40 Days to Enlightenment

Annual Festival of the Spirit

We invite you to join our global himalayan yoga family in a 40 day practice of spiritual renewal. Beginning today, May 27th thru July 5th the Full Moon of the Guru {teacher}

When we continue a practice for 40 days we create the power to change old habits inspiring us to rise above patterns of negativity.

In the words of Swami Veda...

“We all dream of the possibility of living in a peaceful world. This aspiration can be realized only if we first provide to our very soul, the self, a peaceful home in the mind inside which it lives. That is the essence of our spiritual journey; that is yoga; that is meditation; that is peace in the family, which, then, extends to becoming world peace. We need to keep a diligent vigil, to keep this mind pure and peaceful and clean, to make it progress towards becoming the environment suitable for an enlightened soul. There needs to be sense of continuous progress in us so the world may progress towards peace.”

We will celebrate the spirit with the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra. Begin with 3, 11, 21 repetitions preferably at the same time each day.

Om bhur, bhuvah, svah (Bhoor Bhoo-va Su-va-ha)

tat savitur varenyam (Tat Sa-vee-toor Var-ayn-yam)

bhargo devasya dhimahi (Bar-go Day-vas-ya Dhee-ma-hee)

dhiyo yo nah prachodayat (Dhee-yo Yo Nah Pra-cho-da-yaat)

Om. In each of the three planes of existence, we recall within ourselves and meditate upon that wondrous Spirit of the Divine Solar Being; may he guide our inner vision.

My favorite translation referenced from Rolf Sovik

Gayatri is a name for the Divine Mother(Shakti/Prakriti) and there for referred to as the “Mother of the Vedas” This mantra is highly referred for its ability to transcend. It allows us to address our predicaments in the privacy of our own hearts. Consciousness is the light of awareness and Gayatri exposes us to higher consciousness so we may attain the ability for self acceptance and ultimately forgiveness.

Om- defined simply, the sound of all existence (see AUM blog)

Bhur- the essence of earth and fire. This is the physical, existence

bhuvah- the essence of sky and air. This is the subtle, consciousness

svah- the essence of the sun. This is celestial, bliss

tat-that

savitur - of the sun, life giving energy

varenyam - excellent, wished for, desired, admired

bhargo - the spirit of the sun,

devasya -divine, radiance, luminosity

dhimahi-understanding, meditate on

dhiyo- the minds intuitive vision

yo - who

nah - our

prachodayat-may guide, lead direct, trust