Welcome. This blog is for everyone who wants to deepen their yoga practice and find ways to live yoga off the mat. It's for those of us who want to be at peace, to unfold our potential and to be a force for positive change in the world.
This is a place to share the deeper wisdom from the heart of yoga. Don't think of this as a study of the Upanishads or the Sutras. Go elsewhere for that. Although we will reference them at times, Everyday Sacred looks at the Perennial Philosophy underlying all sacred teachings. This blog is about Truth not doctrine.
Truth can only be lived, by each and everyone of us. The first truth is that all life, all creation is divine. Every atom, molecule and cell is a radiatation from spirit to matter. We are sustained,on every level, by our physical and conscious connection with spirit. Spirit arises in us as soul.
True yoga, not gym yoga or McYoga (I'm talking about that new-agey ego massage that doesn't really challenge or satisfy), real yoga recognizes the soul as the source of life and healing. True yoga balances, attunes and strengthens the bodies' ( physical, emotional, mental spiritual etc.) connection with the soul. By soul, I'm talking about your innermost self, that which is alive and conscious within you.
To live yoga off the mat means to look at your personal challenges (relationship, financial, health, career or whatever) as dharma teachings. Dharma is a Sanskrit word meaning 'to uphold'. It means to live in a way that upholds our union with sacredness. Your yoga practice supports your ability to face your challenges from a calm center, to ride out the emotional ups and downs and to make your actions clean, effective and powerful. You will, with practice, be able to shift your point of view and to read the hidden messages in what is happening. Center yourself, bring your energy to back to you instead of projecting it in blame, anger, rationalization etc. Remember, the universe is a perfect mirror. It reflects what is unconscious as well as conscious in you. Owning your part in the drama is a form of surrender. It gives you insights about how you are creating harm. It lets you transform the energy of the situation and reclaim your authentic value. It restores wholeness. It feeds the soul.
Namaste
