blog Updated My Travel Itinerary
published on Fri. Jun. 26th, '09 by Swami AtmaOm Namah Sivaya!
Today I've updated my traveling schedule. It goes all the way to November 2010. The events for Spring '10 should come shortly.
Just Joined Facebook
published on Fri. Apr. 3rd, '09 by Swami AtmaI have resisted this for a long time but I just decided to join Facebook. It seems it could help get back in touch or keep in touch with folks I have been privileged to know over the years.
Become a Friend
I haven't contacted anyone yet to become friends but if you read this and would like to connect go ahead do so. I guess this should be the right place to see my profile.
Other Social Networks
My google chat id is: SwamiAtma@Yoga108.org and my twitter profile is at: https://twitter.com/swamiatma.
So many ways to connect and so little time.
Spring Teaching Tour
published on Thu. Mar. 26th, '09 by Swami AtmaAt last a new post. Those of you who did subscribe to the RSS feed must be happy that you did not have to check this page for new posts every couple days.
European Tour
In the last few weeks I gave some intensive weekends in Speyer, Frankfurt, and Zurich. I just arrived in Amsterdam where I'll teach thing weekend a program on meditation and I'll be next week in Madrid for an advaita weekend.
More news coming soon.
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Cheap Flights to Poprad
published on Tue. Dec. 2nd, '08 by Swami AtmaToday & Tomorrow Only
As you might know one of the best ways to come to Levoča from Western Europe or the US is to take a direct flight from London to Poprad.
SkyEurope is offering some special deals just today and tomorrow for these flights.
You Snooze, You Lose
In the last couple years I have been working hard at encouraging yogis to use an RSS feed reader such as Google Reader. Unfortunately few have done it and are missing a powerful way to use the web enabling one to save time while keeping abreast of more sites such as this blog. If you see this post too late then you know what to do for the future.
Posted in: Yoga - Computers | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
Sannyas Initiation Anniversary
published on Mon. Dec. 1st, '08 by Swami AtmaOm Sri Sankaracharyaya Namah
It's been 17 years today that I've become a swami. I feel very grateful for this, having found my path and way.
Adi Sankara.
May the next 17 years be full of intense sadhana ind dispassion and the combination of yoga/tantra/advaita bring mosha ASAP!
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Asteroid Over Edmonton Filmed Live From Police Car
published on Mon. Dec. 1st, '08 by Swami AtmaNo commentaries needed. This happened a few days ago. Stunning images.
Happy Thanksgiving ...
published on Thu. Nov. 27th, '08 by Swami Atma... to all yogi friends in the US and elsewhere. Let us all take this day to look within and think about all the good things and opportunities that were presented to us in this lifetime and this last year and experience gratitude.
Let us also take some time to reflect on the billions of souls who are sharing this planet with us but are unfortunately experiencing untold sufferings. Let us send them joy, peace, and bliss.
Shopping Tip
published on Wed. Nov. 26th, '08 by Swami AtmaUnusual type of post for this blog. Here is a tweet that might be useful to many of you.
I just saved $100 on Amazon by not logging in. The price quoted changed when I signed in and out.
First Little Snow
published on Sat. Nov. 22nd, '08 by Swami AtmaLast night was the first little snow here in Levoča.
No big deal, but I took this nice pic this morning at 7am from my room.
I thought it was a little event until I was this post about snow in Bad Meinberg on the Yoga Vidya blog.
Goes to show that weather in this part of Central Europe is very similar to most of Germany. A bit colder and dryer.
Posted in: Traveling Journal - Nice Photos | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
Entering the Winter
published on Fri. Nov. 21st, '08 by Swami AtmaHere is the forecast for the next few days in Levoča. The 'high' temperatures should stay below freezing. Oh well. On the plus side, there is sunshine most of the day most of the days. I think I'm going to like the continental climate quite a bit. Much easier to me than the 'Normandy climate' I grew up with.
And following is the US version, in Fahrenheit.
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Religion & Spirituality
published on Tue. Nov. 11th, '08 by Swami AtmaHere is what I think:
There is spirituality in religious people and religion in spiritual people. Percentages vary with every individual.
