About
om sri gurubhyo namah
It was my good fortune to grow up in the pristine and endearing village of Whycocomagh, overlooking the shores of the Bras D’or Lakes, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Whycocomagh, is a Mi’kmaq word which means ‘Head of the Waters’.
As a child I was in my element in this natural, untouched setting surrounded by the rivers, mountains and valley streams. Often walking through the lush forests and fields I experienced profound peace, inspiring a joy of writing and singing. Always there was an intimate connection with the Divine source of life, beckoning me to surrender to the intelligence of nature, healing into Her simple uninhibited humility and abundance.
A voracious reader and curious child, my first experience with India, its philosophies and sciences, was at age eleven while on the family trip to town, and coming across a book on Advaita Vedanta and Hatha Yoga. A sense of ‘remembering, knowing’ unfolded, leading to a discipline of morning practice, before I headed off to school. Quite naturally, this grew into the exploration and study of nutrition, philosophy, arts… My life has been colored, affected and guided by the underlying truth of the Fullness we are; all knowledge consciousness – Isvara…
After completing studies in law as a paralegal and a short stint in that professional role, the unfolding of many karmas ushered in the blessing of transition, the grace of surrender, pause. I spent much time in a space of self-inquiry, seeking guidance and the revelation of life’s purpose. I continue to share my svadharma as a writer, nurturing and supporting my role as a student and teacher.
Tribute and Reverence to the Source
Studies in both Yoga and Veda Chanting are in the tradition and lineage of the great yoga master, Yogacharya Sri T. Krishnamacharya, whose teachings survive through his son Yogacharya Sri TKV Desikachar and the family of teachers at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. I study with my teachers at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, in Chennai, India, annually and attend continuing studies with the Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation internationally.
Through Wise Earth School of Ayurveda and the mentorship of my Beloved Satguru, Maya Tiwari, I continue my study of the restored ancient healing sadhanas of Ayurveda in the Wise Earth Tradition. I am humbled and honored to contribute as WEA Program Director of Canada. In Her work and mission through Wise Earth School of Ayurveda and Mother Om Mission, Maya Tiwari, pioneered the Inner Medicine® Health & Spirituality programs of Wise Earth Ayurveda, as well as the Living Ahimsa® work that is deeply based in the principle of inner harmony that honors the sanctity of all beings, all species, nature and her sacred resources. Maya Tiwari, has been carefully tutored by His Holiness Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati in Vedic studies.
Advaita Vedanta studies are pursued with my guruji, Parama Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati, eminent and distinguished, traditional yet contemporary teacher of AdvaitaVedanta and an erudite scholar in Samskrtam; in the tradition of Sri Adi Sankara.
In addition, I study Advaita Vedanta with my guruji, Parama Sri Swami Parmarthananda Saraswati, eminent traditional scholar of Advaita Vedanta and Samskrtam, disciple of His Holiness Sri Swami Dayananda Sarasvati, when living in Chennai, attending classes with Vedanta Vidya Arthi Sangha.
A student of the language of Samskrtam, studies are held with Sri Subasri of the Madras Sanskrit College, Chennai, and are ongoing.
I offer my pranams and heartfelt gratitude to my acharyas, my guruji’s; to them I owe everything. There are no words to equate what I have gained in this life from the gift of their tolerate, abundant loving kindness. Their boundless generosity, sraddha and patience in sharing the wellspring of Vedic knowledge has indeed changed my life and the sincere contribution, however small, I hope to offer.
It is to my beloved mother, Anne Marie, that I dedicate my life’s work. The source of my inspiration, through the witnessing, understanding and experience of her selfless contribution and compassion, nourishes me completely.
Always, I am just beginning…
om