Journey of the Heart

For about a month I was on the go…  Starting yoga teacher training the same weekend my husband and I moved. Having a new job and working a 40 hour week then going to training all weekend and back again. Doing that for a few weeks wore me out. I was constantly on the go. During a Mysore class I got the notion I needed to stand in tadasana (mountain pose) to feel grounded and calm. I cried for most of the practice in child’s pose after that. I was proud I didn’t flee the room and go home though I tried my best to hide my tears. I stayed with it. I was still. Not moving constantly. I also had to be with myself and only myself and my breath. I hadn’t felt that in so long and upon finally receiving it, I was overwhelmed. Then I was thankful. Breathing in Myself Do mountains get tired? Is that why they crumble or erupt after standing strong for so long? Or so it thought. The top dumps off or its inside explodes. I couldn't bear Tadasana t...

There are inner transformations that occur during the course of everyone's life…  This poem is about one such transformation in which I felt myself entering a state of gratitude and fortitude. I felt myself accepting things as they are but knowing undeniably well that there is a power, greater than ourselves, looking over us.   I wrote this poem to help me remember that there are blessings even in the problems that come along our path.  We may not see the benefit instantly while going through these turbulent times. But sometimes, much later in our journey, the understanding comes, hence, the term transformation.  Deep transformations, as I understand them, can't be instant. I’ve found that deep transformations are gradual as they teach the mind and the spirit to be patient as they learn to harmonize with each other. There is such magnificence in this.  Artwork by Mstilav Pavlov. Magnificence When th...

  This poem is from my poetry book, 'Lotus Lyrics'… It is based upon Chapter 18, verses 33-35 of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, which explains how our determination to do something falls under different modes of nature:  goodness, passion, and ignorance. When I was writing this poem at the New Goloka Temple in North Carolina, I was thinking that the best example of determination that I know of is Srila Prabhupada himself! A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada At the age of seventy, even after having had two heart attacks en route from India to the U.S, Srila Prabhupada single-handedly started preaching the mission of Krishna Consciousness in the west. And after he had established several centers, he traveled all over the world for 12 more years, continuing to spread Krsna consciousness. The message of Bhagavad Gita and the example of Srila Prabhupada’s life are extraordinary and have...

  In this poem, I hoped to articulate the importance of friends and friendships... Art by Sascalia I cherish my friends - they are everything to me. They also get me through pretty much everything, good and bad, in life. Friends are important no matter where we are in life but in the spiritual path especially, I think, it's vital to have friends to share it with, to be a part of a community for many reasons. In bhakti yoga, this is emphasized:  sanga , meaning the company and community of others on the path, is considered to be something that we absolutely need in order to grow in and sustain our faith. Bhakti yogis are instructed to develop intimate and confidential friendships with others on the path. Loving God includes loving all those dear to him. I wrote this poem originally intending to write about how my Guru, my guide and teacher in bhakti yoga, feels like a friend of the soul to me and how the very feeling of him seems to sustain my ...