Events!

Ongoing

mother's face

Amma Satsang

MONTHLY SATSANG: The 1st Sunday of EVERY MONTH at 5:30pm*
FREE and Priceless.

Satsang is a Sanskrit word meaning a close association or companionship with a Self-Realized Soul. It can also refer to discussion or hearing of spiritual truths expressed by Self-Realized Masters. In the scorching heat of worldliness, being in the presence of a Master or a Master’s teachings is like a cool breeze in the shade of a huge tree. Although Amma is the inspiration for this particular gathering, devotees of all traditions are welcome. And we are thrilled to announce that Amma WILL BE IN ATLANTA this summer…so stayed tuned for that opportunity to be in her actual presence!

Please join us as we gather with some of Amma’s longtime devotees for an inspiring evening of prayer, puja (sacred ceremony) and song. We oftenIMG_20150117_194748398 begin the evening with a short video of Amma or her teachings, followed by a little song (bhajans/kirtan), meditation, and Aarati. In Sanskrit, the word arti – written as aarati – is composed of the prefix aa, meaning complete, and rati, meaning love. Aarti is thus an expression of one’s complete and unflinching love towards the Divine. It is sung and performed with a deep sense of reverence, adoration, and meditative awareness.

Amma (Mother) has physically hugged more than 34 million people from all parts of the world. Her tireless spirit of dedication to uplifting others over the past 38 years has inspired a vast network of charitable activities through which people are discovering the beauty and sense of peace that comes from selflessly serving others. We hope that you will join us in immersing ourSelves in the nectar of devotion and bringing boundless love to life here in Athens!

(It is customary to bring an offering to the symbolic feet of the Master…whether that be Amma or to whomever you bow, and offerings often include incense, flowers, fruit…whatever you would offer the Divine. Please know that this is not a requirement, just a tradition.)

For more information, please see the organization’s website at www.amma.org or call Meghan Madhavi Burke at (706) 613.1143

 

25w50news

Insight Meditation

Every MONDAY 7-8:30pm
(meets on the ground level/first office on right)

This Vipasana Mediation group has been meeting at the Healing Arts Centre for 14 years and welcomes all levels of meditation experience. If you are new to meditation and would like an introduction, please contact David Kurtz (706)340-7288. This is a Dana (donation based) gathering.

 

Past Events

56524989_2143672255678797_4962723170227322880_o

AMRITA YOGA WORKSHOP: Tuesday, May 14th / 5:30-8:30pm

AMRITA YOGA COMES TO ATHENS, GA FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. THERE ARE NO AMRITA YOGA TEACHERS IN GEORGIA AND THIS INSTRUCTOR COMES FROM INDIA…
 
Accessible to all (even beginners), this mini Yoga retreat/workshop 5:30-8:30pm ($30) will take the place of Sangha’s Tuesday evening classes.
 
PLEASE pre-register asap to reserve, limited space: Meghan (706)613-1143, or SANGHA@HEALINGARTSCENTRE.NET
 
This auspicious experience will include asana, breathing techniques, and more…giving us tools to navigate stress more gracefully. PLEASE pre-register asap to reserve, limited space: Meghan (706)613-1143.
 
Amrita Yoga® was born from the divine resolve and unconditional compassion of renowned spiritual leader, humanitarian, Maha Yogini, Satguru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma). A traditional school of Hatha Yoga upholding Vedic principles, Amrita Yoga incorporates Amma’s teachings and integrates the four different paths of yoga, cultivating physical, mental and spiritual upliftment. Focusing on awareness with heart-centered intention, the goal is to transcend the
physical asana practice to deepen your own self-awareness and the inter-connectedness of all life.
 
Brahmacharini Shobana, PHD, is an award-winning yoga practitioner and teacher who has dedicated her life to the pursuit of authentic yoga as a monastic in Amma’s ashram. Under Amma’s direct guidance, as director of Amrita Yoga® since 2004 she has taught more than 2000 workshops, classes and retreats to people from all over the world. Specializing in bridging the gap between ancient traditional Eastern practice and the practical needs of yoga in the West, Bri. Shobana is one of only 12 members on the Indian government’s Committee for Yoga Education, which forms the curriculum courses in Indian universities.
49599769_2006109139435110_3925674544622206976_o

The BLISSFUL PRACTICE of MANTRA MEDITATION

The Blissful Practice of Mantra Meditation is a 9 week course: 
Saturdays 12-1pm / Feb. 9th-April 6th with Brother Shankara ($99 suggested donation)
 
Call Sangha to Pre-Register: (706) 613-1143
 
The purpose of this class is to enable you to manifest your inborn Divinity — your birthright. You do this by practicing the Presence of the Divine in the form of sound (shabda Brahman). Every authentic mantra is this Presence. Slowly and slowly you learn to feel that Living Presence, and you come to understand that Presence is you yourself, no different. Over years of steady practice, your sense of yourself and your life here in the world are radically transformed. You find that to be fully human is to be fully Divine.
 
