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Namaste yogis and yoginis!
I was going to wax lyrical about the start of the New Year etc etc but I’m a little late so I’ll just say this: a landmark in the passing of time is an opportunity to take stock, to check in as to where our decisions are taking us. Whether it be an hour or a year, it is good to check in regularly. Ultimately we aim to be mindful of every action and its consequence, but at least we try to be generally aware. This feels more important than ever at the moment with environmental issues at last receiving the attention they deserve; for the changes occurring in the planet and the draining of resources are simply the consequence of choices made by each and every one of us on a daily basis. Later in the newsletter are some ideas for being proactive, but here I’d like to clarify the concept of brahmacarya. As one of the yamas (observances) in the yoga system of life, brahmacarya is often interpreted as “chastity” or “restraint”. The true meaning is found in the parts: brahma, meaning “supreme/ideal consciousness” and carya meaning “to walk, to behave”, the full meaning being “to walk/behave in consciousness of the ideal”. If we truly follow this, we can only be mindful. We will be aware of every action in relation to the ideal, to the whole. Being environmentally aware comes naturally to yogis, mindful of every choice and consequence!
Mark and his travels….
Mark and his lovely wife Kat continue their adventures in South America, camping, exploring etc. They are on their way down to the coast where they hope to see a woman who channels dolphins (believe it or not!), maybe he’ll come back speaking dolphinese!! He’ll be back on board teaching as of March 12. There will be a few small timetable changes so please keep your eyes/ears out we will notify on board/answer machine/ and website.
January special:
We are offering a “coffee for 2 at Genki” card when you introduce a new student to the centre. Not only does this mean that you and your mate can have a coffee while you chat about how fabulous the class was :-) , but also, on a serious note, we need your help. Introducing new students is important to the growth and wellbeing of the centre. We make every effort to keep the price of classes low but we need to meet our costs. Word of mouth helps keep advertising costs low, and helps us build the classes, so we can keep the centre running and even improving. On the other side, if there is something you think could work well, needs to be done, or could be improved, we’d love to know. Please feel free to speak to Suzanne or leave a note for her.
The offer is extended until 28 February (Genki’s a great place for a Valentine’s Day coffee!)
Get Proactive
Australia Day is a chance to voice concern over plans for nuclear power. Gecko have arranged a protest at Evandale Parklands (outside arts centre) Bundall Rd, Bundall at 9.30 am Jan 26.
You may not be sure how you feel about this or other issues, the best way to be proactive is to get informed. The Australian Conservation Foundation website is a great resource. It can be found with other great and informative websites on our yoga centre website links page. For this particular issue, type in “uranium articles” in the search function on the ACF homepage. Choose “feature articles” and have a look through, for a quick summary choose “facts and figures” from the side menu and read those 2 articles.
Surprisingly, commercial mags can provide great info too. The current issue of Marie Claire has an informative and fresh article on combating climate change (One Small Step Can Make a World of Difference) and has an online petition saying “no” to nuclear power which we have a link to from our site, as well as a check list for some things we can each do daily to make a difference that include: +turn off appliances at the wall, +take fewer flights, +leave the car at home more often (car pool, walk, schedule to reduce trips to the shops etc), +install efficient light bulbs (try www.neco.com.au), +insulate your house, +install solar hot water, +choose renewable energy.
Energex offers “earth’s choice” which for as little as $40 extra a year can reduce the equivalent of 3545 wheelie bins/year of greenhouse gas emissions. Call Energex 131253 www.energex.com.au.
Join Gecko, Greenpeace, ACF, Rainforest Rescue or any group you feel drawn to. They are all environmentally proactive, and all are great resources for getting educated.
The Meeting Ground in Burleigh is a fantastic place which not only offers the most delicious organic food, but are committed to educating through films and lectures. Most Friday nights they offer a thought-provoking film, plus yummy food, plus drink all for $20. I saw a fantastic film there called “Scared Sacred”. It was inspiring, a 5 year journey by a documentary film maker seeking out tales of hope in places of devastation such as Bosnia, Hiroshima, Israel/Palestine and more. It was also visually breathtaking, I was spellbound. Pick up a flyer at the yoga centre or call the Meeting Ground 5576 3933.
Mmmm yum
Speaking of the Meeting Ground, kudos to them for great tasting, organic food. The pizzas are out of this world, the sandwiches a great daily lunch option, and the essene toast for breakfast gives you a buzz that lasts all day it’s so healthy!! Cnr GC Hwy and First Ave Burleigh.
Kudos too to Wayne of Aussie Green Cleaner. This fab cleaning product is not only enviro friendly, it’s the only cleaning product you need for your whole house and is now available with Bulgarian Rose oil, said to open your heart as well! Check AGC and our other great products out in our “yoga shop”.
Chant Night
Join us here at centre Jan 28 at 6.30 for our next Chant Night (Kirtan). You don’t need to be a great singer, kirtan is for everyone who has an inspiration to experience the transformative power of singing with an open heart. Chant awakens within us the qualities we need for a joyful life, such as wisdom, abundance, freedom by focusing on the names of the deities who embody them.
You may feel a genuine connection to them, you may see them as a path to a way of being or you may just like to sing. It’s all great! Bring a candle (optional). Gold coin donation appreciated.
Om asatoma
The chant this month is one that reminds us of the ongoing journey of awakening, and transition in
all its forms, and directs our focus towards positive evolution.
Om asatoma satgamaya From ignorance to truth
Tamasoma jyotir gamaya From darkness to light
Mrtyorma amritam gamaya From death to immortality
Another interpretation:
From not knowing to knowing, and the expanded experience of that, and the freedom of knowing you are endless.
Another: That we may keep evolving to greater knowledge, greater wisdom and greater freedom.
Please feel free to put your own interpretation on the chants, the resonance we experience is unique to each of us, but always taking us to a place of greater peace and wisdom. Chant is about the feelings evoked not just about the words sung.
Shanti om Peace to all
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