BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Meditation Center - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Meditation Center X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://themeditationcenter.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Meditation Center REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20200101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20200308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20201101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20210314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20211107T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20220313T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20221106T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20230312T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20231105T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210729T190000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210729T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20210728T203657Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210728T204837Z UID:18218-1627585200-1627590600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom and In-Person: "Developing Pleasant Mindedness in Challenging Times" with Paul Emerson Ph.D - July 29\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Special Thursday Satsang via Zoom – July 29\, 2021\n“Developing Pleasant Mindedness in Challenging Times”\nwith Paul Emerson Ph.D.\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT\n\nThis is a Hybrid Zoom and TMC In-Person Event\n  \nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter\non the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Presentation by Paul Emerson\, Ph.D.\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\nPaul Emerson is a biomedical engineer with a Ph.D. He is the authority on the physiology of breathing for The Meditation Center and has been teaching yoga for over 30 years. Paul has worked as a research scientist\, has been a manager of clinical research with a major biomedical company and a university instructor. In addition\, he holds eight patents in the areas of dialysis and sleep therapy. he is a scholar of ancient yoga texts. Paul was certified by the Rockford School of Yoga and began teaching in 1975.\n\n\nTMC policy for those entering the building or participating in outdoor ceremonies will be requesting all to practice non-violence – being fully vaccinated or wearing a mask w/social distancing. Staff and volunteers will not be asking for vaccine certification cards as trust of community will be sufficient.  All are welcome.\n\nTo further protect the community\, an Iso-Aire purification movable unit has been purchased to use in all rooms of TMC where people gather. These units have pre-filter\, hospital quality HEPA filters\, and a bi-polar ionization unit to remove pollen to pathogens URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/18218/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210805T190000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210805T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20210804T201207Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210804T203216Z UID:18238-1628190000-1628195400@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: The Best of TMC's August Reruns from TMC's Vimeo Archive "Buddhism or Yoga?—Yes\, Meditation" with Stephen (Stoma) Parker PsyD\, E-RYT-500; August 5\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Special Thursday Satsang via Zoom – August 5\, 2021\n\nThe Best of TMC’s August Reruns from TMC’s Vimeo Archive\n“Buddhism or Yoga?—Yes\, Meditation”\nwith Stephen (Stoma) Parker PsyD\, E-RYT-500\n\nA Very Important Talk by Stoma – Recorded on September 24\, 2020\nThis is another chance to hear and take in the wisdom of this presentation.\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT\nThis is a Zoom Event Only!\nTMC will not be open on August 5th for in-person participation.\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Vimeo Rerun Talk by Stephen (Stoma) Parker PsyD\, E-RYT-500\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor centuries philosophers have debated whether the truth of spiritual realization is better described by Buddhism or by other philosophies bundled together by Westerners and called “Hinduism\,” one of which is yoga. In practice\, their values and practices are more similar than different. A careful look reveals that the differences are mostly a matter of semantics. Even the “yoga sutras” shares many ideas and practices in common with Buddhism.\n\nDr. 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.\n\nStoma 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 Grama ashram in Rishikesh\, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program. He has lectured on yoga\, meditation\, yoga psychology\, and spiritual practice in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Caribbean countries\, Holland\, Italy\, Austria\, Hungary\, Lithuania\, 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 preliminary vows of renunciation from Swami Veda and the Shankaracharya of Karvirapitha.\n\nStoma has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in St. Paul\, MN since 1985. He also serves 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. He teaches on the faculty of the Introductory Workshops of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis. In addition to authoring journal articles and book chapters\, Dr. Parker edited volume two of Swami Veda’s definitive scholarly work on the “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali” and he has been a peer review editor for the “Journal of Men’s Studies\,” the “American Journal of Orthopsychiatry\,” the I”nternational Journal of Yoga T. and Yoga Mimamsa.” 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. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-the-best-of-tmcs-august-reruns-from-tmcs-vimeo-archive-buddhism-or-yoga-yes-meditation-with-stephen-stoma-parker-psyd-e-ryt-500-august-5-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210812T190000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210812T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20210804T204348Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210804T204348Z UID:18241-1628794800-1628800200@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom Only: “Kirtan with Chris Young” - August 12\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom Only – August 12\, 2021\n\n“Kirtan with Chris Young”\n 7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. CDT\n  \n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30- 8:30 p.m.: Kirtan with Chris Young\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\nLet us chant together this Thursday for healing and renewal for all beings with the music of Chris Young. Let us celebrate! URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-only-kirtan-with-chris-young-august-12-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/6iyXKbjMT_musical-notes_wp.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20210902T190000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20210902T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20210831T205625Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210831T205857Z UID:18294-1630609200-1630614600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "The Sadhana of Kirtan\, Chanting\, and Devotion" with Michael Smith and Chris Young - September 2\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – September 2\, 2021\n“The Sadhana of Kirtan\, Chanting\, and Devotion”\nwith Michael Smith and Chris Young\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 pm.\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Michael Smith and Chris Young\n  \nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n\nKirtan is a sadhana in itself and can take a person into bhaktic ecstacy as shown in the lives of Ragani\, Dennis Chernin and Parvathy Baul. \nChris Young and Michael Smith will share their thoughts  and feelings about Kirtan. \n Also two videos will be shown featuring Parvathy Baul: One\, in which she explains her initiation into the little-known Baul Tradition** by her guru\, and another very rare and inspiring video in which she dances and sings one of the Baul’s sacred songs\, using the traditional instruments of her single-stringed ektara and her drum (duggi). \n**The Baul Tradition is included in the list of  “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.” URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-the-sadhana-of-kirtan-chanting-and-devotion-with-michael-smith-and-chris-young-september-2-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/6iyXKbjMT_musical-notes_wp.