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.

Swami Vishnudevananda: In the Name of Peace

Swami Vishnudevananda on the wing of his Peace Plane

Today, November 9, is the anniversary of the Mahasamadhi of Swami Vishnudevananda.

Swami Vishnudevananda has been an inspiration to millions of yogis and yoginis around the world, breaking man-made boundaries and encouraging "Unity in Diversity".

He taught that a daily yoga practice including proper exercise, proper breathing, proper diet, proper relaxation and positive thinking is the way to inner peace and world peace.

It seems particularly timely today to share this movie about his life and mission:

 In the Name of Peace

In this video my teacher Swami Swaroopananda talks about his Guru, Swami Vishnudevananda:

You can also read here about Swami Swaroopananda's first lesson from Swami Vishnudevananda.

Finally, check out this BBC report about Swamiji flying over the Berlin Wall.  His comments are as meaningful  today as ever:

Om Bolo, Swami Vishnudevananda Maharaj Ki - Jai!!!