The Four Desires

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The Four Desires

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Check out our various upcoming programs—we're sure there's something to inspire you

Program Calendar
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The Four Desires

October 18—20, 2019

Registration for this event has closed

Check out our various upcoming programs—we're sure there's something to inspire you

Program Calendar

DHARMA — “The inherent drive or desire to fully realize everything we are capable of, and in doing so, positively affect the world!” — Rod Stryker, The Four Desires
Imagine living from that place — what would your life look like if you did?

  • How do you become more clear on your life’s purpose — your DHARMA?
  • How do you let go of the “thought constructs” that keep you from being at home with yourself and your life? VIKALPA
  • How do you create momentum that moves you forward in your life? SANKALPA

Answering these questions will be at the core of our work together during this weekend! Based on the book by Yogarupa Rod Stryker, The Four Desires process elegantly links the timeless wisdom of the Vedas with a practice-driven and practical approach to self-transformation!

Open to ALL interested students! NO prior yoga experience required. The weekend format will include lecture/discussion, guided meditations, time for journaling, and Yoga Nidra practice. Yoga Nidra is a powerful relaxation practice that helps to awaken and tap into our mind’s intuitive potential!

Visiting the Himalayan Institute in the fall is extra special! Enjoy your free time in nature walking through the beautiful 400 acre campus.

Required reading:

The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom by Rod Stryker. Please read Intro and Pages 1-111 prior to start of course.

Optional, but highly recommended: The Four Desires meditation CD — available from parayoga.com and the Himalayan Institute bookstore. The Four Desires Workbook will be included in the course.

Registration & Accommodations
  • Please contact Laurie Dean directly for payment. [email protected]
  • Contact the Himalayan Institute directly to book your room for Friday and Saturday nights. (800-822-4547 x1) BOOKING CODE – FD109
  • This program has an early morning start time on Friday, October 18, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. We encourage all interested parties to arrive the day before. Please consider reserving your accommodations for Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Laurie Dean

Laurie is a Level 1 Certified Parayoga teacher, Certified Four Desires Trainer, 500 hr RYT and 200 hr E-RYT. She has a BA in Social Work — reflecting her service heart. Practicing yoga since 2000, she began her Parayoga journey in 2005 and continues to study with her teacher, Yogarupa Rod Stryker, and Pandit Rajmani Tigunai...
See Full Bio and Upcoming Events

Himalayan Institute Retreat Center

For more than fifty years, the Himalayan Institute’s Retreat Center has been a gathering place for people seeking inspiration and aspiring to restore inner balance. Home to a vibrant community of yogis, it’s a place for seekers wishing to study the ancient tradition of yoga and to deepen the connection between themselves and the world around them. Whether you visit for a weekend retreat, a personal getaway, or one of our longer-term programs, your visit to the Himalayan Institute will accelerate your personal journey of rejuvenation and transformation.
Free Wifi
400-Acre Campus
On-Site Cafe
Meditation Shrine
Wooded Hiking Trails
Pond with Kayaks
On-Site Wellness Center
Bonfires and Stargazing
Bookstore and Giftshop

Retreat Center Highlights

Sacred Space
The Sri Vidya Shrine is the spiritual heart of the Himalayan Institute. This sanctuary offers an ideal setting for silent meditation and group spiritual practice, a cornerstone of the Himalayan Tradition for thousands of years. Open to seekers of all backgrounds and traditions, the Shrine provides a serene, sacred space for meditation, quiet reflection, prayer, and contemplation.
Nourishing Meals
Our nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals are thoughtfully prepared to nourish body, mind, and spirit. Each of our three daily meals is designed to be easily digestible and to support a meditative lifestyle. Sharing meals here naturally fosters connection, offering both deep nourishment and a sense of community.
Loving Community
The Himalayan Institute welcomes people from all walks of life. With a blend of short-term guests, long-term visitors, and a vibrant residential community, the atmosphere here is warm, inviting, and rooted in kindness, generosity, and service. It’s a place where friendships form naturally, often becoming the kind of connections that feel like family, and last a lifetime.
Rest in Nature
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Poconos, the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre campus offers breathtaking views, scenic hiking trails, and quiet spaces for reflection and contemplation. Walking is a favorite activity, whether along our groomed trails or meandering paved roads, inviting both movement and mindful presence in nature.
Conscious Simplicity
At the Himalayan Institute, we embrace simplicity in all aspects of life, from our surroundings to our approach to yoga. By minimizing distractions, we create space to strengthen the inner self and quiet the mind. Guided by authenticity and grounded in philosophy rather than frills, we support a path of meaningful personal growth.
Treat Yourself
Our Himalayan Café serves the Institute’s signature chai, coffee, and homemade cookies and treats on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The 24/7 Tea Lounge offers a variety of herbal teas for anytime enjoyment. On campus, the MOKA Origins Factory is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering handcrafted, ethically sourced chocolate and coffee, with free tours and tastings on Saturdays.
Date
October 18—20, 2019
Duration
3 days, 2 nights
Teachers

$349 per person + accommodations

Registration

Dates
Friday, October 18, 2019 @ 10:00 amSunday, October 20, 2019 @ 12:00 pm
Tuition
$349 per person + accommodations
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