Photo by Ashley Marie - CC license

On this playground of life, we get to choose how we spend our time: we can choose to run around doing things that lower our vibrations, OR we can choose to commit to regular, daily spiritual practices that raise our vibrations. Each small change that we make within ourselves then ripples out and benefits all of Creation. This year I intend to help raise the vibration of the human species, through my work as a cheerleader for spiritual practices.

Here is some recent news from the playground of my life ~

~ This past month I have been really busy working as the manager at my brother’s outdoor gear shoppe. During my first week of working there, I watched all the balls I had in the air, and quickly realized that I needed to simplify my weekly routine and take some time to re-group… So I decided to stop leading the Radiance Rising Circles (for now). It was a difficult, teary decision, and at our last circle (for now) there were 16 of us! You can read about that circle in the blog article, “Letting Go of the Radiance Rising Circles (for now)”

~ The ShivaRatri all-night chanting event was incredibly wonderful. Please read the blog article that I wrote about it: “Happy Yogini in Warm ShivaRatri Field”  A highlight from that article is something I shared in the opening circle at the event: “These are amazing times we are living in. Yesterday one of my Facebook friends in India wrote to say that he hasn’t chanted on ShivaRatri the past 3 or 4 years, but this year he planned to chant because he was inspired by my postings about ShivaRatri. How amazing is that? Little American yogini inspiring a guy in INDIA to chant on ShivaRatri!”

~ Due to my busier work schedule and my parents visiting last week, I haven’t had as much time for my regular, spiritual practices. I continue to consciously cultivate the Witness, and what I have witnessed is the importance of doing daily practices, no matter how small or modified they may become during busy times of stress or hardship. The Universe notices the intention in our hearts, so if we are willing to keep disciplined no matter what, the Universe appreciates that quality of willingness in our hearts. Practically speaking, this means that even when I’m super busy, I still sit down every single morning and every single evening, and even if it’s only for ten minutes, it has good effects.

~ I also have noticed that I have less time for writing, but I still have to make time for cooking, so many of my blog articles are now vegan recipes for you to enjoy, such as: “Vegan Loaf You’ll Love”, “Vegan Pinto-Quinoa Loaf”,  “Vegan Yogini is Grounded and Healthy!” , “Teja’s Tangy Mushroom Soup and More!” , and “Vegan Yogini’s Aduki Bean Dinner”.

~ Last weekend, I participated in the Grand Opening of the Goddess Temple of Ashland, of which I was one of the 19 Founding Members. The community rituals and prayers were really beautiful and I was filled with such love. I was especially touched by the blessing offered by Agnes Baker Pilgrim (Grandma Aggie), a Takelma Indian Elder, Confederated Tribes of Siletz, who is the leader of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. She began her blessing by sharing that she is the oldest living member of the tribe that lived on this land (now Southern Oregon) for 22,000 years! When she said that, I felt the power of that much time – I felt it in my body very strongly. Her prayer was so potent that while she was speaking I felt the Presence of the Great Spirit filling the room.

~ May we all get to experience the Presence on the playgrounds of our lives.

May all beings everywhere have food, clothing, shelter, pure water, peaceful sleep, and hearts filled with Love.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of Teja at the Grand Opening of the Goddess Temple of Ashland by Debbie. In the photo, I am showing off the snake ring that I found a few days after ShivaRatri!