Laura Roll from Ashland Oregon, USA
I have the good fortune of being part of the Ashland Jivana group. I am 57 years of age, a mother of two children – transitioning to adults ☺ – and the daughter of two healthy parents that have been married 60 years this April.
The COVID event has had many deleterious effects; daily and seasonal routines/rituals, social/family relations, economic stability, physical and emotional wellbeing all have been altered by this little invisible COVID-19 critter. I feel compassion for those suffering and humbly grateful that the hardships experienced by many have not crossed my path thus far. The largest impact for me has been witnessing my parents’ isolation and mental strain around the virus.
As the previous blogs mention, there are also blessings amidst this global event; slowing down the pace, more attention to home/garden/meals, more time to engage with an educational or personal growth endeavor, more stillness, and just more pure quiet time… I guess in many ways it has given me “permission” to embrace the more quiet life I was trying to create and very much want to live.
Upon reflection, throughout my life I sought places of quiet. Even in my 20’s I would hike alone and sit in Nature to hear the Silence or the gentle backdrop of Nature that held the Silence. Often times I would search out bluffs or mountain tops where the Silence was a bit more, well, Silent. A juxtaposition to a busy life of college, job or family duties, silence was always appreciated and relished. Those of you whom know me well, know that I also love to talk (a lot, as evidenced by the length of this blog! haha) and connect, so it is not that I am an introvert; however, silence has a certain void of verbal vibration that allows my system to settle, open, calm, replenish, listen within and remember. Whether it be the quiet of Nature or quiet cultivated within my home, my system thanks me when I create balance and apply the silence stillness principle.
In comes Sound… What is sound? What is this sensory organ the ear? What Sound vibration would be supportive to follow Silence? Ahhhhh Acharya’s voice, Ganapathi’s voice chanting, my own voice chanting something sacred and meaningful; Sacred Sound.
For me, the timing of this global shutdown is a bit poetic in terms of the Jivana Yoga Program. Our Ashland group was struggling a little without someone that was seasoned in the Samskrita portion of the program. We had attempted several times to jump start an avenue of approach; nothing stuck. The shutdown ushered in an emphasis on this portion of the JY Program and access to a Samskrita Master- what a gift!
I know very little of the Samskrita language, but my system tells me that it is quite mysterious and layered. These Sacred Sounds seem to resonate and bathe my various inner centers with sattvic nectar. Whether it is Acharya reciting a shloka or Ganapathi singing/chanting, the vibration is soothing, supportive, magical and Sacred in how it lands. It ignited an enquiry on the importance of this sensory organ, the ear, and its valuable contribution to the target of Realization (note to self- remember the ears with the oil bath!). I think these lovely inner effects are simply more noticeable now, due to the lack of sounds in my field and talking less during the shutdown. Or perhaps it is the result of my intention to understand and learn a Sacred Language. The enquiry/understanding of this ear, sound vibration and Samskrita will surely be like other yogic principles, one that slowly unfolds on this long journey home.
I have the good fortune of being part of the Ashland Jivana group. I am 57 years of age, a mother of two children – transitioning to adults ☺ – and the daughter of two healthy parents that have been married 60 years this April.
The COVID event has had many deleterious effects; daily and seasonal routines/rituals, social/family relations, economic stability, physical and emotional wellbeing all have been altered by this little invisible COVID-19 critter. I feel compassion for those suffering and humbly grateful that the hardships experienced by many have not crossed my path thus far. The largest impact for me has been witnessing my parents’ isolation and mental strain around the virus.
As the previous blogs mention, there are also blessings amidst this global event; slowing down the pace, more attention to home/garden/meals, more time to engage with an educational or personal growth endeavor, more stillness, and just more pure quiet time… I guess in many ways it has given me “permission” to embrace the more quiet life I was trying to create and very much want to live.
Upon reflection, throughout my life I sought places of quiet. Even in my 20’s I would hike alone and sit in Nature to hear the Silence or the gentle backdrop of Nature that held the Silence. Often times I would search out bluffs or mountain tops where the Silence was a bit more, well, Silent. A juxtaposition to a busy life of college, job or family duties, silence was always appreciated and relished. Those of you whom know me well, know that I also love to talk (a lot, as evidenced by the length of this blog! haha) and connect, so it is not that I am an introvert; however, silence has a certain void of verbal vibration that allows my system to settle, open, calm, replenish, listen within and remember. Whether it be the quiet of Nature or quiet cultivated within my home, my system thanks me when I create balance and apply the silence stillness principle.
In comes Sound… What is sound? What is this sensory organ the ear? What Sound vibration would be supportive to follow Silence? Ahhhhh Acharya’s voice, Ganapathi’s voice chanting, my own voice chanting something sacred and meaningful; Sacred Sound.
For me, the timing of this global shutdown is a bit poetic in terms of the Jivana Yoga Program. Our Ashland group was struggling a little without someone that was seasoned in the Samskrita portion of the program. We had attempted several times to jump start an avenue of approach; nothing stuck. The shutdown ushered in an emphasis on this portion of the JY Program and access to a Samskrita Master- what a gift!
I know very little of the Samskrita language, but my system tells me that it is quite mysterious and layered. These Sacred Sounds seem to resonate and bathe my various inner centers with sattvic nectar. Whether it is Acharya reciting a shloka or Ganapathi singing/chanting, the vibration is soothing, supportive, magical and Sacred in how it lands. It ignited an enquiry on the importance of this sensory organ, the ear, and its valuable contribution to the target of Realization (note to self- remember the ears with the oil bath!). I think these lovely inner effects are simply more noticeable now, due to the lack of sounds in my field and talking less during the shutdown. Or perhaps it is the result of my intention to understand and learn a Sacred Language. The enquiry/understanding of this ear, sound vibration and Samskrita will surely be like other yogic principles, one that slowly unfolds on this long journey home.