Everyday choices, as well as our long term goals, take on new relevance when we realize that each action and every focused thought is a tangible contribution to the collective consciousness of our planet.  Our science-oriented culture does not appreciate the power of the subtle energies we generate in our hearts and minds.  Yet how many times has a gesture of generosity had a ripple effect that touched many hearts?  How many prayers for healing have brought soothing relief to someone who is suffering?

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.”
-Thomas Merton

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While the practice of Yoga has spread all over the world, it is generally understood to be movements done on a mat, which greatly limits how it is practiced. A more complete understanding of Yoga is to see it as a way of life rather than just a set of movements. Wanting to emphasize this in our lives, we decided to practice bringing Yoga into our daily actions for the month of February.

The intention behind all the teachings and practices of Yoga is to fully realize our essential nature – the Spiritual Self that is the unchanging presence behind the ever-changing body/mind. This presence is experienced as a source of innate contentment and intimate connection with all of life, that gives rise to a natural compassion towards other beings.

Serving each other and our communities in any way we are called to is a natural expression of gratitude and arises from the recognition of our interdependence with all of life. Actions performed with genuine care for others are healing for our hearts, and we find joy in giving rather than looking for a reward or outcome.  This is how we really bring our Yoga practice to life.
-Swami Ramananda