January 29- July 1, 2012   (Enrollment is closed)

Sunday and Tuesday evenings, San Francisco, CA

Christopher (Hareesh) Wallis offers a 150 hour Immersion into Tantrik philosophy and practice, based on Kshemarāja’s 11th century Sanskrit text The Heart of Recognition, weekly for six months with a 4 day closing retreat.

This is more than a course: it is a complete immersion, a total process, a well-rounded spiritual and educational experience designed to bring about a permanent shift.

“Having been a spiritual seeker for 40 years, this course is quite simply the best thing I have ever done. It fed me on every level: intellect, heart, soul and body-mind… Do yourself a favor and sign up!” ~Michelle, FoT Graduate

About the Immersion:

This immersion is a unique opportunity to gain a thorough grounding in the Tantrik View teachings that are traditionally understood to be a prerequisite to successful practice. We will gather in community with a much greater frequency than typical Yoga Immersions to go deep into the most sublime teachings of great masters in an environment extremely nurturing to your practice. You will be presented with numerous Yogic techniques and practices to incorporate into a new daily routine that create the foundation for awakening.

The purpose of immersion is to provide all the tools necessary to achieve abiding first-level awakening (ānava-samāvesha). The result yielded by the process is entirely dependent on the student’s ability to adhere to a regular schedule of practice.

The format includes meditations, mantra, readings, recordings, writing assignments, and an in-depth exploration of one of the greatest Tantrik scriptures, the 20-sūtra Heart of Recognition, offered here in totality as translated by Hareesh (MA, MPhil). Monthly 3 hour workshops that focus on practice occur in addition to the textual study. Monthly one on one check ins with Hareesh facilitate personal growth.

Furthermore, each class will be preceded by a special yogic meal of delicious, prana- infused food prepared by Shri Cuisine and a meditation section.

A Certificate of Completion is Awarded in Yoga Philosophy and practice which can be used to register for CEU with Yoga Alliance and other registries.

Fire of Transformation Kula on retreat after completing the 6 month program. July 17, 2011 Tara Bella Villa in Glen Ellen, CA. Positively glowing!

Tuition & Costs

$1850

• Dinners $15 per amazing meal or $395 for the entire optional Dining package (saves 10%)
  
• Small added cost for minimal supplies and reading materials
• Partial Work trade scholarships available for those of limited means, Payment plan option.

This is for students who are ready to take their practice to the next level, committing to a daily routine of practice with frequent and regular Kula gatherings to bring about a real transformation.

“This may be the hardest thing you ever do.  It may also be the most rewarding thing you can do.” ~Fredo, 2011 FOT Graduate, San Francisco

For those who are looking to explore these teachings with less commitment, please see Heart of Recognition Series,  a subset of the FOT Immersion.

Dates:

• January 29, 31
• February 5, 12, 19, 26, 28
• March 4, 11, 18, 27
• April 1*, 5*, 8*, 15, 17, 29
  
• May 1, 13, 15, 27, 29
• June 3, 5, 17, 24, 26
• Jul 1
• Retreat July 5-8   Thursday- Sunday

[] Bold: Practice Workshops  [] Red: Tuesdays  [] Regular Font: Textual Study  [] Blue: A Thursday

All dates listed include class from 7-930p. All classes are Sundays and Tuesdays except April 5*. Sunday Workshops are 3-530p followed by normal Textual Study 7-930p, Tuesday workshops are 7-930p practice study only. Dinners served prior to all classes 6-7p by RSVP only. All classes are in San Francisco, CA. Retreat in Sonoma County, CA.

*Urban Retreat (Deep practice period within your daily life)

No more than 4 absences allowed. Closing Retreat and first class Mandatory. All absences recoverable through recordings.

Watch Hareesh’s Interview with Ginger Coy regarding the Immersion:

Check out the Article at Bay Shakti.com- written by Hareesh

“…almost every single person in The Fire of Transformation immersion testified that it was a life-changing experience. Nothing could possibly exemplify the significance of transmission vs. teaching better than the 25 glowing faces I had the blessing to witness at our closing retreat….”

To Apply: (No Longer Accepting Applications)

In a succinct, open and authentic voice explain:

• Why do you want to take the Fire of Transformation Immersion?
• What do you hope to receive from taking it?
• How will your presence contribute to the community?
• Describe briefly your *current* practice.
• Anything else in particular we should consider in your application?
• If you are also applying for a scholarship, please include the amount you will able to pay in installments from now until July 15, 2012 and what you feel you can lend to the community in trade. If you would like to sponsor a student, you can pledge any amount to the Scholarship fund.

Note that we expect to have more applicants than space available- be authentic and surrendered in your application and know we are the same in our consideration of it. The practice begins now with the trust that if it is right for you at this time, it will happen.

Email your application to Info[at]Mattamayura[dot]org

We will respond with a decision within 7 days.

RSVP on Facebook

More Praise for Fire of Transformation:

“Fire of Transformation is an opportunity to dive deeply into a Tantrik Sadhana as well as integrate the insights and openings of continuous practice into our urban lives and relationships. The format allows a digestion and integration of spiritual teachings over a year that unfolds more deeply than on a retreat or workshop away from daily life. Chris Wallis is the most available and caring teacher I have had the honor of working with and I feel deeply grateful to have a wise guide and friend. This immersion echos a feeling for the experience of being part of a Tantrik kula a thousand years ago, practicing deeply within a small community with direct guidance and support from a wise friend.”   ~Raia, 2011 FoT Immersion Graduate, Berkeley CA

“The Fire of Transformation is exactly as soul-wrackingly hard as confronting your more basic understandings about reality, about your mind, and about your identity.  It is the challenge of walking into the all consuming fire, and takes the courage to cast off everything.  And yet, at the same time, it is as easy as remembering who you really are, who you really always were.  It is as easy as being breathed, or as sighing.” ~Alfredo, 2011 FOT Immersion Graduate, San Francisco CA

“Having been a spiritual seeker for 40 years, this course is quite simply the best thing I have ever done. It fed me on every level: intellect, heart, soul and body-mind. Hareesh brings his brilliance, integrity, sincerity and kindness to everything he does. The text that is is based on is so beautiful, wise and poetic. Having the class span 6 months gave us time to let the teachings sink in and build a strong community. Do yourself a favor and sign up!” ~Michelle, 2011 FoT Immersion Graduate, Los Altos CA

 

Feel like more than what you are need right now? Check out the Heart of Recognition Series, 50 hours of low commitment inspiring textual study in the same nurturing environment.

FAQ: What is the difference between the Heart of Recognition Course and the Fire of Transformation Immersion?

The Immersion is an in-depth, high commitment yogic journey into the world of Tantra with the Heart of Recognition Text as its foundational touchstone. The Heart of Recognition course is a thorough journey through the text without obligation or instruction in the many practices outside of the textual study. The HOR course is a wonderful exploration of and introduction to the tradition of Shaiva Tantra whereas the Immersion is a complete daily curriculum designed to allow these tried and true practices to facilitate a permanent shift in the Yogin who commits. For those who simply want more exposure to the tradition and Hareesh’s teaching, to explore a profound text in community once per week- the HOR course is perfect. For those who feel called to go very deep into practice and plunge into the fire that burns away the falsely constructed self in the embrace of a tight knit community, the FOT is what you want! Note, that the Fire of Transformation is the Heart of Recognition course in full plus 100 more hours of practice, including a retreat. HOR students will enjoy dinner and study with the Immersioners and optional monthly Kula Potlucks.