Wow, long time no post. It's good to be back. The emerging Spring Equinox is a powerful shift we are all going through. It is a time of graduation, and we each know what we are graduating from. Interesting that graduations do happen in the Spring, usually. Because it is a time of rebirth into new beginnings.

Here's a powerful mantra for the Spring, and one we, ideally, would all say on a daily basis, or maybe even hourly, or even in each breath.

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

This is a mantra I have known for a long time, but it has special power and resonance now. I found this description on this website...

"This is the mantra of Jivamukti Yoga, chanted in almost every class. By giving voice to it, we set the intention to create a world that is harmonious and peaceful. We dedicate our yoga practice to seeing this reality manifest. This mantra inspires us to perform actions that benefit all beings, human and non-human alike.

When we practice yoga asana, we practice taking the seat of others. We practice being the moon, the warrior, the dog, the cow, the cobra, and the trees. We take their form and connect with their essence. With time and practice, we begin to develop empathy for all beings and realize that we are not different from each other after all. We learn that all beings share the desire for happiness and freedom."

I think that's such a clear, beautiful description and I love how it relates to our Yoga practice and the Asanas. I am really looking forward to the Spring Equinox Yoga Class at exhale this Saturday. The time is now to positively align with Spirit, otherwise known as your breath, or Prana. We are being called to deepen our practices to connect and align with Spirit, through Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation or whatever our spiritual practice may be. Though, I do believe and it is said, Meditation is a essential component and really is the essence and key of any spiritual practice. In fact, in the eight-limbed path of Yoga, one can not realize Samadhi, Bliss, without it. I'm not talking about blissfulness from some pleasure related to something material, i.e. temporarily pleasurable. I'm talking about Bliss, which is beyond the grasp of the senses. Dhyana, or meditation, is the 7th limb and the gateway into Samadhi, which is the 8th. There is no Samadhi, without going through the gates of meditation. Whether we listen to that calling or not is what determines whether we expand into the Light of Consciousness/Consciousness of Light as the Being we are, OR, whether the darkness of desire keeps us moving around the sun, but not toward the Light. This is why moderation is one of the ethical precepts of Yoga, known as the Niyamas. By the way, I didn't mean to sound Darth Vader or anything with the 'darkness of desire' statement, but, it's true. It's like we can move around the Light, or we can move into it. But, to be able to fully receive its splendor, we must prepare ourselves. There is not anything that comes to us without preparation. Yoga, breath, meditation prepares us to receive the Light of Love, Truth, Understanding, Goodness...Consciousness. And, how awesome we get to share in this personal journey with one another, or Sangha, the gift of spiritual friendship. We are part of an ever-expanding community and we are blessed to be.

May it be a supremely blissful Spring for each and everyone of us and may we keep seeking and knowing the Truth.

p.s. - These are the meditation lessons and teachings I study.
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