Honoring Guruji

"Practice and all is coming." ~ Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Today marks the day a ceremony in honor of Guruji was held in Mysore, India. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the trip, however all the same, my thoughts are with him, and my heart is wide open, for my life has been transformed in many ways because he walked this earth and lived his purpose. Thank you Guruji.

Take Time

"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet.”

~ Rumi

Saturdays have become my long walking days. After 6 days of practice, I welcome the pace of the day, and appreciate the break to soak in sun and nature in the morning. There's an abundance of green space in Stockholm impressive for a city this size. DF had a boating trip with the guys, so I ventured to our spot in the city we like to walk on my own camera in hand to take a few shots. Today, was a day like no other, a perfect balance of warmth and sunshine, boarded with lush greenery exploding with color. Everyone seemed to have the same idea, because even though I got an early start, there were many out enjoying the rites of spring.

I love the act of slowing down and simply being with the day. No agenda or expectations.

Caught in Between Two Worlds

Oh soul, you worry too much.
You have seen your own strength.
You have seen your own beauty.
You have seen your golden wings.
Of anything less, why do you worry?
You are in truth the soul, of the soul, of the soul.

~ Rumi

Caught in between. There are days when I feel pulled by one reality on one side, to have my heart's yearning on the other. Often, the two don't mesh. Or, at least, I haven't quite struck that balance yet. No matter. This is something I am learning to deal, and handle with grace. A vigilant practice of seeing clearing, not allowing distorted thoughts to skew my vision, has been of utmost importance. The thought patterns of not being enough, is something I will have to continuously revisit, and put into check to eradicate. Just when I think all is well, I am pushed into looking at this time and time again. The questions I ask...where does it stem from?...and, why do I harbor these beliefs? No longer do I want to be a slave to thoughts and standards I have adopted, but have never truly believed in. It's amazing how easy it is to fall into expectations that have never called to my higher self, but have been conditioned and ingrained in a psyche, so deep that still, I have a tendency to falter at it's will. The exciting part is cultivating the awareness to know, to do, and make the choice not to be seduced by it.

There's a world that tells me these are the rules, when in my heart, it makes no sense. I no longer feel like falling in line to a reality that leaves me feeling lifeless and uninspired. Rules are meant to be broken for a reason. I'm not talking about anarchy, I'm talking about living on purpose that coincides with an inner connectedness that enlivens the soul in a way that is undeniable and cannot be ignored. One, I must listen more closely, and be still while sitting in the silence. Two, I must stand in a place of gratitude and open understanding, banishing the world of right and wrong, left and right...a world of labels and judgments. All awe for the truth is lost when caught in the wheel of what my little mind thinks this game is all about. True. Three, I am love, I am innocent, and part of a greater Truth I must become intimate with in order to live the truth. It is time to release the blocks that cause this Light to fade at moments. Fear often becomes a place of comfort. A sneaky character, infiltrating in the most unlikely places. However, don't most of our problems stem from being fearful of our greatness? Am I willing to take responsibility?

An innovation of living and thinking isn't always a place of comfort. Most times not. I am beginning to understand that maybe it is better not to be too comfortable, to then turn apathetic. I find comfort in my uncomfort and angst, for the alchemy of truth and passion breed ripe in this environment. No longer satisfied with the status quo, the challenge of letting go of all that I thought I knew about this world is a great place to start. Stepping outside the conditions, rationalization, and labels, and entering into a place of beauty, which is everyone's birthright, feels freeing. To have every belief system shattered to bits is where I will begin. Yes. This is where I will begin.

Guards at the Palace

"The master of the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he is always doing both."

~ Lao Tzu

Å - Ä - Ö

"You always admire what you really don't understand."

