SACRED REPOSE 12-WEEK IMMERSIVE WORKSHOP AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE:
33 hours of transformative teachings, practices, and discussions. As part of your puchase, you will get 1-hour free Zoom session with me.
The workshop took place over 12 Saturdays during March - May 2024 and was attended by 51 people.
“This is truly the most profound workshop that I have ever enrolled in!!!” Anya
THE WORKSHOP: ASCENDING THE LEVELS OF REPOSE INTO BLISS AND FREEDOM
Non-dual Tantric scripture emphatically states that nothing is possible without repose — neither creation, nor liberation. It teaches that there is only one knower (perceiver), reposing in consciousness, bliss, and freedom. So important is repose that Abhinavagupta’s Tantrāloka mentions repose (viśrānti) twice as much as the self-reflective capacity of consciousness (vimarśa). Repose is deeply transformative and if fully embraced, can take the practitioner to profound depths of being, bliss, and freedom. There are many secrets grounded in repose waiting to be revealed such as that there are layers of repose, each path to liberation is permeated by repose, etc. that this workshop gradually illuminates in an experiential manner for one purpose only — your freedom.
If you embrace the teachings and practices of sacred repose, repose will embrace you.
Repose will hug you tightly, yet with such softness and unconditional love,
that you shall ease into and abide in your innate nature as bliss and freedom
with unbroken consciousness.
The workshop is based on my book “Sacred Repose, Abiding in Bliss and Freedom.” You receive an offering of 33 hours of self-paced video teachings and meditations, ~20 audio meditations, ~130 page detailed workshop booklet, the beautiful mantra of the one knower, and other supplemental materials. The overall value of the 12-week workshop is equivalent to three weekend retreats which would range from $1,000 to $1,500. The reason I am offering it at a much lower price is to spread these liberating teachings far and wide.
The prerequisite for the course is having started reading the book, but you do not have to finish the entire book to purchase the workshop. The focus of this workshop is on practice and living the repose teachings. We gradually ascend up the energetic body from the base of the spine to the point twelve finger widths above the crown, culminating into reposing in consciousness in week 11. Week 12 we practice infusing transcendence into immanence by consciously bringing down transcendence down through the energy centers.
We have a WhatsApp group where we collaborate and where you can ask questions any time.
Workshop testimonials from some of the 51 participants (testimonials on the individual classes are below)
The teachings
“The bliss of sacred repose is always there as the background or screen of all experience. We just don’t normally perceive this. It is in fact the essence of all experience. The ground of all being and knowing.”
“One only needs to get quiet and still to be able to perceive the bliss current of bliss that is always coursing through our being despite all vicissitudes in life.”
“When I let go into repose, I am freed.”
“With great gratitude to Shambhu for these luminous revolutionary teachings.”
“Thank you, Shambhu, for another truly wondrous class! Where did the time go during this 4-hour class? Really!? We must have slipped into deep repose! What a joyous, timeless way to spend the rest of this life…Finding repose whenever/ wherever-eyes closed/ eyes open ~ dropping into awareness, continual dips into that Ocean of Light, Pure Presence, until the natural state becomes our default, after all it’s our Divine birthright!”
“The natural toroidal universe/ fields keep opening in my awareness and becoming more natural and palpable with your teachings. It is opening in my awareness & senses (for lack of better words) a little more each week.”
The workshop
“Having read the book and done the Sacred Repose workshop, I can only highly recommend! These are powerful teachings, insights and practices, grounded in scriptural and living tradition, and shared from a place of open-heartedness, devotion, enthusiasm and wonder. Happy there will be a continuation with the monthly satsangs.”
“I loved this workshop. I grew so much and my heart opened in a lot of ways never before known. Thank you is not enough. May the blessings of these teachings be received by all!”
“It was so beautiful. So many words come to mind, but really just direct and concise direction for moving into the vast quiet beauty of the center. Thank you!”
“I can only imagine how much work has gone into creating the sacred repose workshop, Shambhu, and I’m deeply grateful for it. This workshop has super-charged my practice.”
“Something has shifted deeply in my perception, and I can only attribute it to this course - new centers of awareness from which to birth the wisdom virtues. New spring-wells of gratitude, patience, understanding, and quietude. I am certainly imperfect, but I have new avenues to walk down. It sounds so basic, but when it is embodied, everything changes. Thank you from the depths of my heart.”
“This is an AMAZING and beautiful online workshop that I'm SO thrilled to be taking, and which I highly recommend. Thank you Shambhu.”
“Thank you Shambhuji! It was amazing! Can't wait until next week!”
