Rāga cikitsa: Music as therapy Part II.
Discussion with Dr. Shubham Kulkarni on the role of rāga (often translated as, “desire” or, “passion”) as both cause and cure of disease.
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Vedic Threads
Tāla: Rhythmic Measure in Art, Architecture, Music and Dance with Drdha Vrata Gorrick & Vinay Srinivasan
Tāla is a common term used across several kalās in India: music, dance, visual arts, and architecture. It can mean the span (of the palm), the floor (height) of a building and the musical beat (time measure). In this session of Vedic Threads, friends and colleagues– artist Drdha Vrata Gorrick and artist/dancer Vinay Srinivasan join Drs. Ramkumar and Claudia in this Vedic Threads session to share how tāla brings meaning as well as definition to their practice of their respective kalās.
July Sessions of Vedic Threads: Pañca mahā yajña; 5 Major Sacrifices with Vijayalakshmi Vijayakumar
Indian scriptures suggest householders—or perhaps all people—engage in five major daily yajñas (sacrifices; worship) that gradually and increasingly connect us to and nourish an interconnected whole. Vijayalakshmi Vijayakumar has taken pañca mahā yajña to practical and great lengths and is scheduled to join Drs. Ramkumar and Claudia in the July 07 session of Vedic Threads to discuss this ancient practice that we can apply in modern times and ways.
Vedic Threads: Rāga, Remedies & Constellations with Allison Dennis
We will explore the intersection between Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology) and Indian music. There is an upāya, or Jyotiṣical remedy, which prescribes a specific rāga (Indian musical composition), based on a person's natal birth chart, to bring more harmony to the life of that person. We will explore related ideas about about time, measurement, distance, emotion, and nakṣatras (constellations).
Varṇa: Shifting Colour over the Course of a Lifetime with Drs. Ramkumar & Welch
SatsangamThe word varṇa is commonly translates as, “caste” --a translation that does not do justice to the context in which it was originally used in Vedic scriptures. While today we understand that this concept can be understood to be inherited by birth and used by one group to oppress another, there is a different point of view (to which we subscribe) for which we can find support in the śāstras. In this view, we all may contain or embody each of the 4 varṇas in the course of our lives and experiences, depending on what we are focusing on, our intentions, and spending our time on at any given point in our lives. There is also the idea, which we appreciate, that we are all born in with tamasic (baser) tendencies but, through our actions, we can evolve into a more sattvic (pure) mode of being. From this point of view, we do not inherit a high status—but that is the birthright for all of us, and attainable through self-purification.
Bhāva & Bhāvana: Inner and Outer Expression of Emotion
SatsangamSimran Lal joins Drs. Ramkumar & Welch in this Vedic Threads session to talk about bhāva and bhāvana. One could say that bhāva and bhāvana is what makes this world go round. Everything in this manifested world begins with a thought; Everything is a manifestation of our intentions. Bhāva is one’s inner world - intentions, feelings, desires; and bhāvana is the outer expression of those - in what we say, how we express ourselves, how we conduct ourselves in society. Yogis advise us to align our bhāva with our bhāvana (what in modern day parlance is what we call ‘authenticity’), and to make them śuddha (pure). Our persistent thoughts and the way we perceive the world shape us. To refine them (make them śuddha) is the birthright, and the highest aim of each of us.
Itihāsa (History): The Role of Storytelling in Modern Times
SatsangamProfessor of Sanskrit & Classical Indian Religions Fred Smith, joins Dr. Ramkumar & Dr. Welch to talk about "itihāsa" or, "history". Itihāsa also is used to specifically refer to the two monumentally influential epic poems of ancient India: the Mahābhāratam and the Rāmāyaṇa. The very fact that the word, "history" is used in a context where, in the West we might use "mythology", “epic”, "story" or, "poem" can lead us into curious conversation. Hopefully this will be the case.
Abhinavagupta & Lal Ded (Lalleshvari): Mystic Poets in Daily Life
SatsangamRose Baudin joins Drs. Ramkumar & Claudia to share her love of Abhinavagupta and Lal Ded, two mystic luminaries, and how their works and spirits have influenced her life and yoga practice of over 50 years.
Theyyam: Carrying the Deity with Pepita Seth
SatsangamTheyyam is an ancient form of worship found only in northern Kerala in India. A designated theyyakkaran – "a Theyyam man (or woman)" – calls the formless deity down from heaven and ‘carries’ the deity by providing him – or her - with a body and therefore the ability to interact with their devotees. Pepita Seth has lived with and studied the people and practice of Theyyam for 20 years and shares experiences and wisdom around this with Drs. Ramkumar & Claudia
Hitāyu & Sukhāyu: Psychology of Wellbeing & Happiness
SatsangamDr. Mala Kapadia, Director, Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Anaadi Foundation, Palani, Tamil Nadu, Bharat joins Drs. Claudia Welch & Ramkumar--and the Vedic Threads community to discuss how the pandemic era has created, unveiled and exacerbated mental health concerns that persist. It has been a strong wake-up call to humanity. In the post-Covid, “new normal”, we are prompted to evaluate the strength of our health, happiness and immunity, and question how we are living and what indeed is and supports these things.
Vāstu Śāstra Introduction
Radhasharandas Rajesh Shinde ji will join Drs. Claudia Welch & Ramkumar and the Vedic Threads community to introduce us to India's ancient art of geomancy and help us consider how to apply some of this knowledge in our modern lives.
The Role Of Paramparā & Dṛṣṭi In Education
Join Drs. Anuradha Choudry, Ramkumar and Claudia in Vedic Threads to explore the role of paramparā (tradition) & dṛṣṭi (perspective, worldview, vision) in ancient vs. modern education, to consider what has been lost, and what we might wish to restore.
Dharma within Sanātana Dharma: Eternal Duty in Service and Life
In this session, we welcome Hanuman Dass, founder of Go Dharmic, a non-profit organization engaged in humanitarian and environmental initiatives. We will explore the concept of dharma within Sanātana Dharma, focusing on its role as a guiding principle for ethical conduct and service. Go Dharmic's activities, such as establishing school libraries and computer labs in India and Nepal, distributing meals globally, and environmental conservation efforts like planting mangroves in the Sundarbans, provide practical contexts for discussing how dharma influences personal and communal responsibilities. This discussion aims to enhance understanding of dharma's impact on individual actions and societal welfare.
Sattvāvajaya: Healing Trauma with Yoga and Ayurveda
Following Anjali Deva’s exploration of trauma in the previous Vedic Threads session, her father, Arun Deva will present sattvāvajaya, a therapeutic approach rooted in the integration of yoga and Ayurveda, to heal and balance the mind. This session will focus on practical methods for restoring mental clarity and emotional well-being, providing tools to address the impact of saṃskāra, vāsanā, and prajñāparādha on our lives. Participants will learn how to cultivate sattva—purity and balance—through specific treatments and practices.
