“The Vedic and Yogic Tradition of All-Inclusiveness
with Stories about Swami Veda’s Life
in Honor of Father’s Day”
How did Swami Veda Bharati and other teachers practice gender, race, and religious inclusiveness in their lives? These concepts are rooted in both our ancient books and oral traditions. Sushi Sharma will tell stories from the Vedic and Himalayan oral tradition as told to her as a child by her father (who later became Swami Veda Bharati). She will share personal experiences she had as a youth with Swami Veda that show his compassionate practice of inclusiveness. Stoma (Steven Parker) will share stories from the ancient texts about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Sushumna (Sushi) Sharma is the daughter and student of H.H. Mahamandaleshwara Swami Veda Bharati, and part of a matrilineal lineage of Vedic priestesses as the daughter and student of Lalita Mohanram Arya. She was initiated into, and began training in 1970 in the guru lineage of a former Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham. She has taught in the Himalayan tradition since 1977, 
travelling internationally. She has a B.A. in graphic design and graduate level licensing as an ESL teacher. She has worked in publishing and is presently an educator. She is also a writer, visual artist, and activist.
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. Stoma is a Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500 hour level of the Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500). A member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, he serves on the faculties of the Meditation Center in Minneapolis and the Sadhana Mandir and Sadhaka Gram ashrams in Rishike
sh, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program. He has lectured on yoga, meditation, and spiritual practice in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Caribbean countries, Holland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, South Africa, Korea, Hong Kong, and India. In 2004 he helped originate and teach the first course on yoga in an American medical school at the University of Minnesota Academic Medical Center. In 2007 he received took preliminary vows of renunciation from Swami Veda and the Shankaracharya of Karvirapitha. Stoma is author of “Clearing the Path, The Yoga Way to a Clear and Pleasant Mind: Patañjali, Neuoscience and Emotion.”
All are welcome! Come for the entire evening, or join at any time. There is no need to make reservations. Simply show up and enjoy yourself!
Weekly Format:
6:00 – 7:00: Hatha Yoga for Everyone! ($10)
7:00 – 7:30: Guided Meditation (free!)
7:30 – 8:30: Inspiring Presentation and discussion (donation appreciated)
8:30 – 9:00: Vegetarian soup (suggested donation $3)
9:00: Evening Prayers and Clean-up