“Thank you Shambhuji, it was profound and very beautiful!”
“I loved it :) thank you!”
“This workshop lifts me, aligns me profoundly, and is so needed.”
“I want to thank Shambhu and all of you for another incredible class! And to think that we still have 11 more to go… Wow!! It doesn’t get better than this!! What an amazing gift from Shambhu’s heart to us on Mahāśivarātri! This Sacred Workshop comes at a perfect time in my life when I am facing challenges. I’m finding each moment of sacred repose exactly what the Divine Doctor ordered, PURE NECTAR!”
“Wonderfully rich course.”
“Your workshop is wonderful and I have benefitted from the practices. A great group.”
“I have been practicing yoga & meditation all my life. I teach, preach and practice yoga & meditation for over 20 years now. So, I have come to assume that what meditation is... Yet Shambu, through his incredible spiritual and academic knowledge and insight, was able to open new levels of Divine Consciousness for me! Anyone who is seeking the more profound ways of meditation practices will find it through Shambhu’s book: ‘Sacred Repose' and his Workshop is truly a deep-dive into the metaphysical aspect on Ourselves! It is truly the most profound workshop that I have ever enrolled in!!! Here is my realization that came as a result of this workshop adventure: ‘Each conscious BREATH is a date with God.’”
The teacher
“So incredibly grateful to have found this wise brilliant teacher. I have felt held in a particularly fear filled chapter of life. Shambhu has razor sharp intellect, presence, kindness, humor, passion, and love, all blended together seamlessly to bring the essence and gifts of these ancient wise teachings and brings us all to notice the divine in the nature all around and within, to open us to sacred repose of beingness to meet our own obstacles with curiosity and openness.”
“Namaste Shambhu, your forensic approach to identify and describing the various subtle levels of consciousness is not only enthralling but quite rare among contemporary spiritual teachers in our broad tradition, and so valuable for this sangha. As one who has been meditating on the formless for a long time your approach is opening new doors and perspectives. Thank you!”
“I'm loving and very much benefiting from the practices. You have excellent qualities as a teacher, a very deep practice, and a beautiful, authentic way of teaching these traditions and practices. Thank you for offering this.”
“Thoroughly enjoying both the practices and the fruit. Great great teaching of these practices.”
“Wonderful presentation, deep understanding.”
“Such a gift to the soul and gentle humble grace in Shambu's offering.”
“LOVING the class. You are a brilliant guide. Such a pleasure to dive into Sacred Repose.”
“Yours is a super workshop. Your teaching bhāva (being) and skills are inspiring. Wonderful offering."
“I'm taking the most amazing course ever with Shambhu, teacher extraordinaire who is helping us speed up awareness. Signed up on the auspicious occasion of Mahāśivarātri, as I am clearly called to find ‘Sacred Repose’ during what might otherwise be a challenging time in life. So far, I must say, the ‘Sacred Repose’ is exquisite. Though I'm not in Kauai, paradise is a hair's breath away here now always. Mahalo Shambhuji.”
Workshop booklet (~150 pages 8.5x12 inches):
“I printed out your booklet … to say I am impressed with the quality and quantity of your notes would be a glorious understatement! Truly wonderful work, dear Shambhuji.”
“The detailed explanations in the booklet are amazing.”
Week 1 (Mar. 9): Śivarātri and mantra (class duration: 2.5 hours)
- The inner experience of Śivarātri.
- The stages of mantra.
- The mantra of the one knower.
“What I noticed in doing the one knower mantra last night was there is neither breathing in, nor breathing out, there is a present moment awareness, grounded in the vibration and sound of the word. Not worried about the future, not worried about the past, just present with the beauty of the word flowing through this vessel. Ah, ah, ah.”
“The speaking homework is already transformative. I luxuriate in the pauses when I talk and it’s making me do the same in my thoughts, too. An ocean of bliss between ‘thoughts,’ and ‘too.’”
Week 2 (Mar. 16): Breath (class duration: 2.7 hours)
- Understanding the levels of breath.
- Four breath practices.
- Five tips for spiritual practice.
- What is sacred repose (introduction).
“Tears of ecstasy. Breath is the mantra.”
“Every conscious breath is a date with God.”
“I love the breath practice and your tips having childlike innocence and wonder. And the detailed explanations in the booklet are amazing. Love the chart with the wheel of self reflective awareness. Never saw something like this. And the mantra is so beautiful! Hope it will accompany us through the whole course. I initially hesitated to take part in the workshop because I hardly have time on Saturday evenings. But now I am so happy to participate. What a wonderful opportunity to go through the book with your guidance.”
