by Swami Ramandanda
The residents of the Institute chose Appreciation as a spiritual practice for the month of April. We didn’t want to define it narrowly so that it can be understood and practiced in multiple ways.
We did discuss how appreciation begins with awareness of the numerous things we have to be grateful for. In a world where many people struggle for food and shelter, we take these basics for granted and become preoccupied with comforts and possessions others may never experience.
Most of us have basically healthy bodies, and both the time for spiritual practice and access to a tremendous wealth of spiritual teachings. Appreciation implies at minimum that we acknowledge this abundance, which may free us from the scarcity mentality that we often see in our culture.
A more active form of appreciation is making the effort to convey it, especially when we recognize that we have benefited from someone’s efforts. Expressing our gratitude naturally flows out of the fullness we feel, is healing for our hearts and uplifting for those we appreciate.
Sometimes we may not be able offer thanks directly, like when we receive anonymously or benefit from the synchronicity of events. But we can still give back by allowing the abundance we feel take shape as service to someone in need.
Imagine what it would feel like to take nothing for granted–to really experience how much more than enough most of us have. Let us each see how that reflection can shift our perspective and influence our lives.
“The store was closed, so I went home and hugged what I own,” says Brooks Palmer.
Join Swami Ramananda for his upcoming 2-part workshop, Prana Yoga, Thursdays, April 11 & 18 @ 6:30 – 8:00 pm PDT, Online & in-person. He will also be hosting Sunday Spiritual Talk: Inspiration for the Spiritual Journey with Swami Asokananda on Sunday, April 21 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm PDT.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 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 co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of the Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.