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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(Picture of sunrise in Costa Rica)

We are just a couple of weeks away from the first day of Spring on March 20th. Many of you know I am holding a special Prana Flow Yoga Class at exhale spa in honor of the Spring Equinox and the powerful time of Light we are awakening to through this seasonal and energetic shift. The Spring Equinox is the time of the year where the amount of lightness and darkness is in balance. And then, of course, after the Equinox we grow into expanding light as the time of sunlight grows longer. As Yogis, we learn to honor and appreciate the times of perceived darkness and light as we realize it all flows from the same Source, the Light of Consciousness, or simply, Consciousness itself. There is only one Light which illuminates all of reality, existence and the Universe itself. It is our mind which casts shadows causing illusions in our perceptions. In Yoga, the veil of illusion is called maya. Through our Yoga practice the veil of illusion, maya, gradually dissolves and we become enlightened to the One Light...the Light of God, Consciousness, Creation, Love, which is pure joy, peace, bliss Itself. And, each one of us is this love, this light, this joy, this peace, this truth, pure consciousness experiencing itself through the 5 senses. Through the practice of Yoga we gradually withdraw from the 5 senses back into the essential nature of our own Self, Spirit, Atman, Consciousness and we know ourselves to be that which we are seeking...

I'm fascinated by what I am learning in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. (Light on Hatha Yoga). I'd like to post some of that information here for you. It talks about the amount of time it takes in our Yoga practice, especially practice of meditation, to realize perfection, or enlightenment, essentially.

Verse 40

The yogi who meditates on the self or atma, takes moderate and pure food and practises siddhasana (meditation pose) for twelve years, attains perfection or siddhi.

Twelve years sounds like a long time to have to practise one things before perfecting it, but it should be taken into consideration that it also takes many years of study to practise to become a qualified practitioner of medicine or law. In comparison to the rest of one's life, twleve years is not a long time if it is going to culminate in perfection and the awakening of a higher state of consciousness. If people can devote a whole lifetime to the pursuit of material goals, why not dedicate twelve years for the development of higher awareness and the unfoldment of the spirit?

It takes many years for the body and mind to change. After a cycle of seven years all body cells have been completely replaced. We can say one has a new body. However, it takes longer to restructure the mind and remould the awareness. Many shastras say that sadhana (practice) takes twelve years to fructify. Twelve years enables gradual and complete restructuring of the body, mind, emotions and psyche.

In spiritual life, twelve years is an important cycle. Perhaps it takes that amount of time to purify and prepare the pranic and psychic bodies for spiritual awakening. In the guru-disciple tradition also, the disciple is meant to spend twelve years training with the guru.

Two other specifications are also given here: moderate diet and contemplation on atma. A pure and moderate diet helps establish equilibrium and creates conditions conducive for higher experiences. In fact, the basic cause of disease can be attributed to faulty diet. If people took more care about their diet, many physical and psychological problems could be averted.

Yogi Swatmarama recommends meditaiton on the self or atma. As all spiritual aspirants are heading towards the experience of atma, it is a good idea to prepare oneself for that realization right from the beginning. The practice channelizes one's internal energy in a positive direction, makes the mind one-pointed and keeps one moving towards the ultimate goal.

Mind is not static; it is a vibrating mass of conscious energy and is moulded into whatever shape you give it. When a person lives for material pleasure, the mind becomes absorbed in the material reality. If it is absorbed in negative debauched things, then it becomes that way. If it is absorbed in the subtler experiences then it can come closer to the atma. This is a process which involves the total restructuring of the entire organism right down to the minutest cell. - The Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Twelve years, in western culture, is reflective of our grade school years from 1st - 12th grade. Imagine what we could have realized if we had also had a guru we were studying with and learning from during that time. In actuality, it is a very short time. And, what he says is so true...it's very little time to commit to one's spiritual development and awakening.

I love this part from another verse, too. Apparently, depending on our degree of discipline and determination, we can realize perfection sooner.

Verse 57

One who is brahmachari, takes moderate and pure food, is regular and intent on yoga and renounces (attachment to sensual experiences) becomes perfected (siddha) after a year.

Brahmachari means 'one whose consciousness is absorbed in Brahma', the purest state of consciousness, not necessarily one who abstains from sexual interaction. So, one who keeps his mind above the existence of duality and sex, takes agreeable and sweet (mitahara) food, practises his sadhana (Yoga/meditaiton) regularly and maintaines detachment from the affairs of mundane life, will definitely achieve perfection within a short period of time. It is certainly no easy task as we have previously discussed; there are many trials and obstacles on the path to perfection. - The Hatha Yoga Pradipika

A few other things. I frequently get requests to post information about products and events on my blog. I sometimes have a hard time posting this information as it's quite the process, although I love it, to write and update the True Yoga blog regularly, as it is. So, I am going to post some information about a few different things I've been meaning to share for some time.

The first is a book called Saltwater Buddha: a surfer’s quest to find Zen on the sea hits stores all over the world this May! Here’s the latest advanced praise, not included in my first email. As you can see, it’s not just for surfers and Zen enthusiasts! (More advanced praise at: http://www.jaimalyogis.com/?page_id=54)

“As a city boy, I’ve never been on a surfboard and a day on the water means a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. But reading Jaimal Yogis transformed me to a different — and dare I say higher — reality. I can feel the wind in my face, the sand between my toes and the surging sea beneath my feet. This book is a joy to read.”
Ari L. Goldman, author of the The Search for God at Harvard (former Religion writer for The New York Times)

“Jaimal's tale of survival and perseverance reminds us to follow our hearts without fear. A bold young man’s coming of age, Saltwater Buddha is not only entertaining, it’s inspiring and motivating. I loved this book!”Urijah Faber, World Champion Mixed Martial Artist

"One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that the finish line is not ultimate success. This book teaches us that same lesson in a lighthearted and poetic way. The words in this book may be about surfing, but it’s true meaning goes much deeper. I couldn’t put it down!" Jamie Patrick, Iron Man Triathalete
It’s not just for surfers and Zen enthusiasts.

For more info visit: www.jaimalyogis.com

The next is a brand of Yoga clothing called hyde. Although I've never worn their clothes, although I'd be happy to receive a sample to see if I like it ;), it is all organic, which sounds wonderful. You can learn more here.

The third is some music which, apparently, is free for download at this site: http://www.thekyotoconnection.com Might be worth checking out, I'm going to have a listen myself.

There is also an upcoming Yoga teacher training program in New York with Rodney Yee and other master yogis. For those of you in the New York area or interested in learning more, you can visit: www.urbanzen.org

Phew...I've been meaning to post a few of those announcements for a while now. But, keep them coming, I'm happy to share the news when I can. Om shanti!Read more