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210916T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210916T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20210908T151005Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210908T151531Z UID:18359-1631818800-1631824200@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Sadhana" with Stephen Parker (Stoma) - September 16\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – September 16\, 2021\n“Sadhana”\nwith Stephen Parker (Stoma) PsyD\, E-RYT-500\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Stephen Parker (Stoma) PsyD\, E-RYT-500\n7:30-8:30 p.m.:  Talk by Stephen (Stoma) Parker PsyD\, E-RYT-500 \n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\nDetails to come.\n\n\n\n\nDr. 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.\n\nStoma 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 Grama ashram in Rishikesh\, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program. He has lectured on yoga\, meditation\, yoga psychology\, and spiritual practice in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Caribbean countries\, Holland\, Italy\, Austria\, Hungary\, Lithuania\, 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 preliminary vows of renunciation from Swami Veda and the Shankaracharya of Karvirapitha.\n\nStoma has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in St. Paul\, MN since 1985. He also serves 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. He teaches on the faculty of the Introductory Workshops of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis. In addition to authoring journal articles and book chapters\, Dr. Parker edited volume two of Swami Veda’s definitive scholarly work on the “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali” and he has been a peer review editor for the “Journal of Men’s Studies\,” the “American Journal of Orthopsychiatry\,” the I”nternational Journal of Yoga T. and Yoga Mimamsa.” 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.\n\n\nDetails to come. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-sadhana-with-stephen-parker-stoma-september-16-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/stoma2_wp2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210923T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210923T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20210907T162857Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210921T135947Z UID:18322-1632423600-1632429000@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Architecting Your Post-Pandemic Life" with Eric Ness - September 23\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – September 23\, 2021\n“Architecting Your Post-Pandemic Life” with Eric Ness\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation guided by Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.:  Talk by Eric Ness\, “Architecting Your Post-Pandemic Life”\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n\n\n\n\nThe pandemic has brought many changes to our lives\, most of them involuntary. Even though the changes didn’t happen the way we would have chosen\, some people are finding that some are to their liking. At some point the pandemic will be over and we’ll have the opportunity to go back to life as we knew it before. Being meditators\, we can approach this transition intentionally instead of just defaulting back to what we knew.\n\nThis talk will present tools to architect your post-pandemic life the way that works for who you are today. We’ll examine which old habits and relationships are worth reintroducing into your life and which ones can be let go of. You’ll walk away with a clear vision of what your new life will look like and the strength to let go of what is no longer needed.\n\nEric has been teaching meditation and yoga for over ten years. His teaching is based on the experiences that he had while immersed in a meditative environment. He deepened his study of meditation while participating in the residential program at The Meditation Center. He also trained for three years at the Swami Rama Institute for Meditation in India. His calm teaching style brings students the tools they need to move toward a peaceful state of mind. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-architecting-your-post-pandemic-life-with-eric-ness-september-23-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Headshot-Photo-NYE-2021.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210930T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210930T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20210929T131913Z LAST-MODIFIED:20210929T132601Z UID:18425-1633028400-1633033800@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Hybrid Thursday Satsang In Person and via Zoom: “Christian and Yoga Interconnections” with Paul Emerson\, Ph.D. - September 30\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Hybrid Thursday Satsang\nIn Person and via Zoom\nSeptember 30\, 2021\n\n“Christian and Yoga Interconnections”\nwith Paul Emerson\, Ph.D.\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n\n \n\n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n \n\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Paul Emerson Ph.D.\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n \n\n\nOne of Swami Veda’s interests in his later years was “interfaith dialog”. Along those lines a number of famous spiritual teachers have referred to Jesus as a “mahayogi”–Parahamsa Yogananda and Ramakrishna to name just a few. While the traditions of Christianity and yoga certainly have centuries of divergent history\, theology and occasional conflict it’s sometimes useful to reflect on the commonalities. The Jesus story would certainly not sound unfamiliar to a first century Indian yogi although they might wonder at some of the specific cultural details and nuances. This talk will spend some time looking at the common strands of yoga with both orthodox and less than orthodox Christianity.\n\n \n\n\n\n\nPaul Emerson is a biomedical engineer with a Ph.D. He is the authority on the physiology of breathing for The Meditation Center and has been teaching yoga for over 30 years. Paul has worked as a research scientist\, has been a manager of clinical research with a major biomedical company and a university instructor. In addition\, he holds eight patents in the areas of dialysis and sleep therapy. he is a scholar of ancient yoga texts. Paul was certified by the Rockford School of Yoga and began teaching in 1975.\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nTMC policy for those entering the building or participating in outdoor ceremonies will be requesting all to practice non-violence – being fully vaccinated or wearing a mask w/social distancing. Staff and volunteers will not be asking for vaccine certification cards as trust of community will be sufficient.  All are welcome.\n\n \n\n\nTo further protect the community\, an Iso-Aire purification movable unit has been purchased to use in all rooms of TMC where people gather. These units have pre-filter\, hospital quality HEPA filters\, and a bi-polar ionization unit to remove pollen to pathogens. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/hybrid-thursday-satsang-in-person-and-via-zoom-christian-and-yoga-interconnections-with-paul-emerson-ph-d-september-30-2021/ CATEGORIES:Satsangs,Thursday Satsangs END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211007T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211007T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211005T180142Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211005T181302Z UID:18443-1633633200-1633638600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Everything You Wanted To Know About Meditation (And Its Practice)\, But Were Afraid to Ask" with Members of the TMC Spiritual Committee - October 7\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – October 7\, 2021\n\n“Everything You Wanted To Know About Meditation (And Its Practice)\, But Were Afraid to Ask” with Members of the TMC Spiritual Committee\n\nSwami Radha Bharati\, Lori Beron\, Paul Emerson\, Kay (Shanta) Gendron\, Jim Nelson\, Stephen (Stoma) Parker\, and Michael Smith\n\n\n\n\n\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion by the Spiritual Committee\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n \n\n\n\nOverview of Presentation\n\n \n\n\nNew to meditation\, an old sage or somewhere in between\, join a panel of senior teachers for a lively discussion and on the problems and promises of keeping a meditation practice. How does one keep meditation “fresh”? Why aren’t I “enlightened” yet? What are the tricks for keeping a regular meditation time? Am I making progress? Why don’t I see pretty lights? Or what do I do if I do see pretty lights? These and other questions brought by the gathering will be answered. