Torbay Theosophical Society Talk January 24th 2010

We spent an engaging afternoon in a lovely old house in Torquay sharing the teachings.

The audience was a mixed group, theosophical society members and members of the public.

35 people attended and we had a good session, talking, meditating , chanting and questions and answer.

The engagement carried on after the session over tea and the conversations were exciting.

We enjoyed ourselves a lot.

Listen to extracts from the  talks and the Q&A.

 
Extracts from the talks

A Boy’s Daydream

From Torquay to the Essential I

Exploring Mountains and Inner Paths

Questions and Answers

How does the practice help you and why is it better? 

What is in the mirror?

Do you have to do Yoga for a long time?

What happens when I die?

Inspiration      Teaching      Practice      Connection

April 24th 10am – 4pm Henton in Somerset (Near Wells)

Come to Friends’ day –  A day for you and the community

Be yourself, be with the teacher, be with people like yourself  

      some of last year’s group

This will be our 5th annual gathering. Each year has been very fulfilling and creative and 2010 will no doubt be similarly memorable.

In the morning there is Atma Vichara practice, Puja and Chanting, Keynote teaching, Poetry, Performance and Satsang.

Lunch is always good. Derek cooks and serves Sattvic food- Dhal and Rice and a nourishing time is had by all.

In the afternoon we are going to have a big Bhajan session. The results of good Bhajan are joy, happiness and security. Derek is assembling a Bhajan Band and will perform uplifting devotional singing to which all can participate or simply imbibe and enjoy.

We have some 60 people in our community. Fellowship with like-minded individuals is powerful and meaningful. It spurs you on and brings you greater reassurance and momentum. The day will be creative and directed. Teaching will be abundantly provided.   

Making Arrangements and Booking a Place

The day is only open to Friends and is free. Do make plans to come and book yourself a place. It is a significant opportunity in the annual calender. This year Sue Maine is managing the bookings and will be in contact with people individually to determine confirmations. Let us know through contact us if there are any queries or further information you need.  

     Further images from 2009 

Video recordings on Conscious TV

Iain Mcnay of Conscious TV has interviewed Derek Thorne Spiritual Director of YogaLiving

Lifestory

A 50 minute programme about lifestory, teaching, reality, Atma Vichara and the YogaLiving Community

Watch Video

Meditation

A 20 minute programme about meditation, what it is and how to approach it

Watch Video

Purpose

To connect with the timless and beautiful teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. You are not what you take yourself to be, your true nature is apparent now as the freedom of spontaneous natural being. This wisdom is timeless. The day will present and describe these profound teachings and instruct in the ancient practice of Atma Vichara (self enquiry). See flyer for further details

What will happen

This is a day of satsang ,engagement and practice. Through explanation , meditation , discussion and practice, participants will have an opportunity to hear the teachings, experience the teachings and practice the teachings. The day will be taught by Derek Thorne, spiritual director of YogaLiving.

Who should attend?

Anyone who has a sincere interest in discovering their own nature and investigating ancient and timeless wisdom should attend. You do not need previous experience in yoga but some will. The tradition is to sit on the floor but chairs are readily available. There are no hard and fast rules and people are invited to be comfortable. 

Where and when?

Saturday 20th March 2010

10am – 4pm

Southville Centre , Bristol

www.southvillecentre.org.uk

£30 ( £25 to Friends of YogaLiving)

Contact

Erica Cole

01454 887322

admin@yogaliving.co.uk

A question on practice (7 mins)

How does nature help us (6 mins)

Social injustice (6.5 mins)

December 13th 2009

Upadesha Saram chanted by Derek

Be still and know I am part 1

Be still and know I am part 2

Be still and know I am part 3

Question and answer-silence was the best response (be still and know i am)
 

October 24th 2009

Teaching- No need to fight yourself  

Dialogue- Q&A mood- forgive yourself

Bhajan- Jai Radhe

Bhajan- Anandoham

September 13th 2009

Chanting Upadesha Saram

Teaching- Who can judge? Part 1 (5 mins)  

Teaching- Who can judge? Part 2 (4 mins)

Teaching- Who can judge? Part 3 (5 mins)

Dialogue- Q&A part 1 (4 mins)

Dialogue- Q&A part 2 (5.5 mins)  

Dialogue- Q&A part 3 (4.5 mins)

Bhajan- Jai jagadambe ( this melted our hearts (even more) 5 mins)

Bhajan- Namah Shivaya (such a good rhythm section- 3.5 mins)

Bhajan- Vani Mate ( we got excited with this song to the mother- 3.5 mins)

A description of what Atma Vichara is and how to practice it is given here

Key Texts of Atma Vichara

Sri Ramana Maharshi wrote comparatively little, all of his writings being contained in a single volume, referenced below,  entitled ‘Collected Works’. Of these there are 3 pieces that are of great importance to understanding and which give correct pointers to the reality he described and the approach he taught. These 3 pieces have been translated by various authors and there are several commentaries available. In the spirit of striving to make the teaching as accessible as possible YogaLiving has revised the English descriptions and reworked them into plain English text.

Satdarshanam

Written by Sri Ramana in 1928 this is his 40 verses on reality and is one of the finest spiritual texts available. It is the embodiment of his most important teaching and is the key text to be studied and absorbed by serious students of Atma Vichara.

The YogaLiving plain version of Satdarshanam

Upadesha Sarem

Known as the ‘Essence of Instruction’ this text was written in 1924. Considered as a scripture, it is, alongside the traditional Vedas chanted daily at Sri Ramanashram.

The YogaLiving plain version of Upadesha Sarem

Nan Yar

A very early writing from 1904 when Maharshi was 25 years old. It is a dialogue between teacher and student.

The YogaLiving plain version of Nan Yar      

Original Works

The original English versions of all the above are included within the official publication of Sri Ramanashram and can be downloaded from their site.

The collected works of Sri Ramana Maharshi   (Link to external site)

Swansea Satsang Day October 2009

On 3rd October the YogaLiving team took a trip to the Gower near Swansea and delivered a day on “Who am I?” to around 20 participants. 

The engagement was excellent with a diverse group of very sincere attendees some well steeped in Yoga and others not. Following the teaching and practice in the morning the afternoon was taken up by Question and Answers. The content was dynamic and very moving at times. The sound files below capture it.

A good day. 

.        

Q&A- How to attain a quiet mind

Q&A- What is the practice for seeing the self

Q&A- Its alright, Its alright

Q&A- What happens to me

Q&A- I’m feeling confused

Q&A- Society doesn’t support spiritual life

Sharing the teachings

Theosophical Society London September 2009

On 19th and 20th September YogaLiving took a trip to London to give a workshop and lecture at the London headquarters of the Theosophical Society. Caroline, Marj and Derek travelled together and stayed for the weekend. This was our second visit having also appeared there last year.

The event was very successful, prompting good engagement and debate with an intrigued audience, many of whom had no association with Yoga.

Here are some selected images and sound files of the experience.

Talk- You are what you seek

Talk- Self cannot be found

Talk- Where am i seeking & a temple poem

Talk- Tracking the ego to its source

Discussion Q&A surrender to what

Discussion Q&A death, source and yoga – 3 encounters

Discussion Q&A can i have a quiet mind

Discussion Q&A not on your terms

Friends of the YogaLiving Community receive Ashrama our twice yearly communication. The publication connects individuals and disseminates teaching ensuring ongoing fellowship and providing articles on both the ashram’s activities and key aspects of practice. Example provided below:

Ashrama 7