Okay, so you’ve stumbled across this term Mystery School and something has grabbed your attention. You’d like to understand what is a mystery school, is it worth investing time and energy into, or simply another woo-woo endeavor?
Let’s keep it simple and start by outlining a few of the fundamental questions that are contemplated at a modern mystery school such as Tushita:
Who are you really?
What does it mean to live an awake life?
Where does true fulfilment lie?
If there are answers to these questions, they exist nowhere other than in You and in no other time than Now.
A Mystery School is founded in the devotional way of life that also is the basis for different types and levels of courses for you to explore your own natural capacity for awakening and wisdom.
What is a Mystery School?
What are mystery schools and are there any in existence today?
The Mystery School is dedicated to the advancement of love, service, cooperation, and understanding, in relation to all beings and all dimensions of society.
Tushita Mystery School, following on from ancient mystery schools, is a place to come to relax and feel into the Truth of who you are. A Truth that is universal and within every form, no matter the appearance and apparent difference.
Whilst initially that may sound complicated and confusing, what is actually on offer is simply a circumstance dedicated to giving the necessary space one needs to start to understand who they really are, to discover their Real Self.
There are many different words used interchangeably that point to the same thing: Real Self, True Self, soul, God-consciousness, Self, Natural State of Being, The Real, Love, …
What makes a mystery school kind of mysterious, is that the study of one’s Self is an individual endeavour – it cannot be learnt. In other words, you cannot learn about your True Self through any other thing or from another person – it takes the willingness and openness of a person to take on the role of impartial observer of one’s body and mind (with the support and guidance of ancient wisdom and wisdom teachings) to delve into the mysteries within and uncover what is true of you.
This can be in the form of supportive residential retreats ran by practising students, for example. More about that later.
What a Mystery School is Not
Sometimes it can be easier to get across what something is, by focusing more on what it is not. This is certainly the case for a mystery school.
This type of school does NOT…
- have anything to teach you (in the conventional sense)
- support dogma, doctrines or any specific cultural programme
- focus on the mastery of a subject (but instead the Mastery of one’s Self)
Unlike conventional schools, where the students are indoctrinated according to the system or cultural/social imperative, Tushita Mystery School is based on the student’s inherent intelligence and inherent spiritual identity.
Education is not education unless it demands us to be students of Life. Otherwise it is merely programming.
If we were to define mystery in the dictionary sense, we’d be left thinking a mystery school offers “something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.”
On the contrary, should one stick around and delve deeper into themselves, it will become apparent that it’s a place that allows the discovery of sacred knowledge in plain sight – the inner “teacher” holds all the answers.
Intellectual knowledge is given a chance to move down into the body and become felt, experiential understanding that more often than not, cannot easily be explained with words.
The Mystery School Tradition over time
Throughout time, mystery schools have been repositories and educators of the innermost knowledge of life.
This knowledge has been passed down through the lineage of Spiritual Masters and a Community of Realised Wisdom Teachers, all of whom are dedicated to serve both as the Teacher and Revelation of our innermost knowledge, and as protectors of our Real Humanity.
Our innate knowledge or inherent truth has become lost and forgotten in this so-called ‘modern’ society.
From the sacred Mystery School’s point of view, the teacher resides within everyone. The purpose of a mystery school then, is to guide and support each person to discover this within themselves.
At all periods of time on this earth, Spiritual adepts have been stepping forth all around the world to help others Uncover their True Self and bring to light who they really are before conditioning occured.
A modern day mystery school can be likened to the occult schools of ancient Egypt, with a focus on esoteric knowledge for the purpose of spiritual evolution. Many ancient mystery teachings centered around the Realisation of one’s Being.
A mystery school can be a branch off from a Heart Hermitage, which is the case for Tushita Mystery School. Whilst the school is a place where students of the Heart Hermitage can share their practise with members of the public (via short retreats – see below), the Heart Hermitage is dedicated to Spiritual Immersion whereby students spend time in the company of a living Spiritual Master.
