Solstice Attendees - Let's Have Your Comments !

[Guest guest]

Dear yogis from around the world who now are returning to Maya, after

another annual cleansing and renewal at Summer Solstice:

 

Care to share with the group about your experience?

 

I'll start:

 

1. FREEING THE SPIRIT

 

For the 6th or 7th year in a row (I honestly can't recall how many

I've attended), I feel utterly empowered, with a lot of distractions

left behind. Wahe Guru. After a few days of (slow) acclimation, the

smiles arose as the stress melted away. What can I say about White

Tantric? I'm still buzzing from those 3 overwhelming days, now four

days ago. Yogi Bhajan's presence in the videos still connects to our

souls, to us, to you and me. While so many of us don't wear the

turbans in this challenging society, it's so welcoming that we can don

this " turbine " technology in this holy practice, proving what we tell

our students - that it's not religion at all; rather, it's yet another

yogic technique to raise ones connection to ones Infinity.

 

2. GETTING ONES SCENE TOGETHER

 

Thanks to Tarn Taran Singh and Guruka Kaur for the " building

community " workshop. It was really interesting to know that after

recommending developing ones' " mission " and " keeping ones energy

raised, " that " tending to ones manners " was the third recommendation

they shared, from Yogi Bhajan's teacings. How profound, and how

overlooked. Combined with the therapy I got from Taos' Harbhajan, and

numerology from Shiv Charan, getting my plan, energy and manners was

my personal lesson from this past week in New Mexico's high mountain

desert.

 

3. AWAKENING TO A STAR-FILLED SKY

 

The land itself connected with us. Yes, it becomes more alive each

day. On Peace Prayer Day we walked the Native Spiral. Daily sadhana

ensured a good day, daily. And with such amazing musicians every

morning, as well as delicious guruprashad after gurdwara, as well as

the incredible sunrises, not to mention the yogi tea, getting up early

was, once again, a highlight for each day. Thanks to Guru Singh for

the gentle alarm, via the heart-attracting " Rise Up " song.

 

4. THE CONSTANT BEAT, THE SOARING RHYTHMS

 

The constant stream of incredible shabd kept the vibration ethereal.

Thanks Nirinjan for the new Sadhana performance - what a heart opener!

Those Brazilian professional musicians also gave a talented, unique

approach to the morning chanting. Our Golden Temple-playing jetha

grabbed our attention and awe with their increasing mastery of the

ancient kirtan. And what a treat to have their teacher playing as

well - has anyone heard such control of the vocal chords? Thank you

Tarn Taran Singh for the " Adays Tisay Aadays " during your workshop.

Thank you Sat Kartar Kaur for a second straight incredible CD

( " Listen " ), Mata Mandir Singh for your rocking performance of " Dhum

Dhum Har Har " and the same-titled new DC, and Dev Suroop Kaur for the

rousing, " rap-style " concert at the nightly " Yogi Tea Cafe. " And

let's not forget the Rensabhai all night kirtan to finish the week:

how about that concert violinist at 2am? Or Harry Perry's hilarious

but serious Guru Ram Das with his hard rock guitar side kick.

 

5. MEETING OF FRIENDLY SPIRITS

 

As so many of we teachers return annually, we meet new souls ready to

help the Sangat usher in the Aquarian Age. And building new layers to

existing friendships is so pleasant. Amar Singh, ji, thanks for the

stories of the early days with the Khalsa String Band. Thank you to

my Tantric partners for helping peal away the Maya-built blocks to

allow soul merging with the Infinite. The service we elected to

perform also contribute to good friendships - thanks Simran for the

leadership in setting the stage for the teachers, performances and for

Tantric.

 

6. DREAMING A BETTER WORLD

 

Discarding the stress-built characters in Solstice allowed us to dream

of a better world, with more folks operating from higher chakras. One

goal was envisioned in the Miri Piri DVD, as well as the bangra and

gatka performances of the kids at the 3HO school in India. Having

taught there, after enjoying a yatra (spiritual journey), I personally

hope every single yogi who commits to traveling to India for yoga,

also adds a week or so to volunteer teaching at Miri Piri - that's one

of the most amazing privileges I've ever had. It's also amazing to

hear about all the new yoga festivals and journeys, incluing Krisha

Kaur's African Festival coming soon to Ghana, the European Yoga

Festival, as well as Shiv Charan's French Retreats. Best of luck to

the yogis trying to build their Barbados Kundalini center. Guru

Singh's classes, as always, are filled with " personal politics, " in

the orginial sense of its Greek root - " how people organize

themselves. " Not politics at all in terms of the Piscean montrosity

we see today, but rather how we, as reincarnated souls who volunteered

to escort Earth into its Aquarian Age, can thrive when dragged down by

the pressure to " be normal. " Thanks also to Gurumeher of Yoga West

for the brainstorm on helping Teachers build their business, so we can

follow better Yogi Bhajan's priority - to TEACH!

