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Jai Maa Jai Guru Deva

The Acharya Shunya quote below was my focus and contemplation this week based on Karma Yoga Session 36 and the beginning of our R.E.S.T. acronym exploration. R is for; Remember the Divine, even before I act. 

“What are we remembering? We are remembering that this whole universe is not material, it is spiritual.”

Karma Yoga - session 36 @ 13:23

What quotes or ideas occupied your contemplation this week? Jai Maa 🌸

So helpful to review and dive deeper into the sometimes subtle differences in how the 4 goals are worked towards, or expressed through me, when I am acting from the little me/E.G.O., (basically being unconscious, or not catching my little self and giving it some preventative care, some “holding”, when it acts up) -vs- when my mind and actions are gently, but firmly, anchored in G.O.D. consciousness. Yesterday I was dismayed by how a relatively minor work problem stressed me out disproportionately. The level of inner upset, the frustration, caught me by surprise. This discourse is helping me figure out, with self compassion, why this occurred, as I backtrack through my thoughts and actions(or inactions) and attitudes, and the play of the 3 gunas, in the days and weeks leading up to this, looking through the lens of the 4 goals, so integral to karma yoga. Very illuminating, and hopefully…

(Contemplations from Karma Yoga session 25).

When we offer whatever we do to G.O.D. (Aarpanam Buddhi), and accept whatever comes, good or bad, as prasad (Ishvara Prasada Buddhi), we become free from the chains of karma/ego - this is Ground Zero.

A good way to practice Ishvara Prasada Buddhi is the "SAS" method (Sit/Accept Sadhana). This is when we realize, as Arjuna said, "Everything is right as it is."

Only with the vision of a Rishi (G.O.D. consciousness) "can we stand in the middle of the fire (samsara), and say(know) "nothing is happening."" This is true yoga/union, the ultimate Sakshi Bhava (Witness/G.O.D. consciousness), when the only reality is G.O.D.; when we have become the "Knower of the Field" This is the ultimate "zooming out", or is it "zooming in"? It is both, ONE and the same thing.

I really appreciated the practical and clear presentation and slides, as well …

I am so grateful for Shunyaji giving us knowledge of the gunas through session 23 of the Karma Yoga teachings!

I had previously, unconsciously, thought of the gunas as more of an “outside” force that I somehow could (and should!) control to make myself “better.” It makes so much more sense, that just like the heartbeat, the actions of the lungs, or even the impulse that makes the eyes blink, the gunas are a natural function that acts mysteriously within our body-mind. Yes, we do have some control over the gunas, by what we consume through the senses (just as we have some control over our heart rate, breathing, and eye blinking), but it is mentally freeing to know that so much is beyond our control and in the hands of GOD – it is the freedom of surrender – I receive and offer every little action of the …

After last night's Karma Yoga satsang and I got into bed,

I affirmed the sattva within me. I repeated to myself, swastha sattva, I am health, I am sattva. I was the witness, the sakshi to my mind wanting to wonder and possibly question my affirmation. I surrendered to my breath and the sattva within me. It felt very comforting to fall asleep this way.

This morning, I remembered Acharya Shunya ji's invitation and slide at the end of the session. I thought what a powerful tool to receive this week as we head into a potent New Moon on Friday, 12/19 and Winter Solstice this weekend. I wanted to share this slide on the forum as by just looking at it exudes golden sattvic light. Thank you Guru ji for this invitation, I happily accept its deep contemplation!

Jai Maa all,

This morning as I watched the sun rise and the sky change color from dark to light I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the reflection pod I participated in last evening (and since it first formed). This transition from light to dark mirrors my experience from the beginning of the session when I am entering after a full day to the end when I feel more light and connect to Maa. The opportunity to digest and practice mananam with fellow kula members deepens my individual practices and my learning. Every time I attend I hear a reflection from the others that leads to more contemplation privately. For me having a designated space I know I can be with others on this path is invaluable. I want to thank Arya the Pod leader for the Pod I attend and all the other leads for their Seva.…

Last night's Karma Yoga Session was so helpful in the way Acharya Shunya drilled down from the broader teachings of session 3 into more detailed, specific thoughts and actions we can take to implement the path of Karma Yoga. Much appreciation to Sadhvi Aparna for the wonderful charts that capture the teachings in simple and effective "bite size" content we can keep handy for reference throughout the day. This morning I went back to session 3, and found it so enriching to listen again after having the benefit of the more specific teachings last night. I'm soaking in these teachings because I want to learn it "by heart" --in the old school sense of "learning by heart" (memorizing), and the more spiritual interpretation of that, too: my spiritual heart is being washed clean and filled with each precious wisdom drop. Thank you Guruji. Jai Maa! Jai Guru Deva!❤️📿🪔