Monthly Archive for December, 2010

The Libraries of Varanasi

Published on December 21, 2010 in India. 0 Comments

Om Namah Shivaya

My journey to Varanasi, but especially Banares Hindu University (BHU) was profound beyond any thing that I had imagined. I went there to primarily do research in Ayurveda and yoga at BHU. The Dean of Ayurvedic faculty was kind enough to issue me a pass to all of the libraries except the Central one. All of the librarians and assistants extended their kindness and openness to having use their facilities. It was so wonderful to see that the Ayurvedic College at BHU is a part of the Institute of Medical Sciences. The books there were amazing to find all the classic texts books from ancient times and much more. I almost filled an entire notebook and some days spending more than 5 hours in the various libraries of the Schools of Philosophy, Psychology, Medical Science, Ayurveda and the MALAVIYA BHAVAN (the Yoga Academy on the campus of BHU offering courses and degrees in YOGA).
I believe the highlight was rediscovering the “Synthesis of Yoga” written by Sri Aurobindo, a great philosopher, yogi and illuminated being. I bought this huge book about ten years ago but could not get past one sentence without being lost. This experience was one where the words leaped off the pages as fast as I could read them. It is a very inspiring and provocative approach an integrative process of yoga and spiritual practice which he outlines in great detail. He explains the process of combining the major paths and tenets of yoga into a very personal in depth experience of uniting with our Divine Self while at the same time being completely immersed in our daily worldly life. These are not separate compartments, he contends, but a holistic matrix of essential parts of our true nature which must be integrated so as to embrace the inner and outer domains of existence simultaneously.
Another literary discovery came to me in the Central Library at BHU entitled “Integral Psychology”. It is written by a student of Sri Auro  bindo elaborating on his teacher’s philosophy in a clear and informative manner. Since I have a Master’s degree in Psychology I found this to be a fascinating book. In India since the beginning of history, they have developed the sciences of philosophy and psychology, the arts, literature, metaphysics and medicine along each other rather than as separate explorations. At the same time, these questionings of the meaning of life and the foundations of thought were not divorced from the religious or spiritual paths. It is fascinating to me that in all my studies and teaching of Ayurveda, all of the major philosophies (Shad Darshan) that this ancient system of medicine embraces are the same as those which shaped the whole of India culture and civilization. All of the major theories and practices of Ayurveda are universal, just as the Eastern approaches to yoga, philosophy, psychology, the arts, etc.The answers to finding health, longevity, peace and happiness in this life and the one beyond are not a singular journey of one culture, race, nation or continent but has global implications.
I am now in Mother’s ashram in the southern part of India about 4 hours from the southern most tip of the country. It is very tropical here and hot and humid. Quite a change from Rishikesh and Varanasi where it got cold at night and in the morning. The plane ride and taxi that took me from the airport at 8 pm to reach my destination at 2:30 am, was another one of those India experiences which is hard to explain except that they do not charge anything extra for that pert of the journey. I will be celebrating my birthday and New Years eve here. It is a simple existence and place to stay but being in the presence of a great being makes all of this worthwhile. I would not trade it.
I do seva here which is selfless service. My seva is cutting laminated sheets that are used fo children’s school book binders. They come off the press in long rolls and I cut them apart for the final product which Mother donates to all of her many free schools throughout India. This makes it all worthwhile too.
Enough for now More to come later probably.

Jai Ma Jai Ayurveda

Ayurveda I 2011 (Introductory Course)

Published on December 3, 2010 in Events. 1 Comment
January 29, 2011toJanuary 30, 2011
February 12, 2011toFebruary 13, 2011

AYURVEDA I - INTRODUCTORY COURSE

Conducted by

VIJAYA STALLINGS, M.A., D.AYUR.

AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER

LOCATION:

TBA in RICHMOND

Course schedule

Section I

SATURDAY/ SUNDAY, JANUARY 29-30, 2011

Topics

  • ORIGINS AND PHILOSOPHY OF THIS ANCIENT SYSTEM OF HOLISTIC HEALTH
  • THE ELEMENTAL THEORY AND THE NATURAL ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE
  • THE MENTAL ATTRIBUTES THAT FORM OUR BASIC PERSONALITY
  • OUR INNATE BODY/MIND CONSTITUTION AND HOW TO MAINTAIN ITS BALANCE

Feature Length Film: “AYURVEDA: A WAY OF BEING”

Section 2

SATURDAY/ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12-13

Topics

  • THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DIGESTIVE FIRE AND OUR HEALTH
  • PRANA, TEJAS AND OJAS: THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
  • DIET AND NUTRITION
  • PULSE DIAGNOSIS
  • A COOKING CLASS BASED ON THESE AYURVEDIC PRINCIPLES

CLASS TIMES: 10:00-6:00 PM

COST: $395 plus the cost of the Textbook, $45:

“TEXTBOOK OF AYURVEDA: FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, VOLUME I”,

DR. VASANT LAD

A DEPOSIT of $195 is required (which includes the text)

Mail deposit to 801 Greenway Ct., B8, Norfolk, VA 23507

CALL VIJAYA FOR MORE INFORMATION

@ 757-254-3588

Ayurveda II 2011 (Advanced Course)

Published on December 3, 2010 in Events. 1 Comment
March 12, 2011toMarch 13, 2011
April 9, 2011toApril 10, 2011

AYURVEDA II ADVANCED COURSE

NATIONALLY CERTIFIED PROGRAM

Conducted by

VIJAYA STALLINGS, PH.D., M.A., D.AYUR.

AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER

Location:

TBA in RICHMOND

SATURDAY/SUNDAY, MARCH 12 – 13, 2011

SATURDAY/SUNDAY, APRIL 9 – 10

TIMES: 10:00 – 6:00PM

COURSE TOPICS:

  • SEASONAL REGIME & LIFE STYLE
  • DIET AND NUTRITION FOR YOUR BODY TYPE
  • THE PATHWAYS AND PROCESS OF DIS-EASE
  • THE MANAGEMENT OF DIS-EASE THROUGH PANCHA KARMA, MASSAGE, BODYWORK, DIET, NUTRITION, & HERBOLOGY
  • AYURVEDIC PSYCHOLOGY & THE MIND
  • MEN”S AND WOMEN’S ISSUES
  • PSYCHOSPIRITUAL TREATMENTS
  • DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS: THE PULSE & TONGUE

COST: $395 with $100 deposit in advance

(Mail deposit to 801 GREENWAY CT, B8, NORFOLK, VA 23507)

Suggested reading list for course will be included with the class syllabus.

FOR INFORMATION CALL VIJAYA @ 757-254-3588

Yoga Academy in Varanasi

Published on December 3, 2010 in India. 0 Comments

Om Namah Shivaya

I have arrived in Varanasi, probably considered by most Indologists the oldest city in the world. The University is huge measuring 3.5 miles square. It contains a hospital, temple, Indian shops, bookstores and restaurants, a Yoga academy – “Malviya”, Ayurvedic College which is also a part of the Institute of Medical Sciences as well as a separate facility. The campus has student dorms called hostels, an International center, guest houses for visitors, faculty housing, a school for the children of faculty and dorms for the staff.

I was priviledged to meet the Dean of Ayurvedic faculty who just happened to be in his office on the first day I arrived. I went unannounced into his office. He graciously offered me a seat I told me the procedures for getting a pass for the various Ayurvedic libraries on campus. I figured it would be days and lots of red tape to get the pass. He offered me a piece of plain paper to write my request, took a copy of my passport & visa and immediately signed with his approval. He directed me to take it to his asst. in another location on campus. On my out he was leaving so told me I could ride with him to the Medical Sciences building where his asst. would expedite the paperwork. His asst. took me down the hall to the asst. Librarian who showed me the location of all of the Ayurvedic volumes in that building.

The next day, I finally found the Ayurvedic School where they accepted my word about the Dean’s approval letter and immediately opened up their library for my research. The other day, I located the School of Philosophy and Psychology. Once again I was accommodated with one of the librarians bringing me several volumes on the History of Indian Philosophy and allowing me to check out for review any of the doctoral thesis available in their school. Yesterday, I went to the main library to find books on Eastern Psychology. Again they graciously gave me a day pass. To say the least, I am truly honored and grateful for this opportunity to explore the educational mecca of Ayuveda and Eastern philosophy/psychology. AND I am here for another two weeks of study and exploration.

I have located a little rooftop Ayurvedic cafe and another Western style cafe called Open Hand – Coffee and Textiles. The Open Hand features all the lattes, etc, and bakery items including chocolate which is relatively a new concept to India. The Open Hand offers a wide assortment of fabrics, clothes, wall hangings, bed covers, and gift items made by handicapped women in the local area. They also have cafes in two other cities that I will be visiting before leaving India. Since I have been spending so much time in this area which is the older section of the city and where a lot of Westerners and foreigners stay, I found a little hotel to move into. It is further to get to the BHU campus but I have been walking more here. Much of the time I take either a three-wheel, motorized rickshaw or on the campus where there is some restrictions on motor vehicles, I travel by the bicycle type three-wheel rickshaw.

Will update you in a week or two.

Jai Ma Jai Ayurveda

Published on October 18, 2010 in Events. 0 Comments
October 20, 2010toJanuary 8, 2011

Vijaya will be in India from Oct 20-Jan 8 receiving Pancha Karma, as well as studying and doing research in Ayurveda. He will travel to Varanasi, one of the major cities of the birth and growth of Ayurveda.