Buddha

 

Community

Newsletter

Luncheon, Spiritual Cinema and Discussion

Fellowship, Dinner and Enlightened Talks

Chanting

Ballet 2012

Touch the Earth and Green for Life programs

Free classes for Cancer patients

Webinars

 

 

'Sangha' is the sanskrit word for 'community (of practitioners)'. As our individual lives and economic circumstances ebb and flow, we can feel the richness of creating community together and supporting each other through the different phases of our lives. We host a wide range of programs that promote individual and global health and harmony. Our programs and events span all levels of experience with meditation and the human spiritual journey.

 

People who come to our centre may have different faiths, follow different spiritual traditions, have different paths of practice and opinions, including political views. They are of different genders, different sexual orientations, and physical, perceptual and mental abilities. What we share as a community is a genuine connection to contemplative practice, a desire to lead sane, dignified, confident lives, and the aspiration to realise a more wakeful, sane society. To provide an environment in which awakening could flourish in the West, in the early 1970s, Shantiji presented the spiritual journey in the cultural context of yoga, via a personal and societal vision of awakening that is accessible to everyone, all the time, even in the midst of busy, daily life. 

Believing that there is a global community of people committed to actively creating a more compassionate and enlightened world, together with her encounter with the Western world, and based upon the specific wisdom imparted from Vedanta, Yoga and Buddhism, as a resource for individual and cultural virtue, Shantiji set out to create a place in the world in which enlightened world citizens can lead meditative lives of bravery, gentleness and intelligence, where they act with responsibility and delight in caring for one another.

The Shanti Yoga view is that every human being has wholesomeness, warmth and intelligence as their fundamental nature. This nature can be cultivated through the wisdom practices of yoga and meditation and it can be further developed in daily life, so that it radiates out to family, friends, community and society. Through the Shanti Yoga practices we cultivate the capacity to be fully open to our experience, and the ability to respond to everyday life situations with greater clarity and respect. 

Whilst, during the course of our lives, the wholesomeness can easily become covered over by doubt, cynicism, fear and egotism, the journey of becoming fully human means seeing through those habitual patterns and waking up to our natural intelligence. 

It takes kindness to ourselves and others, and courage to wake up, when we are so deeply asleep. However, when we do, we discover the world to be naturally sacred, wholesome and full of interest and beauty. We begin to clearly see and acknowledge the wholeness and wisdom of others, and to feel compassion to help them in myriad ways.

Inspiring enlightened society, the Shanti Yoga community exists to support for those who aspire to follow this path. Members feel part of a connected community devoted to a way of life worth spreading and the pursuit of their unique 'one wish to change the world'.

 

The Shanti Yoga community is a diverse group of engaged and committed people from around the world who provide vital support for our work. The Shanti Yoga Health Institute provides unique, educational programs and living experiences that support forward-thinking leaders of all ages to tap into their inherent creativity, compassion and wisdom in order to affect positive transformation in individuals, families, communities and the world. This enables newer students to meet Shantiji earlier on the path than has generally been possible. For older students, it provides us the opportunity to study directly under Shantiji.

 

The initiatives are inspired by the perspectives of Shanti Gowans who says: "Healthy and sustainable transformation of outer structures begins with the discovery of natural inner resources and capacities of individuals to be of service. However, with the current trend of encouraging the 'me generation' we may have welcomed the age of selfishness. People born in the 1970s, 80s and 90s are said to be the first group of people to believe that the needs of the individual should come first. They are oblivious to a world that places duty before self. However, nothing stands still. The answer is simple, yet profound. The truth about change is that there are no fixed answers. One time this might feel appropriate, another time it may not. To go with the flow, you may need to go against the grain. Just be still and present with each experience. Only when we make peace with ourselves can we hope to make peace with and in the world. 

 

We must reach within first, in order to embrace humanity. Generosity is the key to infinite abundance. When we value and share the natural, inner wealth of peace, love, happiness and wisdom, we can experience true and lasting prosperity. 

 

• Give peace a chance. The future is based upon the opposite of war, which is creation. 
• Respect the life and dignity of every living being without discrimination or prejudice. 
• Reject violence in all of its forms and towards all beings. 
• Resolve conflict with grace and graciousness. 
• Reconcile differences and pursue harmony. 
• Support freedom of expression and cultural diversity.

