YDC Update

As February moves along, YDC participants continue their journey to deeper self-understanding, investigating the kundalini system: mind, senses, karma yoga, hidden language, mantra and more. They also offer satsang in the Temple and Beach Prayer Rooms five nights a week. Two members of this year’s group share thoughts on what brought them to the YDC and what stands out so far.

Cy

“When I was 19 or 20, I bought a book by Swami Radha that introduced me to dream yoga and other yogas explained in it,” answers Cy when asked how he first came to the ashram. In university at the time and when he graduated, Cy wanted to deepen his understanding of yoga. “I wanted to go to the source, so to speak, so I googled the ashram and found out there’s this great youth program where I could come and work and learn.”  Cy lived at the ashram for a year before returning home to Maine. There he worked two years at a centre for teenage boys at risk.  “It was great.  I was able to show them some yoga.  I saved money and was able to come back for the YDC, the next stage of my development in learning these teachings.” What stands out so far?  “Every day is a new insight and the insights just pour in.  Just this morning, in relaxation I thought about how I have to invite my different personality aspects into the mantra, rather than trying to force them. Otherwise they won’t cooperate.”

Judith

Judith lives in the Netherlands and learned about the ashram six years ago. “I was looking online for a nice yoga retreat in Europe,” she explains, “and saw this place.  It looked so beautiful with the mountains and lake, but I really resonated with the practices offered, like dreams and mantra.  I got so excited, I wanted to come right away.” It took three years for Judith to be able to come for a ten-day retreat, and then another three before the timing was right to come for the YDC.  “But now I’m committed to being here for eight months.” “One thing that really stands out so far is realizing the power of my voice. I’ve always loved to sing and chant mantra, but here we do it so much and I’m learning what that does to me, how it brings me into contact with the Divine but also puts me back on the earth.” “I’m understanding more the devotional part, what I can give and put into the mantra.  And where it goes.” Judith also finds dream work fascinating.  “To work with the intuitive, but in an analytical way, is a great combination and a really good method.  I listen to myself and take myself seriously, use my intuition in a grounded way.” “I also really enjoy being here.  It’s beautiful, but also being part of a community is supportive.  I’m on my own journey, but I’m with others who are on a similar journey, or who have done this journey before.  We support each other.”