Update on the Creation of the Sat Yoga Ashram: In-Gagement in Humility

Virtues of a Karma Yogi

Unlike a plant seed that is programmed biologically to germinate, our inner Godseed can germinate only if we will that to happen. The hard shell around the heart must be opened through the earnest desire of the individual for Liberation. Once the ego´s defenses and demands for recognition from others is realized as the real cause of our suffering, we may fall into despair—but it is only then that the quest for freedom begins. At this stage, serious seekers of inner peace may recognize the value of spending time at an ashram. An ashram is a refuge from the ego-world, a community of individuals who have chosen a life of peace and quiet joy. Such a place of solitude, understanding, and power to transform can uniquely offer the nourishment of love and wisdom, the profound communion necessary to support and sustain the miracle of transfiguration and rebirth.

One of the benefits of suffering and despair is that the soul may gain humility. Humility is essential if the ego shell is to be cracked open. Then the shakti, the divine energy of Love can fill the heart, enabling the Godseed at last to blossom.

True humility (the word humble literally means the power of the Earth) gives one the power to dissolve the ego´s delusions of omnipotence, its private phantasies and its denials of the Truth of Being. The process of shedding the ego is aided further by a well-structured life, involving adherence to vows of ethical conduct, physical and psychic hygiene, and widening one’s circle of care. This is ideally accompanied by commitment to a regimen of spiritual practices, including meditation, study of authentic wisdom teachings and deep processing of the ego’s resistances. An Ashram can provide all that is needed to complete the journey to Liberation.

Sat Yoga Ashram: An Island of Bliss (San Isidro Del General, Costa Rica)

By the hand of Grace, Disciples of Sat Yoga have been granted an opportunity to usher in a new age of Divine community living.

The Sat Yoga ashram community is a place for those who are committed to transformation of the ego resulting in its death and re-formation, through which the love of the Absolute may flow uninterrupted in a dance of seamless unity.

Based on Prema-culture, the culture of Divine Love, members of Sat Yoga gather in daily meditation to absorb in Agape and prepare to become beacons of light for the darkness that envelopes our planet.

In Sat Yogis’ daily lives, the connection to the Supreme Love manifests as radiant poise inherent in the act of selfless giving,

Arunachala: Sacred Mountain of Light – Sat Yoga Ashram (San Isidro del General, Costa Rica)

The Sat Yoga Ashram at Arunachala Costa Rica

Whenever Sri Ramana Maharshi was asked if he visited any of the many holy mountains in India, he responded that he visited them all the time.  Although he headed for Arunachala soon after realizing enlightenment at the age of 16, Sri Ramana was quick to remind us that Arunachala was everywhere, and in everyone. Arunachala is now being recognized in Costa Rica, on the land where the Sat Yoga Institute presently builds an ashram. Only on the mountain of God, also known as the Mountain of Light, do we come to know the true Self that sits in the Heart, the pinnacle of human manifestation and expression on the spiritual map.

Long before we learn to pronounce it, Arunachala is within us. Some of us are immediately drawn to it upon hearing the name, stirring emotions of peace, joy and tranquility, like the sound of a lullaby to an infant. Arunachala is The Mother that calms all of our fears, heals our wounds, and instills deep seated happiness and completeness in the power of Her stillness.

On the horizontal, physical map of the phenomenal world, the Sat Yoga Ashram is located in the mountains of San Isidro del General on the San Marcos Ridge. Departing from San José, the Sierra de la Muerte is crossed (The Mountain of Death) on the way to Arunachala. Thus it was with Sri Ramana Maharshi, who, upon experiencing death of the ego, attained Liberation. This is the blissful reward of all those who are willing to die to the ego, while the body is still alive.

The ashram land bathes in divine light and mist clouds; holy water showers it year round.

In Costa Rica, Arunachala manifests as an evergreen rainforest comprised of approximately 100 hectarias, or 250 acres, blessed with an outpouring of bio-diversity.

Epiphytes, orchids, and ancient tree ferns are among the thousands of species found on Arunachala. Purusha through Prakriti expresses its majesty in exuberance on the ashram property.

Water abounds on this holy land. From above and bellow, the power of love´s nurturing force flows in divine beauty;

the wonder of God´s expression, often too subtle to be captured by normal sensory perception.

The design is too grand and perfect to deny. The most minute details are perfectly interwoven. And each part is cared for, impeccably. And each is always reflecting the whole.

Master Plan: Sat Yoga Ashram

Although the true Master Plan is a mysterious unfolding directed from above, its revelation comes to light through human thought and actions on earth. When it was time to create a master plan for the Sat Yoga Ashram property, great thought was also given to the needs of the whole, as well as to those of the individual residents and guests. Most suited to help us with the task of creating a master plan for Arunachala was Deppat´s professional services, a company with many years of reputable experience in the field of master plan design.

The Power of Love is Invincible – Karma Yoga Ashram Retreat Costa Rica

Creating a Prema-culture Community: “Love is the true essence of all that is.” – Shunyamurti

A wide variety of plants cohabitate on a single fallen log. A community committed to Prema-culture provides a similar support for building human eco (egoless)-systems based on integration, and unity. Such a community flourishes out of the love exuded from the decomposing ego structures of its members, the humus for the flowering of the real Self.

