He is also a celebrated authority on the various forms of Tantra, including the esoteric Kashmir Shaivism (Trika); he is one of the few experts teaching this rare and exquisite Yoga. Swami Vivekananda is the founder of the NATHA Yoga institute in Copenhagen, now Denmark’s largest Yoga school, and Agama Yoga, an international school with branches in Thailand, India, Israel, and Greece. Agama offers certified Yoga teacher training and is becoming widely known for its short- and long-term university-level Yoga programs. The Agama center offers initiations in advanced tantric techniques that until recently weren’t accessible to Westerners.

Swami Vivekananda has been teaching for nearly 25 years, in places such as India, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Greece, Israel, Thailand, and Belgium. This year marks his first foray into North America, a long-held wish of his many students from this continent.

Here follow event descriptions from his North American Tour schedule.

The Metaphysical Weekend
Why do we practice spirituality? The vertical approach to total balance. Talks, initiations, meditations, practice, Hatha Yoga.

Many people today don’t understand what spirituality is or what the foundations of spiritual work should be. Even some people who have a spiritual practice, Yoga for example, may not understand its true nature or real purpose. Swami Vivekananda presents this weekend to address such observations and unveil the deeper fundamentals of spirituality.

Metaphysics is the forgotten element of spiritual life. It represents the vertical dimension of spirituality addressing the fate of the human soul. Within today’s New Age environment, a fascination with occult science, magic, and Shamanism leads people horizontally through life without a genuine spiritual basis. Metaphysics leads us to a practice which defines our position in the Universe, why we are here. It is the main motivator in spiritual practice, without which there is no drive, and we miss the big picture.

The Metaphysical Weekend is a spiritual eye-opener, an excellent introduction to anyone who might be interested in anything spiritual. It is meant to be a motivator, to provide aspiration, to highlight the existential condition, to give a meaning to and ground for true spiritual practice. It can change your life, opening a new door in your world. The hope is that participants will gain the right motivation for spirituality, the basis to start a practice with the right understanding, and for the right cause.

What the weekend entails:
The workshop includes observations on excerpts from some traditional texts, significant fragments of Yoga and metaphysics, which describe very clearly the fundamental issues for the human soul, those of existence, of life. Extensive commentary is given on issues such as reincarnation, parallel universes, evolution, liberation, karma, using practical examples and illustrations, such as simple methods of meditation, methods of Yoga, and all kinds of other spiritual techniques intended to create an opening, to demonstrate, and to teach. The workshop incorporates music meditation, voidness meditation from Tibetan Buddhist Yoga, asanas (Yoga postures), wisdom from Gnostic Christianity, teachings from Tantra Yoga, readings from Paramahansa Yogananda, and Swami Vivekananda’s own materials.

Tantra Weekend Workshop
The ABCs of Tantra. No nudity; for individuals and couples. Lectures, initiations, meditations, Hatha Yoga.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the exciting realm of Tantra Yoga and the tantric path and to discover spiritual eroticism, presented by Swami Vivekananda, one of today’s greatest masters. The workshop presents the esoteric tantric teachings in a coherent and practical style. The presentation is adapted to Western audiences, yet preserves the authenticity and richness of the original teachings. The tantric wisdom is presented in conjunction with additional relevant information from Yoga, Chinese Taoism, Tibetan Buddhism, alchemy, and Middle Eastern Imsak. The oral presentations are supplemented with printed materials, exemplifications, meditations, and initiations (energy inductions). Please note that there are no explicit presentations or nudity, whatsoever.

The curriculum includes the following topics: the fundamental ideas of Tantra and different tantric paths (e.g. red, white, and black Tantra); transfiguration and the divine aspect of Tantra; male/female polarity; sexual continence, and the separation of orgasm and ejaculation; transmutation and sublimation of the sexual energy; various forms of orgasm; healing; medical aspects of Tantra; specific forms of training for men and women; the tantric sexual union; birth control, natural aphrodisiacs, and their application; vitality enhancement; development of charisma; attaining higher forms of consciousness; cosmic forces; the mystery of Kundalini; love versus possessiveness; the Tantra mantra combination; and what is love.

This detailed and clear introduction to Tantra provides the essential knowledge needed in order to start mastering tantric sexuality.

Evening Lectures on Various Topics Related to Yoga, Tantra, and Metaphysics
An opportunity for questions and answers will follow each lecture.

What Is Yoga?
A concise yet deep presentation of Yoga and its practical applications, this is a perfect opportunity to learn about the fundamental spiritual principles behind Yoga, and go far beyond the commonly accepted yet superficial views of Yoga as either a fitness-oriented form of gymnastics or a stress-reducing system of stretching exercises.

The Meaning of Life According to Spiritual and Metaphysical Principles
This practical presentation systematically approaches the fundamental questions of life, the human spirit, the fate of the soul, and the evolution of the human being. It analyzes these fascinating topics from a metaphysical/spiritual standpoint and attempts to shed more light on this intriguing topic. It also serves as an introduction to a more comprehensive treatment of these topics which is offered separately, through the Metaphysical Weekend Workshop. A variety of exemplifications, spiritual exercises, and meditations will be given alongside the theoretical expose.

