Dear Yogis,

This Sunday I went to THE GREAT STUPA in Marong.  The Stupa has grown quite a lot since I visited last.  Inside it looks like a cathedral it is so tall , and getting taller.  It is always worth a visit – the next big ceremony is the CEREMONY OF LIGHTS in June, and then the Vegetarian Feast Day October.  Google for times and days.  You can go anytime for a “self-guided” walk – it is worth the time – Marong is an hour from Woodend although you can catch a train and get the bus from Bendigo Station.

Around the extensive grounds (200 acres) are extensive landscaped gardens and statues.   The elephant is life size with the four animals on its back emphasising the fact that life goes easier when we work together, and Quan Yin is the feminine form of The Buddha and the Bodhisattva of Compassion. It is a giant statue standing in a beautiful, tranquil pool.

In Sanskrit she’s known as Padma pani – “Born of the Lotus” symbolising purity, peace and harmony.
Another version suggests she originated from the Taoist Immortal Ci Hang Zhen Ren,  a Taoistic ‘perfect person’ having an endless willingness and sparing no effort in helping those in need.  Commonly known in the West as the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin is also revered by both the Taoists and Buddhists.

Quan Yin is usually shown in a white flowing robe – white being the symbol of purity, and usually wearing necklaces of Indian/Chinese royalty. In the right hand is a water jar, (one of the eight Buddhist symbols of good fortune) containing pure water, the divine nectar of life, compassion and wisdom, and in the left, a willow branch to sprinkle the divine nectar of life upon the devotees to bless them with physical and spiritual peace. The willow branch is also a symbol of being able to bend (or adapt) but not break. The willow is also used in shamanistic rituals and has had medicinal purposes as well.

THE TAROT THIS MORNING.  

I chose THE STAR.

When they gaze up at the stars, many individuals claim they feel like a completely different person.  Their perspective has changed – they somehow feel connected to the Universe.  Looking up at the stars, you can see a thousand distinct flickering lights in the sky: the sky is similar to our planet in that sense, and each individual is a bright, lovely star. I often spend some time gazing up at the sky and absorbing the genuine peace it provides. The Star’s tranquility is like this. In the Muslim faith they believe that every star is a departed soul – a comforting thought.

The Star Card prompts me to ask crucial questions.   What are your expectations? What are your aspirations? What drives you to get out of bed every day? What brings you joy? Are you pursuing what you like to do? Do you feel like you could use a little more hope in your life?

I believe that the Star has appeared today to remind me to come back to my senses – literally. In the RW deck, the 5 streams of water spreading out on the ground in this card represent consciousness flowing out through the 5 senses. In this information age we spend too much time in our minds.  We end up thinking so much that eventually, all we have to think about is more thoughts that might not have anything to do with what is real. This state of overthinking leads to anxiety and unrest. The best way back to reality is by focusing on the senses. Listen to the sounds in the room or focus your eyes on a single point for even just a few minutes and watch how your mind begins to relax.

It is a prompt – a reminder to me (and to you) not to leave your meditation until you have time.  Meditation should start your day, even if the half hour before rising you call “day dreaming”, do it.  That calm before the storm is hugely useful

You know i love everything Taot, and i wondered if you would be interested in a TAROT CHALLENGE.  I can draw a card for you every day and tell you about mine, and you can draw a card for yourself, write it down in your journal and learn, learn, learn.  It is this continuous use of the tarot which will help you get on top of the skill.

You can use my REVELATION deck or you can use any deck you like.  I swing between my deck and the Rider Waite.  Although I have quite a range of decks to choose from – I am not a “tyre kicker”.  Some at-home readers keep on swapping between decks to get a better reading – it doesn’t work.   My card today was THE EMPEROR.

THE STUDIO 

CLASS TIMES:  (Windarring –  Tues x 2 /Thurs/Fri).  STUDIO WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm, Wed. Restorative 1pm –   I am also thinking of a Saturday morning YOGA class, although I do have to accomodate a gallery obligation one morning a month – tricky but we can manage, maybe Saturday afternoon would be better?

FREE ZOOM HERBAL WORKSHOP.  Mondays at 6.30 on zoom.  Remember – Bach Flower Therapies are PRANA SHAKTI in a bottle!

ZOOM – YOGA FOR DISABILITY – Please register your interest – Maybe a Thursday or Friday evening zoom would suit us all.  Let me know or I will make an executive decision.   The zoom will include the book.  We can also do a CHAKRA BALANCING HAND MASSAGE ON ZOOM.  For either of these, let me know your interest.

THE YOGA LUNCHEON:  “THE FULL MOON SALOON”, Last Saturday in the month (a change of day) at 1pm. (we are still discussing times).

 

SEE YOU ON THE MAT (SOMEWHERE)

JAHNE