Many thanks to Ann Mundy…

My 6 year old’s sweet bedtime story says, “All I see is part of me.” That sounds good. I realize my annoyance with people is Spirit’s way of waving a big black flag at the drag race in my head – “Violation! Pull over!” But perhaps thinking everything is my creation could send me down the slippery slope of indulgent self-importance, which sounds kind of antithetical to yoga.

Do I just find my own private union on my own little Manduka mat island and ignore the annihilation of the Gulf of Mexico? Blowing off the world’s problems and focusing on only my own personal liberation sounds like spirituality’s version laissez-faire capitalism. But I come from a culture that has a tendency to celebrate pluralism and radical individualism and ignore the toxic, narcissistic byproducts that it off-gases.

Am I directly responsible for the oil spill? Yes and no. In an Ultimate Spiritual Truth kind of way, yes, I created it, I need to fix it. In an everyday, relative lower case “truth” kind of way, no, but I still should help fix it.

How? I’m a yoga teacher not a petroleum engineer.

My favorite Einstein overly quoted quote:

“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”

The yogis broke down the human being into 5 layers or koshas – the body, the prana, the mind, the supermind or (wisdom mind), the layer of bliss. The system of yoga practices, with a focus on meditation, help to expand the self into the higher koshas. Get us out of the mind that created the problem, escort us deeper into the layers that can solve it. The world is screaming for higher consciousness.

There’s this thing you might have heard of called Distributed Computing. It combines the unused processing-power of multiple Internet connected computers for number crunching. So when you’re not using it, your computer uses its idle time to do research. One of the standouts is Standford University’s Folding@Home which is using the computers of millions of people to do research on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer.

So I got to thinking… What if all meditators participated in Distributed Consciousness? Every time we meditate we intend part of the concentrated consciousness of our higher minds to be used by a central consciousness server, to solve problems – like the Gulf, or Haiti, war in Afghanistan, or a suffering relative. Maybe we’re not even aware of how it’s being used, but we offer it up. Use our mindspace to do the necessary calculations to solve problems. Find that level of consciousness that Einstein says we need to work from.

Maybe the central consciousness server will upload our data and deliver it to the right person or people. Teilhard call this collective intelligence the no-osphere. He believed that we are co-creators of our destiny, that we have a direct hand in it. And that an overarching Consciousness is always there waiting for us to tap in and fiddle with it.

“Not only do we read in our slightest acts the secrets of [evolutions] proceedings; but for an elementary part we hold it in our hands, responsibile for its past to its future.”

Maybe real union is not just about our own personal liberation but about coming together in a synergy of consciousness – both in our practices and also out in the world.

The Transcendental Meditation experiment in 1993 showed a dramatic drop (23%) in violent crime in Washington D.C. when 4000 people meditated for peace between June 7 and July 30.

Why stop the experiment? How much chaos and trauma has to be created before we reach a critical mass of people willing to sit down and expand their consciousness for the good of all?

Something from Andrew Harvey:

“I know there is only one way out of our horror – that of a global revolution in consciousness that expresses itself urgently in radical wise action. And I know too, that if enough human beings became revolutionaries of sacred love the species could be transformed and co-create with the divine a new way of being and doing everything. I know also that my responsibility in knowing these truths is to embody them as completely and humbly as I can…”

What if we all sat down and closed our eyes and allowed our mindspace to be used for research?

The hopeful beauty of yoga philosophy reminds us that regardless of where we are in the year, there is always an inner sun which can shine. Sun salutations can fire this inner light. The practice serves not only to show reverence to the  physical and spiritual Source of life, but also to remind us that, our very essence is, in fact the sun. We are fractals – unique replications of the Cosmic reality.

The Sun Salutation, or Surya Namaskar is an ancient practice, but it became popular through the efforts of HH Meherban Shrimant Raja Bhavan Rao Shrinivas, the King of Aundh in the early part of the 20^th century.

Variations were adopted by both Swami Sivananda and Krishnamacharya and were carried into all the schools those systems have influenced – including Integral yoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and the grandchildren of these systems.

