(Photograph of Sri Dharma Mittra)

I'm writing to you this evening before I head out to teach. It's been a while since I last posted and much has been transpiring. I'm grateful to say the New Year is bringing many wondrous unfoldings and openings into my life.

If you received the True Yoga newsletter then you may have read I am planning on organizing a couple of Yoga retreats in the year ahead. When I wrote the newsletter, I mentioned this to inspire an opening for this to take place. And, it certainly has. The first retreat will be taking place sometime in late June or early July and will be held at the Adirondacks in upstate New York. This will be a 4 or 5 day retreat and will explore other methods of movement besides Yoga to promote healing and awakening, including Latin dance and Yoga Trance Dance. I look forward to sharing more with you as the vision unfolds. And, the second retreat will be taking place in early January of 2009 in Costa Rica! This will be a New Year, Renewed You cleansing retreat to begin the year in the most positive space and Light possible. I'm looking forward to sharing more details as we begin to organize the plans for this amazing retreat, as well...

So, as I grow into the New Year and these inspiring visions, there is still much that remains Unknown. And, I am beginning to really enjoy the experience of being in the Unknown. It's amazing to see how as we surrender to the joy of the journey, this surrender transcends into every part of our experience, our work, relationships, our Yoga practice and on and on.

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey.” – Harold B. Melchart

I feel as though I'm maybe beginning to really experience living what this quote says. I first read this quote almost four years ago. Last night as I was teaching I was reminded of it and shared it with the class. I am even noticing this surrender in my teaching. Recently, I have been beginning each week opening myself up to whatever needs to come through my Yoga practice and my Self. It's been awesome to step onto my mat like that, without a plan, but rather to feel out where the Plan wants me to Be. As I've let go more and more to the Flow, I find myself attuned to the inspiration which is guiding each moment, each breath.

Sometimes, though, it will be such an incredible practice, that I find myself wanting to store it away so I can recreate it and share it with all of my classes. The interesting thing is, the Flow can never be duplicated. This is what makes it the Flow...it is spontaneous, unique, original, and continuously creating itself in infinite expressions. It can not be contained. It is THE ENERGY which is alive, living and breathing each new moment into Being. So, when an amazing Flow comes through my practice, it is not something which is meant to be encapsulated or regurgetated. As I write this, I'm realizing what it is, is something to be grateful for and to cherish.

Not long ago as I was experiencing the Flow open up more and more deeply in myself, my practice and my teaching an awareness ocurred to me. One day as I was teaching I thought, "Have a blueprint, but let it be just that. Do not determine where it's meant to go, but let the Flow guide the process, the journey, the experience." It seems this awareness could pretty much relate to any and all aspects of our life. And, so this has been my practice. But, sometimes I forget. And, then gratefully, I remember, to let go. And, to feel the Flow.

One more thing before I head out...Dharma Mittra is coming to Dallas March 14-16. It has been a dream of mine to study with him for some time now!!! What a gift he will be here in Dallas. When the student is ready, the teacher appears...OMMMMM.

Namaste!
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I'm posting this information today per the request of Life Mission, a non-profit organization, who contacted me to share this with you. (I do not have any affiliation with Life Mission, but their intention feels True and it is interesting to learn of this retreat, or retreats like these.) If anything, it may open up your horizons to the possibility of one day journeying to the Mother Land.

I just returned from a relaxing weekend in Atlanta where I had the opportunity to reconnect to my Spirit through the company of good friends. There is much opening up and I look forwrad to sharing it with you once I'm settled back in to things in the next day or so. Here is the info!

Experience a Transforming India YOGA Odyssey-February 21 to March 6, 2008

Just imagine your airplane touching down at the India airport of your choice – Mumbai or Ahmadabad – on Thursday, February 20, 2008. Awaiting you at the airport is your guide, who will escort you by rail or taxi to your hotel accommodations in Surat City, Gujarat State. You will have arrived just in time to take in the World Yoga Championships, either as a participant or as a spectator. If anyone wishes to participate in the Championships the necessary registration forms can be downloaded at www.lifemission.org. The Championships run from February 22 though February 24. (The Championships were primarily founded as a means for encouraging youth worldwide to engage themselves in the ageless science of yoga for the betterment of body, mind and spiritual development in similar fashion that society worldwide encourages youth to participate in common sporting events.)

