We are all intrinsically connected to nature. The more we awaken to this truth, the more powerful we become. The same five elements in nature- fire, water, earth, air and space- are the same five elements found within our bodies; in Ayurveda this is known as the Panchamahabuta theory.
In a culture that has commodified the fruits of creativity to the degree that ours has, it can be easy for us to feel cut off from our inherent creative energy if we are not producing something tangible. In reality, creativity is not a special stream that only some of us can tap into and enjoy. By the very virtue of being alive and human, we have the ability and power to create. In our everyday choices - from preparing a meal to planning our weekend activities - we engage with our imagination and, in the process, we shape and build our lives. This is creativity in its most essential form. You do not have to identify as an artist to enjoy this power.
For nearly three years we have endured levels of stress, uncertainty, and fear in unprecedented amounts. We quickly became familiar with mask mandates, sheltering in place, social distancing, and a new virtual life. As we’ve familiarized ourselves with these new terms that shape the way we live, we’ve settled into entirely new ways of being.
As humans, we have an innate desire to connect and to belong. We aren’t designed to carry everything we experience alone. We’re built to be in community, to support and uplift one another. Somewhere along the lines, it became glorified to do everything alone. We’ve been taught that asking for support is a sign of weakness and that when we operate with the least amount of support possible we are stronger or more capable. This trickles into every facet of our world and starts to affect the ways we care for ourselves and our communities.
Being on a spiritual journey can be fraught with many challenges and obstacles. Questions, concerns, and doubts may arise at any time. We sometimes feel stuck or just spinning our wheels, in need of some external insight or inspiration. Or perhaps we just wish to share our spiritual story with others. Satsang provides the opportunity and support for all of these.
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times - “Everyone suffers. It’s the human condition.” Whether you’re an Olympic athlete or a champion at binging shows on Netflix, you’re human. Because you’re human, you face adversity on a regular basis.
Here are six authentic ways that we can serve ourselves and others, through Dr. King’s own words, while honoring the doctrine of service by which he lived.
Today, September 21, the world celebrates the International Day of Peace—a day declared by the United Nations in 1981, asking humanity to commit to peace. On this day, we press pause on our disagreements, set down our weapons, and join together as one human race.
With generations of consistent movement of people all around the globe and the ever-increasing globalization of society comes the transference of goods, foods, traditions, languages, music, and people. Cultures morph, combust, and combine. Almost every ritual, practice, and beloved tradition you have ever (or never) heard of comes from another. There is a sweetness and connection that comes from, say, lighting a candle in honor of your ancestors just as they did for theirs many generations ago, even if you don’t do it exactly the same way as they did. We can appreciate and honor the intention behind original traditions, while still making them our own for modern contexts.