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“Growth and Blooming”

Patricia Stock and Sharon Cross from Yasodhara Yoga Cranbrook inspire us with the theme of “Growth and Blooming” to pursue the “desire to develop potential and rise above limitations.” (Living the Practice, Swami Radhananda, p 30)

GROWTH AND BLOOMING

  1. “Nothing grows without being rooted in something.” (The Rose Ceremony, Swami Radha, p 30).  Choose a practice and reflect on the “roots” in your life. What are you rooted in?
  2. “Everything has its season. At the Ashram, July is the month when the roses bloom. In time, everything comes to flower, even your love.” (The Rose Ceremony, Swami Radha, p 61) Take time to chant and reflect on what is beginning to bloom in your life.
  3. “We may be ready to grow like an orchid, subsisting only on air and water, producing sufficient roots to cling to a surface like a tree, but not living off the tree – and producing delicate flowers of indescribable beauty. The flowers of inspiration also need space and freedom.” (Hatha Yoga: The Hidden Language, Swami Radha, p 100) What are the preconceived ideas and convictions to be ploughed from your mind in order to keep it open and receptive? In order to keep it loose and aired…to be ready to grow like an orchid and no longer clinging with deep long roots to the earth? Choose a pranayama practice or practice the plough and take this quote into it like a “seed thought”.

COOPERATING WITH THE LAW OF EVOLUTION

  1. “You can cooperate with the Law of Evolution. That choice is available to each one of you. It’s not a matter of how good you are, or how bad you are. Even if you are the greatest of the sinners, it’s available.” (Time to be Holy, Swami Radha, p 261)
    • Spend a few minutes following your breath. Practice the 4/4 breath. Allow your mind to settle. Ask yourself: Where in my life am I making choices that cooperate with the process of my evolution?
    • Choose one of these choices and ask: Why did I make this choice? What have I let go of in order to move forward with it? What difference is this choice making in my life?
    • Choose another and repeat the same reflection.

BLOOMING AND THE SENSES

  1. “She is the energy in the sun, the fragrance in the flowers, the beauty in the landscape. She is the primal life force that underlies all existence.” (The Devi of Speech, Swami Radha, p 17)
    • Take this quote into the Sun Salutation. How do you experience this primal life force? Reflect and write about your experience.
    • Return to the Sun Salutation saying the Divine Light Mantra with the sequence. Consider this sequence as a Prayer Dance. Write about your experience.

DIVINE MOTHER AND BLOOMING

  1. “Think of yourself as a flower becoming open to Divine love. This is symbolic mentally and emotionally.” (Seeds of Light, Swami Radha, p 86) Sitting in lotus pose (or a comfortable variation) take time to chant and reflect: How am I becoming open to Divine love? (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually)
  2. “Swami Sivananda said that I should designate the same spot in my house as a holy place, and when I placed white flowers there, by the law of thought association, they would put me in touch with the spirit that is expressed in the symbol of Lord Siva. When I placed blue flowers on the altar, I would be put in touch with Lord Krishna, and roses or any colourful flower would bring me into touch with Divine Mother.” (Mantras: Words of Power, Swami Radha, p 15) How do colours and flowers contribute to your connection with Divine Mother? Place some flowers on your altar and gaze on them as you chant. What do the colours mean to you and where do you see them in your life?

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Cancellation Policy

To reserve your space we require a non-refundable $300 deposit at the time of booking. If you cancel prior to 14 days before the start date of your program, the deposit is non-refundable but may be transferred to another stay at the Ashram booked within a year of the original registration. Deposits for stays cancelled within 14 days of the start date will not be refunded and cannot be transferred to another stay. If you depart early during a program, full tuition and room charges still apply. Thank you for your consideration that will help make space available for other guests.

Cancellation Policy

To reserve your space we require a non-refundable $300 deposit at the time of booking.

  • The $300 deposit is non-refundable, but if you cancel with at least two weeks’ notice, your payment may be transferred to another stay at the Ashram. 
  • If the cancellation is made less than 14 days before the start of the course, the deposit is not transferable. 
  • Deposits transferred following a cancellation are converted into a booking credit. This credit must be applied to a retreat scheduled within twelve (12) months of the cancellation date. 
  • If the credit is not used within this period, it will expire and be forfeited. Expired credits have no cash value and will not be refunded or extended.

Thank you for your consideration that will help make space available for other guests.