wayoftheyogi

Mantra Cafe 3/16/16

Mantra Cafe 3/9/16

Mantra Cafe 3/2/16

Mantra Cafe 2/17/16

Mantra Cafe 2/10/16

I offer my deepest apologies as I have been blissfully occupied with much teaching and co-creation of mystical spaces and transformational  gatherings and haven't had even a moment to get on the laptop and officially release this to you. As my path continues to unfold it looks as if this might not be an uncommon occurrence, so if you are following this podcast, please know that you can go to my archive page at http://wayoftheyogi.podbean.com/

Each episode is published just after recording and though you won't have the written material you will be able to listen in. Thank you for understanding!

This week we dove deeper into the Shiva Tandava Stotram and explored the story of Shivaś first wife Sati and her father Daksha and what happens through Daksha's attachment to outcome.

From our hearts to yours, please enjoy!

jaṭā ṭavī galajjala pravāha pāvitasthale

gale valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅga tuṅga mālikām |

ḍamaḍ ḍamaḍ ḍamaḍ ḍaman ninādavaḍ ḍamar vayaṃ

cakāra caṇḍa tānḍavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam || 1 ||

 

jaṭā kaṭāha sambhrama bhraman nilimpa nirjharī-

-vilola vīci vallarī virāja māna mūrdhani |

dhagad dhagad dhagajjvalal lalāṭa paṭṭa pāvake

kiśora candra śekhare ratiḥ pratikṣaṇaṃ mama || 2 ||

 

dharā dharendra nandinī vilāsa bandhu bandhura

sphurad diganta santati pramoda māna mānase |

kṛpā kaṭākṣa dhoraṇī niruddha durdharāpadi

kvacid digambare mano vinodametu vastuni || 3 ||

 

jaṭā bhujaṅga piṅgaḷa sphurat phaṇā maṇi prabhā

kadamba kuṅ-kumadrava pralipta digvadhūmukhe |

madāndha sindhura sphurat tvagut tarī yamedure

mano vinodam adbhutaṃ bibhartu bhūta bhartari || 4 ||

Mantra Cafe 2/3/16

This week we begin our deep dive into the Shiva Tandava Stotram, a hymn purportedly written in praise of Shiva by the notorious rakshasa Ravana, which goes to show that even the shadow ultimately serves the Light. 

As we begin to unravel the beauty and complexity of this mantra we drop into the story of the origins of the River Ganga and her descent to earth. We learn of the importance of perseverance to overcome all odds and that the Divine will be answered when called, no matter what other ideas one might have!

Join us as we begin this exploration, an offering from our hearts to yours!

jaṭā ṭavī galajjala pravāha pāvitasthale

gale valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅga tuṅga mālikām |

DamaD DamaD DamaD Daman ninādava Damar vayaṃ

cakāra caṇDa tānDavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam || 1 ||

 

jaṭā kaṭā hasam bhrama bhraman nilim panir jharī-

-vilo lavī civallarī virāja māna mūrdhani |

dhagad dhagad dhagajjvalallalā ṭapaṭṭa pāvake

kiśora candra śekhare ratiḥ pratik ṣaṇaṃ mama || 2 ||

Mantra Cafe 1/27/16

In this episode we meet Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. Through the story of the sages of Tillai Vanam, the mangrove forests of Chidambaram, we learn the traditional chant "Nataraja, Nataraja" Later we are introduced to the first verse of the "Shiva Tandava Stotram"(The Dancing Shiva's Hymn), attributed to none other than the rakshasa Ravana and how he came to write this hymn.

For the next few weeks we will be exploring this stotram so this is just the first taste of this wonderful chant.

From our hearts to yours- enjoy listening!

 Nataraaja Nataraaja Nartana Sundara Nataraaja

Shivaraaja Shivaraaja Shivakaami Priya Shivaraaja

Cidambaresha Nataraaja

Parttipuriishvara Nataraaja

(Traditional)

 

 

jaṭā ṭavī galaj jala pravāha pāvi tasthale

gale valambya lambitāṃ bhujaṅga tuṅga mālikām |

Ddamadd Ddamadd Ddamadd Ddaman ninādava Ddamar vayaṃ

cakāra caṇdda tānddavaṃ tanotu naḥ śivaḥ śivam

(words by Ravana[?] my own melody)

 

Mantra Cafe 1/20/16

The Maha Ganapati Mula Mantra

Om Shrim Hrim Klim Glaum Gam Ganapataye

Vara Varada Sarva Janam Me Vashamaanaya Svaha

 

Shri Ganesha Siddhi Vanayaka

Jaya Gananata Om Gam Ganapati

 

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

Mantra Cafe 1/13/16

I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that arise in my life that provide a clear mirror for me to look in to. Especially when I really don't like what I see. As much as I want to I know that to ignore or push it away is a great disservice to myself, everyone I interact with and especially to Source. Because usually what it is I'm seeing is that I'm acting out of fear, fear that there's a limited amount of love to go around and I need to compete for it somehow. And then I get to remember. The fierce love of Ma Kali rips the bandaid from the old wound of "I'm not enough" and "what if I get left behind/out" and as Durga she soothes me and asks me to trust, let go of my defenses, excuses, and attachment to the old rusted armor that I hid my heart behind and KNOW that there is Infinite Love. It is actually all there is, all that is.

