“Yoga as Dance”
The theme for July is “Yoga as Dance.” What better time to dance for joy than in the fullness of summer? How do you become aware of the movement of the Divine in your life, and how do you respond to that dance? Thank you to the the Yasodhara Yoga Spokane yoginis – Janet Brown, Swami Yasodananda, Deborah Rose, Sharon Wobker, Francis Becker and Sheila Thomson – who have prepared the following reflections.
“Energy”
In June we enjoy the longest days of light. 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.
“Divine Mother”
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.
“Renewing in the Light”
Swami Radha celebrated her 84th birthday with a gathering to talk about her life. Looking back, she speaks about the sacrifices that are required to find the Light within; not only does she not regret her choices, she celebrates them.
“What is Yoga?”
What is the role of devotion and worship in life today? How do we develop and sustain our desire for the Divine? Swami Radha engages us in questions about yoga, devotion, awareness and desire.
“Retreat”
Swami Radha passed into the Light on November 30th, 1995. In this video, Swami Radhananda talks of Swami Radha as a bodhisattva or “diamond being” and reads Swami Radha’s Last Message. In the Last Message Swami Radha encourages us to see life as the play of Radha and Krishna and asks those involved to stay together and love one another…. Lots to reflect on for Retreat Month. What would your last message be?
“Study”
Swami Radhananda explores verse one of the sacred text, Ananda Lahari (Wave of Bliss), showing how we are all part of the dance of creation, preservation and dissolution. She encourages us to reach other dimensions beyond our problems, emotions or imagination.
“Selfless Service”
Swami Radhananda questions the meaning of service, work and offering. In the context of the Divine Mother Prayer, she also explores the immense power of speech and how we use it.
“Who Am I?”
VIDEO
Swami Radhananda speaks to us about how to be who we really are. She explores the Divine Light Invocation and gives a beautiful visualization of extending the Light into our homes, our community, our workplace, our country and our planet.
AUDIO
With what do you identify? Swami Radha says when we identify with the Light, by reflecting with deep feeling on the words of the Divine Light mantra, we can find the liberation we are seeking.
You can listen to it here:
https://www.yasodhara.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Who-Am-I-September-Excerpt.mp3
TEACHING IDEAS
This month’s teaching theme reflections were generated by members of the annual Kundalini & Dream Teacher (Re)Certification. Thank you!
- “Cultivate the feeling that you are one with the Light. Be one with the Light.” Practice the exercise, Filling your body with Light. (Kundalini Yoga for the West p. 116-117)
- Sit in a meditation posture, cross-legged, or with your ankles crossed. Rest your hands, palms up, on your lap. (As an alternate posture, you may stand.)
- Focus your eyes on the space between your eyebrows.
- Try to think of yourself without the body or face; in other words, avoid the familiar reflection seen in the mirror.
- Visualize your body as empty or hollow like a glass bottle.
- See a small stream of white light (the size of a thread) flowing down the center of this glass form, filling the feet, legs, trunk, arms, neck and head.
- Soon you cannot distinguish detailed limbs. This form that you call your body is now a mass of Light.
- Hold this image (a mass of Light in the shape of your body) as long as possible. Repeat often until it becomes familiar.
- Reflect on your self-image with the following questions (Kundalini Yoga for the West, p 120)
- How do I see myself?
- Is my self-image valid?
- Am I changing my self-image as I am changing?
- Can I take a new look at myself?
- Are changing goals changing my self-image?
- Can I see myself in the perspective of my new goals?
- Gaze in a mirror at your face, asking, “Who am I?” What do you see? Is it a face you can trust? Does the inner Light shine through? Take notes. Then do the Divine Light Invocation, repeat the exercise. Write.
- Place the question, “Who am I?” in your dream journal and invite in a revealing dream.
- Take a recent dream and ask, “Who are the ‘I’s’ in the dream?”
- Recite the Divine Light mantra several times and ask yourself, “Who is the ‘I’ in the mantra?” With what do you identify?
- Stand in the Mountain pose (tadasana) in different settings and ask, “Who am I?” Write.
- Repeat the Divine Mother prayer 25 times. Visualize your Divine Mother. Using your imagination, describe what She looks like. What words do you choose? Write them down. Draw a picture of your Divine Mother. How would you describe yourself? What words do you use? Compare them to the words you used for Divine Mother. How do you feel about your self-image? Can you nourish a new image? Draw a picture of how you would like to be seen. (Devi of Speech p 58, 59)
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.
DANCE
September’s dance is Time and Change, choreographed by Anjali (Anne Marie Gaston). Tune in to our Bhajan Blast on September 15, 7-8 pm Pacific Time to watch the dance.
LIVE BHAJAN BLAST
Generate positive vibrations through sacred song and dance. Join our seventh Bhajan Blast of the year on Sunday, September 15th from 7-8 pm Pacific Time. Wherever you are, let’s connect!
(PS: October’s theme will be “Selfless Service” Stay tuned!)
“Liberation” Teaching Theme
Swami Radhananda offers an inspiring talk in Calgary after a two-day workshop on Liberation. She gives us an introductory look at the map of the Kundalini system that can bring us beyond our limitations to our most heartfelt goal in life.