~ Blaise Pascal

Å - Ä - Ö, the three extra vowels in the Swedish language. Oh my. On top of the A - E - I - O - U, we're familiar with in English, there are 3 vowels on top of the usual five, I've had to get intimate with when slowly learning the language. The Å, is more like a long "O". I think. The Ä, is close to a nasal toned "A," and the Ö, well...I'm not really sure what to make of it. Some type of strange hybrid of a "U" and "O" something or other. Definitely something I've heard when listening to French.

At first I was thinking Swedish was gonna be easy, peesy....but no, that's not the case. Well, I guess It is all in one's perspective, I mean Mandarin Chinese was a whole other ball game. So, I shouldn't complain.

Languages are fun and they really work the brain. Good mental exercise, that's for sure. I can see how it can be easy to be lazy and skip the Swedish all together while in Sweden since 99% of Swedes know English fluently. But, as DF has expressed time and time again...that's not gonna fly. Hahaha. Guess not.

In the Stock

Scriptures talking of the Self are just for the sake of our intellectual understanding. But the practical truth for the ego is very simple. Just learn to be selfless. Learn to lead a dedicated life. Whatever you do, do it for others. The dedicated ever enjoy peace... The entire life is an open book, a scripture. Read it. Learn while digging a pit or chopping some wood or cooking some food. I you can't learn from your daily activities, how are going to understand the scriptures?

~ From The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Sri Swami Satchidananda

City Streets

Whenever you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

~ Aurthur Conan Doyle

The Palace

The happiness we can receive by mastery lasts longer than temporary joys. We should all become masters. That is true freedom and real victory. If you are free from your own mind and senses, nothing can bind you: then you are really free.

~ Sri Swami Satchidananda

More in Old Town

The ideals which have lighted me on my way and time after time given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. . . . The ordinary objects of human endeavor -- property, outward success, luxury -- have always seemed to me contemptible.

~ Albert Einstein

Quick Tips

I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth - and truth rewarded me.

~ Simone de Beauvoir

Quick Tips for Personal Development ~ By Chononita Fabian Piorkowsky

1. Just as you can’t develop your muscles just by reading about exercise, you can’t develop your consciousness just by reading about esoterics or spirituality.

2. Unless you change your internal life, your external life will never really change.

3. What you assimilate into your mind affects your mental and emotional well-being in much the same way as your diet affects your physical well-being.

4. Trust life and have faith that it will provide you the experiences you require for your continued evolution.

5. Accept the fact that there are no accidents and everything happens for a reason.

6. Learn to trust yourself, your instincts, your intuition and your inspiration.

7. Don’t hold on to the past or worry about the future - just live one day at a time.

8. By helping yourself you help no one, but by helping others you also help yourself.

9. Those who live in accordance with the laws of life are better than those who preach them.

10. Try to notice every motive and desire that passes through your consciousness. Give conscious energy to those of a high order and discard those of a low order.

11. You won’t find peace and happiness by looking outside of yourself.

12. Try to contact your higher self for a few minutes every day and imagine how it might direct your life.

13. Remember that you are not your body, your emotions or your mind - they are separate beings and you (the ensouling monad) are their master. If they are well trained they will serve you well, otherwise they will run wild.

14. Learn to distinguish between your wants and your body’s wants.

15. Free yourself from addictions, e.g. alcohol, drugs, coffee, sugar, tobacco, sex. You can still enjoy them from time to time; just don’t let them become habitual.

16. Make little sacrifices to help develop your will-power. For example, give up chocolate or alcohol for a month.

17. Be true to yourself and never pretend to be anything you are not. If people don’t accept you for who you are, you don’t need them in your life.

18. Don’t be too critical because any fault you see in others probably also afflicts you.

19. Be unconcerned about other people’s opinions. You are free to form your opinions and they are free to form theirs.

20. Whether people like you or not is their business not yours, so don’t take it personally.

21. Forgive everyone and everything - you can’t change the past so there is no point being bitter. It hurts you far more that it hurts them; so why torture yourself?

