REFLECTIONS ON GLOBAL MALA & ROSH HASHANAH

We had an amazing turn out on Sunday and it was an incredibly special day of practice, intention, reflection and coming together. Please take a moment to read Ricki Jean’s beautiful reflection on practice….
And don’t forget to join her for a 30 min meditation on Mondays at 7.30am & 6pm.

We celebrated Rosh Hashanah this weekend, opening to the New Year in the Jewish tradition.  Coming off the year of studying religion, and the week of Ritual in study group, I believe I was able bring myself newly to this observance.  Jews around the world come together to pray and to open to what the New Year holds for us, collectively and individually, and set intention of what we each can bring forward into life in the coming year.

I chose to spend the second day of Rosh Hashanah at Mala Yoga, co-leading 2 donation classes together with Angela, Christina and Stephanie, 3 amazing women and wonderful yoga teachers. Each class moved  through 54 Sun Salutes (prostrations), 27 rounds of chanting which Angela led beautifully on the harmonium, followed by 27 minutes of meditation,- adding up to the auspicious number of 108, ending in a well earned shavasana.

I took the time to ponder where and how I should be with and in my devotion on the Jewish New Year.  At first going to Synagogue was all I could imagine.  Then this opportunity came to me and I took time to consider what my practice is and could be.  I considered my religious duty, my alignment with God and the universe, and how I feel fed and nourished in religious practice.  I could begin to see an expansive way of being, in this case requiring me to step beyond the standard practices of my lineage.  I am grateful for this learning.  I feel delighted as I begin to see how my life is weaving together my everyday ordinary experiences with the spiritual and devotional.

Also this week we have had the Autumn Equinox on Tuesday, when the day and night are evenly balanced.  This time period invites us to find our own internal balance and equilibrium, in the physical body, in the emotional (heart) center, and the energetic body.  We each can live and walk through this time as a living Yin-Yang, where forces are in balance, and veils of the mystery of life become momentarily transparent.  I wish you all great awakening and peace.

Shana Tova and Namaste,

Ricki Jean