About Jñanagni Kula | Who We Are

Jñanagni Kula and it's parent organization Trika Institute was founded as a non-profit public education organization, offering ongoing courses, classes and retreats in all the various aspects of Tantra and Yoga such as: Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Kriya Yoga, Meditation, Tantrik psychology, Tantrik Ritual, Mantra Vidya, study of Classical Texts, Philosophy, Vedic Astrology, etc.

Jñanagni Kula offers westerners the opportunity to undergo classical training in Tantra and Yoga by entering the stream of the teachings through initiation, instruction from the teacher, practice of the spiritual exercises, and taking part in kula activities ("kula" is the community of householder initiates vs sangha which is a community of renunciate initiates).

Trika Institute and Jñanagni Kula are now hosted at Yoga Mandala in Berkeley - a yoga and tantra education and traditional healing facility started by Jñanagni Kula inititates established in November of 2002. This center also serves as the clinic and office of Berkeley Ayurveda where Dharmanidhi and a team of Ayurvedic practitioners treat patients, teach Ayurveda, and offer apprenticeship programs.

Who We Are

Ritually committed members/ Initiates: These are practitioners who have recognized Dharmanidhi as their spiritual teacher. Practitioners interested in initiating into the Sarasvati Lineage and the Jñanagni Kula usually study with Dharmanidhi for a minimum of 1 year. They approach Dharmanidhi requesting formal initiation (or are asked if they are interested in formal initiation). If approved, they attend a private ceremony with other future initiates where they are given various sacred items and their mantras that are to be performed until they are given new ones. They are given a new name and are thereafter known by that name by the kula.

Tantric Yoga Studies Group: This is a group of practitioners who have committed to a seven year course of study with Dharmanidhi to learn non-dual Kashmiri Tantra in the classical Indian way. The group meets once a month to learn view and practices. Students were required to attend 4 months of classes before committing to the program. the program is in its second year.

Not ritually committed members: These practitioners are not required to make any type of commitment or request formal initiation. Regular attendance of Trika Institute courses, retreats, and ceremonies is the only qualifier of membership within this program, thought here is no minimum attendance required.
Other kula: Those who attend dharma talks, philosophy classes, yoga classes, and workshops offered by Trika Institute as well as and public festivals and rituals are not required in any way to ritually commit themselves or request formal initiation.

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