by Love Mariposa
I
am Love Mariposa. I am an intern on the
Resource Committee, which is planning to periodically release community
newsletters. I am sharing my perspective
on how being a regular participant in Sadhana at Guru Nanak Dwara Ashram has
affected my life.
“Sadhana
means a practice of self-discipline that allows one to express the Infinite
within one’s self. It is a time each day to notice the patterns that lead
away from higher consciousness and to transcend those patterns.” (The Aquarian Teacher, KRI International Teacher Training in
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan)
Sadhana
can be done alone. However, when practiced with others in the ambrosial hours
(before sunrise) it develops group consciousness. Although everyone may
have a different vibration at the start of Sadhana, the energy created merges
into a group aura.
“This
auric transformation aids the practitioner in making the step beyond
ego-centeredness.”
(The Aquarian Teacher KRI International Teacher Training in
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan)
“Getting
up in the morning to do your sadhana does not mean you will become God.
No, getting up in the morning, you will become you!!” Yogi
Bhajan 6.27.93
I
started attending Sadhana at Guru Nanak Dwara Ashram in May 2014. I am
grateful to a friend who invited me during a transitional time of my life - I
had just been released from my job. Sadhana was nothing like I expected.
I imagined the Ashram filled with Yogis who have been doing Kundalini Yoga for
many years. I thought participants had to stay the entire time from the
beginning to the very end. In reality, there is a different leader each day of
the week, usually there is several participants, however the amount varies.
People come and go as they please. Sunday seems to draw a different turnout due
to its later start and live-music meditations.
I
prefer to do Sadhana at the Ashram rather than at home alone for several
reasons. One, it takes self-discipline and commitment to get up and get
ready to be at the Ashram at 3:40am. Two, I find it beneficial to have a
teacher guide me through a kriya (yoga set), especially one I’ve never
experienced before. Three, doing Sadhana in the vibration of the Ashram
and the group energy is motivating, powerful, and harmonious.
The
results of attending Sadhana regularly have been tremendous! The
self-discipline and commitment I’ve developed have rippled out into different
areas of my life. I have experienced an expansion of consciousness. I continue to
meet many beautiful souls in the community, and people tell me I have a genuine
radiance which, of course, is not available in a makeup bottle. Also I have had
the honor of leading Sadhana which was initially extremely healing and
continues to be a beautiful blessing.
“When
a person gets up in the morning and does the Sadhana, you know what accompanies
that person? All the angels, all saints and sages come to listen. Their souls
fly to those places to listen where God is chanted.” Yogi
Bhajan 10.4.77
Sadhana
is scheduled from 3:40-6:15am Monday through Saturday, 4:30-6:40am on Sundays,
and begins with the recitation of Japji (20-minute prayer), then a half-hour or
so of Kundalini Yoga, and 62 minutes of the Aquarian Mantra Meditations. At
5:45 daily (except Sundays), a short gurdwara service (kirtan, prayers, daily
blessing) completes the program.
Please
contact me, Love Mariposa, with any questions, feedback or suggestions for
future newsletter topics at love3mariposa@gmail.com Thank you!
In
Love & Gratitude,
Miss
Love ♥ Mariposa
