summer solstice

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam

 

I'm thinking about taking my girls ages 6 and 10 to the summer solctice for the camp program. I am worried about the number of people in attendance and being able to keep an eye on my kids. Would love to hear from anyone who has brought their kids and how that went.

 

Blessings,

Annie

[Guest guest]

Tej,

 

Thanks for the encouragement to post these suggestions to the larger listserve

community, and I'll answer your additional questions at the end.

 

 

Solstice is one of my favorite events of the year. The meditation is so strong

there, lots of

amazing music and beautiful sound current.

 

This will be only my third year, so as a fellow newbie I would add the following

to the

other advice you've received:

 

Bring a warm jacket that you can wear to meditate in for sadhana. We're at 7000

ft and it's

cold in the morning. I bring my down jacket and sleeping bag to the Tantric

Shelter for

early morning sadhana. Sometimes I get warm and don't use all of this, but

having layers

and the option of warm clothing is good.

 

Bring three sets of nice white clothes for each of the Tantric Yoga days. The

rest of the

time, it's up to you. It's very dusty, and your whites will get dirty. You might

want to

consider bringing a colored pair of pants and t-shirt for sadhana or for the

seva duties

(like if you are working on veggies, or recycling, or....).

 

It's usually hot during the day and the sun is strong, because we're so high. I

like bringing

a wide-brimmed hat and sun screen. Light, short-sleeved clothing has been good

for me

for Tantric Yoga days, because its warm.

 

Bring a rain jacket, poncho or garbage bag that you can wear on the last day of

Tantric, for

when it always rains and we do the last exercise (blind group walking). People

usually

change clothes for this, because you get dirty walking.

 

Tennis shoes are good (closed shoes). The climate is so dry here that some

people's feet

dry out fast. Heels crack. If you have a closed toe shoe, it's better. Plus

you're on dirt a lot,

so sandals aren't too nice. (They'll get a little chewed up and your toes get

dirty.) I like

wearing mules, because the back is open and it lets some air in but the toes are

closed.

 

Related to dry, if you can bring almond oil or a small container of shea butter,

I find that's

good inside the nostrils. People visiting this climate often find the membranes

in their

nostrils dry out and they get nosebleeds. Oil or cream help. Don't scrimp on oil

or lotion

or lip balm.

 

If you find you don't have lots of room for a big towel, you might want to

consider

bringing a sarong. The cotton is usually so thin and you could wear it when it's

dry

(double-duty). Also, they make those really small, super wicking towels that

might be

useful.

 

To me, the cold showers are not very cold. More like cool. I think the water is

stored in

large cisterns that are warmed by the sun. It's very manageable, even if you

rarely take

cold showers.

 

Also, recognize that the things you do at Solstice may be different than what

you'd do in

your daily life, but they are perfect for the Solstice experience. The first

year at least, try to

follow all the guidelines as much as you can. Trust that Yogi Bhajan knew what

he was

doing when he designed the menu, the cold shower regime, etc. For instance,

people who

are not vegetarians may find that the vegetarian diet served at Solstice is

exactly right. It

does support the nervous and immune systems. (I love it.) My only recommendation

related to this is to eat and drink plentifully, especially on Tantric Days. As

a former

competitive athlete, I can say that Tantric days feels similar to an athletic

event--you're

pushing yourself and you need nourishment. Avail yourself to whatever is being

offered.

Drink the electrolyte drink. Stay hydrated. Eat the watermelon with pepper.

Maybe consider

bringing the Emergen-C brand of electrolyte-only powder (comes in a green

wrapper). If

you need additional or different foods and drinks than what is offered, they

sell a variety

of things in the Bazaar (cold fresh coconuts at Deva's booth or buttered popcorn

with

Brewer's Yeast seem to taste particularly good!) Finally get in line early for

" Golden Milk "

on Tantric Days, because sometimes they run out and it really does help your

body after a

long day of sitting.

 

I only seem to sleep a few hours at solstice, but I feel great. The energy is

very high and

the water is very healing. (You'll notice people's eyes seem especially clear

and filled with

light after a while.) I let myself sleep whenever I feel the need. I do let

myself sleep in

sadhana, if I feel I need it. And I have some of the deepest, most restful sleep

that way,

even if it's only 30 minutes!

 

Many people in the Bazaar take credit cards or checks. Bring some cash.

 

I have found that, when I first get to solstice, I might feel awkward and my

negative mind

is active, but as the week goes on, everything seems pretty perfect, beautiful

and

euphoric. In reality, the only thing that is really changing is me. When my

energy changes,

so does my perception. Be patient and neutral and kind through the whole

process.

 

About your fear of traveling alone, set your intentions now about the kind of

experience

you want to have. If you want a mentor, set that intention. If you want to make

friends

early, set that intention. Use the experience of stepping out of your comfort

zone to

develop spiritually. After all, that's what Solstice is all about--our spiritual

evolution.

Serving your soul and serving the planet by being part of such a healing,

prayerful

experience.

 

Personal favorites: serving in any way possible. I love being in the Gurdwara.

All are

welcome, and the sound current is especially powerful. You can even sign up to

be part of

the Akhand Path, which is the 72-hour-straight reading of the Siri Guru Granth

Sahib. I

love sadhana with 1000 people and live music. Wow. I love the final night of

music. I can't

recall the name of this tradition, but you won't be able to miss it. Musician

and singers

play one after the other, all night, and it's sublime. The first year I

volunteered to wash

people's feet as they entered the Shelter, and I thought I was in heaven. You

are serving,

and you are right near the musicians. People come and sleep head-to-toe and fill

the

entire Tantric shelter. These are my favorite things, but you will undoubtedly

find your

own way, your own favorite moments and experiences.

 

Hope this helps. I love this event. If you want to connect at Solstice, you can

locate me via

Guru Bachan Kaur's booth. She sells healing malas and jewelry. Leave word with

her and

we'll find a meeting place and time.

 

Blessings,

 

Gurujot K

Santa Fe

[Guest guest]

SAT NAM , I reserved a car in the Albuqueque airport as I arrive on june 14th at 10p.m ! If anyone wants to drive with me, please contact me . This is my first time at solstice but I trust the drive won't be that hard . I drove around the united states a couple of times in my days of being a young immigrant in this country. the freeways are real good in america! So let yourselves be known so we can meet at the budget counter.. JIWAN JOT

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[Guest guest]

Greetings community!

 

I am seeking any guidance on preparing myself for the Summer Solstice

Celebration in

New Mexico. I am new to Kundalini Yoga, but have been teaching and practicing

hatha

yoga and meditation for some years now. Any sugestions to prepare in the next

two

weeks, or words of wisdom on what to bring, expect, etc. Thanks so much!

Sat Nam!

Robin