Photo by Ashley Marie - CC license

We create our realities with our thoughts. Cultivating the witness, that part of our minds that objectively watches everything we are, allows us to clearly see all of our thoughts. Through the power of watching our thoughts, we gradually change the way we perceive the world. We shift from viewing the world as a serious court of justice to seeing this universe as a joyous playground. Like gleeful children, we get to play and celebrate during this lifetime we've been given. On the playground we enjoy ourselves fully, even if sometimes we scrape our knees or get our hearts broken! No matter what pains we go through, we can't let the heartbreaks keep us from opening up and having a good time on the playground.

Here is a bit of news from the fun I'm having lately on the Tejaswini Playground ~

~ By far, the most fun I’ve had lately was collaborating with my sons to create a video. One Sunday afternoon we transformed our temple cottage into a video production studio, and many hours (and much chocolate) later, we uploaded our video to YouTube. It is my yogini version of pop-star P!nk’s song “So What.” Dedicated to all broken-hearted beings out there, it is short, sweet, and delightfully uplifting. Please enjoy it by clicking on this link: Yogini Tejaswini's Parody of P!nk's "So What."

~ I also wrote a short blog article about the video: "Parody Video of P!nk's Song So What"

~ My most exciting news is that I am now offering Reiki sessions two half-days each week at Ashland Holistic Health, office of acupuncturist Jenn Collins. The space is warm and calm, and the energy feels great. I am filled with Gratitude for how easily and effortlessly it lined up for me to be there. With each session I give, the Reiki energy is getting stronger, and I am experiencing the preciousness of each human body. I feel so blessed to be a Reiki practitioner.

~ The Monday evening Radiance Rising Circles are ever evolving, as those who attend help shape what I offer. It is a co-creative, spontaneous arising of shared spiritual practices. Lately the format has shifted to chanting first, then silent meditation, and then more chanting. It was predicted ages and ages ago, that during this age the practice of kirtan (call-and-response singing) would spread to every village on earth… the reason being that during this age of hypocrisy, density, and greed, singing is the easiest way for us to connect with the Divine. That certainly is my personal experience!

~ I continue to enjoy blogging so much. Please enjoy my recent articles on Reiki: “Reiki Meditation on Mt. Shasta”  and “Reiki by the River”  as well as my latest article on veganism, entitled “Why Eat Vegan?”

~ After I wrote “Why Eat Vegan?” I sent the following message to our local food co-op, and asked them to print it in their next newsletter:

Greetings! I've been an Ashland Co-op shopper since 1993 when I moved to town. I have been a vegetarian for many years, and one year ago I shifted to eating a vegan diet. There are many reasons to go vegan, a few of which I outline in my blog article “Why Eat Vegan?”

Did you know that livestock production contributes more to global warming than all of the cars and trucks combined? And do you know that eating meat causes unnecessary suffering to the creatures? No matter how "humanely" or organically the meat is produced, the creatures still suffer.

Sometimes when I enter the Co-op, I am so offended by the smell of dead animals cooking, that I have to go straight to the aromatherapy oils and put them under my nose. I would love to see the Co-op, at the very least, join Paul McCartney's Meat Free Monday campaign.

~ By choice (and by destiny, if there is a difference!), I spend a lot of time alone: doing spiritual practices, studying, writing, and so on… during all that time on my “contemplative playground,” all sorts of reflections and realizations pass through me, and I love posting them on facebook and then reading people’s comments. This facebook post is my favorite:

"We create our realities with our thoughts, so we should always think positively, but sometimes our karmas, emotions, and hormones take over, making positive thinking a challenge, at best. During those times i witness my unpleasant thoughts, hold onto the Lotus Feet of God through chanting the Names, and read people's inspiring facebook posts... until things shift... and sometimes i drink some coffee too..."

~ My last bit of news is I finally found resolution with Rama! To read that story, go to the blog article called "Back in Rama Bhakti."

~ I'll end this newsletter with a quote from the Bhagavad Gita, 2:40:

"On this path effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure.
Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear."

May you each enjoy the playground of your life!

May all beings everywhere know Peace and Happiness.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

http://www.facebook.com/tejashankara