IHT Institute of the Himalayan Tradition - Yoga St. Paul, MN

02/21/2020

We are pleased to offer a new title by Theresa King (Ma Devi). This is a collection of her poetry written during her lifetime.
In the words of Swami Jaidev (Justin O'Brien), "The author’s words, as she travels over hill and dale, in and out of seasons, beckon a broadening vision of life’s wonders. Not only for your mind, these pages awaken the contemplative echoes of your soul. Hence many of your settled conclusions and confusions about living may quietly drop away. So cast off and follow your heart."

https://www.yespublishers.com

02/14/2020

Sign Up here for "The Weekly" from the Institute of the Himalayan Tradition in St. Paul, MN to stay informed on our local events and seminars!

Thank you for joining the Institute of the Himalayan Tradition "The Weekly" newsletter. We look forward to keeping you informed.

02/14/2020

An IHT student wants to give his girl friend a stupendous Valentine, so he climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God.

Looking up, he implores: "God, what does a million years mean to you?"

The clouds separate and the Lord thunders, "A minute."

He asks, "And what does a million dollars mean to you?"

The Lord replies, "A penny."

Smiling with anticipation, he asks, "Can I have a penny?"

"In a minute."
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The lover's holiday goes back to the 4th century BCE. The Romans held an annual lottery wherein young men would draw a young woman's name from a box. The couple would be assigned to each other the entire year for entertainment and pleasure. This celebration, traditionally held on February 15, also included banquets, dancing and foot races run in the n**e (exceptions were made for inhabitants in Minnesota).

Around CE 496, early Catholic Church fathers sought an end to the pagan practice, but knew better than to upset the citizens by removing the lottery completely. Instead, they had teenagers pull the names of saints from the box. The teen was supposed to spend the year emulating that saint's life as much as possible, which was probably not as much fun as naked marathons. St. Valentine was chosen as the patron saint of the new event, and young Roman men resorted to courting females by sending handwritten notes delivered on February 14.
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02/07/2020

Life –an Exploration of Surprises

Acts of discursive reason are not involved in Contemplation. One is now in a different landscape. Before an enthralling sunset, there is no analyzing of shapes, comparing hues, or estimating its duration. instead, reasoning is put on hold. One simply gazes.

Wonder…a seizure of awe. It awakens the person beyond sheer mundane limits.
A hidden echo of the Delphi Oracle: know thyself.

Character isn’t built by meditating on it.

Self–knowledge is learned in action, the acts of living. There is no substitute for success and failure, give and take, gain and lose, promise and disappointment, remember and forget, ponder and question, observe and dismiss. We mature more thru those acts than wishes and promises.

Not living for the sake of knowing but knowing for the sake of intelligent living.

Ego is not abandoned to become wiser; rather, it simply matures the way it should.

The act of meditation is not to become thoughtless. but to discover the meaning of silence.
The Wanderer

Being calm is a power not found in the external world. It is only in you.
Swami Rama

01/22/2020

Who Art thou Mind?

If the totality of colour is presented to the eye from the outside in the form of an object, it will be pleasing to the eye, because it thereby encounters the sum of its own activity as reality.
Goethe **His remark prompted J.M.W. Turner’s comment…’this is the objective of painting’.

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts…
Marcus Aurelius

Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that
Break upon the idle seashore of the mind.
Longfellow

When the heart speaks, the mind finds it indecent to object.
Milan Kundera

I must have a prodigious amount of mind, it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up!
Mark Twain

Pity me that the heart is slow to learn
What the swift mind beholds at every turn.
Edna St. Vincent Millay

If the totality of being is presented to the eye of consciousness, the mind will be astonished into blissfulness, it thereby encounters the pristine plenum of its own natural striving. This is the ultimate objective of intelligent living.
The Wanderer

Here, in life on earth where opposites clash together, the general level of consciousness can be raised. The development of intelligence and physical power and moral ethics are equally necessary for a human being to grow and unfold himself for the purpose of living.
Swami Rama

01/22/2020

Please check out new updated website for events, local yoga classes, and inspiration on your path.

Institute of the Himalayan Tradition is a holistic yoga and meditation center in St. Paul. Join us for classes, special events, and satsang the first and fourth Thursday of the month.

12/31/2019

A New Year's Resolution...

