In yoga we seek to know our True Nature, which is joyful and expansive.
When you choose to CELEBRATE life, you open to yourself and others, shining your unique gifts to those around you, like the warmth we receive from the rays of the sun.
A few years ago my grandfather passed away. Two weeks before that my very good friend’s father passed. The first funeral was marked by as many tears of joy as of sadness. Stories were shared, memories celebrated, and a life honored. I remember the pastor saying “We are here for one purpose today. To celebrate Bill’s life.” Forward two weeks to my grandfather’s funeral, a somber, stilted event. The priest opposed friends and family from speaking, only begrudgingly allowing my cousin a few words. There was no acknowledgement of my grandfather’s humanity, deeds, or personality. In fact, the priest said, “We are not here to celebrate this man’s life, but to pray for his salvation. ” I remember leaving this service feeling robbed in some way.
I was unable to shed a tear and mostly walled off and angry. I was not feeling expansive!
Celebrate comes from the Latin celeber, meaning honored. Where my grandfather was overlooked and disregarded in his service, Bill’s life was acknowledged, honored and memorialized. Tantra yoga invites you to look or the Shri, to celebrate the beauty in life. To celebrate your embodied form and all the opportunities, adventures, and experiences this form takes you on. Prakasha is the Sanskrit term that describes the Light of Consciousness, that which pervades all of life and animates you. Prakasha invites you to shine outward, to share the uniqueness of you with the world.
Like a star you are designed to shine your light out and celebrate existence.
And, like a star, we must also contract in order to expand. The star contracts so intensely that it explodes deep inside (nuclear fusion) simultaneously shining outward into radiant, bright rays of warmth and light. Celebration is a quality of the Air element. The Air element seeks to expand itself in a balanced way, connecting insight with action. The Air element is associated with the Heart chakra in yoga, representing
your urgency for love and purpose and inviting outward flowing energy, serving from your heart, your higher purpose, and sharing your unique gifts.
When you expand your inner light in Celebration your heart opens and you see your True Nature that is joyful, expansive, and free and your recognition of this in your heart and in all hearts is the highest purpose of our practice of yoga.
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It is with imperfect humility that I share these yoga teachings and offer my most sincere gratitude to my teachers; my Guru; her teachers; the lineage of teachers; rishis; yogis; yoginis; and sages who have so generously shared this vidya (wisdom teachings) with us for our great benefit. It is truly a great gift. Shri matre namaha!
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
