koh Phangan. Our Summer 2008 Teacher Training Course participants are moving into their second month now and proving to be a very special group with great aspiration. The students have formed their own study group independently and campaigned to revisit recordings of Swami’s incredibly inspiring “Jesus in the Eyes of Yoga” lecture series from 2004. We are already receiving applications for our 2009 courses (registered with Yoga Alliance); the enrollment cap has been reduced to 20 students per course in 2009 so spaces are destined to fill up faster.

Over at Bovy Resort, student Krista went the extra mile to create a full-spectrum recycling program, and next door in Daylight, new Agama teacher Tanistha will debut Thai-language weekly classes for the first time on Sunday, offered on donation to our island hosts and neighbors.

Agama recently launched its Yogic Consultation and Healing Center, a long-awaited dream, which has slowly spread its beautiful young wings. The center opened simply, offering drop-in chiropractic treatment during three sessions per week, and medical advising, Yogic therapy, and homeopathic consultations with Dr. Mihaiela Pentiuc, our physician on staff. We are currently seeking equipment, supplies, and other donations – large or small – to expand and grow the facility. Treatments and consultations are currently offered on a donation basis and from the heart.

In administrative news, our Calendar is up through February 2009; please be sure to synchronize your next arrival to Koh Phangan with needed course teachings. Additionally, we have amended some policies and introduced others; please read our Administrative News page for these important announcements.

We are very pleased to announce the creation of a Student Assembly, spearheaded with great enthusiasm by students and teachers. Through the Assembly – a grassroots, elected representational forum – students will discuss and research issues, make administrative suggestions and contributions to policy, and meet routinely with the Council, Agama’s administrative leadership.

Internationally, we are looking ahead to Swami Vivekananda’s third North American tour! This autumn he will spend his time almost exclusively in Canada (Toronto, Picton, Ottawa, and Vancouver), with a one-week event series in Monterrey, Mexico; visit our website for full schedule and event descriptions. Wendy and Darin, the co-owners of Shanti Yoga Retreat, are this year also thrilled to host Mihaiela Pentiuc, who will lead Complete Femininity by request alongside a Vira Training Workshop in Picton, Ontario. Her workshop is booking at lightning speed!

In global news, Manu and Monika of Agama – Dharamsala introduced a tender new element to their center’s offerings in that Himalayan wonderland: kids’ Yoga! Local moms with kids in tow turned out in droves for these free classes, which were a huge hit this spring. The Tibetan protests surrounding the Beijing Olympics dampened tourism somewhat in this misty mountain town, but the dynamic duo has been blessed with many excellent students nonetheless.

In Israel, Ron is teaching month 1 and 2 classes, and Zohar is coordinating weekly meetings of advanced students.

Agama UK recently reopened with Ania and Silvia in Bristol. These two shining women are passionate about the center and its weekly classes, and equally excited about their new Sundariashram, which will sponsor a variety of Yogic activities, including retreats, workshops, etc.

In Vancouver, Yoav and Rafale are leading a dedicated and enthusiastic core group in month 4 teachings, alongside First Month Intensive Course classes. The two hold open meditation sessions at their center and are preparing to host both Swami Vivekananda for lectures in the city and Monika for a belly dancing workshop this autumn. Further north in B.C., Thomas and Ronela have opened Anuttara Yoga in Terrace, and continue to build their ashram and Yoga hall in summer, while spending winters in retreat. They are especially eager to find Karma Yogi helpers this summer; please contact Thomas if you have the energy to help this fledgling center and ashram make the jump to hyperspace….

In the Ottawa area, Maureen is currently teaching month 2 and just wrapped up a month 1 course. She hopes to hold drop-in classes through August, before kicking off a 4- or 6- week course in Yoga Nidra and meditation. In November / December Maureen will hold months 1 and 3 for eight weeks.

The Koh Phangan community has become much quieter as students have left to find jobs and visit their families as we head into low season. However, blissful bhajans still ring out on Friday nights, alternating with group meditations for opening the heart. We continue to meet for Yang spirals in a field under the open night sky each full moon, and to support each other on the path of awakened Consciousness toward ultimate liberation….

In the spirit of the Solstice, a time of spiritual renewal, may we be thankful for the blessings that come our way in the great totality of Now….

May Love brighten all your days,
Lori for Agama Yoga

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” – Mother Theresa