GATEWAY TO BLISS WORKSHOP
Here's what people are saying about previous sound workshops:
"The sound workshop got me buzzing all over. It was very powerful to use my voice in such a way for healing and learning the origins of the sanskrit language. I would recommend this class to anyone wishing to dig deeper into their yoga or meditation practice. It's very clearing and has opened up a lot of stuck energy for me." Nicole S, USA
"I felt that you created a safe space in which we could explore these new techniques.The feeling of deep serenity and bliss stayed with me long after the weekend, and it’s very unusual for me to maintain any kind of equilibrium for that long! I will absolutely come again to your amazing class and have begun chanting to a drone on a daily basis as a result as well." Simon P, USA
"All I know is that it was an incredible experience! I’ve never done anything of that sort before... I came away feeling like I’d had a good inner ‘spring clean’! Indescribably lovely. I would definitely recommend to anyone wishing to reset and experience their inner calm. And will, without doubt, be booking up for future classes with Vena for further exploration in sound. Thank you so much!" Stacey F, UK
"Lo and behold, after the class, I did feel a little more carefree with a quiet focused hum in my mind the rest of the day. I was very relaxed at the end. I hope there’s another one, as I loved learning everything shared by Vena. Thank you for the experience and healing." Cheryl D, USA
Bringing you the magical vibration of Rishikesh India with this video Zeitgeist featuring the Śānti Path peace mantra Lokāh Samastāḥ Sukhino Bhavantu meaning….May all the beings in all the worlds be happy!
MANTRA
Japa Meditation
If you find meditation and coming to stillness challenging this may be an ideal way to direct your awareness toward clear focus and peace, as Japa Mala will counter your minds tendency to be overwhelmed or distracted by the chatter of the thoughts as it anchors the mind into the calm, un-rushed rotation of the mala. To practice the Japa meditation technique it is best to use a mala with 108 beads plus one ‘guru’ or ‘meru’ bead. This will usually be larger and often have a tassel on it to indicate where you are in your chanting practice. You can also use malas that have 54 or 27 beads in which case you will take more rounds of chanting to complete 108 cycles. Why these numbers? The significance is they are multiples of the sacred number 9, the number of planets in Vedic astrology, the number of months a baby is in the womb. 9 is also a multiple of the sacred number 3 /trinity. These occur throughout nature, science and spiritual practices of the world and so through use of the mala we are connected with this. Hold the mala between the middle finger (Saturn finger-for meditation and deep awareness) and thumb (representing the true Self), using them to move the beads in toward the heart. The index finger, representing the ego, points away and should not touch the mala. When you wish to continue with a further round of chanting, rather than passing over the guru bead, flip the mala around and begin again.
When taking on a mantra sadhana or daily ritual practice it is recommended to chant at the same time of day regularly, in the same place, a special sacred space you have chosen or created. Before sunrise or sunset are auspicious times for such practices. Your relationship and experience with mantra will expand and evolve over the years, and my suggestion is to begin simply, to experience the vibration of the sound, the words, which can be out loud, whispered or chanting silently within. Perhaps you will begin with a mantra for peace such as Auṁ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ. It can be done with background sound such as a tanpura or harmonium drone providing an ‘ocean of sound’ as you dive deep. Perhaps you will commit to a 40 day sadhana to fully immerse yourself with sincerity.
Take care over the bhava, the feeling or attitude with which you chant the mantra, the intention, the sound current or tone, the pronunciation and intonation reflecting the sacredness of what you are engaging with. Choose a mantra that resonates with you, that is designed to invoke specific qualities. Mantras can heal and awaken the chakras, be used for particular situations, as prayers expanding consciousness, to invoke energetic responses. And of extreme importance- chant for the highest good of all, not for selfish desires, use your intelligence and common sense to realize that perhaps a materialistic approach to choosing a mantra, looking for a limited outcome, may of course back fire. Mantra is deeply powerful and a juicy potent practice that is fundamental to yoga. Aum is the sound of creation itself, and should be remembered as such each time we open a practice with it’s infinite vibration. The first mantra was the beat of the heart. Spend time with it and open yourself up to the sensations, the expansion of your awareness, and become aware of the power of your deepest heart intentions, your thoughts, and your words as they develop into actions.
Feel free to contact me for further advice or to be initiated into a practice that meets you where you are.