 

7. SO MUCH IN THE BAZAAR

 

Didn't everyone enjoy all the vendors in the bazaar? From

Harbhajan's healing, to Deva's raw food, the coconut juice, Spirit

Voyages CDs, the Barbardos team's oil, Guru Dev's healing team, all

the clothes and jewelry offerings, and the 3HO booths. And what a fun

place to just wander and chat.

 

8. BEFORE AND AFTER

 

Thank you Gurumeet for the hospitality in Espanola, both before and

after. It's nice to extend ones Solstice if possible. Going to Ojo

for the mineral baths is such a healing tradition, floating as one

contemplates the utter life-changing days at Ram Das Puri.

 

Sat nam,

Amar Atma

 

P.S. Any other yogis care to share their highlights of Solstice?

Also, attendees of any event or " fan " of any kundalini yoga experience

are encouraged to share their thoughts at this ; and if you

know attendees of Solstice not now on this group, please forward this

email to them - anyone can join by clicking on the Button at:

 

http://www.kundaliniyoga.com/

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam!

 

I'm back at work, and feel like it is all a dream! I had an amazing

experience at my first Summer Solstice.

The highlights for me were:

1) People and Community- I feel like I had been living in a bubble of

seriousness and seclusion the past few years, dealing with stuff and

doing a lot of personal work. At Sadhana, everyone was a positive

mirror in some way, and love, support, and joy flowed generously all

around.

2) the Music around camp, esp. Guru Singh's morning wake up call! I

admit I was one who often said, that's so pretty! and then went back

to sleep! But I was sick for most of solstice, so I needed to rest.

I hope next year to actually " rise up " at 3 and maybe even go around

and sing with the group.

3) just being at ram das puri was a major aspect of my experience.

the land was so beautiful and had so much energy. I especially was

moved by the hopi peace walk, which I did again by myself after the

last day of tantric to calm and center myself.

4) I also loved Karma yoga and my other veggie-choppers.

 

By the end of the first day there, I knew I had no idea what to expect

from the week and that I also had not idea what was happening

internally. I usually journal, but I was so overwhelmed that whenever

i tried to write, nothing came out. Writing this now is easier than

it was last night, but I still feel like I am in a fog. I had a much

different experience in terms of energy; instead of being ecstatic and

outwardly joyful, I feel calmer, more centered, and spiritual, but in

a very introverted way. I got sick on sunday, and everyone said it

was karmic detox, and would clear up after Tantra. I am still getting

over this cold, but experiencing the changes during Tantra with my

cold was very interesting. I also find that since I've been back

these two days, I get nervous and ungrounded if I don't have my head

covered, especially out in public. I'm doing my meditations and

morning sadhana, which I approach now with so much more excitement and

reverence. I learned so much in my soul, that I can't really put it

into words, but I still feel that I am going through changes.

 

Also, Amar Atma, you mentioned you were in DC? I am in the DC area as

well and I would love to get involved with the Kundalini community!

 

Sat Nam,

Joanna

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this great write-up, Amar Atma,

I shared with my classes and everyone is joining the group.

 

***********************

Dear yogis from around the world who now

are returning to Maya, after

another annual cleansing and renewal at Summer Solstice:

 

Care to share with the group about your experience?

 

I'll start:

 

1. FREEING THE SPIRIT

 

For the 6th or 7th year in a row (I honestly can't recall how many

I've attended), I feel utterly empowered, with a lot of distractions

left behind. Wahe Guru. . .

 

 

Sat Nam.

 

Gurumeet Kaur Khalsa

Create Inner Peace

gurumeet

www.createinnerpeace.com

www.gurumeet.net

[Guest guest]

Post-Solstice Afterthoughts by Sat Kartar Kaur Khalsa

 

What a golden time this is, after meditating with 1600+ people, at our

ancient beautiful New Mexico site!! I feel charged to begin a new

regime of practices, to proceed with the work on the intentions I set,

when beginning Tantric, last week, and continue my particular healing

and evolution process.

 

Even if you did NOT attend Summer Solstice, a huge energy was created by

our world family, that all can tune into and continue to utilize. July

1st is this Sunday--the begin point of the 2nd half of 2007. Where do

/you/ want to go from here?

