What is the link between Halloween, the Day of the Dead and Yoga?

I received this fascinating question after posting the Halloween blog. I would like to share some thoughts with you
about that.

As you read from the previous blog Halloween started as a Celtic ceremony by the
druids who were the Celtic priest.
Interestingly enough the day of the dead celebrates the same as the Celts; it was a well known and common celebration by many indigenous groups (Mayas, Mexicas/Aztecs, Purepechas, Nahuatls, Totonacas), and also celebrated 3000 years ago.

In the Aztec tradition they dedicated this festivity to the goddess Mictecacihuatl (Lady of the night) and whose husband was Mictlantecuhtli (Lord of the land of the dead)
They used to honor children and relatives that have passed away.

For the Aztecs, death had not a moral connotation, there was no hell or heaven, what was important is the way people died, this would determine where to go after life.

Some of those places where:
Tlalocan (Tlaloc's paradise) Any death related to water, and children sacrificed would go here. It was a place or tranquility and abundance. They would buried them as seed to germinate later on.

Omeyocan (Sun's paradise or Huitzilopochti's place) Here was the place for all warriors, prisoners that were sacrificed and women that would died in labor (as they died fighting a big battle)
They buried them in the Palace yard so they could accompany the sun in its daily trip from noon to dusk. It was a high privilege to go to this place after life, because there was everlasting joy and music. Those in there would come back after 4 years as birds with beautiful feather's colors. (For those with symbolism interest, notice the Mars to Mercury symbols!)

There was a place for those who died of natural causes (Mictlan) and for children (Chichihuacuauhco). Depending on the circumstances they would come back to the material plane after a while.

To celebrate this days ( could be up to two months in July and August) they used to choose a tree, bring it down and decorate with bright flowers; celebrations would go for two months with dances and food to honor the dead.

In the XVI century the Spaniards brought their own festivities and blended with the natives. Moving their calendar to the Catholic celebration of all saints.

Today on November 1st they honor children and infants whereas on November 2 it is the day to honor the adults.
The celebration in some places is to go to the cemetery, clean the graves, decorate them and bring food to remember the deceased. Skulls will be display as a symbol of death and rebirth.

Others will gather at homes where altars will be set up for the deceased with food (that they use to like when they were in the material plane), candles, sugar skulls, Mexican marygold flowers with deep yellow and orange colors, incense and special bread called bread of the dead.

So where is the connection to Yoga?

In Yoga we acknowledge the fact that we are in some ways the product of our blood line.
Subconsciously or consciously our reactions are a product of what our families believe and have been.

The name for them is samskaras or imprints from the past. The more we are aware of them, the more consciously we will see how they propel consciousness into action. Who we are is blend of actions of the past and the influences we have received from family and the society we live in. For that honoring the dead is a way to reconnect with those forces and make peace with them in order to remove the subliminal activators, gain awareness and set us free.

Confused about Halloween?

I was talking with a group of women and after the talk, one woman asked to the group, what do you know about Halloween, I am conflicted because at church they told us it was evil and at the same time I have celebrated it with my kids.
The other women said, I like it and regardless of what they say I do it and it's good for my kids because they have fun!
I told them that many traditions in different religions started as pagan festivities and what those religions did is to adapt or change the name so it would be one of their traditions.
Here are some historic facts in case you want to know about Halloween.
The tradition related to Halloween started three thousand years ago in Ireland by the Celts. Their priest use to celebrate the last day of the harvest and the beginning of longer nights and shorter days. During this time the Celtic priest called Druids believed that the line between the dead and the living was thinner and spirits could come to the living plane. This celebration was call Samhain (November).
They considered that not all those visitors were friendly so in order to appease those unfriendly spirit they offered food and sweets. To placate them they also used masks and customs.
Celts also use animal offerings to bring the sun back in the Spring. This time was also used to predict the future. Many of those prophecies became stories that will go around Ireland and Europe by story tellers, each of them would add a piece of imagination to the stories.

At the same time in Rome there was a mystical ceremony called Pomona that would honor the goddess of gardens and fruit. It was the opportunity to thank for a good harvest. By 50 BC Rome had spread through Europe and spread Pomona to those places.

During the first century a religious movement (Christians) was getting organized and considered that the natural forces were hostile and against God. They thought that the Devil was deceiving pagans.
By 325 Constantine summoned the council of Nicaea, during that time the Christian doctrine was established. Pagan festivities were so deep in to the social fabric of many places that the new church tried different things to abolished them without much success. It was Pope Gregory III who decided to turn the pagan festivity into an all saints day (November 1st). Pope Gregory IV standardized the date of All Hallow's day . Hallows means to make holy, to sanctify and because it was celebrated in the evening it became Hallow's eve. As time went by you can notice how easy it could change into Halloween.

As you can see no witches have appeared so far neither fear of cats.

By 1400 the religious structure was male oriented and started to prosecute wicce (wise one). They were mostly women and many of them died burned or hanged.
It was until 1486 that Christianity linked the Devil with the Celtic rituals during Pope Innocent VIII ruling.

