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Hello from India
My husband is having a big birthday and we are celebrating it in India. Forty years ago he read Autobiography of a Yogi, one man's spiritual journey written by Paramahansa Yogananda. In the 1920's Yogananda came from India by invitation to speak at a religious congress in Boston, Massachusetts.
In his book, Yogananda writes about a gathering of spiritual aspirants that takes place in India every 12 years as has for thousands of years. It's a 55 day event called the Kumbh Mela. It is thought to be the largest gathering of humanity on earth. In 2001, it was estimated that 70 million people attended. And this year even more are expected to make their way to the Ganges which is considered a sacred river. Marty, my husband, has been wanting to go to this event ever since he read about it.
This book has also inspired many others, among them Dr. Andrew Weil, Mariel Hemingway, Elvis Presley, George Harrison, and actress Linda Evans. Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. first read the Autobiography of a Yogi as a teenager, then re-read it while in India, and had read it once a year ever since, according to his recent biography.
So here we are in Delhi, our first stop on our way to the Kumbh Mela. After we arrived and got our luggage, we headed to the hotel. Our driver shared the freeway with 3-wheeled auto rickshaws (tuk-tuks), brightly decorated trucks, and two white horses leading a wedding carriage in the fast lane. A dozen-man marching band was calling it night in the median - all this at 3 am. Before we got to the hotel a number of street dogs were on the prowl and two braman cows were eating their dinner out of side-by-side dumpsters. We can hear peacocks from our hotel and the smell of smoke from the dung fires and curry is in my hair and I LOVE it here.
We'll soon be heading to Allahabad, the spot where the Kumbh Mela has been taking place since late January.
Feel free to share this issue of Inward Bound with your friends by using the link on the bottom of this page. Let's meditate together sometime very soon!
Sarah
Sarah McLean, Director
McLean Meditation Institute
(928) 204-0067
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Get Your Meditation Groove On!
Here are some ways you can get your meditation going:
1. Listen to some free meditations I've recorded for you.
2. Learn the Simple, Easy, Every Day Meditation Method, in person or online.
3. Read the book Soul-Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation - and follow the powerful 8 Week program.
4. Immerse yourself in meditation at the Soul Radiance Retreat. Immerse yourself in meditation and deeply connect with your true essence to find peace, fulfillment, and clarity. Offered in Sedona in March, and in Big Sur, California, Rhinebeck, New York, and Unity Village in Missouri!
5. Cultivate your Creative Soul at the Writing retreat for women. Learn meditation and yoga too! Offered in Sedona, Arizona in April, and in Big Sur, California in June.
6. Deepen your practice by becoming a certified meditation teacher! Meditation is becoming more and more popular and teachers are needed everywhere. Join others who are aiming to make a difference in the world. Apply to join the training now, it's open enrollment!
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A Soul-Centered Moment
From the book Soul-Centered: Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation, here are a few reminders to take excellent care of yourself every day:
During the day, as you practice present moment awareness, frequently turn your attention inward and feel the sensations within your body and the sensations of breathing. This helps you to become more self-aware and to notice your body's responses to the choices you are faced with. Your body and breath don't lie.
Experience all sensations, not just the 'good' ones, this helps you to keep the stress levels down. If you notice you feel uncomfortable, unloved, or unhappy, don't distract yourself, or talk yourself into something else. Instead, feel all of your feelings. Choose to meet life with an open mind: instead of assigning labels, judgments, or letting preconceived notions stand in your way of feeling your feelings, or seeing clearly, take on a beginner's mind, a clear mind, as you experience life as it is.
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Soul Radiance Retreat March 7-10, Sedona, AZ
Give yourself a nourishing vacation,
come to the annual Soul Radiance Retreat - the perfect way to relax, rejuvenate, and get inspired. Learn to meditate or deepen your meditation practice, meet wonderful people, visit Sedona sacred sites, practice gentle yoga, connect to your soul-center, and discover your inner peace and fulfillment. Led by Sarah McLean and friends at the award-winning Sedona Rouge Resort.Though the early registration rates officilly ended February 14, we are extedning the discount for newsletter subscribers like you until February 21st! Visit www.RadianceRetreat.com or call 928-204-0067.
Meditation Teacher
Certification Program
Enhance your personal meditation practice and your career. Become an inspiring teacher, effective educator, and trusted mentor trained to teach scientifically proven, time-tested meditation techniques. Share the transformative power of meditation with your students, family, clients or patients to help them discover new-found strength, creativity, inner peace, and greater well-being in their everyday lives. The 40-hour on-site Training Intensive is offered in Sedona, Arizona in September. Apply now and you can be ready! Applications, curriculum, and program information are available here.
Meditation Classes
with Sarah McLean
Is it time you learned to meditate?
Whether you're a beginner who's never meditated before, or are a lapsed meditator who wants to jumpstart your practice, take a class to learn the Simple Easy, Every Day Meditation Method. Private, Semi-private and group classes available from $165. Call 928.204.0067 to find out when classes are offered, or visit the online calendar.
Hay House's
I Can Do It Ignite!
Occupy your mind with 20 minute bursts of incredible wisdom from cutting edge authors and speakers in the mindful spirituality, and health lifestyles movement including Wayne Dyer, Robert Holden, Caroline Myss, Sarah McLean and Immaculée Ilibagiza. Find out more here.
Creative Soul Retreat
Sedona, Arizona,
May 17 - 19
Discover meditation and a powerful writing practice and enhance your authentic expression, creativity, and awareness. You'll write, listen to yourself, and be heard, perhaps for the very first time. No experience is necessary. Facilitated by meditation mentor Sarah McLean. Find out about the Creative Soul retreat.
Soul-Centered Writing for Women - Creative Soul Retreat
June 7 - 9, Esalen Institute Big Sur, California Find out more here.  Swimming in Bliss Bimini, Bahamas
May 26 - June 1, 2013
Swim with the Dolphins in the warm aquamarine waters and experience the sweetness and wisdom of wild dolphins. Practice yoga, meditate, and be completely nourished at this week-long, all-inclusive retreat in the Caribbean with Sarah McLean and friends. Call Kim 928-20-1563.
SOLD OUT Waitlist only.
Retreats with Sarah McLean also offered at these centers: |
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