22. Give up the need to win and the need to be right.

23. Don’t interfere in other people’s affairs, but always be willing to help if you are asked.

24. Don’t pass on hearsay or gossip - break that cycle of vindictive negativity.

25. Don’t be offended by anything because it is all part of the divine plan.

26. Calmly accept whatever life deals you - you probably can’t do much about it so there is no point getting angry or depressed.

27. Remain optimistic - if times are tough be thankful they are not worse and be grateful that you are working off some of your karmic debt.

28. The only evil that can befall you is of our own making. Rather than fearing what you are due it is better to welcome it, because at least you will have re-paid part of your karmic debt.

29. Don’t blame other people for your misfortunes because you alone are responsible for your life. The one’s you blame are merely instruments who helped to manifest your karma and destiny.

30. Accept people for who they are - their behavior merely reflects with their level of development.

31. Make allowances for other people failings rather than judging and condemning them.

32. Try not to judge people who are at a lower stage of development because you were once just like them.

33. See the good in everyone, no matter how bad they may appear.

34. Be happy and think happy thoughts - if you don’t identify with negative emotions they can have no hold over you and will quickly pass.

35. Love unconditionally - treat everyone as you would like them to treat you, and try to treat everyone the same whether you like them or not.

36. Be willing to make sacrifices and put the needs of others before your own.

37. Do your best and you will always succeed, even if the world considers it a failure.

38. Be unconcerned about failure - there is no such thing as failure, only opportunities to learn lessons.

39. Don’t regret anything - the cyclic nature of life means there will always be another opportunity.

40. It takes time for noticeable improvements to manifest in your life, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t seem to be making much progress.

41. Forget about your self and how far you have come.

42. Thinking highly of your self is a clear sign that you still have a long way to go.

43. Don’t take yourself too seriously because life is just an educational game.

44. Maintain an inner awareness to ascertain your motives before you speak or act.

45. Remember that the solution to all your problems lies within you.

46. Recognize that all your troubles are caused by uncontrolled emotions. Emotionality feeds a conflict but rationality brings resolution.

47. Be honest, upright, dependable and sincere, with no hidden agendas.

48. Be impartial in every decision you make, irrespective of any advantage you may gain or disadvantage you may incur.

49. Always set a good example to other people.

50. Stand up for freedom and fight for your rights.

51. Stand firm in matters of great importance but yield in matters of no importance, and remember that most things in life are unimportant.

52. If you let go a little you will have a little peace, if you let go a lot you will have a lot of peace, if you let go completely you will have complete peace.

53. Don’t conform to customs and arbitrary rules - they stifle freedom and expression.

54. Don’t succumb to advertising - it is nothing but mental and emotional manipulation.

55. Ignore public opinion - investigate things for your self and make up your own mind.

56. Study esoterics and apply it in order to develop wisdom, but don’t read too much too quickly because you will dilute what you already know.

57. Read slowly so that you have time to fully absorb the information, contemplate it to develop your understanding then apply it in your daily life.

58. Remain open minded but not gullible.

59. Be generous and charitable - can you really justify another spending spree when there are so many poverty-stricken people in the world?

60. You get what you give, not what you take.

61. Don’t want more than you need.

62. Too many possessions are a burden, so give away anything you don’t need.

63. Don’t envy other people’s wealth because it is better to have a reasonable standard of living in all your incarnations rather than one decadent life followed by ten poverty stricken lives.

64. Wealth, power and fame only give you an advantage in one lifetime; a developed consciousness gives you an advantage in every lifetime.

65. Be kind to everyone, without exception.

66. Stop harming other people with negative words, feelings and thoughts.

67. Do right for the sake of right, not for recognition or reward.

68. Don’t just refrain from doing evil; actively do good.

69. Do what you can (no matter how small) to make the world a better place.

70. Remember why you are here!

"The common saying goes that there can be no love without fear. But that is wrong. The fact is that where there is fear, can be no true love."

~ Gandhi

Transition

"Beauty awakens the soul to act." ~ Dante

Last weekend we were blessed with fabulous spring time weather. Spring in Stockholm unfolds in a slow and steady fashion. Like DF says, it's an emerging.