So how it came to the colonies?
Well, by 1600 the Catholic church was torn by the work of Martin Luther, specially in England. On November 5th, 1605 one catholic (Guy Fawkes) tried to burn the house of lords; that is the reason why in England, they celebrate this day in a similar way to Halloween (use of customs and parades).
When puritans got to the colonies they didn't like Halloween because it was either too catholic or too pagan. For that, each colony had a different approach to it; in Salem they killed around women accused of witchcraft meanwhile in Virginia Halloween became a very popular festivity. In Virginia they had divination games, carved pumpkins and games with apples.
When Irish people came to the US, many more games gained popularity and started using pumpkins as jack-o- lanterns.
In 1920 Anoka Minnesota trying to avoid pranks and vandalism during Halloween festivities, started a Halloween Parade and self proclaimed Anoka as the Halloween Capital of the World. After that the rest of the country followed its example and became a kids festivity.
Since the 70's more adults are celebrating Halloween as well, most of them grew up with this celebration and continue adding a fun way to celebrate and be a little crazy too.

Halloween is the second biggest festivity in the US after Christmas. It generates a 2.5 Billion of dollars and as you can imagine some religious groups condemn its pagan roots and keep linking it to the devil. Some places instead of celebrating Halloween they invite the parishioners to Hell-houses; nothing like instilling fear.
And talking about fear, Hollywood has helped to link Halloween with murderers and ghost movies, I guess fear is also good business.

Anyhow if you decide to go trick or treating, hope you remember that started as a way to thank the Earth for all its goodness and abundance and that trust is a big ingredient to keep all of those children safe.

Happy Halloween!

Rocio

Memories from an unique retreat and ordination

Ah! feels good to come back to the warmer weather compare to Chicago. Nevertheless I felt so much warmth in my heart that the rain, cold and fog did little to upset my mood there.

On my way back, I called my mother to say hello and her first question was, so how should I call you now? I told her that I was the same, the only difference is that I took a vow to serve to the best of my abilities, the rest is really the same.
A friend who took care of my cats in my absence asked the same, and I said "really for the world I am the same, but if you ask me to marry you, or baptize you child or pray for a loved one, I will attune to the lineage I am part of and something good will come from it."

I also told her that Chicago has a special place in my heart, more specifically the Temple of Kriya community, a diverse and thriving community that comes twice a year to seat at the feet of Sri Goswami K. to laugh, learn and lift above the routine and its challenges and renovate their energies to deepen their sadhana (spiritual practice.) I have met so wonderful and dedicated souls, they are like my extended family in the US.

Sri Goswami K. has been teaching people for more than 60 years, yet his humor, kindness, and deep understanding of human psychology has enlightened our path and empower many lives. He is part of a householder lineage that practice how to balance their "physical" life with the desire to understand Reality. His message has always been practical and deep: "you deserve to be happy but to do that you have to stop trying to control life; adjust, adapt, acclimatize. Let go of your anger, let go of your old habits and patterns inherited by your blood line, arise and wake up!"

This retreat was unique, after being a Kriya student for almost 8 years, me and six other students received ordination from Sri Goswami.
Diwali (festival of lights) was starting, the new moon was in Libra, my daughter and husband were present, Sri Goswami ordained us after 10 years of not doing that, and a generous and kind community received us with an open heart. The vibration was high and the ritual had a profound effect in every one of us.

I have a new title now but I think there is still a long way to go in order to really earn it. Study, practice and being congruent in action and thought will guide me to be a better being.

I am deeply grateful not only to all who have walked the path before me, to those who are walking the path beside me and send many blessings for those who are coming behind.
Shanti,
Rocio Morales
(Swami Pushkaryananda)

So you will be a what?

My Spiritual teacher (Guru), Dasaji frequently tells us "there are magic moments in life, portals that will open in front of you and that if you cross them your life will be transform forever"

For most humans that can be the birth of your child, a sunset, your wedding day, the day your boss gave you that big promotion, and also when you lose someone or when you realize there are things that you have very little control over.

I feel on the verge of one of those moments. Diwali is the festival of light in India and will be celebrated on Sunday at sunrise. At the same time a group of fellow seekers and I will be ordained in the Kriya Tradition as swamis (yogi priests.)

One friend asked me, -will I be able to see light coming out from your ears? -No I said. Another inquire, -will you be levitating and reading my mind? -Definitely no.
-So what is it and why are you doing this? another wanted to know.

Becoming a swami is very simple as I understand it. It is about taking a vow to serve
Life. For those with artistic talent, they will use this gift to share the beauty of life an rise awareness; for those who can teach, they will become teachers or writers; for those who can heal, they will counsel or heal the human body. In other words I will be doing what I am doing but with a conscious decision to be better.
As anyone who has studied the Eight Limbs of Yoga, should know this is not an easy feat but opens an amazing path to live one's life.
I foresee multiple attempts and falls and once in a while success.

So... my friends asked almost rising an eyebrow at the same time, there is nothing practical about becoming a Swami?
I smiled and said, there are couple of practical services in the community. Remember Yoga is not a religion and has no affiliation with any of them. Nevertheless some of the activities that a yogi priest offers to the community are: being able to marry people, blessing of a space, praying for a sick one, ritual of death and rebirth, baptism, and spiritual counseling to mention some.

