Newsletter March - April 2010


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In this issue	Newsletter March - April 2010

Essene Newsletter

More than 2100 years ago, in a region we call today the Middle East, a handful of people came together and decided to form a community. They lived in the Qumran Caves and became known as the Essenes. Yasha J. Lavie has been channelling their consciousness since 1997.

Fantastic News: A New College Opening in Amsterdam in October

This is how it all starts.

I’d like to announce that on Saturday 2 October 2010 a new Essene College will be opening its doors in Amsterdam, Holland. It will be the third college and the first in the northern hemisphere. I'm excited and grateful that the people of Holland responded so readily to the Essenes and to me.

During March I spent 17 days in Amsterdam and was open to the idea that I might gather some people who would like to be part of a new venture, another Essene college. At times I felt it might be an impossible task, because no one knew me in this country, no one had ever heard the Essenes talking before, and I would only be there for just over two weeks. And yet, with the help of Marion Berndsen, a medium herself, who, together with her family, organized everything and supported me all the way through, the college seems to be on track to become a reality.

There were two seminars during weekends, attended by a total of 15 people. I saw 32 people for private sessions and gave two talks in beautiful spaces, former old churches, with over 60 people attending them. So all in all, I had more than 100 people, who were, I hope, inspired by the wisdom and humour of the Essenes.

Meanwhile I got to know Sabrina Sprenger, who is Marion's daughter. She attended one of the seminars, had a private session and helped me every day with anything from transport to translation if necessary. After those two weeks it was clear to me that she is the person I would like to ask to help me to create an Essene centre and college in Holland. Her warmth, love and understanding were very noticeable and I'm pleased that she will be in charge of bookings and the organization of other activities related to the college.

I’d like to tell you something that touched me during my visit. I doubt that you can guess what I’m going to say. It’s the way the Dutch use that simple contraption that we call “bicycle" (they call it “fiets”). Bicycles are everywhere, taking the people around town, clean and silent. I marvelled at the construction of a huge underground parking – for bicycles! These days we are all impressed with technology and we wonder about the next rocket to take us into space or to the moon or who knows to what other dimensions. But one day I was having lunch with a friend in Haarlem, only steps away from the majestic, imposing cathedral of Saint Bavo, world-famous for its organ, and we were talking about life - what else is there to talk about? Suddenly we saw through the window a large group of children who looked no older than about 6 or 7, a school class probably, all riding their bikes. I was stunned, because the old, cobbled streets around St Bavo are not very wide and there were so many children on bikes that looked so big for them, all riding together, but no one was in the way of anyone else. It was such a beautiful scene of togetherness. I was told that Dutch children ride their bikes by themselves to go to school or to their friends from a very young age. I guess in Holland it is something that people consider to be normal, like maybe in China, but nevertheless it left me with an image of oneness: riding bikes all together in an orderly and peaceful fashion. I decided at that moment that I must come back, so... what better way than to open a college?

Isn’t it interesting, the kind of things that influence us? So hopefully, we will start the new college later this year with a group of around 10 people. I feel excited and am confident that it will work well. The dates for the college are already on the web site for 2010 and 2011, go and have a look…

Being in Holland will make it easier for me to open the next college in London, hopefully the following year. I had to smile when I caught myself thinking that I will have to make sure that I’m there in time for Wimbledon. I love tennis, you see, and my son, who is training to be a professional player one day, might be playing there… But of course it’s all a dream at this stage.

Visit to Qumran Caves

Cave Number One.

After I left Holland I flew to Israel to visit my family and of course I took the opportunity to go to the Caves. My guide this time was Meir, an old friend, who studies spirituality and religions and is very interested in the life of the Essenes. He is a special man and a treasured friend. He brought a thermos of what in Israel we simply call “black coffee”. It’s strong and bitter. “Espresso”, I think is what people call it everywhere else. Before we entered the area of the caves, we toasted with our coffees. Suddenly I felt in harmony with the world around me. I was standing on one of the rocks with a glass of black coffee in my hand, looking at the mountains and the caves in front of me, feeling the humility of Meir, and somehow I had the awareness that life is kind of a space, with no beginning and no end. It was as if I wasn't part of life at that moment - life was actually me. I wish I could express it really...

