Longing...

Longing for gardening season and the fragrance of fresh marigolds...

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful, obstacle-free day.!

In traditional yoga, malas (flower garlands) are used as offerings for revered teachers and in devotional rituals.  

Marigolds are popular as their bright color is reminiscent of the fires of transformation as well as the cheerfulness and resilience required on the path of self-realization.  

The seeds for these marigolds came from the Peace Garden at the Sivananda Ashram in Val Morin and have been empowered with decades of the mantra "Om Namo Narayanaya" and the wish for world peace.  

The perishable nature of a flower garland is a reminder of the fragility of beauty and life.  Nonetheless, the seeds can be saved, grown, and shared for generations to come.

For the Love of Marigolds

Photo of Atul Dubey by Ken Hermann

You all know how much I love marigold flowers!

For that reason alone, Danish artist Ken Hermann might just be my new favorite photographer.

His series of Flower Men portraits shot in Kolkata on the banks of the Hooghly River is so spellbinding I had to share it with you.

This video really brings Ken's inspiration and the fascinating city of Kolkata to life.

Also, be sure to check out his series of portraits titled Holy Men.

Ok, I have to go make a marigold mala now, enjoy!

Pandit Debasish Bhattacharya, Tonight in Edmonton

Debasish Bhattacharya, Image Source: Edmonton Journal

Edmonton's Raga Mala Society has been bringing the best of Indian music and dance to our local stage since 1983.

Tonight, Pandit Debasish Bhattacharya and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri are expanding the scope of Indian classical music with their hypnotic, hybrid approach featuring original and centuries-old compositions and Bhattacharya's custom-designed trinity of slide guitars.

Tickets are available at the door for $20 each.

For more information on Panditji's pioneering style check out this article by Roger Levesque in the Edmonton Journal.

Mahatma Gandhi, Saluting the Great Soul

Image Source

October 2nd is the day we celebrate the birth of Mohandas K. Gandhi, known the world over by the honorific title Mahatma or great (maha) soul (atma).

Each year the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace hosts a garlanding ceremony at the statue of Bapu (an affectionate term meaning "Papa" or "Father") in the plaza immediately south of the Stanley A. Milner Library in downtown Edmonton.

The event takes place at noon on Sunday October 2nd, 2016.

It is free of charge.  All are welcome to attend the brief talk and ceremony, to offer a Mala (garland of flowers) and wishes for peace.

Summer Yoga and Meditation Summary

Big thanks to all of you who attended my classes this summer at Yoga Within!

Here are a few links to past posts I mentioned in case you'd like to delve a little deeper.

In June: We practiced a Tibetan meditation of Taking and Giving known as Tong-Len which includes asanas and breathing to offer the six perfections or Paramitas for the benefit of others. (Ahem.. and ourselves!)

In July: We practiced a "loving-kindness" meditation and worked with the mantra Soham, I Am That.

And last Sunday: We practiced Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar.  I chanted the mantras as well as their translations and the affirmation poem my Mom and I composed a few years ago.  You can find it all here: Surya Namaskar - Salutation to the Sun.

I also introduced you to japa, or repetitive chanting of mantras using a mala, or string of 108 beads.  Curious about that sacred number?  Check out Kali's Kitchen's Post Number 108!

Invoking Summer with Flower Mandalas

Garden Mandala by Tara

Have you ever made a mandala from found objects and natural materials?

This is your invitation!

Honor the infinite potential of the present moment, the abundance of Mother Earth, your own playful spirit and the nature of impermanence.

Gather your materials, select a meditative space to create, and see what happens!

Adjustments by Saleem the Cat

Would you like to enjoy this experience together?

Join Raja Yoga Summer Camp, 2014! 

Wednesday, June 4, 7-8:30 pm we're gathering to form a sacred circle of creativity, friendship and natural beauty.

This event is by invitation only, so if you'd like to join us, please send me an email at:  
tarawoltjen@yahoo.ca

Looking for more inspiration?  Check out these beautiful flower "danmalas" by Kathy Klein!