Holiday time is here, again. I remember, not so long ago, when Christmas did not emerge in full bloom until after Thanksgiving. A local radio station in Dallas is already broadcasting Holiday tunes, day and night, as of today. It seems the Christmas Season swings into full motion sooner and sooner each year. As though time isn't going fast enough, we certainly don't need to accelerate it with our anticipation of what's to come, but this seems to happen anyway... It becomes increasingly important to ground oneself deeper in the Spirit of the Season, focusing on what the true intention of the Holidays is meant to be about, i.e. to celebrate Peace, Spirit, Joy, Love, our Loved Ones and the Infinite Blessings in our life in all the ways we are filled with them...

Speaking of the Infinite, I've been studying Paramahansa Yogananda's Meditation Lessons for a few months now and they are amazing. Every two weeks, I receive two lessons in the mail to read, study and practice. What a gift to be reading these powerful teachings! I would like to share a paragraph from one of the recent lessons where Yogananada defines what Self-Realization, which is the intention of the Yogic journey, really means. This is a paragraph I found myself reading several times to really absorb the fullness of his words. I hope you find this valuable.

Self-Realization Defined:
Self-Realization is the knowing--in body, mind and soul--that we are one with the omnipresence of God; that we do not have to pray that it come to us, that we are not merely near it at all times, but that God's omnipresence is our omnipresence; that we are just as much a part of Him now as we ever will be. All we have to do is improve our knowing.

Self-Realization means knowledge of one's own soul and of its oneness with the Father.

Also, I want to mention one other powerful technique I've been practicing since retuning from my training with Shiva. (Which I'm hoping to be able to continue my studies with in March 08!) She encouraged us to use vibration in the postures, both Bija (Seed) Mantras and the all-powerful Om. I've been practicing saying Om, primarily, in my poses when I find myself in a place of great intensity and discomfort. And...it's working. I'm finding Oming is helping to heal my body, not to mention my mind and heart, in amazing ways. In certain poses where I felt particulary stuck, I am feeling more and more open. So start today...Om away! (To begin with, say at least 2 in the pose and open yourself to growing into 15 as you become more and more open and at ease.)Read more