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-meditationand-its-practice-but-were-afraid-to-ask-with-members-of-the-tmc-spiritual-committee-october-7-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SwamiRama-group-sm-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211014T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211014T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211012T132338Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211012T132958Z UID:18447-1634238000-1634243400@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: “The Divine Mother and The Himalayan Tradition” with Stephen Parker (Stoma) PSYD\, E-RYT-500 - October 14\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – October 14\, 2021\n“The Divine Mother and The Himalayan Tradition”\nwith Stephen Parker (Stoma) PSYD\, E-RYT-500\n\n \n\n\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Stephen Parker (Stoma) PsyD\, E-RYT-500\n7:30-8:30 p.m.:  Talk by Stephen (Stoma) Parker PsyD\, E-RYT-500\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n \n\n\n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n“My Phantom Lady”\n(an excerpt)\nby H.H.S. Swami Rama\n\n \n\n\n…”Mystic being from the subtle world\, had I not received Thy love\, I do not know what shape the rest of my life would have taken. Thou revealest to me the melody and the magic of the deeper realms\, with all Thy loving care. Thy soul comes and goes as a messenger in this world from the shore of the ocean of mystery. It is Thee of whom I now and then catch a glimpse in the dewy autumn morning\, in the scented night of spring\, in the innermost recesses of my being. Sometimes I strain skyward to hear Thy eternal whispers.”\n\n \n\n\nA burning desire lives in my heart\, an earnest longing to realize the Infinite in the finite. An unceasing endeavor to explore the limits of the limitless is a dominant theme of my life. Mere forms and names of the world are amusing but not fulfilling. Satyam\, shivam\, sundaram—peace\, happiness\, and bliss—is the only goal of my life.\n\n \n\n\n(Love Whispers\, pages 13-14)\n\n \n\n\n\nDetails to come.\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nDr. 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.\n\n \n\n\nStoma 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 Grama ashram in Rishikesh\, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program. He has lectured on yoga\, meditation\, yoga psychology\, and spiritual practice in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Caribbean countries\, Holland\, Italy\, Austria\, Hungary\, Lithuania\, 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 preliminary vows of renunciation from Swami Veda and the Shankaracharya of Karvirapitha.\n\n \n\n\nStoma has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in St. Paul\, MN since 1985. He also serves 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. He teaches on the faculty of the Introductory Workshops of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis. In addition to authoring journal articles and book chapters\, Dr. Parker edited volume two of Swami Veda’s definitive scholarly work on the “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali” and he has been a peer review editor for the “Journal of Men’s Studies\,” the “American Journal of Orthopsychiatry\,” the I”nternational Journal of Yoga T. and Yoga Mimamsa.” 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.\n\n  URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-the-divine-mother-and-the-himalayan-tradition-with-stephen-parker-stoma-psyd-e-ryt-500-october-14-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/stoma2_FB.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211021T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211021T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211012T135511Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T202541Z UID:18450-1634842800-1634848200@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "The Beauty of Sri and the Present Moment" Kirtan with Chris Young - October 21\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – October 21\, 2021\nKirtan with Chris Young”\n“The Beauty of Sri and the Present Moment”\n\n 7:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. CDT\n  \n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30- 8:30 p.m.: Kirtan with Chris Young\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n \n\n\nLet us chant together this Thursday for healing and renewal for all beings with the music of Chris Young. Let us celebrate!\n\n \n\n\nThe Divine Mother\, “Sri”\, is an experience of the present moment and of beauty. Join Chris in this kirtan\, it being an opportunity\, a vehicle\, to receive an experience of Beauty; a time to drop the worry and the hurry\, set aside the intellect\, and simply be… with people who are beautiful\, in a setting that is beautiful\, and with beautiful music.\n\n \n\n\n\n“Kirtan is a spiritual practice that originated in India centuries ago. The word “kirtan” means singing\, chanting\, and praising the Divine. It is a sacred practice anyone can do; no special training is required. The music does the work for you\, carrying you to a state of tremendous joy and mental clarity…\n\n \n\n\n…But the most important instrument in kirtan is the voice\,’There is a sacredness in everyone’s voice. It is like hearing your own soul’\, shares Milwaukee-based kirtan wallah Ragani. who leads one of the largest ongoing monthly kirtan events in North America. Your voice comes from within; it is uniquely yours. Unlike an instrument which acts on you\, emanating from the outside in\, the voice acts internally\, emanating from the inside out. When you sing kirtan\, you can literally feel the sound resonating inside you. ‘massaging’ your inner organs with sacred mantras…”\n\n \n\n\n(Kirtan! Chanting as a Spiritual Path. pages 7 and 9) URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/18450/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/6iyXKbjMT_musical-notes_wp.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211104T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211104T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211103T204219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211103T204954Z UID:18480-1636052400-1636057800@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Free Will" with Pandit Tejomaya - November 4\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – November 4\, 2021\n“Free Will” with Pandit Tejomaya\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Pandit Tejomaya\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n \n\n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith each of our actions\, from the simplest to the most complex\, from the grossest to the most subtle\, we act according to our will. And while there are countless influences ready to colour our actions\, it is us and us alone who choose each act in complete freedom. Understanding this process at all of its levels and strengthening the instruments whereby we harness the infinite power of our will are tremendous efforts for any Sadhaka. In the words of Gurudev “You are the architect of your life and thus have the capacity to change and shape your destiny.” \nPandit Tejomaya was initiated in the Himalayan Tradition by Swami Veda in 2008. He was initiated as a Pandit by Pandit Dabral\, and received the name Tejomaya in 2012. He took the vows of a Vanaprastha\, or Forest Dweller\, in January of 2017.\n\nPandit Tejomaya resides on Gabriola Island in the Salish Sea of Canada’s British Columbia where he lives a life of sadhana and devotion. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-free-will-with-pandit-tejomaya-november-4-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Pandit_Tejomaya2_0120724_0061-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211111T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211111T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211103T215940Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211111T160928Z UID:18488-1636657200-1636662600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday  Satsang via Zoom:“Remembrance of  the Mahasamadhi  of H.H.S. Swami Rama of the Himalayas” November 11\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday  Satsang via Zoom – November 11\, 2021\n“Remembrance of  the Mahasamadhi  of H.H.S. Swami Rama of the Himalayas”\n  \n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Schedule\n7:00 p.m.: Brief introduction on the meaning of Māhasamadhi\n7:05 p.m.: Showing of a video entitled “A Gift of Eternal Gratitude” \n7:30 p.m.: Flower Havan\n7:50 p.m.: Guided Meditation by Swami Radha Bharati\n8:15 p.m.: Community sharing of stories and memories of H.H.S. Swami Rama\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n25th Anniversary\n H.H.S. Swami Rama’s Māhasamadhi\nNovember 13\, 1996\n\nH.H.S. Swami Rama of the Himalayas left his body on November 13\, 1996.  