Soma Yoga Institute is pleased to host Dr. Raj Balkaran.

His course "Mythic Wisdom for Modern Life" decodes ancient Indian mythology for life wisdom, and insight on healing, personal development, and spiritual evolution. Each class consists of a transformative synergy of expert academic lecture, engaging captivating storytelling, authentic Sanskrit chanting, lucid archetypal decoding, and a grounded guided meditation. You will also have the chance for personal interaction during the live Q&A. You will receive the course recording, a PDF Handout, and suggested readings.

Live Zoom January 7-February 4, 2021

Thursdays from 4:00-5:30pm PST - 7:00-8:30pm EST

(Recording Available)

10 Yoga Alliance CE credits with extra reading

Session 1

Grounding, Gaṇeśa and Auspicious Beginnings

Thursday, January 7, 2021

4pm-5:30pm PST / 7pm-8:30pm EST

This talk will look to the mythology of Gaṇeśa, the elephant-headed lord of wisdom and auspicious beginnings.  You will learn the significance of how Gaṇeśa got his elephant’s head, and also why he is worshipped first among the host of Hindu gods.  Drawing on primary source Sanskrit texts, Dr. Raj Balkaran expertly decodes Indian myths as rich repositories of life wisdom, personal growth and spiritual evolution. Start off 2021 on auspicious footing by invoking the energy of Gaṇeśa. *This session on Gaṇeśa is offered as a free public talk to both students in the course and all others interested.

Session 2

Śiva, Lord of Yogis

Thursday, January 14, 2021

4pm-5:30pm PST / 7pm-8:30pm EST

 This module turns to the paradoxical mythology of the erotic ascetic Śiva, Lord of Yogis himself.  We unpack his role in the mythic descent of the celestial Ganges river from heaven to earth. We also explore Śiva’s blissful dance of cosmic destruction at the end of the Kali Yuga.

Session 3

The Greatness of the Goddess

Thursday, January 21, 2021

4pm-5:30pm PST / 7pm-8:30pm EST

The Indian Goddess is associated with the ancient Sanskrit word for “power” (shakti). Each Goddess personifies a specific energy which seekers can invoke for their personal development.

This series explores key personifications of Power from ancient India’s Goddess traditions. You will come to learn their rich symbolisms with an eye to the role they might play in your own life journey.   

Session 4

The Wisdom of the Sages

Thursday, January 28, 2021

4pm-5:30pm PST / 7pm-8:30pm EST

The session unpacks the stories of eminent Hindu sages. We explore in detail the rivalry between the sages Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra and their cosmic feud over a wish-fulfilling cow.  You will learn why certain yoga poses are named after these sages.

Session 5
The Churning of the Ocean

Thursday, February 4, 2021

4pm-5:30pm PST / 7pm-8:30pm EST

 This session plumbs the depths of one of the richest Indian myths: the primordial collaboration between the demons and the gods to churn the cosmic oceans in search for the elixir of immortality (soma). This wellspring of wisdom includes vignettes about how Śiva got his blue throat, the birth of the goddess Lakṣmī, and how Viṣṇu—donning feminine form—seduced the demons away from the elixir.

Join Dr. Raj Balkaran Live on Zoom.

Recording Available if You Are Unable to Make the Live Call Time