Join us every Thursday at 7pm for a joyful evening of spiritual teachings, group practices, and prayer.
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Our Location
650 Salem Road, Schuyler VA |
Netra means “Eye”
Unmīlana means “becoming visible, unfolding, or opening of the eyes".
Unmīlana means “becoming visible, unfolding, or opening of the eyes".
Increase Your Spiritual Awareness & Pray for World Peace During Our Friday Eye Opening Practice
Swamiji offers these first Fridays teachings and practices to support the efforts of sincere seekers to increase spiritual awareness. Modern society and decline of spiritual awareness has caused people to abandon the ways of our ancestors, which has led to great suffering in the world. In Satsangha we find support in our own practice to increase spiritual awareness, then in effect uplift others around us.
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Experience the Presence of a
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Eye Opening Teaching?
In this case, "Eye" means the mystical third eye of spiritual awareness. The Sanskrit terminology for this is "netron meelanam," meaning "eye opening." Traditional instructions are given in the Agama Shastras for special rituals for opening channels for people to see into the spiritual realm and for the Devas to see into the physical realm. These rituals are typically performed by ordained priests in the process of Temple consecration. Swamiji is offering a series of spiritual teachings, practices, and ceremonies to help increase spiritual awareness. Many people are suffering a great deal now in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. The cause of suffering is spiritual ignorance and the solution is increased spiritual knowledge. But spiritual knowledge is not the same as intellectual knowledge. It is an experiential knowing of seeing reality as it is. Swamiji does certain things to help increase spiritual awareness for those participating in the teachings according to their level of perception. This is how a spiritual teacher teaches; they share energetically their spiritual experience with those who are able to receive.
What to expect?
Each person's experience will be different according to their unique experience and level of openness to the spiritual energy. Some experience a sense of peace or bliss. Others experience heightened awareness of their subtle body. Some may experience awareness of the Devas and other spiritual beings. Some will experience purging of thoughts and feelings from the subconscious. Others may experience heightened awareness of the spiritual energies and thoughts and feelings and energy of others around them. Some will experience involuntary movements of the body. It is not uncommon to experience strange dreams or purging of emotions in the days before and after such a teaching and it is quite common to encounter snakes in dreams, visions, or in the physical realm. Each person's experience will be unique and all are encouraged to remain open to the process. With continued teachings and practice and faith, a person's spiritual awareness will increase.
What is the event schedule?
The event will begin with a teaching on practices to help increase mystical awareness starting at 7:00, followed by group practice. The night will conclude with a simple puja ceremony called archanam offering 108 names of the Goddess. After the archana ceremony, everyone present will receive blessings / prasadam. (Prasad may be a fruit or flower. Food is not served at this event). On occasion we will invite musicians to offer kirtan between the practice and archanam.
How can I prepare for the Teachings?
We encourage all participating in these teachings to study and to try to implement as they are able the 10 yamas and niyamas . These basic practices help to create a firm foundation for spiritual practice. Beyond this, we encourage everyone to strive to maintain a regular spiritual practice of some sort, whether asana practice, yoga kriyas, mantra, meditation, or something else. Coming to the event, please try to remain mindful and hold the firm intention of increasing divine awareness. Then be open to the experience. Do not let expectations limit the experience. Be humble and receptive, with peaceful mind and still body. Then you make yourself like an empty bowl into which the teaching can be received.
What to wear?
Please wear comfortable, loss-fitting clothes. Clothes should be comfortable, and modest. Light bright colors are uplifting. Traditional Indian clothes are ideal; dhoti and angavastram for men, and saree for women. Swamiji asks that men and women keep with the Indian tradition of covering their legs to the ankles, and that women wearing short-sleeves or otherwise revealing tops wear a shawl. This modest attire will help keep the group focused upon spiritual thoughts.
What to bring?
Those who wish may bring flowers, organic fruits, or nuts to offer to the Goddess. These will be blessed and given to the people there.
