VIDEO
For inspiration here is a beautiful video of Swami Radhananda introducing a workshop on “Polishing the Diamond.” She explores the symbolism of the diamond as a metaphor for the fire and Light within – and how we can access that divinity by polishing away our ignorance.
AUDIO
This audio clip gives an opportunity to hear Swami Radha present her method of working with Dreams. She views dreams as a bridge between our inner guru that speaks a personal symbolic language and our conscious mind that can learn to interpret this language.
You can listen to it here:
REFLECTION IDEAS
The following teaching ideas are ones we will be working with in our weekly classes at the Ashram. You can try them for yourself or join with friends to discover the richness of symbolism in your life.
- Dreams – Explore a dream as outlined in Realities of the Dreaming Mind. Focus on Setting, Characters, the “I” in the dream, and opening up the main symbols, interpreting and applying the message. (see Realities of the Dreaming Mind, pages 37-38 for a summary of the Dream Method, and pages 45-56 for ways to work with symbols.)
- Waking Life as a Dream – Write up a part of your day as a dream, then interpret it in the same way as you would a night dream, associating with each the symbols and gathering the bigger message. (see the exercises on page 190-191 of Realities of the Dreaming Mind)
- How do we shape our world? Reflect on the first chakra of the Kundalini system, which is related to the element “earth.” (see Kundalini Yoga for the West.) How do you use your body, your mind and the energy you are given? Work with a piece of clay – play with it, feel it, shape it. Ask: What do I want to create out of the raw material of my life? Reflect on the image of the first chakra. Write your observations.
- Focus on your favourite deity and bring that divine quality into your life. Read about your deity, research art and images, write poetry, draw or dance the feelings. How do the divine qualities come through you? What are the obstacles? How are you inspired?
DANCE
In January we will be practicing the Ashram Prayer Dance. This dance has been recorded on video and includes some original footage of Swami Radha. If you would like to learn the dance or refresh your practice, order the DVD from the Ashram bookstore (800-661-8711). Dance is Yoga… Yoga is Dance!
LIVE BHAJAN BLAST
Tune in on Sunday, January 27th at 7:30pm (Mountain Time: UTC – 6 hours) for live streaming of our Bhajan Blast. Join us in singing from the heart.
(PS: February’s theme is “Renunciation.” Stay tuned!)
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