I think a lot about how it is possible that those of us in the Western World know so little about the ancient Ayurvedic and Yogic teachings from thousands of years ago.  It is baffling to me, because I now am finding so many of the teachings from ancient scriptures and sciences fascinating and compelling.

And believe me, I'm someone who has always found history boring.

What an oxymoron that ancient teachings are brand new, enlightening and energizing to me!

And not just ancient yogic teachings with roots in Hindu philosophy, but ancient Christian teachings and Buddhist teachings and Jewish teachings and the list goes on.  The similarities of the various religions and practices are much more evident in the ancient teachings. Even yoga in a traditional sense is completely new to me, only beginning to be understood and uncovered in the last couple of years of my life.

Equally surprising is that the ancient Ayurvedic-Yogic principles and remedies - work!

I've practiced yoga asanas for more than 10 years now, on and off and to varying degrees.  And I consider myself a well educated person, with a keen mind and intense curiosity about life.  Yet I had no idea that so much of the information I'm learning existed for thousands of years and is highly applicable to life today.

The divide of information and lack of understanding of different cultures is what divides us.  Appreciating the unity in diversity seems so sensible to me.  I'm glad that this Ashram lives the principle of Unity in Diversity.

This week, we had a number of interesting speakers for the Easter Symposium on Yoga and Sacred Healing, and on Easter we will have an Easter Sunrise Service. 

Two of my favorite presenters this week were Richard Moss and KP Khalsa. I mentioned Richard Moss last week, as he did a two day program before joining the Easter Symposium.

Richard is a man that is thoughtful, peaceful, aware and very powerful in his rather gentle quiet nature.  His talks had us spellbound, not from platitudes or in a 'sage on the stage' way.  Rather, his open and genuine sharing could be felt by everyone, and his words flowed out simple and wise.

His calming and pleasant energy could be felt, much like a breeze as it fills a room.

KP Khalsa, my guide for the Ayurveda study, and internationally known herbalist, was a treat for me to see.  We meet regularly via Skype, but I had not seen KP in person since last year's Ayurveda Conference at the Ashram - and then we didn't know each other at all.  I was an audience member, and he was a presenter.

It was wonderful to again listen to KP present to the entire Ashram population, sharing the wisdom of the ancients as he learned them - from his guru (teacher).  KP Khalsa personally trained with Ayurvedic master Yogi Bhajan for 32 years.

I've discovered here, that those who have a close connection to a guru, teach in a very unique way.  The teachings are rarely, if ever about them, but rather the teachings are shared through them.  

KP's knowledge is vast and extremely impressive, but he does not come across as self important or arrogant, and is an approachable human being.  He has selflessly shared the knowledge he learned from his guru with me, by prescribing herbal medicines to rebuild my body to a healthy and more balanced state.  

I was a total stranger to him.  Yet he believed that what I was proposing for the year long study could make a positive difference for me and for many in our world.  

His guidance and support in my living an Ayurvedic-Yogic lifestyle has transformed me in many ways. 

Each of us radiate energy through our level of vibration.  And I continue to work on increasing my level of vibration.Thinking of this vibration, not as nervous and fast and agitated, but rather like a car wheel that turns so fast, it appears to not be moving - transmitting stability through its motion in perfect balance.

I'm still wobbly at times, but I'm balancing more and more each day:)

Happy Easter!

Sending You Love from the Bahamas.
Thank you for taking this journey with me! 

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This week back at the Ashram, after my visit home, has been one of ups and downs.  I had severe headaches for the first two days upon my return - no idea what was the initiator of the pain or if I picked up a bug on the airplane, but after two days of misery, I again re-emerged feeling great!

The weather here has been absolutely perfect each day this week.  The beach goers, and I did make it to the beach once this week, found the water crystal clear and refreshing.  The blue gradients of color take your breath away - so beautiful!  The evenings have also been pleasant and no problem sleeping in a tent.

I've taught quite a bit this week which has been so joyful to me.  I really love teaching, and it's becoming more and more comfortable each time.  Feedback from those taking my classes has been affirming and positive. 
It feels nice to be helpful and to provide a relaxing and yet energizing feeling to those taking the classes.  Seeing the peacefulness and calm on their faces at the end of class is so gratifying.

Work has been extremely busy and the time flies by each day.

I had my first ever Vedic Reading with the Priest here.  It was quite enlightening and affirming at the same time.  Life will just keep getting better for me - how great is that?!!!

The Neuroscience and Spirituality Symposium provided us with new learning and thought provoking mental stimulation.  The neuroscientists presented data on the brain and overlaid possibilities that explored the relationships of the mind, consciousness and the brain.  Neuroscientific Reductionism was a concept of discussion, as was consciousness from a number of different cultural and religious traditions' perspectives.

Fascinating and enlightening!

Richard Moss is at the Ashram currently, and his talks about 'presence' bring to mind some of the work I studied through Landmark.  Learning that the here and now - this very moment - is a creation of our mind and experiences - over and over and over - We choose what to put onto every blank canvas of our existence, moment by moment - the choice is actually ours.

To quote Richard Moss, life is about "ceaseless discovery".

Sending You Love from the Bahamas.
Thank you for taking this journey with me! 

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I started this week at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas with an all night celebration of God - Sivaratri was a beautiful and joyous night of continuous chanting and 5 different ceremonies that culminated in a parade of more than 300 people throughout the ashram down to the ocean front just before daybreak.  All the decorations were handmade with strips of palm leaves hanging from the ceiling throughout the entire hall.

A feast of blessed handmade sweets, savories and warm drinks lined three sets of banquet sized tables for all to enjoy following the festivities.  It was a night of music, chanting, dancing, ceremonies, beauty and joy.

