Vajra Yoga Mahasiddha Reunion

Don’t miss your chance to join in the second reunion of this usually far-flung all-star team of teachers and practitioners of Indic yogic sciences and spiritualities! This fun and edifying weeklong study and practice immersion is an aspiring annual tradition—the looming kaliyuga notwithstanding—bringing together Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Michele Loew, and Prof. Robert Thurman, with brief appearances by Parvaty Baul (in person) and Lopön Chandra Easton (via livestream).

A stand-alone hybrid Ayurveda/Bhaktiyoga/Vajrayoga retreat, the Mahasiddha Reunion explores the little-known common origins and philosophical and practical relationships between Ayurvedic healing science, Bhakti yoga, Indo-Tibetan Vajrayoga, and Hathayogic tantric science. You will leave this retreat physically energized, personally inspired, and connected with a growing community of students who are looking to go deeper in their spiritual evolution, yogic studies, and life-enhancing practices.

For early morning sessions, the Vajrayoga practice streams will be navigated by expert yogini, Michele Loew, as she covers a broad spectrum of yogic practices that are most beneficial when practiced together. Through movements strung together on the thread of the breath, we will bring the brilliant core of the central axis out through the forms of the postures, turning them into mudras of feeling and expression so that our practice is an ever-deepening source of inspiration. Nina Rao will lead discussions of the sacred feminine, focusing on Tara, the Woman Buddha and Devi – the Hindu Goddess in many forms. Nina will also lead the group in mantra chanting and singing kirtan. Finally Bob Thurman will present a session on the “Rājayoga”-like tantric science dimensions of the Vajrayoga innovation.

For the afternoon teachings, Svoboda, Thurman, and Krishna Das will lead lively discussions presenting the vast and amazing teachings of some notable Indian mahasiddha adepts. The first westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India, Svoboda will deploy his realized Ayurvedic vision to present some of the main teachings of the late, extraordinary Indian Aghori, Vimalananda, with whom he spent many years studying in the 70s and 80s. Kirtan chant-master Krishna Das will bring to life the spiritual presence and powerful inspiration of his renowned guru Neem Karoli Baba (Mahārāji) to join in several of these discussions and will of course also lead some devotional chanting! Thurman will channel the teachings of his Gurus, the Ven. Geshe Wangyal Rinpochey, Kyabjey Ling Rinpochey, and H. H. the Dalai Lama, grounding them in teachings from the famous Indian master Vimalakirti, later Indian and Tibetan tantric siddhas, giving special emphasis to female siddhas and the female Buddha and Goddess Noble Tara, with the assistance of Nina Rao, the virtuoso specialist in Tara bhakti Lopön Chandra Easton, zooming in on the holy 21 Tara Emanations. Parvaty Baul, who has studied closely with two Baul gurus of the previous generation, will share her practice of chanting, dancing, performing and teach the essence of this specialized devotional practice.

Our evening sessions will consist of all-faculty discussions on the Vimalakirti Sutra, Bhagavat Gita, and other seminal Indian texts, with students encouraged to offer many questions, alternating with kirtan chant-master Krishna Das leading some devotional chanting!

Svoboda and Thurman will also lead special Fire Pujas in the central field of Menla’s campus, with all students participating. This puja is a powerful way to heal and energize our planetary mandala and celebrate the eventual triumph of the total liberation and enlightenment of all beings (including ourselves!) in a gorgeous setting.

Space is very limited for the in-person option, so it is best to sign up early for this amazing opportunity to study and practice with some of the best minds and hearts in these fields!

If you can only attend part of the retreat, you may arrange a partial/prorated registration via our Front Desk at frontdesk@menla.org. Please note that we have a two-night stay minimum. Also, we have a few spots reserved in shared housing for those needing partial scholarships. If you are interested in applying for a partial scholarship, please email frontdesk@menla.org.

* Image used by permission © Thomas Laird, Murals of Tibet, 2018

Schedule

Friday, May 30

• 3 – 6 pm Arrival & Check-in
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Welcome & Opening Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD)

Saturday, May 31

• 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele)
• 9 – 10 am Breakfast
• 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)
• 1 – 2 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
• 4 – 6 pm Afternoon Class (Bob T)
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das

Sunday, June 1

• 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele)
• 9 – 10 am Breakfast
• 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class on the Sacred Feminine: Discussions on Yogini and the Goddess, Stories & Chant (Michele & Nina)
• 1 – 2 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
• 4 – 6 pm Fire Puja weather permitting (Robert S)
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD)

Monday, June 2

• 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele)
• 9 – 10 am Breakfast
• 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class on Embodying Tara (Chandra Easton via livestream) and Chanting Tara Mantra (Nina)
• 1 – 2 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
• 4 – 6 pm Afternoon Class (Robert S)
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das

Tuesday, June 3

• 7:30 – 9 am Gayatri Mantra Veda Class & Recitation (Nina)
• 9 – 10 am Breakfast
• 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)
• 1 – 2 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 3:30 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
• 3:30 – 6 pm Afternoon Storytime and Q&A (KD)
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD, Parvaty)

Wednesday, June 4

• 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele) and short Gayatri Mantra Recitation (Nina)
• 9 – 10 am Breakfast
• 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class on Tibetan Medicine and Ayurveda (Bob T & Robert S)
• 1 – 2 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
• 4 – 6 pm Fire Puja 2 weather permitting (Bob T)
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Performance by Parvaty and Kirtan with Krishna Das

Thursday, June 5

• 7 – 11 am Check-out of Rooms
• 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele) and Mantra Practice (Nina)
• 9 – 10 am Breakfast
• 10:30 – 12:30 pm Closing Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD)
• 1 – 2 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.