Ganesha's Tongue

This morning I sat before the puja at our studio. I wanted a chance to deepen before the morning greetings.I longed for a chance to turn within before other minds would share their thoughts and my own thoughts would be filtered through the onslaught of otherness. I wanted the guidance of that which must be sought after, or at least made space for.

Once again I looked to Shiva Nataraja, I gazed at his hand of fearlessness, still strong, but not so outspoken this morning. I drank in remembered fragments of the mantras and mudras I have most recently received from my teacher. I held my heart open to my Ishta Devata, offering myself as the vehicle of her grace and requesting the removal, digestion, or transmutation of that which seems to be masking my intrinsic value. I held my heart open and willing as I passed over an image of Hanuman. This morning it was Ganesh who appeared to be most radiant and I heard, Shiva Nataraja's hand, Hanuman's heart and Ganesha's tongue. I was a bit taken aback by the latter. The teaching's frequently refer to his trunk and his tusk, to his elephant head, but this was something new for me to ponder and I had a visceral experience of an elephant's tongue. I had an aha about Ganesh loving sweets and his ability to savor the sweetness in life. Ahh, yes that would make a difference.

I sat for a while brimming with mantras, holding the particular mudra, most recently learned. I heard the words, let her into your heart and as I softened I felt an energetic pouring in, a soothing, healing wave of her grace. I knew that she was Sri, that I was Sri and that this was good. I knew that this was divine nectar once again offered, once again received. I felt grateful and reluctant to move on with the morning. I was happy to be there, to do the asana practice, to receive what my kalyana mitra (spiritual friend) had to offer. I hope my meditation enhanced the morning for others as well. One never really knows the full effect of such things. One only hopes.

The beauty of connection

Sometimes, when you live in the middle of nowhere it can be easy to resist going anywhere, especially when the wind slides a slice of summer into spring. I count my blessings for all the past practices that have taught me that there is always more to be gained when I rise to the challenge. I crossed over a beautiful mountain to get to a Sunday morning workshop highlighting Beltane brightness. I knew that I was reaching for, am reaching for the tapas that will heal the masses. I also know and need reminding that I can't do it alone. The resistance enabled the friction to help build a fire under my desire to create alchemy.

My kalyana mitra taught a superb workshop and lead us into ecstatic backbending challenges from working the rooting to a superb rise and then the ecstatic weaving, almost creating the circuit, almost touching head to feet around behind and the organic uplifting of my heart fiercely reaching for a long desired outcome.

I am at once grateful for the skill my Margaret has acquired and for her seeming ability to honor my growing sense of empowerment as I step into unknown regions of strength and flexibility. Margaret for me is ageless and solid in her wisdom. She is not without humility and reaches to weave the most exquisite of tapestries. I am glad she does not hesitate to enhance my practice with alignment assistance. I am fortified as well as intoxicated by her offerings. I always learn something I did not expect to need. I come away knowing more than ever that I am on a path of enablement. My offering bears fruit and hints of it show in the blossoming.

It is also very satisfying to feel a bit spent in the acquisition. I am reaching for something of meaning, reaching enough to match the currents of grace that make all of the difference. I am excited to know that the mystery is always just a heartbeat ahead of me, inside of me and all around me. Love and blessings to my kalyana mitra, all those of you who resonate with this sweet blossoming existence.