The mantras I’m chanting on the recording here are actually from the Ramayana, but were linked to the Surya Namaskar by Swami Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga. Sometimes they are performed at the beginning of the practice, other times with the movement. Swami Satyananda claimed that the 12 poses of the sun salutation done rhythmically, reflects the rhythms of the universe – the 12 months and zodiac signs – and that applying the form and rhythm of Surya Namaskar to the body generates a transformational force. His mantras really give a deep rhythmic resonance to the practice – students frequently comment how much deeper the chanting takes them.

When applying mantras to Surya Namaskar, first go into the numbered position, take a breath, and then exhale with the mantra. Start on the right side the first time. And then the left the second time. Repeat 6-8 times. It’s slower when you practice Sun Salutes with mantras, but the effect is really mind-blowing. Give it a try and see for yourself.

I recorded the mantras so you can hear what they should sound like (or at least approximately – I’m no Sanskrit scholar, but I think I’ve squeezed most of the Jersey girl out of my voice) The first time I include the English translations – the second two times are just Sanskrit so you can really get into the hypnotic flow of the mantras. Hope you enjoy it!

1. Mountain pose with hands at heart   Aum mitraya namah salutations to the friend of all
2. Stretch the arms up and back Aum ravayé namah salutations to the shining one
3. Fold Forward               Aum suryaya namah salutations to the supreme light
4. Right leg back to lunge              Aum bhanavé namah salutations to the illuminator
5. Down Dog                               Aum khagaya namah salutations to the one who moves through the sky
6. Knees/chest/chin to the floor     Aum pushné namah salutations to the giver of strength
7. Cobra                          Aum hiranya garbhaya namah salutations to the golden, cosmic Self
8. Down Dog                               Aum marichayé namah salutations to the lord of the dawna
9. Right leg forward to lunge                     Aum adityaya namah salutations to the son of the cosmic mother
10. Left leg forward to fold                         Aum savitré namah salutations to the lord of creation
11. Arms up over head                   Aum arkaya namah salutations to the one who is fit to be praised
12. Hands at Heart                                     Aum bhaskaraya namah salutations to the one who leads to enlightenment

Click the link below to hear the mantras.

salutations to the sun mantras 2

“We ask you to cast, anchor, and hold the Net of Light steady for the Gulf of Mexico,” the Grandmothers said. ”This crisis is affecting the entire world, and humanity is asleep. Wake up!” they cried. ”Animals are dying, plants are dying, and your Mother is writhing in agony.If you hold the Net of Light steady at this time you will help stave off further catastrophe.”You have been lulled into a false sleep,” they said, ”told that others (B.P.) will take care of this problem. This is not so,” they said. ”And this is not the time for you to fall into oblivion.

Determine now to stay awake, and once you have made that commitment, think of, cast, and hold the Net of Light. Hold it deep and hold it wide. Amplify its reach to penetrate the waters of the Gulf and dive deep beneath the crust of Mother Earth. Anchor it at the earth’s core and as you hold it there, ask it to unify with the mineral kingdom of this planet.

It will do this and will harmonize with all the solid and liquid mineral states on earth-including oil and gas. The Net of Light will call these minerals back into harmony.”Whatever human beings have damaged, human beings must correct,” the Grandmothers said. ”This is the law. We repeat: This is the law.You cannot sit back and ask God to fix the mess humanity has created. Each of you must throw your shoulders to the wheel and work.

We are asking for your help. Several years ago we gave you the Net of Light so you would be able to help the earth at times like this. Step forward now. This is the Net of Light that will hold the earth during the times of change that are upon you,” they said.”First move into your heart and call on us. We will meet you there. The Net of Light is lit by the jewel of your heart,” they said, ”so move into this lighted place within you and open to the Net of which you are a part. Bask in its calming presence. It holds you at the same time that you hold it.”

Now think of magnifying your union with us. We, the Great Council of the Grandmothers, are with you now, and all those who work with the Net of Light are also with you. There are thousands, even millions now connected in light,” they said. ”Along with this union, call forth the power of the sacred places on earth. These will amplify the potency of our joint effort. Then call on the sacred beings that have come to prevent the catastrophe that threatens to overwhelm your planet. We will work together,” they said, nodding slowly.”Think of, cast and magnify the presence of the Net of Light in the Gulf of Mexico. See, imagine or think of it holding the waters, holding the land, the plants, the sea life, and the people. Holding them all!” they said.

