Fridays, the bliss of knowing that for most of us, it is the last day of the work week. We get to fantasize about walking out, greeting our weekend and all the joys we have planned for it. I have the pleasure on Fridays of spending ALL day with my little's Akasha. She is a bundle of joy that teaches me how to be present, play, move slowly and love everything. She is my biggest Guru (teacher who guides one from darkness to light). That is where I was most of yesterday and with a toddler who does NOT like her mommy on the computer and who would not nap long, I have been unable to post until now.
Today, our family Saturday, finds us alone on our land which is rare these days. We usually have guests or WWOOFERS (Worldwide Opportunities in Organic Farming) staying with us so it is exceptionally nice to enjoy the stillness of nature with the birds chirping, the red-tail hawks screeching, the chickens pecking the damp ground after our much needed rains, and the dogs basking in the sun rays. I taught my regular 6:00AM Sadhana (spiritual practice) class of yoga and meditation on our enclosed deck with my devoted student, Bill, by my side. We explored a few Kundalini Yoga Kriyas and Meditations on the topic of Identity & the Self. Afterwards, I felt called to read the intro to the chapter and afterwards, knew that I could not keep this to myself. So, here is the synopses as I share it with you...
If you follow a meditation practice, you maybe have heard the question, "Who Am I?". I have practiced many forms of meditation and this question has come up as a staple in some of them. The question seems simple enough, yet the answer that you provide is anything but simple. So, go ahead. Sit quietly, close your eyes, breathe deeply for a few minutes and ask yourself, "Who Am I?". What came as your answer? It can be ANYTHING. Just note your answer and read on.
The answer to this question is the most important one of YOUR life because it will determine how YOU relate to EVERY other aspect of your life, the quality and direction, whether you are filled with happiness or sadness, prosperity or poverty, courage or cowardice. Let me explain. If you answer, "I don't know" (which MANY young people who come to stay with us are stuck here), you do not have a clear sense of your identity, your mind has nothing to orient itself to, which creates turmoil and insecurity. Your mind has NO fundamental reality of its own. If you lack a sense of direction, all the thoughts, feelings and desires that pop up constantly are jumping all over the place because there is no framework from which to orient the mind.
If you answered, "I am Me" that is great because this will provide some grounding and direction in your life, YET you are identifying with your EGO. Our ego is just a mental faculty, which gives us the illusion that we are separate and unique; it is a survival mechanism of the psyche. It is necessary to function in this world, yet we forget that we are NOT our egos (nor our minds, nor our bodies). We may fall victim to endless attempts at controlling everyone and everything in our life.
If you answered, "I am Thine" then you are identifying with your True Self, your Soul. Your soul is part of the Infinite, wrapped up in this human experience, this finite, material realm; yet its home is Infinity. If this is your identity, then you align your mind with your DESTINY. Living from this place is not always easy or pretty and may not bring you worldly wealth, fame or material comfort, but you will always carry with you a DEEP sense of fulfillment and gratitude.
An ego-dominated identity traps you in your karmic wheel of FATE. Life beats you down as you succumb to its challenges by continually reacting with your subconscious agendas and self-destructive habit patterns. A soul-oriented identity will face the same challenges but with the understanding that EVERY challenge is an opportunity to grow and expand and uplift yourself and others toward our destiny.
Yogi Bhajan often said, "It's not the life that matters, it's the courage you bring to it." Destiny is your Identity in alignment with Infinity.
How have I done with my goals?
Personal Goal of daily sadhana, check (with the exception of a few mornings). College, check. Daily workout and nutrition WAY better with dairy, gluten and sugar in check... YAHOO! I am doing tons of yoga, biked and ran 2.5 miles yesterday. Today I am hitting our gym for some strength training and planning out my All levels Hatha Yoga class for tomorrow.
Family Goal is a definite check! Feeling the love.
Professional Goal is going, just wish I had three more of me to get it all done. Reiki Retreat Weekend just got put on the books so if you want to learn more about it, let me know. It will be next month, February 17 - 19, 2017 (Fri - Sun) .
Music Pick of the Day: "Chattr Chakkr Vartee" by Ajeet Kaur. This is the mantra to invoke Courage. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/track/6VQ2acGob8La9rOLHBnuDd
Reference: Much of the text came from excerpts from Yogi Bhajan's book, "Transformation: Seeds of Change for The Aquarian Age", Volume One, Mastering The Self: 91 Transformational Kriyas and Meditations. 2010. Kundalini Research Institute.
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