Levoča Web Pages
published on Sun. Nov. 9th, '08 by Swami AtmaI have just created a new section on the web site for the Levoča ashram.
It includes the traveling details on how to get there.
Balancing Rocks as a Hobby
published on Sun. Nov. 9th, '08 by Swami AtmaHere is a nice and sattvic hobby. I enjoyed watching this video.
The Warning
published on Sat. Nov. 8th, '08 by Swami AtmaIn this last post about my move to Slovakia I had promised a warning about the new AYA ashram. The reason for this is that this ashram is not working quite like the SYVC and Yoga Vidya ashrams and I would not want anybody to feel misled and have a negative experience after going through the trouble of visiting.
Grandhotel at foothills of High Tatras
Meant for Doing Personal Sadhana
The main thing to know is that there are no yoga classes here in Levoča. I lead two satsangs per day, each time with silent meditation, some with chanting, and at least one lecture/common study per day.
Outside this program the visitors have plenty of free time to do their personal yoga practice, alone or with other visitors. Other practices are aratis and pujas which need to be done in different rooms of the ashram. You will be instructed on how to perform those if you don't know already and carry on by yourself.
There will soon be a good number of quality yoga books and scriptures available for all to read and study.
My plan is to keep the karma yoga shores to a minimum, simply focusing on cleaning and cooking. Should you want to do more, there are tasks associated with this web site which can be done while in Levoča or in the comfort of your own home.
The House
Even though the house is newly renovated and comfortable as shown in the previous post's photos, I just moved in and it's not yet totally equipped. Please expect the following:
- There are no curtains yet on the windows
- There is very little furniture at this point. I hope to get some bunk beds before Christmas. Worst case scenario, you'd have to sleep on futon mattresses on the floor.
- Some of the finishing touches to the house will be done in the Spring such as light fixtures, power outlets, door handles and things like this.
You will most likely be 2 per room, up to 4 if many come for this Chirstmas retreat, and possibly alone if you are lucky and few people show. Maximum capacity this year is 10 including me but there are many other options in town in pensions, hotels of different standing from very inexpensive to 4 stars!
Free Time & Excursions
The area is rich with places to visit and things to do such as hiking, skiing, sauna, etc...
The problem is that I'm new here, don't yet speak the local language, and don't have a car. That means I'm not sure yet how to go about doing the possible activities although I've already worked out the public transportation to nearby towns Spišská Nová Ves and Poprad, the latter being the gateway to the beautiful High Tatra mountains.
This Christmas, at least one student will come by car so that could make it easier to visit the area but nothing is guaranteed.
The Food
The downside is that it's very hard to find bio products in Levoča, especially as far as produce is concerned. Otherwise the food here is fantastic! :-) Good yogic, sattvic, vegetarian diet cooked by Westerners for Westerners. Let us know your specific tastes at the beginning of the stay and it will all be customized.
A Good Experience
I think if you come with the right expectations you will have a very pleasant stay and an uplifting yoga experience. If you already expressed interest in coming this Christmas please feel free to email me again to let me know whether you are still planning to come after reading this.
Differences Between Yogis & Shaolin Temple Adepts
published on Sat. Nov. 8th, '08 by Swami AtmaLet's start off with this headstand picture. Their technique is sloppy, this has got to hurt the neck, and one should not use the wall. Very bad!
Shaolin adepts doing headstand without the hands and leaning against a wall
Ok, now the technique is VERY impressive. Still supposed to hurt the neck. Must be strengthening on some level though. As in the previous photo he's standing on hard floor without a mat or anything. Very impressive skillwise.
Shaolin practitioner doing headstand without the hands
Now that's too much. Our way to meditate is much gentler. I don't even get it. Why in the world would anybody do something like this? ...
Shaolin monk in meditating posture, hanging by the head
... Oh I see, in order to be able to walk on walls. Most yogis I know can't do that for sure.
Shaolin adept walking on side of wall
All comments are meant to be taken in good fun. The Shaolin tradition is very honorable and to be respected.
Posted in: Yoga - Jokes & Fun - Nice Photos | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
