ABOUT JAYA
KULA
Jaya Kula is a vibrant nonprofit community of diverse people learning and practicing in the direct realization traditions of Trika Shaivism and Dzogchen. Teachings are offered mainly in Portland, Oregon. Shambhavi Sarasvati is our spiritual director.
OUR MISSION
Jaya Kula exists to support its community and all people in the natural process of unfoldment toward self-realization.
OUR VISION
We envision continuing to host a collaborative, sustainable, supportive mandala of people who are committed to waking up and becoming living examples of the human potential to embody wisdom, skill, compassion, tenderness, devotion, freedom of expression, and spontaneity.
OUR PRACTICE
Our practice is firmly rooted in the direct realization traditions of Trika Shaivism and Dzogchen. These are householder, not monastic or ashram traditions. We work, study, raise families, make art and music, hang out, and fully engage with life. We try our best to approach everything we do as an opportunity to wake up.
The direct realization traditions, such as Trika Shaivism and Dzogchen, are “find out for yourself” traditions. They are not faith or belief or dogma-based. We do spiritual practice in order to explore the nature of the self and reality directly.
Many of us maintain a substantial daily seated practice of one to several hours a day. Our practices include mantra, meditation, kriya yoga, ritual, hatha yoga, kirtan, and self care.
The goal of our practice is to embody uncontrived naturalness, freedom of expression, kindness and devotion by coming to recognize ourselves as aspects of the continuous wisdom of an alive, aware reality.
You are invited to participate for a day or a lifetime. We require no membership and no commitment to our traditions. People from any tradition or none are welcome to practice with us.
OUR COMMITMENTS
In order to achieve our mission, we try our utmost to embody total integrity in our organizational and personal interactions.
We are committed to:
financial honesty and transparency;
providing a welcoming environment for all people who want to join us in practice;
faithfully representing the teachings;
keeping our promises;
using the tools of our tradition to respectfully explore our diverse perspectives, cultures, histories, and experiences; and
establishing and maintaining a community culture of nonviolence.
JAYA KULA’S SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
Shambhavi Sarasvati is the spiritual director of Jaya Kula. Her principle training is in the View and practices of Trika Shaivism and the Dzogchen tradition of Tibet. Shambhavi is a householder and a devotee of Anandamayi Ma.
HOW CAN I GET STARTED?
The best place to start is by exploring the Jaya Kula website. You’ll find our full calendar of teachings and events, links to resources, and more information about Shambhavi, the tradition and our community.
If you like what you see, the next step is to attend satsang. Satsang means “being in reality together.” During satsang, Shambhavi gives a dharma talk. This is followed by question and discussion time. Satsang concludes with open-mic community kirtan. Satsangs are held every Sunday at 3:30pm Pacific.
ATTENDING TEACHINGS
At Jaya Kula, we are committed to doing our utmost within our means to create a welcoming, accessible space where people can relax, feel cared for, and experience continuity with others.
We have also established a COVID-19 resource page where you can find out about Jaya Kula protocols during the pandemic.
HOW IS JAYA KULA SUPPORTED?
Jaya Kula is funded entirely by its community of practitioners. Community members offer seva (community service), fees for teachings, and donations.
We also are grateful to receive discounted and free services from for-profit companies with a commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations. Check out our allies!
JAYA KULA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sahaji Fisher – Secretary
Sangitapriya Pedro – Treasurer
Shambhavi Sarasvati – Spiritual Director
Tania Doles – Member-at-Large
Vidhra Jackiw – Board Chair, Fundraising
Embodying the Heart of Virtue – Code of Conduct for the Board of Directors and the students who are collectively running Jaya Kula (PDF)
JAYA KULA’S HARASSMENT AND ABUSE POLICY
Jaya Kula has zero tolerance for any form of harassment, including harassment based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, caste, religion, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, age, socio-economic status, marital status, medical condition, military status, or physical attributes.
Harassment creates a hostile environment and reinforces our sense of separateness. It disturbs the energy body of the community, undermines our mission, and obstructs the transmission of teachings. It is also illegal.
At any Jaya Kula teaching, event, or meeting; or in any meeting place owned, controlled, or rented by Jaya Kula; or during any Jaya Kula sponsored, sanctioned, or affiliated event; or on any Jaya Kula social media or collaborative online platform, it is prohibited to harass a person for any reason.
JAYA KULA’S ANNUAL REPORT
Jaya Kula’s 2024 Annual Report: Walking Together
Jaya Kula is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. In each annual report, we reflect on the year past and fulfill our commitment to financial transparency.