I'm back from a long break out of the country and it's time to put fingers to keyboard and try to catch with some information that's been rolling in. First up is a little notice of an organization in Ecuador that teaches meditation and Yoga in the tradition of Paramahansa Yogananda but with a uniquely Ecuadorian twist.
According to their web page, the founder, now passed away, was Dr. César A. Dávila G, born in the small rural community of Patate, near Baños, who received his doctorate in theology in 1934. However it wasn't until 1952 that he came in contact with Pandith Beckpati Sinha, a direct disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, with whom he had the opportunity of accompanying for fifteen days during the latter's visit to Ecuador. Those fifteen days changed his life. From that point on he incorporated meditation and yoga asanas into his Christian practice. Later, he recounts, a copy of the book Autobiography of a Yogi came into his possession and he got in contact with one of the major representative of the self realization fellowship in Mexico at the time and began to study Yogananda's teachings with total devotion. Eventually, he founded various Schools of Auto-Realization both within and outside of Ecuador and dedicated his life publishing his teachings, and sharing his realizations as guru and spiritual father to thousands of students over his lifetime.
Although "Padre" Dávila has passed away, the centers still exist and there are many active members in Ecuador and even worldwide. I personally had a chance to meet Padre Dávila just after I arrived in Baños. I had heard there was a meditation center in the town of Ulba just down the road and attended one day of a retreat at their center. My recollections are of a very elevated atmosphere, a quiet approach blending of Christianity with Yoga and meditation and vegetarianism, and Padre Dávila was clearly a very powerful spiritual presence.
The ASOCIACIÓN ESCUELA DE AUTORREALIZACIÓN offers courses in yoga, concentration and meditation in any of their three centers in Ecuador. You may contact them at: www.aea-yoga.org or at the addresses below
Centro de Quito
6ta Transv. E16-61 y De los Olivos
San Isidro del Inca
Tel: 2403-115
Email: centroquito@interactive.net.ec
INICIO: 6 de Octubre del 2007
HORA: 8:30
Centro de Guayaquil
Via Samborondón Km 3 ½
Tel: 2831-839
Email: aea@easynet.net.ec
Centro de Cuenca
Muñoz Vernaza 531 y Benigno Malo
Tel: 2891-445
Email: autoreal@az.pro.ec
Centro de Cuenca
Muñoz Vernaza 531 y Benigno Malo
Tel: 2891-445
Email: autoreal@az.pro.ec
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