What a wonderful concept- humanity on all corners of mother earth collectively acknowledging, absorbing, and participating in the nurturing source of our lives. We are a long way from that in this suffering world, yet we have made a start. In our time of worldwide connection and instant communication it is now within our grasp. I know it is the responsiblity of the resourced nations to bring yoga education to the whole planet. In my view this is more important than spreading democracy. We at the Heart of Yoga have a nonprofit foundation that is bringing yoga teaching to some of the tragic places of this earth. It has only just begun but is starting to take off.
What I liked about the Gobal Mala is that everyone went beyond their superficial brands of yoga and the commercial motives behind that game. We acknowledged that there is only one valid brand of yoga, YOGA. That is: everyOne can directly absorb the nurturing force of the source according to their body type, age, health, and cultural differences. This was profoundly demonstrated in the following emails I received from friends in Israel and Lebanon. Here are people from two countries divided by national and religious identity, yet are supporting each other across all boundaries. The are teaching the non dual Yoga practice in their communities, in Israel to Orthodox Jewish and Arab people, and in Lebanon to Islamic Orthodox and Christian people. During the war these teachers and students sent messages of support and comfort to each other across the warring factions. Yoga is a great hope for humanity and is spreading across the contemporary world throughout all cultures, as it did in ancient times. We express our gratitude to our friends in the Middle East for what they are doing.
GLOBAL MALA TEL AVIV 2007
ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, WITH THE ONSET OF YOM KIPPUR APPROACHING AND ISRAEL SLOWING TO A HALT, ABOUT 30 PEOPLE GATHERED IN TEL AVIV TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GLOBAL MALA.
WE PRACTISED 108 SURYA NAMASKARS IN UNITS OF 27; WE GAVE SPECIAL ATTENTION IN EACH CYCLE TO BREATH AND PEACE AND CONNECTION TO THE SOURCE.
WE ALSO RECITED 108 OMS AND 54 REPETITIONS OF THE GAYTARI MANTRA. ADDITIONALLY, AT THE MAGIC HOUR OF NOON WE OFFERED A SPECIAL MEDITATION FOR PEACE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS IN BEIRUT WHO IN THAT SAME MOMENT RECIPROCATED OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
THE ‘COINCIDENCE’ OF THE GLOBAL MALA FALLING NEAR TO THE DAY OF YOM KIPPUR CREATED A SPECIAL ENVIRONMENT HERE IN ISRAEL, AS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY SHUTS DOWN. THERE ARE NO CARS ON THE STREET, INDUSTRY IS TURNED OFF FOR THE DAY. WE WHO HAD THE PRIVLEDGE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT HAD THE FEELING THAT WE WERE CHANNELLING INTO A GREATER ENERGY SURPASSING ANYTHING IMAGINED.
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED: NIR TIOMKIN, SMADAR LIVNA, PRANA YOGA TEL AVIV, ALL THOSE WHO SHARED THE DAY, SHIVA REA AND ALL THE YOGA MALAS WORLD WIDE FOR THEIR ENERGY AND INSPIRATION
OM SHANTI
LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A BEAD ON THE GLOBAL MALA 2008
ERNESSA BERGMAN
Dear Ernessa,
Thank you again for everything.
I hope today was as amazing of an experience as it was over here.
Two days ago there was a car bomb explosion targeting a deputy in the goverment, killing many people and creating instability and a lot of grief, so things have been sort of slow, people are weary and scared to leave their homes, because they foresee more of those as the presidential elections are coming up. But anyway, just to say that there were 10 people in class today despite the situation, which I found to be unexpected.
I started class with a meditation while reading a text on world peace, followed by sharing the story of how you and I met, our journey as friends living in two enemy countries sharing thoughts and ideas of love and peace for the region, and of course our intentions for today. They were really moved; one student even cried. Then at noon sharp we stopped class and the great thing is that it coincided with the end of a sequence on both sides, without timing it at all, what I like to call : the cosmic perfection. It felt like the natural order of things, very smooth transition.
We all went into a minute of silence, followed by 108 chants just like we agreed. It was wonderful and so powerful. Every moment felt so right. You were all with us in spirit.
I think it gave them a beautiful perspective on yoga as peace in action, and the true experience of oneness beyond, gender, race, color of skin, religious or political belief.
I will let you know how tomorrow goes.
Much love.
Dianiella
Beirut
