The Bhagavad Giita and the greater era of the Mahabharata period offer wonderful stories for humanity. These parables are timeless.

In this particular story, the Great Krishna (Krsna) arrives at Vidura’s house unannounced. Listen to see what transpires.

The teaching from this story is as true today as it was back then: 3,500 years ago.

More stories from this ancient time will be recorded in future podcasts. If you have a favorite, please let us know and we will try and accomodate your request.

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In 1987, as a teenager, I stood at the border with a friend. We peered down the highway past the guards and decided to go for it.

We split up and hitchhiked separately into the city, a 3 1/2 hr drive from the West German – East German border crossing. Later that day we made it to Berlin and met up with one another.

We passed the first night in West Berlin and then the next day we walked through “Checkpoint Charlie” into East Berlin. It was distinctly glum and gloomy – everything seemed old and depressed, especially to our young, western eyes. There was little food on the shelves, the mood was sullen,  and life seemed bleak. Outsiders could enter for a day, but the inhabitants could never leave – period.

Two years later all that changed drastically when the wall was torn down.

Now, here we are 20yrs after. While there are still a number of socio-economic points that need critical review and enhancement, at least the repressive and suppressive days of old are gone. And surely better days lie ahead.

Repression and suppression are never good – neither in individual life nor in social life. The entire aim of yoga is to tear down any and all barriers of narrow mindedness and open our minds and hearts to a wider  spectrum of life. Therein lies the health and growth of the human personality.

May we all continue to smash down the walls of differentiation and move forward toward a bright, new universal humanity.

Diipava’lii or Diwali is the ‘celebration of light’.

It is celebrated on the darkest night of the year, which is the 10th new moon in the northern hemisphere. (Oct 17 / 18 2009)

Celebrations include colorful lights, fireworks, and sentient merrymaking.

The inner significance is that despite the darkness all around, one should illumine the mind and rid oneself of all kinds of ignorance, superstition and dogma through deep mediation and contemplation. In essence, one should become the embodiment of love, truth and light.

The term diipa in Sanskrit means lamp, and Diipa’valii refers to lighting the lamp within.

This is a day of universal significance for one and all and is being celebrated by more peoples and communities each and every year.

The swastika is an ancient symbol in yogic life and refers to permanent victory in life: liberation in individual life and justice in collective life.

We all know that one nefarious character in our 20th century tainted this symbol both in form and in meaning, but his wicked intentions have nothing to do with the true and inherent meaning of the swastika symbol.

In Sanskrit the prefix su means great or goodness and vasti means being. Thus, becoming the embodiment of greatness and benevolence. That is the victory depicted by the swastika.

Often this swastika symbol is used in yoga and in Diipa’vali celebrations, as shown in the above photo. Here is one special song about the Diipava’li:

“Aka’s’he a’j ranger mela’ manete a’j a’lo...” (Prabhat Samgiita #64)

In the sky there is a festival of color. In my mind there is a flow of light. The air is filled with fragrance, and everything is sweet. With the realization of the Divine within, my heart is filled with rhythm and song. With the sweet, tender touch of life, all the darkness has vanished. On such a glorious day, may we light the candle of light within, together with all…

Here is more information about the swastika:

(1)Wikipedia (2) About (3) Swastika Movement

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson was recently posted to the YJ community and I thought I would share it with everyone here.

“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give of one’s self; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – This is to have succeeded.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)

Here is another interesting statement by Mr. Emerson…

DID YOU KNOW?

Emerson himself was a well-known student of the early teachings of the yogis, having studied the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita.

Namaskar,

To paraphrase the great 16^th / 17^th century poet Tulsidas, when we come into this world as newborns, everyone smiles in joy and we cry. Yet throughout our lives, we are to engage in so many noble pursuits and benevolent endeavors, that when it is our time to leave this earth, we will smile knowing in our heart that we have done as much as possible to make the world a better place, and everyone else will cry knowing they are parting with a dear and trusted friend.

Note: Tulsidas (1532-1623) was a great mystic poet, philosopher, & bhakta (devotee) who is credited with penning the Ramayana, one of the two great epics of India – the other being the Mahabharata, which contains as a subsection the Bhagavad Giita. The Ramayana comes within the genre of purana, or mythology. While highly educative and of great moral and spiritual value, it is understood to be fictional; in contrast the Mahabharata is itihasa, or educative history, as it recounts real events that transpired on this earth.

