About Satyananda Yoga in Tasmania

Important: It is a serious sadhana (time of spiritual practice) for the protection of forests under threat and rejuvenation of activists. Only those open to embracing the programme are encouraged to register.

Registration is essential for catering, organisational reasons and as an essential courtesy to the owners of the property. Numbers may be limited so please register early and let me know which days your would like to attend. Please register ASAP to assure a place. Venue details will be given on registration.

Financial Contributions from participants (suggested minimum contribution p.p.) 1 day $20 2 days $30 3 days $40 4 days $50 5 days $55 6 days $60 7 days $70

Contributions need to cover airfares, gas, basic food and other expenses. The amount needed will depend on the food contributions &/or other donations. Any extra money accumulated will be donated to an appropriate cause at the conclusion of the havans - as agreed by the group.

Participants are strongly encouraged to stay at least 2 days.

Why - Havans and their purpose Havans are fire ceremonies – ancient rituals that also have great significance in modern times. While it is a ritual it is also, like other aspects of yoga, a science; a cause that has effects, a vehicle through which we can connect with a wider reality. Ritual is a way of externalising a process to allow us to connect with an inner experience. It is not something for the intellectual mind to chew on, it is about experience based on the idea of offering and the symbolic use of various materials.
The word havan comes form the Sanskrit root, ‘Hu’: to offer. The essential feature is offering to the fire. Both Swami Satyananda and Swami Niranjananda have spoken about the importance of havan and its contribution towards restoring balance in ourselves and in the environment – both much needed these days.
The essentials of a havan are: fire (representing God or Truth); wood (burning of inappropriate qualities in ourselves) and the chanting of a mantra. Other materials, which are commonly used, include: herbs (our worldly tendencies or samskaras); ghee (the purity of the higher mind); camphor (the burning of the ego). Flowers, incense, candles etc can be used to enhance the atmosphere. While there is much more that could be said about havan, the real power is in the experience. Havans are opportunities to give back to the world, to express and experience our connection with what is around us, to sacrifice our negative and unhelpful tendencies into the fire and allow them to be transformed so that we may emerge to express positivity in the world, awaken our higher nature and work in whatever way we can for the upliftment of people and benefit of society and the environment.

Who
Havans for Forests will be led by Swami Atmamuktananda, the Director of the Satyananda Ashram at Rocklyn, Victoria. Atma, as she is known, has been the Director of the Rocklyn Ashram in Victoria for 12 years. She previously spent many years in India living with her teacher, Swami Satyananda, a Tantric master. Atma is an Acharya (master of yoga) and teaches from her own deep experience. She is refreshingly practical and down to earth, having a profound understanding of all the branches of Yoga and a particular appreciation of the value of ritual and mantra in purifying and expressing our inner nature as well as for creating change on a larger scale. She will be accompanied by Sivamantra, a wonderful mantra singer and musician.
The invitation to participate is extended to anyone willing to commit to the conditions listed below. However, numbers may be limited to protect the property.
Further information and conditions of participation: • The landowners will be consulted about everything relevant to their property. • Atma will be the teacher/guide for this sadhana & Karunamitra will co-ordinate the organisation. • Please do not drive on the property. The parking of vehicles will be in designated areas only. Car pool to minimise the number of cars. Karunamitra may be able to assist with this. • The camp will be self-sufficient and the landowners’ personal space and property respected at all times. • Registration is essential. Please don’t just turn up or tell others to do so. • Participants need to bring all their own camping gear and a contribution of some fresh food (and any special food you require). A camp kitchen will operate during the programme. • If you have tarps &/or other useful equipment eg. gas stove, cooking equipment, please let Karunamitra know. • A bucket toilet will be set up. “Showering”/bathing (without soap) will be in the creek. • Participants need to make a financial contribution towards costs. See info. above. • Participants must be willing to assist with tasks i.e. karma yoga (mindful work) each day. • There may be opportunities for bushwalks on and from the property. • No drugs, alcohol or pets. Children may be able to attend. Please discuss this when registering. • Any other necessary "ground rules" will be made at the camp with the input of the landowners. For more information or to take part please respond to this email or phone Karunamitra on (03) 63678241.
If you are not able to participate but would like to support this sadhana in another way eg. helping with preparations, lending equipment, donating food or giving a cash donation to assist with expenses, this would be much appreciated. Contact Karunamitra.

Sunday 7th Feb - Dawn havan at the Jackeys Marsh Forest Festival (for more information go to www.forestfestival.org/conservation-and-heritage

A contribution towards a shared meal and $5 pp. would be appreciated. If you’d like to camp/have a room at Western Creek on the evening of the 5th &/or 6th please let Karunamitra know. A contribution for accommodation and use of facilities apply. $5 pp for camping, $25 for your own room or $12.50 p.p. for a shared room (2 people per room)