Dear Yogis,

I live in the Macedon Ranges.  It has always been a place that attracted spectacular and unusual people.  One of them was a famous “double agent” Laurie Matheson (who brought down Ivanov)  whom the press called “the Australian James Bond”.   He was reputed to be a consummate spy, fabulously wealthy, owning multiple houses here and overseas….  a double agent who was suspected of  working for the Russians and for us.

When he died, his then widow had a sculpture (by Peter Shipperheyn) made of herself.  It is the most heartbreakingly beautiful work and I wish you could come and see it. Interestingly for a double agent, Mathesons’s  body is not under the beautiful partner, but in a lonely grave alongside.

I have been visiting this site for years and it very much reminds me of the relationship shared by Jesus and Mary.  I see the physical representation of a “Sacred Embrace”.  A deep and powerful expression of love experienced beyond death.

In the Bible, as in the newspapers we have to remember that the texts are rarely historical reports of events, but are narratives of those events pushed through the author’s “filters”.  Our culture has the opportunity to welcome the gnostic gospels, bringing to consciousness that which has been so long repressed.

In our study of Mary we are not imagining a sexual union between herself and Jesus.  We are studying the texts.  We know from the current Gospels that Jesus “kissed Mary on the mouth”.  “To kiss” in Hebrew means “to breathe together” to share the same breath or spirit.

Wonder at sexuality is rarely philosophical.

If you would like to join us in this study, we are here on Mondays at 6.30 and Tuesdays at 7.30.  We are examining the old, 1st century writings, and the new texts that came to light in Nag Hammadi, Egypt and Greece,  in the light of 21st century understandings – without the rules imposed by the established church.  These new understandings can enlarge our life.

Please Email me if you would like to join us.  I will send you an ID.

CCP:  FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE CONTACTED ME, AND ARE WAITING FOR THE APPLICATION FORMS – This week I am launching the CCP Course (when the WebMaster has OK’d the site on Friday),  and then after that, a FUNERAL CELEBRANTS COURSE.  These are new and different courses you will not be able to access elsewhere.  Each course with a definite yoga and philosophical leaning, using Yoga texts,  the Tibetan Book of the Dead and the gnostic Gospels as our accompanying texts.  

Those students who enrol and pay in cash or a deposit  in the next week (even if they don’t officially start until the official release on the 22nd July) will be able to attend the Sunday morning classes without charge (a $50 gift).

Your yoga studies will put you in a good place to do these two courses.  We anticipate that with an ageing population, and with your yoga studies expanded by these courses you will be in great demand – with new ways to serve your tribe and your greater community.  

Please contact me. yogafirst2@bigpond.com

Namaste – Jahne

 

 

 

 

Dear Yogis,

There is a strange feeling in the air here in Woodend.  The morning has been white with fog, not that cold, and quiet, windless, still.  Silence, not a breath of wind.  Great for meditation.

ZOOM
Monday 6.30. Mary Magdalen FREE study
Tuesday 7.30: Mary Magdalen more in depth study.
SUNDAY: 10am The Tibetan Book of the Dead.  This is a study which will be repeated when we start our new COMPASSIONATE COMPANIONS COURSE.  If you don’t understand living, and don’t understand dying, you will not be able to understand yourself, or people on the path.

STUDIO
Monday 1pm (full), Wednesday 5.30 (full), Friday Hatha 5.30 (vacancies available)

 

COMPASSIONATE COMPANIONS (triple certificate) COURSE 
Are you interested in becoming what used to be called a “Death-Doula”? I really don’t like that name, it is too negative.  There is no death from a yogic point of view.  We could be called midwives to the next place, and that is how I see it.  Yogis I speak to agree.

The course will give you a 1. CCP “Death-Doula” Certification – 2. COMPASSIONATE COMPANION Certification  and a 3. VETERINARY CCP Certification.

You can go further when these are completed and become a FUNERAL CELEBRANT through our exclusive FUNERAL CELEBRANTS COURSE (which includes “Pet Funeral Celebrant” – one of my favourite end-of-life celebrations.).

Although I was going to launch on the 8th of August, because we are coming together as a Sangha on the 22nd July for The Feast of Mary Magdalen, I will launch then.  I think there are a few students  who want to start asap.  I want to make sure the web site is functioning perfectly – I will get the final OK on Friday –  and then I will reach out on the web (Facebook etc).  It is no good flagging this course to people who can’t contact me like you can.  If you are interested in being in the first intake, call me on yogafirst2@bigpond.com and I will send you an application when it has got the tick of approval.

