Obaitori

As a yoga teacher, how can I develop my creativity in my daily life?

I was observing Indira creating a new yoga posture; mermaidasana. She looked quite gentile & tranquil sitting there with her legs outstretched, crossed at the ankles. She had placed her hands, crossed at the wrists, on her thighs, her torso was slightly twisted to one side & her head also to the side with her eyes downcast. Sublime, nice posture I was thinking.

The following answer from the above question, came to mind; written by Swami Niranjan.

"The answer is very simple; it can be given in one word - observe. As a yoga teacher you should have awareness; you should observe yourself, and you should always try to improve whatever you do. Try to perfect; try to do it better every time. Develop ichchha shakti, which is the positive aspect of desire, of want; kriya shakti, which is the energy of action; sankalpa shakti, the energy of determination; also vichara shakti, which is the energy of positive thinking. All the positive qualities of life have to be developed more and more. This does not mean that you should negate anything and everything that you consider bad. No. Here you are beginning to observe; there is no negation of any type. If you want to improve yourself and become creative, happy and successful in life, take everything in life as a form of sadhana.

This is something that most of us have observed in Swamiji (Satyananda). We see that he has taken every activity, every situation, every problem, every difficulty, and every joy in life as a form of sadhana. Therefore even today, if we find him surrounded by difficult people or difficult times, he is totally at home with everybody, and if he is surrounded by good people and good times he is still at peace with everything and everybody. Every single moment of life becomes a form of sadhana, a moment of sadhana, a process of sadhana.

It is probably the hardest thing to do, but we can always start with observation, observing how we feel, how we react, how we behave and how we think; and observing how we can make ourselves better in thinking, in action, in behaviour, in feeling, in projection and in receiving. Even as a person in business it is possible, and also as a sannyasin it is possible".

Swami Satyananda with his dog, Bholo.

To me, it looks like they are both thinking about their master, the recently passed, Paramahansa Satyananda.

Hail Mary

I have an obsession with Mary - the Mother. I love her so much & every day, the more & more I think about her, connect with her & pray to her, my love deepens. I simply am amazed at how quickly she comes. I know that she resides in my heart, in all of our hearts. But, my goodness she is so benevolent.

One of my first obvious experiences of the Mother - I used to only pray or ask help from the Father, I think this is because I was taught this way, totally suprised me. Here is the story;

The last time I travelled into India alone, I flew from Bangkok after spending time with Dazla - Chang Mai, Laos ...I was very confident in India, having been before & I felt brave, courageous & strong. This time, I had been in Delhi for some time & decided to catch a train to Rishikesh - my favourite place in the world - I finally arrived after 16 hours on the train & a quick bus trip. I stepped off the bus & I felt nauseas. I jumped to the assumption of malaria because I forgot to take one tablet & coming from a medical family the assumption was obvious. I took the tablet & soon forgot about my impending death. I found a beautiful room up near Laksman Jula - it was bright, painted yellow & quiet. I spent the next two weeks in relative peace. I visited Sivananda's ashram every day. Read books. Bought cd's, mala beads, ate. It was my heaven.

After some time I realised that I was probably pregnant, I couldn't sleep on my tummy,  had nausea, a late period etc... I felt quite content with this realisation. I continued doing my daily sadhana. Every morning I walked down to Sivananda's ashram at 5am in the dark & to continued be chased by the same dog.I dunked us, Indira & I, three times in the Ganga River.

It was all okay until one night when I had booked a taxi to pick me up at around 11pm to be taken through the dark country side by a stranger, probably a man, to the train station. I felt vunerable. A white woman travelling alone, at night is considered an easy target. I started to freak out, totally. Like I had never freaked out before. I think it was what people describe as a panic attack. I had never experienced anything quite like that. I was walking around my small room, very unsure what to do. My altar was set up for Shiva. My prayer was extremely patriarchal. Scream. I need my mother. Yes, this is just precisely who I need. I need Mother. I called her, Ma  & she came in an instant. I felt her presence immediately - it felt like she heard me before I called her. From this moment, she was with me. I was calm, in control, serene, relieved. I travelled in that car through the Indian night with the Mother. Safe.

She had no judgement. She didn't mind that I hadn't 'needed' her before this. She was just there. She came to wrap her arms around me, protect me & love me. When I got to the railway station it was busy. There were several platforms for trains arriving every half hour or so. I stood in a well lit area. There were plenty of people sleeping on the platform, waiting for other trains. I observed a young mother with her new baby. The grandmother doting & cooing. This woman was extraordinarily beautiful. Her skin was of dark chocolate, her lips ruby red. She was dressed in very bold colours & she held a disposition of serenity & calm. She kept looking over at me. She had that all knowing look. I wonder if she knew I was pregnant?

