Striving for improvement, without struggle

Happy New Year!

I just returned from a week-long retreat at Thich Nhat Hanh's Buddhist Monastery near Bordeaux, France, known as Plum Village. The place simply brings out the best in everyone who attends, and I can highly recommend spending some time there. It is also very family-friendly, and kids usually love it, although the periods of Noble Silence usually end up more like Noble Whispering!

I have been a couple of times on my own, and this was the third time with my children, who get to see and participate in a very different side of life from the competitive, urban buzz they are accustomed to here in Brussels.

Although my daughter and son are naturally exposed to my yogic way of life every day (they still roll their eyes at times), I deliberately never impose my choices on them (apart from the fact that I only prepare vegetarian food - I'm the chef!). So I was truly surprised and delighted when my twelve-year-old daughter announced that she wanted to practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings, which are described below using the Plum Village wording. She took her ceremonial vow to uphold the essence of each of the Trainings, along with a promise to reflect upon them regularly.

The bar is set very high in taking this step. Much like the Yamas and Niyamas (the guidelines for ethical living in yoga) of the Yoga Sutras, but based on the teachings of the Buddha, the Five Mindfulness Trainings offer an ideal way of conducting one's self in all aspects of life. I now have an in-house practice partner, which makes it easier for both of us to see where we can do our best, and where we could use some improvement.

The Trainings are difficult to follow to the letter in our society - working towards them is the point. It is worth noting, for example, that the Buddha and his followers would have accepted and eaten meat which was offered to them, but naturally would never kill animals nor prepare meat for themselves. Even the Dalai Lama, Tibet's highest Buddhist teacher and spiritual leader, eats a small amount of meat now - after a lifetime as a vegetarian - on the advice of his doctor. He regrets this, he has said, but says prayers of gratitude for the life that has been lost to feed him.

"The Five Mindfulness Trainings represent the Buddhist vision for a global spirituality and ethic. They are a concrete expression of the Buddha’s teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the path of right understanding and true love, leading to healing, transformation and happiness for ourselves and for the world. To practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings is to cultivate the insight of interbeing, or Right View, which can remove all discrimination, intolerance, anger, fear and despair. If we live according to the Five Mindfulness Trainings, we are already on the path of a bodhisattva. Knowing we are on that path, we are not lost in confusion about our life in the present or in fears about the future.

Reverence For Life

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, or in my way of life.  Seeing that harmful actions arise from anger, fear, greed and intolerance, which in turn come from dualistic and discriminative thinking, I will cultivate openness, non-discrimination, and non-attachment to views in order to transform violence, fanaticism and dogmatism in myself and in the world.

True Happiness

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking and acting. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy and material resources with those who are in need. I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; and that running after wealth, fame, power and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair. I am aware that happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy. I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood so that I can help reduce the suffering of living beings on Earth and reverse the process of global warming.

True Love

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society.  Knowing that sexual desire is not love, and that sexual activity motivated by craving always harms myself as well as others, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without true love and a deep, long-term commitment made know to my family and friends.  I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.  Seeing that body and mind are one, I am committed to learning appropriate ways to take care of my sexual energy and cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness - which are the four basic elements of true love - for my greater happiness and the greater happiness of others.  Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future.


Loving Speech and Deep Listening

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations.  Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope.  When anger is manifesting in me, I am determined not to speak.  I will practice mindful breathing and walking in order to recognize and look deeply into my anger.  I know that the roots of anger can be found in my wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in myself and in the other person. I will speak and listen in a way that can help myself and the other person to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to utter words that can cause division or discord. I will practice Right Diligence to nourish my capacity for understanding, love, joy and inclusiveness, and gradually transform anger, violence, and fear that lie deep in my consciousness.

Nourishment and Healing

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I will practice looking deeply into how I consume the Four Kinds of Nutriments, namely, edible foods, sense impressions, volition and consciousness.  I am determined not to gamble, or to use alcohol, drugs or any other products which contain toxins, such as certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines, books and conversations.  I will practice coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in me and around me, not letting regrets and sorrow drag me back into the past nor letting anxieties, fear, or craving pull me out of the present moment. I am determined not to try to cover up loneliness, anxiety, or other suffering by losing myself in consumption.  I will contemplate interbeing and consume in a way that preserves peace, joy and well-being in my body and consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family, my society and the Earth."

