Musing of the Month

As we fast approach Navaratri 2023, it is a great time to examine ourselves with a more scrutinizing eye, not for self-condemnation but for awareness so we can explore the self-sabotaging emotions that lead us on a wild goose chase searching for the elusive happiness that we think is outside of ourselves. Reason follows feeling; what does that mean? We have a feeling in the heart, and the mind comes forth with a million reasons to justify that feeling. We feel excited about going on holiday, and the mind gives us reasons why that particular holiday will make us happy. Someone does us "wrong," and the mind gives us a million reasons to justify having the feeling that the person did us wrong. Misery loves company, so we seek out others to join our cause and make the other person the villain because we think if the other person is at fault, they stole our happiness. You lost your joy and didn't have the inner strength to acknowledge it. But we find it "easier" to look for happiness outside or blame another for stealing our joy. 

Question of the Month

⁇ What is Navaratri?

→ This question would require more space to answer than in the monthly newsletter. If you are curious about Navaratri, join us at TYS for a 9-day sadhana practice to strengthen your sankalpa shakti (inner resolve or determination). From October 15 - 23, we will have group asana classes; during asana class, we will discuss the Devi Mahatmyam and end with group meditations.

Here is a brief synopsis of what Navaratri means to us at TYS. We study the Devi Mahatmyan as a guide to understanding ourselves; by understanding ourselves, we know our thoughts, speech, and actions. To understand these, we must grasp our emotions. Reading and studying the Devi Mahatmyam allows us to do this. Examining it through the nine days of Navaratri, we break it down as follows. The first three days honor Durga, the energy that removes our malas (impurities), such as greed, anger, fear, doubt, lust, attachment, aversions, etc. Days four through six honor Lakshmi, the energy that removes our vikshepa. Let's think of vikshepa as that which seizes us, launches us in the air, and flings us to the ground, or, in a word, our distractions! The last three days honor Saraswati, the energy within us that removes avidya. The ignorance that keeps us in delusion, and when worshipping her, she gives us satchidnanda (the truth of existence, the expression of knowing, and the bliss of the knowledge of knowing) and final liberation. 

Svadhyaya Corner

Contemplate one question per week and find time to answer the question after allowing it to incubate for a few days. 

1. How strong is my determination and willpower? What can I do to strengthen my sankalpa shakti?

2. Which demons am I  battling now? Which requires release so my body, breath, and mind can transform?

3. What are the distractions in my life that keep me from deepening my practice?

4. How sattvic am I in my thoughts, speech, and actions?

Asana Corner

If you feel so inclined, give yourself a month to explore savasana. Observe how your breathing changes as you settle into the corpse pose. Notice how relaxing into this pose softens the body, breath, and mind. Give yourself 10 minutes or more a day for 30 days, and notice how it has helped ease any anxiety, stress, or tension. Journal daily, deciphering if it was hard or easy for you to unwind into relaxation, NOT SLEEP! As always, journaling will allow you to notice how you felt before and after the practice and, more importantly, how doing it for 30 days affects your overall well-being.

 Below, you will find one way to move into the pose, but we learn so much more by exploring the bodies we travel in, so have fun.

1. Lie Supine on the floor with knees bent.

2. Lift the pelvis slightly off the floor, take the back of the pelvis to the tailbone, and return the pelvis to the floor. 

3. Slowly straighten each leg, allowing the groins to soften and the feet to fall to the sides.

4. Lift the head, look down to the feet, then relax the neck to the floor.

5. Place arms about 1 foot away from the side of the body with the palms facing up. 

6. Shut the eyes and withdraw the sense inward.

Benefits:

1. calms the mind and rejuvenates the body

2. Lowers blood pressure.

3. Reduces Headaches

4. It gives the body and mind a boost of energy, relieving fatigue.

Contraindications:

1. If there is chronic back pain or injury, please use a bolster or rolled blanket under the knees or calves. 

Reflections with Kali

October is a big month for us at TYS, bringing many extraordinary occasions. The world is easing into the season of letting go; there is a chill in the air, and we have much to do. We get to release our first recorded song as Shakti & Bhakti on the solar eclipse, the night of our autumnal kirtan! We will be at a new venue, and I greatly look forward to this experience at the Miami Valley UU.

But if that weren't special enough, the kirtan is on the eve of a celebration that is immensely important to us here at TYS, and that is Navaratri, the nine days of Divine Mother. On the 15th, we will begin our celebration and meet together for nine evenings of sadhana. The energy during this time is always palpable and powerful. It is a chance to tap into the cosmic power of shakti without and shakti within. There are memorable experiences every year, and I greatly enjoy learning more about the divine mother energy that sustains us.

Upcoming Events

We have a slew of them this month!

October 8: Silent Sunday + Vegan Potluck

October 9-12: Kirtan Week

October 14: Autumnal Solar Eclipse Kirtan

October 15-23: Navaratri - Read More

October 31: Halloween Scare Fest

**Please save the date! November 4, 2023 starting at 9:00 AM; TYS and Dayton Vegan Meet-Up are joining for a fundraising event for Our Farm Sanctuary. We ask for a 20.00 donation (feel free to give more!), and all proceeds will go to Our Farm Sanctuary. We will have a group asana class, a short guided meditation, and a breakfast-themed vegan potluck at TYS. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning doing asana, meditating, comradery with fellow vegans, eating great vegan breakfast food, and, most importantly, giving to our 4-legged brothers and sisters. Please register early, as space is limited.

Come practice with us!

Mondays: Asana Class with Linda 6 pm -7:30 pm

Tuesdays: Asana with Kali + Chant Hanuman Chalisa 6 pm - 7:30 pm

Wednesdays: Asana Class & Kirtan with Ranjani & Riley 6 pm - 8 pm

Thursdays: Closed

Fridays: Closed

Saturdays: Asana with Ranjani 9 am - 10 am

Mahamrtunjaya Prayer Circle (Names are offered to the power of the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra not to change one's karma but to cultivate the strength to handle it gracefully) 10 am - 10:30 am

*If you want to add a name message Kali or write it on the paper by Ganesha.

Kirtan Band Practice 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Sundays: Sunday schedule rotates. Please view the calendar to see what we’re doing each week!

We had a busy September…

We would love to see you here!