Sat July 19th, 2014 6:50pm Washington Square Park, NYC  

WITNESS:
The sun sets in the west behind skyscrapers,
as the two practitioners face the east.
…All are drawn into the heart of the practice…it is compelling!
observers and I are One…
we are propelled into Silence and yearning

An elderly man stares for almost a half hour in wonder
at the two who meditate before him…
he does not shift his eyes, and at times he faintly nods his head…

A woman sitting next to me says, “Even the puppy knows spirituality!”
People chuckle at the barking dog…

A little girl around 3 years old says, “Mommy—Are they real?”
Mom responds, “Yes dear, they are real.”

Yes! They are Real.
The observers and I are One.

-Kamalakshi

WITNESS:
The disciples’ slow and deliberate movements, their flow into stillness and peace juxtaposed the summer heat and frenzied pace of Washington Square Park. This milieu, this contrast of motion and stillness, was the image of all creation—as it flows from the three elements. It all happened in another space…one not seen. Passersby stopped to observe, and became absorbed in the power of that moment…where all existence lies, the space where “I” exists…Advaita.                                               -Gauranga

Fri July 18th, 2014 7:10pm Washington Square Park, NYC

TESTIMONIAL FROM A WITNESS:
The practice of yoga should be indifferent to what others think, say, or do. It perseveres among the hustle and bustle of New York City like it would in the Himalayas or other areas near its origin. This methodology is embodied by action shown by stillness in poses—with members of the Mahayogi Yoga Mission, focused for over an hour in the middle of a busy crowd. A rare few laugh, some stare, some talk amongst themselves, but all see them persevering. And a few appreciate the intent and are moved to learn more—as a way of life. As their local founder states, “there is only one yoga—a way of life.             -Ravi

Sat July 12th, 2014 9:50pm Manhattan, NYC

On the occasion of Gurupūrṇimā

ETYMOLOGY:

The syllable “gu” should signify darkness;
the syllable “ru” should signify the interrupter of it.
Because he is the interrupter of darkness,
he is considered “guru”.
-Advayataraka Upanishad  verse 16

To my Dearest Beloved,

SALUTATION:

GURU STOTRAM
(A Hymn To The Spiritual Teacher)

Akhaṇḍamaṇḍalākāraṃ vyāptaṃ yena carācaraṃ |
Tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||1||

  Salutations to the holy Guru,
who pervades the movable and immovable (animals and plants) with flawless perfection,
and who reveals the truth of the word “Tat (That, Truth)”.

Ajñānatimirāndhasya jñānāñjanaśalākayā |
Cakṣurunmīlitaṃ yena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||2||

  Salutations to the holy Guru,
who opens the eyes of those blinded in the darkness of ignorance,
applying with a stick the eyewash of true knowledge.

Gurur brahmā gurur viṣṇur gurur devo maheśvaraḥ |
Gurussākṣāt param brahma tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||3||

 The Guru is Brahmā (the creator), the Guru is Viṣṇu (the sustainer),
and the Guru is divine Maheśvara (Śiva, the destroyer).
The Guru is verily Para Brahman (the supreme principle of the universe).
Salutations to that holy Guru.

Sthāvaraṃ jaṅgamaṃ vyāptaṃ yatkiñcit sacarācaram |
Tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||4||

 Salutations to the holy Guru,
who pervades all animate and inanimate beings,
including the movable and immovable (animals and plants),
and who reveals the truth of the word “Tat (That, Truth)”.

Cinmayaṃ vyāpi yatsarvaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaram |
Tatpadaṃ darśitaṃ yena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||5||

  Salutations to the holy Guru,
who pervades everything in the three worlds (heaven, earth, and hell),
including the movable and immovable (animals and plants),
 as the Pure Consciousness,
and who reveals the truth of the word “Tat (That, Truth)”.

Sarva-śrutiśiroratna-virājita-padāmbujaḥ |
Vedāntāmbujasūryo yaḥ tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||6||

  Salutations to the holy Guru,
whose lotus feet are adorned with the crown jewel of all Veda,
and who is the sun which nourishes the lotus of Vedānta.

Caitanyaḥ śāśvataḥ śānto vyomātīto nirañjanaḥ |
Bindunādakalātītaḥ tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||7||

  Salutations to the holy Guru,
who is the Pure Consciousness, everlasting, tranquil, beyond space, completely pure,
and who transcends the bindu (the origin of creation),
nāda (the subtle vibration at the beginning of creation)
and kalā (the parts manifested in gross forms out of creation).

Jñāna-śakti-samārūḍhaḥ tattva-mālā-vibhūṣitaḥ |
Bhukti-mukti-pradātā ca tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ ||8||

 Salutations to the holy Guru,
who is equipped with true knowledge and power,
who is adorned with the garland of True Existence, and who bestows joy and liberation.

Anekajanma-samprāpta-karmabandha-vidāhine |
Ātmajñāna-pradānena tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||9||

 Salutations to the holy Guru,
who burns away the bondage of karma, which have accumulated over countless lives,
by bestowing the true knowledge of the Self (Ātman).

Śoṣaṇaṃ bhavasindhośca jñāpanaṃ sārasampadaḥ |
Guroḥ pādodakaṃ samyak tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||10||

  The water with which the feet of the Guru are washed truly dries up the ocean of worldly existence and makes known the true essence of prosperity.
Salutations to that holy Guru.

Na guroradhikaṃ tattvaṃ na guroradhikaṃ tapaḥ |
Tattvajñānāt paraṃ nāsti tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||11||

  There is no truth higher than the Guru, no tapas (purifying heat) higher than the Guru.
Nothing is higher than the knowledge of True Existence.
Salutations to that holy Guru.

Mannāthaḥ śrījagannāthaḥ madguru śrījagadguruḥ |
Madātmā sarvabhūtātmā tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||12||

  My Lord is the holy Lord of the universe, Jagannātha;
my Guru is the holy Master of the universe, Jagadguru;
and my Self (Ātman) is the Self of all beings.
Salutations to that holy Guru.

Gururādiranādiśca guruḥ paramadaivatam |
Guroḥ parataraṃ nāsti tasmai śrīgurave namaḥ ||13||

  The Guru is both the beginning and without beginning,
the Guru is the highest deity, and nothing is higher than the Guru.
Salutations to that holy Guru.


Tvameva mātā ca pitā tvameva
tvameva bandhuśca sakhā tvameva |
Tvameva vidyā draviṇaṃ tvameva
tvameva sarvaṃ mama deva deva  ||14||

  You alone are my mother, you alone are my father;
you alone are my family, you alone are my friend;
you alone are true knowledge, you alone are wealth;
you alone are everything to me, oh, God.

Sat July 12th, 2014 7:30pm Washington Square Park, NYC

 ***

The night of the Great Full Moon, the Gurupūrṇimā !!!

SALUTATION: 

Namo mahāprabho namo mahāyoginte Oṃ
Salutation to you, the great Lord, the great saint; salutation to you, Mahayogi, Om.

 
 (Gurupūrṇimā continues to the next Echo from The Cave…)

Fri July 11th, 2014 7:00pm Washington Square Park, NYC

MOTIVE TO ACT:
The rare and precious existence of my Master inspires me to rise and take action. The Truth is for everyone so how can I keep such a gift all for myself? Undoubtedly there are many who thirst for it, just like me. With conviction and passion my aim is to bring the teachings of Yoga to bear on each moment of my life and embody their essence more and more, so that I may be an instrument of the Truth. Only by continuously seeking the Truth within myself will I be able to find my brothers and sisters.　　　　　　-Sadhya

Sun July 6th, 2014 4:20pm Washington Square Park, NYC  

EPIGRAM:

Thu July 3rd 2014 8:00pm The Cave NYC

Suddenly,
dark thunderclouds covered the sky,
bracing for imminent downpour.

Śiva, Śiva, Śiva.

***

POEM:

THE DANCE OF ŚiIVA

Lo, the God is dancing
—Śiva the all-destroyer and Lord of creation,
The Master of Yoga and the wielder of Pinaka.*
His flaming locks have filled the sky,
Seven worlds play the rhythm
As the trembling earth sways almost to dissolution,
Lo, the Great God Śiva is dancing.

 * Pinaka=Trident

-Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol. 8

Sun June 29th, 2014 4:20pm Washington Square Park, NYC
With the Pride March one block away, the park was festive and dressed in all colors of the rainbow reflecting the enthusiasm of the Parade goers.

MOTIVE TO ACT:
A challenge to see if I’m capable to simply practice Yoga without any unnecessary motives in the midst of Intense distractions. I want to prove it’s possible to attain Yoga even in this age of material worship and spiritual decline.          -Nandiswara

Sat June 28th, 2014 6:40pm Washington Square Park, NYC
There was an air of suspense and excitement as people waited to welcome the hundreds of cyclists who were making their way down 6th ave to the fountain at Washington Square Park, in celebration of Pride week.

When these children left, in their place was an offering of flower…

Mon June 23rd, 2014 4:52am The Cave NYC

Time slips by unnoticed

Suddenly I gaze up

My breath escapes

My Dearest Beloved