"Body and mind in perfect harmony, I send you my heart with the sound of this bell. That everyone who hears me emerges from forgetfulness and transcends all anxiety and pain. At the sound of the bell, I feel that the afflictions in me begin to dissolve. My mind is calm, my body relaxed. A smile is born on my lips. Concentrating on the sound of the bell, my conscious breath brings me back to my true home. In the garden of my heart, peace blossoms like a flower."

You might like to hear some talks given by Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village and at his teachings around the world. You can see each talk on the Plum Village Online Monastery, or look at www.plumvillage.org for more general information.

I invite you to reflect on how these principles could bring more harmony to you and others in your daily life, and - being realistic, and compassionate with yourself and others - gradually begin to adopt some of them. There is no need to struggle; nothing to be forced, and no holier-than-thou attitude to adopt. When something feels right, and it resonates with your highest principles, it will be easy and natural to work toward.

May this year bring abundant good health, joy and contentment to you and those around you.

Love and light,
Susan

Ideas for a Full Moon Meditation practice

“So Ham” makes the sound of the breath, the sound of nature, plus the sound of the serpent (nag), which represents the movement of energy through the body’s energy channels (nadi) – Sushumna + ida + pingala nadi = the caduceus

OM Hrim Hamsa Soham Swaha!

Mantra of higher life force (prana) and centering in the heart. 

OM - unmanifest prana, the primordial sound

HRIM - Primal sound of female energy (shakti)  

[HA = prana, RA = light, II = shakti force, M = sound of dissolution (anuswara)] 

Also a mantra of the sun and several Hindu goddesses, both purifying and rejuvenating.

HAM SA – increases solar prana – pingala – illuminating, stimulating 

SO HAM – increases lunar prana – ida – receptive, calming

SWAHA – mantra of offering, energizing, stimulating, increases fire (agni) 

                 [Swaha is the wife of Agni, God of fire]

Breathing exercise – alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodana pranayama)

                  Inhale left –                mentally chant OM

                  Exhale right –             HRIM

                  Inhale right –              HAM

                  Exhale left –               SA

                  Inhale left –                SO

                  Exhale right –             HAM

                  Inhale right –              SWA

                  Exhale left -                HA

**************

GAYATRI MANTRA
An auspicious mantra for all purposes

Om bhur bhuvah swaha

Tat savitur vare-niyam

Bhargo devasya dhimahi

Dhiyo yona prachodaya-at

OM- Parabrahma, BHUR- of Bhurloka (physical plane), BHUVAH- of Antariksha-loka (astral plane), SWAHA- of Swarga Loka (celestial plane)

TAT- who transcedents paratman, SAVITURA- who is a creator, VARENIYAM- I worship you

BHARGO- remover of sins, ignorance DEVASYA- giver of glory, DHI MAHI- we meditate,

DHIYO- with our Bhuddhis, intellect, understandings, YO-which NAH- is/us PRACHODAYAT- Enlightened in us through your guidance

Moon mantras for peace of mind

Om cham chandraya namaha – Mantra for the moon as a planet

Om som somaya namaha – Mantra to receive the essential lunar energy (soma)

Ganesh Chaturthi - An auspicious day for new beginnings!

Today we celebrate the birthday of Ganesha (“Ganesh Chaturthi”), the Lord of New Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles - the perfect time to begin anew and set your agendas for the months ahead!  

Ganesha is the universal master of ceremonies. He is the first to be invited whenever a puja (ceremony of worship) is performed, because he is believed to bring prosperity and initiate new beginnings. So Ganesha mantras are chanted at the beginning of auspicious and spiritual events.

