Death & Dying

This course--co-taught by Drs. Shubham Kulkarni, Robert Svoboda and Claudia Welch, invites participants to explore the universal process of death through a blend of Indian wisdom traditions, and end-of-life care practices. It offers a rich exploration of the emotional and spiritual dimensions associated with dying, aiming to transform personal fears into opportunities for spiritual growth. Participants will learn about philosophical perspectives on death, the stages of death, and practical, ethical considerations in end-of-life care. The course also emphasizes compassionate support, self-care for caregivers, and the role of music therapy, providing a comprehensive understanding of death from multiple perspectives.

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.

Abhinavagupta & Lal Ded (Lalleshvari): Mystic Poets in Daily Life

Abhinavagupta was a living example of the value of the study of multiple disciplines, as he studied the schools of philosophy and art of his time under the guidance of as many as fifteen (or more) teachers and gurus. He authored seminal works on poetry and drama as well as extraordinarily profound and influential philosophical works.

Understanding Trauma Through Saṃskāra, Vāsanā, and Prajñāparādha

In this session, Anjali Deva will explore trauma through the lens of Indian knowledge systems, offering a profound understanding of how past impressions (saṃskāra), latent tendencies (vāsanā), and mistakes of the intellect (prajñāparādha) shape our emotional and mental experiences. By delving into these Sanskrit concepts, Anjali will guide participants in recognizing how trauma manifests and how it can be addressed holistically within the framework of Indian wisdom traditions.

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.

Interconnectedness of Indian Wisdom Traditions

Sivananda Ashram Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas

Join us in beautiful Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in Nassau, Bahamas, to explore the cultural, spiritual, philosophical, scientific and artistic context in which Indian wisdom traditions like yoga and Ayurveda exist. We will all be fed vegetarian food, have daily yoga classes, learning sessions together, satsangs and time in the ocean and sun, all in the harmonious environment of an ashram that welcomes all religions, faiths, and humans.

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