from Joana Silva
Letter to Acharya:
These teachings taught me exactly where to go, what to do if things start to go off track, and how to regain balance. Yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ is quieting and being conscious of the modifications of the mind.
These were undoubtedly the teachings that I relied on when I started my new job recently – I kept coming back to the Sacred Tradition of Yoga, The Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga Sutras and my Meditation practice again and again to regain balance. This was crucial and I´m always grateful for it. If you can control the rising of the mind into ripples, you will reach the goal of yoga.
I can’t express enough my gratitude for my path with Jivana Yoga Program and for being part of this family, the way you always welcome me no matter how much time I´m away, and how comfortable you make me feel.
Meeting Acharya and his wife when they came to Portugal to teach, I think in 2015 or 2016, was such an inspirational moment and turning point on my spiritual path. This combined with meeting Lior and his yoga classes, with the Introduction to Meditation and Ayurvedic Cooking course in 2016 where Jonathan spoke about the mental and physical constitutions, the three gunas, such that this all made sense to me. The beginning of a profound understanding of Buddhi, manas, ahamkara and citta, my spiritual path, and duties. One thing that I still wish to do is to visit Bharati Yogadhama in India and have a chance to meet with Acharya. My time will come, I guess.
Without practice, nothing can be achieved.
Be fearless and pure; never waver in your determination or your dedication to the spiritual life. Give freely. Be self-controlled, sincere, truthful, loving, and full of the desire to serve. Realize the truth of the scriptures; learn to be detached and to take joy in renunciation. Do not get angry or harm any living creature, but be compassionate and gentle; show goodwill to all. Cultivate vigor, patience, will, and purity; avoid malice and pride… then you will achieve your divine destiny. ~ The Bhagavad Gita
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all these teachings and for more to come. I am grateful for Acharya´s mindful talks, Lior´s support, Jonathan´s guidance, Stacey´s shared knowledge, and all the sharings within the Jivana Yoga family. I’m so grateful.
Namaste.
Joana Silva
