Dear Yogis,
As I said to my last nite’s class , yesterday (Tuesday the 4th August correct- astrologically if not by date) it is believed that The Buddha was conceived.
The most beautiful telling of the tale can be found in “THE LIGHT OF ASIA” by sir Edwin Arnold. It is in verse, but don’t be put off. It casts light on the whole of Buddha’s life and is very beautiful. Once you have got with the mood and the music of the words you won’t be able to put it down.
“That night the wife of King Suddhodana,
Maya the Queen, asleep beside her lord,
Dreamed a strange dream; dreamed that a star from
Heaven –
Splendid, six rayed, in colour rosy pearl,
Whereof the token was an Elephant
Six tusked and white as milk of Kamadhuk
Shot through the void, and shining into her,
Entered her womb upon the right.
Awaked, bliss beyond a normal mother filled her breast,
And over half the earth a lovely light forewent the morn.
The strong hills shook; the waves
Sank lulled; all the flowers that blow by day came forth
As’t were high noon; down to the farthest hells
Passed the Queens joy, as when warm sunshine thrills
Wood glooms to gold, and into all the deeps
A tender whisper pierced. “Oh ye” it said,
Uprise and hear, and hope! The Buddha is come!”
It is suprising how closely this resembles in image the conception and later the birth of Jesus. The details are different but the idea of the “immaculate” conception is common to both. In the Jesus story Mary was told by an Angel she was “special”, “chosen” among women for this task. She was asked by an angel if she would agree to the transaction and made pregnant by “God”. In the Mary story the community where she lived was less than pleased, and Mary banished herself to her cousin Elizabeth’s house until everything cooled down. Only John the Baptist (who was still a feotus in Elizabeth’s womb) “jumped for joy”…. But essentially, it is the same story.
I am moved by both stories, and in this time of isolation and strangeness, it is still an idea I like to think about. Believe or don’t believe it, it really doesn’t matter… just open your mind to a few new possibilities.
Also this week Adhe Tapontsang passed away aged 92 in Dharamsala. Beloved by Tibetans, she was one of the most well known Tibetan activists and was imprisoned by the Chinese for many years (27?). I don’t put in the number because it is hard to believe, but true. Many reading this will be 27 years old or younger. Imagine being incarcerated for your entire life. (Nelson Mandala was also imprisoned for 27 years…)
All in all a very “interesting” time we live in.
ZOOM:
*Tuesdays 7.30 to 9pm. THE HYPERMOBILITY LECTURES. $35 for 3. This coming Tuesday is the last in our series. The next series will follow from 18th 25th and 1st September.
*Saturdays 2pm to 4pm TAROT TRAINING. Join the course (see the menu on the web site landing page “tarot”). Also available $50 to join in for three 2 hour refresher sessions once you have completed the course and received your tarot cards which are included in the course cost.
*Sundays (every second Sunday 10am starting 16th August) TEACHER TRAINING. $20 per session. This used to be monthly at 2pm, but because of overseas students joining in, we had to change the time and everyone asked for more.
RESTORATIVE YOGA SESSIONS These will start NEXT WEEK (from the 10th August)
If you have a class pass you can use this, otherwise it is by the month. Based on the current pass holders $75 per month (or 4 mixed classes) Monday 1pm, Wednesday 12.30 and 5.30
RESTORATIVE YOGA WITH WEIGHTS AND STRAPS (from the 10th August)
Mondays at 5.30 and Friday at 5.30 (price as per Restorative Yoga Session above).
If you are interested in any of these. Please email me at yogafirst2@bigpond.com, and I will give you the Direct Debit number, log you into the class, and give you the zoom link.
PLEASE TAKE ME OUT TO COFFE AND CAKE: We are still managing to do daily newsletter, take on more classes, do our lectures at a very economical price – but they don’t do themselves. I do them. I don’t have a “staff” and in these “interesting” times it is difficult. If now and again you can shout me to the equivalent of a cup of coffee and a cake, pop the equivalent amount in our “DONATE” box on the front page of our web site.. it would be hugely appreciated. www.yogabeautiful.com.au
HAVE A (SUNNY) LOVELY DAY – Live long and prosper.
NAMASTE. JAHNE