Following the Championships, you will be escorted to Malav Ashram for a five night stay, which includes three days of “hands on” yogic training under the expert guidance of Acharya Yogendradev, who has taught in North America, Taiwan, and India.

And now – the Tours – you will tour the historic spiritual pilgrimage site of Kayavarohan and visit the Brahmeshwar Temple of Lord Lakulish (the 28th incarnation of Lord Shiva)*. You will spend 5 nights at a beautiful oceanside resort near the city of Div, overlooking the Indian Ocean with its miles of sandy beaches, and visit surrounding points of interest including the renowned Somnath Temple; a lion wildlife reserve, an ayurvedic clinic of a renowned ayurvedic physician where you will be able to observe the natural preparation of ayurvedic medicines and receive a free medical check-up. You will also have the opportunity to visit the temple complex at Rajrajeshwardham, where Lord Lakulish materialized in his divine body on January 29, 2007. Then – another great grace awaits you – you will have the rare opportunity of having darshan with the highly advanced yogi, Swami Rajarshi Muni.**

Now your yoga trip is reaching its end – on March 6, you will be escorted by your guide to your departure airport for your trip home – to reflect on and absorb your many yoga experiences of the past 2 weeks; the multitudes of wondrous Indian sites you've seen; the unmatched hospitality of its people and the many lasting new friendships you've made.

The cost per participant is $ 695.00 USD. This price does not include your transportation costs to and from India, which is entirely your responsibility, as are any required passports, visas etc. This price does include designated tour accommodations and meals in India, and all ground transportation to the Championships and touring sites in India, as well as ground transportation to and from airports at Mumbai or Ahmedabad. Any profits after all costs have been met will be directed to projects for the poor, including schools and hospitals. For further information, go to www.lifemission.org, or email: Acharya Yogendradev, ggvaghela@yahoo.com; or Dennis Konchak, lifema@telus.net; or Hans Splinter, Hsplinter@cogeco.ca.

* Prophecy of Lord Shiva: During the 28th Dwapar age when Dwaiypayan, son of Parasar shall by Vyas and Lord Vishnu shall incarnate as Lord Krishna, son of Vasudeva, I too incarnate as a celibate and shall be known as Lakulish. The place of my incarnation shall be siddhakshetra and it shall be renowned among men
tell the earth shall last." (Shiva Puran, Shatrudra Samhita V: 43-50)

This prophecy came to pass nearly 4500 years ago, when Lord Lakulish appeared on earth at Kayvorohan , a well known holy pilgrimage center in western India, He preached the principles of Sanatan Dharma and the spiritual science of Divine Yoga. His spiritual tradition flourished for nearly 3000 years. With the passage of time the teaching of his tradition ceased. However, this timeless Being revived his spiritual tradition afresh by initiating Swami Pranavanand in 1913 A.D. The latter initiated Swami Kripalavanand in 1931, installing him as yogacharya and the third kulguru in the new tradition. Swami Kripalavanand initiated his chosen disciple Swami Rajarshi Muni in 1971 and passed on to him the profound mysteries of Divine Yoga.

** Swami Rajarshi Muni is the author of a vast library of nearly 100 titles in four different languages, including ten books in English. Some of the English titles are: Classical Hatha Yoga, Divine Body Through Yoga; Tenets for the Spiritual Life; Infinite Grace (The Story of My Spiritual Lineage), Awakening the Life Force, and Light from Guru to Disciple. For more information, check the Life Mission website www.lifemission.org and www.amazon.com under Rajarshi Muni
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Happy New Year!!!

I recently stumbled upon this song by Donna de Lory. Donna de Lory was one of Madonna's backup singers. She is an incredibly gifted singer and songwriter, with an amazingly beautiful voice.

Here are a few lyrics from the song, He Ma Durga. I highly encourage you to download it on itunes...

He Ma Durga
I want to love through your love
He Ma Durga
I want to feel what you feel
He Ma Durga
I want to see beyond this illusion
To what is Real. - Donna de Lory

God is all there is. Love is all there is. Yoga is the path of knowing All There Is is God and God is Love.

