When faced with the uncertainties, disruptions, and anxieties of a challenging world, we can find support and guidance in great spiritual literatures. On 13th June 2020, Bill Mahony will be sharing his fascinating insights into yoga philosophy in his online workshop, “lessons from the Upanishads for challenging times”. If you’re nervous about the idea of studying philosophy, don’t worry – you’re in safe hands with Bill, who’ll guide you through teachings that we can all apply in some way to our current lives. Here, he explains more about what to expect:
In this workshop we will turn to a collection of venerable and continually relevant texts known as the Upanishads.
Serving in many ways as a foundation of yoga philosophy, the Upanishads are collections of spiritual teachings from India that have inspired seekers for well over two thousand years. The wisdom they hold can guide us as we deepen and refine our own spiritual lives within the many challenges we face in our own contemporary world.
The Upanishads’ core teaching is that, within each of us, at the deepest and truest level of our being, there is a divine, eternal, gracious presence. Knowing, honouring, and returning to this presence deep within the heart can bring us a sense of inner strength, stillness, and freedom even in what may be the swirling, difficult contours of our outer lives. As the Manduka Upanishad says, “That which is radiant in its light, steadfast, shining in the heart: that is the great support of our being.”
I will share teachings from the Upanishads that guide us as we ourselves might ask: What is the nature of this divine presence that shines in the light of the heart? How can we come to know that light, immerse ourselves in it, and bring it forth? How can we more fully allow it to illumine our thoughts and perspectives as we live our lives in this often confusing, troubling, and challenging world?
Participants will also get a handout with translations of short passages from the Upanishads for their use during this session.
The workshop includes 7-day access to the online recording. All are welcome to attend.
William K. Mahony, PhD., is the author of several books on spiritual traditions arising in India and an internationally admired teacher of yoga philosophy and wisdom. He is an award-winning professor at Davidson College, one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the United States. Find out more about him at: wkmahony.com.
