Religion & Spirituality

Here is what I think:

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Levoča Web Pages

I have just created a new section on the web site for the Levoča ashram.

It includes the traveling details on how to get there.

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Balancing Rocks as a Hobby

Here is a nice and sattvic hobby. I enjoyed watching this video.

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The Warning

In this last post about my move to Slovakia I had promised a warning about the new AYA ashram. The reason for this is that this ashram is not working quite like the SYVC and Yoga Vidya ashrams and I would not want anybody to feel misled and have a negative experience after going through the trouble of visiting.

Grandhotel at foothills of High Tatras

Meant for Doing Personal Sadhana

The main thing to know is that there are no yoga classes here in Levoča. I lead two satsangs per day, each time with silent meditation, some with chanting, and at least one lecture/common study per day.

Outside this program the visitors have plenty of free time to do their personal yoga practice, alone or with other visitors. Other practices are aratis and pujas which need to be done in different rooms of the ashram. You will be instructed on how to perform those if you don't know already and carry on by yourself.

There will soon be a good number of quality yoga books and scriptures available for all to read and study.

My plan is to keep the karma yoga shores to a minimum, simply focusing on cleaning and cooking. Should you want to do more, there are tasks associated with this web site which can be done while in Levoča or in the comfort of your own home.

The House

Even though the house is newly renovated and comfortable as shown in the previous post's photos, I just moved in and it's not yet totally equipped. Please expect the following:

• There are no curtains yet on the windows
• There is very little furniture at this point. I hope to get some bunk beds before Christmas. Worst case scenario, you'd have to sleep on futon mattresses on the floor.
• Some of the finishing touches to the house will be done in the Spring such as light fixtures, power outlets, door handles and things like this.

You will most likely be 2 per room, up to 4 if many come for this Chirstmas retreat, and possibly alone if you are lucky and few people show. Maximum capacity this year is 10 including me but there are many other options in town in pensions, hotels of different standing from very inexpensive to 4 stars!

Map of the High Tatras - Enlarge

Free Time & Excursions

The area is rich with places to visit and things to do such as hiking, skiing, sauna, etc...

The problem is that I'm new here, don't yet speak the local language, and don't have a car. That means I'm not sure yet how to go about doing the possible activities although I've already worked out the public transportation to nearby towns Spišská Nová Ves and Poprad, the latter being the gateway to the beautiful High Tatra mountains.

This Christmas, at least one student will come by car so that could make it easier to visit the area but nothing is guaranteed.

The Food

The downside is that it's very hard to find bio products in Levoča, especially as far as produce is concerned. Otherwise the food here is fantastic! :-) Good yogic, sattvic, vegetarian diet cooked by Westerners for Westerners. Let us know your specific tastes at the beginning of the stay and it will all be customized.

A Good Experience

I think if you come with the right expectations you will have a very pleasant stay and an uplifting yoga experience. If you already expressed interest in coming this Christmas please feel free to email me again to let me know whether you are still planning to come after reading this.

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Differences Between Yogis & Shaolin Temple Adepts

Let's start off with this headstand picture. Their technique is sloppy, this has got to hurt the neck, and one should not use the wall. Very bad!

Shaolin adepts doing headstand without the hands and leaning against a wall

Ok, now the technique is VERY impressive. Still supposed to hurt the neck. Must be strengthening on some level though. As in the previous photo he's standing on hard floor without a mat or anything. Very impressive skillwise.

Shaolin practitioner doing headstand without the hands

Now that's too much. Our way to meditate is much gentler. I don't even get it. Why in the world would anybody do something like this? ...

Shaolin monk in meditating posture, hanging by the head

... Oh I see, in order to be able to walk on walls. Most yogis I know can't do that for sure.

Shaolin adept walking on side of wall

All comments are meant to be taken in good fun. The Shaolin tradition is very honorable and to be respected.

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My Move to Slovakia

Location Location Location

I reached Levoča (English speakers should pronounce 'levocha') on Saturday afternoon. Levoča is a beautiful, historic city located in Central Europe in the Eastern Part of Slovakia. Should you be interested you can learn more at the town's web site.

I got lucky and since I have been here the weather has been beautiful and warm breaking temparture records for the season. It makes it easier getting acclimated.

The Ashram

As explained in previous posts we got lucky enough to set this ashram in this beautiful old house which has just been renovated, mixing the charm of a historical building with the comforts and convenience of modern construction technology and savvy.

Here are a few photos taken before unpacking the few things I took with me. I don't have a wide lens so these pictures don't truly do justice to the rooms.

The meditation room

A bedroom

Hangout area in kitchen

Stairways from 2nd floor

Bathroom

The way up to my room at the 4th floor. That floor is not visible from front of the house photo.

There is a little ski station just a few miles from town. Much bigger ones are in the high Tatra mountains about 20-25 miles from the ashram.

And the Award for Best Karma Yogi Goes To ...

... everybody. It's not Oscar night but I still feel the strong urge to thank every one I know, all those who have helped me ever, especially in the last 8 years since I've left SYVC, leading to this new important phase in my life.

I won't give names in order to not forget anybody except for two:

• Eva/Daya Devi from Luxembourg for being the main instrument of the ashram finding its new home
• Sita Chaitanya for being the rock on which AYA stands
• Everybody else please don't feel bad I have not mentioned you. You all count a lot in my heart. All contributions are very much appreciated and I pray hard that God gives you back ten-fold what you shared with me and AYA in the form of donations, hard work, hosting, friendship, love, fun, laughter, and much more

Christmas Retreat & Other Emails

Since this previous post several of you have emailed me regarding coming to the ashram for this Christmas.

I have a pile of about 20 emails to reply to. Your answer will come soon. So far everybody who asked me to come in those emails is welcome to visit. Stay tuned to this blog for details and confirmations as well as, ahem, a warning. LOL

Om Namah Sivaya!

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First Reservation for Levoča

I'm still in Luxembourg and gave a mantra initiation to a student last night. She told me that she wanted to reserve her space to visit the Levoča ashram over Christmas. We booked the dates.

Christmas Retreat

There are a couple other advanced yogis who announced their intention to come for Christmas so it could turn out to be a mini-retreat.

Once I'm in Slovakia I will start working on the web pages for the ashram laying out all relevant details.

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Nothing is Impossible

When you feel overwhelmed there is nothing like watching this video!

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Slovakia Ashram

I will be moving to Levoča, Slovakia on November 1st. It's coming up really fast now and I'm so looking forward to settle down there.

I'm in the process of organizing the shipping of my belongings - mostly books and clothes - from Austin TX, Geneva, Bad Meinberg, Liestal CH, and Le Havre France.

Partial view from my future room

One of my new luxuries will be to have all of my books in one place and ready for me to refer to.

Since I haven't worked on learning Slovak yet the big challenge will be to get some type of conversational basics of the language.

The ashram should be equipped to receive visitors sometimes in December. Web pages will then be created to announce the details.

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The Human Calendar

This is a different and creative calendar. Check it out.

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Action & Noise

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Amazing Dolphins Playing with Bubbles

Most yogis love dolphins so I guess you'll enjoy this video.

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Creationism

The thing about creationism is that it's so insane that you really can't argue against it. The following stat published by gullible.info though puts it into perspective.

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Einstein on 'The Mysterious'

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On Piracy & Theft

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