I AM

The whole purpose of yoga is to cultivate a relationship between your finite self and your infinite self. Without awareness, the mind attaches itself to emotions and commotions (aka ego games) and because of that, it's easy to forget who you are. 

Your Infinite Being - TRUTH - is who you are. It was who you were before you started forming an identity and personality or collecting habits and philosophies. When you chant Sat Nam, you are re-establishing your relationship with your true self...pure and whole. Your authentic self is waiting to be acknowledged. 

January 6 is also known as "little Christmas" or "the Epiphany" -  the day that the manifestation of a divine being occurred. It was the day that Jesus was purported to have been born and the day that the 3 gifts of the Magi, or the three Kings were given. Symbolically speaking, it is a day of giving birth to yourself. One of the many definitions of the word "epiphany" is "a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something".

That something can be YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF. What a great day - after the new moon solar eclipse- a day ripe for new beginnings - to start a powerful practice of cultivating your authentic self!!!

There are two meditations which I feel are very helpful in this regard. One is the I Am Meditation and the other is the Meditation for Inner Strength from the Year with the Master book.

"Life has a simple challenge. Act, do not react. Calm yourself and claim yourself. When you reflect like a torch, it takes away the darkness for a long distance. When you reflect, your psyche takes away indifference for a long distance. When you speak for yourself, or somebody speaks for you, there is somebody else who speaks for you—your character and projection. That is yourself. Your self is the strongest thing you have. If you doubt within your self, act and react, if you answer the call of dharma and have no heart in it—you will never make sense. You need higher energy, your higher psyche, which should purify you so you can enjoy life. " - Yogi Bhajan, 2000

MEDITATION - For Inner Strength

Sit straight in a cross-legged position. Extend the arms slightly up and forward at 45 degrees angles. Both hands are in receptive Gyan Mudra. Eyes are closed. Whistle in deeply, hold, and then Cannon Fire Exhale. Continue for 11 minutes. To end, inhale deeply, hold, straighten the spine, and then Cannon Fire Exhale. Repeat 2 more times, holding the breath and tightening every fiber of your body. Relax.

Whistling on the inhalation vibrates the breath with saliva which has a very magnetic affect on the body. The cannon fire exhalation takes away all that is not needed by your being. The arm position works on important meridian points and the posture gives you self-containment. If you do this meditation 11 minutes a day soon you will be a changed person. Things will start happening. Your strength can help a lot of people. To walk in this Information Age you need temperament, manners, courage, endurance, communication and mutual understanding. I hope you will do it all.

Have a great ephiphany!

Sat Nam

Raghubir