Atonement

The Jewish faith respects Yom Kippur today. Yom Kippur is the tenth day of the month of Tishrei. According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a "book" on Rosh Hashanah and waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" the verdict. During the Days of Awe, a Jew tries to amend his or her behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God (bein adam leMakom) and against other human beings (bein adam lechavero). The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt (Vidui). At the end of Yom Kippur, one considers one's self absolved by God.

In Hinduism, this same time period also coincides with the New Year and a celebration of righteousness over evil. It begins with Navaratri, nine days of fast, during which there is the holy Durga Puja (Durga is the most important incarnation of Mother Divine) and finally on the 10th day, Dusshera, the new year is celebrated as Durga leaves for Mount Kailash, the abode of her husband Shiva, and it’s time for “Bijoya” or Vijayadashami, when people visit each other’s homes, hug each other and exchange sweets.

I have been taught in my Vedic studies that good vs. evil is not possible, because there is only That which is One thing and anything labeled "good" and anything labeled "evil" are also That. I resonate with this logic but also in my heart believe that we, as individuals, know how to recognize "spontaneous right action". I know, in my heart, what causes pain to individuals and to a community at large, thus sapping their adaptation energy - in my evolutionary state, I will be the one to adapt and I will not drain the resources of others.

This year I know of nothing for which I must atone. I welcome anyone who feels otherwise to email me directly at sanora@vedicmeditationteacher.com - I will gladly welcome the course correction.

3-Day Follow Up

Just completed the Day 1 lecture of the Vedic Meditation Follow-Up course. I'm teaching this week Monday - Wednesday at 9 a.m. You can find the details here on the calendar page of my website - anyone who has already learned to meditate can feel free to drop by.

My next Intro Talk is Saturday, September 26 at 12 noon.

Just a heads-up, there won't be an Intro Talk or Group Meditation on October 3 because I'll be helping to facilitate Veda 1 October 1 through October 4 at Jeff Kober's Meditation Center. If you're interested in attending Veda 1 please contact Adele Slaughter.

Vedic Friends

Last night Julie G. came over to hang out, catch up and wolf down some chow with us. It was so lovely to grill some veggie burgers, yellow squash & zuccini and discuss all things that swirl around and through us. She is the personification of what it is to live as a meditator out in the world, relating to all those lucky enough to come into her event horizon.

I love you Julie G.!

9-9-09

I've seen a lot of things out there about today's date. I don't remember 9s being significant though. I mean in an omen kind of yikes, something big is coming, kind of way. A few years ago, we went through 6-6-06 - now, three 6s in a row I do remember from The Omen so I get the brouhaha over that line up - but no one went crazy for February 2, 2002 or March 3, 2003, or April 4, 2004 or May 5, 2005 (or maybe Mexico did) or July 7, 2007 or August 8, 2008. So why the big fuss over the 9s?

I do have a friend who is turning 29 today on 9-9-2009 and if you add up that series of numbers 9+9+2+9 it does equal 29 which also equals 11 (2+9) - numerology, if you're into that sort of thing, tells us that 11 is the guru number, the number of higher enlightenment. Again, what's with the fear, people?

Oh, and Happy 29th Birthday, Caroline Frost!

Labor Day

Something about Labor Day always makes me anti-Labor. Like anything I had going on needs to be put on hold because after the weekend there will be a shift. Post-Labor Day will be more productive than summer was, more energy, more movement forward.

At least I hope so!

Early Riser

I got up at 4 a.m. this morning because I woke and couldn't get back to sleep. I looked at Facebook - not a lot going on at 4 a.m. even from my east coast friends. Not sure what made me so antsy - I was thinking about friends I hadn't seen in a while and thinking about this city that I love, even when it's on fire. Maybe especially when it's on fire. I hold it more dear in times of disaster. What will rise from the ashes? Who will re-build, who will move on and how will that shape their evolution?

I hope you are safe. I send my love and good wishes to you and your loved ones, human & otherwise. Jai Guru Deva.