by Marc Mukunda Morozumi

There are many ways to tell a story and our lives are all built from them. Sometimes, these are stories that are passed down verbally, or written and published, and sometimes they are erased and made to be forgotten. In any event, the truth still exists and will always be a light that shines through whenever darkness tries to hide it. But because of human nature, it just might take some years, decades and even lifetimes for that truth to become welcomed and commonly accepted.

In celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it’s a way to honor that story that wasn’t told correctly in most of our educations. A story that plainly identifies colonization and decimation of human life in the name of progress. Welcome to planet Earth. Somehow, it was able to happen 500 years ago, but let’s not uphold a story and perpetuate the harm when we’ve learned the truth. Let us honor this day as a way to recognize that omission and raise awareness of the genocide of America’s original earth keepers.

There was a movement in 1977 at the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, which then took over 10 years until it sparked the first honoring of the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in South Dakota followed by the cities of Berkeley and Santa Cruz, CA. Then, not until 15+ years until it gained popularity for other states across the U.S. Today, not every state in the U.S. has switched Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Including California), but some have. View CNN article HERE.

How many things are like this and we’re simply not aware? How many things are like this and we’re aware but we don’t care enough to do anything about it? Truly, take a minute and think about that for you personally. ……………….. Is it possible that we’ve spent more time working to be comfortable in the version of the story that we once heard rather than being well informed? These truths can challenge our minds to the point that our nervous systems go in that fight or flight mode and it appears as a real threat. Just like any threat to our sense of freedom or safety. It can feel unsafe to hear an inconvenient truth and so we’ll consciously or unconsciously block it and even try to build a wall between the truth and our carefully constructed, modified reality.

Why would we not want to honor one another? Why has it made sense to kill and harm in the name of progress and survival? Is this just the way of our natures or is there another way to still feel like we are progressing but without the need to resort to our animal instincts of survival? Maybe not. At the very least, can we recognize that within each and every one of us, there is an option and maybe even common wish for peace and joy, love and light. By learning how to listen to the deeper insight of our own life’s purpose versus accepting only survival mode whether basic or glamorous, we might find a way to enhance not just our own life, but the lives of others. Truth is One, Paths Are Many (Sri Swami Satchidananda). And I’ve found yoga to be one of those paths that has revealed this Truth.

We have our own paths to accept, choose, rediscover and embark upon. That’s the mystery and liberty of taking this body in this lifetime! It’s up to each of us to decide how much we want to listen and give, and how much we want to talk and take. The thinking mind is often given all the credit but maybe it’s clear it will only get us so far. May the intuitive, creative mind awaken to spirit and let’s see what’s written about in 500 years from today.

This article was republished here with the permission of Marc Mukunda Morozumi. The original article can be viewed HERE. 

by Swami Divyananda

The yogi’s emergency response practice has three pillars: Breathe. Be calm. Smile.
As we envision all the possible scenarios for the US presidential election on November 3rd, one thing is for sure: there will be a lot of emotion! Already we have fear verging on panic and anger verging on violence.

So as we place our votes for US president, let us also place our votes for peace. By that I mean: commit to a peaceful attitude no matter what happens.

Yes it’s scary and we are in a truly vulnerable and pivotal moment of history. All the more reason to renew our moorings and reassert our values. This is not to say that we should be ostriches and deny the realities around us—but rather, keep on being yogis.

Slow down, lighten up, breathe.

A basic stress management approach is to do whatever we can do, and control whatever we can control. “Do your best and leave the rest,” as Integral Yoga founder Sri Swami Satchidananda always advised. The main thing we can control is our own mind. What we harbor in our minds is as powerful as what we mark on our ballots, so choose carefully. It’s our response-ability.

Whatever the outcome of the election might be, it does not benefit ourselves or anyone to hate and revile our leadership. That is only piling darkness on top of darkness. According to our Yoga tradition, all of us who have taken human birth on this planet, in our respective countries, share a collective karma. If that karma—pandemic, elections, inequality, climate crisis—has now come due, we’re going to have to face it in one form or another. Be calm.

Let’s see if we can face our emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Let’s take to heart the example of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the equanimity that he brings to every situation. Take note of these words from Sri Swami Sivanandaji: “When the mind is filled with discord, the soldier cells become panic-stricken.” Swami Satchidananda often told a story about a cholera outbreak in India in which 1,000 pilgrims died. Five hundred died from cholera and five hundred died from the fear of cholera. If nothing else, let’s stay calm for the sake of our own health.

The author E. A. Bucchianeri once wrote, “A new challenge keeps the brain kicking and the heart ticking.” We’ve definitely got a big challenge at hand, one which can propel us either up or down. The Tibetans look upon this kind of crisis as a “portal,” an opportunity to awaken to deeper dimensions of spirituality. It’s up to us to make the choice: it is our response-ability.

May we each find our way to radiate health and happiness into our communities, and be lamps onto the world.

by Swami Ramananda

Sri Swami Sivananda said that our suffering brings out the essence in us, just as an herb releases its fragrance when crushed. Gold is exposed only by removing a mountain of soil. Diamonds are formed through intense pressure. The entire human race is suffering today and heroes are being born.

Without exception we are facing tremendous challenges; our lives have been dramatically altered and it takes true heroism to accept this new life and make it beautiful. Who will we be on “the day after” this pandemic? Can we allow ourselves to be refined and strengthened? Is there a little bit of heroism in us? What will it take for us to step up and practice Yoga in a way that will meet the demands of the day?

1. Face ourselves with honesty. With so many habits and pleasures stripped away, we can take a new and honest look at ourselves. It can be painful to see the naked truth behind the masks we wear to protect ourselves. If we are willing to, we have a perfect opportunity to see the selfish habits and petty desires that prevent us from opening our hearts.

2. Cling to our values. The pandemic gives us very convenient excuses to kick back. Our government gives us very convenient reasons to be outraged. The condition of our society gives us very convenient reasons to be hopeless. But laziness, outrage and hopelessness are not honorable responses and leave us immersed in a darkness of our own making. Which is the central value of Yoga? Retain your peace. Sri Swami Satchidananda says, “Do whatever it takes to retain your peace.”

3. Welcome the challenge and accept the suffering. A central teaching of Yoga is tapasya, which means purification and is a necessary aspect of the spiritual path. “Bear insult, bear injury; highest sadhana!” is a favorite motto of Sri Swami Sivananda. As we bear up with each new indignity, we will develop resilience and fortitude.

4. Remember the saints and sages. Suffering and challenge are inevitable in every lifespan. In the life story of any saint, we will see far greater suffering than that which any of us are facing. Sri Swami Satchidananda said that the purpose of challenge is to show us what we are made of. If life is asking us to be strong, then let us rise to the occasion! We may have far more strength in us than we presently realize. We can always find inspiration and courage by remembering the thousands of saints and sages who have walked on this earth.

All of us on the earth are in this situation together. When we think and act from that understanding, we contribute to justice and harmony instead of fear and prejudice. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to expose and free ourselves from self-centered conditioning and stand up for spiritual values. If our effort is sincere, we will deepen our personal experience of the unchanging Self within us all.

Swami Ramananda is the President of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 35 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.

He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U. S., Europe and South America. Ramananda trains Yoga teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.