Remembering the Dharma, a guide to yogic living and union of the Shiva and Shakti within You!

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Aum Namo Narayana

Jaya Maa

Jai Sri Gurudeva

(photo credit: from a page in Be Here Now by Ram Dass)

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My mornings start pretty early, before sunrise. Once I've settled into myself a little, I bathe, walk my dog friend, have chai and chillums with Guruji, and then do my yoga program and personal projects. In order to balance my energy, manage my vibrations, and prepare for my morning Sadhana (spiritual practice), which for me includes, meditation, mantra, bhakti practice, Aarti, Qi gong and more).

Being an adventurous and curious 45 y.o. has provided me with a vast amount of experiences and opportunities to discover and try several different methods along the spiritual path of Self-Realizatoon. Or more aptly put, Self-Actualization. So, my toolkit is very big, and I love to make recommendations and suggestions to people about what I have found in these methods that actually works for me in my direct experience. While I have been known to err on the side of giving too much information, my goal really is to keep it simple and make it fun.

So, in that vein, I have to say, apart from my favorite piece of advice- "Drink More Water", the most effective tools through my journey that have worked and stuck with me are Yoga, Qi Gong, Mudra, Mantra, Devotion, and Guru Kripa.

 

 Yoga in particular has taken on the largest part of the foundation of both my spiritual and secular life and so it is my intention to share what I know and what I learn of these systems with all of you, in the hope that this sharing brings you closer to your heart, to your Self- to God.

Now, in the western world Yoga, generally has been significantly reduced to represent, usually, just asanas(pose) and pranayama (breathwork), which are very important parts of the yogic system, However, they are only the tip of the iceberg. There are actual 8 limbs to the yogic system, and asanas and pranayama are only 2 of them!!! So, I just want to offer you a peek into these 8 limbs, so if you are already practicing some parts of the system, check out these other ones too! 

If you are a western teacher and you aren't teaching this full system....I hope you dive deeper, both for your own sake and that of your students.

If you are someone who has never tried Yoga, consider that you can start with any of these 8 limbs, perhaps you aren't physically ready yet for most asanas, but you can impact your body by impacting your mentality, psychology, and your breath.

Here's to our Health and Balance, internally and in the outer realms. May your self care and spiritual practice bring you to the Light of the Truth of your Being!

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Aum Shri Lakshmi Narayana ki--->Jai
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The Path Of The Yogi - 8 Limbs Of Yoga

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes an eight-fold path to right living that is called The Eight Limbs of Yoga, or Ashtanga in Sanskrit. In the practice of yoga, individuals are dedicated to creating a union between mind, body and spirit. Patanjali's eight limbs outline a way to achieve and practice that balance. The eight limbs act as a guide for yogis to live a life of integrity, self-discipline, respect for nature and the spiritual aspects of life.

LIMB 1: Yamas

The first limb is yamas: ethical principles that clarify one’s relationship to the world and everything in it. The yamas emphasize our connection to others as an integral part of yoga—everything is interconnected. They break down to five practices, which define our personal integrity:

Ahimsa – non-harming

Satya – honesty

Asteya – not stealing

Bramacharya – wise use of creative energy

Aparigraha – non-possessiveness

LIMB 2: Niyamas

The second limb is niyamas: internal disciplines that teach us to respect ourselves—body, mind, and spirit. They are forms of self-discipline as well as reflective practices. The niyamas break down to five habits:

Saucha – purity, cleanliness

Santosha – contentment, gratitude

Tapas – discipline

Svadhyaya – self-reflection

Isvara Pranidhana – devotion

LIMB 3: Āsana

The third limb is āsana: the physical practice of yoga. Of the 196 verses in the Yoga Sūtras, a mere 2 are dedicated to poses, but the practice of āsana is invaluable to cultivating a sublime meditative state. By linking breath with movement, asana teaches us to embody steadiness and ease.

LIMB 4: Prānāyāma

The fourth limb is prānāyāma: the focus on the breath. Prānāyāma enables us to cultivate our very life force (prāna) through various techniques that teach us to relax and control our breath…creating divine conditions for health in the body and peace in the mind.

LIMB 5: Pratyāhāra

The fifth limb is pratyāhāra: the withdrawing of the senses, so that when we feel, hear, see, taste, and smell we let go of reacting. By abandoning the countless distractions of day-to-day life, the mind focuses inward and is free to move into meditation.

LIMB 6: Dhāranā

The sixth limb is dhāranā: strict concentration on one object or task, a state in which there are no distractions. Thus, when you are enthralled with the object of your concentration, all hindrances disappear.

LIMB 7: Dhyāna

The seventh limb is dhyāna: meditation, a state in which you experience the sacred (what is personally sacred to you) through a deeply focused awareness. Through the practice of dhyāna, we begin to see reality for what it really is: impermanence. This is how we ultimately achieve bliss.

LIMB 8: Samādhi

The eighth limb is samādhi: the culmination of practicing all the other limbs of yoga which brings you to an understanding of truly knowing and feeling that everything is interconnected. The clinging mind has ceased; there is only the experience of indescribable joy. A liberated soul can thus enjoy pure awareness and harmony.

May you live forever and always in Satchitananda and union of the balance of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine flows within your body, as we all walk each other H.O.M.E (Heaven on Mother Earth)

Aum Gam Ganapatayai ki

Jai