Is there a cost?
All of Swamiji's spiritual teachings are free of charge. He teaches that spiritual services should be a right for all sincere seekers. A recommended donation of $15 or greater is appreciated and can help the people to open an energetic channel for you to receive blessings. Donations help the Center to continue to offer teaching and services. But money should not be an obstacle for any to attend. A price tag cannot be put onto what is invaluable.
In this case, "Eye" means the mystical third eye of spiritual awareness. The Sanskrit terminology for this is "netron meelanam," meaning "eye opening." Traditional instructions are given in the Agama Shastras for special rituals for opening channels for people to see into the spiritual realm and for the Devas to see into the physical realm. These rituals are typically performed by ordained priests in the process of Temple consecration. Swamiji is offering a series of spiritual teachings, practices, and ceremonies to help increase spiritual awareness. Many people are suffering a great deal now in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. The cause of suffering is spiritual ignorance and the solution is increased spiritual knowledge. But spiritual knowledge is not the same as intellectual knowledge. It is an experiential knowing of seeing reality as it is. Swamiji does certain things to help increase spiritual awareness for those participating in the teachings according to their level of perception. This is how a spiritual teacher teaches; they share energetically their spiritual experience with those who are able to receive.
What to expect?
Each person's experience will be different according to their unique experience and level of openness to the spiritual energy. Some experience a sense of peace or bliss. Others experience heightened awareness of their subtle body. Some may experience awareness of the Devas and other spiritual beings. Some will experience purging of thoughts and feelings from the subconscious. Others may experience heightened awareness of the spiritual energies and thoughts and feelings and energy of others around them. Some will experience involuntary movements of the body. It is not uncommon to experience strange dreams or purging of emotions in the days before and after such a teaching and it is quite common to encounter snakes in dreams, visions, or in the physical realm. Each person's experience will be unique and all are encouraged to remain open to the process. With continued teachings and practice and faith, a person's spiritual awareness will increase.
What is the event schedule?
The event will begin with a teaching on practices to help increase mystical awareness starting at 7:00, followed by group practice. The night will conclude with a simple puja ceremony called archanam offering 108 names of the Goddess. After the archana ceremony, everyone present will receive blessings / prasadam. (Prasad may be a fruit or flower. Food is not served at this event). On occasion we will invite musicians to offer kirtan between the practice and archanam.
How can I prepare for the Teachings?
We encourage all participating in these teachings to study and to try to implement as they are able the 10 yamas and niyamas . These basic practices help to create a firm foundation for spiritual practice. Beyond this, we encourage everyone to strive to maintain a regular spiritual practice of some sort, whether asana practice, yoga kriyas, mantra, meditation, or something else. Coming to the event, please try to remain mindful and hold the firm intention of increasing divine awareness. Then be open to the experience. Do not let expectations limit the experience. Be humble and receptive, with peaceful mind and still body. Then you make yourself like an empty bowl into which the teaching can be received.
What to wear?
Please wear comfortable, loss-fitting clothes. Clothes should be comfortable, and modest. Light bright colors are uplifting. Traditional Indian clothes are ideal; dhoti and angavastram for men, and saree for women. Swamiji asks that men and women keep with the Indian tradition of covering their legs to the ankles, and that women wearing short-sleeves or otherwise revealing tops wear a shawl. This modest attire will help keep the group focused upon spiritual thoughts.
What to bring?
Those who wish may bring flowers, organic fruits, or nuts to offer to the Goddess. These will be blessed and given to the people there.
Is there a cost?
All of Swamiji's spiritual teachings are free of charge. He teaches that spiritual services should be a right for all sincere seekers. A recommended donation of $15 or greater is appreciated and can help the people to open an energetic channel for you to receive blessings. Donations help the Center to continue to offer teaching and services. But money should not be an obstacle for any to attend. A price tag cannot be put onto what is invaluable.
Seeking more teachings?
Join our online Sansang for more virtual teachings and worship.