“Focusing awareness on my breath and body has led me to the experience of the inner breath that comes when the inhale and exhale are simultaneous, that is my new definition of repose.”
“Sped up awareness on the mala beads is like a shot of espresso for my practice.”
“Just saw the recording of the first hour of this week’s class which was the guided meditation. Something happened from just the recording of joining in the meditation. Not sure the mechanics, but I was more kinder this morning and as I was sitting on the couch I heard soft voice of love caress my heart and went to sit to commune with that love.”
Week 3 (Mar. 23): Embodying the Body (class duration: 4 hours)
- What is sacred repose in more detail. What are the levels of sacred repose.
- Principles of sacred repose - part 1.
- Settling into the body as the container for ascending the levels of repose.
- How to anchor in the body and freeing the body from tension practice.
“Most of these practices are not new for me but I'm benefiting enormously by immersing in them with you. Keeping my awareness inside my body (the hollow body meditation) is very good for me. Thank you for your generous, insightful teaching and for your enthusiasm. You're a GREAT teacher.”
“Dear Shambhu, thank you for yet another incredible as well as FUN class! Beside your exquisite meditations, it was so amazing to hear the voice of Swami Lakshmanjoo, and I can’t wait to try your ‘Figure-8’ exercises! Practicing them in class was quite liberating and made me feel like I was learning hula dancing movements! Mahalo!”
Week 4 (Mar. 30): Reposing in Objectivity, prameyaviśrānti (class duration; 3.3 hours)
- The nature of objectivity.
- Filling the world of objectivity with one’s own awareness.
- How to repose in an object? Base of the spine.
- Principles of sacred repose - part 2.
“I am enjoying bringing the sound of running water, as object, into the base of the spine and letting it pervade the interior, and then releasing it back out. Ahhhhh. Thank you for sharing the teachings. 🙏”
“I'm experiencing with the objectivity practice somehow going back to the beginnings - memories of being a fetus---the first experience of objective sound, and vibration. Interesting because the lecture you cited above regarding the holographic theory -- sound, light and vibration from 2-D to 3-D, makes me think of human development from 2D DNA to cell union, and expansion into human manifest life.”
“Enjoying reading Sacred Repose this morning ... it's rich. Yesterday we had a blissfully gorgeous day in NYC. These practices heighten your senses ... no mantra repetition needed. Experienced the sensory experiences of Spring deeply - the earthy smell in the air, warm sun and gentle breeze on my skin, trees and flowers blossoming, the bright light of the sun ... a gentle state of bliss and awareness. In this tradition the senses are likened to goddesses, deities, that bring nectar/ bliss back to the core of Self. I love seeing the senses that way.”
Week 5 (Apr. 6): Reposing in the Mind/Thoughts, cittaviśrānti (class duration: 3 hours)
-The nature of mind and thoughts.
- Filling our mind and thoughts with one’s own awareness.
- How to repose in the mind and thoughts? Navel cakra.
“Stellar class Shambhu. Thank you!”
“Thank you again, Shambhu and kula, digesting so much —feeling a little fear come up. Some pain too. Trying to offer it up — svāha!”
“Thank you, Thank you,Thank you Shambhuji, for the new deep meditations, the new practices, so that we can grow even deeper!”
“I do a Christian meditation practice that considers the root, sacral and navel chakras collectively as the womb space. So this meditation gave me permission to bring my awareness to this sacred womb space which is the womb of the Goddess in which we live and move and have our being. Like floating in the ocean at Lydgate Park on Kauai. We had a 3.4 earthquake during the meditation. So my new definition of repose is resting in the womb of the Goddess. Thank you Shambhu.”
Week 6 (Apr. 13): Reposing in the Heart, nijānandaviśrānti / hṛdayaviśrānti (class duration: 2.75 hours)
- Reposing in the heart. Finding the bliss of the heart and abiding there.
- Lifting and purifying all limited energies into the heart, cakra by cakra, bindu by bindu, unclogging the psychic knots (granthis).
- Understanding, finding, and abiding in the four layers of the heart.
“An amazing class. My heart is full.”
“How to say the unspeakable, it only occurs to me to say thank you, thank you Shambhu for pointing so clearly, directly and experimentally to the incomprehensible contemplating itself.”
“What I find is the pointing out directions seems to be like recovering an old map, somehow unearthed, and already recognized, a familiar path that was lost and then found again, thanks to gentle guidance by Shambhu regarding the patterns of how She shows up. What makes sense in my body, and what Shambhuji knows, is that moving from the gross/outer physical realm into to the bindu in a consistent, yet ever surprising way, is the path of remembering Shakti, remembering what we are.”
