When Shiva Das and I had a Satsang with Ram Dass over 10 years ago (via Skype),we expressed our concerns as being a small yoga studio big on ETHICS and in teaching the REAL practices of yoga - we felt we were, even back then, going against the "norm" of the more popular yoga studios.
Ram Dass assured us that we ARE going against the grain, but we must uphold the integrity of the practices and the teachings.
He told us, "Although you are in the role of a Yoga Teacher, you are bringing souls to God, this is what you do."
It is a big job!
So much to get through.
The layers of fear, of ego, of judgement.....and on and on.
So we are not very popular.
Why?
Because when you tell us, I love your studio,
but today's class was too crowded for me,
so I have found a new place to practice,
we respond with a teaching about preferences,
about selflessness, and about Ahimsa!
So what you love, and believe in,
you no longer support because of your mood today?
How is that the practice of a yogi?
These scenarios are never ending for us.
It is too hot in the studio, it is too cold in the studio,
I like morning classes, I only like evening classes.....
I wish it was like, or like that, I like what you said, I didn't like what you said.
When we are stuck in our likes and dislikes we are trapped.
We are in prison.
We can not experience Yoga,
which is a state of loving compassion
and UNION with divine presence with in us and around us.
External desires and preferences need to be recognized.
If a teacher cares enough, they will shine the light there for you,
to see it in yourself.
Only when YOU see it, can YOU change it.
But usually you don't like it.
So you leave.
And the lesson is not learned,
and no change occurs, so the wheels keep turning
and you don't understand why you are unhappy.
We keep going.
We have learned great patience.
I never knew I was capable of such spaciousness.
We keep shining, keep loving all,
even those who leave,
we love you.
And we really hope you get it,
that you get to experience what is real.
That one day there is an awakening
and you experience real love, real bliss from within.
The external world will NEVER satisfy us.
It is the internal world that holds the key to
unwavering contentment
and peace.
If we want to be free,
We need to be open to being uncomfortable.
Only through this friction can we grow and break
free from the cocoon that we are so comfortable in
and become the butterfly, beautiful and free, bringing joy
to all.
We need to look, where we would rather not - inside.
Face our mind, our ego, our preferences, our fears....
and realize-
THESE ARE NOT REAL.
"Only God is Real." - Bhagavan Das
Only a few will get to this place. This realization.
We know it is hard.
But the true reality is we will all go somewhere else eventually.
And when it is your time to go, to leave your home, your body,
that which is comfortable....
how will you be?
Will you be at peace?
Will your heart be open and loving?
Or will you be saying "No, this isn't what I want."
The inevitable is death of the body.
We should live our lives with great passion and compassion,
strive to know our TRUE SELF,
to find peace within,
then our lives will be a blessing to our SELF
and also to OTHERS.
Sarva Mangalam
