YANTRA MAIN EVENT
Lush forests, open fields, clear ocean waters and
friendly faces were abundant at Salt Spring Centre during the past few
weeks. For those who have never been there, Salt Spring Island is off
the west coast of Canada, in beautiful British Columbia. The Centre is
a small community and the main event every year is the family yoga
retreat, with a children’s program so that parents can attend classes,
and their YTT program. Many new and old faces were there, and quite a
few current and former MMC residents.
Babaji
arrived in a helicopter that touched down in the hay field close to the
main building, a Victorian farm house. A group of about 30 greeted him
enthusiastically. The retreat was a huge success and included daily
arati, pranayama and meditation, asanas, kirtan and so forth. One of
the main highlights, as usual, were the gigantic blueberries at every
breakfast, and a not-so-simple soup. Jai Raj led a mantra yajna the
last day of the retreat which was very meaningful for all participants.
The kali yantra was decorated with dahlias and marigolds from the
Centre’s organic garden, which is also home to the Salt Spring Seed
Company.
Before the retreat
ended, Babaji and the Rock Crew had begun a new rock wall and road next
to the main house. During Gita class as Babaji answered questions, we
would hear the tremendous crashing of boulders as they tumbled out of a
dump truck and the noise of a tractor outside the window. The Rock Crew
grew to over 25 people. Over the course of four days, a six-foot wall,
50 yards long, materialized out of 80 tons of stone. The road was
widened into what Babaji named the Hanuman Highway. The energy was high
and filled with the spirit of community and karma yoga.
Despite
the ambitious Rrock Crew project and it being the busiest time of year
at the Salt Spring Centre, there was still plenty of time to sit, talk,
and drink a cup of chai on the lawn. Nearby were freshwater lakes for
swimming, rocky pristine beaches, hiking trails, and the one small
village on the island where we got gelato. The best part for us were
the friendly Canadians, who were generous and welcoming in every way.
friendly faces were abundant at Salt Spring Centre during the past few
weeks. For those who have never been there, Salt Spring Island is off
the west coast of Canada, in beautiful British Columbia. The Centre is
a small community and the main event every year is the family yoga
retreat, with a children’s program so that parents can attend classes,
and their YTT program. Many new and old faces were there, and quite a
few current and former MMC residents.
Babaji
arrived in a helicopter that touched down in the hay field close to the
main building, a Victorian farm house. A group of about 30 greeted him
enthusiastically. The retreat was a huge success and included daily
arati, pranayama and meditation, asanas, kirtan and so forth. One of
the main highlights, as usual, were the gigantic blueberries at every
breakfast, and a not-so-simple soup. Jai Raj led a mantra yajna the
last day of the retreat which was very meaningful for all participants.
The kali yantra was decorated with dahlias and marigolds from the
Centre’s organic garden, which is also home to the Salt Spring Seed
Company.
Before the retreat
ended, Babaji and the Rock Crew had begun a new rock wall and road next
to the main house. During Gita class as Babaji answered questions, we
would hear the tremendous crashing of boulders as they tumbled out of a
dump truck and the noise of a tractor outside the window. The Rock Crew
grew to over 25 people. Over the course of four days, a six-foot wall,
50 yards long, materialized out of 80 tons of stone. The road was
widened into what Babaji named the Hanuman Highway. The energy was high
and filled with the spirit of community and karma yoga.
Despite
the ambitious Rrock Crew project and it being the busiest time of year
at the Salt Spring Centre, there was still plenty of time to sit, talk,
and drink a cup of chai on the lawn. Nearby were freshwater lakes for
swimming, rocky pristine beaches, hiking trails, and the one small
village on the island where we got gelato. The best part for us were
the friendly Canadians, who were generous and welcoming in every way.
posted by VICKY at 6:12 PM
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