Om Śānti, Peace!

For the first time in over 30 years I'm starting seeds inside. I had forgotten how amazing it is to watch new life sprouting forth. The seeds I planted were the size of the point of a pin, not the head but the point! Tiny, tiny seeds carefully placed into soil and watered, and now they're just starting to sprout. Amazing!

Just as amazing is what goes on inside us every minute of every day. I was inspired this week to read again the verses of Lalleshwarī, a fourteenth century woman saint of north India. Lallī's verses, which describe her struggles and eventual awakening, were scattered here and there as she wandered, and were picked up and preserved by people through generations. More recently they were gathered and translated by scholars so we now have access to them. There are a couple hundred verses that I'm aware of, three of which I'm sharing today as inspiration for the week.

Most people reading this email have had some exposure to Sanskrit, either in a Yoga class or a kirtan chanting experience. To become fluent in Sanskrit is a lot of work, but you don't need to be a scholar to get started having fun. Once you learn the Sanskrit alphabet you can immediately begin sounding out words which will greatly increase your joy of chanting. And after learning a few grammar rules you'll also be able to start looking up words in the dictionary to gain insight into the meaning of Sanskrit words and texts. I love to share this with anyone that's willing to listen so I'm including a little something in the Sanskrit Primer below...

And finally, I want to invite you to join Lindel Hart and myself on Sunday 12-3pm for 3-hrs of contemplative practices at Hart Yoga in Shelburne Falls.

let it be love,

 

Rick