I brought this simple murti the first night after my arrival in India in December 2011. I made the mala she is wearing some time later.
Fostering creativity and wisdom as she does, she sits over my desk for inspiration.
Sometimes we call out the names; sometimes they call out to us. I’ve been too tired and stressed to yearn for more adventures in the near term, but this week, I have found myself wanting to be in India, to be surrounded by the colors and the sights and the outrageous display of creative imagery.
The photo is of a roadside temple, with Siva in the aspect of Dakshinamurti–guru of all knowledges (jnana). I have been told that is good to chant to Dakshinamurti when one is looking for support and guidance in teaching.
In my work as a civil servant, I spend much time informally teaching colleagues and the regulated community the details of the complex area that is my specialty. I set my intention to be able not only to be clear, but to convey a bigger purpose even in that which does not readily come to mind as being something of spirit.
Are you confident enough to face what life brings you day-to-day?
The practice of yoga nidra is a wonderful way to deepen the connection between the full range of consciousness and your physical body. It is enjoyable and helpful to practice it on an occasional basis — we did it for the last class of the session in the Willow Street gentle/therapeutics class and you all are welcome to come to the New Year’s Yoga Nidra workshop on Sunday, January 4th — but it can be even more productive as a regular weekly practice.
Here are some good resources if you have found yoga nidra helpful and want to find out more about it and establish a home practice:
To read more about yoga nidra, I recommend the following books, both of which I believe are available at Willow Street Yoga Center.
These CD’s lead you through yoga nidra practices of various lengths and emphasis:
I didn’t leave the house for the third day in a row. I wonder whether I will ever again go to India or Spain or Italy or England.
I found these puppets earlier this year at the little flea market that has sometimes been at Dupont Circle on Sundays. I recognized them as Indian and was told that they came to the United States from Tamil Nadu in the 1960s with one of the original owners of Kramer Books, who had lived in India as a child.
