Summer Solstice 2007

I have been through a most wonderful experience. I went to New Mexico to celebrate the Summer Solstice and to learn about and do Kundalini yoga without any expectations. I found new spiritual friends and a path to God that makes me feel uplifted, high, quiet and peaceful.

Every day I viewed the Sangre de Cristo Mountains,which surround the Ram Das Puri Camp and there were spectacular clouds each day with huge cumulonimbus puffs bordering the sky. This sacred Indian land was 7,000 feet up and it was an adjustment for the 1^{st couple of days. The secret was in drinking as much water as you could hold, staying out of the sun and resting, as you needed to. Taking time out was difficult because there was something going on all the time. Classes were offered as early as 7 a.m. and continued through the day until 5. There was yogi tea in the early morning after the sun rose and Sadhana was over, breakfast at 8:30, your Seva (work) meetings at 9 and then on to classes or visiting the Bazaar or sleeping.}

The day actually began at 3 a.m. when Guru Singh and his musicians woke us for Sadhana (morning prayers and yoga). An amazing amount of people took cold showers at that time to prepare for the day but I did mine later when the sun warmed the air a bit. It got cold at night – down in the 40’s so that you had sweaters and socks on until 9 am.

The yoga was led by a different teacher everyday, which gave variety to it. There were also diverse musicians to sing the chants or Shabads. I especially liked the singing. Just imagine hundreds of voices; the birds that flew in and out of the shelter chirping their sweet melodies joined us. This Sadhana was followed by prayers and more chanting as the Sikhs began their morning ritual. Most of the time I stayed for this because it made me feel good and calm and blessed!

The classes offered included: healing work, learning about the Sikhs, women’s circles, posture techniques, marriage tips and many, many more. Sometimes it was difficult to choose because they all seemed so good.

After dinner, you could retire to your tent (mine was down the mountain vs. up) and I did this often or you could go to a Gong meditation or join in more music at the Yogi café – world famous musicians were there to entertain and join in the flow of this synergy.

Now the most interesting part – Tantric. I have always associated that word with Sex!

First of all – it’s called White Tantric because you wear white and cover your head and it is all about achieving spiritual growth to create positive change. We sat across from one another and did yoga. That included singing, postures and many times looking in each other’s eyes. I had 2 great partners whom I have come to think of as my sister and brother not some romantic liaison. I did 2 days of Tantric. The other Tantric day I volunteered to help in the medical tent.

The Tantric is somewhat indescribable. Most people would think we were nuts but seriously there was a current of energy that you could hook into and is still with me. This is how it was explained to me. We interacted with our partners, the group and ourselves. The entire process allowed us to accomplish a tremendous amount of inner work in a short time.

As I said, no expectations. I came; I joined in and let myself be open to the experience of it all. I think, I am a new person today.

I am happy, I am doing Sadhana on my own, I am singing more and out loud and I hope to do work that brings this type of yoga to many.

Let me not forget to mention that there were people from all over the world. I met folks from Mexico City, India, Canada, England, Holland and all parts of the USA.

Of course I’ll go back and even now I think about the Winter Solstice in Florida, as I have always wanted to enjoy Christmas without packaging! Sat Nam!