In India, this day is celebrated by Hindus and Muslims alike, as the message of Ganesha is universal and not religious in nature. Also known as Ganapati, he is worshipped all around Asia, and is loved and revered by Tibetans, Chinese, Thais and Japanese. Fear of the unknown is the most basic of human emotions that affect all of us, regardless of country or religion. Ganapati helps us cope with fear and anxiety, guiding us through ambivalence, bringing clarity and a fresh perspective. Ganesha resides in the first chakra, muladhara, the foundation upon which everything rests. Seated in the base of the spine, he holds, supports and guides all other chakras, thereby governing the forces that turn the wheel of life.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar beautifully explains the legend of how Ganesha became the elephant-headed God:

“Shiva and Parvati had been celebrating and Parvati became dirty. When she realizes this, she removes the dirt from her body, creates a little boy out of it and asks him to keep guard while she bathes. When Shiva returned, the boy couldn’t recognize him and obstructed his passage to protect his “mother”, Parvati. So Shiva chopped off the boy’s head and entered. Parvati was shocked. She explained that the boy was their son and pleaded with Shiva to save him at all costs. Shiva then instructed his helpers to go and get the head of someone who was sleeping with the head pointing northwards. The helpers brought the head of an elephant, which Shiva affixed to the boy’s torso and Ganesha was brought to life!

Does this story sound strange? Why should Parvati have dirt on her body? Didn’t the all-knowing Shiva recognise His own son? Was Shiva, the epitome of peace, so short-tempered that he cut off the head of his own son? And why an elephant head on Ganesha? There is a deeper meaning to all these.

Parvati is symbolic of festive energy. Her becoming dirty signifies that celebration can easily become Rajasik or feverish and can take you away from your center. Dirt is symbolic of ignorance and Shiva is symbolic of the Supreme Innocence, Peace and Knowledge. So when Ganesha obstructs the path of Shiva, this means that ignorance, which is an attribute of the head, does not recognize knowledge. Then knowledge has to overcome ignorance. This is the symbolism behind Shiva chopping off the boy’s head.

And why an elephant’s head? The elephant represents the qualities of gyan shakti and karma shakti: wisdom and effortlessness. The enormous head of the elephant signifies wisdom and knowledge. Elephants don't walk around obstacles, neither do they stop at them. They just remove them and keep walking straight on, signifying strength and determination.” So Ganesha represents human intelligence allied with the strength of an elephant.

In his book “Tantra Unveiled”, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait writes extensively on Ganesha’s significance. The word Ganesha comes from the Sanskrit words gana and isha. Gana means “individual beings, discrete bodies of Divinity, unique forces, emanations of Divine Light, attendants of the main deity”. Isha means “one who is capable of doing what he wishes, capable of refraining from what he does not wish to do, and capable of undoing what has already been done.” In other words, the Almighty Lord.

Ganesha is the locus for all that exists, and he establishes law and brings order out of chaos, causing the universal forces to function coherently.  As the centre of gravitational energy, he supervises all activities, from the microcosmic to the macrocosmic. 

The forces of creation, maintenance and destruction are held in harmonious balance by his will, which is why the firstborn child of the Divine Mother (symbolized by Parvati) is called “Ganesha”, the lord of all entities and functioning forces of the universe.

In both Vedic and Tantric scriptures, he is called Brahmanaspati: “all-pervasive lord of knowledge and intelligence”. Because he also sets the wheels of karma in motion, he is also referred to as Karma Adhyaksha, “the one who presides over karmic law”.  As the remover of obstacles, he is known as Vighnesha. 

Like fire, Ganesha (Vighnesha) consumes anything in his path with an enormous appetite. He gladly accepts any offerings we lovingly make to him – our problems and concerns are swallowed up, granting us freedom from fear and worry. Only Ganesha is capable of consuming our ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death.

Ancient texts relate Ganesha with the sacred sound Om, and the curved shape of his trunk and head resembles Om as it is written in Sanskrit.  Because Om is the source of all mantras, repeating any mantra is like meditating on Ganesha. All sounds, words and mantras in their unmanifested form rest in muladhara chakra, where Ganesh resides.

So if you want to tap into the energy of Ganesha, here are some mantras you can chant aloud, or - even more powerfully - silently while meditating or as you go about your day.

Om Gum Ganapataye Namaha – Salutations to the Remover of Obstacles

Om Sri Ganeshaya Namaha - For auspicious and generous initiating energy

For more serious adepts, try 3 - 108 repetitions of the Maha (great) Ganapati Mantra daily:

Om Shrim Hrim Klim Glaum Gum Ganapataye

Vara Varada Sarva Janam Me

Vasha-manaya Swaha

 - "May the abundance-producing Great Remover of Obstacles that transcends this apparent reality bring all things that concern me under my control."

