I missed the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century!

Last night India, China, Japan and other people in these areas were able to view a spectacular cosmic phenomenon. It happened to be the longest solar eclipse you could view for all of the 21st century.

And I missed it.

Not that I am in one of these locations I mentioned, but there were people streaming live videos of it on the internet.
http://www.live-eclipse.org/

There are a few photos on this site that were interesting and one brilliant photo of the eclipse itself.


Here is what my teacher said about this particular eclipse from a number of different sources, one of them a Vedic astrologer:

“Tonight’s eclipse is a significant planetary event as “much of the world is preparing to view the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century, with the new moon appearing to cover the sun from our view for more than 6 minutes, peaking at 10:35 pm tonight. The strongest effect will last from 10:30 – 10:40 pm. It will not be visible in the US, but has sparked great interest on the other side of the world where it will be visible in much of India, China, and Japan. Many Indian villages are seeing an influx of people for this cosmic event. The eclipse will also have an effect for about 2.5 hours on either side. Keep in mind that even those not along the eclipse path are affected by the total planetary “reboot” of a solar eclipse.

Many yogis and spiritual masters recommended meditation during this solar eclipse, in part because electromagnetic energies are intensified and amplified, so it is believed that any spiritual practices will have an auspicious and magnified effect. Eclipses are considered potent and profound opportunities for spiritual practice and major transformation. Solar eclipses always occur on the New Moon, which represents renewal and the opportunity for new beginnings. Eclipses make that energy much more intense and its effects more long-lasting, so it is a powerful time for practicing rituals of transformation and release. It is a good time to switch gears and use this planetary transition to absorb the teachings of transformation - to shift from the external masculine to the internal feminine and to awaken the Divine Feminine Shakti within each of us. It is being seen as a time to transform the energy of the planet to a higher vibration. The mystical symbolism of the moon or Mother covering the sun or masculine brings to mind the teachings of Shiva and Shakti. Dr. Robby Svoboda wrote that this eclipse has a strange gravitational effect that will “multiply the effect of sadhana” making it a very auspicious time to meditate, do puja and pray for health, healing, wealth, love and wisdom.”

This solar eclipse occurs in Cancer, the constellation that relates to the needs of the heart, nourishment, deep security, home and family. It will relate to how we resolve our collective insecurity, heal ourselves and ultimately, create peace and balance on our planet - how we "come home" to our true Self that is free and in the flow of divine grace. One appropriate mantra to perform during the eclipse period is a sloka (verse) from the hymn associated with the Sun (Surya) that was recited by Sage Agastya to Rama on the battlefield before he fought with Ravana (in the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana). “Aditya-Hridayam Punyam, Sarva Shatru-vinashanam,” and roughly means, “Keep the Sun in your heart, and all evils will vanish from the world.” While repeating it, imagine a brilliant, flaming Sun burning brightly in your heart. This Sun is brighter than a thousand suns…it is the Divine Sun within each of us that burns away all the illusion and suffering of the world.”

love is freedom

When I say love is freedom, I mean that when you experience unconditional love, you can't help but be free in that moment. My guru taught me this. She is the embodiment of unconditional love. Check out this video about her: www.kashi.org/majaya

Photo: Sri Sri Sri ek sah Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

Over this Fourth of July, I meditated on the idea of freedom. And I came to the understanding that love, unconditional, love, authentic love...is what gives us freedom. It liberates us. Someone wisely said, "love will set you free." Of course this is not a new thought, it is an idea we've all heard before, but somewhere it settled deep in my heart and I remembered and experienced it again.

This is my true love...

Here's some thoughts on love...

Love is patient and kind.

It is not jealous nor conceited nor proud;

love is not ill-mannered, it does not seek its own advantage and is not irritable.

Love does not keep a record of wrong, is not happy with evil, but rejoices in the truth.

Love is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure.

- St. Paul

My two dogs fill my heart with unconditional love as do most animals. Pets can be so fulfilling to the lonely heart. They don't ask for much, but return the favor with loyalty and love. Its so simple, but true.

If you could imagine that there was a flame and that it was shining through a large, intricately faceted diamond, there would be a myriad of reflections dancing all around it. Now imagine you are one of those refractions of light and that this flame is the supreme consciousness from which all in existence comes from. Some call that supreme consciousness God or Allah or Christ or Buddha or Love.

So the next time you're curious about what it means to be free, first try to feel love or understanding or kindness in your heart for the next person you see, no matter who they are. And just look into their eyes and give them a little, mysterious smile...for no reason other than because you can. It may seem hard to imagine doing this with a stranger, but if you can transcend that fear, you get a little gift, because someone may reflect that smile right back. And then, you've just experienced unconditional love in its simplest form.

namaste.

art and yoga

i got a call from the marketing director at the atlanta botanical garden and he wanted to know if i'd like to a photo shoot to help cross promote the henry moore exhibition and the yoga class I teach there.

of course i said yes and i put the call out to a couple of my yogi friends to join me.

this project ended up being so much fun. we were given permission to climb all over these beautiful sculptures and get into an asana (yoga postures) that seemed to compliment the sculptures.

i hope you enjoy these photos and i hope pr group helping the botanical gardens finds many publications to carry their article and photos.

swink

i received a sweet email about my work being shown on another design agency's web site. (http://www.swinkinc.com/weareswink_swap.php)

swink, located in wisconsin, is a brilliantly creative group of people and has a beautiful letterpressed self-promotional piece that I requested a sample of (see photo below). they said they'd send it if I did a swap and sent some of my work to them. i sent them some super cute note cards and bookplates i designed while I worked with whimsy press.

thanks shanan for posting my work!

the art of obama

after watching history being made today from my cozy living room, i am utterly filled with hope and awareness of the work that lies ahead of all of us to bring our country back into balance.

i love all the artists who have been inspired by the man who is now our new leader (i like to call him the great uniter), so i thought i'd post a collection of those pieces i've come across that i think are really great.

















*thanks to www.artofobama.com and google for the fresh finds.

yogic delight

i'm getting ready to help teach our classical yoga teacher's training (cytt for short). it's starting this weekend and goes until the end of june. it's a transformative time not only for the students, but also for me, the perpetual student.

i also will be teaching a partner yoga workshop on february 14th. last night i met with my friend nitya, who's going to help me demonstrate the asanas and we practiced what I'm planning on teaching. I forgot how much fun it is, challenging, but seriously fun.

check out www.kashiatlanta.org if you want to come take part in the yogic delight!