Shiva Process Training Course and Retreat

November 12-20, 2011

Saturday the 12th of November saw the beginning of the inaugural Shiva Process Training course at the Shiva Ashram. The wheels were set in motion during the first Satsang on Saturday night, where Swamiji taught from Sri Ramana Maharshi, a Self-realized yogi who taught the Self-inquiry method of ‘Who Am I?’.

The course was officially opened on Sunday morning when Vyasa (with the help of Swami Atmananda) broke a coconut. Swamiji warmly welcomed everyone and shared his joy at the commencement of the course. We then had the pleasure of watching an abishek (bathing) of the murti (statue) of Bhagavan Nityananda. It was very peaceful and the feeling of Ganeshpuri was in the air. Devi Ma then gave a wonderful introduction and Vyasa shared the inspiration behind the development of the course.

Swamiji discussing Shiva Process

During the morning programs each trainee was assigned a mentor to work with, to learn how to do Shiva Process private one-on-one sessions. Before lunch everyone came back together for a panel, where they had the opportunity to ask questions about privates from experienced facilitators. The questions were all very interesting and covered various topics including the appropriate length of a private session, working with certain emotions and following the movement of Shakti (spiritual energy).

After lunch the trainees broke up into Shiva Process groups, which were also training sessions on how to run groups. Afterwards they all had the opportunity to come together and ask further questions of the panel in relation to the subtleties of the group process. Many questions arose and it was wonderful to hear the varied responses of the experienced people on the panel.

Devi Ma giving a talk on Shiva Process

The Training continued in this way for the following three days, with the trainees expanding their understanding of the Shiva Process, gaining experience in facilitation of privates and groups, and also going deeper in their own sadhana.

Each evening we had Satsang with Swamiji. On Sunday night Swamiji spoke about the path from bondage to freedom. With reference to the Kashmir Shaivite text, Pratyabhijnahrdayam, Swamiji described the four processes to freedom:

1. Chiti - Initially chiti (universal Consciousness), which is supremely free, creates the universe.
2. Mala - There is contraction due to the delusion of our minds. We feel limited, separate and small.
3. Upaya - is sadhana or the method to overcome suffering and return to our true nature as Consciousness
4. Svatantrya - realisation or supreme freedom.

In another evening program Swamiji discussed the topic of Spanda, the upward movement of energy in meditation and everyday life. He also discussed Gurdjieff’s teaching of Internal and External considering. Much excitement arose in the audience as they got to share and reflect on their experiences of these two phenomena.

Retreat begins

On Wednesday the 16th November we welcomed another 25 guests for the beginning of the Shiva Process retreat. That evening Swamiji began his three night course in the method of Shiva Process Self Inquiry (SPSI). We learnt about the different types of statements offered in Shiva Process and the detrimental effects of tearing thoughts (negative thoughts that attack us). We learnt about the three processes of SPSI: Investigation, Recognition and Upliftment. Swamiji spoke of the importance of having balance between truth and kindness, mind and heart. He said, “Shiva Process is a worship of Consciousness”.

Retreatants enjoying the ashram gardens

Happy cooks preparing meals for the retreat

The retreat participants enjoyed Self-inquiry sessions with Devi Ma in the mornings, learning and discovering things about their inner worlds. In the afternoons they had the opportunity to experience a Shiva Process one-on-one session and a Shiva process group. On Saturday Swami Atmananada held a mantra workshop where the participants practiced using mantra while moving into meditation.

During the Satsang on Friday night there was a special graduation ceremony for the 35 participants that completed the Level One Shiva Process Training course. Each participant came up and received a certificate from Swamiji and Devi Ma while the very atmospheric song, “Land of Hope and Glory” played in the background, followed by “We are Champions”. It was a very joyful and celebratory occasion.

The big Satsang on Saturday night was buzzing with excitement. The festivities continued as the palki procession chanted its way around the ashram. Swamiji read from question and answers with his Guru, Baba Muktananda as is his tradition the night before an Intensive. The retreat culminated with the Intensive on Sunday, a wonderful and peaceful way to end the very successful Shiva Process Training and retreat.