This talk decodes the mythology of Gaṇeśa, the elephant-headed lord of wisdom and auspicious beginnings. You will learn the significance of how Gaṇeśa got his elephant’s head, and also why he is worshipped first among the host of Hindu gods. You will also learn about how mythological storytelling serves as a rich repository of insight into the personal and spiritual growth at the heart of yoga. Specific yoga postures will also be covered.
Gaṇeśa, Grounding and Yogic Storytelling Slides
Offered free to seminar attendees by Dr. Raj Balkaran:
Shiva Stories: Decoding Myths of the Blue-Throated Lord Course
<!-- wp:separator -->
<!-- /wp:separator -->
<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} -->
Upcoming 4-Module Course with Dr. Raj Balkaran:
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} -->
Yoga Stories of Ancient India:Decoding the Myths behind 20 Key Yoga Poses
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":24287,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom"} -->
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
Why are so many yoga poses named after mythic scenes and mythic figures? What does, for example, Śiva’s cosmic dance of bliss, or Viṣṇu reclining on his serpent couch have to do with yoga postures? The mythological stories of ancient India encode profound philosophical and spiritual insight indispensable for the practice of yoga. What is the core content and significance of these stories? What can these stories add to your own yoga practice? Join Dr. Raj Balkaran as he transmits and decodes key mythological stories from ancient India, expounding their significance and relevance to the practice of yoga. Each class features a synergy of expert academic lecture, captivating storytelling, and profound spiritual transmissions. You will have ample opportunity for Q&A.
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:acf/button {
"id": "block_614d2d931982a",
"name": "acf\/button",
"data": {
"buttons_builder_0_button_url": "https:\/\/www.embodiedphilosophy.com\/yoga-stories-of-ancient-india-decoding-the-myths-behind-20-key-yoga-poses\/",
"_buttons_builder_0_button_url": "field_5f90b97d78909",
"buttons_builder_0_button_text": "Learn More & Register",
"_buttons_builder_0_button_text": "field_5f90b97478908",
"buttons_builder_0_open_button_in_a_new_tab": "1",
"_buttons_builder_0_open_button_in_a_new_tab": "field_5f90b9837890a",
"buttons_builder": 1,
"_buttons_builder": "field_5f90b8fc78907"
},
"align": "center",
"mode": "edit",
"wpClassName": "wp-block-acf-button aligncenter"
} /-->
The Buddha defined our current situation in the first of the four great truths: "suffering surrounds us on all sides." Illness of the body and myriad social ills have made themselves achingly real in the past several months. The pandemic and the relentless, centuries-old oppression of Blacks in A...
The Gita is the most prominent wisdom text of India and has been commented on more than any other Hindu text. Making up a fraction of the greater epic, the Mahabharata, it covers, within a short 700 verses, the essential lessons that can enable an individual to live a life that engages body, mind...
Each one of us is born with a unique set of talents and a unique set of challenges. What explains this dichotomy? Why do we go through what we do? Is it all random and a product of chance or is there something deeper that we are missing out on?
Karma is cause and effect. It is the reason for ...