CLASSES AT BAMBU – YOGA CENTRO in English below
and Sharon's words including the Divine Life Almeria Group newsletter (below).
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"Las Actividades y clases en BAMBU:
YOGA: Lunes a las 18.30 y 21.30 (Esp)
Miercoles a las 10.00 (Eng & Esp) - a las 18.30 y 21.30 Esp)
Jueves a las 20.00 (Eng & Esp)
El sabado a las 9.30 (Sp)
a las 10.30 y 11.30 para ninos
Tai Chi: martes a las 10.OO
Cada 1er viernes del mes: Reiki para practicantes a las 19.30
Cada 2e viernes del mes: meditacion, cantos y charla
Cada 3er viernes del mes: Cinema Espiritual
Cada ultimo domingo del mes: Dreamtime Healing Concert - Concierto con
cuencos, didgeridoo, tambores y otros instrumentos.
Posibilidad de terapias como - terapia Craneosacral, Reiki,
Aromaterapia, Reflexologia, Kinesiologia, Shiatsu, Hopi Ear Candles, y mas.
Tenemos Cursos de Reiki I y II en Espanol y Ingles
Hay tambien la posibilidad de alquiler el local para talleres, cursos o terapias."
"Las Actividades y clases en BAMBU:
YOGA: Lunes a las 18.30 y 21.30 (Esp)
Miercoles a las 10.00 (Eng & Esp) - a las 18.30 y 21.30 Esp)
Jueves a las 20.00 (Eng & Esp)
See “What’s on” for other events at Bambu
Reiki evening - 1st Friday of the month, Satsang 2nd Friday
Therapies at Bambu by arrangement.
Yoga studio and therapy rooms for hire.
Weekly yoga classes monday 18h30 and 21h30 (Sp)
wednesday 10 am (Eng)
18h30 and 21h30 (Sp)
thursday 10 am (Eng)
saturday 9h30 (Sp)
10h30 (children)
11h30 (children)
Weekly Tai Chi - Chi Kung classes
tuesday 10 am (Sp & Eng)
wednesday 20 h (Sp & Eng)
BAMBU
is located at
Calle Campoamor, 1, Vera, Almeria
Spain near the Bull Ring
Tel: 647 045 919
YOGA ROOM AND TWO THERAPY ROOMS FOR HIRE
MANY THERAPIES AVAILABLE
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Link International Yoga Centers Directory
From Sharon December 2007
Dear Friends,How are you I do hope well. December is here and we are approaching Christmas celebrating the birth of a great Yogi, Sage and teacher. I personally find this season very inspiring for different reasons; firstly as it reminds and inspires me of the goal of human life - God realisation and through the personality of Jesus and his life I learn how to conduct my own life. Secondly I do notice how people seem to get involved in giving and caring more for each other and their community, and take joy in preparing for this season; though this would be wonderful if it happened all year and not just in Christmas time, and lastly but not least I enjoy our special Satsang for Christmas it is such an inspiring evening, I love the preparations for it, on Wednesday we decorated Bambu Yoga Centro for the event and that was so much fun and it looks beautiful so thanks to all of you who helped decorate!! I also find Brian’s talks each year so inspiring as this is one of his favorite topics; the Mystical teachings of Christmas but most of all I love spending this evening with you all and that is what makes it such a special event. I do hope you will join us this year once again for our special Christmas evening of meditation, carol singing and a talk this coming Friday evening the 14th of December at 7.30pm at Bambu in Vera. Please feel free to invite friends and neighbours, the event will be held in English and Spanish. Start your Christmas early and come along on Friday!! As we are coming towards the end of 2006 I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting the Yoga classes and the different retreats and workshops, I want you to know that I do not take this for granted and appreciate you efforts consistency and warm support with all my heart I thank you. I would also like to thank you for supporting the activities of the Divine Life Society these Satangs and activities are very interesting and it seems that more and more people are inspired by them, and thanks to your generosity this year we raised 800€ which have been sent to the headquarters in Rishikesh to support the Sivananda home of the Destitute and Leprosy hospital. Let us continue these wonderful activities in 2007 inspiring each other and hopefully growing and reaching more people. Once again Thanks and Gracias Enjoy this season and be inspired by its teachings. Below is an essay by Swami Sivananda on Christmas followed by our activities for this month.Hope to see you all soonLove and LightSharon
Activities of The Divine Life Society Almeria
Christmas ‘Satsang’ of the Divine Life Society, Almeria. Friday December the 14th at 19.30 pm. At the Yoga Centro, Vera (Calle Clara Campoamor) at 19.30pm. (An evening of meditation, carol singing and a talk on the Mystical teachings of Christmas) All are welcome no experience necessary, entrance by donation. The evening is held in English with Spanish translation. Please bring some fruit, nuts or any other goodies to share.
