Sustained by Connection: Through Darkness, Into Light
As I store away my winter coat and boots, I am reminded of this time last year and all that has happened since. In the last three seasons I have been faced with rejection, health challenges and grief. Like many, I have witnessed the devastating world news of natural disasters, war and suffering. As I […]
Ask a Swami – What is a lineage? What is Ananda?
We are excited to launch our new Yasodhara Ashram Podcast, Ask a Swami! Throughout the years, many people have expressed their interests in learning more from the Swamis, who have devoted their lives to practicing and sharing Swami Radha’s teachings. This series offers just that—the opportunity to hear from our Elders and to reflect on the […]
Spring: Season of Renewal & New Growth
March 20 – the official first day of spring. Visions of flowers blooming, tender leaves unfolding, bees buried in dandelions and winter coats stored away until next November. The reality for many of us, though, is that we are far from these “visions.” There is still snow on frozen ground and temperatures that do not […]
The Gift of Presence—An Act of Love
An exploration of how being present for ourselves and others is the most precious gift we can give. Understanding Love: I See You Standing in Tadasana (the Mountain pose) this morning, the words ‘gift of presence’ come to mind. I notice my body and mind relaxing into the experience of standing still, being present and […]
Facing Transitions: Finding Light in Endings and New Beginnings
The clouds lift on this clear cold winter day and I am awed by the sight of luminous mountains with snow crisp edges touching the sky. It’s as if the mountains have regained speech and are stating: We are here. We are always here but today we offer you this vision. It is like Consciousness […]
From the Mundane to the Extraordinary- A Path of Glowing Gems
Subtle Energies There was a little card in one of the Ashram classrooms that had an image of Krishna playing the flute, his body gently curved. The text said “Keep thy Mind fixed on Me.” That little card has been on my mind for years, almost decades. I have wondered: what does it mean to […]
Beauty. Yes! Wow! Thanks!
Carrying two red onions just pulled from the garden soil, I squatted at the compost to wash them. Mired in grumpy thoughts, I hardly noticed peeling back the outer layers, feeling wronged in a situation, reviewing the ways how and basically stating my case, though to whom I couldn’t say. Not the onions. As I […]
Planting Peace: Relaxation and Personal Blossoming
I recently went through the process of researching, planning and planting an Indigenous plant garden. All of the plants selected are native to this region and support specific butterflies and wild bumblebees, including an eco-regional milkweed plant to help bring back monarch butterflies to the area. The local native plant society supplied the seedlings and […]
Lifting to the Light: Notes from an Artist’s Journey
For more of an interactive experience, feel free to read while listening to Silver’s rendition of Om Namah Shivaya Prayer Always a dreamer Setting out quietly, often at dusk, basking in the companionship of the horse, in the serene magnificence of the land. Young girl, riding horseback, alone. Saskatchewan family farm. The transition of twilight […]
Following Crane: The Gift of Stillness in My Day
A few years ago I was given a beautiful Japanese tapestry with white cranes flowing throughout it, their wings spread wide. For me these cranes have come to symbolize messengers who fly between the worlds—the world of dreams and the world of everyday life. In that transition time of waking up with a dream, or […]