Yoga, Brachmacharya, and the Shiva-Shakti Principle, or Why Tantric Yogis Do Not Shy Away from Sex (Introduction to Tantra)
A presentation by Swami Vivekananda Saraswati that has already become a classic, this lecture reflects on the significance of the sexual energy from an evolutionary standpoint. A major topic covered is the importance of the conservation and cultivation of this energy along the path of personal and spiritual growth, through a process of sublimation. The issue of celibacy in spirituality is raised and the tantric path is outlined as an alternative. Some esoteric methods applied in Tantra Yoga for conservation of the sexual energy are unveiled.

To complete the picture, the tantric path and tantric sexuality are outlined and discussed in different aspects such as healing, energizing, sexual therapy, and the cultivation of the sexual energy and the orgasmic state. Additional topics include yin, yang, and their union as a form of spiritual realization, cultivation of higher forms of relationships, and accomplishment through love relationships. This is an excellent introduction to the Tantra Weekend Workshop.

A Yogic Guide to Health and Healing: Ways for Achieving and Preserving Health
An assortment of methods for healing and the preservation of health, as advocated by the yogic tradition, are introduced. The yogic view of the origin of disease is elucidated, along with various healing and health-preserving methods. These include dieting, fasting, purification techniques, asana practice, homeopathy, Ayurveda, acupuncture, urine therapy, yin/yang balancing, and chiropractic.

Yoga and Parapsychology
This presentation aims to lift a first veil of ignorance and illusion surrounding this topic by asserting that much of the paranormal actually has a scientific basis. At the same time some phenomena, which can be demonstrated by various devices developed by parapsychologists (e.g. the orgone machine, pyramids, etc.), give rise to effects that imply the existence of certain mysterious forces that science cannot yet explain. These and other related topics are presented and discussed. Some "parapsychological devices" are demonstrated.

Kashmir Shaivism
This presentation will propel your mind to fly into higher dimensions.... In the tantric tradition, Kashmir Shaivism, which originated in 7th to 10th century A.D. Kashmir, is considered the highest, most exclusive and sublime form of spirituality.

An amalgamation of knowledge from Tibet, India, China, and other cultures, it is known as the most advanced philosophical, intellectual, metaphysical, and spiritual lore in the history of India and Tibet. The subject of this lecture, on which Swami Vivekananda is an expert, presents some of the fundamentals of this vast and fascinating topic.

Jesus in the Eyes of Yoga
Often those who become involved with Yoga are dismissive of their own Christian background and values, unaware of the true meaning of Christianity. Some great yogis in India, through their spiritual quest, managed to reach a genuine spiritual communion with Jesus, thus perceiving the spirit of Jesus directly. Swami Vivekananda, coming from an environment that enabled him to explore the depths of esoteric Christianity while at the same time training in the yogic tradition, introduces a captivating image of Jesus. Light is shed on the teachings of Jesus through a viewpoint of rationalized spiritualism.

Quantum Mechanics and the Link between Matter and Consciousness:
The Structure of Space and Time According to Yoga and Tantra This lecture explores the modern knowledge of physics and quantum mechanics as a confirmation of the way yogis view the Universe. This presentation is a synthesis of the views of yogis and scientists, which gives a fascinating understanding of the power of consciousness and of the continuity of space and time into the oneness of Consciousness.

Shambhala
Among the most enthralling spiritual topics, this mind-blowing lecture confronts us with amazing truths and facts. It introduces the hypothetical concept of Shambhala – the intangible, invisible spiritual center of this planet offering spiritual guidance to our species and destiny – and carefully analyzes its ramifications. The concept of Shambhala is discussed by analysis of available historical, metaphysical, and traditional information. Methods of contacting Shambhala in a yogic or spiritual way are introduced.

The Phenomenon of Death According to Yoga and the Fate of the Soul
This is a no-nonsense study of the process of death from a yogic and spiritual standpoint. It synthesizes the pertinent and reliable information that we have both from trustworthy sources, great yogis, and texts such as the Bardo Thodol, etc., and at the same time provides a synthesis of the simplest practical methods that address this issue.

The Spiritual Practitioner in the World, in Kali Yuga
This lecture is a bit provocative because it expounds the traditional view of the evolution of the world as cycles or yugas, contrary to what most people believe about the Universe. Therefore, the image that emerges is surprising regarding the status of today’s spiritual seeker. From this status will result unexpected conclusions as to how a seeker integrates himself or herself nowadays in the world.

Lucid Dreaming and Astral Projection
The yogis of India and Tibet have a rich lore of knowledge concerning the astral body and the astral universe. This lecture is intended to be both a general presentation of those, an overview, and an introduction to the preliminary and simple methods with which yogis have worked.