There's a story about a distraught mother who wanted an appointment with a certain leader. Her young son craved sugar. It was ruining his teeth and making him emotional unsteady. She was at her wits end to make him stop; he wouldn't do what she wanted. She pleaded to see the revered rescuer of India. After many postponements, her plight reached his ear. He called to her. Overcome, she could hardly articulate her reason for him to speak to her son, who admired him. One word of correction was all she begged. He listened, turned his eyes to the boy. A few moments passed. He then turned to his mother and said: "Come back next week."
She was nonplussed. How could he be so indifferent? Did he not know that she walked 20 miles in the hot sand from her village to get here? Drudgingly, she took his little hand and returned to the village.
The following week it was even hotter. She clinched her jaw and marched right up to the appointment table where the great one sat.
He remembered them. He motioned to the lad to come near him. "Son, I want you to stop eating sugar. Can you do that?" The boy nodded.
Gandhi turned to the mother and said farewell. She starred, "Why did you not say that to him last week when we were here?"
"Last week I had not given up sugar."

Can we become the change we want to see?
The Wanderer

Determine that no matter what happens, life or death, you will sit down to meditate. Many times the mind goes through fluctuations and roams around, but just sit down and do the practice. If you do not want to meditate, then do not meditate. You should not fight with your mind; you should have a gentle dialogue with your mind. You will learn many things when you enter into this kind of self-dialogue.
Swami Rama

12/30/2019

Oh Winter Wonderland

The Snowman got you down...cold winds...stuffy nose…longing for Florida…
Fight them if you will, but consider discovering something intriguing in these grey skies. Is your imagination shivering so that you can't appreciate this time of your life?

If you meet the Winter on her own terms, you might find it more than invigorating.
Consider how enterprising is She in her wares. One day the clouds conspire and decide to expose their creative handiwork by releasing their sky-high watery droplets.

Those liquid visitors descend for miles through space slipping and sliding through differing temperatures and sheens of humidity, and eventually supercool into not tiny blocks of ice, but astonishing crystalline forms. Some actually congregate into frozen balls due to their melting and refreezing collaboration, with occasional offshoots as pellets to land in Minnesota.

To be sure, imagine the untold billions and trillions that descend in a typical Winter. Undoubtedly, Nature is both alchemist and mathematician in her glistening shower of manifestation.

Examine the crystal guest as she alights on your glove hand. You gaze upon a traditional six-fold radial figure. Peer at another one nearby and, while they appear exactly the same, yet each is unique in its icy hexagonal symmetry. Like triplets and twins in a family, these wee molecules of water grow independently into their varying shapes due to the collaborating interplay of the weather environment.

Did you know that back in Montana of 1887, Nature awed us with a snowflake 15" wide. And then one morning, lo and behold, the warm sun smiles, evaporating our temporary visitors to their heavenly abode. But don't feel sad, our snowflakes are anxious to return, for soon they reincarnate.
Déjà vu!
The Wanderer

A lifestyle that is suitable for both worldly fulfillment and spiritual enlightenment is the best. You should always have confidence that the light of life really is within you.
Swami Rama

12/13/2019

A Bird in Hand

A very successful businessman, highly skeptical and very pragmatic about life, was yet surprisingly intrigued by meditation.
Up in his Wisconsin cabin one Autumn weekend, he sauntered toward the dock and spied two tiny objects, each about as long as your ring finger. He looked closer and saw claws. They were two baby Hummingbirds. He stood engrossed by the radiance of their colors, but they weren’t moving.
He called his wife over and in her rush she accidentally stepped on one. The companion flew away. Well, that ended that.
Nevertheless, he felt an urge, reached down and very carefully picked it up and put it upon his palm. For all practical purposes it was dead. He decided to hold it and cupped his other hand to protect it against the wind and elements.
He kept peering at it and after a half-hour, it quivered. Now, he got excited. Standing near the bird feeder, he tilted his hand to get the beak at the edge. Nothing happened. So he continued to hold the creature for another half-hour. Again, the quivering came but with the legs moving. Its throat began to warble. Suddenly it turned over, paused to glance at him, and flew away.
I asked him his intent throughout the experience. He replied: “Simply to enliven it. I sustained it as well as I could.”
I mused: did he enkindle its ebbing life force? There in the warmth of his hand with its radiant heat, his gazing calm demeanor, plus his abiding intent something magical emerged.
The Wanderer

You need to create the conditions within yourself for truth to reveal its treasures. Truth hides itself until one is ready for it.
Swami Rama

12/04/2019

Our next Satsang gathering is tomorrow,
Thursday, December 5th,
7:00 - 8:30 pm with Swami Jaidev at Unity Church.

Come and enjoy an evening of sharing, contemplation, and meditation. Donation. www.ihtyoga.org

Satsangs at Unity Church will be held on the lower level in Meeting Room OWL 034.

Park in church lot off of Holly Ave, another lot off Portland Ave, or street parking on Portland Ave or Grotto St.
Unity Church

733 Portland Avenue, Saint Paul

11/22/2019

You Are On the Way

What hurt you today
Was taken out of your heart
By the meadowlark

The sky appears void
Where those hidden potentials?
The sky of your mind

You now want all being
Will not Gods give it to you
Sure you are ready?