Namaskar,

Labor Day always seems to signify a transition: from summer to fall, from vacation to school, from rest to work, from hot to cool and so on.

This transitional period is a great time to reflect on the recent past and envision the coming future.

Here at Renaissance Yoga, we’d like to thank you all for making this summer a most successful one. It featured our first ever Intro to Yoga Workshop as well as the first 2hr Yoga-Sitar Program in Galesville. Both were well attended and well received. Summer also featured some of the largest attendance we’ve ever had at Community Yoga, and our annual yoga session at the Naval Academy, amongst other highlights.

Most of all summer was about growing and enriching our yoga community: smiling, sharing and cultivating friendship, faith and trust.

As we move on to fall, we have many neat things on the horizon. The start of our new Meditation Circle, an upcoming Yoga-Sitar Program, and quite a bit more. Newness is a part of life – both on and off the mat.

As we switch gears here in between seasons, we wish you all a wonderfully, smooth transition and hope yoga can continue to be a supportive tool in your life.

All the very best,

Satyam

For those interested in learning about the wonderful benefits of plant based foods check out these two great medically renowned websites on health and diet.

Dr Neal Barnard, President PCRM (Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine)

Dr John McDougall & The McDougall Plan

Plus check out this great resource about the top ten veggie blogs.

TOP TEN VEGGIE BLOGS

(Below is a link to see the below pyramid in full view.)

THE VEGAN FOOD PYRAMID

Often we think of yoga as being the practice of asanas or physical postures, in which case one may think that progress only pertains to our physical sphere.

However, this aspect of yoga is a stepping stone that facilitates our growth and development – in all realms of life, not just by becoming more bendy and flexible.

The totality of  yoga is concerned with the overall flourishing of one’s human personality. As much as anything else, our progress on the path of yoga is measured by how far we represent these following qualities.

Here below are the yogi’s list of the ten qualities of a dharmika (a follower of human dharma or expression of one’s true or highest nature.)

1. Dhriti (patience)

2. Ks’ama (forgiveness)

3. Dhamah (self-control)

4. Asteya (non-stealing)

5. Shaoca (purity & cleanliness)

6. Indriyanigraha

(control over motor and sensory organs)

7. Dhii (benevolent intellect)

8. Vidya’ (spiritual knowledge)

9.  Satyam’ (love of truth)

10. Akrodha (non-anger)

With continued effort and practice, all the above manifest with greater clarity within each and every practitioner. Our asanas, our meditation, our relaxation and more help bring us forward on the path.

Note: As I mentioned on another list-serve, just because my name is #9 does not mean that I am that. I think that name was given to me because I was so terribly deficient in that attribute

Wishing everyone well on the path to becoming a great dharmika!

One member of our yoga community - Carolyn Rodis – does yoga in essentially two places. When she is in So Co she is a regular on Wed and Sat at Galesville Hall. That’s about ten months of the year.

When not in So Co she lives at her other residence. Now take a look at her veranda and see her view when she does her yoga outside!!!

YES, we will all be going there soon for a yoga workshop!!! It will be the longest workshop in yoga history!!!!!

Last Friday, July 3rd, we held a yoga session at the Naval Academy’s National Cross Country Camp – 110 in all attended the class. Click here to see all the photos.

Open any yoga magazine or even the health section of any newspaper, and you will read about the many benefits of yoga: Less stress, greater flexibility, lower blood pressure, deeper sleep, faster recovery time, and so many things.

In short, there are numerous ways how yoga helps. Even then, it can all seem quite theoretical or even beyond what we think we can achieve.

Sometimes we all need to hear stories, anecdotes, or even a word or phrase from people in our local community to inspire us to keep going. You may feel that your experience is insignificant, but by sharing it you may open a whole new avenue of hope and inspiration for someone else.

In my own life, yoga has helped blow away a dark cloud of an inferiority complex that seemed to always loom over or even envelop me. It has also granted me a greater sense of belonging, allowing a much more positive outlook in life – both individually and collectively. There is still a ways to go – but at least the journey is en route and not stalled!

I will gladly share more about the above as well as other ways yoga has helped.

Please take a moment to share how your yoga practice has helped you - in any way, no matter how small or big.

Remember…

You never know what great transformation or subtle shift in perception your words will have on someone else.

This is also a great way to personally reinforce the importance of your own practice.