From: dsmith@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu (Donald A. Smith)
Subject: IYMPC: International Yoga, Meditation, and Prayer Competition
Organization: ----
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 19:32:06 GMT

                      Announcing

                        IYMPC

   International Yoga, Meditation, and Prayer Competition

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     Where:  Brandeis University, Waltham, MA (USA)
             Hassenfeld Convocation Center

     When:   Friday October 29 (7:00 pm) through 
             Sunday October 31, 1992 (4:00 pm)

     What:   Competition in 9 categories, with rankings by an
             international panel of spiritually advanced judges.
 
             Category 1:  Yoga Asanas         (Yogi Amrit Desai)
             Category 2:  Pranayama           (Yogi Bhajan)
             Category 3:  Chanting            (The Dalai Lama)
             Category 4:  Sitting             (Joshu Sasaki Roshi)
             Category 5:  Aura Projection     (Ram Dass)
             Category 6:  Smiles              (Ramana Maharshi (ascended))
             Category 7:  Fervent Prayer      (Mother Teresa)
             Category 8:  Depth of Meditation (Sri Chinmoy)
             Category 9:  Faith               (Pir Vilayat)

             
             The pranayama competition will include contests on
             lung capacity and duration of holding of breath.

             The chanting competition includes a contest on OM volume,
             duration, and resonance.

             Criteria for the sitting competition include: posture, 
             immobility, serenity, and bowing.

             The meditation competition includes a race for reaching
             nirvikalpa samadhi.  Ecstatic afterglow counts.

             The faith competition will include a self-doubt examination
             and fearlessness test.

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             Full details about the contests are available on request;
             see the address below.

             N.B.: brandishment of siddhis will reduce the contestant's
             score and may lead to disqualification for any further 
             participation in the competition.    (Exception will be
             made for siddhis deemed to be due to benign forces beyond
             the ego of the participant.)
             
     Prizes: In each category prizes will be awarded to the top three
             scoring contestants.  Prizes will consist of private sessions
             with participating spiritual leaders of your choice and an
             engraved trophy.


     Banquet:
             Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. a vegetarian banquet will be
             served (macrobiotic food will also be available). 

             For participants who prefer to fast on juices, a variety
             of organic fruit and vegetable juices will be available.

             After the banquet, an open discussion/session will be held
             to determine whose spiritual path is best.

     Entertainment:
             "Twirling Dirvishes Dance Troupe", "Music of the Spheres
             Kazoo Band".

             Attendees can participate in the "My Religion is Better Than
             Your Religion" spiritual ego contest, as well as the mock
             deprogramming session.

     Cost:   $275 for participation in the competition 
             $155 without participation in competition 
             Attendance includes vegetarian meals (breakfast and lunch).
             Dormitory housing is available for $45/night (single) and
             $30/night (double) per person.  Lights out at 9:00. Morning
             sadhana at 4:30 a.m.
             Cost for banquet $25.
          

     For more information contact Donald A. Smith (617-736-2719).
                                  dsmith@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu

     (Volunteers are needed to organize IYMPC. Suggestions for
      events and competitions are also welcome.)
    

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