This month's inspiration from Manorama

Sanskrit: Sound as a Bridge to Silence
by Manorama

When one chants a Sanskrit mantra the resulting vibration that occurs from its utterance carries the mind and heart of the listener in and in to the source of vibration itself, which is silence.

In Yogic practice, meditative silence is the most essential element to cultivate. According to Shri Brahmananda Saraswati, meditative silence is more than the mere absence of speaking, rather silence is the absence of thinking. Meditation occurs when the mind is in a state of balance, when thoughts subside from bombarding the mind. Studying Sanskrit and chanting mantras aid the aspirant in achieving inner quiet in the mind.

Sanskrit is made up of predominantly vibrational sounds. The more resonant a sound is the more it echoes both internally and externally. By chanting Sanskrit, one encourages wakefulness to sound overall but in a whole new way, that is, as manifest vibration which leads one to the internal echo within.

Manorama The director of the School of Sanskrit Studies in NYC, Manorama leads workshops on the Path of Luminous Shabda, a path that combines Sanskrit, Meditation and Yoga philosophy. She teaches in NY at Ananda Ashram, Jivamukti Yoga, Omega Institute, Integral Yoga Institute, Krpalu Institute and Laughing Lotus Yoga. She leads workshops nationally, as well as internationally in Europe and Canada.  Manorama's mix of earthy charm, deep scholarship and humourous teaching style were born from years of close study with her Guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, the founder of Ananda Ashram. She continues her studies in Sanskrit working closely with the reknowned Acharya, Dr. R.K. Sharma, president of IASS. She is a graduate of Columbia University. CD's AVAILABLE WITH MANORAMA

Fundraiser for Rwanda before Angela leaves to go there herself!

Yoga in Rwanda: A Peacefulness Fundraiser

Join Angela in sharing the benefits and blessings of yoga in Rwanda . She will be traveling to Kigali, Rwanda for a month and volunteering her services to teach yoga to local Rwandans. She will be working with the post genocide–formed peace group, "Never Again" (www.neveragainrwanda.org.) In addition, she will also be contributing her time to develop several small yoga–based, women's empowerment groups. Angela has been steadily focusing her studies on yoga as a tool for depression, anxiety and trauma recovery. All proceeds from this event will be used in providing props and yoga training to Rwandans. There will be a guest speaker, followed by yoga asana, pranayama, yoga nidra (deep relaxation) and meditation. Mantras and guided visualization to promote peacefulness of mind and spirit will also be included.

Cost: suggested donation of $45 and yoga mat (used or new) - please bring check or cash day of event
Location: FLOW Yoga Center, Washington, DC
Date/Time: Saturday, Sept 8, 1:30-3:30pm

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Angela Cerkevich first discovered yoga from her father at the age of 7. By college she grew more curious and began attending regular classes. After a brief, but interesting acting career, she dove into the yoga scene head first and remained there full time. Though her yoga education began with Kundilini- based exercises, she has since moved from Bikram, to Vinyasa and more recently Anusara styles for inspiration. Angela also practices Thai Massage at to complete and complement her practice.  Her enjoyment in giving massage comes from a deep desire to balance science with spirituality. She considers knowledge of the human body to be the key to understanding the human psyche.  She brings a sense of fun and experimentation while also offering practical aspects of yoga philosophy to her classes. She makes every effort to give students a sense of their own, individual power and creativity through a challenging yoga class. "Through asana we take away the ego's best friend and star witness and we turn it into a vessel through which Spirit can be expressed in this world." --Darren John Main

Amazing authentic Thai massage - right in VA!

Traditional Thai Massage Thai massage is a unique massage experience that will facilitate deep relaxation while wiping away your stresses.  This massage is enjoyed comfortably in loose fitted clothing.  The famous Thai massage techniques incorporate stretching, palming, and pressure points over the entire body.  The ancient healing knowledge of Thailand is amazing and highly therapeutic.   Our specialized experience in Thai massage relieves muscle pain and tension resulting in you feeling completely restored and rejuvenated. Viphada (Vi) Mungmeesan is a Certified Thai Massage Practitioner (CTMP) who has an extensive background and experience using Thai massage to solve individual problems in her guest's body.  Vi trained among Thailand's elite at Wat Po and the Thai Traditional Medical Services Society completing an in-depth Thai massage training program. Wat Po is known for its long history of conducting top quality classes for Thai massage.  It is consider one of Thailand's most prestigious schools.  Vi served as the personal Massage Therapist for the Royal Family of the UAE just before moving to the United States to work with Touch of Asia.

Thoughts from Rumi

"There is a community of the spirit.

Join it, and feel the delight

Of walking in the noisy street,

 

And being the noise

 

Drink all your passion.

And be a disgrace.

 

Close both eyes

To see with the other eye.

 

Open your hands,

If you want to be held.

 

Sit down in this circle.

 

Quite acting like a wolf, and feel

The shepard's love filling you.

 

At night, your beloved wonders.

Don't accept consolations.

 

Close your mouth against food.

Taste the lovers mouth in yours.

 

You moan, "she left me." "he left me."

Twenty more will come.

 

Be empty of worrying.

Think who created thought!

 

Why do you stay in prison

When the door is so wide open?

 

Move outside the tangle of fear thinking.

Live in silence.

 

Flow down and down in always

Widening rings of being."

 

-----rumi

The Global Mala Project

The purpose of the Global Mala Project is to unite the global yoga
community from every continent in the world, forming a mala
around the earth through collective practices based upon
the sacred cycle of 108.

Why a Washington, D.C. Mala?

Washington, D.C. is home to both a vibrant yogi community,
and some of the most powerful decision-makers in our
country.  We believe it is essential to create a DC-area Mala,
and become a part of the largest unified worldwide yoga
event in the history of the planet.  

In a city where policies and practices that affect the world
are made on a daily basis, we need to provide a space in
which the community can experience the power of collective
consciousness.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION & DONATIONS

DC Global Mala Day events

11am - 12pm   
DHARMA TALK BY GRAHAM SCHWEIG
A philosophical lecture that will address yoga's intersection
with the pressing issues of our time.

12pm-2pm       
LUNCH
To be enjoyed on your own or with friends at one of the
many GW-area eateries!

2pm-3pm         
GATHERING AND MEDITATION
WITH TARA BRACH AND JONATHAN FOUST

2-2:10pm Awakening Through our Bodies-  Jonathan Foust
Join us for a guided meditation in mindful movement that
brings alive an embodied awareness.

2:10-3pm  Radical Acceptance- Tara Brach
Much of our personal and societal suffering arises out of the
ways we judge ourselves and condemn others.  Explore
meditation practices that cultivate a genuinely awake heart
and the possibility of healing and peace in our world.

3pm-5pm         
108 SUN SALUTES, WITH JOHN SCHUMACHER'S
SALUTATORY ADDRESS ON THE MEANING OF "108"
Begin our practice with an address from John Schumacher
regarding the significance of 108, and then join us in our 108
Sun Salutations and celebrations.  John will begin the 108
Salutations, leading the first round of 27.

Stay for 9 or 108!

5pm-6:30pm   
DINNER
Again, enjoy one of the GW-area eateries with friends, or
feel free to bring a meal to eat at this time.

6:30pm-9pm   
KIRTAN
For the uninitiated, Kirtan is a call and response dance
party.  A perfect ending celebration to our day together!

And the night before the Mala event...........

YOGA TRANCE DANCE IN DC
Join us on the evening of Saturday, September 22nd, as we
celebrate our yoga community and efforts, and welcome the DC
Mala Event with a Yoga Trance Dance!

The Dance will be led by DC-based yoga teachers, and held at the
Joy of Motion dance studio in Dupont Circle.  

This event is free to all, so all may celebrate and enjoy the evening
together.  Donations are of course welcome and encouraged, with
all proceeds benefiting Trees for the Future.

how are you going to commemorate 911?

 

JOIN US ON SUNDAY 9/9/2007

at 1:30pm

For the dramatic experience of the
Third 9/11 UNITY WALK

As churches, synagogues, mosques,
temples & gurdwaras
open their doors together

In peace, healing and understanding
from
Washington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb Street NW
Washington , DC 20016
to
The Islamic Center , the National Sikh Gurdwara
Washington Cathedral, Vatican Embassy
with a
Concluding Celebration at the Gandhi Memorial

FOR MORE INFORMATION
visit
www.911unitywalk.org

OR CONTACT:

Richard Fields
202-234-6300 ext. 204
richardf@ifcmw.org

Saman Hussain
202-234-6300 ext. 211
samanh@ifcmw.org

you simply can't make this stuff up..........