I was asked recently to describe the difference between ´Prema-culture,´ and Permaculture. Sustainability, integration and unity seem to be a common denominator between the two. The main difference arises from the recognition in Prema-culture that the sustainability of an eco-system, be it in nature or in a human community, is dependent on the ´Love´ coefficient. Without Divine Love as the governing principle, knowledgeable, well-intentional egos are too limited and conditioned to sustain natural diversity that is part of the Divine expression. As such, traditional intentional communities tend to disintegrate with time, despite their externalized successes.

Prema-culture realizes the non-dual aspect of life forms. The inner and the outer are ultimately the same with human beings acting as the calibraters of the energy frequency for the rest of nature. As long as the human soul remains split from its origin, the Essence, the sustainability of human efforts will be equally fragmented and weakened, with nature suffering in the process.

We return to the land with increasing love each time, giving our hearts and minds to the building of the Sat Yoga Ashram, overcoming our differences and ever more able to recognize the One in All. As the most depleted natural source in the human soul, love is what we come to plant and sow through every engagement. God has granted us a divine property for raising ourselves, and the rest of humanity from the bondages of the ego. Each nook and cranny calls our attention to the light behind the work at hand. For this week´s trip, landscaping around the lodge, and care for the horses were top on our list of chores.

Landscaping

Beatitude derives from a state of Presence. For too long, humanity has fallen asleep to the Divine Presence in All that is. Like the prince who comes to awaken Sleeping Beauty from her 100 year sleep, we too must cut through the thorny jungle around the heart-palace where nobility of spirit sleeps. The Divine play is being staged on the Ashram land so we may awaken to our own ego´s thorny jungle of projections and fantasies that block the soul from its Royal inheritance.

“When all of that [desire] has been transcended, then we will realize the bliss of what we have always been. We shall see through the mirage of this phenomenal world and recognize the sacredness of it. Its whole purpose was to lead us beyond illusion to the dimension of truth and bliss and light, to the Supreme Power that enables us to transform this world and not be victims of it, but be servants of God, Bodhisattvas, within it.” (From “Tragic Love to Blissful Love: The Path of Sat Yoga”), Shunyamurti.

A Return to Purity – Sat Yoga Ashram Costa Rica

The stage was set for a karma yoga trip to the ashram at the end of June. We arrived to work on the greenhouse and to start an ornamental plant nursery. Work was also undertaken in the food forest and reforestation project, as well as in locating prime resident building sites. Founding members´ land options will soon be made available to Sat Yoga´s disciples-in-preparation.

The ´Palomas´ return

Welcoming us back onto the land was a white homing pigeon, known in Costa Rica as ´paloma.´ The white pigeon was an unexpected surprise. We could not help but wonder what message she was delivering, brought to light a few days latter by the farm´s caretaker, Victor Hugo, and his explanation of the palomas´ appearance.

Years ago, a pair of pigeons were brought to the land by previous owners. The bird couple made their home in the horse barn next to the caretaker´s house. Although Victor Hugo continued working on the land that became the ashram, he and his family moved to Ganeshapur, the ashram´s annex property. The palomas, who by then had multiplied, left their homesite with the caretaker´s departure, and had not been seen for many months: until a few days before our second June visit.

Love and safe stewardship is being felt by birds, mammals, butterflies and many other animals on the land with our repeated visits. Not only are the palomas returning, but coatis and agoutis are now common arrivals at the lodge vicinities, while butterflies and honey bees dance and sing out of the lodge windows.

For the month of July we´ve scheduled a book on the consciousness of birds for our Prema-Culture class. All those who have undergone the Institute´s orientation procedures are invited to join in the reading and discussion of this book, and learn more on the topic of birds and their connection with people.

An estimated 200 species of birds are thought to be represented on the ashram. Over 120 species have already been identified on a previous sangha bird-watching visit that took place in March of this year. The trip was kindly led by sangha participant, and renowned ornithologist, Margherita Bottazzi, and joined by sat yogis and visiting friends awed by the wonders of nature.

Green House

Homing in karma yogis dedicated a great portion of this visit to making space in the greenhouse for a plant nursery. Plants are also known as having a formidable subtle perception, able to read human intentions even before they are consciously known to the human ego-mind. Karma Sat yogis arduously work at purifying their minds not only to minimize the human footprint on the Earth, but also to purify unconscious negative energies that override good intentions  and lead the destruction of the planet.

Karma Yoga Visit to the Ashram – June 7, 2010

A team of eight Sat Yoga karma yogis recently arrived at the Sat Yoga ashram with open hands, heart, and mind for the planting of our first food forest. Under the guidance of the cosmic forces that perfectly positioned the moon and constellations for the planting on Earth during this week, we embarked on the initial steps towards becoming an agricultural, self-sufficient spiritual community. The wise permaculturist and friend,  Itai Hauben, steered our direction on the planting fields.

The Sat Yoga Ashram is being built on the Saint Marcos’ Ridge (Fila de San Marcos) on the hill tops of Saint Isidro del General. Saint Isidro descends from El General (The General), a symbol for the Christ-Self.  As the name of the ashram’s physical location implies, the spiritual path is a razor´s edge, a ‘fila,’ a ridge.

As we gather on the land we are reminded of the sacred work at hand, aware of the nobility of spirit that Nature inspires and requires from us all. From ancient tree ferns to majestic oaks and life supporting Ficus trees we look for guidance in Nature’s signs as subtle as the high altitude air. We listen for messages from the silent source of Her breezes, the bird songs, and the howlers’ laughter. Our souls, the soil we commit to rejuvenation. On the Ashram land, we’ve come to find ourselves in communion with All that Is.