The word swami means master of himself; in my case the commitment to master my mind, body and spirit for a higher purpose and connection with Life. I have no doubt that there will be a spark transmitted from the lineage at the moment of ordination but it is up to me to keep it alive and growing.

In light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar captures the essence of the commitment I am about to embark. It is important to mention that you don't need to take a vow to do that, it just helps to be supported by an ancient lineage and living flame in the search for truth.

Here are Iyengar's words:
"He who works selflessly for the welfare of others with love in his heart is thrice blessed. But the man who combines within his mortal frame knowledge, love and selfless service is holy and becomes a place of pilgrimage, like the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Saraswati and Jamnuna. Those who meet him become calm and purified.
Mind is the king of the senses. One who has conquered his mind, senses, passions, thought and reason is a king among men. He is fit for Raja Yoga, the royal union with the Universal Spirit. He has Inner light"

What a goal (the one that might take thousands of incarnations)!
But every journey starts with a simple step, and I am ready to take it!

Ribbon cutting ceremony

Ah! It is always nice to meet new people, specially if they have very little in common with you.
Today the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce had a little gathering to cut the ribbon for Yoga Sanga. Well, we are an online Magazine therefore there is no really a space or office beyond my studio at home, hard to cut anything on the computer...
For that they offered me the Chamber's offices. A very old and renovated house on Main Street in Round Rock.
I learned that over 90 percent of the membership is composed of small businesses interested in prospering and creating a healthy environment in which to conduct business. The Chamber is made up of people who realize that through the Chamber they can accomplish collectively what no one of them can do individually. The strength of the Chamber lies in attracting the greatest number of members, creating a pool of resources from which can be drawn ideas, energy and finances.

The members were talking about how they are facing the challenges of the recession and how innovative they have become to continue attracting customers.
Yoga Sanga wants to offer an affordable greener way to attract prospect students to classes, studios and special events. Also we want to be a place where new and old practitioners can find inspiration and information related to the eighth limbs of Yoga.
It was a fun ceremony, specially trying to hold those scissors almost as big as I am (not too of a challenge, I have to admit)

When I was ready to cut the ribbon, someone said you have to cut it with a fast and strong movement otherwise it won't cut. I use all my yoga energy and almost break the scissors, they laughed and said, guess that yoga thing really works! I am having a smile on my face for that.
Of course the food was great, catered by Angie's in Round Rock, so fresh and delicious, thanks for those great treats!
Thanks for those who came to say hello, your presence is deeply appreciated.
Shanti,
Rocio

I love animals, they have been part of my life since I can remember.
According to the Humane Society in 2007-2008 there were approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in the US.
During my Summer early morning walks I saw a stray dog a few times, he (not sure) looks like an Scottish Collie, dirty and seemed lost.
As soon as he saw my dog and I he ran away.
Last Friday I saw him again. He has lost a lot of weight and seems curious but distant, if you try to approach him, he runs away.
I called animal control to report seeing him. A lady called a little after and said that she is aware of the dog and all the attempts to capture him have been vane. She thinks he is living on the golf course because of the reports she has received from neighbors.
No one has reported a lost animal like this one and she thinks someone might have dropped him and left.
The animal control lady said that finally a neighbor has accepted to set a trap close to where she thinks the dog lives and is hoping to catch him soon.
The sad news is that she thinks the dog might be sick and will have to euthanize him.
When I heard that my heart ached. I understand he might be sick but if a dog like this survives one of the hottest summers in Texas, lack of food, natural fauna and is still alive, he should deserve a better ending.
How many times we are unaware of the repercussions of our decisions and how much it can affect others?
I hope the dog will have a better ending and will live in a loving home for many more years. We'll see...

Forgiveness as a spiritual practice

I was contemplating this picture of the Kinkaku Temple in Kyoto, Japan sent by my beloved host daughter and wishing to be there surrounded by the serenity of the place when I received a call from an old friend. He was excited and astonished from what happened to him recently.

He said he has been reading about forgiveness and trying to practice it after being layoff twice. He was angry, depressed and holding little hope for his future. So he decided to give the book a chance and committed to perform the forgiveness ritual that was suggested there.

In most spiritual traditions there is a ritual of forgiveness, an important practice to sweep clear our path and open our hearts.

Without telling anyone he performed the ritual and was taken by surprised when a couple of days after performing it his previous boss called (first contact after four years!) to say hello and apologize for how things were handled during his first layoff.

He made me smiled when he said, “ I did not expect this, I opened the door to heal this wound and now I will have to talk with my previous boss, that is going to be the real challenge!”

Some people get mad at someone and get over it very quickly and others find offense in every little thing and wait for years to get revenge or feel a victim. I know some things are just so hard to overcome, but forgiveness is the key to overcome the sense of powerless.

In the words of Isabelle Moiland in The Long Search “As long as you don’t forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind”

Now that the harvesting season is starting, hope you will take a moment to reflect and let go of grudges that are holding you back.