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Welcome to my first blog post on the newly revamped Anusara yoga website. Today is the full moon of August and in India this day is traditionally celebrated as Rakhi Day. This is a particularly meaningful Indian tradition for me and Anusara, one which signifies our renewed commitment to serve, care for, and protect our loved ones. The word, ‘rakhi’ derives from the Hindu word, ‘raksham’, which means protection. This holiday is also often called Rahsham Bandham, since it is traditional for one to give a bracelet, a “bandham”, to his/her loved one in exchange for the pledge to lovingly protect the giver of the bracelet. In India it has been a long-standing custom for a sister to give a Rakhi bracelet to her brother on this holiday as he commits to protect her through the year. However, today this tradition has expanded outside the sibling boundary and has been adopted by friends and other familial loved ones. For many years now I have given and received Rakhi bracelets from those close to me as a symbol of our heart’s connection. It is a beautiful practice to formally commit to help and serve a loved one for the next year. Then each August full moon (Shraavana Poornima), that solemn pledge to offer one’s trusting friendship and loving protection to another is renewed.
Mythologically, there is a story from the great epic poem, the Mahabharata, where Yudhishthira (Arjuna’s eldest brother) asks Shri Krishna how he can guard himself against impending negative energy and catastrophes in the coming year. Krishna tells him to observe the Raksha Bandham ceremony. To illustrate the power of the Rakhi Bandham, Krishna recounts the tale of how Indra’s wife, Shachee Devi put a Rakhi Bandham around Indra’s arm before his battle with a terrible demon king, Daitya Raja. In the battle Indra was protected against this mighty demon, who had previously humbled Indra, and consequently Indra was able to vanquish him.
Rahki Day is a holiday that I began celebrating every August starting in the early ’90’s when I lived in Gurumayi’s ashram (Shree Muktananda Ashram) in South Fallsburg, New York during the summer. For almost every summer from 1992 - 2004 I lived in SMA offering seva in the Hatha Yoga Dept. and the Professors and Scholars Dept. On Rahki Day, the full moon in August, there was often a special program with Gurumayi, and a festive meal was served. Rahki bracelets, usually colorful strings, were given openly and freely between friends, so they were like friendship bracelets especially among the teenagers in the ashram. In the highest, Rahki Day is a holiday to celebrate the invincible power of Grace, which surrounds us and fills us every moment. Grace comes in many forms: as the teacher, the community, and the teachings themselves.
The photo below is of some of my Rahki bracelets that I saved from my days in the ashram.
So, on this Rahki Day 2009 I renew my commitment with all my heart to serve the Anusara community to the fullest of my ability, and to help take care and protect of all my students. I will wear a bracelet this year to remind me each day of this pledge to our Anusara kula.
Happy Rahki Day!
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Thank you for starting this blog. Between this and your twitter posts, it’s like getting a mini-immersion every day. What a wonderful way to live the grace and commitment of Rahki day! I feel better already…
Thank you John, for your renewed commitment to continue to guide us on the Anusara path. This path has lead so many to places within our hearts that we never knew existed. I look forward to another year filled with the power of the practice.
All love, Peter
So happy to read that you are spreading the word so beautifully about this holiday on your blog, thank you! I share my birthday with an Indian girl named Rahki and was given a very special message of “raksham” at the ashram and at the time, I didn’t know what the word meant and the attendants howled with laughter. It still is a source of great delight and I always wear a bracelet now. In celebration to your great commitment to our path and to all of us who have joined it!
Sending Shri Rakhi bracelet blessings of service, devotion, honor and protection to you too! OM Namah Shivaya!
“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator”
(Mahatma Gandhi)
Thanks for the insight into this tradition…
Your Student Meg
Dear John,
It’s so wonderful that the blog and forum have launched! This will serve to weave the connections between our global community like the threads in a rakhi bracelet.
With palms together,
Jane
What a lovely and simple way to celebrate and honor the connections that we have with one another in love and service.
heart bow,
bianca
John,
I love the sound of this tradition and am amazed by the things I see and learn daily since finding the Anusara Community and Yaga style in October of 2008! Thanks for all you have contributed to the changing lives of countless individuals!
Namaste’,
Rebecca Sterling
Dear John,
Rahki day always reminds me of you and your unwavering commitment to serve the Highest for this incredible community… thank you for filling each year with so much color and Shri! I love that you photographed all your bracelets!
All love,
Sue
Dear John, Beautiful insight about intention, friendship and love. Thanks for your service, I will attempt to offer myself to others as humbling and enthusiastically as you. Namaste, Suz
Thank you John,
What a great synopsis of Rahki Day. I haven’t been as connected as I would like to be, and your insight has helped me to create more desire for that connection.
Blessings to you and yours,
Donald
Thank you for sharing this story..I feel mythology and tradition is an area I know little about…
I look forward to learning more from this beautiful space you’ve created.
Thank You for posting this. Been following you on Twitter and saw your post yesturday about Rakhi Day, and out of the blue my brother calls me, and I thought that was really cool for him to call on Rakhi Day, cuz I was going to call him. He is hard to get ahold of!! Anyway, I was wanting to make a bracelet for him, and couldn’t find a picture I was looking for, and then today you post a great picture of them on this blog!! Thanks.
John, once again thank you for offering so much inspiration and connection! I also love the Twitter, FB and now blog posts to be linked in all ways!
Blessings of gratitude,
Julie
Happy Rakhi Day to All Anusarians!
John, thank you for being a constant light, inspiration, leader, and protector on our path.
