The theme for May is “Divine Mother.” Divine Mother is She whose manifestations are countless and whose worship is the total acceptance of all creation. In the beautiful month of May, when the world blossoms with fresh inspiration, we celebrate Her. This month the yoginis of Yasodhara Yoga Calgary offer their reflections for your benefit.
VIDEO
Swami Radha relates her personal experience with Divine Mother, exploring Her existence through manifestation.
AUDIO
Sit back, balance your breath, relax and listen to Swami Radha recite some of her poetic words to Divine Mother – opening the door to the heart.
REFLECTIONS
- “Divine Mother uses whatever means, joyful or painful, to teach” (Swami Radhananda). Can you see how Divine Mother is encouraging and supporting you through the events of each day—painful or joyful? How have Her lessons blossomed in your life? How have Her lessons transformed your life?
- “For your own life to bloom, a decisive action of clipping back is often required. Well – pruned trees stand like joyful dancers, their branches free and open to the Light and air” (p 169-170 Living the Practice, Swami Radhananda). What concepts can I clip away? What is no longer important in my life? Use the tree pose or a dance to explore.
- “Ave Maria, the Hail Mary, is the worship of the mother, the love aspect of the Divine. This brings out the noblest feelings in the human being.” (p. 70, Mantras, Words of Power, Swami Radha.) What noble feelings do you want to cultivate? What ideals would you like to see blossoming in your life? Commit to chanting Ave Maria for the month of May and dedicate the chanting to those whom you wish to bless.
- Create a personal ritual that allows you to express your feelings of love and devotion for Divine Mother.
- Buy or grow flowers for Divine Mother and tend them tenderly each day as an act of worship.
- Have tea with Divine Mother at the end of the day.
- Do an act of kindness in Her name every day for the month of May.
- Choose a line of the Divine Mother Prayer and explore its meaning. For example, “May all actions of my hands be mudra.” Do one or more of the following activities:
- Evoke feelings of gratitude as you explore yours hands – palms, back, fingers, make fists, stretch them, move them towards and away from your heart. What changes?
- Repeat “all actions of my hands be mudra” as you massage your hands and give yourself a manicure.
- Learn the mudras of the Divine Mother prayer dance.
- Repeat “all actions of my hands be mudra” as you create gestures that have personal meaning for you and that express your love and devotion for Divine Mother.
O Divine Mother
May all my speech and idle talk be mantra
All actions of my hands be mudra
All eating and drinking be the offering of oblations unto Thee
All lying down prostrations before Thee
May all pleasures be as dedicating my entire self unto Thee
May everything I do be taken as Thy worship
O Divine Mother
- Record yourself repeating the Divine Mother Prayer. Express various feelings through the tone of your voice — loud, soft, joyful, etc. Afterwards listen to the recording and observe your response. You can also move to it, dance to it.
- “Prayer is conversation between you and the Divine” (p. 33, The Devi of Speech, Swami Radha). At the beginning of the month write a letter to Divine Mother. Seal and stamp the letter, address it to yourself and ask a friend to mail it to you at the end of the month. What is your experience when you read it?
May Divine Mother shower Her blessings on you!
From the Yasodhara Yoga Calgary yoginis — Susanne Bechtold, Utpala, Grace Satre and Sandra Vandenhoff.
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