One resource I could suggest are the meditations I just recorded on my

new CD, /Listen/. I think of, and attempt to create my CDs as

" meditation toolboxes. " Here are some sound current " tools " to extend

your personal journey:

Meditation & recitation of the shabd " Jaap Man Sat Nam " according to the

shabd manual " Psyche of the Golden Shield " by our beloved Bibi Inderjit

Kaur, wife of Yogi Bhajan, can bring prosperity and fullfills all desires.

 

" Ek Ong Kar Sat Gur Prasad " is the " Turnaround " , or " Magic Mantra " - in

just 5 recitations,one can stop the mind and put it in reverse gear.

It's the essence of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib(scripture of the Sikhs

that most Kundalini mantras are derived from) and establishes a flow of

spirit.

" Gobinday Mukunday " is the " Forklift " mantra. Take you right out of

anything negative, that you need to rise above quickly.

" Laya Mantra " is the original sound mantra Yogi Bhajan gave(even before

the Naad mantras), that introduced us to the concept of a " Yoga of

Sound " Profound beyond anything I can say here--works directly on the

Kundalini energy.Any practitioner of this yoga, hopefully, will embark

on a practice of this sound current, once in their life.

" Sa Ray Sa Sa " is what can open our chakras more deeply to the effect of

other mantras/meditations.

" Ad Such " is specifically to move through blockages. With Wahe Guru

following, it is a meditation for making wise choices---one which I 'll

be sharing, when the Listen Tour comes to your area :-)

You can hear clips of " Listen " and purchase(if you like), at this link:

 

http://www.spiritvoyage.com/shopping/detail.cfm?sku=CDS-001820

 

We are currently setting dates for the 2007-08 " Listen " tour. If you are

interesting in having us come to your area, contact us

at bookings.

Sat Nam and Solstice Blessings for All,

Sat Kartar

 

..

[Guest guest]

Amar Atma,

 

Thank you for your most complete summary/comments. It pretty much reflects everything I've always experienced at Summer Solstice - an unforgettable combination of experiences ranging from the mind-blowing beauty of the surroundings to the journey that is White Tantric Yoga to the renewal of heart to heart connections in this amazing community that gives us a glimpse of our true reality.

 

The music at Solstice is always nothing short of incredible. However, this year the quality of the music and musicians seemed to reach a new level. I am always grateful for the steady flow of newcomers that breathe new life into our music. And maybe next year we can get a bigger room(s) (or maybe even a trailer???) for practice and storage. I counted 30 guitars, 3 mandolins, 2 violins, a viola, flute, clarinet, lots of drums, a couple of digeredoos, keyboards, amplifiers, harmoniums, tablas and a tamboura - all in an 8 x 10 room. Add a dozen people and chairs for practices and things can get pretty cozy.

 

Solstice is my yearly touchstone - always a challenge to get there, body and mind changes to go through, joy, celebration and the wonderful feel of a cool shower in the evening. Oh, and don't forget the stuffed sopapillas!

 

Amar Singh

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam! It was a very special solstice this year. I have been attending for the past 12 years often with students of mine who have since become teachers and on 2 occasions with my dear husband. This year what a surprise to have not only my husband join but also my youngest son of 22 years come along. When the connecting flight was cancelled in Dallas, we made the best of the situation. There were 7 of us on that flight from Solstice and found ourselves without luggage. Off to Wal-Mart and one couple bought bathing suits for all of us to enjoy the outdoor pool under the moon and the sauna at the hotel that we were put up in. Departing for the airport at 5:15 am was with ease as we had been enjoying our sadhana at Guru Ram Das Puri. It was such an uplifting experience that upon our return, we are practicing our sadhana together each morning at 4 am

back in our sleepy little town of Ipswich, north of Boston. Our lives have been full of grace and time is without measure. It is this mom's dream come true! We are ENJOYING the challenge of letting go of habits that do not serve us and are able to communicate clearly, without attachment, our dreams, goals and aspirations without judgement and emotion or the famous make wrong. Where will we be in 40 days? Who knows? But one thing I know for sure, each of us has been uplifted by the divine essence within each and everyone of us! Mark your calendars for next year's solstice experience and invite all those you love to join you. Who knows; you may be echoing these sentiments Peace and prayers...Arjan Kaur aka Ingrid Miles, Ipswich, MAIngrid F. Miles, RYT, IKYTA, KRI Certified PO Box 499; Ipswich, MA 01938 978.884.3061 thewellbeingwww.yoga401k.com Dedicated to promoting holistic health principles: honoring the entire being and encouraging people to actively participate in their own health/care.