About
Om Sri Gurubhyo Namah
It was my good fortune (and karma!) 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 would experience profound peace which inspired my talent and 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 the town when I found (or it found me!) a book on Advaita Vedanta philosophy and Hatha yoga. A sense of ‘knowing and remembering’ happened leading to a commitment and discipline of practice in the morning before I headed off to school. This grew into the study, discovery and exploration of the body, nutrition, philosophy, arts, writing and music. My life has been colored, affected and guided by the underlying truth of that fullness we are; all knowledge consciousness. This is known as ‘Isvara’ in the Vedic tradition.
After completing my studies in law as a paralegal and a short stint in that professional role, the unfolding of many karmas and situations ushered in the gift of transition, the grace of surrender and pause. I spent much time in a space of self-inquiry seeking guidance and the revelation of my life’s purpose. I continue to express myself and share my svadharma, as an actor and writer; contributing, nurturing and supporting my role as a student and teacher.
Living in service as a teacher has fostered a deep awakening and unearthing of the innate qualities I have received. Thus, it behooves me to abide in accord with nature restoring inner harmony and cultivating awareness through the teachings I am privileged to have in my life; committing to share with each being on this journey. Embracing and intuiting the needs of another is the fundamental foundation of this life of sadhana, encouraging evolution and integration of one’s body, mind and spirit.
Tribute and Reverence to the Source
My studies in both Yoga and Veda Chanting are in the lineage and tradition of the great yoga master, Yogacharya Sri T. Krishnamacharya, whose teachings survive through his son Yogacharya Sri TKV Desikachar, grandson Dr. Kausthub Desikachar and the family of teachers at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. I study with my teachers at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (www.kym.org) in Chennai, India, annually and attend continuing studies with the Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation (www.khyf.net), internationally. Graduating from the first International Veda Chanting Teacher Training program held in Pisendorf, Austria, I hold the distinction of Veda Chanting Teacher from Vedavani, the Veda Chanting arm of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. It is an honor to have received the blessing of certification as a Yoga Teacher with the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, as an ambassador of the teachings of yoga in the living tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya, under the KHYF umbrella of international teachers.
Through Wise Earth School of Ayurveda (www.wisearth.org) and the mentorship of my Guruji, Mother Maya (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 (www.motherom.org), Mother Maya, pioneered the Inner Medicine® health & spirituality programs based in Ayurveda; as well as the Living Ahimsa® (www.mypeacevow.com) 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. Carefully tutored by His Holiness Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati in Vedic studies, Mother Maya received initiation as a Sanyasin, Vedic Monk, in Rishikesh on the banks of Mother Ganga river.
Advaita Vedanta studies are pursued with my Guruji, His Holiness 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. Studies are taken at Pujya Swamiji’s ashrams in Rishikesh, Arsha Vidya Pitham – Swami Dayananda Ashram (www.dayananda.org) and in Coimbatore, Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (www.arshavidya.in). Arsha Vidya Gurukulam – Institute of Vedanta & Sanskrit (www.arshavidya.org) is His Holiness Pujya Sri Swami Dayanandaji’s ashram located in the US.
In addition, I study Advaita Vedanta with my Guruji, His Holiness 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 (www.vedantavidyarthisangha.org).
A student of the language of Samskrtam (Sanskrit), 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 generousity, 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