So, I've been caught up in the illusory seeking other things other than what is Real. I know this because of the pain that I've gone through over the past couple of months. God is always calling us back home to Him. It is though all of our experiences in the world, all of the things that call us away from His house, are really only there to have us realize that our only home is with Him. And, so we find ourselves, sometimes running, sometimes crying, other times stumbling, and at times, walking peacefully, back hOMe again. Yoga reveals to us we can always walk peacefully and gracefully back, when we begin to realize His Love is All There Is. We can begin to see all is illusion, sometimes it's shiny, sometimes it's sexy, sometimes it's rich or famous, or really expensive, but we are only seeking it because we think it will provide some sort of fulfillment or satisfaction...only to realize it's only temporary, and therefore, painful. A lot of people live their whole lives in pursuit of illusory satisfaction. And, we all know...they can't get no satisfaction in this 'world.'

Remember when you were a child and you got injured or had something painful happen to you? Whenever I was hurt as a child, or got injured (other than when the horse, that my parents had brought to our house for my 7th birthday, kicked me in the stomach, and I didn't tell them because I didn't want them to make it go away) I always sought the loving arms of my parents, the comfort of my home to go to for peace and healing.

So, 2008 is beginning with a renewed perspective of myself and my relationship with God, The Father, and therefore, all things. What an amazing way to begin this new cycle with this gift of renewal. And, an update on the car incident I blogged about last time. I ended up getting a new car, the Universe was nudging me, gently at first, and then what felt more like a kick in the stomach, to make this change. This change was about realizing that even though it felt like I had been kicked on my butt and all the wind had been knocked out of me, I didn't have to run to my parents, but realize The Father was with me and within me all along. I learned I can do it, I can make the changes I am being guided to make, and I have everything within me to make them.

Here's another song by Donna de Lory you should check out. It's called In the Sun. A few more lyrics:

"Picture you In the Sun
Wondering what went wrong
And fallen down on your knees
Asking for sympathy
Being caught in between
All you wished for and all you've seen
Trying to find anything
You can feel
That you can believe in

May God's Love Be with You...always
May God's Love Be with You...

You know I would apologize
If I could see your eyes
Cuz when you showed me myself
You know, I became someone else

And, I was caught in between all you wished for...
And all you need.
Picture you fast asleep, nightmare comes...
You can't keep away.

May God's Love Be With You...always
May God's Love Be With You...always
May God's Love Be With You...always

And, if I find, if I find my way
How much will I find?
If I find, if I find my way
How much will I find?
Will I find You?

May God's Love Be With You...always

May this mantra dissolve away the illusions, the maya, of our mind so we may know the One Love which calls us back home to ourselves and its Self/Spirit within us every breath of the way.

"Every living creature unconsciously breathes the prayer 'So'ham' (Sah=He: Aham=I-He, the Immortal Spirit, am I) with each inward breath. So also with each outgoing breath each creature prays 'Hamsah' (I am He). This ajapa-mantra (unconscious repetitive prayer) goes on for ever within each living creature throughout life. The yogi fully realises the significance of this ajapa-mantra and so is released from all the fetters that bind his soul. He offers up the very breath of his being to the Lord as a sacrifice and receives the breath of life from the Lord as his blessing." - Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar

p.s.-I'm going to be sending out the True Yoga Newsletter this coming Monday, so be sure to sign up for it online if you are not currently subscribed. Oh, and I had to post this pic on here. This is a picture of Antartica. My friend who filmed and designed the cover of the True Yoga DVD just returned on an amazing trip there where, as he put it, he "got to spend a couple of weeks in a Russian scientific icebreaker cruising around Antartica." This photo has had absolutely no retouching done to it. It is a picture of the Sunset in the Wedell Sea, Christmas day - around 11:45 at night. Look at the ray of sunlight shining through the valley of the mountain...Magnificent. I'm inspired by the beauty I see just in his pictures and dream of being able to see this with my own eyes one day, God willing.

And, one more awareness: Do not curse that which binds you...for it is your bondage that is actually setting you free.

Another update, just heard from my friend who returned from Antartica. I had asked him if they had talked about any noticeable effects of global warming. And, he said, "We had numerous lectures from the Peregrine staff who are biologists and zoologists, etc. and they all have noticed global warming effects." The time is now to be the change. Let's continue to ask for how we can be that.


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