That morning around 2am I boarded my train. The guard checked my ticket & I set up my little bed for the journey back into Delhi. I said a fervent prayer to the Mother & I slept peacefully on a pillow of gratitude wrapped in a blanket of love.

It would be days & another long train ride, this one; 24 hours, before I met Dazla in Varanasi to tell him of my experience with the Mother & the good news of Indira Evangeline.

To this day I am so grateful for the Mother stepping in & taking over where I could not. I consider the Mother to be most goddesses, just in different forms. I think that Amma is a living Saint & has many qualities that Mother Mary has too. I am confident of one thing. If you call her, she will come straight away.

 

 

 

Be Love Itself

Today I'm sitting quietly focusing on the sacred breath & thinking about these divine words -

"Love not anyone, not even God! Our picking and choosing love brings misery. Instead, let God love you. Be Love itself.”

~ Shri Swami Nirmalananda ~

Rainbows ~ hope and optimism ~

Our new years start to Stitches for Tibet started on an auspicious note with all the members who attended witnessing a magnificent double rainbow at home before we gathered at Nicole's house. These rainbows  - a highly auspicious symbol to many people around the world, but particularly to Tibetans - appeared along with rain & a glorious golden apricot sunset. The first rainbow had two spectrums of colour. The one above it was strong & bold. The evening was a delightful sight to behold. In our street neighbours of young & old, came out to see this radiance, all smiling, all looking with a sense of peace over their face.

Because rainbows usually appear after a rainstorm, they symbolise the optimism after a difficult period. Rainbows are a symbol of hope, peace & joy. In our own very humble way, perhaps our little sewing group represents the rainbow - the optimism & the coming peace for Tibetans & all oppressed living beings, all over the world.

Our first Stitches gathering was fun, inspirational, warm & motivating. Ideas, suggestions & advice were passed around as we sat & chatted over organic chocolate, red wine, tea & lots of love.We even had a bit of a fabric parade.

At the gatherings, we all bring our own creative projects we are currently working on. Sometimes that might be in the form of an art, a craft, something inspirational, an article from a magazine, a book, a sketch pad or a bottle of nail polish to share.

This time I brought some fabric & heart shapes. I had watched this film, a short documentary on the life of a Tibetan refugee living at the Tibetan Children's Village. I noticed the walls of their bedrooms were very dull. I thought I would send over some colour & am in the process of creating just that. I will create little hearts filled with rice & lavender to hang above the children's beds & also some heart mobiles for the babies nurseries.

Here is another film created by a graduate student of the Tibetan Children's Village.

What we ultimately shared that night was love. & along with the hearts for the Tibetan Children's Village & the gold coin donations we collected that night, we celebrated our gratitude as mothers that our children sleep warmly, safely & peacefully. We hope the same for all women & children all over the planet.

 
Donations can be sent to;

Mrs. Sonam Dolkar, Principal
Tibetan Children's Villages School
Dharamsala Cantt.
Distt. Kangra - 176216 (H.P)India

or contact the Tibetan Children's Village, here.

Stitches of Tibet, here.

There are so many organisations that need assistance all over the world. Consider giving to these groups. Giving is the highest form of yoga.

࿄ ࿅ ࿄ ࿅ ࿄ ࿅

“With the mind harmonised by Yoga he sees the Self abiding in all beings and all beings in the Self; he sees the same everywhere”

~ Bhagavad Gita (VI. 29) ~

What Donkeys Do

Many traditions use stories to teach great spiritual truths. Here, on Sundays, some of these stories will be re-told. They can be understood by adults & children. Where possible I will suggest a children's picture book that teaches the same or similar story.

*** *** ***

 

Once the Goban was in the Tabhairne (tavern)drinking mead as usual. At the next table a rowdy group - led by Cairbre O Loingsigh, the sea-captain's son - was loudly recapitulating the Goban's various adventures and misadventures.

The stories invariably ended in roars of laughter. The whole idea was to show what a foolish and ridiculous character the Goban was.

They kept glancing gleefully and maliciously in the Goban's direction, but he paid no attention whatsoever. In fact, he seemed completely unconcerned and even gave the impression that the thoughts running through his head were of a pleasant nature.

