October 2011 |
Shakti Namaste | Upanayana | Gayatri Sadhana Retreat | Shri Vivekshastriji at Vedika Free Ayurveda Sanghas | Upcoming Events | Upcoming Conferences | Publications | Contact Us |
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Upanayana samskara is a formal, sacred initiation into the study of a Vedic science, be it studying the Vedas or Ayurveda. It is a doorway into the experience of committed studentship, the cultivation of a mindful relationship with the sacred science of Ayurveda, and the cultivation of humanitarian values, to which both teacher and students commit themselves.
So on an auspicious morning in early summer, during the time of Uttarayana, a group of deeply committed and duly examined students sat close to their Acharya, Shunya Pratichi Mathur and received initiation. This Vedic ceremony was officiated by Vedika's Purohit, Vedamurti Shri Vivekshastri Godbole. The upanayana included the commencement of Gayatri mantra practice. So for Vedika Gurukula students, the summer concluded with a retreat focused on learning about, practicing and going deep into the experience of Gayatri sadhana, and understanding the role of this practice for a practitioner of Ayurveda. The months in between were filled with studies of the science of Ayurveda with Dr. Abhijit Jinde and Shunyaji, and lectures on facets of yoga by Dr. Raghuramji from Vivekananda Kendra Bengaluru. Monthly community Ayurveda Sanghas are a lively ongoing feature. Community members who attend regularly report that they are really benefiting from following the seasonal foods recommendations that are explained in detail and demonstrated at each Sangha, and also from the inspiring atmosphere at Vedika. May the sacred science of Ayurveda bring you abundant blessings,
Summer concluded with a retreat for all Vedika Gurukula students. The retreat was designed to build on their practice of dinacharya, their Ayurvedic daily health routine, and their growing experience of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits of rising during brahmamuhurta, the exquisite pre-dawn time. The focus was on deepening their experience of Gayatri sadhana, the practice of purifying every level of one's being through repetition and absorption in the Gayatri mantra. The purpose of this ancient practice is to build an inner pillar of strength, intuition, protection and selfless dedication, to cultivate the inner foundation of a healer and counselor. Its daily practice has been central in Shunyaji's family lineage, and amongst numerous lineages of traditional vaidyas. Vedika's students and teachers gathered under the stars amidst the silent beauty of the approaching dawn to perform the sandhya vandam together. This is the twilight offering of gratitude to the Supreme Lord whose visible form is the sun. It takes the form of offering purifying mantras as a prayer to live a noble, illumined life, and infusing these mantras and intentions into water that is then offered to the rising sun, and is followed by silent meditation. During the day, students gathered to study the science that makes Gayatri mantra so potent, the values it embodies, and its scriptural roots in the Vedas and Upanishads. They learned the significance of its practice in Ayurveda and studied Rishi Charaka's description of an astonishing rejuvenation regimen for the body, mind and spirit for which Gayatri mantra as one of the primary "medicines". Steps by step, Vedika students are being prepared to become wise and deeply inspired in their service of humanity.
Our memorable joint sangha with UCSF's Osher Center for Integrative Medicine's Sangha for Ayurveda Practitioners and research brought together representatives of the tradition of Ayurveda, the height of science of Ayurveda, the university community, and practitioners of Ayurveda in a unique opportunity for conversation.
To help community members have the tools, inspiration and support to stay healthy in body, mind and spirit, each month a warm, unique open-house is offered at Vedika. Regular participants report that they are benefiting from the wealth of detail they receive on foods and lifestyle patterns that promote good health, how to prepare simple home remedies, how to cook a season-friendly recipe, and enriching contemplations from the Vedic tradition. You can watch talks from Vedika's Sangha on Grishma Ritu, the summer season, on our website:
1st AYU World Conference on Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy and Unani systems of Indian Medicine: “Indian Systems of Medicine for All” Ayurveda Keralam Global Ayurveda Festival
Dr. Sunanda Ranade, Director of International Academy of Ayurveda in Pune and Vedika Faculty member, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th International Tathagat Ayurveda Conference in Dubai in September 2011
To find out more about Vedika Global, Inc. and its activities,
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Upanayana is a dynamic initiation in which a student "sits close" to knowledge and a lineage of teachers, seeking blessings for their intention to receive and understand the wisdom of the sages of Ayurveda and walk in their footsteps in service of humanity. Charaka confirms that even students who had already had their sacred thread ceremony for beginning other studies were to have a separate initiation into the study of Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, it was given to students from all strata of society, including women. Until a century ago, this tradition was a regular feature of life in all gurukulas, including those for Ayurveda. But it fell out of practice as education in Ayurveda moved into secular settings.
At Vedika Gurukula, students who have completed a year of immersion in Ayurveda studies for personal health and who wish to commit themselves both to study further to become Ayurveda health counselors and practitioners and to the humanitarian and spiritual values of Ayurveda, have the opportunity to receive this initiation.
Vedika's upanayana was officiated by Shri Vivekshastri Godbole, Vedika's Vedic priest who heads a traditional Vedic gurukulal in Satara, India. His lyrical chanting of Vedic hymns charged the atmosphere with a sense of magic. Students were seated in a garden amidst the earthy fragrance of flowers and herbs, watching the sacred fire which bore witness to their intentions. Vivekshastri chanted mantras invoking the blessings of each of the elements and forces of nature, and explained where they reside within one's being.
As the chants invoked Vayu, the Lord of the Wind, the breeze picked up making the trees sway and fabrics flutter. When the chanting invoked Varuna, the Lord of the Waters, the fog turned to rain, and the students huddled close around the sacred fire with their Acharya, Shunya Pratichi Mathur, adding to the intensity and focus of the moment. When mantras invoking the blessings of Surya, the Sun, filled the air, dazzling rays of sunlight suddenly flooded the central place of worship and the faces of the students. Everyone was awestruck by this experience of their interconnectedness with the forces of nature, the great mahabhutas they had studied and pondered in class. It was a palpable experience of crossing a threshold into a new level of relationship with the sacred science of Ayurveda. Vedamurti Shri Vivek Shastri Godbole is the Acharya of a traditional Vedic gurukula in India, an accomplished Vedic astrologer, and a highly respected champion of the revitalization of the oral tradition of the Vedas. His visit to Vedika gave students a unique opportunity to taste facets of the Vedic context and culture within which Ayurveda is nested. He gave them an introduction to Vedic astrology and its relevance in Ayurveda. He gave an overview of the content of each of the Vedas, and in his melodious voice demonstrated the unique style in which each one is sung.
Three students who were preparing to become mothers were blessed and honored with sweet rituals, and two senior students who were preparing to start their own professional endeavors in Ayurveda took special blessings. At the Sangha, Shastriji spoke about the relationship between the moon and mind, and told a story about Chandrashekhara, Shiva who wears the moon in his matted hair as a symbol of how yogis are able to conquer the mind. Shunyaji commented with much delight on how Vivekshastriji's rich style of speaking that interweaves stories, Sanskrit verses and gems of knowledge reminded her of the way her grandfather would speak, since in addition to being an expert in Ayurveda, he was too was profoundly immersed in the Vedic tradition.
For more information contact 1.877.708.3342. Ext 14 or registrar@vedikaglobal.org |
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Shakti Namaste
Namaste. Vedika Gurukula has re-enlivened the tradition of commencing studies for aspiring Ayurvedic healers with upanayana samskara, which is described in detail in Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthanam Ch.8 and in the first section of Sushruta Samhita in the chapter on Shishyopyaniyam.
Vedika's media partner Tathaastu magazine promotes the universal spirit of embracing a healthy, spiritual way of life and leading it with peace, harmony and dignity, Tathaastu: So Be is available not only in North America and India, but also in countries throughout Europe, Asia and Australasia.
105 hour in-depth course on health-oriented Jyotish for Ayurveda Practitioners, often referred to as Medical Astrology. The course will be held in Pune, India, in collaboration with AYURA foundation (Foundation for Ayurveda, Yoga Upachar Research Activities)
Open to Ayurveda practitioners and students worldwide.
Taught by Dr. Subodh Jagdale, B.A.M.S., Ayurveda physician and highly respected Astro-Ayurveda practitioner/ consultant. Taught in fluent contemporary English.
Certificate of study will be issued jointly by Vedika Global, USA and AYURA Foundation, India.
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Vedika Global is a 501(c )(3) not-for-profit organization, dedicated to igniting a community healing and wellness movement with classical Ayurveda infused with Yoga and Vedanta. Vedika's core program is a school offering transformative, lived education – Sadhana -- in the science and spirituality of Ayurveda, including unique wisdom from the Gurukula tradition. Located in the Emeryville/Berkeley area of California, Vedika Gurukula offers authentic education in Ayurveda's oral tradition integrated with the contemporary academic standards for Ayurvedic education in India. Vedika's culture is rooted in the spirit of service -- Seva -- and community upliftment – Sangha. The school includes a teaching clinic and open events to empower the broader community with the wisdom of Ayurveda. Vedika Global, Inc. %%PLUGIN_UNSUBSCRIBE: 174376-UNSUBSCRIBE%% |