A wonderful opportunity to gather with like heart minds for the afternoon and immerse yourself in wonderfully freeing practice of Karma Yoga, giving energetically without expectation of any results or fruits of our actions (see more about the practice below). There will be a short Satsang (listening and sharing what is true) on the topic of Karma Yoga and Seva and then an afternoon of adding our love and care to the practice blankets (in the form of creative stitching up and patches being applied). The practice blankets are used for deep relaxation Yoga Nidra and other restorative practices for the upliftment of awareness/consciousness. They have been eaten here and there by very small creatures and are welcoming repair. Enjoy shared afternoon tea and stay on for Mantra Meditation and Kirtan (or not).
Time: 12.30 to 4.30pm
Register to join Karma Yoga Project: With Atmavidya
The Karma Yoga and Seva Project is followed by Mahamrityunjaya and Kirtan practice:
Enjoy the mantra meditation practice of chanting of the universal Mahamrityunjaya mantra. This expands our capacity to deepen inner strength and courage to meet the changes and challenges of life at this time. The resonance of the mantra offers the energy of freedom from our fears and anxieties (including the fear of death) which we can embrace, for ourselves and also extend to others who may need this kind of inner support. May we bathe ourSelf in the beauty of sacred sound from the tradition of Yoga and from indigenous traditions.
The practice of Kirtan offers simple mantras to listen, hear and sing or to sit in the beauty of the sound. The sacred sounds have a purifying and calming effect on the body mind system and invite harmonies, movement, other instruments and the sound of your voice or silence.
Let us create beauty together in this practice:
Mahamrityunjaya and Kirtan practice start time: 5 - 6.15pm
Venue: Yoga Living Space at Southshore
Followed by: Gentle evening herbal tea/s from Southshore and plant-based finger food/nibbles (please bring what you have in abundance to share)
Mantra Meditation and Kirtan Contribution: Koha/Dana*
*Koha or Dana (This is the act of giving generously and freely, without expecting anything in return. The value of the koha is determined by the giver, based on their capacity and the situation. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the source of the practices and the giving of them. It is a voluntary donation or contribution that is more than a simple gift. It signifies a gesture of respect, connection and appreciation. It is also the opportunity to give back to our community.)
Karma Yoga is doing your best without worrying about the results.
It is the practice of turning your daily actions into a form of meditation by letting go of your ego and your desire for rewards.
We can
Focus on the effort, not the outcome;
Control our actions, not the results;
Give our best and leave the rest.
We
Do our duty: Giving our best with whatever life puts in front of us in each moment;
Drop the ego: We do not do things to get payment, acknowledgment, praise, fame, or a "thank you."
Stay balanced: Accepting both success and failure with the same calm mind.
What it Looks Like Daily
At work: Doing a great job on a project because of values of care for people and earth or care for your inner purification or transformation rather than for personal promotion or accolades.
At home: Being present with each task, for example washing the dishes completely, focusing entirely on the task rather than rushing through it to get it done.
In public: Helping someone change a flat tire and driving away without waiting to be called a hero.
While we practice without concern for the fruits of our actions, there is a great fruit…
When we cease our concern over "What will I get out of this?", our anxiety disappears. We become deeply present, highly efficient, and completely at peace.
Register your intention to join Mantra Meditation and Kirtan: With Atmavidya
"It was found that during repetitive singing of kirtan,
the brain registers the sound waves, nada,
which influence all other wave patterns of the brain.
These waves awaken alpha rhythms which immediately induce tranquility.
Thus by singing kirtan, we experience peace of mind."
Swami Satyananda Saraswati