Each Step Leads to the Next Step - Divine Grace Yoga Retreat Coming in 2018

Dearest friends, these paths of ours are truly amazing. There is no stasis in this world, no stability, from one moment to the next the entire universe shifts and changes. Pulsing, vibrating, dancing - each atom, every being, even space itself is vitally alive and in perpetual motion. Countless galaxies and universes, infinite civilizations, each inhaling and exhaling stardust, each expressing the eternal Life. In this never ending motion we seek stability, peace, joy, satisfaction. This quest seems never ending - we are told birth after birth we go on searching for happiness, that we have taken birth countless times, each time evolving towards that ineffable source, the begininingless beginning and the endless end.

Then, through self effort and grace, we finally come to the place of peace. The mind becomes one pointed and begins its merger with That infinite, and longing ceases. The footfall on the steps becomes secure and the way is now known. The world does not stop but the motion of the world no longer causes a reaction. Fear, anger, hatred, lust, craving, aversion - all of these fall away. There is no longer any force in the universe that causes the mind to lose its center, it has discovered the nectar that was in the Self all along. The day that we had given up on countless times has dawned, and all that was suffered in order to see this new sunrise is known as having been worth it, in fact unspeakable gratitude is felt for every single step along the way. Laughter and tears alternately burst forth as pure and unbridled expressions of the eternal child. Peace reigns, silence is known and the entire cosmos, all of the worlds whether ethereal or physical, are home. The cause of suffering is known. We become acutely aware of the experiences not just of our self but of all. The idea of separation becomes a memory, and compassion, love, devotion have filled the entire being. Love that has no end, love who's source is boundless and ever expanding - tender devotional love which continues to blossom in each moment.

And yet, having come to know the peace that passeth all understanding, the journey is not over. It is never over, there is no end. What has ended is craving and aversion but not movement and not duty. Only delusion ends - our identification with separation - which was the only problem, the only veil, that had ever existed. We continue to step forward.

Through grace I was given the gift of peace. It came in the desert, as God, the Guru, the Mother and the Father, carried me, fed me and sheltered me. She never left me, I was never without Her. She has no place to go after all, amazingly She has nothing more important to do than to be with each of us, to care for us, to lead us back to Her. The walking continued for two and a half years. Each step was grace, truly I am nothing without Her. Then, in early February of 2016 the walking pilgrimage for peace

ended and Prema, the Yoga for Peace rv, was donated to the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, then God lent her to me to continue to travel across the USA doing my best to stay in this place of devotion and service, and to share what has been shared with me, this timeless teaching of peace. Prema is the most amazing servant, she is devoted and strong. She has given me the opportunity to meet so many beautiful souls in communities throughout the country - in yoga centers, homes, churches, monasteries and temples and retreats, and with the Be Still and Know silent weekend retreats this year. We have logged over 40,000 miles these past two years.

Now we are back at the Sivananda Ashram in Grass Valley, where Prema is parked and taking a well deserved rest. I'm here for the month, will be here until January 4th. I'm being given the opportunity to share teachings while here; just completed an amazing five day Meditation for Well-being course here and next week we begin a Holiday program named "Love and Mysticism - the Christmas Message". From December 30 I'll lead a five day Positive Thinking Retreat, then Prema and I go on the road again to Los Angeles to lead a weekend Positive Thinking course at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center there.

Supporting your path to Peace - the next steps are to the Sedona, Arizona area, where the ground is being prepared for a new Ashram / Yoga Retreat. It has a name, Divine Grace Yoga Retreat. It has been in process now for nearly a year - during this time the Lord has brought together an amazing team of devotees each committed to serve and to support a common mission of propagating peace. We are in the process of establishing the nonprofit Ashram corporation and work towards the goal of offering this new sacred space is well underway. The Ashram will be an affiliated center of International Sivananda Yoga Vedenta Centres, and the plan is to offer living lineage teaching and support for all seekers on their paths. There is much to do yet, including securing property, zoning, and then construction, etc. We don't know the time-frame for opening the retreat yet, we will likely have a much better understanding of this over the next month or so. I'll be there from January 9 through early July focused on the project, doing whatever I can to support this mission. I'll keep you updated as we move forward. There will be opportunity for each of you to support this project if you feel motivated to do this - opportunities will include the possibility of donating money, materials, time, and even joining us in Sedona for karma yoga, to be involved with your hands.