Meditation Class: Every Monday at the Lotus Yoga Centre in Mojacar from 1-2pm, 4€ per class which go to the charities of the Divine Life Society.
Yoga Classes with Sharon
Monday’s 10 am - An extra gentle Yoga class at the L.O.T.U.S Yoga Centre in Mojacar.
Monday’s 2.30pm -An intermediate Yoga class at the L.O.T.U.S Yoga Centre in Mojacar.
Wednesday’s 10 am -A multi level class at the Yoga Centro in Vera –
Wednesday’s 2.30 pm- A multi level class at Harmony Gym -
All are welcome for information call Sharon 950469122
Divinise Thy Nature! by Swami Sivananda
All memorable occasions, all holy days and sacred anniversaries carry a message and a higher call to those who will hear and respond. They invariably form a reminder of the true mission and central purpose of human life. The Call of Christmas is the Call to a new Birth in the Spirit. Its message is the lofty one of the Divine Life, the Christ-Life of Compassion, Truth and Purity. That moment is the real joyous Christmas to you when the Divine Consciousness that shone through Jesus blossoms and lights up the inner chambers of thy heart. Christmas is to you that day you start to lead the divine life of Satya (truth), Ahimsa (non-violence) and Brahmacharya (Celibacy) that the great Vedanti (Yogi) of the West lived. Many a Christmas has come and gone. Celebrations are held every year but have you risen in answer to its Divine Call? Has the Divine Child taken birth in the inner Bethlehem of your heart? It is the wanton neglect of man to hear this call and divinise his life that has brought upon humanity the horrors of war, disease, sufferings and restlessness.
2000 years ago Divinity incarnated upon this planet to show to all Humanity the glorious path to everlasting Life by actually living the Divine Life upon this earth. The great Jesus embodied in Himself the triple quality of Satya, Ahimsa and absolute Brahmacharya. During the entire duration of His sublime life, Christ lived as the visible expression of the highest Truth. He was a living witness to the Supreme Reality essentially indwelling in Man. In His dealing with the outside world, He was verily Ahimsa (non-violence) incarnate. With words brimming with the true spirit of Ahimsa He preaches the doctrine of non-retaliation. “Present thy left cheek to the assailant that smites thee on the right. If a man takes away thy coat forcibly, offer him thy cloak too.”