Blessings,
Kelly
Thank you for this, John. It is refreshing to the mind and heart to relearn the meaning of this day, as it is to know you will be so skillfully and lovingly upholding the dharma of its meaning.
With folded hands, Namaste.
Love,
Scott
With blessings of love, protection and devotion to you too, my dear friend and teacher. Thank you for opening the pathway to my heart. Forever filled with gratitude and admiration…here’s to another fantastic Shri filled year!
” I can’t seem to think of enough words or the right words to thank you for all of the teachings you are passing on to us. You are an incredible person and teacher. What you are offering to so many people so freely is such a priceless gift and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.
This system of yoga and the way you offer it has changed my life. Thank you for holding the light for us all in a life where things get rough. Thank you for continually offering your fullest and being the brightest light for people that you do not even know personally. Your doing so much for so many.
With a Heart Full of Gratitude,
Kelly
Thanks for the reminder John. I remember many of those Rakhi Days . May we all be held and protected by Grace.
Dear John,
Thank you for continually sharing such marvelous teachings. You are truly a fountain of knowledge and grace and I appreciate all you offer to this awesome kula.
OM Namah Shivaya,
Marga
Hi John,
More than ever I need reminders. Thank you so much for this. Six years ago I was at the Ashram for my first and only time on Rakhi Day and what a magical time it was. I just tyed a bracelet onto Julien that I had on his puja. It will help us get through the terrible threes…he turned three on Sunday August 2. More and more than ever I feel committed to protection on all levels. Thank you for yours.
John you could share your insights so much further with such greater efficiency. Your light is worthy, as you already have experienced, to glow ever brighter.
check out the newest technology in this arena, so much greater than say… yoga conferences in boulder.
blessings,
sai
http://maestroconference.com/specials?p=SaiRam69&w=order
Hey Sai, How’s it going on this auspicious day? Yes, Maestro will be another way I will spread the message of Shaiva-Shakti Tantra. All various types of media are wonderful because they are different forms of the Goddess’ matrika. The written word is a beautiful embodiment of Her Shakti.
Jay Gurudev!
my days are changing along with the world’s current predicament. life in the mountains with my pups, many days speant in silence. there is the sound of water running, winds blowing, grass blooming and dieing, mountains ever looming. best place i have ever chose to abode.
very quiet now, no longer teaching 14-19 classes a week, now settled into simpler life of 3-5 only and found myself able to be more genuine because of… enjoy working with those over 50, leaving the ‘aerobic’ 20 somethings to do their own self discovery. As much as I enjoy the anusara method, still have a few pet peeves with you, as you may have with me… but it all comes out in the wash.
Wishing you the best. The Uintas are still alive and breathing slow and deep. I find my yoga these days in more simpler things… such as time spent raising pups.
Miss deep philosophical teachings from those who study the ancient scriptures and are able to relate in easy to follow english terms. so thanks for the story… moves me.
one more thing….
do you ever feel how many of the setiments sent out to you, thanking you, and such — are truly meant for those who have blessed you and sent you on your way?
Do you send others on their way as well?
just wondering…
Hi Sai, Thanks for giving me an update to your current life. It sounds very wonderful. Where do you live now?
Regarding your comment about people thanking me, yes, everytime I am thanked for the teachings and the experiences, I try to remember the source of the blessings and the gifts. I always hold my teachers and those that have gone before me, and who have sent me on my way, close to my heart. Yes, certainly after almost 30 years of teaching I have sent many on their own way with my blessings. It is ever-expanding play of consciousness. Blessings to you, Sai.
Thank you John and thank you to all of your teachers…Anusara has forever changed my life and profoundly inspired my spiritual journey. I am so blessed and excited for this new way to connect, learn, and grow with this community. Blessings to you.
Blessing to you, Claudia. May your Light shine unto others so that their lives are shifted in such positive ways as your life has changed.
All Love,
John
John,
I live in a huge, many windowed, high-ceiling, studio apartment with sunken living room (or raised bedroom, depending on one’s perspective) perched high above a large 3-vehicle garage, large deck, irrigation cannel flows 5 ft. from back door. Ideally situated at top of hill over-looking the timpanogas mountains and deer valley reservoir toward provo canyon.
5-minute drive north to deer valley ski resort gondola which I can see from bedroom window (without even getting out of bed), every year free season pass, and 5 minute drive south to downtown heber city.
park city is half-hour away and I only go there on necessities. Find myself semi-retired, part by choice, part by default.
Always enjoyed your PC workshops, helped me take myself to a a ‘higher dimension’ of sorts. I am not the one to acredit the messenger as much as the source.
Thanks for bringing your ’source’ to us here on occasion.
I would ask how you are doing or where you are residing now, but my assumption is your life is very busy, very private, and that you are doing quite well.
namaste’
Dear John,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences of Bade Baba. I have a puja at home to Bade Baba and I feel that reading about your experiences of Bade Baba has enriched my experience of this great saint in so many ways.
I am a student of Chaya Spencer at Shree Yoga in Saddle River, N.J. I have completed Anusara Immersions 1 & 2 with her and am hoping to take Immersion 3 and eventually Teacher Training.
My special interest is the yoga of food and eating as it relates to Anusara Yoga. The more I study this, the vaster the topic seems to be, especially because I see it through the perspective of a public school teacher interested in children’s development.
Love,
Savitri Drillick
Namaste John -
Thank You for Sharing this. I just discovered Anusara Yoga today through a wonderful woman named Karen Dalury. ♥
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