Prof. Marco Ferrini held the Seminar "Willpower, Thought and Emotions in the Science of Action" from August 14 to 23, in Villa Vrindavana spiritual community, San Casciano Val di Pesa (Florence, Italy).

Prof. Ferrini’s  outdoor classes in fascinating woods, in the natural and greatly inspiring environment of the beautiful Chianti hills , offered many theoretical and practical instruments through the in-depth study of two authoritative and wise books of Indovedic tradition: Patanjali’s Yogasutras and the Bhagavad-Gita. These tools favour introspective capability, self-discipline, planning strategies and sense of responsibility, through the harmonized and conscious management of one’s psychic functions as propaedeutic channels on the evolutionary journey which warrants the experimentation, in the here and now, of a deep state of bio-physical-spiritual well being. These texts indicate a theoretical perspective, as well as behavioural methodologies and converging spiritual paths to overcome psychological, sociological and cultural conditionings along with their consequent stress, crises, sufferings and conflicts.

The human machine is a potential structure for evolution, biologically and psychologically apt for the development of  conscience in its interaction with the environment and with other living beings, with the energy powers of the cosmos and their divine origin. Nevertheless, the majority of people tend to become conditioned and trapped by manipulative influences and negative pressures at work in a society based on false needs and consequent addictions.

Yogasutras and Bhagavad-Gita are psychological and spiritual teaching aids for the "decontamination" of individual emotional tendencies and psychic processes. These instruments are today all the more indispensable, to acknowledge and resist negative suggestions coming from the outside and from one’s own subconscious mind, to gain consciousness of one’s deep spiritual identity . This is what can allow us to cultivate a healthy autonomy in thinking and increase our capability to feel satisfied, fulfilled and realized in life, climbing the steps of our evolutionary journey.

The workshop focused on the way to disband those dynamics which generate some the principal psychological interferences that can hamper one's evolution. These interferences include attachments, fear, rage, feeling inadequate, restlessness, distraction, mental turmoil, psychic torpor and apathy.  The analysis also touched on the instruments needed to reach nirodha (calming of the vrittis or mental modifications, by a conscientious control) and samadhi (absorption in Spiritual Reality) through a Love connection to the Divine (bhakti), greatly explained by the universal wisdom of Bhagavad-Gita.

Together with Samadhi Pada, the first book of Yogasutras, Bhagavad-Gita recognises discipline (Sadhana), constant practice (Abhyasa), emotional detachment (Vairagya), surrender to God (Ishvara Pranidhana), association with spiritually awakened people (Sat-Sanga) and practicing God presence through meditation and invocation of His Holy Name (Japa), as a fundamental course of action for the decontamination of the psyche and the attainment of a higher vision and the real sentiments of the soul.

The two hundred participants were involved in lectures and workshops, Yoga sessions with asana and pranayama, music classes on traditional Indian instruments, exam sessions, spiritual chanting, theatre performances, and enjoyed freshly cooked vegetarian dishes. Villa Vrindavana environment and atmosphere favoured inner research in everyone attending.