The Tradition
The history of humanity is not the history of tool making or of social organization. It is the history of mind’s unfoldment. The Himalayan Tradition believes that even if one weaves no clothing nor owns a stone to crush wild nuts, one may be a saint, a sage, a philosopher, a wise (wo)man. And what use that we land a man on Mars but have conquered not the god of war who dwells within the mind, nor can curb our anger, nor can slow down our breath, nor can lower our blood pressure without the aid of an agency external to us? The Himalayan Tradition advocates complete self-sufficiency of a human being without dependence on any object external to his spirit and mind.
For this the Tradition teaches specific methods of training the human mind. It awakens the energy called Consciousness and instructs its disciplines into the meaning of “Thou art That” – till one’s very being knows, “I, indeed, am That”. The methods taught are scientific, systematic and entirely internal. And then comes the mystery of initiation, the direct conferring of the energy of Consciousness into the disciple till the disciple becomes a Master in his own right.
When Swami Rama demonstrated in a laboratory condition that he could alter the count of living or dead cells at will as the scientists drew his blood, he was asked, “Swami, how do you do that ?” And he answered, “They are my blood cells; are they not ?” The power, not a process, called Consciousness is realized within as the ultimate in yoga as it has been taught by the Masters of the Himalayan Tradition, in an unbroken lineage for countless millennia. The Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and countless other scriptures are simply revelations of the truths thus experienced. The teachers of the Tradition have taught in all known civilizations of the world and have left their mark in the writings and records everywhere.
One trained in the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition knows all the paths of meditation as they diverge from it and converge into the same as their origin. The teachers of the Tradition live for others only : that the suffering of many may be alleviated. They wander, as the Buddha said to his first batch of his disciples, “Wander, ye monks, for the benefit of the many, for the comfort of the many”. An Ashram of this Traditions beckons you to come and receive compassionate love in a world that causes much suffering. That love is Meditation, and its highest form is enlightenment.
If you would like to partake in the nectar of the Tradition the first step is to begin learning and practicing meditation. This website lists yoga retreats, classes and workshops where you may learn meditation, hatha yoga as meditation, and much more. You also might want to check the Teacher’s Blog area for articles on various aspects of yoga.
Our Center
The Meditation Center offers training in Raja Yoga, an integrated, scientific, experiential approach to improving a person’s ability to skillfully use mind and body in everyday life. It was first codified by the great Indian scholar and sage Patanjali in his famous work, The Yoga Sutras.
The Meditation Center serves as a resource of the Himalayan Tradition, which was established in the West by H.H. Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas. The ancient methods taught in this tradition underlie the variety of meditation systems found in all faiths. Raja Yoga not only includes the physical postures and stretches that people often refer to as yoga, but also includes efficient breathing, control of the senses, enhanced concentration, the cultivation of personally healthy habits, training in social relationships, and higher stages of meditation.
Raja Yoga is particularly well suited to this culture since Americans like to experiment with techniques that increase their effectiveness and productivity. Raja Yoga encourages students to engage in personal experimentation, guided by skilled teachers, to improve insight and capacity through practical techniques that have proven worthwhile to thousands of students over the centuries.
The Meditation Center offers a range of courses on Raja Yoga. Students are taught in small groups by experienced instructors and are given personal, one-to-one attention. Teachers foster a sense of camaraderie in the classes so that students can help each other learn and grow.
As students progress, they improve their capability to be peaceful and productive individuals. If students choose to continue their studies, they can receive training to become yoga teachers and effective leaders of an emerging international community of compassionate citizens seeking social harmony and ecological balance.
01 SWAMI RAMA OF THE HIMALAYAS, FOUNDER, EMISSARY OF THE HIMALAYAN SAGES
02 Swami Veda Bharati, Founder of The Meditation Center
03 Swami Ritavan Bharati, Spiritual Director
Saumya-pleasant minded, so that “Every Person may feel Loved.”
“saumya, saumya-tarashesha
saumya-bhyas tvate sundaree
para-paranam parama
tvameva parameshvare”