Sometimes moments of transition can be challenging and stressful...but, not always. Now, I'm learning to appreciate the beauty of transition and change. If anything, isn't that what life is all about? The only constant is the change. And there will be plenty ahead, moving forward, no doubt about that.

I'm attempting to learn Swedish, and my mouth hurts because of it. Hahaha. Seriously. After a session of learning new words and constructing a few sentences I'm like...geesh...let my mouth rest! It's interesting how when learning another language I've begun to see the stark contrast from English. American English has a kinda of waaa....waaaa quality to it. It's flat. However Swedish has a melodic element that's completely foreign to me. Even though I make it sound as if it's a pain in the ass, in reality, it's fun.

Practice in Scandinavian country has been same, same, but different. I've practiced mostly at home with DF, but have also had the chance to practice in some of the local yoga studios. Stockholm has a fairly vibrant Ashtanga yoga community with an abundance of places to choose from, which is cool. Also, I got the opportunity to take class from Certified Teacher, Alex Medin who was in town for a stint. He was great, and very knowledgeable.

I've continued to practice up until Sharath stopped me. I've deepened, and am still adjusting to the temperament of my lower back. Quite honestly, everyday I'm just not sure how it's gonna feel. One day it's all good, to then, have the very next day be a bit of a nightmare. Ok. I exaggerate. But, I'm definitely going through a two steps forward, one step back kinda thing. However, I carry on, and breathe with the constant shifting in my back. Like I said before, it's the only constant.

Hanuman Chaleesa

"From a spark may burst a flame." ~ Dante

I was first introduced to the Hanuman Chaleesa by Tim Miller. As many know, he has a strong affinity toward the spirit of Hanuman, and what this Monkey God exemplifies. Later, a close friend of mine was telling me how much she enjoyed chanting the Hanuman Chaleesa and the powerful benefits that came with daily devotional chanting. She gave me the lyrics and a CD of Krishna Das chanting this inspirational song. At first, I was like, wow...40 versus...hmmm. However, soon I felt compelled to try it, and I chanted the Chaleesa everyday for months morning and night. Yes, legend has it, the Hanuman Chaleesa is quite powerful and delivers gifts and abundance to the devotee. However, the true gift of chanting is joining with a higher power, whatever that means for you, in worship and love. So, after a long hiatus, I feel like adding the Hanuman Chaleesa back into my life. It really is so much fun.

Below I extracted an expert from Krishna Das's website to share here.

Hanuman Chaleesa

Maharaj-ji always spoke of Hanuman, ther Monkey God as being the "Breath of Ram(God) . He said over and over that Hanuman and Christ were the same. The Hanuman Chaleesa is a hymn of 40 verses that describes his life and exploits. It begins with the phrase,"I take the dust of the Guru's lotus feet to cleanse the mirror of my heart." The grace of the Guru is necessary to begin to understand the deepest levels of the story of Hanuman in the Ramayana. Maharaj-ji once said, "Hanuman was always present in all time in the universe."

There is a song written by Tulsi Das in which he quotes Ram Himself as saying:
"Without Hanuman, no one in this world would have known of me." Then Tulsi Das writes, "I am telling you of the greatness of Hanuman in the very words that the Lord Himself spoke."

I learned the Hanuman Chaleesa in India in the old days. In Maharaj-ji's temples, the Chaleesa is sung around the clock during special celebrations, and little booklets with Hanuman's picture on them are given to temple visitors. I asked and was told the booklet contained a prayer to Hanuman, so I decided to learn it. I wrote out all the words by sounding out the letters and a friend in Kausani, a little town in the Himalayan foothills where we were spending the rainy season, helped with pronunciation and a melody. My idea was that if we Westerners could learn the Chaleesa, we could 'bribe' Maharaj-ji to call us into his presence to sing it for him. As it turned out that was exactly what happened.