I wish you many blessings and the strength and forbearance of Ganesha in the months ahead!

Jai Ganesh!

A balanced view of the current debate on who "owns" yoga

Yoga, as it is practiced now, is a mix of several techniques, including some Western ones, a historian has said.

Meera Nanda, visiting professor of history of science at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, says for most Indians, yoga is a living symbol of their way of life, like apple pie is to Americans. But, she adds, they are unaware that the yoga of today can't claim Vedic antiquity.

In an article in Open magazine, she writes: "Lately, Hindus in America have started flying the saffron flag over American-style yoga, which consists largely of yogic asanas and stretches. The leading Indo-American lobby, Hindu American Foundation (HAF), has recently started a vocal campaign to remind Americans that yoga was made in India by Hindus… The purist Hindu position, articulated by the HAF, is that all yoga, including its physical or hatha yoga component, is rooted in the Hindu religion/way of life that goes all the way back to the Vedic sages and yogis."

In Nanda's words: "There is only one problem with this purist history of yoga: it is false. Yogic asanas were never ‘Vedic’ to begin with. Far from being considered the crown jewel of Hinduism, yogic asanas were in fact looked down upon by Hindu intellectuals and reformers—including the great Swami Vivekananda—as fit only for sorcerers, fakirs and jogis."

She says Western gymnastics and body-building techniques show up in the world-renowned Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa schools of yoga.

"Far from honestly acknowledging the Western contributions to modern yoga, we Indians simply brand all yoga as ‘Vedic,’ a smug claim that has no intellectual integrity," she writes.      

She disputes the 'Take Back Yoga' movement, and says "Yoga is to North America what McDonald’s is to India: both are foreign implants gone native."

Nanda says, "By and large, the US yoga industry does not hide the origins of what it teaches. On the contrary, in a country that is so young and so constantly in flux, yoga’s presumed antiquity (‘the 5,000-year-old exercise system’, etcetera.) and its connections with Eastern spirituality have become part of the sales pitch."

Following articles and blog posts appearing in The New York Times and The Washington Post, HAF’s Shukla and New Age guru Deepak Chopra got into a spat. Shukla complained the yoga industry wasn't giving credit to Hinduism, and called Chopra a "philosophical profiteer", while Chopra argued that yoga existed in "consciousness and consciousness alone" much before Hinduism.

Nanda describes both views as "equally fundamentalist". She explains: "The reality is that postural yoga, as we know it in the 21st century, is neither eternal nor synonymous with the Vedas or Yoga Sutras. On the contrary, modern yoga was born in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. It is a child of the Hindu Renaissance and Indian nationalism, in which Western ideas about science, evolution eugenics, health and physical fitness played as crucial a role as the ‘mother tradition’."

By her reckoning, "the physical aspects of yoga were hybridised with drills, gymnastics and body-building techniques borrowed from Sweden, Denmark, England, the United States and other Western countries."

Nanda writes: "Contrary to the widespread impression, the vast majority of asanas taught by modern yoga gurus are not described anywhere in ancient sacred Hindu texts. Anyone who goes looking for references to popular yoga techniques like pranayam, neti, kapalbhati or suryanamaskar in classical Vedic literature will be sorely disappointed…. The four Vedas have no mention of yoga….The Upanishads and The Bhagvad Gita do, but primarily as a spiritual technique to purify the atman."
Nanda says BKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga alone teaches 200 asanas, while the 14th century Hatha Yoga Pradipika lists only 15 asanas, as do the 17th century Gheranda Samhita and Shiva Samhita.

She also credits the Mysore palace under Krishnaraja Wodiyar IV (1884-1940) for the popular revival of yoga in India. She recalls: "The Maharaja, who ruled the state and the city of Mysore from 1902 till his death, was well known as a great promoter of Indian culture and religion. But he was also a great cultural innovator, who welcomed positive innovations from the West, incorporating them into his social programmes. Promoting physical education was one of his passions, and under his reign, Mysore became the hub of a physical culture revival in the country."

She concludes: "The HAF’s shrill claims about Westerners stealing yoga completely gloss over the tremendous amount of cross-breeding and hybridisation that has given birth to yoga as we know it. Indeed, contemporary yoga is a unique example of a truly global innovation, in which Eastern and Western practices merged to produce something that is valued and cherished around the world… Hinduism, whether ancient, medieval or modern, has no special claims on 21st century postural yoga. To assert otherwise is churlish and simply untrue."

