This month our Moving into Meditation class is studying the Yoga Ethic of Brahmacharya.  Here are some of the resources we used in this morning’s practice of guided relaxation, mindful movement and sitting meditation.

The inspiration for our guided relaxation and practice comes from Native American musician, poet and writer, Joy Harjo.  Her latest book is Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings.

Guided Relaxation

Welcome . . . to this present moment . . . as you feel your breathing . . . you extend a welcome to each breath . . . receiving and releasing . . . taking in and giving out . . . each mindful breath . . . an affirmation of consciousness . . . a way of restoring harmony . . . within our individual bodies and minds . . . and with the greater conscious world of which we are each a part.

This harmony is the essence of Brahmacharya which literally translates as “walking in God-consciousness.” The inner light we bow to in Namaste. The light that can free our minds from the bondage of our cravings and habitual reactivity. The light which radiates from an inner joy. The light in which we see the beauty of the world and each other.

Together in our practice we form a circle of affirmation in which we can ask for help and express our thanks; in which we can dedicate the fruits of our endeavors to others in need. Some people pray.

Native American poet and writer, Joy Harjo, offers us this Eagle Poem:

To pray you open your whole self
To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon
To one whole voice that is you.
And know there is more
That you can’t see, can’t hear;
Can’t know except in moments
Steadily growing, and in languages
That aren’t always sound but other
Circles of motion.
Like eagle that Sunday morning
Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky
In wind, swept our hearts clean
With sacred wings.
We see you, see ourselves and know
That we must take the utmost care
And kindness in all things.
Breathe in, knowing we are made of
All this, and breathe, knowing
We are truly blessed because we
Were born, and die soon within a
True circle of motion,
Like eagle rounding out the morning
Inside us.
We pray that it will be done
In beauty.
In beauty.

We truly see each other, the world, our selves and know “that we must take the utmost care and kindness in all things.” This is the realization of Brahmacharya.

brahma-carya pratiṣṭhāyāṁ vīrya-lābhaḥ

“Devoted to living a balanced and moderate life (Brahmacharya), the scope of one’s life force become boundless”. Nischala Joy Devi

The intentional practice of Brahmacharya, mindfulness, turns the mind inward, balances the senses, and leads to freedom from dependencies and cravings. On this middle path – this path of mindfulness – we learn to affirm and feel the fullness of life. When we truly realize all is given to us, our mindfulness practice becomes a heartfulness practice in which we can practice moderation.

We “breathe in, knowing we are made of all this . . . “ the earth and all creations . . . All this, and feeling breathing, “knowing we are truly blessed” . . . “knowing we are truly blessed because we were born, and die soon within a circle of motion . . . “ within the great circle of life.

The first step on the path of Brahmacharya – moderation – is to cultivate awareness of our desires and the manner they come to life. Rather than constraining our senses lets engage them in witnessing and then creating time and space in which we can act in a measured way . . . with inner and outer harmony. As we transition to mindful movement we can enjoy our senses rather than be depleted by them.

The true measure of moderation with any sensual experience is its effect on your thoughts, emotions, moods, and energy. Can you experience pleasure without disturbing your equilibrium? Are you aware of those moments in which you are tipping into distraction and begin to lose your equanimity? A helpful way to evaluate the quality of a sense experience is to examine how well you are able to digest it.

Once we learn to witness . . . we use our practice to balance and conserve our energy. Our postures and breathing awareness can focus our attention inward when it begins to spiral out . . . A powerful way of restoring internal balance is the practice of japa – the repetition of mantra. In meditation or movement we can learn to enjoy concentration and sense control.

You can practice this any time.  Find a place to fix your awareness inside;  balance and conserve your energy.  If you like – you can audibly or silently chant: “Om So-Hum.” Shift back to child’s pose with your arms outstretched or along your sides. This yogic mantra “so hum” is not only a reflection of the sound of the breath but also carries a contemplative meaning: “I am that” (so = “I am” and hum = “that”). Here, “that” refers to all of creation, the one breathing us all.

“ . . .  Truly see yourself and know that you must take the utmost care and kindness with yourself . . . and in all things . . .”  Namaste