We hadn't even learned six out of the forty verses before we were called down from the back of the temple to where Maharaj-ji was sitting. He was very excited and said 'Sing the Chaleesa!' We managed to sing the few verses we knew. He laughed and was very happy. We now became an official part of the show; whenever there were some Indian devotees having darshan he would call us and have us 'perform,' as it were. No matter how many times we did it, he would always act as if it were the first time. With a look of total amazement on his face, he would laughingly abuse His Indian devotees for their supposed lack of devotion and sincerity, saying, "Look at these people. Out of their love for God, they have left everything behind in America and learned the Chaleesa. You wicked, greedy people come to see me out of your own selfish desires!" Of course it was all part of His unique way of showering grace all around.

Recently I visited Maharaji's temple at Kainchi and spent many hours talking and sitting with one of His very old great devotees, Shri Kehar Singh, 'Poppa'. As I was getting ready to leave for America, he gave me his blessings and a bit of advice. He asked, "Do you know why we sing the Chaleesa?"
I said, "To praise Hanuman."

He asked, "Do you think Hanuman needs you to praise him?" Then he explained that when Hanuman was a child, he had such strength and was so mischievous that he caused havoc all around - disturbing the rishis (sages) during their worship, pulling their beards, and even putting them up in trees. So the rishis cursed Hanuman, saying he would not remember his strength unless he was reminded. Poppa continued, "So the first verses of the Chaleesa are to remind Hanuman of who he is. In the last verses we ask him to grant us our wish. And our wish is that he come to live in our hearts, with Ram, Sita and Lakshman."

It's not necessary to ask Hanuman for anything for He is the 'knower of all hearts.' Maharaj-ji would very often tell people to recite the Chaleesa when they came and asked for blessings. Then when their prayers had been answered and they came to thank him, he would say, "I didn't do anything. It was all Hanuman-ji's grace." Hanuman lives only to serve the God within us and to prepare us to live fully in the spirit.

Shree Hanuman Chaleesa

(Invocation)

Shree Guru charana saroja raja nija manu mukuru sudhari
Baranaun Raghubara bimala jasu jo daayaku phala chaari
Having polished the mirror of my heart with the dust of my Guru's lotus feet
I sing the pure fame of the best of Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of life.

Budhi heena tanu jaanike sumiraun pawana kumaara
Bala budhi vidyaa dehu mohin harahu kalesa bikaara
I know that this body of mine has no intelligence, so I recall you, Son of the Wind
Grant me strength, wit and wisdom and remove my sorrows and shortcomings.

Bhajelo Ji Hanuman! Bhajelo Ji Hanuman!
Oh Friend! Remember Hanuman!

(Verses)
1. Jaya Hanumaan gyaana guna saagara
Jaya Kapeesha tihun loka ujaagara

Hail to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue,
Hail Monkey Lord, illuminater of the three worlds.

2. Raama doota atulita bala dhaamaa
Anjani putra Pawanasuta naamaa

You are Ram's emissary, and the abode of matchless power
Anjani's son, named the "Son of the Wind."

3. Mahaabeera bikrama bajarangee
Kumati niwaara sumati ke sangee

Great hero, you are as mighty as a thunderbolt,
You remove evil thoughts and are the companion of the good.

4. Kanchana barana biraaja subesaa
Kaanana kundala kunchita kesaa

Golden hued and splendidly adorned
With heavy earrings and curly locks.

5. Haata bajra aura dwajaa biraajai
Kaandhe moonja janeu saajai

In your hands shine mace and a banner
And a sacred thread adorns your shoulder.

6. Shankara suwana Kesaree nandana
Teja prataapa mahaa jaga bandana

You are Shiva's son and Kesari's joy
And your glory is revered throughout the world.

7. Bidyaawaana gunee ati chaatura
Raama kaaja karibe ko aatura

You are the wisest of the wise, virtuous and clever
And ever intent on doing Ram's work.

8. Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaa
Raama Lakhana Seetaa mana basiyaa

You delight in hearing of the Lord's deeds,
Ram, Sita and Lakshman dwell in your heart.

9. Sookshma roopa dhari Siyahin dikhaawaa
Bikata roopa dhari Lankaa jaraawaa

Assuming a tiny form you appeared to Sita
And in an awesome form you burned Lanka.

10. Bheema roopa dhari asura sanghaare
Raamachandra ke kaaja sanvaare

Taking a dreadful form you slaughtered the demons
And completed Lord Ram's mission.

11. Laaya sajeevana Lakhana jiyaaye
Shree Raghubeera harashi ura laaye

Bringing the magic herb you revived Lakshman
And Ram embraced you with delight.

12. Raghupati keenhee bahuta baraaee
Tuma mama priya Bharatahi sama bhaaee

The Lord of the Raghus praised you greatly:
"Brother, you are dear to me as Bharat!"

13. Sahasa badana tumharo jasa gaawai
Asa kahi Shreepati kanta lagaawai

"May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your fame!"
So saying, Lakshmi's Lord drew you to Himself.

14. Sanakaadika Brahmaadi muneesaa
Naarada Saarada sahita Aheesaa

Sanak and the sages, Brahma, gods and the great saints,
Narada, Saraswati and the King of serpents,

15. Yama Kubera digapaala jahaante
Kabi kobida kahi sake kahaante

Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the four quarters,
poets and scholars - none can express your glory.

16. Tuma upakaara Sugreevahin keenhaa
Raama milaaya raaja pada deenhaa

You did great service for Sugriva,
Presenting him to Ram, you gave him the kingship.

17. Tumharo mantra Bibheeshana maanaa
Lankeshwara bhaye saba jaga jaanaa

Vibhishana heeded your counsel
And became the Lord of Lanka, as the whole world knows.

18. Yuga sahasra yojana para bhaanu
Leelyo taahi madhura phala jaanu

Though the sun is thousands of miles away,
You swallowed it, thinking it to be a sweet fruit.

19. Prabhu mudrikaa meli mukha maaheen
Jaladhi laanghi gaye acharaja naaheen

Holding the Lord's ring in your mouth
It's no surprise that you leapt over the ocean.

20. Durgama kaaja jagata ke jete
Sugama anugraha tumhare tete

Every difficult task in this world
Becomes easy by your grace.

21. Raama duaare tuma rakhawaare
Hota na aagyaa binu paisaare

You are the guardian at Ram's door,
No one enters without your leave.

22. Saba sukha lahai tumhaaree sharanaa
Tuma rakshaka kaahu ko daranaa

Those who take refuge in you find all happiness
and those who you protect know no fear.

23. Aapana teja samhaaro aapai
Teenon loka haanka ten kaanpai

You alone can withstand your own splendor,
The three worlds tremble at your roar.

24. Bhoota pisaacha nikata nahin aawai
Mahaabeera jaba naama sunaawai

Ghosts and goblins cannot come near,
Great Hero, when your name is uttered.

25. Naasai roga hare saba peeraa
Japata nirantara Hanumata beeraa

All disease and pain is eradicated,
Brave Hanuman, by constant repetition of your name.

26. Sankata ten Hanumaana churaawai
Mana krama bachana dhyaana jo laawai

Hanuman releases from affliction
those who remember him in thought word and deed.

27. Saba para Raama tapaswee raajaa
Tina ke kaaja sakala tuma saajaa

Ram, the ascetic, reigns over all,
but you carry out all his work.

28. Aura manorata jo koee laawai
Soee amita jeewana phala paawai

One who comes to you with any yearning
obtains the abundance of the Four Fruits of Life.

29. Chaaron juga parataapa tumhaaraa
Hai parasidha jagata ujiyaaraa

Your splendor fills the four ages
your glory is renowned throughout the world.