From Yahoo! India News

Shanti Mantra - the Vedic Peace Chants

Shanti Mantras

Translation by Sri Swami Shivananda
The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh

Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatu
Sarveshaam shantir bhavatu

Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu
Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Sarve santu niraamayaah

Sarve bhadraani pashyantu
Maakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet

Meaning:

Auspiciousness (swasti) be unto all; peace (shanti) be unto all;
fullness (poornam) be unto all; prosperity (mangalam) be unto all.

May all be happy! (sukhinah)
May all be free from disabilities! (niraamayaah)

May all look (pashyantu)to the good of others!
May none suffer from sorrow! (duhkha)

Om asato maa satgamaya
Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya
Mrityor maa amritam gamaya

Meaning:

Lead us from the unreal to the Real
From darkness to Light
From death to Immortality

Om poornamadah poornamidam
Poornaat poornamudachyate

Poornasya poornamaadaya
Poornamevaavashishyate

Meaning:

That (pure consciousness) is full (perfect); this (the manifest universe of matter; of names and forms being maya) is full. This fullness has been projected from that fullness. When this fullness merges in that fullness, all that remains is fullness.

- Peace invocation -Isa Upanishad

Om sham no mitrah sham varunah sham no bhavatvaryamaa
Sham na indro brihaspatih sham no vishnururukramah

Namo brahmane namaste vaayo twameva pratyaksham
Brahmaasi twaameva pratyaksham brahma vadishyaami

Tanmaamavatu tadvaktaaramavatu
Avatu maam avatu vaktaaram.Om shantih shantih shantih!

Meaning:

May Mitra, Varuna and Aryama be good to us! May Indra and Brihaspati and Vishnu of great strides be good to us! Prostrations unto Brahman! (Supreme Reality). Prostrations to Thee, O Vayu! Thou art the visible Brahman. I shall proclaim Thee as the visible Brahman. I shall call Thee the just and the True. May He protect the teacher and me! May he protect the teacher! Om peace, peace, peace!

Om saha naavavatu sahanau bhunaktu
Saha veeryam karavaavahai

Tejasvi naavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahai
Om shantih shantih shantih

Meaning:

May He protect us both (teacher and the taught)! May He cause us both to enjoy the bliss of Mukti (liberation)! May we both exert to discover the true meaning of the sacred scriptures! May our studies be fruitful! May we never quarrel with each other! Let there be threefold peace.

Namaste sate te jagat kaaranaaya
Namaste chite sarva lokaashrayaaya

Namo dvaita tattwaaya mukti pradaaya
Namo brahmane vyaapine shaashvataaya

Meaning:

Salutations to that Being, the cause of the universe! Salutations to that Consciousness, the support of all the worlds! Salutations to that One Truth without a second, which gives liberation! Salutations to that pure, eternal Brahman who pervades all regions!

Om yaschandasaamrishabho vishwaroopah
Chhandobhyo dhyamritaat sambabhoova

Sa mendro medhayaa sprinotu
Amritasya devadhaarano bhooyaasam

Shareeram me vicharshanam
Jihwaa me madhumattamaa

Karnaabhyaam bhoori vishruvam
Brahmanah Koshoasi medhayaapihitah

Shrutam me gopaaya
Om shantih shantih shantih!

Meaning:

May He, the Lord of all, pre-eminent among the Vedas and superior to the nectar contained in them, bless me with wisdom! May I be adorned with the knowledge of Brahman that leads to immortality! May my body become strong and vigorous (to practise meditation)! May my tongue always utter delightful words! May I hear much with my ears! Thou art the scabbard of Brahman hidden by worldly taints (not revealed by impure, puny intellects). May I never forget all that I have learnt! Om peace, peace, peace!

Om aham vrikshasya rerivaa
Keertih prishtham gireriva

Urdhwapavitro vaajineeva swamritamasmi
Dravinam savarchasam

Sumedhaa amritokshitah
Iti trishankor vedaanu vachanam
Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:

I am the destroyer of the tree (of samsar; worldly life). My reputation is as high as the top of the hill. I am in essence as pure as the sun. I am the highest treasure. I am all-wise, immortal and indestructible. This is Trishanku’s realisation. Om peace, peace, peace!

