Introduction to Vedanta A one we

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Introduction to Vedanta
A one week seminar in Turkey – October 25 – November 1

In addition to the talks and satsangs, Fiona Agombar, teaching in the style and practice developed by TKV Desikachar, will offer a morning yoga class. Fiona is also the author of Beat Fatigue with Yoga.

The course is not merely an academic or intellectual exercise. It is a dynamic traditional teaching that engages the participants in such a way that it produces insight into the nature of reality in most individuals.

Vedanta, an ancient body of spiritual teaching (also known as jnana yoga) shows us how to removes our suffering which is caused by the misunderstanding of who we really are. The purpose of this Self Inquiry is for happiness. Happiness is equated with freedom from dependence on anything other than one’s own self.

This enjoyable retreat set in a truly stunning location in Turkey provides tools to help us to appreciate the limitless freedom and happiness of our true nature. There is a morning yoga session everyday taught by Fiona Agombar in the style inspired by Desikachar and Krishnamacharya.

During the retreat James Swartz, also known as Ram and a world renowned Vedanta teacher, shows how we can be happy with Action Yoga, Love Yoga, the Yoga of the Three Energies and Meditation. As these are explained, and as we begin to understand the true nature of reality (non-duality), we can perceive the obstacles that prevent us from realizing these - the real self beyond our insecurities, fears and feelings of isolation.

Each session begins with a guided meditation, is followed by a thorough teaching on a particular topic and concludes with a question and answer session that handles specific doubts raised by the teachings. Since the topic is one’s self and the self is the source of great love, this is a thoroughly enjoyable retreat that participants will find life-changing in an extremely positive way. Ram is a disciple of Swami Chinmayananda.

The course is suitable for practitioners of yoga who wish to explore the spiritual dimensions of yoga or those who have realized the limitations of New Age paths. It is also suitable for mature individuals interested in a serious spiritual path who are disaffected with the material approach to happiness that is the hallmark of modern culture and meditators from any tradition,

A morning yoga session is followed by mid-morning talk and a discussion designed to address doubts raised by the talk. The late afternoon talk is followed by dinner and an informal satsang with James in the early evening. He will also be available for private consultations.

The Course (Arrival day Monday)
Programme	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Morning	Yoga with Fiona	Yoga with Fiona	Yoga with Fiona
Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
Morning Talk and Discussion	Motivations Why do I seek? The limitations of worldly pursuits and the desire for inner freedom or enlightenment	The Means of Self Knowledge Addresses the limitations of perception in the quest for self knowledge. It explains how spiritual knowledge works and how Vedanta evolved to fill the gap between how we perceive the world and true happiness, or self realization.	Who am I? The nature of the self and the nature of the ego.
Afternoon Talk and Discussion	Knowledge and Experience. Explains the two basic theories of enlightenment and debunks ten enlightenment myths.	Qualifications How Vedanta works to bring about self realization. It also discusses the qualifications of the seeker, the qualifications of the teacher and Grace.	Obstructions How experience produces tendencies contrary to self realization
Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner

Programme	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
Morning	Yoga with Fiona	Yoga with Fiona	Yoga with Fiona
Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
Morning Talk and Discussion	The Value of Spiritual Practice Karma Yoga. This powerful teaching unfolds the most important spiritual practice. It reveals how to approach daily life in such a way that negative conditioning is neutralized and the mind is prepared the mind for Self Inquiry.	Knowledge Yoga/Self Inquiry The cognitive techniques that are necessary to develop the discrimination that culminates in enlightenment, the realization of the non-dual self. The discrimination between the seer and the seen, the analysis of the three states of consciousness, the location of objects and other sophisticated methods. On days 5 & 6 we continue with our morning discussion in the afternoon session after our lunch break	Additional Practices Meditation and the Yoga of the three gunas. This talk explains the science of energy work, how to shape the quality and texture of the mind to achieve a perfect vehicle for self inquiry. It discusses the importance of a pure mind for the assimilation of experience and addresses lifestyle issues: food, money, associations, and sex.
Afternoon Talk and Discussion	Love The importance of devotion in the quest for freedom. Passionate love, spiritual relationships, marriage and devotional (bhakti) yoga. Worship of forms, God and non-dual love.
Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner