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Welcome!
In the corner of our space is a large braided Fichus, a fig tree, we fondly call the Tree of Life. It has witnessed many seasons since our opening in 1996 as the Tree of Life Yoga Studio. As a yoga studio, we grew to serve many students and became the home and training ground for many aspiring teachers who would go on to share their gifts. In addition, in 2001, The Gifts of Grace foundation was founded to offer volunteerism to our community. Through the foundation, we offered many services including the making of over 300 quilts delivered to the Nashua District Office of the Division of Children, Youth and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services for distribution to local area foster care children.
In 2005, shortly after my ordination, I wanted to expand our mission to include a concentration on spiritual studies courses. For many years, I had facilitated a study of the Bhagavad Gita from which my book, An Ordinary Life Transformed: Lessons for Everyone from the Bhagavad Gita, emerged. I was ready to include additional courses. To reflect the expanded mission, we became the Tree of Life School for Sacred Living, LLC, in 2006. Since that time, we've added Living Our Purpose: The Heart of Spiritual Practice, the Sanskrit Mantra course and a study of the Lord's Prayer and Beatitudes in Aramaic.
In 2009, The Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary was created as a natural outgrowth from the study and curriculum of the various spiritual studies courses. The mission of the seminary is to provide a new vision of ministry for the coming age and to offer a systematic methodology through which participants may realize, cultivate and offer their unique divine gifts in service to the greater good.
Welcome to The Tree of Life School for Sacred Living!
Rev. Stephanie Rutt, Director
Weekly Class Schedule at a Glance
(If a class is not included here, it is included on its own page -- see the list on left.)
Tuesdays
Movement Into Peace: The Voice Inside
Taught by John Silva
5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 14 - Dec. 7th
(No Class Nov. 23rd)
$144.00 (12 Weeks)
Wednesdays
Kundalini Yoga
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sept. 15th - Dec. 8th
(No Class Nov. 24th)
$162.00 (12 Weeks)
Kundalini Yoga
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 15th - Dec. 8th
(No Class Nov. 24th)
$162.00 (12 Weeks)
Thursdays
Kundalini Yoga
5:15 - 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 16th - Dec. 9th
(No Class Nov. 25th)
$162.00 (12 Weeks)
Yoga Class Description
Movement Into Peace: The Voice Insider
"Come. Come to the edge", it said. "Come and jump; fly and set your spirit free. For I want only your happiness." "Come. Come to the edge", it said. "Hold my hand, so that we may jump together. I need to know that you are with me." And so they did and let their spirits dance among the stars. Inspired by the poem by Guillaume Apollinaire
Have you ever been inspired to make that jump? Would you from a place of comfort, support, and surrender? Come and be moved as we combine traditional Kripalu Yoga and free movement, so as to awaken the yoga within each of us. We will work toward empowering the spirit in our yoga practice, through mindful and meditative postures, vinyasas, and movement, as we create our own yoga, singly and together. Your Downward Dog may never look the same again. Our class will be appropriate for all levels of experience. *
Kundalini Yoga
This class invites you into the beauty and power of Kundalini yoga. Through the practice, the central nervous system is strengthened and the mind is honed as the heart opens and the soul rejoices. Welcome Home. The experience includes kriyas (exercises), pranayama (breathwork) and mantras (chants) to address the deep pockets of our common humanity. And, along the way, courage is cultivated to transform those very challenges into rich compost for a more beautiful life. Appropriate for all levels from beginner to those more experienced.
* Instructor: John Silva has been practicing Kripalu yoga for fourteen years and teaching for the last two. He is a graduate of the Kripalu Yoga 200-Hour Certification Program and is the sole proprietor of Dharma Found Yoga.
The Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes in Aramaic
Can you imagine touching the heart of Jesus, falling into the love of the One heart, opening into the ever deepening realization that we truly do live in the heart of God? This course invites you into just such an experience. We will enter into the sound vibration of the Aramaic language, where opportunities arise for expanded awareness of just what Jesus meant when he taught his followers to pray the Lord's Prayer and when he offered the deep teachings of the Beatitudes. The chanting of the words of Jesus invites us into the direct experience of the consciousness of Christ. We discover within what has long been held without, a kind of Heaven on earth, as close as our breath and as dear as our heartbeat.
This 34-week course is being offered for the second time this year. It is with deep gratitude that I acknowledge the work of Neil Douglas-Klotz in Original Prayer: Teachings and Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus and his Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus which originally inspired the creation of this course. This year?s study will also include the work of Rocco A. Errico, Setting a Trap for God: The Aramaic Prayer of Jesus. And finally, to provide a contextual framework for the Beatitudes, we will study the Sermon on the Mount using the King James Version of the Holy Bible and the Life Application Study Bible: New International Version.
Class time will be spent exploring scripture, chanting in Aramaic, as well as engaging in breath, mantra and dance-movement meditations.
Specific requirements include commitment to:
Reading-study of class handouts provided at least one week in advance
Journaling-reflecting upon study questions-exercises — a part of each class is set aside for the sharing of your personal reflections
Chanting the Aramaic sections learned each week in a daily spiritual practice and/or as part of a class-group spiritual practice and also to keep a journal of your experience
Keeping regular attendance — your presence is very important to the group! Missing more than 25% of the classes (more than 8) greatly impairs the integration of material and begins to impact group dynamics. Please be sure that you are ready to commit the time to yourself, the study and to the group.
Creating a spiritual project of your own design — this may reflect any aspect of the course: the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount or the Gnostic Gospels. Participants will share their projects the last few weeks of the course.
Program details:
68 hours over 34 weeks; Thursday evenings 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
September 16th - June 2nd (No Class November 25th, December 16th, 23rd, 30th) . Classes cancelled for inclement weather are made up as necessary.
Course Fee: $695 — Payment plans are available. The number of group participants will be limited to 12. A $50 deposit is required to hold your space.
Sanskrit Mantra Workshop
Imagine you could travel back to the beginning to experience the building block vibrations of the universe itself in all its physical and non-physical dimensions. Thomas Ashley-Farrand, in his Teacher of Mantra Certification Program, writes that Swami Prakashananda Saraswati in his book, The True Religion and History of India, clearly states that Sanskrit existed from the very beginning of the cosmos. This idea is also found in the ancient Hindu scripture, the Rig Veda.
Thousands of years ago in the Indus Valley in northern India, the early sound vibrations were received by the "seers" or rishis. They continue to speak to us today of the universe, our place in the cosmos, the nature of consciousness and of something called The Self or Purusha. Those of you who have studied the Bhagavad Gita will recognize this term and recall Krishna's reminder that deep in the heart of all is the light of all lights forever beyond darkness. In this course, you are invited in the direct experience of this sweet remembrance held in our collective psyche-unconscious since the beginning of time. In doing so, we experience that we truly are the treasure we seek and that we are the answer to our prayer.
Much of the information for this course comes, with my deep gratitude, from the work of Thomas Ashley-Farrand. Other sources include the work of Swami Satchidananda, George Feuerstein, Sri Chinmoy and S. Radhakrishnan. As the Sikhs also use a form of Sanskrit known as Gurmukhi, mantras and information from the teachings of Yogi Bhajan are also included. Finally, I have drawn upon and expanded the work initially included in my Mantra Prayer Workshop relating to spiritual practice, how to create prayerful intention and how to attract and manifest particular outcomes using both deductive and inductive processes.
Class time will be spent chanting specific mantra practices and also use a variety of breath, movement and dance meditations-exercises to embody the sound currents. Specific information covered in this course includes, but is not limited to:
Origins of Sanskrit mantra
How mantras work with types of karma, the planets and therapeutic systems
A discussion of spiritual laws governing the universe
How to create spiritual practice using mantra discipline
Power of the masculine trinity
~ Brahma — mantras to reveal the mysteries of creation
~ Vishnu — mantras to understand spiritual and earthly cycles and evolution (as avatars of Vishnu we also learn important mantras of Rama for healing and Krishna for spiritual energy)
~ Shiva — mantras to transform or transmute life's metal into gold
Power of the feminine trinity
~ Saraswati — mantras to reveal hidden wisdom and create divine speech
~ Lakshmi — mantras to attract abundance in a variety of forms
~ Durga/Chamundi — mantras for protection and courage
How the planets govern our bodily karma and relate to specific bodily parts
The 12 Sun Mantras
The Great Gayatri — mother of all mantras — and additional Gayatri mantra forms to focus in specific directions for particular outcomes
Numerous mantras for daily living applications — below is just a sampling of areas:
~ Health issues
~ Addictive behaviors
~ Managing difficult emotion and mental health issues
~ Relationship issues
Specific requirements include commitment to:
Reading-study of class handouts provided at least one week in advance
Journaling-reflecting upon study questions-exercises — a part of each class is set aside for the sharing of your personal reflections
Chanting the Sanskrit mantras of your choice in a daily spiritual practice, and/or as part of a class-group spiritual practice, and also to keep a journal of your experience
Keeping regular attendance — your presence is very important to the group! Missing more than 25% of the classes (more than 8) greatly impairs the integration of material and begins to impact group dynamics. Please be sure that you are ready to commit the time to yourself, the study and to the group.
Creating a spiritual project of your own design — this may reflect any aspect of the course: information on the historical or theoretical aspects, spiritual practice, mantras in general or your specific experience with certain mantras. Each participant will share their project the last few weeks of the course.
Program details:
68 hours over 34 weeks; Tuesday evenings 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
September 14th - May 31st (No Class November 23th, December 14th, 21rd, 28th) . Classes cancelled for inclement weather are made up as necessary.
Course Fee: $695 — Payment plans are available. The number of group participants will be limited to 12. A $50 deposit is required to hold your space.
Spiritual mentoring sessions offer a blend of western behavioral science principles and eastern mysticism. Psychological thinking and behavioral patterns are explored within the context of the spiritual journey. Clients are asked to take an active role in the process and are often offered breathing exercises, meditation practices, journaling exercising, etc., to use in further exploration between sessions. Spiritual mentoring is different from traditional mental health counseling in that the client's psychological journey is seen as the doorway through which the spiritual journey may be realized. The goal is not treatment but rather enhanced awareness. The intention is not so much to fix something as it is to offer tools through which the client may transform unwanted life patterns into more harmonious ones.
The fee for each session is based on a sliding scale. To schedule an appointment, please call or e-mail Rev. Stephanie Rutt at 603-546-2320 or stephanier@treeoflifenh.com.
Introduction to Mantra - Sacred Words of Power
Thomas Ashley-Farrand - a.k.a.Namadeva - will lead us this day, sharing an introduction to the power of mantra as well as some of the moving experiences that he has had with spiritually advanced beings and the lessons that he learned from each encounter. Namadeva has been a Hindu Vedic Priest for over 30 years and is the creator of the Teacher of Mantra Certification Course. He is the author of several books and audio programs, including The Ancient Science of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony, the most comprehensive book on transliterated Sanskrit mantra in the English language. Namadeva regularly leads retreats and workshops throughout the US, Canada and London. We are thrilled to have him join us in our sacred space.
Thomas Ashley-Farrand
Wednesday, March 31, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
The Tree of LIfe School for Sacred Living, Amherst, NH
$35
Introduction to Meditation Practices
What are we doing when we meditate? How do we choose a form of meditation that resonates with our temperament and individual needs? In this workshop we will explore the how-to and purpose inherent to all meditation forms. In addition, we will practice together traditional sitting meditation, Sanskrit and Arabic mantra practices as well as Sufi walking and movement meditations. Come and sample the many ways there are to kneel and kiss the ground!