Please join us on Thursday\, November 11\, 2021 for a celebration and memorial of the life and teachings of this great master from The Himalayan Yoga Tradition. H.H.S. Swami Rama was a yogi\, scientist\, researcher\, writer\, and humanitarian. \n“In 1996\, this fully enlightened Master and representative of the ancient lineage of yogis left his body. His memorial today is in the hearts of his disciples and students who carry his work. He is most remembered for his great love for all and the magnetic power of his spirit\, such that as he walked\, one felt pulled to follow behind him. The full impact of his legacy will be realized perhaps in a century.”\n\nOm\nGurave namaḥ.\nParama-gurave namaḥ.\nParameṣhṭhi-gurave namaḥ.\nParamparā-gurubhyo namaḥ.\n\n~ Swami Veda Bharati ~\nfrom Swami Veda’s Blog\nOn the First Maha-Samadhi Anniversary of H.H. Swami Rama\nPublished: 13 November 2015 | Written by Swami Veda Bharati\n\n\nOn the First Maha-Samadhi Anniversary of H.H. Swami Rama\nPhone Address by Swami Veda\nThe Meditation Center\, Minneapolis\, Minnesota USA\nNovember 2\, 1997 \nOM! OM! OM! \nThe days become sacred when a sacred being imparts a special grace or energy to the forces in the universe. All the annual cycles of celebration and commemorations are built around those occasions. In our present day society and thinking\, the human being is no longer a unit in the universe; he views himself as something outside the universe\, trying to control the universe as an outsider. This view is incorrect\, we are part of the universe\, the energy and life that flows through us is the same one through whose rhythms and waves\, all the planets\, stars\, constellations\, breath patterns\, respond. That enlightenment is not an individual event; it is a cosmic or ultra-cosmic event. The coming into body of a sacred being\, an enlightened being\, also is not an individual event. It is not something over which only the immediate physical relatives rejoice; it is something of universal importance. It is a universal event. It is beyond the category of the birth of planets. It is said that when an enlightened being sits for his final enlightenment session all the saints\, past Buddhas\, and enlightened ones attend upon him. And thereafter\, his rhythms are not the rhythms of an individual. Those of us who were fortunate to see the Master walking\, who recall at times walking with him and feeling as though we paced together with the universal force\, with some unseen\, unknown magnet – those of us who experienced that phenomenon will never forget it\, because it was not an individual but the condensation\, the convergence of an unknown number of universal forces passing through that particular space\, time\, matter coordinate that we call an individual. \nI’ve said\, “The days become sacred.” Those of us who have been taught to be in tune\, even to a minor degree\, to be attuned to those rhythms\, to the beat to which a master walks\, find that on those sacred days\, certain special waves touch us. These are not the waves of a physical energy\, but rather something happens within the consciousness. We do not realize that it is all synchronized\, that the events of consciousness are synchronized with the events in the universe. Or rather\, to put it more correctly\, the events in the universe are projections of the events in consciousness… (an excerpt) URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoomremembrance-of-the-mahasamadhi-of-h-h-s-swami-rama-of-the-himalayas-november-11-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/23517654_1966784506926763_8447786769762113670_n.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211202T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211202T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211129T154505Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211129T154552Z UID:18527-1638471600-1638477000@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Everything You Wanted To Know About Meditation (And Its Practice)\, But Were Afraid to Ask - Part 2" with Members of the TMC Spiritual Committee - December 2\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – December 2\, 2021\n  \n“Everything You Wanted To Know About Meditation (And Its Practice)\,\nBut Were Afraid to Ask” with Members of the TMC Spiritual Committee\n\nSwami Radha Bharati\, Lori Beron\, Paul Emerson\, Kay (Shanta) Gendron\, Jim Nelson\, Stephen (Stoma) Parker\, and Michael Smith\n\n\n\n\n\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion by the Spiritual Committee\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n \n\n\n\nOverview of Presentation\n\n \n\n\nNew to meditation\, an old sage or somewhere in between\, join a panel of senior teachers for a lively discussion and on the problems and promises of keeping a meditation practice. How does one keep meditation “fresh”? Why aren’t I “enlightened” yet? What are the tricks for keeping a regular meditation time? Am I making progress? Why don’t I see pretty lights? Or what do I do if I do see pretty lights? These and other questions brought by the gathering will be answered. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoomeverything-you-wanted-to-know-about-meditation-and-its-practice-but-were-afraid-to-ask-part-2-with-members-of-the-tmc-spiritual-committee-december-2-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SwamiRama-group-sm-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211209T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211209T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211129T195428Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T184040Z UID:18532-1639076400-1639081800@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Gratitude: A key to happiness" with Daniel Hertz - December 9\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – December 9\, 2021\n“Gratitude: A key to happiness”\nwith Daniel Hertz\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk with Daniel Hertz\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n\n\n\n\nGratitude is a skill that can be improved with practice. A gratitude practice allows us to see the wonder in every day activities that we take for granted. In turbulent times\, the practice can be especially challenging to maintain. In addition to discussing the benefits of gratitude\, we will practice some simple\, hands-on techniques that can be done by children or adults to cultivate gratitude. Hope to see you there. Thanks!\n\nBio:\nDaniel Hertz (MS\, E- RYT 500\, BCB) is the author of Everything is A Little Bit Alright. It is a memoir about moving from grief to healing through the practice of yoga and meditation. More information on the book can be found at this Amazon link.: Everything Is a Little Bit Alright: Yoga\, Meditation\, and a Dog Named Roy URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-gratitude-a-key-to-happiness-with-daniel-hertz-december-9-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Hertz_headshot.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211216T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211216T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211201T233923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211215T162408Z UID:18535-1639681200-1639686600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom: “The Meditation Center's Holiday Program 2021" - December 16\, 2021 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom – December 16\, 2021\n“The Meditation Center’s Holiday Program 2021″\n“Celebration of the Season of Silence\, Light\, and Hope”\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n  \n7:00 p.m. – Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30 p.m. – Holiday Program\n\n \n\n\n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\nAnnual Holiday Program Schedule\n\n7:00 pm: “Meditation on Light” guided by Swami Radha Bharati\n\n7:30 p.m.: “Blessing for the TMC Community”\nA Message from Swami Ritavan Bharati\nread by Stephen (Stoma) Parker\n\nHoliday Song sung by Chris Young\n\nReading: “Silent Night” by Swami Veda Bharati\,\na paraphrase of the “Rig-Veda X.127.18\, Hymn to the Night”\nread by Kay (Shanta) Gendron\n\nHoliday Song sung by Chris Young\n\nReading: ” The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry read by Paul Emerson\n\nCandlelight Ceremony:\nThe lighting of candles accompanied by Chris playing\n“Silent Night\,” followed by the community singing\n“Silent Night” together.\n\nIf you can\, please have a candle ready to be lighted during this ceremony. A flashlight will also work if you have no candle. We request that all people turn on their videos at this time so that the screen will be sparkling with the light of our individual glowing candles. When the community joins in singing “Silent Night”\,\nplease have your microphone turned off.\n\n8:30 pm – Silence\n\nEveryone is welcome to join!\n\n \n\n\nLet us celebrate the Season of Light together on Thursday\, December 16th.\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\nMark your calendars. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-in-person-and-via-zoomthe-meditation-centers-holiday-program-2021-december-16-2021/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/poinsettias-600x400-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211230T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211230T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20211227T174204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211227T174350Z UID:18576-1640890800-1640896200@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom Only: "Resolutions for the new year: simplifying sankalpas" with Paul Emerson Ph.D. DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom Only\nDecember 30\, 2021\n“Resolutions for the new year: simplifying sankalpas”\nPaul Emerson Ph.D.\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Paul Emerson\, Ph.D.\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe  to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHe who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith; he who is continually thinking things easy is sure to find them difficult. Tao De Ching (63)\n\nThe times of transition have always been considered to be particularly auspicious for meditation. These include dawn\, dusk and the change of seasons. The year’s end is somewhat more artificial but it has also been a traditional time for reflection. And as we reflect we also are tempted to make resolutions. In yoga resolutions (sankalpas) are often made for both worldly as well as spiritual purposes. In this satsang we’ll discuss something of the psychology of these resolutions as well as how to keep them. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-only-resolutions-for-the-new-year-simplifying-sankalpas-with-paul-emerson-ph-d/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/fireworks-1404647285rWT.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220106T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220106T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220103T164807Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220103T170208Z UID:18685-1641495600-1641501000@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom: "The Goddesses Lakshmi and Lalita with Stephen Parker (Stoma) Psy.D. 500-RYT - January 6\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom Only\nJanuary 6\, 2022\n“The Goddesses Lakshmi and Lalita\nwith Stephen Parker (Stoma) Psy.D. 500-RYT\n  \n\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\nTo support the work of The Meditation Center you can donate here (suggested donation $15.00) for Thursday Satsang. \n\nJoin Stephen (Stoma) Parker\, Psy.D.\, 500-RYT for a discussion of  the Divine Mother in her forms as Lalita and Lakshmi. The introduction to these manifestations of the Divine Mother is in preparation for your participation in the Lakshmi Gayatri purascharana\, which begins on Thursday\, January 13\, 2022. Hope you can join us in the recitation of the Lakshmi Gayatri mantra from January 13-17\, 2022. \n\n“My Phantom Lady”\n(an excerpt)\nby H.H.S. Swami Rama\n\n\n\n\n\n…”Mystic being from the subtle world\, had I not received Thy love\, I do not know what shape the rest of my life would have taken. Thou revealest to me the melody and the magic of the deeper realms\, with all Thy loving care. Thy soul comes and goes as a messenger in this world from the shore of the ocean of mystery. It is Thee of whom I now and then catch a glimpse in the dewy autumn morning\, in the scented night of spring\, in the innermost recesses of my being. Sometimes I strain skyward to hear Thy eternal whispers.”\n\n\n\n\n\nA burning desire lives in my heart\, an earnest longing to realize the Infinite in the finite. An unceasing endeavor to explore the limits of the limitless is a dominant theme of my life. Mere forms and names of the world are amusing but not fulfilling. Satyam\, shivam\, sundaram—peace\, happiness\, and bliss—is the only goal of my life. (Love Whispers\, pages 13-14)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. 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.\n\n\n\n\n\nStoma 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 Grama ashram in Rishikesh\, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program. He has lectured on yoga\, meditation\, yoga psychology\, and spiritual practice in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Caribbean countries\, Holland\, Italy\, Austria\, Hungary\, Lithuania\, 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 preliminary vows of renunciation from Swami Veda and the Shankaracharya of Karvirapitha.\n\n\n\n\n\nStoma has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in St. Paul\, MN since 1985. He also serves 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. He teaches on the faculty of the Introductory Workshops of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis. In addition to authoring journal articles and book chapters\, Dr. Parker edited volume two of Swami Veda’s definitive scholarly work on the “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali” and he has been a peer review editor for the “Journal of Men’s Studies\,” the “American Journal of Orthopsychiatry\,” the I”nternational Journal of Yoga T. and Yoga Mimamsa.” 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. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-the-goddesses-lakshmi-and-lalita-with-stephen-parker-stoma-psy-d-500-ryt-january-6-2022/ CATEGORIES:Satsangs,Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/stoma2_wp.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220113T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220113T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220103T173821Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T160856Z UID:18688-1642100400-1642105800@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Introduction to the Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra" with Swami Ritavan Bharati - January 13\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – January 13\, 2022\n\n“Commencing the Maha Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra”\nwith Swami Ritavan Bharati\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\nTo support the work of The Meditation Center you can donate here (suggested donation $15.00) for Thursday Satsang. \n\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Ritavan Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Commencing the Maha Lakshmi Gayatri mantra\, continuing\nwith a puja and havan for the greater TMC community.\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\nListen to the meaning  of purascharana by Stephen Parker (Stoma)\, Psy.D\,  E-RYT 500\n\nhttps://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Purascharana-1-1.mp3\nMaha Lakshmi Gayatri\nOM \nMaha Lakshmyai cha vidmahe \nvishnu-patnyai cha dhimahi \ntanno Lakshmi prachodayat. \nListen to the Maha Lakshmi Gayatri recited by Stephen Parker (Stoma)\, Psy.D\,  E-RYT 500 \nhttps://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MahaLakshmiGayatri-Recitation.mp3\nTo sign up for participation and keep track of the number of malas send an Email at the end of the day to MotherLakshmi108@gmail.com (Note the “H” in the spelling of Lakshmi) \nRead here the instructions for signing up for participation in the half-purascharana. \nFriday\, January 14\, 2022: Personal meditations with Lakshmi Gayatri japa \nSaturday\, January 15\, 2022: Personal meditations with Lakshmi Gayatri japa \nSunday\, January 16\, 2022: \n8:30-9:45 a.m.: Morning prayers\, guided meditation with Swami Ritavan\, and japa of Maha Lakshmi Gayatri\n\n10-11:30 a.m. Listen to recitation of Lalita Sahasranama and continuing with collective silent japa of Maha Lakshmi Gayatri.\n\nhttps://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1000-Names-of-Mother-Divine-Lalita_Sahasranam-SVB.mp3\n\nFull Moon Monday\, January 17\, 2022: Personal meditations with Lakshmi Gayatri japa;\n\nEvening Zoom Program:\n6:30 p.m.: Listen to recitation of the Lalita Sahasranama\n7:45-8:45 p.m.: Lakshmi Gayatri Puja and japa\n9:00-10:00 p.m.: Full Moon Meditation\n\n\nFor those who would like to intensify the practice\, in addition to their japa\, include the following:\n\nClick here to read the Lalita Sahasranama \nListen here and follow the 1\,000 Names of Lalita\, the Mother Divine\, Sri LalitaSahasranama recited by Swami Veda Bharati URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-introduction-to-the-lakshmi-gayatri-mantra-with-swami-ritavan-bharati-january-13-2022/ CATEGORIES:Special Events,Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Mother_of_the-_Universe_Lakshmi_2_wp-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220120T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220120T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220117T190841Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220119T172836Z UID:18771-1642705200-1642710600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom: "The Path of the Arrow" with Michael Smith - January 20\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom – January 20\, 2022\n“The Path of the Arrow” with Michael Smith\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Michael Smith\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n  \nThe ARROW has many interesting aspects to it\, such as a directional symbol\, or its straightness or speed\, or as a weapon\, but the ARROW’S most interesting aspects pertain to one’s spiritual sadhana. \nThis Thursday Michael will talk about the symbolism of the ARROW will and cite stories and teachings from Buddhism\, the Mahabharata\, the Upanishads — and Swami Veda about the significance of the ARROW. \n  \nTo 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.