Short introduction to myself
My spiritual enquiry was ignited at eighteen
when I first heard Krishnamurti speaking at his school in Hampshire
but it was not until I reached fifty that I had the opportunity to
follow this in earnest. I moved to Henfield where I met my yoga
teacher who also incorporated the philosophy of yoga. She had
been with the School of Economic Science (from the Shankaracarya
tradition, as well as Ouspensky and Gurdieff). I met her teacher
when he was giving a talk at the Patanjali Centre for Classical
Yoga (where I now teach).
Straight away I knew that here was a teacher who would guide me on my journey. He had an extensive knowledge on the Vedas, Upanisads, Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Shakespeare, the Bible and much more; having studied them in detail for over forty years. He introduced me to Sanskrit and the Mahesvara Sutras (which he wrote) and I have been working with them for seventeen years.
The Shankara tradition goes back to an oral tradition but when the teachings were being lost, they were written down 5,000 years ago; yet they still remain as relevant today, as the teachings are immortal. Swami Rama was my teacher’s teacher and he was fortunate to be in his presence when he visited the UK.
For over twenty years I have worked with my teacher, Peter Harrison; yet at the same time developing them into practical use with meditation, yoga, qi gong, energy work and ultimately self healing. I find the joy in using the ancient sanskrit language and endeavour to share it with others.
Having worked with the teachings
for over twenty years I have found them very practical in dealing
with life's problems, they offer guide lines on how to live life to
the fullest, overcoming any challenges that present themselves on
the way whilst developing a deeper spiritual understanding. It is a
joy to share what I have learnt from personal experience and study.
I have first hand understanding of the difficulties that might
present and how they can be worked through.
Sowing Seeds for Inner Peace
available as a free pdf download
I wrote my first book 'Hidden Path' to help those starting out on their own spiritual journey; since that time, I have continued my own practice. Through teaching and studying, I have discovered fruitful areas that benefit finding peace within (self-enquiry) and decided to compile this book. Again I have used personal illustrations with the intention that they are used as an example for the readers to reflect on their own similar experiences, not mine.
Chapter headings range from; the personal perspective of inhibitions, negative thoughts, suffering, the wider perspective of charity, divinity, communion, gratitude, the sciences of space, the elements and anatomy, the ancient teachings of abhyasa(practice), Pranava(Om), Vairagya (dispassion).
Hidden
Path
available as free pdf download.
The reason for
writing this book is that I wanted to touch people’s
hearts. Although this book is about my own personal
spiritual journey, I hope that you the reader can relate to many of
the everyday happenings and find a resonance of them in your
life.
We share and suffer similar life events, sometimes feeling isolated and disconnected and I wanted to show through my experience of them, that I have developed a greater spiritual understanding of myself and my life. Our spirit was given our physical body so that our spirit could experience life and living to its fullest. It has been a quite journey to come to this understanding and I hope that you will share this with me, using this book to reflect on your own life experiences and to allow your spiritual side to be discovered.
This book charts the author's personal quest for enlightenment from the first realisation 'there must be more to life than this' to the beginnings of yoga and meditation. With spiritual practice there came a search for teachers in England, Spain and Argentina. Then came the crux of living two separate lives, one spiritual and other 'normal'. The challenge was incorporating both as one and taking her friends and family with her. This book invites you to join Vanessa on her voyage of discovery and to find your own spirit within.
For all enquiries, please email vanessaegraham@aol.com