Stephanie Rutt
Saturday, April 10, 12:00-5:00 p.m.
The Women's Well, Concord, MA
$50 early/$60 regular
Introduction To The Bhagavad Gita
Using the book An Ordinary Life Transformed: Lessons for Everyone from the Bhagavad Gita By Rev. Stephanie Rutt, we?ll explore how this spiritual allegory transforms each ordinary life into something extraordinary.
This workshop will introduce and explore:
How the symbolism of this "Song of God" is our daily walk
The path of action manifesting our unique purpose
The path of devotion: living in the heart of God
The path of wisdom: becoming extraordinarily human
Contact www.livingyoganh.com for registration.
Stephanie Rutt
Sunday, October 10, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Living Yoga, Concord, NH
$40 Workshop fee
The Dances of Universal Peace are simple circle dances which originate from and celebrate many of the world's faith traditions. They are a kind of body prayer, joyful and sweet. They invite us to step light as we journey deep. Absolutely no dance experience necessary! Come and join hands in the community of others on the road to peace.
2009-2010 Dates
Dance of Changing Colors
Friday, September 25th, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Join the circle, hand in hand, as we move with the September equinox - Celebrating Change!
Dance of Gratitude
Friday, November 6th, 7:00 - 9:00pm
*Special guests Radha Buko and Alima Ross of the Vermont Institute of Joy and Movement.* Radha and Alima will lead our circle into the heartbeat and sound of the Aramaic Lord's Prayer. Begin your holiday season by stepping into gratitude - the heart of Divine Grace.
Dance of the Kiln
Friday, January 22nd, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Come polish your inner treasure in the kiln of Grace.
Dance of New Beginnings
Friday, March 19th, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Step into the sweet remembrance of spring... the mountains are dancing, are dancing [ee cummings]
Can you hear them?
Dance of Joy
Friday, May 21st, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Celebrate the joy of flowers... budding and blossoming in our hearts!
Free and open to the public. Optional donation amount of your choice.
All proceeds donated to the Smile Train... so every child may smile!
Sound & Drum Circle ~ The Sound Gathering™
Join us in a harmonious exploration of drumming, sound and improvised music to bring relaxation, increased health, concentration, fun and balance into our busy lives. Explore the use of percussion instruments, toning, chanting, crystal singing bowls, chimes and technology, in a fun, relaxed environment. This is not a singing or music class, so no previous experience is necessary. Some drums are provided but please do bring your own if you have one. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Come prepared to have fun! Allow sound to guide you!
We meet on the third Monday of each month: 7:00 - 9:00pm. $15 Donation per person, $25 per couple and children 12 and under are free!
Upcoming dates are:
March 15th
April 19th
May 17th
June 21st
Facilitator: Eduardo Martinez of EM Media Ventures, LLC.
Eduardo is a certified T'ai Chi Chih instructor. He has been practicing and teaching for the past 15 years. With an extensive background in martial arts and Chi Kung, he currently focuses on teaching the slow, meditative and health-promoting movements of T'ai Chi and combining those with toning and chanting. Eduardo holds a B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering with post-graduate studies in the fields of artificial intelligence, psychology, and counseling. Besides creating music and collaborating with others in his recording studio, he leads sound and drum circles in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
A note from Eduardo:
"I create soundscapes, music and art for relaxation, personal growth and entertainment. There exists inside each of us a place of complete harmony and beauty. It is in this place that we stand in complete balance. My music and artwork are my contributions to help us reach that place more often. Music has always been my main focus in life. Creating it, listening to it, sharing it with others, savoring it. I feel blessed in being able to share sounds and notes that once were just thoughts in and feelings in my mind and heart."
For further information, contact Eduardo Martinez at www.EduardoMartinez.com, 415-508-6848.
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