Gradually - since they were getting no response - the rowdy group's joviality seemed to run down and they became quieter and quieter . Some continued to glance maliciously over at the Goban, but now frustration clouded some faces , others seemed puzzled or annoyed.

At last , Conaill Mac Carthaigh , the tavern-owner - his curiosity aroused - wandered over to the Goban and said :

"Goban : did you not hear what those layabouts were saying about you ? Aren't you going to do something about it ?"

Suddenly the whole tavern went quiet, waiting for the Goban's response:

Blinking, as if coming out of a dream, the Goban said:

"..Well, now, tavern-keeper, if I'm walking along the road of an evening, minding my own business, and an 'oul donkey leans over a gate and brays at me, I'm not going to get upset, am I? Because that's what donkeys do."

Irish Country Pub, painting by Carol Livingston

{this moment}

Inspired by Soule Mama. In her words...

 

A Friday ritual;   - a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

༅༅༅ blankety blanks ༅༅༅

If I were having a party and could invite people from my fantasy guest list it would include...

‏

Swami Sivananda

Jesus

            Oops, sorry wrong one! That's Madonna's boyfriend, Jesus Luz.

Björk

Swami Niranjan ~ my guru

Lord Chaitanya

Krishna

Anandamayi Ma

& you, ♥♥♥

That was fun...

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

I would be interested to see who you would invite. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to 'who you would invite to your party' in the comments for all to find and see.

The Music We Are

Here, in the southern hemisphere, we welcome blessed autumn. This poem is for all the readers of Obaitori in the northern hemisphere. Today a poem for you from Rumi with love.

The Music We Are

Did you hear that winter’s over? The basil
and the carnations cannot control their laughter.

The nightingale, back from his
wandering, has been made singing master over the birds.

The trees reach out their congratulations. The soul goes dancing
through the king’s doorway.

Anemones blush
because they have seen the rose naked.

Spring, the only fair judge, walks in the
courtroom, and several December thieves steal away

Last year’s miracles will soon be
forgotten. New creatures whirl in from non-

existence, galaxies scattered around their
feet. Have you met them? Do you hear the

bud of Jesus crooning in the cradle? A single
narcissus flower has been appointed Inspector

of Kingdoms. A feast is set. Listen: the
wind is pouring wine! Love used to hide

inside images: no more! The orchard hangs
out its lanterns. The dead come stumbling by

in shrouds. Nothing can stay bound or be
imprisoned. You say, “End this poem here,

and wait for what’s next.” I will. Poems
are rough notations for the music we are.

~Mevlana Rumi

Self-realisation

Meditating on;

The state we call realization is simply being oneself, not knowing anything or becoming anything.

                                                ~ Shri Ramana Maharshi ~

chandra namaskar ~ salute to the moon ~

All salutations to Sister Moon. This beautiful moon that gives powerful feminine energy. She is always there to balance her beautiful Brother Sun. Providing cool, steadiness.

This morning, on the tale of the moon's full Sagittarian beauty, I worshipped her in the form of chandra namaskar, salute to the moon. The qualities of the moon are cool, relaxing & creative, they glorify Devi, the female aspect of divinity.

"The physical practice of the asana sequence is similar to surya namaskar. However there is one extra asana, ardha chandrasana or the half moon pose, which emphasises the link with the lunar energies set up by the preparatory visualisations. Also, in chandra namaskar the force of each asana is changed subtly by the repetition of mantras related to the lunar energies.

In the chandra namaskar sequence of fourteen postures move from position 4, ashwa sanchalana, into ardha chandrasana position 5. This posture is repeated at position 11."

By Swami Satyananda Saraswati in Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha p. 173.

 

  ~ Photo ~

This posture develops balance & concentration which adds another dimension to the practice. It is highly beneficial to women seeking balance within their life.

 

 

It is advisable to learn surya namaskar from a qualified yoga teacher before attempting chandra namaskar.

 

Whereas the twelve positions of surya namaskar relate to the twelve zodiac or solar phases of the year, the fourteen positions of chavdra namaskar relate to the fourteen lunar phases. In the lunar calender the fourteen days before the full moon are known as sukla paksha, the bright fortnight & the fourteen days after the full moon are known as, krishna paksha, the dark fortnight. The name of each day introduces each asava & is uded as a basis for learning the days of the lunar cycle.

For more details see the Bihar Yoga publication; Swara Yoga.

I go into my day feeling happy, joyful & full of hope. Om shanti, shanti, shanti. I hope the same for you, dear reader.