Slate Branch Ashram News
August, 2011

OM NAMAH LAKSHMI

The moon was full. It hung the color of saffron in an inky sky the night before the Sacred Feet Summer "Trust" Retreat began. Energies were running high as retreatants arrived on the front porch of Slate Branch House Saturday, Aug. 13, Rakhi Day in India.

To open the Summer Retreat, Dr. Sonya Jones, Retreat Master, explained the meaning of Rakhi Day. Rev. Allen Brimer and Jenny Watkins, Sacred Feet Teachers, offered each retreatant a bracelet. As the day unfolded, Prof. Wanda Dodson, Chief Nutritionist, offered a delicious bandhara, or full moon feast, and "The Second Teaching" on Trust evoked invigorating discussion and meditation among retreatants.

A highlight of the Sacred Feet Summer "Trust" Retreat was the introduction of the spiritual practice of chanting. As Dr. Jones "spoke the thekas" over an Indian drum she learned to play at Shree Muktananda Ashram in South Fallsburgh, NY, retreatants swayed to the sweetness of "OM NAMAH SHRI MAHA LAKSHMI."

The dharma, or sacred purpose, of the Sacred Feet path is to eradicate povery on all levels. Thus, the Sacred Feet mantra honoring Shri Maha Lakshmi, goddess of beauty and abundance.

The Summer Retreat at Slate Branch Ashram was sweet in the way only a late summer retreat can be. It was ripe with spiritual insight and repose. During the retreat and individual instruction with Dr. Jones, Sandy Simon Mangham made a commitment to Sacred Feet Teacher Training by completing "The Five Teachings," the Sacred Feet Year-Long Course, and a third year as an apprentice to the Sacred Feet path. Dr. Jones also named Sandy Managing Editor of Sacred Feet publishing. Sacred Feet is scheduled to release Jesus Was a Shaktipat Guru by Dr. Jones soon.

The Autumn "Sacred Energy" Retreat at Slate Branch Ashram is already half filled, so retreatants are encouraged to make their reservations for the Nov. 5 retreat without delay. A seat in the Autumn "Sacred Energy" Retreat can be secured by sending a $25 non-refundable deposit on the $100 tuition fee to The Jones Educational Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 289, Somerset, KY 42502.

BRAND NEW at Slate Branch Ashram: Jenny Watkins is scheduled to launch Adishraddha or Sacred Feet Hatha Yoga the Autumnal Equinox Saturday of September 24. The cost is $100 for the day-long retreat. Lodging at Slate Branch House, incuding breakfast, is $25 per person for Friday night. Jenny's Hatha Yoga classes are very popular, so Slate Branch Ashram management advises early registration.

Slate Branch Ashram is also pleased to announce that Slate Branch House now has a second shower in the upstairs loft. Downstairs, a low water pressure nozzle has been installed, and it has improved the water pressure, as well as the warmth of water in Slate Branch House, immeasurably.

Until the next installment of Slate Branch News, we send abundance and blessings from Dr. Jones, Rev. Brimer, Jenny Watkins, Prof. Dodson, Sandy Simon Mangham . . . and Shri Maha Lakshmi!