After a very brief nap that morning, I was off to the airport for a flight home to Chicago.  I managed to sleep on the plane, as I was beyond exhaustion.  Luckily it was a nice flight, free from turbulence.

My mom's birthday was the reason for the trip, and I was looking forward to celebrating her special day, along with seeing my family.  

A surprise visit from my nephew and his girlfriend made the celebration even more fun.  My mom was thrilled to have them with us, as they traveled from New York to share in her birthday.  The family dinner gathering in honor of my mom was filled with love, laughter and engaging conversation - including a healthy dose of politics.

My mom still works part-time and is meticulous about caring for her home, so she is an active woman.  

When she's resting, she's either reading about one of the presidential candidates, past presidents, or she's watching political debates and knows the backgrounds of every candidate.  

As a political enthusiast, her favorite companion is Fox News. She starts and ends her days watching Fox, and my mom's days start before the sun rises.  Bill O'Reilly is among her favorites, and she's read quite a few of his books.

She's read two books about Donald Trump, a book about Carson, and a few books about the Bushes and Ronald Reagan.  She's a very loyal American and a conservative politically.  

She's supporting Donald Trump.  As she puts it, she normally wouldn't like the harsh rhetoric he's known for, but she believes he is a man for these turbulent and troubled times in our world.

She most admires his forthright honesty and his strength.  She says she understands his approach of punching harder and twice, anyone who attacks him.  She believes in his heart he is a true American that is leading the fight of a righteous war to regain America's greatness.

It was interesting for me to listen and observe during my few days home.  One of the days, I also heard my aunt's and uncle's views when they visited.  My uncle strongly supports another Republican candidate.  He and my mom debated and knew much about their chosen candidates.  I admired the intensity of their support and the dedication of time to learn whatever they could about the candidates from both parties.

In the past, the political discussions were very painful for me, as I rarely shared what I deemed, the extreme conservative views of my family members.  Having shut myself off completely from TV and news while in the Bahamas, it was interesting to me to be less attached to a view of my own.  It was a new way to hear and observe others strong views.

Listening to my mom and watching many hours of Fox News during my visit, I couldn't help but think of the Bhagavad Gita (the yogis' bible) and Arjuna's call from God to fight the righteous war against evil.  I'm not judging whether Trump is a true warrior selflessly fighting in a righteous war, in the name of God and the American people - but the comparisons did come to mind.

I enjoyed listening to it all with fresh and detached ears and mind.  It wasn't painful at all.

The contrast of worlds I go back and forth between is starkly evident, but in both worlds there are many good, loving people - living life the best way they know how.

Back to the beautiful, lush Bahamas and the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat for the last two months of the year long study and more revelations of What is Possible? living an Ayurvedic-Yogic Lifestyle. 

Sending You Love from the Bahamas.
Thank you for taking this journey with me! 

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Sometimes we all just need a good bear hug, and mine came to me in the form of a card from little 18 month old grand baby, Aurelia - of course with the help of my loving daughter, Jenn in London.

So much has happened in one week - Again:)  Some amazing presenters and incredibly beautiful weather have been the backdrop of the week.  Each day has been sunny, with light winds and mild temps. Those who frequent the beach have been enjoying each day and loving the calmness of the waters.

We had one silent meditation walk along the beach which was lovely.  I also taught twice on the beach platform, and relished the opportunities to teach.  I taught a third class on another platform this week, and it was such a good group that really generated nice energy.

Teaching yoga for me, is only surpassed by practicing yoga. Yogis say that the best teachers are the best practitioners.  Practicing and teaching well, go hand in hand.  I practice every day, and each day is different - a different me that shows up to the practice.  Working with each different version of me that shows up is a definite challenge.  I love practicing and teaching yoga!

You may be wondering why I felt I needed a bear hug.

While I don't think we need a reason to want a hug or comfort, today as I write this blog, I am ending a week of HR/personnel issues that are so reminiscent of the past.  Whether in an office setting in corporate America, a government office in Midwest Illinois or an ashram office in one of the most beautiful places imaginable, Paradise Island - Bahamas, people are still people.  The pettiness that exists outside of the ashram also exists inside the ashram.

Two professionals on the team in different countries, thousands of miles from each other, can still manage to become so agitated that one of them leaves a conference call before the meeting's end.  Both strong team members and strong women, with different approaches and less tolerance than is needed to get along with each other for long periods of time.

It has been a few months since the last major upset with these two, and so this week was a tipping point and personalities clashed.

Then there are the team members who argue over whether to have the windows open or the a/c on.  They fume over someone bringing in an article of clothing and leaving it hanging on the chair that they are going to sit on, as they share space on different time schedules.  They argue about equipment.

They complain about smells in the office, while they themselves continue to bring food into the office and eat while they work.  They argue over who gets to use the large screen computer monitor and when.  Some leave crumbs and food droppings to others' dismay.  One prefers to only work with females, and yet there is a male sharing office space.

These petty complaints are then each brought to me, with one telling on the other person, and each of them having their own version of the situation.  It's comical in many ways and a bit disheartening in others.  

I notice that I do not react as strongly as I used to.  I also can easily see the many different sides of the situation and actually empathize with them all.  Yet, this takes an emotional toll on me.  I am taking in all this emotional drama and their venting, while trying to mitigate as best I can.

The result this week was that I just plain felt like I needed a hug - and then I got one😊

Thank you little Aurelia.  Grammy loves you.❤️ 

Sending You Love from the Bahamas.
Thank you for taking this journey with me! 

If you haven't signed up for the blog post updates, please do.
I also welcome you to leave a comment below or post one on my BestYOU facebook page.
Sharing your thoughts is a gift to all of us!