Vidya Institute Is Delighted To Present Semester #2 Of
Hosted Live Online With Gitte Bechsgaard RP Ph.D. CIYT-III
“Practice (prayoga) is the instrument of liberation”
– Vina Shikha Tantra
Thousands of years ago, a new style of spirituality was initiated by the masters of the Tantras.
A never before seen set of teachings dedicated to the Feminine principle – called Shakti.
The unifying element of all these texts, teachings, and schools of Tantra was the attention they paid to the Feminine principle; long referred to as
Devi: The Shining One.
And yet this spiritual study was not of femininity solely in isolation.
Its close connection with the masculine, or Shiva principle, was considered to have just as fundamental a value.
In the body-mind, Devi is discovered within the coiled power of the Kundalini Shakti.
The key to awaken this Shakti lies at the heart of Tantra.
According to some schools of Tantra the Goddess manifests in 10 forms; known as the Great Wisdom goddesses – Maha Vidyas.
Above all, the greatest archetype of the goddess is as the Mother of the Universe.
The MahaVidyas emerge from the Tantric spiritual tradition most fundamentally as a representation of embodied spirituality.
These Wisdom goddesses represent a wide variety of concepts, experienced through the lens of the feminine Divine.
Some represent the fierce and mind-shattering Goddess.
Others represent the beauty and graceful aspect of the Feminine divine.
And yet, all 10 forms of the Mahavidyas, whether gentle or fierce, are worshiped as the Universal Mother.
They’re understood as symbols of the stage of consciousness experienced.
Or even certain forms of perfection, wisdom, or blessing.
Tantra’s radical approach to spirituality is captured by the very definition of the term Tantra.
This Sanskrit word is derived from the root ‘tan’ which means to extend and spread out. And the second part ‘tra’ relates to freeing the mind.
Often interpreted as a teaching or Life-philosophy that broadens all understanding to the point where profound wisdom arises.
And without wisdom, there can be no genuine awakening.
According to Tantra, Awakening is not a matter of leaving the world nor of denying your body. Rather instead you enable the higher Spiritual Reality to transform your bodily existence.
At first, it can be difficult to see how Tantra is an intensely practical tradition.
Yet eventually you come to understand that it is, above all, a practice of direct realization:
Often called Sadhana.
The core theme of Tantra Yoga is the integration of the self with the Spiritual Self.
Your bodily existence with the Spiritual Reality.
Essentially, Tantra represents a more practical and embodied orientation that helps you to integrate higher metaphysical ideals with down-to-earth practices to live a Spiritual life.
The approaches taken in the Tantric tradition are characterized by a rich array of rituals, placing particular focus on:
Our team is delighted to announce the second semester of Tantra Yoga & The 10 Mahavidyas, Vidya Institute’s first-ever course exploring the philosophies & practices of the Tantric tradition.
During the summer & fall intensives of this second semester, you’ll once again join together with a group of dedicated yoga teachers, practitioners, and sadhakas for practical lessons in tantric philosophy & scripture lectures in integration with guided mantra chanting and tantric Sadhanas.
You’ll complete your foundational exploration of the philosophy of Tantra Yoga you began this spring.
And complete the foundations of your integrative understanding of key concepts in the yogic & tantric traditions.
And their archetypal representations through the 10 Mythical Mahavidyas.
In addition to your examination of the remaining principles of Tantra Yoga, you’ll study 8 of the remaining Wisdom Goddesses (Maha Vidyas) in great detail during Semester 2’s workshops.
Workshop Number 1 Will Explore The Philosophies & Practices Represented By:
Workshop Number 2 Finalizes The Teachings Through The Archetypes & Practices Of:
As always, your exploration will be in accordance with Sri Krishan Mantriji’s teachings and BKS Iyengar’s commentaries.
During this semester’s separate 4 day long intensives, the pieces really begin to come together as you complete the foundational teachings of the tantric scriptures.
And as you come to truly understand the hidden themes of the remaining Mahavidyas.
Since two of the most esoteric Goddess Festivals of the Tantric Tradition take place in October and November, the teachings of Semester 2 are segmented in a way that facilitates a preparation for both the Navaratri and the later Diwali festival.
Both the lecture material as well as Mantra Sadhana practices will be consciously presented so as to give those interested a sufficient preparatory period.
Due to the busy schedule many have with our upcoming Vidya Institute trips and their personal summer plans, participants may choose to enroll for either Workshop #1, Workshop #2, or both.
A certificate of completion will only be provided to those who attend both workshops or complete the curriculum in their own time using the class videos.
Those who partially complete the curriculum can still obtain a participation record from Vidya Institute support to be used as credit at IYNAUS, Yoga Alliance, or other certifying bodies internationally.
Workshop Dates
Workshop #1:
Thursday, August 22nd
Friday, August 23rd
Saturday, August 24th
Sunday, August 25th
Workshop #2:
Thursday, October 31st
Friday, November 01st
Saturday, November 02nd
Sunday, November 03rd
Live Class Times Adjusted By Timezone
Thursday, August 22nd
10:00am – 12:00pm PDT/PST (California)
1:00pm – 3:00pm EDT/EST (New York)
6:00pm – 8:00pm BST/GMT (England)
7:00pm – 9:00pm CEST/CET (Denmark)
August 23rd – August 25th
06:00am – 08:00am PDT/PST (California)
09:00am – 11:00am EDT/EST (New York)
2:00pm – 4:00pm BST/GMT (England)
3:00pm – 5:00pm CEST/CET (Denmark)
October 31st – November 2nd
06:00am – 08:00am PDT (California)
09:00am – 11:00am EDT (New York)
1:00pm – 3:00pm GMT (England)
2:00pm – 4:00pm CET(Denmark)
Sunday, November 3rd
06:00am – 08:00am PDT/PST (California)
09:00am – 11:00am EDT/EST (New York)
2:00pm – 4:00pm BST/GMT (England)
3:00pm – 5:00pm CEST/CET (Denmark)
As always please note that regardless of if you miss class, a video recording will be made available to you to study for 4 weeks after each session. Recordings are typically sent out within a couple hours after a class is complete.
Participants are asked to attend live via a ZOOM link sent to their email shortly before each class. This link can also be found in your registration receipt email sent to you a few minutes after you enroll.
We also ask course participants to have their camera on and to do their best to be in a suitable practice and/or study space if at all possible.
The enrollment fee for each individual Semester #2 workshop is 290USD.
Zero-Fee payment plans are available if needed.
Click Here To Only Enroll For Workshop #2 <<
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