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OSHADHI MEDITATION

Personal Spiritual History

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I was eighteen when I had my first spiritual encounter with a swami. Krishna Murti had came to England to give a talk at his school in Hampshire. I was impressed by his presence and knowledge, there seemed an inner recognition within me to all that he spoke about and which I could identify with. Yet I put to the back of my mind as I got on with my life, marrying and having children.

The years that followed I gained my BA degree in Social Sciences with the Open University, received training in counselling and person-centred art therapy which I put into practice. I like being part of a community and am keen to be involved so I have done voluntary work, in particular I was a voluntary youth worker for ten years. It was only when my children become less dependent that I realised an unmet creative longing within me, with the help of counselling I started art classes and later through my spiritual teacher also took creative writing courses.

I first started yoga classes over twenty five years ago. With a young family I was looking for some form of exercise and yoga appealed because it incorporated movement, stretches, breathing, relaxation and meditation all in one go. At first I found it difficult to achieve the postures and often after a session I would feel quite ill, as the toxins were being released from my body but I always felt the benefit. My body increased in strength and flexibility, over the years I was able to relax more. This was deepened into learning about meditation, which is close to my heart. It would take a long time to list the many benefits I have received and it is that which has encouraged me to share it with others and teach. For the last couple of years I have practiced yoga on my own daily and find it takes no effort to do so, my body naturally wishes to do it, that is the beauty of yoga – no effort.

As Patanjali says “after all that”, my life had been fulfilling yet there was something missing and it was a process of recognising that my spiritual side had been unacknowledged, this started an inner journey which opened a whole new chapter in my life. I decided to write a book on this process, calling it Hidden Path.

It was a house move that brought me to the yoga teacher that changed my life. I enjoyed her style of yoga whereby she encouraged a deepening of one’s spiritual side. During the yoga postures themselves I became more aware of the space and silence that surrounded them. I attended the classes the teacher gave in studying the ancient vedic texts and practising meditation. She regularly held retreats and it was on one of these I met my spiritual guide in 1997. He is a sanskrit scholar of thirty five years experience, who was well versed in the ancient texts, both knowledgeable and compassionate. He has gently guided and supported me on my spiritual journey. 

It was in his presence that I experienced satoori for the first and only time. It was an unexpected opening of such beauty that I find words are unable to express its magnificence. It was awe inspiring and started the real quest for enlightenment and set me off on my spirtual path. My yoga teacher also introduced me to an Indian Swami who ran an ashram in the countryside nearby, which we regularly went for satsang.

2001 saw me going out to Greece for my first yoga two-week holiday on the island of Lesvos. The teacher had been taught by Iyenar himself and I was also introduced to Astanga yoga there, it was the first time I had done yoga so intensively.

The result was that my kundali energy was awakened, although I did not know it was that at the time. I was also fortunate to meet and be taught by an Ishaya monk who introduced me to their teachings.

As my interest in meditation grew I attended Buddhist meditation and qi gong classes locally. I have also learnt to incorporate standing meditations in my Tai Chi, which I have been practising for four years. This all lead to a greater understanding of spiritual energy. I am always eager to open out my knowledge and am keen to learn from spiritual teachers past and present.

As I researched energy and yoga on the Internet, I came into contact with Energy Enhancement and Swamis Satchidanand and Devi Dhyani, I felt drawn to them and booked my first course with them in Spain for two weeks in 2003. It took two years before I went back to complete the course in Argentina in 2005. Encouraged by the results of the course I returned to Spain to learn teacher training for yoga and energy enhancement meditation initiations, as well as completely retaking the whole course. I was very pleased that my husband accompanied me and took part in the first week of the meditation course.

Swami Devi Dhyani initiated me into levels 1 and 2 of reiki then mastership during the time I spent with them. Reiki gave me such wonderful experiences that I wish to share with others and I now give treatments and initiations.

Throughout the interim years I continued meditating and meeting with my spiritual teacher. I also started learning Sanskrit (2003) in order to read the ancient texts for myself. It was with my teacher's encouragement that I started giving meditation classes in 2005.

2006 starting teaching meditative yoga. Giving talks and workshops on meditation

2007 Self published a book about my spiritual journey called 'Hidden Path'.

2007 Teaching sanskrit at the Patanjali Centre for Classical Yoga in Battle

2009 Self healing classes started 

        Writing new book new book called 'Sowing Seeds'  for spiritual growth,
        based on teachings received, my own studies and practice.


2010  Yoga and Anatomy Course for Yoga Teachers with Gary Carter
         
covering the anatomy of movement and space within the body


It has been a journey of self-discovery,
personally working on dissolving my ego and encouraging my spiritual awakening. It is an ongoing learning process whereby I keep my mind open. There is an inner knowing that dwells within each of us which acknowledges Truth and this inner knowing is the hand that guides me. I find the more you know the less you know and I continually enjoying reading past and modern texts to widen my knowledge. The Gita, Upanishads, Patanjali, Swamis Rama/ Satchidananda/ Ramana Maharshi/Osho up to the present day Eckhart Tolle (whom I see when he speaks in England). They are all there to give a helping hand, to encourage and support on ones spiritual journey, their teachings carry down through the ages. That is why I have declared to be on a spiritual journey, I wish to encourage others to acknowledge their spiritual side. Not just to pay lip service to it but do something about it – change your life, live it.

QUALIFICATIONS

Certificates

2005

Teacher Training Energy Enhancement Level One

Energy Enhancement Yoga Teacher Training Year One

Energy Enhancement Levels 1-4

Reiki Master Level 1-3

1997

Post certificate in Person Centred Art Therapy

Health Education Authority – Helping People Change


1996

Certificate In Person Centred Art Therapy

Health Promotion West Sussex – Working with Groups

Leading effective groups

1995

Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Therapy, certificate of study

Cruse Bereavement Training

1991

West Sussex County Council Counselling Phase III

1990

Bachelor of Arts Degree with The Open University covering:

Introduction to Psychology

Sociology

Social sciences foundation course

Social problems and social welfare

The handicapped person in the community

Working with children and young people

Living with technology

1980

Youth Worker Phase 1

EXPERIENCE

2005-present teaching meditation, yoga, reiki and sanskrit

Counselling & person centred art therapy experience

Alpha Project – mentally ill in the community
Private clients
GP Surgery
ASBAH – physically disabled living in the community
Cruse bereavement
Information Shop for young people

Voluntary work

Youth Worker
Village Action Plan – publicity, research and events
Fundraising for Leisure Centre
Community events
Community care

vanessa@oshadhimeditation.co.uk