Nine class sessions-
 
Sessions 1-4: Your Qualifications and Practices as A Spiritual Aspirant
“For every one step forward spiritually, you must take two steps forward morally and ethically.” — Swami Yatiswarananda, Vice President, Ramakrishna Order of India
 
Session 5: Selection and Affirmation of Your Mantra
“Various are Thy Names O Lord, in each and every Name Thy power resides.”
— From the Prayer of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (each class will begin with this prayer)
 
Sessions 6-9: How to Use Your Mantra, and What to Expect from Mantra Meditation
“The chosen ideal is you yourself, no different. Learn to feel that Living Presence!”
— Swami Prabhavananda’s first instruction for meditation
 
Text: How to Know God (a selection of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali) by Swami Prabhavananda, Ramakrishna Order of India .
 
Instructor: Br. Shankara is a disciple of Swami Prabhavananda. He has studied spiritual practice under Prabhavanandaji and other swamis of the Ramakrishna Order since 1973, and was ordained a monk by Swami Swahananda in 2010. Brother currently serves as head of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Ashrama of Georgia (rkvkashramaga.org). He recently retired as Resident Minister of the Vedanta Center of Atlanta, after eight years of service.

Spiritual Growth Course
Fridays with Uma Rose: Feb. 1st-22nd / 5:30-6:45pm
4 weeks/$48, & no one will be turned away.45746835_1927859033926788_1832724697674940416_n
For 50 years, Uma Laura Rose has joyfully assisted people in opening their hearts, minds and bodies to the healing power of pure consciousness. Her experience will guide us in inquiry and discussions to help deepen our understanding of Self & Self-Realization.
Please call Sangha to pre-register by 1/30: (706) 613-1143
40295205_1834131856632840_6588693579701420032_o

Insight Mindfulness Meditation Retreat

“BRINGING MINDFULNESS INTO YOUR LIFE”
Friday, November 2nd -Sunday, November 4th
with John Orr
 
* Learn Mindfulness (Insight) Meditation
* Receive Instruction and Practice in Sitting, Standing & Walking Meditation
* Become Aware and Comfortable with your Body, Thoughts and Emotions
* Learn How to Develop a Daily Meditation Practice
* Suitable for Beginners and Those with Previous Experience
 
Friday, 7-8:30pm
Introductory Talk: Bringing Mindfulness Into Your Life (suggested donation $10-$15)
All are encouraged to attend.
 
Saturday & Sunday Retreat: Instruction & Practice of Mindfulness Meditation.
9:30am-4:30 pm ($75/daily)
(Beginners are encouraged to attend Saturday if scheduling requires them to choose btwn Saturday or Sunday.)
 
Sponsored by and held at Sangha Yoga Studio, located within the Healing Arts Centre
834 Prince Avenue/ Athens, GA 30606
 
For more information about the weekend program email or call Sangha Yoga Studio in Athens at (706) 613-1143 or sangha@healingartscentre.net.
 
John Orr received Theravada Buddhist ordination while living in Thailand and India as a monk for 8 years in the 1970’s. He has been teaching dharma and meditation since then. John is an Interfaith Minister and the guiding teacher for the New Hope Sangha in Durham, North Carolina. He recently retired from teaching 31 years at Duke University.
More about John: newhopesangha.org
39589115_1820458471333512_5754917350964985856_o

WHOLE BODY UPGRADE

A 6 WEEK COURSE EXPLORING MINDFULNESS, COACHING, INTUITIVE/SHAMANIC WORK, AND NUTRITION with Rebecca Shisler Marshall, PhD
WEDNESDAYS, 5:30-6:30pm / Sept 12th- Oct 17th. ($75/6 weeks)
You feel stuck and just want to feel better.
You don’t have the support you need and you are just so tired.
You can’t do it alone anymore.
You’ve tried everything and don’t know what to do, but you know you need something. Some way to make a change.
You just want to feel better.
 
It is possible to feel better in your body.
To feel like you can breathe again and like you can deal with all of life’s daily challenges.
To want to take care of yourself.
To know you will be ok.
 
Rebecca Shisler Marshall, PhD (CCC-SLP), is a yoga and meditation instructor, researcher, teacher, wellness enthusiast, Reiki Master, Martha Beck Life Coach, and shamanic practitioner.
38649379_1798366006876092_2006334474144448512_o

The SPIRIT and SOUND of PEACE

Saturday, September 29th  6-8pm
Join us for a celebration of World Peace with a Master of Yoga and a Master of Sound. Together we will inquire with our hearts and hands into the nature of Peace.
 
Q & A with Swami Asokananda, a lifelong monastic in the Yoga Tradition. Swami Asokananda was initiated into monkhood in 1973 by Sri Swami Satchidananda and is the President of Integral Yoga Institute of New York as well as and one of Integral Yoga’s foremost international teachers.
 
DRUMMING with Dr. Arvin Scott, a multi-award winning percussion artist, youth program developer/coordinator, and educator with over three decades of national and international experience Dr. Scott was on the faculty at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and was guest faculty at The New England Conservatory before relocating to his present home in Athens, GA. where he has taught at the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music since 1991. He is the founder of Drumming for Success.
 
Bring your questions, bring your percussion instruments, bring your friends!
 
Cost: Donations gratefully welcome.