\n\nOr donate through PayPal.\n\nMichael Smith has been teaching yoga for over 38 years and is currently a curriculum coordinator for the International Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association. He has also been certified by the Himalayan Institute Teachers Association and the Behram Guard School of Yoga Meditation (an Iyengar-based Hatha Yoga School). He was a public school teacher for 35 years and also a professor of Comparative Religion at North Hennepin Community College. He has edited and/or illustrated many books on yoga and has lectured widely on stress management (the topic of his Masters Thesis) and also on holistic health. Currently he is very interested in the cultivation of a yoga-based life style\, incorporating the principles of Ayurveda. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-the-path-of-the-arrow-with-michael-smith-january-20-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Michael_Smith_wp.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220127T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220127T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220124T212005Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220124T212142Z UID:18778-1643310000-1643315400@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom: "My Journey with Swami Rama\, Dr. Arya\, and Swami Veda and How It Changed My Life" with Patrick Weseman - January 27\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom – January 27\, 2022\n\n“My Journey with Swami Rama\, Dr. Arya\, and Swami Veda\nand How It Changed My Life”\nwith Patrick Weseman\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n  \nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Patrick Weseman\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\nJoin Patrick as he shares his spiritual journey with stories of his relationships with Swami Rama\, Dr. Usharbudh Arya\, and Swami Veda. \nPatrick Weseman received his certification as a yoga teacher from the Himalayan  International Institute of Yoga  Science and Philosophy in 1972.  Since that time\, his  journey has lead him to the study and  practice of various natural holistic healing and wellness approaches\, including  Meditation and  Ayurveda. In 1991 he founded The Healing Arts. Patrick continues his explorations and teaching of yoga meditation\, he is certified as an Unlimited Body and Unlimited Breath Practitioner and has been a consultant to massage practitioners\, health spas\, and healing centers throughout the U.S.  Through his consultations\, classes\, and private sessions\, Patrick brings a sincere desire to share self-knowledge\, joy and peace with all who co-journey with him. \nTo 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.\n\nOr donate through PayPal. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-my-journey-with-swami-rama-dr-arya-and-swami-veda-and-how-it-changed-my-life-with-patrick-weseman-january-27-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Patrick-Weseman_wp-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220203T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220203T210000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220202T223059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220202T223238Z UID:18788-1643914800-1643922000@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom: "Cultivating a Sense of Beauty in Life\, in Being\, and in Our Sadhana" with Stephen Parker (Stoma) Psy.D.\, E-RYT 500 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang Via Zoom\nFebruary 3\, 2022\n\n“Cultivating a Sense of Beauty in Life\, in Being\, and in Our Sadhana”\nwith Stephen Parker (Stoma) Psy.D.\, E-RYT 500\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\nTo receive the zoom link for this event\, please subscribe to The Meditation Center’s e-newsletter on the home page of this website.\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Stephen Parker Psy.D.\, E-RYT 500\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Stephen Parker Psy.D.\, E-RYT 500\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n  \nJoin Stoma on Thursday as he talks about how to cultivate a sense of beauty in Life\, in Being\, in our sadhana and our practices with the  accompanying expansion of self to Self. \nDonate and register here. \nDr. 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.\n\nStoma 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 Grama ashram in Rishikesh\, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program. He has lectured on yoga\, meditation\, yoga psychology\, and spiritual practice in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Caribbean countries\, Holland\, Italy\, Austria\, Hungary\, Lithuania\, 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 preliminary vows of renunciation from Swami Veda and the Shankaracharya of Karvirapitha.\n\nStoma has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in St. Paul\, MN since 1985. He also serves 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. He teaches on the faculty of the Introductory Workshops of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis. In addition to authoring journal articles and book chapters\, Dr. Parker edited volume two of Swami Veda’s definitive scholarly work on the “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali” and he has been a peer review editor for the “Journal of Men’s Studies\,” the “American Journal of Orthopsychiatry\,” the I”nternational Journal of Yoga T. and Yoga Mimamsa.” 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.\n\n\nTo 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.\n\nOr donate through PayPal. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-cultivating-a-sense-of-beauty-in-life-in-being-and-in-our-sadhana-with-stephen-parker-stoma-psy-d-e-ryt-500-700-p-m-830-p-m/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/heartbeat-mandala-1-e1739388253489.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220331T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220331T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220328T210011Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220328T212226Z UID:18920-1648753200-1648758600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang In Person and via Zoom: "The Promises and Disappointments of Utopia: new ways to use your Vril staff" with Paul Emerson Ph.D. - March 31\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang In Person and Via Zoom – March 31\, 2022\n\n“The Promises and Disappointments of Utopia: new ways to use your Vril staff”\nwith Paul Emerson Ph.D.\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk with Paul Emerson\, Ph.D.\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n \n\n\n\nJoin Paul in person or via Zoom on Thursday\, March 31\, 2022\n\n \n\n\nCertainly the war in the Ukraine and the threat of nuclear annihilation leads one to consider other types of social organization. To this end a variety of Utopian ideas have been proposed over the last several thousand years and some have actually been tried out to varying degrees of success. I’d like to consider some of these ideas and experiences to see if there is any commonality or lessons to be learned particularly from those which didn’t quite work out as planned. If nothing else they make for some interesting stories.\n\n \n\n\nPaul Emerson is a biomedical engineer with a Ph.D. He is the authority on the physiology of breathing for The Meditation Center and has been teaching yoga for over 30 years. Paul has worked as a research scientist\, has been a manager of clinical research with a major biomedical company and a university instructor. In addition\, he holds eight patents in the areas of dialysis and sleep therapy. he is a scholar of ancient yoga texts. Paul was certified by the Rockford School of Yoga and began teaching in 1975. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-in-person-and-via-zoom-the-promises-and-disappointments-of-utopia-new-ways-to-use-your-vril-staff-with-paul-emerson-ph-d-march-31-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220407T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220407T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220309T212423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220405T160343Z UID:18857-1649358000-1649363400@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "The Meaning of Passover" with Daniel Hertz - April 7\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – April 7\, 2022\n“The Meaning of Passover” with Daniel Hertz\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation guided by Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Daniel Hertz\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\nDescription: There will be a short presentation on the meaning of the Passover holiday in the Jewish Tradition. A connection will be made to how this ancient holiday observance relates to the practice of meditation. After this brief introduction we will read through a version of a Haggadah. The Haggadah is a storybook that guides the Passover Seder.\n\nBio: Daniel Hertz (MS\, BCB\, E-RYT 500) is on the faculty of The Meditation Center. He is the author of the memoir Everything Is A Little Bit Alright: yoga\, meditaiton\, and a dog named Roy. For more information on the book\, here is the Amazon link:\n\nhttps://www.amazon.com/Everything-Little-Bit-Alright-Meditation/dp/1951651294/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=\n\nTo 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.\nOr donate through PayPal. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-the-meaning-of-passover-with-daniel-hertz-april-7-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs,Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Hertz_headshot.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220421T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220421T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220418T181153Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220421T142300Z UID:18971-1650567600-1650573000@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: Kirtan with Chris Young - April 21\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – April 21\, 2022\nKirtan with Chris Young\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Kirtan with Chris Young\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for an evening of kirtan and chanting with Chris Young to celebrate Love\, the ancient traveler. \nJoin Chris in this kirtan\, it being an opportunity\, a vehicle\, to receive an experience of Beauty; a time to drop the worry and the hurry\, set aside the intellect\, and simply be… with people who are beautiful\, in a setting that is beautiful\, and with beautiful music. \n\n\n“Kirtan is a spiritual practice that originated in India centuries ago. The word “kirtan” means singing\, chanting\, and praising the Divine. It is a sacred practice anyone can do; no special training is required. The music does the work for you\, carrying you to a state of tremendous joy and mental clarity…\n\n\n\n…But the most important instrument in kirtan is the voice\,’There is a sacredness in everyone’s voice. It is like hearing your own soul’\, shares Milwaukee-based kirtan wallah Ragani. who leads one of the largest ongoing monthly kirtan events in North America. Your voice comes from within; it is uniquely yours. Unlike an instrument which acts on you\, emanating from the outside in\, the voice acts internally\, emanating from the inside out. When you sing kirtan\, you can literally feel the sound resonating inside you. ‘massaging’ your inner organs with sacred mantras…”\n\n(Kirtan! Chanting as a Spiritual Path. pages 7 and 9)\n\nChris Young was initiated into the Himalayan Yoga Tradition in 2005\, but has been connected with The Tradition in some way since birth\, with his parents being early members and faculty of The Meditation Center in Minneapolis. Chris occasionally leads Kirtan at the Meditation Center’s Thursday satsang\, and helps with some IT aspects of the HYT Teacher Training Program. Chris finds the thread of yoga and meditation that has been taught through the Tradition and its teachers\, and cultivated through practice\, to always keep him returning to his heart’s path – the path of Yoga – and he is grateful to be a part of the local and global communities that are working to further the mission of The Himalayan Yoga Tradition. He is the father of two amazing boys\, he enjoys singing and playing music\, and is ready to help with your ocular asanas through eye-roll-inducing dad jokes. \nTo 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.\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-kirtan-with-chris-young-april-21-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Chris_Young_photo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220505T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220505T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220426T202918Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220426T203408Z UID:18993-1651777200-1651782600@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: "Life Among the Gunas" with Pandit Tejomaya - May 5\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – May 5\, 2022\n“Life Among the Gunas” with Pandit Tejomaya\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n  \n7:00 p.m.: Meditation guided by Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk by Pandit Tejomaya\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\nSwami Veda once said “In order to have complete understanding of anything\, you must experience all of its layers of subtlety\, simultaneously.”  I think he may have said it more than once.  These mysterious words can inspire a lifetime of inner Sadhana.  With layers upon layers of reality to be explored\, and intricate relationships between the gross\, subtle and causal worlds to be observed\, it is a gloriously expansive way of being in the world.\n\nOne such exploration is to observe the world and yourself through the perspective of the Gunas: Rajas\, Tamas\, Sattwa.  Invisible to the eye and all scientific instruments\, the Gunas never-the-less exert their constant influence over the manifest world.  Ever wonder why we became so calm when Swami Veda entered the room? or why we get so sleepy after eating certain foods? or why a stadium full of soccer fans can turn into destructive mob when their club looses?  It is because of the power of the Gunas.   When we begin to see these events both from their expression in the gross world as well as their subtle “Gunic” reality\, we can then begin to intelligently strengthen our resolve to live spiritual lives of unwavering peace at all times and all conditions.\n\n\n\nPandit Tejomaya was initiated in the Himalayan Tradition by Swami Veda in 2008. He was initiated as a Pandit by Pandit Dabral\, and received the name Tejomaya in 2012. He took the vows of a Vanaprastha\, or Forest Dweller\, in January of 2017.\n\nPandit Tejomaya resides on Gabriola Island in the Salish Sea of Canada’s British Columbia where he lives a life of sadhana and devotion. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-life-among-the-gunas-with-pandit-tejomaya-may-5-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Pandit_Teyjomaya_in_Yellow.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220512T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220512T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220426T210416Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220512T140606Z UID:18997-1652382000-1652387400@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Satsang via Zoom: Talk from the Archive of Dr. Usharbudh Arya's Audios "Unblocking Yourself"\, Introduction by Swami Radha Bharati  - May 12\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Thursday Satsang via Zoom – May 12\, 2022\n  \nTalk from the Archive of Dr. Usharbudh Arya’s Audios\n“Unblocking Yourself”\nIntroduction by Swami Radha Bharati\n(Postponed  – “Food Sadhana” by Gary Gran\, CYT\, DAy.)\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.\n7:00 p.m.: Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Talk from the Archive of Dr. Usharbudh Arya’s Audios\, “Unblocking Yourself”\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\nThis Thursday evening we will be presenting another talk from “Treasured Echoes”\, a series of lectures from the archives of Dr. Usharbudh Arya (Swami Veda Bharati.) Come be inspired\, energized\, and transformed. Swami Radha will introduce the recording and its topic of “Unblocking Yourself.” \nTo 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.\n\nOr donate through PayPal. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-via-zoom-food-sadhana-with-gary-gran-cyt-day-may-12-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Dr_Arya_wp-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220609T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220609T190000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220608T192714Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220621T202847Z UID:19137-1654797600-1654801200@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Thursday Evenings – In-Person Hatha for Everyone! 