Om aapyaayantu mamaangaani vaak
Praanashchakshuh shrotramatho

Balamindriyaani cha sarvaani sarvam brahmopanishadam
Maaham brahma niraakuryaam maa maa brahma niraakarod

Niraakaranamastva niraakaranam me astu
Tadaatmani nirate ya upanishatsu dharmaaste

Mayi santu te mayi santu.
Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:

May my limbs, speech, Prana, eye, ear and power of all my senses grow vigorous! All is the pure Brahman of the Upanishads. May I never deny that Brahman! May that Brahman never desert me! Let that relationship endure. Let the virtues recited in the Upanishads be rooted in me. May they repose in me! Om peace. peace. peace!

Om vaang me manasi pratishthitaa
Mano me vaachi pratishthitam

Aaveeraaveerma edhi vedasya ma aanisthah
Shrutam me maa prahaaseer anenaadheetena

Ahoraatraan samdadhaami ritam vadishyaami
Satyam vadishyaami tanmaamavatu tadvaktaaramavatu
Avatu maam avatu vaktaaram avatu vaktaaram
Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:

Let my speech be rooted in my mind. Let my mind be rooted in my speech. Let Brahman (Supreme Reality) reveal Himself to me. Let my mind and speech enable me to grasp the truths of the Vedas. Let not what I have heard forsake me. Let me spend both day and night continuously in study. I think truth, I speak the truth. May that Truth protect me! May that Truth protect the teacher! Let peace prevail against heavenly, worldly and demoniacal troubles. Om peace, peace, peace!

Om bhadram no apivaataya manah.
Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:

Salutations! May my mind and all these (the body, senses,
breath etc.) be good and well! Om peace, peace. peace!

Om bhadram karnebhih shrunuyaama devaah
Bhadram pashyemaakshabhiryajatraah

Sthirairangaistushtuvaamsastanoobhih
Vyashema devahitam yadaayuh

Swasti na indro vridhashravaah
Swasti nah pooshaa vishwavedaah

Swasti nastaarkshyo arishtanemih
Swasti no brihaspatir dadhaatu.

Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:

Om, O worshipful ones, may our ears hear what is good and auspicious! May we see what is auspicious! May we sing your praise, live our allotted span of life in perfect health and strength! May Indra (who is) extolled in the scriptures, Pushan, the all-knowing Trakshya, who saves from all harm, and Brihaspati who protects our spiritual lustre, vouchsafe prosperity in our study of the scriptures and the practice of the truths contained therein! Om peace, peace, peace!

Om yo brahmaanam vidadhaati poorvam
Yo vai vedaanshcha prahinoti tasmai

Tam ha devmaatma buddhi prakaasham
Mumukshurvai sharanamaham prapadye<

Om shantih, shantih, shantih!

Meaning:

He who creates this entire universe in the beginning, and He about whom the Vedas gloriously praise and sing, in Him I take refuge with the firm faith and belief that my intellect may shine with Self-knowledge. Om peace, peace, peace!

Om vishwaani deva savitar duritaani paraasuva
Yad bhadram tanma aasuva

Meaning:

O all pervading, Supreme Lord, the effulgent Creator, we place our faith and trust entirely in Thee. Keep away from us all that is evil and bestow upon us all that is good.

Om agne naya supathaa raaye asmaan
Vishwaani deva vayunaani vidvaan;

Yuyodhyas majjuhu raanmeno
Bhooyishthaam te nama-uktim vidhema.

Meaning:

O Supreme Lord, who art light and wisdom, Thou knowest all our thoughts and deeds. Lead us by the right path to the fulfilment of life, and keep us away from all sin and evil. We offer unto Thee, O Lord, our praise and salutation.

Tvamekam sharanyam tvamekam varenyam
Tvamekam jagatpaalakam svaprakaasham;

Tvamekam jagatkartu paatruprahartru
Tvamekam param nishchalam nirvikalpam.

Meaning:

O Thou my only refuge, O Thou my one desire, O Thou the one protector of the world, the radiant One. O Thou the creator, sustainer and dissolver of the whole world, O Thou the one great motionless Being, free from change and modification.