“The Net of Light is holding them steady; it is returning them to balance. Let the love within your lighted heart keep pouring into the Net of Light and hold, hold, hold. Calmly and reverently watch as the light from your heart flows along the strands of the Net. It will follow your command and continuously move forth. As soon as you think of it, it will happen. We ask you to practice this for only a few minutes at a time, but to repeat it throughout the day and night.”We promise that this work with the Net of Light will do untold good,” the Grandmothers said. ”We are calling you to service now. You are needed. Do not miss this opportunity. We thank you and bless you.”

Take a look at some other research.

If you have a specific yoga question for Kaoverii, please ask here. Your question may be featured in our next newsletter.

For answers to previous questions see below.

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Gulf Coast Oil Spill – Sioux Prayer Request

A Great Urgency

To All Nations
My Relatives,

Time has come to speak to the hearts of our Nations and their Leaders. I ask you this from the bottom of my heart, to come together from the Spirit of your Nations in prayer.

We, from the heart of Turtle Island, have a great message for the World; we are guided to speak from all the White Animals showing their sacred color, which have been signs for us to pray for the sacred life of all things. As I am sending this message to you, many Animal Nations are being threatened, those that swim, those that crawl, those that fly, and the plant Nations, eventually all will be affected from the oil disaster in the Gulf.

The dangers we are faced with at this time are not of spirit. The catastrophe that has happened with the oil spill which looks like the bleeding of Grandmother Earth, is made by human mistakes, mistakes that we cannot afford to continue to make.

I asked, as Spiritual Leaders, that we join together, united in prayer with the whole of our Global Communities. My concern is these serious issues will continue to worsen, as a domino effect that our Ancestors have warned us of in their Prophecies.

I know in my heart there are millions of people that feel our united prayers for the sake of our Grandmother Earth are long overdue. I believe we as Spiritual people must gather ourselves and focus our thoughts and prayers to allow the healing of the many wounds that have been inflicted on the Earth. As we honor the Cycle of Life, let us call for Prayer circles globally to assist in healing Grandmother Earth (our Unc’I Maka).

We ask for prayers that the oil spill, this bleeding, will stop. That the winds stay calm to assist in the work. Pray for the people to be guided in repairing this mistake, and that we may also seek to live in harmony, as we make the choice to change the destructive path we are on.

As we pray, we will fully understand that we are all connected. And that what we create can have lasting effects on all life.

So let us unite spiritually, All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer. Along with this immediate effort, I also ask to please remember June 21st, World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Sacred Sites day. Whether it is a natural site, a temple, a church, a synagogue or just your
own sacred space, let us make a prayer for all life, for good decision making by our Nations, for our children’s future and well-being, and the generations to come.

Onipikte (that we shall live),

Chief Arvol Looking Horse
19th generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe

“If we even occasionally experience our immersion within a universe that is a vast, multidimentional living organism, that experience will naturally foster a profoundly ethical posture toward the totality of life.” – Duane Elgin

The Yamas and Niyamas are the 10 ethical principles of yoga which were outlined by Patanjali about 2000 years ago in the Yoga Sutras. The word “ethics” tends to make my eyes glaze over. So for a long time I just ignored them – I spent many years recovering from the firey torture of 10 other set-in-stone rules – no desire to replace them with a more exotic version, thank you very much.

But as my yoga journey continued I began to realize the importance of the yamas and niyamas in my own life – not as roadblocking rules, but as fluid streams of consciousness that permeate the universe and lead me to balance. When I ride those streams I am privy to new levels of awareness. I began to realize that the yamas and niyamas are woven into the very fabric of consciousness. Understanding and abiding in them became more about relating to them as internal barometers and less about adhering to externally imposed dictates.

Some of it is really obvious. Ahimsa (pronounced ah-heeng-sah) for example, the first of the yamas, means non-harming. In general, not harming others – in any way, actions, words or even thoughts – creates a sense of inner peace. So what I began to understand is that the yamas and niyamas, are not only ethical guidelines, they are in effect, a very powerful mental health strategy.

The ethics of yoga are split into two categories because the first five (the yamas) have to do with our relationship to other people or the path of social integration, and the second five (the niyamas) have to do with our relationship with ourselves, or the path of personal integration.

