“Taking Refuge in the Teachings” Teaching Theme

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Yasodhara Yoga Victoria teachers invite us to explore the theme of ‘taking refuge in the Teachings’.

1)     Exploring the theme of ‘Refuge’ through Hidden Language Hatha Yoga

a) The meaning of ‘refuge’

  • Spend time chanting OM and ask yourself: What does ‘refuge’ mean to me?
  • Write key words, associations, phrases…
  • Select one key word/phrase and reflect on it in the Mountain pose.

b) The Tortoise Pose kurmasana – Taking Refuge

Everywhere the tortoise goes is home….In this dark little place, how is it that I feel so alive? There seems to be a special quality to retreating, an experience of vibration, subtle movement, restoration. Withdrawing from the constant inflow of sensory information allows a big space, a strong place, a place of being.

(The Inner Life of Asanas, Swami Lalitananda, p 65)

Go into and out of the Tortoise pose asking yourself:

  • What does it mean to be at home?
  • What is the difference between hiding out of fear and intentionally withdrawing? Can you see the possibility of choice?
  • How do I cultivate a big space, a strong space, a place of being?

Write after each refletion.

c) Chant OM while you are in the Tortoise, feeling the resonance of the vibration. Ask yourself:

  • How can I create sacred space in my daily life? Can I remember to enter this sacred space before making decisions? Write.

d) Many of us seek that silence of mind called “liberation” or “home”, the home that is always waiting to offer shelter, like the tortoise’s shell.

(The Inner Life of Asanas, Swami Lalitananda, p 66)

  • From your own experience how could ‘liberation’ be synonymous with ‘home’ or ‘refuge’? Write.

2)    Finding Refuge in the Light

a) Practice the Divine Light Invocation. Place yourself in the Light with the sense of ‘refuge’ that is taking shape for you.

  • Keeping the sense of Light within you and around you, sit quietly – with every inhalation, inhale Light; with every exhalation, see Light spread through your entire being.
  • Now ask yourself: What does security mean to me? Where do I find security? How does it feel to be secure?
  • Do the Divine Light Invocation and allow an image of security to come to mind. Draw.

b) Sit quietly and repeat the line from the Divine Light mantra: I am protected by Divine Light.

  • Reflect on the questions: Where and when do I feel vulnerable? Where I feel vulnerability can I bring my understanding of refuge to this situation? What does this look like? Feel like?

c) Have a dialogue between security and vulnerability. What do they have to say to each other?

What insights/learnings have you experienced from this exploration?

3)    Finding Refuge in the Mantra

a) Take time to chant a Mantra. Notice the effect.

Reflect on the following:

  • How do I give refuge? How do I take refuge?
  • What do I value most?
  • How do I support what I value?
  • What do I need to take care of myself? Nurture myself?

b) Repeat the mantra for the Manipura or 3rd chakra several times out loud. Then reflect: How does the dark cloud serve as refuge? Write.

In the Manipura of yours I serve Him as a dark cloud, which is the only refuge (of the world) raining down the rain on the three worlds scorched by the sun that is Hara. (This cloud which) carries the rainbow, Indra’s bow, bedecked with ornaments of various glittering jewels, and which has flashes of lightnings due to His Sakti bursting forth from the enveloping darkness (of the cloud).

(Mantra for the Manipura Cakra from Kundalini Yoga for the West, Swami Radha, p 301)

4)    Finding Refuge in Swami Radha’s Teachings

Practice the 4-4 breath, taking refuge in the moment, the breath, and ask:

  • What does finding refuge in Swami Radha’s Teachings mean for me?
  • How and where do I find refuge in the Teachings?
  • How do I ‘take refuge’ in the Teachings?

Look at the Kundalini Chart. Is there an image that speaks to you of refuge?

What is your understanding and experience of refuge now?

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