What is wonderful about Tushita Mystery School retreats, is that they are held within the grounds of Tushita Hermitage. This naturally offers a wonderful opportunity for participants to get a feel for the energy of the place, and may perhaps spark interest in attending the Hermitage in future.
For further information regarding the Heart Hermitage and living Spiritual Master Sri Yanchiji, visit the official Tushita Hermitage website.
What do Mystery Schools teach?
Seeing as you’ve landed on Tushita Mystery School, let’s focus on what is on offer here.
Tushita Mystery School offers a curriculum of subjects, workshops and retreats that encourage and inspire people of all ages towards their common humanity, the otherwise forgotten thread that runs through every body and every culture.
The basis of the curriculum and teaching methods at this school is in sound understanding that the very best of each human being must begin from within – rather than the usual, conventional belief that happiness, meaning and purpose must be searched for outside of ourselves through conditions and by external means.
Tushita Mystery School courses are based on the student’s inherent desire to fulfill her/his own self-worth, dignity, happiness and real empowered wisdom.
If you’re wondering how to join a mystery school, below are some of the retreats currently on offer.
Silent Insight Awareness Meditation (IAM) Retreats
Sitting down to practice IAM Meditation is a chance to simply observe without trying to do anything. No judgement, no analysis, no trying to fix or change how each moment is playing out. It encourages one to become the impartial observer of one’s self.
These retreats are run over 1-5 days.
Read: Inspiration for Boring Meditation
Find out more information, plus upcoming retreat dates on the official Silent IAM Meditation Retreat page here.
Should you be new to meditation you might like to check out some answers to commonly asked Questions about Meditation.
IAM Breathing Method Retreat
Joining a breathing method retreat is for the purpose of connecting more with the body by naturally strengthening the immune system with practises of deep breathing, cold therapy and sitting meditation. It is important to keep the body and central nervous system well oxygenated, so it can remain vital and open.
These retreats are run over 1-4 days.
Read: Something as Natural and Breathing from our blog
Solo Contemplation Retreats
When Tushita Mystery School is not running public retreats, the Ashram grounds and accommodation are available for solo contemplation retreats. This is an ideal opportunity for writing projects, quiet and solitude.
Find out more information on the official Solo Contemplation Retreat page, including info about making a booking.
Who carries out Mystery School Teachings?
All of the teachers at Tushita Mystery School have been trained at Tushita Hermitage and through their own ongoing study as Students of Life. Read more about The Way of Life here.
As they have taken up the IAM Meditation and IAM Breathing Method as part of a constant discipline for themselves, they are able to show others these through their own understanding and practise.
They are devoted to the study of happiness, vitalness, wellbeing and the understanding of the wisdom community.
Whilst they are trained teachers practising these methods, it’s important to mention that they are more there for your help and guidance.
More importantly, it’s about awakening the teacher “inside” and understanding your own intuitive body and mind through direct experience, not because someone says that’s how it is, or how it should be. It’s a wonderful move toward self-responsibility.
Note: Participants are always reminded of this important aspect throughout all retreats held here.
Who can attend a Mystery School?
The retreats held at Tushita Mystery School are open to all, no matter what age, gender, lifestyle, experience… none of it matters!
None of the practises here are based on any religion or dogma. Rather, they are universal techniques which can be applied by everyone as long as there is a willingness and openness to try.
“I found the combination of breath work, cold therapy and IAM meditation in the unique context of Tushita Heart Hermitage to create a most enjoyable, demanding and stimulating situation for enlivening the body and calming the mind.” – Lisa Peden
In general, these retreats are suitable for people who want to encourage wellness in body and mind. The two practises – IAM Meditation and IAM Breathing Method – have been designed to compliment one another.
Should you be left with any questions either about Mystery Schools in general, or specifically about Tushita, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Simply head over to our ‘contact us‘ page. The school of mystery awaits you!
Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.