No test, struggle, torment or persecution whatsoever could ruffle Him up to wrath or retaliation. In His personal life He was indeed Purity Itself. Unless ye become like little children you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You have to be absolutely pure like the innocent little ones. An almost supernal spotless purity rested like a divine mantle upon His sublime personality. His life was a wonderful combination of Jnana, (Yoga of Knowledge) Bhakti (Yoga of Devotion) and Karma (Yoga of Selfless service), based upon a supreme Para Vairagya (Discrimination). An ideal integral development of head, heart and hand has rendered His life a model for mankind to emulate for all eternity. Christ was ever conscious of His inseparable identity with the Supreme Self. Yet deep devotion and love for the personal God constantly found expression in Him in the form of prayers, praises and glorification. And in His actual day-to-day life He was the very personification of the spirit of Karma Yoga. His entire life was a continuous ministry unto the afflicted. His feet moved but to reach where aid was needed. If His hands moved it was but to help the troubled and oppressed. His tongue spoke only to utter soft, honeyed words of compassion, consolation, inspiration and enlightenment. With the very glances of His luminous Yogic eyes Jesus awakened, elevated and transformed those whom he gazed upon, He felt, thought, talked and acted for the good of others. Amidst this all He dwelt in the unbroken awareness of the assertion “I and my Father are one.” His life was that of a Sage in Sahaja Samadhi (Natural Super Consciousness)
In Jesus the Man, the aspirant or the Sadhaka (spiritual seeker) finds two traits to be faithfully emulated, namely, an admirable moral courage in being Witness to Truth. His life displays a silent yet supreme heroism in the face of the most determined opposition, persecution and misunderstanding. And He has set an example how a true seeker repulses the temptations on the spiritual path. Long before the outward drama of crucifixion, Jesus voluntarily crucified Himself spiritually by annihilating the lower self and living a purely divine life.
Jesus was for ever the Self-absorbed Sage, perfectly balanced in the midst of opposites. He never lost His calm even for a single moment of His intensely-lived life. He neither rejoiced in pleasure nor grieved in pain. Looking with perfect equal vision upon friend and foe, intent only upon universal wealth.
You know how at Jesus’s birth a bright guiding Star appeared in the sky to lead the Magii to the Divine Child. Take this as Your Christmas Star. May this show you the way to lead the Life Divine as exemplified in the mystic and Yogi of Bethlehem! Manifest the same Living Reality, the Spotless Purity and the lofty Divine Compassion. Divinise thy life. Lead the Divine Life.
By Swami Venkatesananda
Siva's life is God's Guarantee to mankind. It is the Sadhaka's Guide, an open scripture for all to learn from. It is a divine bridge, linking the finite with the Infinite, connecting the land of mortals with the Realm of Immortality.
As a student, he exemplified in himself the ideals of obedience and reverence. The Young Dr. Kuppuswami showed that selfless and dynamic service paved the way to material prosperity, too! He set an example in indiscriminate charity and proved that it invited wealth, peace and happiness. As a flourishing doctor in Malaya during the 1920's, his cheerful countenance and robust body, proclaimed that intense work done with the correct mental attitude strengthened the body, lengthened life, and infused peace into the heart and bliss into the soul of man.
By the single act of renunciation of all that riches and a prosperous career, Siva had taught more than any scripture could, that realisation of the Self is dearer than wealth, dearer than everything, than life itself. Awe-inspiring austerities, begging and pennilessness caused-not unhappiness nor suffering in the heart of the zealous seeker Dr. Kuppuswami, but-an intensification of the faith in God and His Unfailing Mercy.
To mankind blinded by the cataract of materialism, faithlessness and egoism, Siva extended his helping hand-the Divine Life Society. He gave asylum to aspirants in his Ashram. In the Forest Academy, Siva's students have their inner vision unveiled.
This God has clothed himself in human garb. He has come amidst us as a Divine Invitation to a perennial Forest of Immortal Bliss
"Routine" suggests a colourless life and insipid existence. But Siva the Master-Juggler is able to produce from his ordinary "routine"-box remarkable wonders that surprise and delight the world. Siva does not step out of his routine to work a wonder: he makes working wonders a routine job! The strong rope of his daily routine is composed of a thousand elastic bands of variegated activity. Early great thought is immediately acted upon; and the resultant action is assimilated into the routine, instantly creating room for the next wonder!