Vayam tvaam smaraamo vayam tvaam bhajaamo
Vayam tvaam jagat saakshiroopam namaamah;

Sadekam nidhaanam niraalambameesham
Bhavaambhodhi potam sharanyam vrajaamah.

Meaning:

O Thou eternal all-pervading witness of the whole universe, we meditate on the one Truth. We silently adore Thee and offer Thee our salutation. We take complete refuge in that one Almighty Being, the basis of everything, self-supporting and supreme, a vessel in the stormy sea of life

Om dyauh shaantih Antariksham shaantih
Prithivee shaantih Aapah shaantih

Oshadhayah shaantih Vanaspatayah shaantih
Vishvedevaah shaantih Brahma shaantih

Sarvam shaantih Shaantireva shaantih
Saamaa shaantiredhih Om shaantih, shaantih, shaantih!

Meaning: (two interpretations)

By Swami Shivananda, Rishikesh

O Supreme Lord, Thy celestial regions are full of peace and harmony; peace reigns on Thy earth and Thy waters. Thy herbs and trees are full of peace. All Thy forces of nature are full of peace and harmony. There is peace and perfection in Thy eternal knowledge; everything in the universe is peaceful, and peace pervades everywhere. O Lord, may that peace come to me!

Meaning By Swami Abhedananda, Ramakrishna Vedanta Math, India

May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere. May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers. May peace flow over the whole universe. May peace be in the Supreme Being Brahman. And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone.

Om peace, peace and peace to us and all beings!

Version française du poeme du Lama Guendune Rinpoche

Le bonheur ne se trouve pas avec effort et volonté,
     mais réside là, tout proche, dans la détente et l'abandon.
Ne sois pas inquiet, il n'y a rien à faire.

Tout ce qui s'élève dans l'esprit n'a aucune importance
     parce que dépourvu de toute réalité.

Ne t'attache pas aux pensées, ne les juge pas.
Laisse le jeu de l'esprit se faire tout seul,
     s'élever et retomber, sans intervenir.
Tout s'évanouit et recommence à nouveau, sans cesse.

Cette quête même du bonheur est ce qui t'empêche de la trouver,
     comme un arc-en-ciel qu'on poursuit sans jamais le rattraper,
parce qu'il n'existe pas, parce qu'il a toujours été là,
     et parce qu'il t'accompagne à chaque instant.

Ne crois pas à la réalité des choses bonnes ou mauvaises.
Elles sont semblables aux arc-en-ciel.
A vouloir saisir l'insaisissable, on s'épuise en vain.

Dès lors qu'on relache cette saisie, l'espace est là,
     ouvert, hospitalier et confortable.
Alors jouis-en.
Ne cherche plus.
Tout est déjà tien.

A quoi bon aller traquer dans la jungle inextricable,
     l'éléphant qui demure tranquillement chez soi.
Cesse de faire.
Cesse de forcer.
Cesse de vouloir.
Et tout se trouvera accompli.
Naturellement.

Lama Guendune Rinpoche (1918-97)

Take it easy!

This delightful poem by a Tibetan yogi captures the essence of tantra - enjoy!

Happiness cannot be found through great effort and willpower,
     but is already present in open relaxation and letting go.

Don't strain yourself; there is nothing to do nor undo.
Whatever momentarily arises in the body mind
     has no real importance at all, has little reality whatsoever.
Why identify with, and become attached to it,
     passing judgment upon it and ourselves?

Far better to simply let the entire game happen on its own,
     springing up and falling back like waves -
without changing or manipulating anything -
     and notice how everything vanishes and reappears,
magically, again and again, time without end.

Only our search for happiness prevents us from seeing it.
It's like a vivid rainbow which you pursue without ever catching,
     or a dog chasing its own tail.
Although peace and happiness do not exist as an actual thing or place,
     it is always available and accompanies you every instant.

Don't believe in the reality of good and bad experiences;
     they are like today's ephemeral weather, like rainbows in the sky.

Wanting to grasp the ungraspable, you exhaust yourself in vain.
As soon as you open and relax this tight fist of grasping,
     infinite space is there - open, inviting and comfortable.

Make use of this spaciousness, this freedom and natural ease.
Don't search any further.
Don't go into the tangled jungle looking for the great elephant
     who is already resting quietly at home in front of your own hearth.