In this episode of Mantra Cafe we explore the wounds and the healing, Kali and Durga Maa. I want to especially thank everyone who spoke so courageously from a wide open heart and allowed us to be witness. 

Thank you once again, Gina Sala for teaching me the mantras we use today to explore the energy of Kali and Durga.

Mantra Cafe is unedited and perhaps a little unpolished, and is an offering from our hearts to yours.

Om Mata Om Kali Durga Devi Namo Namaha

Shakti Kundalini Jagadambe Mata

Kali Maa

(Traditional/Gina Sala)

Durga Durga Mahaa Mata

Namo Durgaye Namo Namah

Durga (X6) Maa

Jaya (X5) Durga Maa

Kali Kali Mahaa Mata

Namo Kalike Namo Namah

Kali (X6) Maa

Jaya (X5) Kali Maa

Lakshmi Lakshmi Mahaa Mata

Namo Lakshmye Namo Namah

Lakshmi (X6) Maa

Jaya (X5) Lakshmi Maa

Saraswati Mahaa Mata

Jai Saraswati namo Namah

Saraswati (X3) Maa

Jaya (X4) Saraswati Maa

(Gina Sala)

Mantra Cafe 1/6/16

Welcome to the latest episode of Mantra Cafe! 
This week we are exploring a beautiful mantra practice brought to me by my teachers,Gina Sala and Sri Vagish Shastri.

The practice of Bhuta Shuddhi is a powerful practice for realigning our energetic systems and creating coherence in our field. I also find it nourishing to my physical body, soothing to my emotions and calming to my mind.
Bhuta means elements and Shuddhi means to cleanse or purify. In the context and technique of this practice we use the system of the major Cakra-s, or energy vortices that are a part of our manifest beings on the subtle level. 
Cakra-s are quite holographic in nature with layers, facets, nodes, qualities, associations, influences, interfaces, connections and dimensions as complex as reality itself, for they contain, and are contained within, it.
Each time I practice Bhuta Shuddhi different associations prioritize themselves and I invite you to explore the Iist of expanded associations (which is by no means comprehensive!) that I give here and take some time to explore other sources of information to find qualities of the cakra-s that resonate uniquely for you.  See if you can sense their subtle presence as you chant the seed sounds along with us.
And as always I welcome feedback, comments or observations on your experience!

Mūlādhāra- Root Support

This cakra governs the physical body and its health, the element of earth, organs of elimination, smell and the nose. Its energies are of grounding and stabilizing. Physical security, nourishment, family lineages and inherited ancestral traits (and samskara-s) reside here. It is the lowest vibrational frequency and the color is red. It is located at the perineum and its activation point is at the base of the spine. The bīja mantra is Laṁ.

Svadhiśthāna- Support in (or seat of) Itself

This cakra governs the emotional body and its health, the element of water, organs of reproduction, the tongue and taste. Its energies relate to our intimate relationships, our sexuality and sensuality, family and loved ones and that which gives us energetic security (finances and emotional connections). Its color is orange. It is located about two finger widths higher thanMūlādhāra in the bowl of the pelvis. The bīja mantra is Vaṁ.

Manīpura- City of Jewels

This cakra governs the mental body (small “s” self) and its health, the element of fire, the feet, the eyes and the perception of light, form and color. Its energies govern our sense of self and our personal power and empowerment, how we perceive our place in this reality. Its color is golden yellow. Its location varies slightly with each individual and at different times, somewhere between the navel and solar plexus. The bīja mantra is Raṁ.

Anāhata- Unstruck

This cakra is governs the empathetic body, which we call the Higher (capital “S”) Self and its connection to the lower cakras and those above it; the element of air, the skin, the hands and touch. Its energies are those of compassion, gratitude, tolerance, understanding and Love. Its color is green. It is located at the heart center. The bīja mantra is Yaṁ.

Vīśuddha- Ultra Pure

This cakra governs the individual spirit body, the element of space, the ears, the mouth and sound. Its energies are those of authenticity, creativity and communication. Its color is blue. It is located at the throat. The bīja mantra is Haṁ.

Ajña- Commander

This cakra is also individual spirit body but with no elemental ties. It is the refined, discerning intellect that gives us the deepest sense of Truth. Its color is violet-purple. It is located at the center of the brain and its activation point is between the eyebrows deep in to the brain at the third eye (pineal gland). The bīja mantra is Oṁ.

Sahasrāra- Thousand Petal Lotus

This cakra is the gateway to the Universal Consciousness. It is beyond-beyond elemental associations. It is our witness consciousness, that which observes our experience but is not affected by any change or circumstance. Its color is brilliant, iridescent, white Light. It is located just above the crown of the head. Its sound is the pranava, deafening in its silence.