About
Soraya Saraswati
Soraya Saraswati manages Mangalam Meditation Retreat near Palmwoods in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland with her musician husband Terry Oldfield.
An author, retreat facilitator and inspiring spiritual teacher pointing towards freedom through self-realisation, Soraya walks her talk.
Her training began in a traditional Satyananda Yoga Ashram where she spent 9 years of training. The rich tradition and roots of yogic philosophy are the basis of her work.
The roots began with Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh then Swami Satyananda Saraswati and is carried forward in India by Swami Niranjanananda of Bihar School of Yoga and Swami Satsangananda or affectionaltely known as Satsangi in Rikiapeeth.
Soraya remains connected to her tradition, where she is known as Swami Devashakti Saraswati.
Later Soraya was influenced by Non-Duality, Advaita or Self-Inquiry and the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. These teachings have become the bottom line or the foundation of Soraya’s work. That of living as peaceful presence, free of the attachment to the separate-self or egoic-self. Clearing old patterns and living in absolute presence… or simply ‘being present’.
Soraya is a trauma informed yoga therapist, meditation and pranayama teacher with 40 years experience. Also a registered TRE tension and trauma release exercise facilitator, Soraya guides grounded somatic work with deep presence adding breath, yoga nidra and different meditation practices as required.
From a deep understanding of the nervous system, bodily and mental responses to stress & trauma, Soraya creates a safe space in which to release old patterns and drop into greater presence.
Soraya has worked with thousands of people & run retreats through Europe, UK, India and Australia.
Terry Oldfield
Terry Oldfield has had a long and successful musical career as both a composer and an artist. Working on film music with the BBC and composing over 36 albums of his own. His signature instrument, the flute, features in his compositions. With no formal musical lessons he has developed his own unique style of playing.
Now recording improvisations born of the moment – Terry has not slowed down. His relationship with music is quite magical.
Terry and Soraya have worked together for 20 years sharing their expertise to offer unique retreats and musical and meditative experiences.
In recent years Terry has recorded series of songs that reflect the philosophy of of overcoming our past and awakening to live in great aware-presence.
Terry and Soraya perform these and mantras from ancient traditions in their Sunday afternoon music sessions or kirtans at Mangalam Retreat.
Soraya's Memoir: Shining Through, From Grief to Gratitude
Shining Through From Grief to Gratitude is a powerful memoir of Soraya’s painful grief after loss of her teenage son Prem and brother Gil to suicide. Soraya shares both Prem’s and her journey through the underworld of pain, shame, hope and despair, to a place of acceptance, healing and awakening to peaceful presence. This book offers hope as Soraya shares here awakening from Grief to Gratitude.
This Book Offers Hope
This book offers support and understanding to those who’ve known the painful grief that comes from the tragic loss of a friend or loved one to suicide. And ultimately a glimpse of the possibility of rediscovering inner peace and gratitude. Soraya has emerged from her nightmare journey to a whole new way of being. With love and compassion Soraya now supports others finding their way through the sticky web of trauma, hurt, grief and loss.
A Parents Rite of Passage
Shining Through From Grief and Gratitude’ is a parents rite of passage through bereavement by suicide, secrets and spirituality. A very honest and raw memoir, Shining Through From Grief To Gratitude will have you riveted from cover to cover. From Outback Australia to Indian Ashrams, Greek temples and American Indian Sweat Lodges this is a journey a soul yearning for freedom.
