Courses with Satyananda

Weekend-courses and one day intensives

We work for a whole day or a weekend with a specific approach to Truth. We use different methods to see and realize our own true nature. You can come for one or both days. We usually work between 10 and 17 on a Saturday and a Sunday and usually with an introduction on Friday evening. We work individually, in couples, in small groups, or all together. Many types of meditation and therapy are being used. Use casual dressing because we sometimes use physical exercises and dance.

Different themes for the courses are:

This present moment – is all there is

Here and now is all we ever will get. It is not possible to be somewhere else or some other time. This is only what the mind thinks. As long as we believe in this there is suffering. The Now is ever full and fresh. If you rest in the Now you are contented, open, and truly alive. Freedom is right here for you to discover. It has always been here, waiting for you to let go to burst through.

Life is simple. We just have to stop and see what is there. To see the silence between thoughts. To see the source of the different perceptions. To see reality both within and without.

During this course we use methods do go deeper into the present, to discover the source of all and to remove obstacles and doubts that are in the way for life’s true expression.

The other – no other. About projections, introjections, and freedom

The whole creation is a projection from the unmanifest source. This projection is called maya and has no independent existence. It is completely dependent on its source, the indescribable Being or presence, the mother of all beings or existence.

This happens in our personal lives as well. The source expresses itself through our personality, our bodies, our actions, our thoughts, our feelings, and our perceptions. When we identify with all these expressions this gives rise to the ego and a separate existence apart from other people. We then project our feelings and experiences on other people, “the other”, and see them as the cause for our happiness or suffering. We become dependent on outer objects and other persons for our happiness and well-being. For example:
“It is your fault that I am not feeling good”
“If you only could change I would be happy”
“When you do like this you really hurt me”

The other (person) becomes the problem and we have a hard time to make other people change to meet our needs. Sometimes people are OK and make us happy, sometimes they make our lives a mess.

During this course we use methods to discover how these projections come into play. We will see that they have no own nature or existence. We use different devices to come back to our true existence and to see through the projections. Then we will discover that there is no other. It is just a fantasy. The freedom is always there whatever is going on in our lives.

Introjections is when we project inwards. We hide unpleasant experiences in our subconscious and in our bodies. Tensions and physical problems often have a basis in suppressed feelings. There are many ways to come into the body and release these hidden feelings. The aim is to get in contact with these disowned parts of the body and mind and integrate them. To make the mind whole and to be present in the body.

Meditation - Seeing through the illusion

On this intensive we will go deeper into meditation. We will meditate 45 minutes 3-4 times per day and discuss how to handle thoughts, feelings, and experiences during meditation. The meditation that is used is Satyananda's version of vipassana. We will also do some other exercises to integrate presence with activity.

Self-realization and love relationships

Can a life in a love relationship be combined with the process of self-realization? I often get this question and I am surprised every time. What is the problem? Life is what it is. It is natural to live in a couple situation. We all have the need for sharing life, personal love, intimacy, sex, tenderness. It is also so much fun to live together. This is in no way opposed to the aim for truth. Truth is who we are and all that keep happening with this limited personality is only for our own growth. What we have difficulties with is only an invitation for us to look deeper and what looks awful and scary is only love in a disguise. The differences between the sexes is both challenging and inspiring. You both learn to love yourself deeper as well as your partner.

We will do different sharing and communication exercises. We will discuss the different needs of women and men. What is it to be a woman or a man in this world. How can this irresistible meeting be combined with sadhana (spiritual practice). We will also do some exercises to heal both women and men.