We weren't allowed to go inside the caves, because it was the time of year when the bats, who have taken up residency in the caves, are hatching their eggs. The caves were closed for people, and although there are times when I don't mind doing something that’s considered ‘illegal’, I wasn’t tempted, because I'm scared of bats. Very scared, actually. When we lived in Paddington, Sydney, 5 years ago, we had a big tree in front of our balcony, where big swarms of bats used to fly in and out at night. I can tell you I made sure the doors were closed, in spite of the lovely evening air outside. So there I was, standing in the opening of “Cave number 1” and was simply glad to be there. I heard a voice that said: “3 days and 3 nights”, so, in October, I plan to go to the caves once more, hopefully unnoticed (please don’t tell anyone), and I will stay there for these three days and nights with no bats around. I can’t help wondering though, what will be around me instead of the bats.

I took some photos with my phone of the cave. I will ask Anthony to put them in the photo gallery on the web site, so you can pay a virtual visit to the Caves. I hope to be able to tell you much more in the newsletter of October/ November.

New Venues for the Colleges and Private Sessions

All good things come in threes, they say. I don't really know, but in the case of the places for the colleges it is true. During March I found a place for the college in Holland, as well as new places for the colleges in Auckland and Sydney. All in one month.

We have a new house place in Sydney. It’s in St Ives. The address is 27D Stanley Street, St Ives. I haven’t had a chance to see it yet, but Alex and Anthony (who I have been living with for the past two years whenever I’m in Sydney) say that it’s perfect. I can’t wait till Angelica with her beautiful little pink car will come to the airport on the evening of the 21 April to pick me up and take me to our new home. I hope that it is as perfect as they say. Both private sessions and the college will be held at this address.

After 19 years of working at Directions, 12 Horopito Street, Auckland, and with sadness in my heart, I have decided that it is time to move. I’m happy to announce that from next month we have found a beautiful new home in Grey Lyn, at 707B Great North Rd.

For the private sessions I will work from my home, at 34 Brixton Road, Mt Eden.

In Holland our college will be housed at Marion Berndsen’s practice in Badhoevedorp, in “Gebouw Westend”, Jan van Gentstraat 119K.

During my recent visit I gave my seminars and private sessions there and it felt very good. I’m sure that it will be a lovely home for the college. It’s easy to get to and easy to park. (I mean your car, this time, not your bike).

You can find all the details on the web site in the page of contact us.

Dates and Events for the Next Two Months

Sydney

Just a reminder, all College days and private sessions are held at 25D Stanley Street, St Ives.

April:

College: Friday to Sunday 23-24-25

Private sessions: Tuesday-Friday 27-28-29-30

May:

College course of mysticism: Saturday Sunday 1-2

Monday 3.5.10
Conversation with the Essenes

The Centre
14 Frances Street
Randwick

Start time: 7.30pm
Cost: $20 per person, supper included

Private sessions: Tuesday-Thursday 4-5-6

College: Friday-Sunday 7-8-9

Private sessions: Tuesday-Wednesday 11-12

Body Mind Spirit festival Thursday-Sunday 13-14-15-16
Every day at the seminar a talk at 17.30.

Private sessions: Tuesday-Friday 18-19-20-21

Course of Mysticism: Saturday-Sunday 22-23

Conversation with the Essene Monday 24.5.10

The Awareness Institute
Suite 1
20 Clarke Street
Crows Nest

Start time: 7.30pm
Cost: $20

Private session: Tuesday-Wednesday 25-26

July:

Private session: Thursday 15.7.20

College days: Friday-Sunday 16-17-18

Private sessions: Tuesday-Friday 20-21-22-23

Course of mysticism: Saturday-Sunday 24-25

Private sessions: Tuesday-Thursday 27-28-29

College days: Friday-Sunday 30-31-01

Private sessions: Tuesday-Wednesday 3-4 August.

Auckland

All Tuesday evenings and College days are held in 707B Great North Road, Grey Lynn. All private sessions are held at 34 Brixton Road, Mt Eden.

May:

College days:

Thursday 27th of May
Saturday-Sunday 29th and 30th of May
Tuesday: 1st of June

June

Tuesday evening Conversation with the Essenes in Auckland on:

1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of June.

Time: 7.30pm; fee $20 with a light meal provided to attendees.

Private sessions: on these days: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th and 30th of June.

College days: Tuesday 22nd, Thursday 24th, and Saturday to Sunday the 26th and 27th.

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