The yamas include the principles of ahimsa (non-harming), satya (honesty), asteya (non-stealing) and aparigraha (non-hoarding) and have to do with how we relate to the external world. The most controversial is Brahmacarya. In India Brahmacarya is typically translated as “celibacy.” In the west it started to emerge with more watered-down translations such as “continence,” “abstinence,” or “self-control.”

But if you break down the Sanskrit, the literal translation of brahmacarya is “to walk while you are chewing on the Divine.” In other words to ruminate upon the Divine in everything and everyone you encounter, in every situation, in every moment, in every breath.

If we translate it this way, brahmacarya becomes the sun of the yamas and the rest of them orbit around it in a strikingly beautiful concordance.

The literal meaning of brahmacarya is much more relevant to the yamas, because they have to do with our relationship to the external world. Sexuality is a pretty personal thing, if you think it’s important enough to include in ethical principles, you’d at least want to put it in the category of the niyamas, maybe under tapas (the burning effort – hmm, that sounds about right).

But trying not to have sex with everyone you encounter is not really in the same category as non-harming and being honest with them (unless you are in need of some serious therapy).

Approaching every situation and person in a spirit of non-harming, honesty, non-stealing and non-hoarding makes sense if every situation and person is an opportunity to see everything as an encounter with the Divine.

Patanjali wrote in the Yoga Sutras, “To those who are established in Brahmacarya, great strength (virya) is available.” (2.38) Yeah, if you are having a lot of sex you might not have much energy for other pursuits. But I think he meant something much subtler. If you know where your energy is truly coming from (hint: it’s not your fourth cup of coffee), you can do anything, anything is possible. You’ll have tons of energy.

Without applying the literal translation of brahmacarya, the whole system of the yamas disintegrates.

More to come on the niyama star system…

Kaoverii,
I have talked to you before about the possibility of completing teacher training with you (which would be amazing for me!) Timewise, though, Stephanie Keach has an opening this summer that works for me. I don’t know her at all. How would you characterize her style compared to yours(if I may be so bold as to ask?)
Thank you so much,
L

And here’s my response:

I realize it is difficult to find the right program to fit your needs in all ways. And I only offer my program currently as a 10 or 11 month extended training.

Actually there are a few different teacher trainings in Asheville, not to mention all over the country! But I think it would be inappropriate for me to analyze other programs.

I do think my program is unique in many key ways. I think the whole purpose of doing yoga is transformation. And I don’t just use the word “transformation,” because it’s catchy, I actually provide a clear and effective process for it – my whole program centers around it.

I focus on helping students open to subtle understandings that form a bridge between mundane and spiritual knowledge. This includes a strong emphasis on epistemology – understanding how we know about ourselves, the world, and about yoga and how that knowledge can help expand us.

I conduct the training over a longer period in order to allow the cultivation of a personal practice — and this centers around developing a strong, daily meditation practice. Asanas and other practices serve to support this intention and to help facilitate personal growth and transformation. The shorter term program has some limits in the sense that there is less time for integration – however I will be teaching a 3 week training in Copenhagen in August – so if you feel like coming to Denmark…;->

Additionally my program is carefully, progressively designed – the knowledge builds on itself and results in a broad and deep understanding of the yoga tradition, history and practice. I delineate a solid rationale and techniques for using yoga to help balance the neuro-endocine system and through it, the mind, in order to facilitate personal transformation. So the teaching always revolves around this central understanding and purpose.

Another point is that the program emphasizes the group process. I keep the group small – generally 12-15. This facilitates the solid development of satsaunga (spiritual company).

I also have a therapist on staff to help during our monthly group processing sessions. And we periodically take on seva/service projects together (like helping out at the community gardens in one of the projects or visiting a nursing home).

The service projects serve both as karma yoga and also as a wonderful way for the group to experience their collective power. I actually spent a lot of time on the phone convincing Yoga Alliance that our projects are “real” yoga. When they finally did understand my rationale, I set a precedent for yoga trainings all over the country to begin to teach karma yoga or seva as part of an authentic yoga training. These sessions continually prove to be some of the most powerful personal experiences for students in the program (and certainly highlights!).

I hope this is helpful!