If you want to start the course and enrol this week, (I will send the application to you personally), then the Sunday morning classes between now and the 22nd will be included in the course with no extra cost.  My gift to you – extra classes for no extra cost.  That is a $50 gift,  as Sundays cost $50 for a month of classes.

I am also going to follow up with..

1. An END-OF-LIFE DIRECTIVE (A “Little Black Book”) so that you can work with your CCP clients who have not got this in order.  You can give them and their family peace of mind that all is taken care of.  All their lists, passwords, and end-of-life directions in one place. You could work with people and family just to encourage them to get their affairs in order – start with your own first!  It is another expression of care.This is much more detailed than required by lawyers when you are doing your Will, and covers all the funeral arrangements as well.  You need this to be in order to save your family the stress and confusion.
2. A FUNERAL CELEBRANTS COURSE (the next step) for those people who have completed the CCP Course.  It is a logical step.  You may want to be a funeral celebrant for people or for pets.  It is not as easy as you may think… but very satisfying.  Memorial celebrations for people who have gone ahead even babies and children who have never been remembered in this way – are my personal favourites.

We have been on this journey together for a long time.  It is exciting to take a new path.

We live in a population that is not only ageing, but is beset with (Covid) anxiety and fear.  Getting everyday affairs in order can bring peace of mind.  Speaking to someone about fears of death and dying can also be useful, and there are few out in the world prepared to work in this area.

We yogis understand karma, rebirth, impermanence and re-incarnation.  We are well placed to help people face their fears and move forward in a positive frame of mind.

If you would like to work in this area, contact me.  For Enquiries, application –
Email yogafirst2@bigpond.com

NAMASTE.  JAHNE

 

 

 

Dear Yogis,

ZOOM:
Sunday 10am.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead.  Especially important for those students contemplating The DeathDoula Course

Monday 6.30/Tuesday 7.30 Both studying Mary Magdalen.  Part of a number of books which were left out of the Bible, they provide and important glimpse into the metaphysical aspects of our belief systems.  This is 2021.  We are not living not Biblical times, not the time Jesus lived.  We have to see with new eyes.  We have to look at these books.

STUDIO
Don’t forget.  This weekend the ART/CRAFT DAY (started during Covid), will be in the Studio at 2pm on Saturday.  I hope you can be with us, even if you haven’t been before.  Park on the white gravel, come to the yoga entrance at the back of the house (follow the wooden path), and bring a project.  You could even use the time to talk with me about Mary and The Voice of Thunder (and knit or paint at the same time!).

NEWSLETTER CHANGE
As we have moved through Covid major lock downs, although we are not “out” of it and never will be… I am going to reduce the newsletters to MONDAY and FRIDAYS.  Just so I can let you know what is happening with courses, zooms and studio.  I will be concentrating a special newsletter  on THE COMPASSIONATE COMPANIONS PROJECT (Death-Doulas) and END-OF-LIFE DIRECTIVES on Wednesday.   If you want to be kept in the loop with these, please email me and I will put you on a list – you can be the first to see what we are doing whilst it is under construction.  Be the first.  

 

BE LIKE ME, AND WRITE LOVE NOTES TO THE DIVINE

There are many ways to express gratitude, however, mine is writing.  Yes, I still meditate, however, to assist me in my contact with God (?) I have a number of pictures and photos of “Divine Images” around me on the walls around my bed (just in case I am “too sleepy”).   God, or THE GOOD as Mary calls Her is not a male voice.

It is interesting to me that THE VOICE OF THUNDER (THE GOOD), in the Gospel of Mary, and The Gospel of Thomas and THE THUNDER is FEMININE!!!  Not “Our Father” it is “OUR MOTHER”.

It makes it easier to Chat.  Even though the biggest painting I have is of Jesus, that is just a representation of a Being which takes many forms – in the Same way the QuanYin is the female image of the Buddha….

You can do this.  When writing a letter – or chatting,  use whatever name resonates with you. Express your gratitude for miracles around you and within you.  Things that we are all grateful for.  For instance – our body, the only way we can work through karma – this life wherever it takes you – your family, no matter how many challenges (you asked for them at some level), and so on.  Remember, “nothing can happen except by the will of God”, and when God is The Feminine we can get “up close and personal”.  If you open the “door” She will come towards you EVERY TIME.  You are not alone.  Cultivate this relationship and you will find “the peace and joy that passes all understanding”.  It is what has been promised to us, but we have to ask for it.  No request is refused.  “She” is listening.

 

I WILL MEET YOU ON THE MAT

TRY ME.  NAMASTE.  JAHNE