This year, Jiva Institute is offering several new seminars given by Babaji Satyanarayana Dasa Maharaja. Please don’t miss the unique chance to attend them and make your booking now. Each seminar has an alternative date.
Understanding Shastra
Every culture and religion is based on certain sacred books.
Generally, there are different opinions which are quite often completely opposed to each other about the meaning of these sacred literatures. This is especially so when it comes to understanding the Vedic literature. The reason being that these books were written a few thousands years ago in Sanskrit, which is not a spoken language any more. Moreover, the cultural, economical and political background in which these books were revealed or produced has undergone tremendous change. Lastly, Sanskrit is one of the highest developed languages of the world. It has the ability to convey enormous amounts of knowledge in just a few words which need interpretation or unpacking. All these reasons make Vedic literature liable to be misunderstood. Therefore, there is as need to understand the hermeneutics or methodology behind Vedic literature.
In this seminar you will systematically learn the principles which determine how to read and understand such texts and get a deeper insight into the message the author wants to convey.
(8 days: February, 10th – 17th and March, 24th – 31st )
Practice of Authentic Raganuga Bhakti
In the Vedic scriptures such as Upanishads, Vedanta Sutra and Bhagavad Gita, primarily there are three main processes described to attain enlightenment. These are called Karma Yoga, Sankhya or Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. Out of these three, Bhakti Yoga is the more direct, natural and practical approach .
Moreover, according to the Puranas such as Bhagavat Purana, Bhakti Yoga is the recommended process for the present age or Kali Yuga.
In the medieval age, there were great acharyas and saints who preached bhakti both to the intellectuals and the masses. Among them, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is very special because he taught the path of love as the religion of the soul. This process is called Raganuga Bhakti. It is the most sublime and the secret message of all the Vedic body of knowledge.
In this course you learn how to practice Raganuga Bhakti and apply it in your daily life wherever you are, East or West.
(8 days: from February, 3rd – 10th and April, 7th – 14th )
Ayurveda for everyday Life
Good health is the key to success in life. Whether one wants wealth, power, fame or enlightenment, good health is the basis for it.
Ayurveda is the ancient medical system from India based on the natural principles governing nature and life.
Our body is made of food and subsists on it. Food grows in nature. Therefore, health depends on the harmony between body and nature.
Modern life usually seems to disrupt this harmony, which leads to imbalance in our system, resulting in disease.
Ayurveda defines health as balance of the three doshas, the digestive system, the proper functioning of our senses and a peaceful mind.
In this course you will learn how to maintain this balance if you are healthy and how to achieve it, if you are in an imbalanced state while functioning in the modern world.
Food can act as medicine, as nourishment or as toxin, depending on whether one consumes it in knowledge or ignorance.
(8 days: from January, 20th – 27th and February, 17th – 24th)
Hinduism 28.12.-18.1.
Introductory course tro Hinduism which does not require any pre-qualification. To give a basic introduction to the six schools of Hinduims which are called Nyaya, Vaishesika, Sankhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa and Vedanta. In Vedanta, the basic concepts of Advaita Vedanta and acintya-bhedabheda of Jiva Gosvami will be taught. Besides this there will be an overview of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavat Purana with a stress of Bhakti Yoga and its relevance in the modern times.
On request the following seminars are also offered:
Vedic Psychology
Vaishnava Philosophy: The Cream of the Vedas
The Art of Love: Find what you are looking for
Yoga and Ayurveda: An authentic understanding for health and happiness
The Yoga of Dejection: 1st Chapter of Bhagavad Gita
Sankhya Philosophy: Origins, Influence, and Modern Application
For more details contact jaya @ jiva.org (phone+91-9756605055), or use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