6:00pm – 7:00pm DESCRIPTION:THURSDAY EVENINGS – HATHA FOR EVERYONE!\nTime: 6:00pm – 7:00pm \nInstructor: (Rotates weekly) \nFees: $10.00 drop-in fee for everyone \n*No pre-registration necessary. Just show up for drop-ins! \nDrop-In Hatha Classes (Ongoing) \nEveryone is Welcome \nThese classes are for all levels. Instructors excel at leading the class in relaxation\, gentle asana (yoga positions) and pranayama (breath). Relieve stress\, achy joints\, improve balance at all levels and increase your sense of well-being. No registration necessary\, just show up. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-evenngs-in-person-hatha-for-everyone-600pm-700pm/2022-06-09/ CATEGORIES:Hatha Yoga,Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/overview-4-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220623T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220623T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220601T194755Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220621T204827Z UID:19071-1656010800-1656016200@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Hybrid Thursday Satsang In Person at TMC for Zoom Viewing and via Zoom Worldwide: An Evening with Stephen (Stoma) Parker\, Psy.D. E-RYT 500 - June 23\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:  \nHybrid Thursday Satsang – June 23\, 2022\nIn Person at TMC and Via Zoom\n“An Evening with Stephen Parker (Stoma)\, Psy.D.\, 500-RYT”\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT\nThe Center will be open for an in-person Zoom viewing on Thursday Evening.\n  \n6:00-7:00 p.m.: In-Person Hatha Yoga\n7:00-7:30 p.m.: Guided Meditation with Stephen Parker (Stoma)\, Psy.D.\, 500-RYT\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Presentation by Stephen Parker (Stoma)\, Psy.D.\, 500-RYT\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n8:40 p.m.: Snacks…cookies\, fruit\, and nuts\nJoin Stoma for this Thursday’s Satsang offered as both an in-person Zoom viewing at TMC and via Zoom from any location. Stoma will talk on the themes of mantra and meditation. \nDr. 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. \n\nStoma 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 Grama ashram in Rishikesh\, India. He is also a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teachers’ Training Program. He has lectured on yoga\, meditation\, yoga psychology\, and spiritual practice in the U.S. and Canada as well as in Caribbean countries\, Holland\, Italy\, Austria\, Hungary\, Lithuania\, 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 preliminary vows of renunciation from Swami Veda and the Shankaracharya of Karvirapitha.\n\nStoma has been a licensed psychologist in private practice in St. Paul\, MN since 1985. He also serves 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. He teaches on the faculty of the Introductory Workshops of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Hypnosis. In addition to authoring journal articles and book chapters\, Dr. Parker edited volume two of Swami Veda’s definitive scholarly work on the “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali” and he has been a peer review editor for the “Journal of Men’s Studies\,” the “American Journal of Orthopsychiatry\,” the I”nternational Journal of Yoga T. and Yoga Mimamsa.” 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.\n  URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-in-person-at-tmc-and-via-zoom-an-evening-with-stephen-stoma-parker-psy-d-e-ryt-500-june-23-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/stoma2_FB.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220630T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220630T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220601T200725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220629T182239Z UID:19072-1656615600-1656621000@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Hybrid Thursday Satsang Via Zoom and Zoom Viewing at TMC: “Are we there yet? Thoughts about evaluating our “progress” in meditation and sadhana with Kay Gendron\, Ph.D. (Shanta)" - June 30\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Hybrid Thursday Satsang Via Zoom – June 30\, 2022\nThe Center will be open for an in-person Zoom TV viewing on Thursday.\n“Are we there yet?”\nThoughts about evaluating our “progress” in meditation and sadhana.\nwith Kay (Shanta) Gendron Ph.D.\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT\n6:00-7:00 p.m.: In-Person Hatha Yoga\n7:00-7:30 p.m.: Guided Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Presentation by Kay (Shanta) Gendron\, Ph.D.\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n\nKay (Shanta) Gendron\, Ph.D. will talk on the topic of “Are we there yet?”\, ….thoughts about evaluating our “progress” in meditation and sadhana.\n\nWhether we have been meditating for years or decades\, we often wonder whether we are actually making progress in our practice.\n\n What do Swami Veda and Swami Rama and our tradition say about the issue of progress and how we define it?\n\nKay Gendron\, PhD. (Shanta) has been a student of meditation since meeting and being initiated by Swami Veda in 1970 and receiving initiation by Swami Rama soon after. She worked closely with Swami Rama on most of the main books he wrote during his time in the US. She received her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and taught psychology at several universities and Yoga Psychology at the Program in Eastern Studies at the Institute. On behalf of our lineage\, she has studied and taught Meditation in the US\, Canada\, India and the far East. She is interested in the practical aspects of deepening meditation by working with the barriers created by mind and emotions. She continues to work as a Licensed Psychologist\, spiritual coach\, and Classical Homeopath. \n  \nTo 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.\n\nOr donate through PayPal. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/thursday-satsang-in-person-at-tmc-and-via-zoom-an-evening-with-kay-gendron-ph-d-shanta-june-30-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_1169-2.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220707T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220707T203000 DTSTAMP:20260407T205522 CREATED:20220621T213226Z LAST-MODIFIED:20220712T175534Z UID:19192-1657220400-1657225800@themeditationcenter.org SUMMARY:Hybrid Thursday Satsang Via Zoom: "Reflections on Sadhana in Relation to the 40-Day Spiritual Festival and Guru Purnima" with Michael Smith - July 7\, 2022 DESCRIPTION:Hybrid Thursday Satsang:\nIn Person Viewing at TMC via Zoom and Via Zoom – July 7\, 202\n“The Center will be open for an in-person Zoom TV viewing on Thursday.\n\n“Reflections on Sadhana in Relation\nto the 40-Day Spiritual Festival and Guru Purnima”\nwith Michael Smith\n7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT\n  \n6:00-7:00 p.m.: In-Person Hatha Yoga\n7:00-7:30 p.m.: Guided Meditation with Swami Radha Bharati\n7:30-8:30 p.m.: Presentation by Michael Smith\n8:30 p.m.: Evening Prayers\n\n\nMichael will talk about how he first came to The Meditation Center\, his own sadhana in the Himalayan Yoga Tradition\, and how he sees the 40-day Spiritual Festival in relation to Guru Purnima.\n\nPlease come and share how the Spiritual Festival is going with you.\nReflect on where you were attitudinally in prior years and where you are now. Ask any questions you might have and offer any ideas about how TMC staff and teachers can help you in your sadhana.\n\nMichael Smith has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 50 years and is currently a curriculum coordinator for the International Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association. He has also been certified by the Himalayan Institute Teachers Association and the Behram Guard School of Yoga Meditation (an Iyengar-based Hatha Yoga School). He was a public school teacher for 35 years and also a professor of Comparative Religion at North Hennepin Community College. He has edited and/or illustrated several books on yoga and has lectured widely on stress management (the topic of his Masters Thesis) and also on holistic health. His main work has been to transcribe and to get the teachings of Swami Rama\, Swami Veda and the Himalayan teachers out to as many people as possible.\n\n\nTo 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. URL:https://themeditationcenter.org/class/hybrid-thursday-satsang-in-person-and-via-zoom-an-evening-with-michael-smith-july-7-2022/ CATEGORIES:Thursday Satsangs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://themeditationcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/michael-smith2-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR