Abundance During Times of "Economic Recession"
Simplicity Abounds: A Variation on Abundance
Laxmi: Personificaiton of Abundance
What are the North American Gurukul and Yoga Academy of North America?
Atma Center Calendar: An Abundance of Year-End Workshops
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THE YOGA CONNECTION
The Yoga of Abundance
Abundance During Times of "Economic Recession"
By Swami Atmarupa Saraswati
The hysteria generated by the 24/7 news media regarding the current financial crisis reminds me of a famous childhood story. “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” If you recall, the story of Chicken Little had the moral that we should not always believe everything we are told. I’m not denying that we are in an economic recession, jobs are being lost and the stock market’s movements rival the biggest roller coaster at Cedar Point. But to me, it’s not so much about what we possess—it’s really a matter of learning how to reign in our never satisfied, wanting minds.
A survey of members of the Forbes 400 “richest people” rated their life satisfaction the same as the Inuit people of northern Greenland and the Masai of Kenya. Yes, those people with no running water or electricity are every bit as satisfied with their lives as the wealthiest in the world. What does this tell us? Material possessions do not give more meaning to our lives. Yet, most of us spend considerable amounts of time thinking about, or working toward, getting something we don’t have – something we want – something that when acquired we think will make us “happier.”
Indeed, when we get the new house, the new car, or new outfit, we feel happy at that moment. We believe that it is the object that has brought us happiness. After a short time, the normal level of life satisfaction or dissatisfaction returns and we begin to look for another object to acquire to be able to experience that same feeling of happiness. In this way, we succumb to the wanting mind and continue to look outside of ourselves rather than within. We are living in the past remembering the experience and searching the future to be able to repeat it. We are missing the opportunity to be fully present and content with what is.
If you can remember a time when you felt a connection to something larger than yourself, something beautiful and peaceful, bringing you totally into the present moment, you will also remember that during the experience the mind did not want. It was content. Life was full. It is from being present and quieting the wanting mind that abundance flows. Abundance is a state of being and not about what stuff we have or don’t have. In fact, the more stuff we have, the more likely our mind will be consumed with thoughts about that stuff – what to do with it, how to take care of it, how not to lose it – and we will be moved further and further from a sense of fullness and abundance.
“There is never enough in the world to satisfy the dissatisfied heart.”
- Christina Feldman, meditation teacher
Where joy is clearly abundant. . .
Swami Satyananda’s ‘adopted’ children happily model outfits gifted to them at the annual celebration of “Giving” in Rikhia, India.
©Geoff Bugbee 2007
Simplicity Abounds: A variation on Abundance
by Caitlin Harwood
"Our lives are frittered away by detail; simplify, simplify." Henry David Thoreau
I practice voluntary simplicity. This means striving to simplify my life in a way that allows me to focus on things that are most important and disregard things that are least important. Or, according to author Duane Elgin, "we can describe voluntary simplicity as a manner of living that is outwardly more simple and inwardly more rich, a way of being in which our most authentic and alive self is brought into direct and conscious contact with living."1 I strive to find the difference and balance between what I want and what I need in order to live in the most full and intentional way possible. And sometimes that is easier said than done.
When I was younger I spent a few years living in an intentional community where simplicity was one of our tenets. It was one of the most hotly contested aspects of community living for twenty-something’s in some pretty surprising and amusing ways. We recycled and composted, grocery shopped collectively, tried to keep televisions/ computers out of bedrooms and central community spaces, served one another and those in need, cooked at home, laughed, lived, and loved together. We debated the necessity and propriety of things like toilet flushing, wireless internet, dumpster-diving, organic vs. inexpensive and name-brand foods. Living simply offered us so much understanding of other people's complex boundaries and world views.
As I have grown and changed and moved around, that style of simplicity has become much more, well, complicated. But I like that about it. Once I lived in a place where there was an abundance of simplicity and a community atmosphere of accountability. Now it is up to me. While sorting through wants and needs, I strive to make choices that I believe will benefit the larger community. I try to find an abundance of the heart.
The Atma Center helps me to do that in some pretty significant ways. Every class I attend helps me to focus on all that I am given, to step back from complexity and feel grateful and grounded in each moment. I feel such a strong appreciation for the many ways that being here keeps me in touch with my commitment to simplicity. In a time when financial lack-of-abundance is becoming a concern for so many, I realize how necessary it is to keep yoga in my life.
I try to focus on the abundance of resources offered here: the wisdom of the teachers, the willingness to meet people where they are, the wonderful resource that is the lending library, the beauty of the Satyananda tradition, the supportive Atma Center community, and the regular opportunities for free classes and barter work. Money can’t buy an open heart or peace of mind, but as a phrase that Deb Klein recently coined points out “Yoga will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no yoga.” It’s that simple, really.
Laxmi: The Personification of Abundance
by Atmadarshan
Laxmi is one of the more popular aspects of the divine in the Hindu pantheon, since she is the personification of abundance. She is often shown with gold coins streaming from one of her hands – however, this stream of gold represents not only money but other types of wealth, including happiness, courage, morality, and good health.
Laxmi is said to be the shakti (energy) of Vishnu, the preserver. However, she was not always associated with him. Once the demons engaged the divine beings in a war and the demon king Bali emerged victorious. Laxmi, impressed by Bali’s strength, came to him and crowned him as lord of the earth. However, Bali became proud at Laxmi’s favor, declaring he could now give anyone anything. Laxmi resented being treated as a commodity and left him. She was also associated with Indra, king of the divine beings. But Indra began to enjoy the richness of abundant sensual pleasures and to neglect his duties as ruler. This disturbed Laxmi as well. When Vishnu saved the earth from Bali and sought no reward for it, saying he was only doing his duty, Laxmi became impressed with him. Accused of being fickle for changing consorts so frequently, Laxmi stated, “That is not true. I am eternally faithful to one who does not abuse my gifts.”
This tale is rife with symbolism. It warns us that our wealth will abandon us if it is used to satisfy our lower nature and bolster our pride. The story also cautions that we will forfeit prosperity if we use it solely for pleasure. Only when we use our abundance for the good of others, with no attachment to reward, will we become – and remain – truly wealthy.
Artwork: Jai Santoshi Maa, India, c1900s. Portvale Collection from http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/sub/goddess/lakshmi.html
Natural Breath Awareness: A Cost-Free Solution to Stress
by Swami Atmarupa Saraswati
Every day we take approximately 22,000 breaths and we are seldom aware of any of them unless we have a cold or exert ourselves and become short of breath. However, breath awareness is an extremely useful tool to relieve stress and bring the mind into focus. The breath is always with you, costs nothing and the practice has no detrimental side effects.
When we are stressed, the breath speeds up and, depending on the level of anxiety or fear, the inhalation deepens and the exhalation becomes shortened. This is the result of the sympathetic nervous system telling the body to take “flight or fight” – to get away from the danger or be ready to confront it. Another part of the autonomic nervous system is the parasympathetic branch know as the “rest and digest” function. These two divisions are continually and automatically adjusting the bodily functions based on the prioritization of incoming messages.
In yoga the breath is considered the bridge between the physical and the mental realms. We can bestressed and have that affect the breath, or we can use the breath to affect the state of stress. The first step is to practice natural breath awareness - - a simple technique that induces a feeling of deep physical and mental relaxation. It can be practiced at any time, any where. Awareness of the breathing process itself is sufficient to slow down the respiratory rate. As the breathing rate slows down, the mind becomes more relaxed, calm and quiet.
The practice. Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight and head centered. If possible, close your eyes and mouth lightly or fix the gaze on a point in front of you. Become aware of your nose and how the breath is flowing in and out of the nostrils. There is no need to change your breathing pattern or control the breath in any way. Simply watch the breath. Feel each breath touching the inside of the nostrils. Is the breath slow or fast? Is it deep or shallow? Just keep watching and be aware that you are watching. Each time a thought distracts you, simply let the thought go and come back to the breath. If there are too many thoughts or distractions, begin to count each breath. Begin at 108 and count backwards. If the count is lost or a mistake is made, start again at 108. Continue practicing for a couple of minutes or longer, depending on the time available. When you are ready to end the practice, become aware of the sounds around you and feel the whole body sitting quiet and still. Notice any changes in the way you feel and then open your eyes and continue your activities.
What are the North American Gurukul and Yoga Academy of North America?
You may notice that the Atma Center supports the non-profit North American Gurukul in many ways – donating proceeds from workshops, the fines from the library, displaying their brochures, mentioning them in our newsletters. But what is this organization?
The North American Gurukul (NAG, pronounced “nahg”) was originally established by Swami Atmarupa to support a construction project in one of the poorest regions in India. The finished building now functions to provide housing to visitors of the ashram engaged in seva (selfless service). After this project was complete, NAG shifted its focus to support the growth of SATYANANDA YOGA® throughout North America in order to make this therapeutic, life-transforming tradition accessible to others.
One of the ways NAG has worked toward its mission is by creating the Yoga Academy of North America (YANA) right here in Cleveland Heights. YANA is the only approved center in North America to provide in-depth Yogic Studies and Teacher Training in our Satyananda tradition. So far students from the USA and Canada, India, Spain, Poland, England, and other countries have used this training to bring yoga to the blind, to prisons, and to children in public schools. Supporting NAG supports these worthwhile endeavors!
How can you support NAG and give more people the opportunity to find the benefits of SATYANANDA YOGA®? NAG is a 501(c)(3) fully tax exempt organization. Consider NAG in your year-end giving with a small donation, or become a member of the DAAN Society by pledging from $250 to $10,000 per year for 3 years. Your donation will bring increased health and well-being to people across the continent.
Change is in the Air!
In response to your survey responses and feedback throughout the year, we are restructuring our classes for 2009. Updates include:
- 8 week class sessions to allow for a deeper development of each class and practice
- Class passes will be good for four months, and can be extended with the purchase of another pass
- Pay up front OR pay-as-you go memberships
- Extra benefits for those who sign up for year-long memberships
- Simplified pricing structure
- 15 % discount for students and seniors on all class options – including membership options
An Abundance of Year-End Workshops
Further details on all current workshops available here
| Dec 6, 2008 |
Includes materials to make a small wrist mala |
| December 7 | Yoga Therapy for Depression - SOLD OUT |
| December 15 | Giving: Transformation of Self 7:30-9 pm How to open to the flow of life and experience happiness and peace of mind. All proceeds are donated to North American Gurukul, a non-profit group. Minimum donation: $20 |
| December 21 | Sun Salutation 1 - 4 pm Examine each pose of Sun Salutation in detail, then do the entire practice with different sets of mantras. |
| December 31 | Moving Forward 1 - 4 pm Part 1 of a 2 part workshop. Yoga psychology explains why change can be so difficult - and gives us the tools to faciliate growth. |
| January 1 | New Year's Yoga 10 am - 12 pm Set your intentions for another year of yoga and Atmarupa will provide ideas on how you can reach your goals. |
This newsletter is provided to you by the Atma Center, 2319 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. [216-371-9760 www.atmacenter.com] The Atma Center is one of three places authorized worldwide to offer advanced training in Satyananda Yoga through Yogic Studies and Teacher Training courses.