Nothing to do or undo,
     nothing to force,
nothing to want and nothing missing -

Emaho! Marvelous!
Everything happens by itself.

by Lama Gendun Rinpoche, Karma Tarchine Lundrup Buddhist Monastery, Biollet, France

Second Chakra Affirmations

SVADHISTHANA – The Sacral Chakra

This chakra is known in Sanskrit as “the dwelling of the self”, and it affects the lower abdomen, the reproductive organs, hips, sacrum and lower digestive functions. It is your centre of power regarding finances, sexuality and relationships.

Bring your awareness to the energy and sensations of the abdomen, the lower back, and the hips. The second chakra resonates with the colour orange, so you could visualize a warm orange glow there while you relax into the affirmations.

I love my life. 

I honour my body and treat myself respectfully. 

I feel the power of healing moving in and through me as I affirm my worth and honour my body. 

I trust my feelings and give them ample room for expression. 

I lighten my body each time I feel well in myself. 

I am a creature of light, open to my highest joy. 

I am grateful for the joy of being me. 

I receive pleasure and abundance with every breath I take. 

Goodness, beauty and joy resonate with my soul. 

I am entitled to happiness, health and joy in my life. 

Healing occurs each time I rest, relax and enjoy myself. 

My body responds to thoughts of pure love and goodness. 

I know my body always seeks balance and regeneration. 

I get stronger every time I affirm my worth and honour my choices for love.

There is nothing to change about the way I am. 

Nobody needs to fix or heal me. I reclaim my power to look after myself.

I unconditionally love who I am, exactly as I am. 

I give others the space that they need and love them just as they are. 

As I love and respect myself, healing happens naturally.

_________

The above affirmations are inspired by the works of Ambika Wauters.
The descriptions are my own.


Love and light,
Susan

Shanti Mantra - Peace invocation

This is the text of the invocation we chant together at the beginning of each yoga class. Even if you prefer not to chant it out loud, get acquainted with it's meaning and honour it in your practice.

Namaste
Susan

Om Saha Naavavatu

Om. May God protect each of us

Saha Nau Bhunaktu

May he accept and nourish us

Saha Veeryam Karavavahai

May our work be of mutual benefit

(veeryam = work together with great vigour)

Tejas vinavadhee tamastu

Let our learning shine brightly, and spread out around us

Ma Vidvishavahai

Let there be no discord amongst us

Om Shanti Shanti Shantih

Om Peace Peace Peace

The prayer comes from the peace invocations (Shanti Path) of the Upanishads, which are ancient Indian scriptures which form the basis for a spiritual practice which aspires to inner peace. It emphasises the importance of a fruitful relationship between the teacher and the students.

The invocation of Shanti (peace) at the end of the Mantra (prayer) refers to the desire to overcome the misery from three sources:

1) from a higher power or destiny;

2) from the material world surrounding us (group consciousness); and

3) from the internal world or individual consciousness

Brief meditative exercise helps cognition

Click on the link below to read about the benefits of meditation!

Brief meditative exercise helps cognition

Back in Brussels, but India is never far from my mind!

Our 16 day voyage to India ended on Monday and, as always, re-adjusting takes time. India leaves such a mark on it's visitors, and digesting new experiences is a process that requires some reflection. A marvelous first week in the peace of Basunti in the Kangra Valley, followed by enriching encounters with people and places in McLeod Ganj and then Rishikesh, offered atmospheric contrasts and different ways to live yoga in every moment - even when the yoga turned out to be Tai Chi Chuan!

We were living yoga on all levels throughout our journey: beginning with learning to accept that visa problems and bureaucracy are part of Indian reality, and moving into the realization that practicing yoga is not defined the same way by all practitioners. Simply being in a group is one form of practice, easier for some than for others, and noticing how much our material surroundings affect our sense of comfort and happiness adds another dimension to understanding one's self.

But we all agreed that nothing could beat the inspiring beauty and energy of sunrise meditation and hatha yoga under the majestic circles of hundreds of birds on the rooftop at Basunti, or alongside the Ganges River in the early morning breeze. How marvelous to be able to practice so close to nature, and now our challenge is how not to feel caged in by our urban walls at home!

Love and light,
Susan