Here is the sage's routine. He wakes up at 3 a.m. He concludes the recitation of morning hymns and Guru Stotras by 4 when he commences his morning meditation. At 6 he is ready for Asanas and bed exercises. Study and writing follow. After a light breakfast, the sage attends to his office-work,-interviewing visitors, instructing Sadhakas, inspecting Ashram-work, etc. At about midday he returns to his Kutir for his lunch and a brief rest. Study and writing follow again; and the evening is spent in studying the incoming letters and interviewing visitors again. After a spell of evening meditation, the sage goes to the Satsanga Bhavan for the Satsanga. He is not only the Sat (the reality, the Good, the wise) whose Sanga (association) people come to have, but he himself conducts the programme, and makes it highly interesting for everybody. The Satsanga concludes at about 10 p.m. and, after ensuring every guest has been properly served and every inmate is comfortable, the sage retires for the night.
Siva lives for the good and for the spiritual uplift of mankind. This divine task forms his daily routine. Regularity in his habits, systematic work and punctuality in his attention to every item of his programme-these are the qualities that characterise his daily life and contribute to the success of his Mission.
-In His own words-
One man puts his title as M.Bh. This is not a doctor's title; it means only "Madras Brahmin". One man has his title S.S.O. It is not a sub-divisional officer. It means "Simply Sitting Officer"-i.e., an idler, loafer or a falthu. One man uses the title M.R.K.D. It means a "Member of the Rice-Killing Department'-i.e., a glutton or Sappattu-raman, who fills his belly with rice or rotti up to the mouth. Another calls himself I.C.S. in Summer and P.C.S. in Winter; it means Ice Cream Seller in summer and Potato Chop Seller in Winter.
Such title-holders are plenty in this world. Please do not aspire to own such big titles and come to limelight. Shun all such titles, hide yourself; you will be peaceful. Sincerity, simplicity, humility, generosity and devotion to God-these you should own and not self-deluding and world-cheating titles of the above type.
Half a dozen monkeys sat on a mango tree and discussed certain things. One monkey said: "Now listen to me. People say that man descended from us. No monkey ever divorced his wife. No monkey ever starved his children. No monkey abandoned his children and took Sannyasa. No monkey smokes, gambles, drinks and dances in a club. No monkey suffers from syphilis and takes 606 injection. No monkey marries a fourth wife at 80. No monkey takes another monkey's life with a gun or knife or atom bomb. Be quite sure that he did not descend from us. Darwin is incorrect in his statement".
Siva sometimes reads such pieces to infuse wisdom into casual visitors to the Ashram. In personal discussion and conversations, Siva is full of humour, though his lectures are more serious and serene, full of the fire of wisdom and Vairagya.
-In His own words-
Think well before you act: The doctor said: "Shake the bottle before use". The attendant had by mistake giving the mixture to the patient without shaking the bottle. He then saw the label. He thought of a bright idea. He shook the patient several times. The feeble patient died immediately. Always be on the alert. Hear the instructions with rapt attention. Think well before you act.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing: The Ayurvedic teacher said: Bhedikki Eduthatu Vaalam. Bhedi means cholera. It also means "motions". Vaalam means croton. The teacher meant that Croton is very useful in constipation-to induce good motions.
The student adminstered it in cholera: the patient died at once.
With one doctor there is prescription. With two doctors there is consultation. With three doctors there is cremation.
In a few words Siva gives the most sublime truth and life-transforming advice, in a highly interesting manner.
Siva's Discipline is a unique, bold experiment at self-discipline. Siva's discipline is an experience of Self-realisation at every step.
Siva's discipline is comparable to a fond mother's eagerness to make her young son walk. She hopes he would eventually win a marathon race. But she knows the tiny legs aren't strong enough to provide a firm and steady support for the body. She makes the child walk, but would not let it overexert itself or overtax its capacity.
Siva asks his disciples to keep the ideal before them, of perfect Vairagya, absolute spirit of renunciation, supreme control over mind and senses. But he makes generous allowances to cover each aspirant's defects and shortcomings.
Siva's discipline is the disciplined of the spirit. It is the readiness, the eagerness and the willingness that count. Sincerity is the greatest virtue. Rarely does he "test" his disciples to see if they are sincere in their sincerity!
Siva's discipline is the discipline of love and spirit. By loving the most indisciplined, and by forgiving even the incorrigible, Siva "touches" their heart and in an extremely subtle way makes them feel the discipline is delight.
