It seems to have been a long and hard winter. The snow, as beautiful as it was, seemed to make the lingering stillness of the season that much more apparent. But the past week has shown signs of nature unfolding. Bright zesty Crocus pushing their way through the cold hard earth to the sun which is just beginning to bring warmth.
And with the stirring of spring I can begin to feel again. As though my emotions have been hidden deep within me waiting for a sun of their own.
I went to a chanting/kirtan circle on Friday night. There were only 5 of us at the circle but it was perfection. We all wrote peoples names into a little book for whom we wanted to send healing to then we settled in a small intimate circle and began to internalise our focus towards our breath and our heart-space or Anahata Chakra.We then chanted 108 Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and finished with call-and-response kirtan. It was so wonderful. Sharing is a beautiful practice.
The circle is organised by the dear, Namratadevi whom I met about 5 maybe 6 years ago when I started my foundation course with the British Wheel of Yoga. It was the first time I'd talked to anyone about Bhakti Yoga and about devotional living and the first time I could be open and really honest about myself, my beliefs and my need to make ritual and reverence part of my life.
Namratadevi was like a vision in orange when I saw her again on Friday. She is an inspiration to me and someone I respect very much. She is a blessing in my life and everytime I meet with her I am reminded that we are bestowed with the gifts to transform ourselves from the gross, physical level to something so much more if we just open our eyes a little more. Namratadevi is Guru to me, like others I have met in my life who have had an influence, both good and bad, who have shaped me and directed me to where I am so far.
Guru is a Sanskrit word, of two seed sounds.
Gu meaning Darkness and Ru meaning Light
and means
a teacher who lifts one from the darkness of ignorance into the light of liberation.
Though there are Great Guru's out there, Mahatma Gandhi or Jesus of Nazareth for example, I believe that anyone can help us learn our life's lessons from the nonchalant shop assistant who teaches us patience to the aggressive road-hog who teaches us calmness so be mindful of your thoughts, your words and your deeds as you could be a Guru in someone elses life
Forever together in love and light
The Yogini Genie