Can you live then with
Celestial composure?
All will be bestowed

When every creature
Becomes a source of wonder
You are almost there

Individual
Awaken to self-knowledge
Sense-slumbers begone.

The Wanderer

11/14/2019

Blog Post Update!
Meeting the Master Part 2

https://www.yespublishers.com/blog/categories/ma-devi-my-life-s-journey

11/04/2019

Swami Rama's Mahasamadhi
Wednesday, November 13
7:00 - 9:00 PM

Location: Triune Masonic Temple
1898 Iglehart Ave, Saint Paul.

Come and join us as we celebrate the 23rd Mahasamadhi Anniversary of the life of His Holiness Sri Swami Rama. A messenger of the living tradition of the Himalayan Masters, he shared a universal and timeless message of inner discovery and self-transformation. As Swami Rama expressed in his classic spiritual autobiography, Living with the Himalayan Masters, "Humanity thrives on three principles that lie at the heart of all human life: inner strength, cheerfulness, and selfless service."

Tea and light refreshments will be served.

11/04/2019

Plan ahead for our next Satsang
Spiritual Gathering

November 7th, 7:00 - 8:30 pm by Swami Jaidev
at Unity Church.

Come and enjoy an evening of sharing, contemplation, and meditation. Donation.
www.ihtyoga.org

10/28/2019

Join us in following Ma Devi's journey from early childhood to the formation of the Institute of the Himalayan Tradition. This blog will be updated periodically.

Meeting the Master

https://www.yespublishers.com/post/meeting-the-master

10/23/2019

Study how you use time. Experiment.
The middle path is the path of experiments.
Swami Rama

10/15/2019

A friend is like an eagle; you don't find one soaring in flocks.
The Wanderer

10/08/2019

Meeting Justin: a new photo blog

Bride of Christ vs. Bride of Theologian

https://www.yespublishers.com/post/bride-of-christ-vs-bride-of-theologian

Meeting Justin: a photo blog.

10/01/2019

Check out this blog post posted by Yes Publishers

1998: An Interview with Swami Jaidev; who or whom do you think the M is? :)

https://www.yespublishers.com/post/1998-an-interview?fbclid=IwAR1M-FYeUmzgk8Fkt06w3xACz38WD_eIVa76HDfMu7EoqB93T_lewmKvC5Q

09/30/2019

Superconscious Meditation II

SCM ll: Saturday, October 5th

by Swami Jaidev
10 AM - Noon

Sign up via email: info@ihtyoga.org

SCM ll: This practical seminar will train you in the theory and practice of meditation as an art and a science. It contains the teachings of the masters together with experiential work as it introduces you to yourself and gives you the skills to continue the practice.

Cost: $25

Location: Triune Masonic Temple
1898 Iglehart Ave, Saint Paul.

09/06/2019

A Fable...

There, off to the side, stands an unobtrusive wizard of life. People walk by not so much to avoid his casual presence but are simply caught up in their minds with their normal preoccupations and pressing desires at the moment. In that frame of mind, he’s inconspicuous to them. He nods an unrequited greeting and waits.

He stands calmly and catches your eye with his nod. Are you like most who rush by without pausing to ponder even momentarily his faint smile?

Hmmm, something about the guy. All right, no harm to return his greeting. He tells you that, in addition to your current ambitious dreams, what you may be looking for is hidden in the vast forest nearby. Instead of feeling offended, his words coax your curiosity. He mentions that deep, deep in the nearby woods is a treasure that awaits your claim. The contents of that treasure unfolds all the knowledge and ready to use tools for the rest of your existence. With them, you will never know unhappiness again.

You squint, take a breath, and ponder if this guy is for real. Yet there is something about his calm, direct words. At that moment he smiles and you sense that, uncannily, he knows what you are thinking. The Wizard cautions, “This is not a weekend excursion, a holiday respite”. He pauses, holding your eyes in his gaze, and quietly continues.

“You must commit to finding your claim. At times the task will seem boring and lonely, even fruitless, perhaps insurmountable. Along the way, you will be tempted to rationalize a return to the safety and mundane comforts of your current lifestyle.

“I can only position you in the general direction. The map is Nature herself. Study her as you walk. You can only find out more by entering these unfamiliar woods and discovering her clues laden along the way that point you toward your destiny. You will likely have to return more than once. You must remain alert and careful at times to avoid injury from rocky terrain and faulty ground. You must protect your health from changing weather conditions. If you show no fear then even the wild animals will respect your passing presence. In fact, they will briefly lead you to trails to shorten your journey. Gradually, unsuspectedly, your continual embracing of the ups and downs of the journey will arouse in your awareness an inner sense of direction and confidence to follow it. Nature whispers in her own way.

