March 7, 2023
Dear friends,
Thank you for joining us at our first Yamas and Niyamas practice group session last week. We are excited to be on this path with you!
First of all, please know that we welcome your suggestions! We are new to hosting meetings that are both virtual and in-person. We hope to create an environment where all feel free to share. We would appreciate any feedback about your experience either as an in-person or as a virtual participant.
This month we will be practicing ahimsa, which is nonviolence, or not causing pain. Causing pain can be even more harmful than killing. Swami Rama suggests first applying ahimsa to yourself by not hurting yourself in thought, speech or action. Next you can initiate the practice of ahimsa at home. The family is a training center for learning how to love others. If you fail to love your family, you will also fail in other relationships.
Until our next session (Wednesday, March 29th), simply observe yourself. When are you being violent with yourself? With others? With the planet?
We would also like to share a few resources that might enrich your practice.
Prayer for Harmony:
Om saha nāv avatu, saha nau bhunaktu, saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai, tejasvi nāv adhītam astu, mā vidviṣāvahai. Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ.
Om. May It (Brahman) protect us both together. May It (Brahman) enjoy/ feed us both together. May we create spiritual power together. May what we have studied together be possessed of brilliance. May we not hate one another. Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
Books:
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Translation and Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda
Sadhana, the Path to Enlightenment by Swami Rama (available at our center)
Schedule:
Below is a tentative schedule for the rest of our meetings:
Wednesday, March 29
Monday, April 24
Monday, May 22
Monday, June 26
Monday, July 24
Monday, August 21
Monday, September 25
Monday, October 23
Monday, November 27
Monday, December 18
Please email us with any questions or suggestions.