Siva's Discipline is discipline inspired by personal example. The rigid discipline which he demonstrates in his own personal life, and the supreme compassion which he shows towards the recalcitrant disciple but the latter to shame which generates a spirit that disciplines the disciple in spite of himself.
Siva's Discipline is Discipline by Choice, where the disciple is allowed absolute freedom to make or mar his career, but with resplendent Sivananda, illumining the path of Discipline by the Light of His Life, thus leading the disciple to self-discipline the disciple cannot go astray.
The Sivananda Ashram is Paradise on earth, a real Vaikuntha, Kailasa, Saket-Puri of Lord Rama, Go loka of Lord Sri Krishna, heaven and the Param Dham, in truth. It is the abode of the Living God, the shrine of His Incarnation.
The Sivananda Ashram is a world in miniature. A month's stay there will enable you to gain more experience than a life time elsewhere. You will meet these people of multifarious temperaments, from all parts of the world, seeking after a wide range of goals.
The Sivananda Ashram is the loving bosom of a Cosmic Mother, Sivananda. It is the refuge of the destitute and the desperate. It is the last resort of everyone who has lost all hope and interest in life-where the hope and the interest are revived.
The Sivananda Ashram is the retired officer's spiritual home, the Sadhaka's Tapovana, the devotee's Temple, and the Karma Yogi's Yajnashala. It is the fountain-source of the Yoga of Synthesis, at which the thirsty aspirant might drink deep the nectar of wisdom that, perennially wells from the heart of Sivananda.
The Sivananda Ashram is an asylum. Those on the verge of a nervous breakdown, they who might go insane any moment, those who cannot find peace and harmony in their own home or the society they live in-they are welcomed, looked after, and transformed into useful citizens and householders.
The Sivananda Ashram is the place in which to search for a "lost son"; every young man whose previous good Samskaras generate dispassion at heart goes straight to Siva, the only modern sage who joyously welcomes such young men. So parents immediately wire to Siva: "Please look after my son who has run away from home and who, I am sure, has come to you."
Sivananda Ashram is what its name implies: the place, which affords refuge to those who seek auspiciousness and spiritual bliss.
Siva began practising Yogasanas even while he was serving as a doctor in Malaya. He was so enthusiastic about them that he taught them to his cook (who later became his disciple, Swami Shraddhananda, and attained Mahasamadhi at his lotus-feet). Sirsasana (headstand) is undoubtedly the most favourite Asana of Siva. He regards it as the King of Asanas. It is a tonic to the brain, a cure for many ailments of the eyes and ears, a blessing for Brahmacharins and brain-workers, and an indispensable friend of spiritual aspirants. In fact, Siva likes Sirsasana so much that even to those who plead inability to do it, he prescribes the "Rabbit-Pose" (sit in Vajrasana, bend forward and touch the ground with the crown of your head, resting the palms a little away on either side) or at, least, letting the head "hang out" of the bed for a while. Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) is the next important Asana which Siva likes very much and prescribes to everyone who wishes to maintain good health and enjoy a long life. "Even if you can't do Sirsasana and don't do other Asanas, practise Sarvangasana for a few minutes a day," says Siva.
Paschimottanasana (sitting forward bend) completes the trio. It exercises the abdomen and the spine, thus warding off a host of diseases and preserving perfect health. Sarvangasana exercises the thyroid gland and enables you to enjoy everlasting youth. Sirsasana makes you shine with Ojas Shakti.
Vajrasana Siva prescribes to all to help digestion; sit in it for fifteen minutes after meals and you will never suffer from indigestion.
Siva is very very regular in the practice of Asanas; and he emphasises that even if you select two Asanas and devote three minutes to the practice, if you are regular, you will derive immense benefit.
Technique: Sit comfortably on a chair, sofa or easy chair. Draw the air through both nostrils, as long as comfortable. Retain as long as comfortable. Repeat your Mantra or " OM" while retaining the breath. Then exhale as long as comfortable. You need not observe any ratio between the inhalation, exhalation and retention; but let the inhalation and exhalation be deep and full.
