Swami Satchidananda

Wise words from Swami Satchidananda from Integral Yoga magazine Learn lessons from the ups and downs in life. You need failures; otherwise, you won’t have stepping stones to go up. Nobody has ever gone up without failures. It’s just natural. The more intense you are in the spiritual field, the greater the tests that will come. If you read the life stories of sages and saints and great devotees, nobody was spared from that. Don’t think that you will be always praised. But, if you know that this process is natural, you won’t get disturbed over it. On the other hand, you’ll know that you’re growing. The tests, themselves, are proof that you’re on the right path and that you’re being tested. Don’t get disheartened by that.” “God bless you. Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi.”

Loving Arms

Yesterday I received a tentative diagnosis of early Parkinson's.  I found myself feeling pretty weepy and didn't get anything done, although this possibility is not a surprise to me.  This morning I awakened and went right to our "yoga" room and did my usual morning practice.  This is asana, with lots of somatics these days, pranayama and meditation.  It felt so good and comforting.  I felt wrapped in the loving arms of the Universe.  All is good.

Thanksgiving Turn Around

I hate to admit it, but I can get myself tense during the preparations for holidays like the Thanksgiving we just had.  This year I found something that quickly changed my automatic reaction.

Our son and daughter-in-law and their adorable 4y old Luli, our youngest grandchild, were here from Seattle.  We had the rest of the family here, including girlfriends of grandsons (that's a new one for us).  The two days before Thanksgiving, I was busy preparing food for our visiting kids and for the holiday.  We also made the beds, etc--you know how it goes.

I found myself getting uptight, and then wanting to be angry with Lauren, my hubby, projecting my tenseness out onto him.  Not very nice.  But, I caught this soon-to-be negative behavior, and said (to myself), "I don't want to be like that!"  And I instantly softened and open up--and knew things would work out no matter what--of course.

The result was this turn around lasted throughout the holidays, and I had a much happier and more peaceful holiday and time with our visiting families.  I'm sure they did too.  It was lovely.