In preparation for writing this blog, I thought a lot about what ‘preparation’ really means. I read from the Cambridge dictionary that ‘preparation’ is all about practicing and setting yourself up for success. This led me to the usual questions:
Who am I now?
What brings me joy?
What do I want to do about myself during this new season?
Having summer as a timeframe for preparation and a pathway to joy gave me some helpful examples to reflect on. How do I prepare for summer to enjoy the gift of more sun and heat? I bring out my lighter clothing and shoes. I gather what I need for sun protection: water, shade, sunscreen. I anticipate the local fresh veggies and fruits. I join the collective preparations for fire safety. I think of those who live in this area going on vacations, staycations, maybe even coming here for a spiritual retreat in the Kootenays. There’s a sense of movement, connection and possibility in this kind of preparation.
The first note Swami Radha wrote to me was all about preparation. This was during a time when Swami Radha was guiding me carefully and firmly to take responsibility for myself rather than depending on others, encouraging me to become financially independent so I could face the next challenge: emotional independence.
Her letter arrived in the mail, something that I didn’t expect and have treasured since. She wrote this by hand, even with her arthritis:
“As a mother prepares her child for life, so too does a spiritual mother (or Divine Mother) prepare the aspirant for spiritual life.”
Giving Back Through Teaching: Hatha Teacher Certification
In my life, I’ve learned that the best kind of joy is the kind that comes out and meets me, rather than the kind I search or hope for. It’s like searching for mushrooms or calypso orchids – the moment of joy comes when they decide to reveal themselves, often when I am not even looking. Suddenly… they are there.
To achieve this state of ‘not even looking’, I have to forget the part of me that has desires and neediness in the forefront of my mind. Simply being present with the beauty, the people and the circumstances around me is what makes me open to what might have been invisible just a moment before.
The warm sun in summer reminds me to let go of the selfish parts, to make myself available – this is the best preparation for joy in any moment. The sun simply gives without receiving anything in return (that we know of). Selflessness, too, is about giving back for all we receive.
At the Ashram, the recent Hatha Teacher Certification was an example of giving on many levels. All of us who are already teachers of Yasodhara Yoga have offered our support out of gratitude, helping to pass on the teachings to those who genuinely sought them.
The participants put in intense effort, learning and gaining deeper understanding about themselves and the teachings. As the leaders of the certification program, we set the timeline and defined the key learnings we wished to convey, doing our best to bring them to life for each participant, while letting go of any attachment to the outcome. For me, knowing that I was a small part of that process brings to me a feeling I call a ‘sacred joy’.
This week we see the graduates from the Hatha Teacher Certification course finishing their practicum in such a short time. This is a new event as usually after such an intense course it often takes months to complete!
With the support of their fellow classmates and teachers, they asked for feedback, completed their summaries and embodied the teachings. It is such a gift for the Ashram! Each person is so unique, as they bring all of their prior experiences and learnings from life to this new role of teacher. They now have the opportunity to give back, and I hope in doing so, they too experience this ‘sacred joy’ as they move forward with their lives. Knowing that these teachings will carry on through them is a joy to me and the whole Ashram.
Bringing Our Lives to Life
Even though it takes preparation to experience what I call ‘sacred joy’, the preparation of knowing who I am and what my purpose is, helps me to be more in the moment and also more spontaneous.
From the wise words of Swami Radhananda:
“Engage in what is essential right now. This spontaneity brings life to our actions and interactions; it can bring our lives to life.”
In our work, our relationships and our daily life, routines easily set in and everything we do can become very solid, immovable and inflexible. How can we bring life into our daily actions? Every moment is calling for change, giving us a chance to leap into the present.
Once we are in contact with this ‘life’ or essence that brings joy to even the most mundane actions, we become more available to the purpose of our life. From what I have learned, that purpose will almost certainly have some element of helping others, coming from a place of giving from the heart.
Steps for Preparing for Sacred Joy
To prepare for Sacred Joy for Summer (or anytime):
- Relax and breathe
- Leap into the present and give life and warmth to the moment/circumstances/people you are with
- Be available to serve
- Let go of any result
And then, enjoy!!!
Swami Matananda