Hello and Happy New Year
For certain, 2023 promises to be another interesting year. You are likely to see plenty of challenges and opportunities — individually, nationally and globally. You might think the easy route (and a tempting one) is to escape from the world. But wherever you escape to, you still have your mind. If your mind is unsteady, you tend to be reactive to challenges, and any outer turbulence will only make your mind more unsteady.
The tantric teachings that form the basis of Svaroopa® yoga do not advocate escaping from the world. As Swami Nirmalanda explains in this month’s teaching article, Being a Yogi in the World, the tantric sages say there is no reason to leave the world, for it is Divine. She writes:
“What seems to be only a mundane world is Divinely designed to engage you fully. Each and every person, critter and object is made of the One Divine Energy, shakti, coalescing into a separate and fascinating form. When you step into the marvel, the awe and majesty of this amazing creation, you live in the bliss of Consciousness. It arises from inside… The key is finding it inside… Then you lose your reactivity. You take everything in stride.”
You cannot be certain what will come your way this year. But you can be certain about one thing: with a solid yoga practice and mutual support you will be strong, grounded and centered enough to weather whatever does come your way. You will be able to take it in stride. Yoga and meditation are like stabilizers on a ship, keeping you at even keel no matter how rough the sea. If the wind blows hard, yoga and meditation gives you a strong foundation that keeps you from being blown away. Yoga offers more than just hope. It’s a way of being. Being all that you are. Amazing and majestic. Divine.
We vow to continue supporting you this year in every way we can. We invite you to join us again on the path of yoga — a path that brings out the best of you, wherever you go and whatever you may have to go through.
The following story, from the memoir of the late civil rights activist and congressman John Lewis, illustrates how we can withstand the challenges of these turbulent times, even keeping our “house” together in the midst of the most violent storm. Walk with us. Walk with the wind. Stay anchored in your Self!