30. Saadhu santa ke tuma rakhawaare
Asura nikandana Raama dulaare

You are the guardian of saints and sages,
the destroyer of demons and the darling of Ram.

31. Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke daataa
Asa bara deena Jaanakee Maataa

You grant the eight powers and the nine treasures
by the boon you received from Mother Janaki.

32. Raama rasaayana toomhare paasaa
Sadaa raho Raghupati ke daasaa

You hold the elixir of Ram's name
and remain eternally his servant.

33. Tumhare bhajana Raama ko paawai
Janama janama ke dukha bisaraawai

Singing your praise, one finds Ram
and escapes the sorrows of countless lives.

34. Anta kaala Raghubara pura jaaee
Jahaan janama Hari bhakta kahaaee

At death one goes to Ram's own city
or is born on the earth as God's devotee.

35. Aura devataa chitta na dharaaee
Hanumata se-ee sarva sukha karaee

Give no thought to any other deity,
worshipping Hanuman, one gains all delight.

36. Sankata katai mite saba peeraa
Jo sumire Hanumata bala beeraa

All affliction ceases and all pain is removed
by remembering the mighty hero, Hanuman.

37. Jai jai jai Hanumaana Gosaaee
Kripaa karahu gurudeva kee naaee

Victory, Victory, Victory to Lord Hanuman!
Bestow your grace on me, as my Guru!

38. Jo sata baara paata kara koee
Chootahi bandi mahaa sukha hoee

Whoever recites this a hundred times
is released from bondage and gains bliss.

39. Jo yaha parai Hanumaana chaleesaa
Hoya siddhi saakhee Gaureesaa

One who reads this Hanuman Chaleesa
gains success, as Gauri's Lord (Shiva) is witness.

40. Tulasee Daasa sadaa Hari cheraa
Keejai naata hridaya mahan deraa

Says Tulsi Das, who always remains Hari's servant:
"Lord, make your home in my heart."

Pawanatanaya sankata harana mangala moorati roopa
Raama Lakhana Seetaa sahita hridaya basahu sura bhoopa

Son of the Wind, destroyer of sorrow, embodiment of blessing,
Live in my heart, King of Gods, together with Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

To receive a printable copy of the Hanuman Chaleesa link here at Krishna Das's website.

Truth Be Told

“This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

~ George Bernard Shaw

With the passing of Guruji, I've taken pause, feeling the magnitude one person can make in a scope of a life. It's amazing when you really sit with it, and feel it. Even with the simplicity of his message, it translated to every corner of the world and bought people together. Unified. It's a special thing.

Hearing from those across the community, many have expressed how deeply the practice has changed thier lives, and I can definitely atest to that. If willing, it becomes a transformative exprience that somehow sneaks up on you without even realizing it. Powerful. Empowering stuff.

Legends are made by the qualities they embody. A personal reflection of what it means to BE the gift we all posses inside. It isn't simply about looking to someone as being above us, but to be inspired by their presence, and moved to look inward, makes it all the more remarkable. He passed on the tools to know our essential nature. As simple as that. Instead of feeding us, we've been taught how to feed ourselves.

No matter what we call our practice, or what it may look like, it's a gift that's self-sustaining. As each layer dissolves, a chance to breathe in the eternal is present. To have only gotten the smallest taste of what is becoming, through a daily discipline, is a journey I welcome with open arms, even though often, it isn't easy. However, with faith and persistence, it's amazing what miracles await.

With all that being said, in this moment, I bow to you Guruji, and honor all you gave and represented in this life. You've inspired a generation who are filled with gratitude and love for what you brought forth.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois on Ashtanga Yoga

In Loving Memory

A living luminary, and teacher, who millions referred to lovingly as Guruji, passed away peacefully today. Through his inspired, dedicated service and passion for the practice and study of yoga, he will forever live in the hearts and minds of those he has touched, and to those he will continue to touch. God Bless. We are so thankful to you dear, beloved teacher. You've blazed the path, and with absolute grace, and deliverance, the blessings of the practice, you spread across the world, will forever be ignited by your essence, dedication and lightness.
Love to you.

