The Illuminated Path 3/22-4/5

Laura Puleio Grabinski
Mar 22
2 min read

Don't water down your highest potential. Take the opportunity to be part of the medicine of the world. To see beauty where others don't. After each yoga class we express the word "Namaste" Namaste is a Sanskrit phrase derived from namah(bow, reverence) and ste(to you), literally translating to"I bow to you"or"salutation to you". Westeners translate it simply to the light in me bows to the light in you, which is in itself still beautiful.

Divinity within all: Sadhguru explains that as a creature on the planet, the hand of the Creator has touched everyone. Namaste is a way to acknowledge the "source of creation" in another person. Namaste means to dissolve ego or self-importance, palms in Anjali Mudra at the heart is working to balance out our personal dualities and to keep your karmic energy to yourself, not send energetic bondage to another through physical touch.

Yesterday, I taught a large private group of women who were celebrating the upcoming marriage of one of their friends. Despite being a bit tired from a late night out, they came with love to practice alongside the bride-to-be. I particularly enjoy teaching these kinds of groups, as it allows me to mentor them during a sacred moment in their lives. I led them through the flow and ended by guiding each friend to ceremonially bless the bride-to-be one by one, surrounding her with beauty and love. At the conclusion of the class, I read a beautiful text that stated, "If you enter marriage consciously, it becomes liberation, but if you enter it unconsciously, it becomes bondage." This is an interpretation of the Shiva-Parvati story found in the Puranas, a Sanskrit manuscript often referenced in Hindu tradition. The more conscious we are about our decisions, the more we choose with clarity. Even the gesture of Namaste is a conscious choice about how to position your body and energy to maintain clarity. Although this concept might be a bit complex to fully grasp, there is a valuable lesson for all of us.

I am heeding the call and honoring my commitment to continue sharing what has enlightened my spiritual journey. As I progress, I am gaining a clearer understanding that the choices I am required to make should reflect the conscious understanding of marriage as depicted in the story of Shiva and Parvati. If I don't make conscious choices, I too might experience bondage and not fully spread my wings toward liberation. The ultimate aim of yoga is to break these bondages and achieve liberation (moksha).

In yogic philosophy, bondage or kleshas are the afflictions caused by ignorance, ego, attachment, and karma. The Kleshas are Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (ego), Raga (attachment), Dvesha (aversion), and Abhinivesha (fear of death, clinging to life as we understand it). When present, these prevent self-realization or the true self (Atman, God, Divine).

By taking the time to meditate, pray, appreciate beauty, and be present, I will nurture wisdom (prajna), generosity (dana), loving-kindness (maitri/metta), and harmony, interconnectedness.

Namaste, may we all continue on our enlightened , illuminated path.