In July of 2018 I plan to travel again with Prema, sharing a new "Be Still and Know - Silence and Discernment" weekend silent yoga retreat in twelve locations across the country, and offering Satsangs and support to all that wish to participate. The weekend retreat dates are already confirmed, and are listed below. The weekdays are not filled, and I would appreciate your help with this. If you know of communities and centers that you feel I could be of benefit to, or if you would like me to come to your home and meet with you and your friends, please reach out and let me know. Big or small makes no difference to me, I'm happy to serve. In late October I plan to return to Sedona and the mission there.

I hope that you can plan to join us at the Yoga Farm, in Sedona at Divine Grace Yoga Retreat, and/or in weekend retreat or Satsang. It is such a joy to know you, you are amazing. Please - reach out to me any time. I love you without condition - you have my full support on your path, I'll do whatever I can to be of assistance. Below is the current schedule for 2018, please feel free to share it as you see fit.

This is truly the most amazing world, it positively glows with the Divine and it is the place where anything is possible, even peace, joy and satisfaction. Through our own actions we can bring heaven to this earth - one at a time, and when we work together we can bring it for all. Thank you, God bless you, I look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you soon!

Dec 2017 Schedule 
Dec 18-19   Sedona, AZ - Satsang at Chocolatree Monday at 6:30PM
Dec 20-31   Grass Valley, CA - Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, Holiday Retreat

2018 Schedule
Jan 1-4        Grass Valley, CA - Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, Positive Thinking Retreat
Jan 5-6        Marina del Rey, CA - Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Positive Thinking Workshops
Jan 9           Sedona, AZ - will be resident through July 10
Feb 8-11     Sedona, AZ - Yoga Fest Sedona
Jun TBD    Cornville, AZ - Divine Grace Yoga Retreat, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Jul 13-15    San Francisco, CA - Sivananda Yoga Center, Programs TBA
Jul 19-20    Colorado Springs, CO - SunWater Spa, Programs TBA
Jul 26-29    Vanderbilt, MI - Song of the Morning Ranch, Yoga Fest Michigan
Aug 2-5      Saint Claire, MI - Sanctuary Ranch, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Aug 9-12    Vanderbilt, MI - Song of the Morning Ranch, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Aug 17-19  Chicago, IL - Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Aug 29       New York City - Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Satsang
Aug 31-Sep 3  Woodbourne, NY - Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch, Satsang
Sep 6-9       Fairlee, VT - Milldale Farm Center for Wellness, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Sep 13-16   Bethel, OH - Shepherd Farm, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Sep 20-23   Durham, NC - Chapel on Love Lane, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Sep 25        Hollywood, FL - Hollywood Library, meditation and talk with Brahma Kumaris
Sep 28        Miami, FL - Kendall Lakes Library, meditation and talk with Brahma Kumaris
Sep 28-30   Dania Beach, FL - I Love Yoga Studio, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Sep 29-30   Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Yoga Warehouse, Positive Thinking Workshops
Oct 4-7       New Orleans, LA - Swan River Yoga Arabi, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Oct 11-15   Sand Springs, OK - Osage Forest of Peace, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Oct 19-21   St. Louis, MO - Living Insights Center, Be Still and Know silent retreat
Oct 25-Dec 13  Sedona, AZ - Divine Grace Yoga Retreat
Dec 14-16  Marina del Rey, CA - Sivananda Yoga Vendata Center, Programs TBD
Dec 18-31  Grass Valley, CA - Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, Holiday Retreat

Finally, the warmest of all holiday greetings! May every moment be God-filled, may all know Peace!