• Table of Contents
  • Purgation by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Seven Steps by Swami Rama
  • Pranayama Week at SRSG by Trix Dekkers- Heezius
  • Thank you! by Sofia Foteina
  • Something’s Brewing in Tucson by Randall Krause (Mokshadeva)
  • Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is
  • 2019 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

Something’s Brewing in Tucson

by Randall Krause (Mokshadeva)

The gathering reminded me of the old days in California, thirty years ago, when there was a fledgling center and Dr. Arya (more recently known as Swami Veda Bharati) would come and present introductory talks on meditation. This time it was in Tucson, Arizona, where some Himalayan Tradition old-timers, Gary and Cynthia Gran and myself, have recently moved. Another long-time Himalayan practitioner, Kathleen Kordich, already has lived in Tucson for some time. We’d managed to gather a little more than a dozen complete newcomers to meditation for an “Introduction to Meditation” talk with Swami Ritavan. Sitting before Swami Ritavan, as he began speaking, memories of those wonderful days with Dr. Arya filled my mind.

In his gentle, musical voice, Swami Ritavan began telling about yoga meditation. He led the group through joints and glands practices, breathing practices, and guided meditation, sprinkling jewels of wisdom here and there. His sweet, calm, friendly demeanor put the newcomers at ease. They followed his instructions and consciously moved their bodies, breath and mind. Time passed quickly and all too soon the two hour workshop ended.

Afterward, Swami Ritavan and the old-timers traveled to Cynthia and Gary’s lovely new home for tea, cookies and conversation. We talked about how we might expand the teaching of the Himalayan Tradition in Tucson. Our ideas included monthly satsangs, meditation classes, and also the possibility of putting on teacher training retreats and other workshops. We also fantasized about creating a local center—an idea we’d caught from Jim Nelson, who visited recently from Minnesota, and planted that seed in the soil of our minds and hearts.

After tea at the Gran’s home, we all caravanned to Govinda’s for dinner. Govinda’s is run by Hare Krishnas and the food is very authentic Indian. It was like dining together in India with dear spiritual family.

What’s next for our little Tucson group? Who knows? But I would not be surprised to see our connections grow and some sort of community or center form here in the coming years.