Bodhinatha's California Retreat, Day 1

The day started with a powerful Siva puja by Yoginathswami

Devotees sing while offering waiting to greet Bodhinatha for the day

Yoginathaswami is always a gracious host

Of course there were a lot of redwood trees

We all enjoyed a walk after the meditation in the brisk morning air

These are considered small redwoods. They were enormous!

We made it to the top of a steep hill. Inside this temple is a huge golden Buddha

Bodhinatha

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Bodhinatha's first day at the Santa Cruz retreat. It is quite and intensive program. Over the course of two and a half days, Bodhinatha will give 8 sessions:

#1 -- The Focus of Hinduism: what exactly are we striving to accomplish
#2 -- Integrating Spiritual Advancement into Work: an A,B,C,D,E approach
#3 -- Character Building: fifty-two character qualities and how to strengthen them
#4 -- Shum Study: understanding and experiencing awareness; thinking about versus actually experiencing. keeping it in the present.
#5 -- Prana: understanding it and learning to direct it through the physical body.
#6 -- Affectionate Detachment: what is it and how can negative attachments be released.
#7 -- An Exercise in Spiritual Identity: Soul Controls Instincts, Intellect and Ego
#8 -- The Guru Chronicles: Stories and teachings

Yoginathaswami is also giving two presentations on the significance of Siva puja