satsangam

  1. Events
  2. satsangam

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

August Sessions of Vedic Threads: Prāṇa, the Mind and Haṭha Yoga with Robert Moses & Scott Blossom

Robert Moses and Dr. Scott Blossom will join Drs. Ramkumar & Claudia for a discussion on how we work with obstruction of the circulation of prāṇa through haṭha yoga practice and the role that the mind (manas) plays in the process. Scott and Robert will share with us the benefit we can experience when we use the mind to focus prāṇa on marma points (points where prāṇa stagnates in the body), and devotional practices like puja or prayer to resolve karmas that may be obstructing free-flowing prāṇa, or simply on circulating prāṇa. 

Vedic Threads One-Year Anniversary Celebration: Free & All Welcome!

On Thursday, Sept. 21, 10-11:30am ET (New York time) Drs. Ramkumar & Claudia are warmly inviting anyone at all that would love to see what we've been up to for the last year, to join us, Satsangam's teachers, advisors, and the Vedic Threads Membership-based course participants, at no cost, for a special session to celebrate the conclusion of the first incredible year of Vedic Threads. This is and continues to become a beautiful community, in great measure because of the heartfelt participation, depth of knowledge and spirit of curiosity of every one of of the incredible instructors and participants.

Varṇa: Shifting Colour over the Course of a Lifetime with Drs. Ramkumar & Welch

Satsangam

The 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.

Exploring Vāyu (movement of life force), Bhāva (emotion) and Rasa (flavor) Through Performance

Satsangam

In these two sessions, Drs. Ramkumar & Welch are joined by Kapila Venu ji, a practitioner of Kutiyattam (“Koodiyattam”), – one of the oldest living theatre traditions in the world. She has studied multiple Indian art and dance and theater forms, including Mohiniyattam dance. Kapila ji joins us to talk about the role and connection of vāyu, bhāva (emotion) and rasa (flavor). In these art forms, vāyu represents the movement of the life force through the body and mind, and is a medium through which to explore emotion and demonstrate the scope of human experience. We plan to discuss the differences between and nuances of prāṇa and vāyu; bhāva and rasa; how traditional performance practices weave these threads together, and the role they play in mental health.

Healing Sounds Retreat: Chanting, Kirtan & Vocal Rāga

Vaidyagrama Healing Village

Sound, in the form of drumming, chanting, recitation, repetition of mantra, singing, instrumental music, and the ringing of bells has been an integral part of devotional traditions since ancient days. The various qualities and practices associated with sound exert a variety of effects on our well-being. During the five days of the retreat attendees will enjoy direct experience of the very different effects of these distinct manifestations of sound

Bhāva & Bhāvana: Inner and Outer Expression of Emotion

Satsangam

Simran 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

Satsangam

Professor 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.

Animal, Plant and Agricultural Ayurveda

Satsangam

Along with the 8 branches of Ayurveda that apply to humans, we can understand that, depending on the teacher, there are 2 or 3 other branches: one covers agriculture or farming (kṛṣi Ayurveda); one plants & trees (vṛkṣa Ayurveda), and one animals (mṛga or paśu Ayurveda).

Kathā Cikitsā: The Healing Power of Storytelling

Satsangam

Join Satsangam's team, including Drs. Robert Svoboda, Fred Smith Ramkumar, Claudia Welch, Scott Blossom, Kimberly Kubicke and the rest of the satsangam team and friends, in Taos, New Mexico to delve into the therapeutic dimensions of storytelling. The retreat is designed for those who cherish stories, as well as for anyone seeking to understand how to construct or choose stories that act as the right medicine in varied situations.

Join 
Satsangam Community!

Sign up for our newsletter & receive a welcome gift—the mini eBook “Dinacaryā: Changing Lives Through Daily Living,” by Dr. Claudia Welch
SUBSCRIBE NOW
close-link
Go to Top