Greetings Precious Ones…
Trust that you are all staying well and keeping your spirits up. Times like these offer us opportunities to pay close attention to how we are investing our time and energy and give us a chance to learn to conserve our resources and use them wisely. During this time when things are somewhat challenging out there, we can invest our energy in cultivating harmony in our internal world and planting seeds for future possibilities. Consistent and regular practice (including Satsang) during the ups and downs of life over a long period of time will allow us to develop the strength, compassion and decisiveness to weather anything. This takes practice. A lot of practice.
Over a long period of time. This builds true Self-confidence and faith.
The key is disciplined consistency. Yoga Practices Do Not Work If You Don’t Do Them.
Remember that the only way to become adaptable to the ups and downs of life is to have actually experienced some ups and downs in life. As Ram Dass says: “This means that as the things come up…frustration, anger, disappointment…we begin to notice them coming and eventually we can strengthen our ability to wake up sooner and sooner each time. It does not mean they don’t come up, it’s just that we wake up more quickly.”
There is a quote I love: “How can you ever be really brave if only really great things have happened to you?”
Whether you are feeling fearful about the economy or in a funk because of the weather…or maybe everything is just fabulous and still somehow you can’t really enjoy it because you are concerned about how long it will last, the Bhagavad Gita is a treasure trove of valuable insights that have lifted me out of many a dark moment and times of doubt and confusion over the years…and still do. The Gita addresses the perennial questions of life such as “why am I here?”, “what will happen to me when I leave my body?” and “what is the nature of reality?”
Sometimes these teachings appear confusing or contradictory without the guidance and insights that are offered from one who along with their own experiences has had direct transmission from a teacher with a deep understanding based on a long lineage of time-tested wisdom. Coming together for scriptural study and practices is a way for us to lift one another’s vibration and influence the world around us. Each person’s participation reminds us that what we do really does matter, that everyone has something to offer…adding our collective energy to the group awakens our innate wisdom and reminds us that the things that we believe to be true are in fact true despite what the other external sources are telling us.
This weekend offers many precious opportunities to gain some sacred inspiration for navigating through challenging times from the lineage of Sri Brahmananda Saraswati. Sri Brahmananda was Manorama’s guru and one of the 3 main gurus and influences of the Jivamukti Yoga method. Sri Brahmananda was the founder of the Yoga Societies of New York and San Fransisco as well as Ananda Ashram in NY. Before becoming a nada yogi and Sanskritist, he was a medical doctor, brain surgeon, psychologist, acupuncturist, opthomologist…and a few other things that slip my mind at the moment. He gave up his career in the medical profession because he concluded that “the real cause of human suffering is a case of mistaken identity.” Sri Brahmananda said,
“No matter how much fame, name or recognition you gain in this life is nothing compared with who you really are.”
Gathering together to remind ourSelves of our Divine nature is a great blessing.
Looking forward to having your darshan soon!
HARI OM,
deAnna
“On this path, effort never goes to waste and there is no failure. Even a little effort towards spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear.”
~ The Bhagavad Gita
WEEKEND EVENTS
Manorama Devi will be returning to the Dallas Yoga Center this weekend to share her wisdom and insights.
Friday evening from 7pm-8:30pm, she will offer an evening of Chanting & Meditation. Investment is $20.
If you are not able to participate in the entire course this weekend, please join us for the Satsang!
Saturday and Sunday she will be teaching on “Harmony and Devotion“ at the Dallas Yoga Center
from the timeless and ever inspiring Bhagavad Gita.
We will learn verses in Sanskrit and receive valuable insight.
Investment: $180 plus course materials.
Visit www.dallasyogacenter.com for the details.
Sunday evening from 5:30pm-8:30pm at Karmany Yoga
Please join me for our 3rd Sunday monthly Jivamukti Sadhana Intensive.
This month we will cultivate our ability to navigate through the muddy waters of life
with teachings from the Bhagavad Gita
as well as an asana practice emphasizing
the Blossoming Lotus and Compass sequences designed by my precious guru and
Jivamukti Yoga Co-Founder, Sharon Gannon.
Prepare to lift your practice out of the mundane and into the sacred!
Suggested donation is $35.
Visit www.karmanyyoga.com for more information.
GRATITUDE PARTY…FREE CLASS AND PARTY
Heads up! Gratitude Party at Karmany Yoga on Friday 29 May.
Join us from 5:30pm-6:45pm for a FREE YOGA CLASS.
Tag team teaching by the Karmany Yoga teachers!
After party with food and drinks at 7pm.
Please bring a canned good to participate and we will donate it to North Texas Food Bank.