Mala - a sacred garland, 108 prayer beads, a timeless tool for transformation, a global gathering for unifying consciousness and action through yoga.

Hello, again, friends from here and everywhere. I am back from my three weeks of study and travel and I'm easing my way back into the flow of day-to-day life here in Dallas, TX. As I mentioned in my previous post, it feels challenging to find the words to describe my experience, particuarly the two-week training I completed with Shiva Rea. I hope in the weeks ahead to be able to share insights and awarenesses as they seem relevant to this journey of Yoga.

For now, I would like to share some very exciting news with you. Besides the awesome news I found out, while away, that my brother and his wife will be welcoming fraternal twins into the world next February, I have something very exciting to share with you about an upcoming Yoga event you can be a part of wherever you live. The first ever Global Mala will be happening this September 21, 22 and 23 all around the planet as Yoga practitioners and studios join together to align in the collective consciousness of meditation in action...

"The purpose of the Global Mala is to unite the global yoga community from every continent, school or approach to form a "mala around the earth" through collective practices based upon the sacred cycle of 108 on Sept. 21st and 22nd, Fall Equinox, as the yoga world's offering to further the UN International Peace Day." - http://www.globalmala.org/

While I was at the training, Shiva led us through a mini-mala of 27 sun salutations. The ritual of performing 108 (or mini-malas of 27, 54, etc.) sun salutations, rounds of mantra, kriyas or meditation is a practice that has been taking place for thousands of year, during the Spring and Fall Equinox and the Summer and Winter Solstice. Shiva broke down the 27 salutation cycles into three sections of seven and one cycle of six. The first seven cycles were dedicated to ourselves, the second set to qualities we desired, or our dreams, and the third set to prayers for our neighbors and fellow yogis. The last six cycles were dedicated to the planet and all sentient beings. It was an amazing process. I'm sure you heard about the meditation experiment that was done in Washington DC in 1993 where 4,000 practitioners from 81 countries gathered together to collectively align their consciousness in the reduction of crime.

"The experiment was rigorously analyzed by a 27-member project review board composed of independent scientists and civic leaders who approved the research protocol and monitored the research process. Researchers predicted in advance that the calming influence of group meditation practice could reduce violent crime by over 20 percent in Washington, D.C., during an 8-week period in the summer of 1993.

In fact, the findings later showed that the rate of violent crime decreased by 23 percent during the June 7 to July 30 experimental period. The odds of this result occurring by chance are less than 2 in 1 billion. " - http://www.tmscotland.org/

So, the Global Mala is of a similar intention. To align ourselves with a collective intention for the good of ourselves, our neighbors, our highest purpose and for the good of our planet. I will be holding two events that weekend and for those of you who live in the area, I hope you will be able to join for me for this transformational event. If you live outside of the area, be sure to visit the Global Mala website for an interactive map of where Global Mala events for the good of humankind and Mother Earth are happening in your community.

Blessings!Read more