november2002

Dear friends... 
it's almost the holidays, so take a breath, chill out and get this: 

An epiphany enables you to sense creation not as something completed,
But as constantly becoming, evolving, ascending.
This transports you from a place where there is nothing new 
to a place where there is nothing old, where everything renews itself. 
Where heaven and earth rejoice, as at the moment of creation.

All of us have been learning so much this year, about our practices, our strengths, our goodness, our desires... which is outstanding. Our practice of yoga, especially 
as we apply the teachings to our lives, is an incredible, miraculous process of relinquishing, discovery and renewal.

One amazing aspect of learning: in learning something, 
more UNKNOWN is uncovered, and more possibilities become clear.

Now one caveat. What to make of all the possibilities?
We must be vigilant about checking in with ourselves, sitting silently, whatever constitutes contemplative time, writing... and listening to ourselves. 
Being with ourselves, asking what we really desire, loving ourselves, 
treating ourselves as we'd want our best friend to be treated. 

Many of us have trouble stopping the motion of life and taking the time 
to be alone, it's scary, lonely, quiet... but that is precisely where the 
good stuff happens.

Seeds germinate in the dark. It's definitely the more frightening moments that yield the most brilliant changes. 

So let this month be a time of harvest, literally, for your own soul. Take little moments to feel the effects of this year and open to grace, acknlowledge yourself... the first principle of Anusara Yoga. Begin now to draw it all in to yourself, connect more deeply - that's muscular energy, the second principle. 
Experience the beauty of your efforts. 

Your awareness of yourself as the subject of your own love 
is the epiphany, a creation that is never finished but constantly evolving, 
moving higher and higher. 

Connect to yourself more deeply, ask yourself what you want 
and allow yourself to make changes in your life without judgment, without fear of others judging you. 

We are only responsible, ultimately, for our OWN experience... nobody else is responsible for OUR experience. So practice loving yourself like crazy 
and see how the energy generated by such love brings you more of 
what you truly desire.

And then reflect again. And again and again.

Let your cup tremble
go lie in the desert and pray-
weep all your tears
until the last drop drains at your feet
until the moon stops her sweeping
then ask, what do i thirst for?

Your friends will gather at your side
they will offer you wine and toasts
tell them you prefer light.
Rain at twilight.

Fame will come in her finest feathers
cleverness and spiritual knowledge will follow
they want to pour sweet nectar into your mouth.
Get on your hands and knees
Crawl away

Let the freezing desert night
take off your clothes
the moon draw a bath 
slip into these waters
then ask, what do i thirst for?
-RUMI

Saprema, with divine love.
elena