 

GROUP CLASSES

The first step is by attending classes. Group practice is one of our most basic and most important community activities. Each session is an opportunity to experience the power and joy of coming together, however briefly, as a community of practitioners. Group practice not only encourages our individual practice but also supports others in their practice and helps build a thriving, practice community. Check out our timetable page for ongoing opportunities for group practice.

 

PROGRAMS

Have you come to an increasing realisation that the life you are living is somehow not the one for you? Or when the meaning that urges you to wake up in the morning with energy has deserted you? These times in our lives are rich with enticements. They beckon us to step out of the habitualised and sometimes paralysing life we have built and called our own, and into the mystery that resounds with longing and demands an authentic relationship with the world around us and the aroused feelings within us. If you are hearing a calling from within that is demanding your attention, we have an invitation for you.

 

Programs, workshops, retreats, training courses and various offerings are all heightened opportunities to discover the value of community practice, build community and spiritual relationships and study while deepening one's own understanding and experience. Check out our calendar and newsletter for these.

 

COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS

The Shanti Yoga community comes together in many ways - to practice, to learn, to serve others, and to celebrate. By joining spiritual practice with the practicalities, challenges and joys of everyday life, we aspire to create a society that expresses the dignity of human experience. Learn more about Shanti Yoga celebrations and social gatherings from our calendar and newsletters.

 

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering at the Shanti Yoga Centre is a great way to get involved and benefit others. We can probably find an outlet for whatever your skill or knack. Email our volunteer coordinator with your thoughts about how you can plug in if you're interested in being listed for open, ongoing positions. We also always have stand alone projects that need to be done as well.

 

COMMUNICATION

We present specific activities, clarify issues, answer questions, explain new programs through our email newsletters and on the website.

 

Newsletter 

 

Shanti Yoga enews is a community forum for news and views from Shanti Yoga. It presents people's individual points of view and takes no position itself on the content and views expressed. Our editors welcome a wide range of contributions and perspectives and seek to encourage inclusive and insightful dialogue that is helpful to the development of the Shanti Yoga community as a whole. Therefore, in keeping with the principles of mindful and compassionate speech, while welcoming critical observations, we work to keep this site free from material that could be harmful to specific individuals or groups, either within the Shanti Yoga community or beyond. Any complaints about published material should be raised directly with the editors at shanti@shantiyoga.com.au

 

 

 

Following a communal, home cooked, Ayurvedic vegetarian luncheon (from $10 @ 12.15-1.15pm), enjoy provocative, inspiring, enlightening, entertaining, profound, the best in artfully-told, award winning documentaries and films in the genre of spiritual cinema. Time permitting, this then becomes the platform for our spiritual discussions. No fee. This is a free activity for Shanti Yoga members and friends.

Every Monday afternoon, from 1.15-2pm, during school terms and when Shantiji is in town.

 

 

 

20 January

3 February

30 March

11 May

8 June

6 July

27 July

14 September

19 October

23 November

14 December

 

 

At a deeper level, our problems stem from a loss of connection with the infinite source that sustains us all. The solution is simple; reconnect. Chanting is sound vibration leading to spiritual evolution. It clears the head, heart, lungs and purifies the channels, re-structuring the entire pranic flow and leading to liberation.

 

 

Vis-a Vis 1.                          Friday 17 February     7.30pm    Thomas Dixon Centre

Vis-a Vis 2.                          Friday 27 April            7.30pm    Thomas Dixon Centre

Don Quixote                        Friday 25 May            7.30pm    Playhouse               

International Gala               Friday 3 August          7.30pm    Playhouse

Vis-a Vis 3.                         Friday 31 August        7.30pm    Thomas Dixon Centre 

A Classical Celebration      Friday 2 November     7.30pm    Lyric Theatre

Fairy Tales                         Friday  7 December    7.30pm    Playhouse 

 

• The Basics of Design and Planning
• Trees and Shrubs
• Planting a Fruit Forest: Perennial Vegetables, Fruit and Nuts
• Spring Orchard and Shrub care
• Planning for Storage Crops and a Four Season Harvest
• Starting Seeds Indoors (with lights)
• The Basics of Companion Planting
• Building Healthy Soil: Making Compost and Mulch
• Small scale Organic Vegetable gardening: Hands-on methods
• Birds, Bees and Butterflies: Planting for Pollinators
• Organic pest and Weed Control: The basics of summer maintenance
• The Chook pen
• Greening sacred spaces

Webinars