“Yet there is an irony to your journey. Once you start you quit at your peril. Should you decide to withdraw there is a terrible penalty: you will lose your sense of life’s direction and wander lost in the world at large and the ghosts of your insecurities will return to haunt your hours. Animals will shun you as not one of their own. You may even become successful and prestigious as the world views it. But your soul will be lonely with the specter of what could have been.”

Keep in mind that a Fable should be taken with a grain of salt: Salt improves the flavor.
The Wanderer

You are not as small as you think you are.
Swami Rama

08/26/2019

Exciting news! Our new webpage has been launched here:
https://www.ihtyoga.org/

07/15/2019

Guru Purnima 2019
July 16th, Tuesday, 6-9 pm
Celebration to Honor the
Tradition of the Himalayan Sages

Guru Purnima is the annual spiritual celebration in honor of the Tradition. Guru means “that which dispels the darkness of ignorance.” The Guru is acknowledged and honored on this day.

All students of the Himalayan Tradition are invited to attend a satsang and meditation lead by Swami Jaidev followed by a delicious potluck meal.

Donations are gratefully accepted.

This event will be held in the Village View Room at Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy in Saint Paul. Parking lot is West of the Building.

Take the elevator by the Rec Center Desk to U (upper level) or use the stairs to the Village View Room.

07/12/2019

The Silent Mystic Retreat

August 25th - 31st
Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning

Come for a week of renewal in silence at Koinonia Retreat Center situated on the wooded, rolling hills around Lake Sylvia. We will have private rooms in the Sumac Lodge, vegetarian meals, a large outdoor labyrinth, wooded trails, sauna room, and much outdoor beauty. Swami Jaidev will guide retreatants with talks, practices, and private sessions.

Cost is $850.00.
Reserve your place by emailing: info@ihtyoga.org
Prepay with checks only .
Mail to: IHT
1043 Grand Ave #356
Saint Paul, MN 55105

06/29/2019

Greetings from Swami Jaidev,

Today, June 29th, is IHT's last day at the space we have been using for 5 years, 690 Cleveland Ave, Saint Paul.

After our seminar on Tracking the Sage's Paths from 10-noon, we will be moving everything out to a storage unit on Randolph Ave.

We welcome assistance for this move. There are two flights of stairs involved and heavy furniture. Moving will start around 12:15 PM. Bring water as the forecast is for MN heat.

And come early to hear perennial wisdom.
Institute of the Himalayan Tradition.

06/27/2019

Ma Devi: My Life's Journey: Early Years: Part 5 has been released!

https://www.yespublishers.com/blog/ma-devi-my-life-s-journey-early-years-part-5

06/27/2019

Our last Satsang Spiritual Gathering on Cleveland Avenue will be tonight June 27th at 7:30pm with Manuraj, (at 690 Cleveland Ave So. in Saint Paul.

July 4th ; No satsang; come to the Guru Purnima celebration (see below) on July 16th, (to be held at Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy in Saint Paul)

July 25th at 7:30pm Manuraj, (to be held in the Tower Room at Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy in Saint Paul). Doors open at 7pm.

Our spiritual gatherings are held on the first and fourth Thursdays of the month. Come and enjoy an evening of sharing, contemplation, and meditation.

Donation.

06/26/2019

Musings in June

-The best way to predict your future is to invent it.

-It is said that, on the path, we are to go beyond reason; ought it not better to expand reason!

-Place your path less in readings than in fostering your vision, for then more opportunities open.

-Develop the eye of a hawk, the ear of a wolf, walk as quiet as a fox, with the endurance of a wolverine, and be poised as a hummingbird and unobtrusive as a dragonfly, why, in no time at all, Nature will acknowledge the unassuming sage you've become.

-Reading aphorisms, bibles, the classics, scriptures, gives you consoling satisfaction that is only surpassed by getting to know yourself.

-We are born takers---the air we breathe, the mother's milk, the warmth of the Sun, the shade of the trees, the courtesy and affection from others, but gradually we are beckoned to live life like a bee: humming our song while sharing traces of our love as we go along.

-When you address those big, impressive, speculative truths like enlightenment, self-realization, Samadhi, nirvana, even happiness, filter them through the context of daily, practical living, and you are less likely to go astray.

-Take your child out on a late, moonless, silent night. Point to the farthest star that can be seen barely in the heavens. Tell her that there is another star beyond that faint twinkle. It is her star of destiny. If she be true to herself in life, her eyes will strengthen to pierce the distance and lay claim to its illumined treasures.

The Wanderer

Learn to have a dialogue between the observer and that which is being observed. Follow the imagination in this dialogue, analyze and observe the train of mental objects, and slowly control will be gained over these things. We rise above them, and they disappear from the domain of mind.
Swami Rama