Thursday Satsang In Person and Via Zoom – April 4, 2024
An Evening with Stoma
“Self-Realization as Exemplified by the Mystics of the Western Traditions”
with Dr. Stephen Parker (Stoma) PsyD, E-RYT 500
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. CT
5:30-6:45 p.m.: Gentle Hatha Yoga with Michael Snodgrass
7:00-7:30 p.m.: Guided Meditation with with Dr. Stephen Parker (Stoma)
7:30-8:30 p.m.: “Self-Realization as Exemplified by the Mystics of the Western Traditions”
with Dr. Stephen Parker (Stoma) PsyD, E-RYT 500
8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers
8:40 p.m.: Snacks
Join Stoma for a talk regarding self-realization among the mystics of the Western traditions (details to come).
A story from the desert fathers:
“Abba Lot came to Abba Joseph and said: Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and, according as I am able, I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should I do?
The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said: Why not become fire?”
Quotes from St. Teresa of Avila:
“It is foolish to think that we will enter heaven without entering into ourselves.”
“Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient.”
“The important thing is not to think much, but to love much.”
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
Quote from Jakob Bohme:
The virtue of Love is nothing and all, or that Nothing visible out of which All Things proceed. Its power is through All Things; its height is as high as God; its greatness is as great as God.
Quote from Hildegard of Bingen:
“There is the music of Heaven in all things.”
Dr. Stephen Parker was initiated in the Himalayan Yoga tradition by Swami Veda Bharati and was given the initiate name Stoma in 1971. Among the first teachers certified by the Himalayan International Teachers’ Association, H.I.T.A., he began teaching hatha yoga in 1974. During that time he also studied Sanskrit with Swami Veda and South Asian languages and culture for his B.A. at the University of Minnesota.
Stoma is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level of the Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500). A member of the International Association of Y.T., he serves on the faculties of the Meditation Center in Minneapolis and the Sadhaka Gram ashram in Rishikesh, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program.
Stoma has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in St. Paul, MN since 1985. He also served as Adjunct Assistant School Professor of Counseling and Psychological Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, MN.
Dr. Parker edited volume two of Swami Veda’s definitive scholarly work on the “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali.” He is also the author of “Clearing the Path, The Yoga Way to a Clear and Pleasant Mind: Yoga, Neuroscience and Emotion”(2017) published by AHYMSA publishers.
To support the work of The Meditation Center and register you can donate here (suggested donation $15.00) for Thursday Satsang or make a general donation by clicking on the “donate” button on the “Support TMC” website page.
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Note: There is parking available for TMC visitors in the St. Boniface lot across the street from the Center.
