“Energy”

Light is the most subtle symbol of energy, and In Swami Radha’s teachings we focus on filling ourselves with Light and attuning to the subtle energy that sustains life and consciousness. Our teaching theme this month is Light, Energy, Vibration. Reflections are offered by the Yasodhara Yoga Calgary group.

AUDIO
Swami Radha encourages us to deepen our experience in our practices through questions such as: What is the energy we create through Mantra? How do we become magnets for the Light? How can we foster love for the Light?

REFLECTIONS

1. Mantra is the most profound speech, sound at its highest because it takes us away from the ego’s selfishness and self-importance.” (Light and Vibration, Swami Radha). Chant, then do the Little Bridge pose or continue repeating the mantra while in the pose. Can the vibrations of the mantra build a bridge between your personal energy and Cosmic Energy? Observe. Then capture your insights in writing, drawing or poem.
2. Write the words “energy,” “vibration,” “Light,” “beauty,” and “bounty” on separate pieces of paper. Take them on a treasure hunt in your favorite outdoor place, and find whatever represents these words for you.
3. “The rhythm of the breath is important to observe. Emotions make the breath vibrate in certain ways” (Light and Vibration, Swami Radha). Sit quietly for five minutes and observe your breath. Then reflect on the following: Can you distinguish between what benefits and sustains you and what hinders and undermines you?
4. Why draw further attention to stress by focusing on stress management? Instead, as you move through your day, look for opportunities to bring in relaxation. Breathe deeply while waiting for a red light to turn green; silently chant your favourite mantra during a tense meeting; close your eyes and breathe deeply when you are put on hold during a phone call; focus on the source of your food as you are eating. Commit to a relaxation practice for a week or a month.
5. Do the Divine Light Invocation in front of the kundalini chart and ask the following questions:
   • What do I know from my experience?
   • What is my foundation made of?
   • What would it mean for me to reach for a little more of the god and a little less of the human? Allow your eyes to go to the chart and reflect on what comes forward.
6. “The Om fades and there is silence. We have created a silent space that is very rare.” (Living the Practice, Swami Radhananda). How can you bring silence and space into your life and mind? Explore breath, relaxation and mantra to create silence and space in your life and mind.
7. “I started to see more clearly how Energy could become more dense and take form, how Energy could sustain existence, and how it could withdraw to become one again. Endless waves of creation and dissolution.” (Light and Vibration, quote from Intro, Swami Lalitananda). How do you experience energy throughout the Sun Salutations – from the beginning namaste to the end namaste? How does your experience of energy change? Where does the energy come from to do this cycle of asanas? Do a few rounds of Sun Salutations, writing down your observations.