Week 7 (Apr. 20): Reposing in the Bindu, binduviśrānti (class duration: 2.5 hours)
- Reposing in the eyebrow bindu. Finding the stillness in the bindu beyond individuality.
- The practice of piercing the bindu.
- Three bindus practice.
“7 weeks ago I had a vague understanding of numerous concepts regarding consciousness and spirituality. Now these concepts are not only becoming clear, they are becoming real. This class closes the gap between ignorance and knowledge and culminates in personal experience. I’m grateful to find the teacher, the book, and the class on my path and wish it all to do the same for you as it does for me.”
“Acharya Shambhu’s course is a powerful, embodied approach that helps us realize the nature of our true being. I had a long cry during the last guided meditation of the three bindus as I was overcome by the deepest desire to dissolve and relinquish everything that seemingly still stood in the way of Love.”
“One thing that was really surprising to me working with the heart chakra last week, and even with this week’s practice on reposing in the bindu, was that it wasn't about acceptance (what I thought it would be/what my expectation was) interestingly, it was about discernment. It was about clear seeing of what I am, and what I'm not. I'm letting what I'm not go. It made me fully understand that idea of "when you love something, you want it to be free". And similarly, if I love myself, I want myself to be free. Wow!!! These practices shock me with their honesty.”
Week 8 (Apr. 27): Reposing in I AM, ahantāviśrānti (class duration: 2 hours)
- Reposing in the center of the head. Expansion of consciousness into the space of the head.
- The practice of centering in the center of the head, into the vajra channel.
“Yet another powerful class! The techniques of meditation, visualization and the use of mantra powerfully complement each other removing the stagnant/tamasic elements from the energy body. What is then left is pure, unbridled being — reposing in itself, the source of limitless joy and love. I AM.”
“This class continues to deepen my understanding and experiential practice of our inner sacred sanctuary within the central channel. Each class has a wonderful sense of placement and architecture. It reminds me somehow of St. Theresa of Avila’s use of the words ‘the interior castle’ in the way that I feel a beautiful sense of my inner sanctuary unfolding into I AM.
Shambhu’s knowledge and heart and presence touches me deeply. His ability to communicate complex teachings simply and share so naturally is so uplifting, life-giving and life affirming …. with a natural sense of how learning and growing is often ‘a messy affair’ at times and to continue on the path as it purifies and cleanses and heals our souls and not to give up! I also cherish how he continues to teach us to believe in ourselves and our spiritual journey in communion with the Divine and to honor each person's unique experiences as well as we continue to grow and learn together.”
Week 9 (May 4): Reposing in the Energy of Bliss, ānandaśaktiviśrānti (class duration: 2.5 hours)
- Reposing in the crown. Expansion of consciousness into the crown.
- The practice of centering in the crown, into the citrini channel.
“Great blissful class today, Shambhu, thank you!”
“At one point I felt I was no longer limiting God with my negative thoughts. I set God free … lol.”
“I love this workshop and am thoroughly enjoying class 9. Listened to the conversation a couple of times. Great comments/questions, Heidi, Joe, and everyone, and even better, quite deep answers, Shambhu.
The question you asked at the beginning of class is a GREAT question that deserves reflection: what takes you out of the state of subjectivity - I AM? Drama. I want to be more aware of that and not hop on the drama train.
About to practice… agree with Juan: these meditations have been really good. Just felt the impulse to thank you 🙏 all. Love.”
Week 10 (May 11): Reposing in the Energy of Freedom, svātantryaviśrānti (class duration: 2.75 hours)
- Reposing in divine will above the crown. Expansion of consciousness above the crown by holding the fullness of nothingness and unexpressed infinite potentiality simultaneously.
- The practices of finding freedom in any place and any time through inquiry and holding contradictions simultaneously.
“A liberating experience in today’s class.”
“That was a GREAT class, thank you.”
“In ‘Am I free?’ meditation, what immediately came up was, NO. But that gave way to the realization that it's not about the physical situation ... it's an inside job ... about expanding, which I can do in a meditation, in a moment. It is the expansion you mentioned which creates the freedom, which is great! I do already have a completely different orientation/perspective on the situation I was contracted about the past few days.”
“LOVED all the meditations ... it was a very grace-filled class. Thank you for reminding me of my freedom, the svātantrya at the heart of Kashmir Śaivism. Yes; that's foundational. How could I forget?”
“I've been reposing in the friction of two contradictory ideas since Saturday, feeling that friction moving over and through me in so many ways, I'm beginning to wonder/see if all manifest reality is The Great Lovemaking. This is what is arising. It's tremulous and alive.”
“Did the freedom meditation again this morning. I experienced yesterday's class, those meditations, as very freeing - a lightness of being as I moved out of contraction and into more freedom/bliss. Like probably everyone in your class, I've had amazing experiences of expansion but I can still walk around in contracted states. I had the realization yesterday that when people around me contract, I don't have to contract with them ... I have to have the presence to get out of it. It does not mean denying feelings and it certainly doesn't mean allowing people to get away with bad behavior... skillful action is more likely to emerge from a more expanded state than a contracted, reactive one. Of course. Regarding contractions, Carlos Pomeda passed on this from tantra: the same ground that causes you to fall, helps you get up, i.e. use the contraction too, as a springboard (or reminder) to get back into expansion. The Freedom In and Of Stillness practice you teach also incorporates this. Thanks again. I needed that class. I admire how deep your practice is. I really appreciate what you offer here.”
Week 11 (May 18): Reposing in the Self, ātmsaviśrānti (class duration: 2.5 hours)
- Reposing in the Self, in consciousness, at the upper-end-of-the-12.
- There is only one knower reposing in bliss and freedom.
“Individually and collectively, we experienced deep states of repose during Shambhu’s very skillful guided meditation through the subtle body. One participant described surrendering to deeper layers of being; another reported spontaneously hearing OM. Others described different nuances of expansion including the kinesthetic experience of feeling bigger.
Kristin and Shambu’s beautiful devotional chant brought us deep into our heart space where one participant reported experiencing a kriya, a purificatory clearing out of her heart and throat cakras.
In sum, we experienced in a variety of ways, the fruit of our deep practice over the past 11 weeks – the being, consciousness, bliss that is our truest Self and the svātantrya, the freedom at the core of our being.
We also enjoyed a conversation about how to remain in our center 24/7. Skillful practice ideas included listening to ‘the 3 blisses meditation’ (or any favorite meditation from this workshop) while walking around and going about our day.
We look forward to the twelfth and final class and to re-immersing in these sacred practices of repose over and over again. This roadmap of repose Shambhu lovingly highlights for us ultimately leads to a very rich and deep dive into the bliss and freedom of the Self.”
“A fundamental calling in life is reconciling people to the truth. I humbly bow to the gift of these teachings on sacred repose and the consequent understanding and inner healing I continue to experience as we grow and learn together with our teacher Shambhu.”
Week 12 (May 25): Infusing Transcendence into Immanence
- The merger of transcendence and immanence.
- Consciously bringing down transcendence down through the energy centers all the way into the cells of the body.
- Merging transcendence and immanence in everyday life.
“In this last class of the workshop, we've come full circle. Having ascended through the various levels of repose, we bring that expanded awareness and stillness down to every other layer it pervades, and realize that in fact, *everything reposes in repose*, it's woven in every level, every breath. There is nowhere it can't be found, even in restlessness. I appreciated today's practices of integrating and mirroring transcendence and immanence and also loved to see the profound impact this workshop had on my fellow and more experienced practitioners through the final round of shares and, throughout this workshop, how approachably and relatably Shambhu brings together these teachings, seamlessly distills them into impactful insights and practices and shares everything from a place of open-heartedness, devotion, enthusiasm and wonder.”
“I feel more grounded and integrated. I am still finding my language and this class on integrating transcendence and immanence continues to reverberate within me. Even the sense of the ‘bells’ coming from above and below. There are qualities of the reflection of as above so below I’ve never considered or felt until now. It has so much beauty of soul and life… Thank you Shambhu and everyone from deep in my heart for the gift of this time together.”
“After yesterday's class, I went out into the garden to pick strawberries, and I found a berry, each seed had a sprout growing outwards from the sweet berry, the Bindu Seed center was actually growing life from within itself, and this had me going deeper today into the mantra we received AHAM/MAHA, knowing/seeing that those points are the source of life itself, and this is not something theoretic or figurative - as this strawberry tells us, the Seed is the Source. All these insights and growth would not be happening without our dear Teacher and this precious Kula. Thank you, I take refuge here.”
“A million thanks, dear Shambhu, for steering us on the deep blue waters of consciousness in the Ocean Liner of Sacred Repose, around beautiful inlets and portals, as we practiced anchoring in the blissful freedom of that Ocean that we each carry within.”
PRICING
The recorded workshop is available for purchase for $400 USD ($300 USD scholarship level). Payment plans available.
Please email me at shambhu.heartofc@gmail.com if interested.