Freedom

Silence

A Word to the Wise

"Everything can be sacrificed for truth, but truth cannot be sacrificed for anything."

~ Swami Vivekananda

Try being quiet.

I'm finally finding comfort with being an introspective, often introverted person. It's funny how extroversion is often seen as a more positive, attractive trait. No matter, I relish the fact I have no problem being quiet and still, not needing to add anything more to the outer experience. Believe me, I have my quirks, but I'm always amazed at how uncomfortable my quietness can be for others at times.

I've found it's often the case some will fill in the blanks when speaking less than most. The ideas run wild. I'm amused by it. Amused by the inaccuracy, all the while, feeling no need to defend anything to anyone. What's the point? Speculation cannot be controlled, but where I choose to put my focus can.

I guess one can say, I'm not one to openly advertise about myself right away. Dunno why that is. It just is. I've been labeled as not being open, but in reality, if someone were to ask the most personal of questions, I honestly wouldn't have a problem disclosing much. My skeletons aren't that scary.

It's just that I've come to a point where the mindless drone of gossip circulating doesn't do much for me. Especially in the world of yoga. I'm amazed how fast news can travel in the community. It's at lightening speed. Through observation, the more I experience, the more I feel pulled to simplify and talk less. For, isn't yoga about an experiential existence? I'm amazed how much talk is centered around the subject compared to the time spent practicing. Drone. drone. drone.

As I ask the questions in the silence, I'm given more than I could have hoped for. The more I listen, the better I trust. The more I'm still, a space of gratitude and peace, enliven my spirit. The permanence felt, cannot be explained, but only experienced, this is why I continue to practice. I hand it over. I release. And, nothing more can be explained or sought after. The Truth is here.

Be it. Do it. It's as simple as that.

Mind Funk

"Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play."

~ Heraclitus

Guess what? I'm steadily learning about the slippery slope of mind funk. My interpretation of what happens when loosing center, and allowing random negative thoughts to run wild, while taking me on a ride I had no intention of going on. Wow. Sounds like fun doesn't it? In, A Course in Miracles, it states,"...An untrained mind can accomplish nothing." My take on it? Fuck yeah. How true. Certain thought patterns can sneak up and reek havoc if one isn't vigilant. I mean really...really vigilant.

The thing about it is...is often times I can easily coast along thinking...feeling my life is all om shanti...(give me a break)...and that nothing is gonna rattle me. Well, in times of the unexpected, I received a litmus test of just how steadfast my mind really is. And, let me just say, I have alot of work to do...but, thank God all is not lost, and some progress has been made. A little bit. At least give me that....hahaha...(sigh).

Seriously though, I tend to judge myself harshly, and really what's the point in judging how I process shit? It simply takes practice, I guess.

Plans of going back to Taiwan may not be in the cards at the moment. Not sure. One thing is for certain, is things are not always for certain. At any rate, I'll be staying in Stockholm for another month trying to hack out a few leads here before I really do have to leave the country so I can then go through the process of re-entry to relocate permanently.

Sometimes I wish life was given to us in nice pretty little packages wrapped up beautifully with everything we've ever wanted, planned, hoped and dreamed for inside. But simply put, that isn't the case. And really, it's my ego that wants control...when in reality, there's a higher power that knows all...sees all, and really does know what's best for everybody. So silly me, somehow I seem to forget that I'm not in the driver's seat, so to speak...but, I can at least be at peace, and choose how to react to the changing scenery as a passenger.

If only it was that easy to hand over the steering wheel.

Gamla Stan

Stockholm City Hall

In humility is the greatest freedom. As long as you have to defend the imaginary self that you think is important, you lose your piece of heart. As soon as you compare that shadow with the shadows of other people, you lose all joy, because you have begun to trade in unrealities and there is no joy in things that do not exist.

~ Thomas Merton