Benefits: The benefits of this Pranayama are incalculable. All the muscles are relaxed. All the nerves are toned. Rhythm and harmony are established in the entire being. Mind is calmed. Circulation is promoted. An inexpressible peace and bliss come to reign within you.
You can do it in the morning while lying in bed. Your mind will become alert for commencing Japa and Dhyana (meditation). You can do it when the mind is about to lose balance on account of the setting in of lust, anger or other evil Vrittis (thoughts); the mind will be filled with a great power that will prevent the evil Vrittis from disturbing it. You can do it just before commencing your study; the mind will be concentrated easily and what you study will be indelibly impressed in your mind. You can do it during your office work; you will get new strength every time and you will never be tired. When you return home from the office you can practise this Pranayama and you will be recharged with fresh energy.
The greatest advantage is that once you start doing it you will do it very often; and your mind can never find an excuse for not practising this Ati-Sukha-Purvak Pranayama, very very easy and comfortable Pranayama which has all the advantages of Pranayama, without its "rules and regulations". Do it from now without fail.
Take Impersonal Truths Personally by Swami Atmaswarupananda
As human beings identified with a body and mind, we tend to take everything personally. If a guru or teacher is giving a talk, we can think it is meant for us alone. If someone casually says something, we tend to interpret it personally—either in a positive or negative way. If the government is doing something, we immediately wonder how it is going to affect us—positively or negatively. We identify with sports teams. Our whole day can be made if our team wins; we can go into a real depression if they lose. We take everything personally except, unfortunately, the truths of the scriptures. Somehow we keep them at arm's length. We acknowledge them; we will think that they are true, but we don't acknowledge that they are talking about our truth, the truth about us. They say that we are bound by the wheel of samsara whose two spokes are like and dislike. What we don't see is that that is what we are made of—likes and dislikes, the same as everyone else. We say I like this. I don't like that. We don't see it as an impersonal force working in us. We feel bound to this world. We don't see it as the impersonal force of avidya maya that is also working in everyone else in this world. On the other hand, we feel an attraction to God, to want a better life. We feel it is my attraction, what I want. We don't see it as the universal force of vidya maya that is calling seekers to God all over the world. We also don't take personally the declarations of the scriptures that God alone is, because if we let that in, it destroys us. So we keep it at arm's length. If someone makes a slighting remark to us we take it very personally. We can be upset for days, but when the guru declares: That thou art, we don't take it personally at all. We don't let it in. Thus maturity in the spiritual life is when we stop taking personal things so personally and begin to take the impersonal truths very personally. When they declare That thou art, they are talking about us. We have to come to the point where we give up our identity with the body and mind and can truly declare: I am Brahman. Therefore we must stop personalising what has to do with our identity with the body and mind and start personalising these impersonal truths about us. It is a shift in our angle of vision. It is what the scriptures, Gurudev and all the sages are calling us to: Change your angle of vision. Stop taking personal things personally, but take the impersonal truths very personally.
Activities of The Divine Life Society Almeria
'Satsang' of the Divine Life Society, Almeria. Friday April the 13th at 19.30 pm. At the Yoga Centro, Vera (Calle Clara Campoamor) at 19.30pm. (An evening of meditation, chanting and a talk.) All are welcome no experience necessary, entrance by donation. The evening is held in English with Spanish translation. Please bring some fruit, nuts or any other goodies to share. Musical instruments very welcome.Yoga Classes with Sharon
Monday's 10 am - An extra gentle Yoga class at the L.O.T.U.S Yoga Centre in Mojacar. Monday's 2.30pm -An intermediate Yoga class at the L.O.T.U.S Yoga Centre in Mojacar. Wednesday's 10 am -A multi level class at the Yoga Centro in Vera – Wednesday's 2.30 pm- A multi level class at Harmony Gym - All are welcome for information call Sharon 950469122