Christ-like Bin Laden Image Stirs Debate in Australia

Thu Aug 30, 2007 Reuters

A debate about the Australian artworks attracted almost 400 comments on the news.com.au Web site.

"One could only compare Osama with Saddam or Hitler, but Jesus came to Earth not to terrorize, but to save mankind," wrote a blogger named Shirley. Another blogger, Marc, praised the artworks' shock value. "Art is supposed to provoke thought and debate...to offend you and make you think," he wrote.

Berkeley Springs

In Berkeley Springs, health and relaxation are primary concerns. The area boasts three times as many massage therapists as lawyers and is home to a unique manufacturer, retail shop and museum of homeopathic medicine.

Last weekend, my coworker and I went on a day trip to West Virgina to visit Berkeley Springs, a historic spa town only about 90 minutes from DC. It was so quaint and cute, filled with art galleries, warm mineral springs, dozens of unique shops, and amazing spas. There is a world class homeopathy store (hailing back to 1873!) which we visited. It is called Homeopathy Works and is one of the last of the original homeopathic pharmacies; it makes and maintains all of its own single remedies (over 1,700 available). We also got massages at The Bath House. I got the best massage ever received and highly recommend it:

Deep Tissue (75 minutes) - $105

Deep tissue massage can be one of the most therapeutic and healing massages. Although not as rhythmic as other massage types, deep tissue massage interacts the most with the body's muscles and muscle groups

We visited an authentic Tibet store called Himalayan Handicrafts, and explored all the various artifacts and religious objects from Buddhism and Hinduism. I was admiring a statue of Shiva and the owner (himself a native Tibetan) was so impressed with my knowledge of Shiva, that he gave me a free mini status of him. How sweet!

I hope to visit again soon!

awesome yogi

i mentioned in an earlier blog that my best friend was putting together her yogi website, and its finally arrived! here it is:
yogabyjyoti.com

Even the saints ask "Where is my faith?"

A wise friend once counseled me through periods of doubt by pointing out that the definition of a saint is one who struggles MOST, not least. I had always thought those whom we most look up to -- such as St. Francis, Mother Theresa, St. Theresa of Avila -- had secure and steadfast surety of God. So filled with love and good works, how could they have ever doubted their belief in Christ? But they did. I guess they were the most challenged.......as revealed by these new letters of Mother Theresa.

So though I continue to experience doubts and "dark nights of the soul", at least now I know that I am in good company.....

Letters reveal Mother Teresa tormented by questions of faith


Richard Owen of The Times, in Rome

Mother Teresa, who died in 1997 and was beatified in record time only six years later, felt abandoned by God from the very start of the work that made her a global figure, in her sandals and blue and white sari. The doubts persisted until her death.

Shortly after beginning her work in the slums of Calcutta, she wrote "Where is my faith? Even deep down there is nothing but emptiness and darkness. If there be a God — please forgive me." In letters eight years later she was still expressing "such deep longing for God", adding that she felt "repulsed, empty, no faith, no love, no zeal". Her smile to the world from her familiar weather-beaten face was a " mask" or a "cloak", she said. "What do I labour for? If there be no God, there can be no soul. If there be no soul then, Jesus, You also are not true." "I am told God lives in me — and yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul," she wrote at one point. "I want God with all the power of my soul — and yet between us there is terrible separation." On another occasion she wrote: "I feel just that terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not really existing."

The nun's crisis of faith was revealed four years ago by the Rev Brian Kolodiejchuk, the postutalor or advocate of her cause for sainthood, at the time of her beatification in October 2003. Now he has compiled a new edition of her letters, entitled Mother Teresa: Come be My Light, which reveals the full extent of her long "dark night of the soul".  Rev Kolodiejchuk maintains that Mother Teresa did not suffer "a real doubt of faith", but that, on the contrary, her agonising demonstrates her faith in God's reality. "We cannot long for something that is not intimately close to us . . . Now we have this new understanding, this new window into her interior life, and for me this seems to be the most heroic," he said.