The Land Remembers What People Have Forgotten

March 8, 2023 By Gaurav Rastogi

It’s International Women’s Day in March, and for many years, the women of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan take out a march for women. In 2023, the organizers published media guidelines with a striking image– a woman with many hands. One holding a book, another cooking utensils, a baby, one in chains and another with a hammer. This was a familiar image. An old memory is returning. These are the Media guidelines for tomorrow#AuratMarch2023 #AuratMarchISB #HalSirfFeminism pic.twitter.com/ivfnlhQRSE —... Read more

The Full Supermoon (Poornamadaha Poornamidam)

November 14, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

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In 2016, November 14 is Gurpurab, the full-moon night celebrating the enlightenment of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the first Sikh Guru. It is also a Supermoon, the largest the moon will appear in a generation because it’s closest to the Earth today. My private diaries are filled with doodles on the self, wholeness, and infinity, and today seems the appropriate to get some out; a whole-some part. The Full Moon and Yoga. Of the heavenly bodies that light up our skies,... Read more

From Darkness to True Light

October 28, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

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It’s October, and each day is now shorter, and every night longer. As the shadows extend, we reach for the light that guides us. On the first moonless night of this season, we celebrate the darkness and the light within. In the Indian tradition, this night is the festival of lights, Diwali. The western pagan tradition celebrated the time as all-hallows-eve, where prayers, candles and treats welcome the souls of the dead. It’s a time for rebirth. A time to think about... Read more

The Heart is a Mirror (Yoga Class Closing Prayer)

October 19, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

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We close our yoga classes with a prayer for universal well being. It’s about a lot more than world peace. Here’s what it means. Sanskrit, Transliteration, Translation ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः । सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah | Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu, Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih || may every one be happy, may every one be free from all diseases may every one see goodness... Read more

Opening a Creative Space

October 15, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

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Yoga classes begin with Shanti (peace) mantras in Sanskrit. Here’s what the most popular opening mantra means. Here’s the verse. Om Saha Nau-Avatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai, Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih|| ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Literal translation. Aum! May we (both) be protected; may we (both) be nourished; May we work together with great energy, May our knowledge be... Read more

Prayers just reminders

September 23, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

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PC: http://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/116/20140118/tianzi-mountains-china.htm Some pray to forget. Some pray to remember. Stories help us remember for long. Sometimes for many many generations. — The storyteller’s craft is to bring the audience into the story. To take sides. To fear the enemy, and to rise above that fear into action. To be frustrated by the many persistent obstacles. To fill hearts with love and sacrifice. The storyteller’s job is to transport us into other lives, and to make us bigger than we are.... Read more

Turning inwards

February 9, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

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Photo Credit: Flickr Metanoia. “Metanoia”…the word came to mind silently one morning in that period between sleep and wakefulness, and stayed around after one was awake. What does this word mean, and why was it ringing in the ear? The dictionary says it means a change in one’s way of life resulting from penitence or a spiritual conversion. The word is Greek, and the English versions of the Christian Bible’s New Testament often translated this Greek word as “repentance”, and a whole... Read more

A Modern Vyasa

July 25, 2015 By Gaurav Rastogi

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Infinity Lights. Source: link I’d like you to read, as plainly as possible, the following sentence, “I heard that you’re settled down, That you found a girl and you’re married now. I heard that your dreams came true. Guess she gave you things I didn’t give to you”. If you hadn’t heard these sentences before, and you were successful in reproducing a flat tone while reading, you would find the text interesting, as a snippet of a letter from a jilted... Read more

Atheism and Yoga

May 11, 2015 By Gaurav Rastogi

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Credit: Flickr (link) Atheists come in all shapes and sizes. The only thing conforming about being an atheist really is the lack of conformity with any established belief system. Through the ages, and in every age, there are people who don’t believe in supernatural beings or gods. This dis-belief system may sometimes be a response to the prevalent religious dogma of the time, like, for instance, a belief in modern times that there is a bearded gentleman out there in... Read more

Yoga by Ganga

May 11, 2015 By Gaurav Rastogi

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photo credit: photopin (license) Legend tells of a magic carpet that would transport its Prince to places far and wide in the wink of an eye. Just close your eyes, imagine, and lo!, you’re there when the eyes open. No baggage fees, no shoes to remove for security, no in-flight food. Imagine, if you could imagine, where you would go if only you had that magic carpet! Some place exotic, surely? But not us yogis. Yes, we’re into travel, but... Read more