New Year’s is an auspicious time to call upon Sri Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god who is the Remover of all obstacles. Last January, at the Radiance Rising Circles, we chanted to Ganesha the first five weeks of the year! This year, in absence of the weekly circles, I have been chanting to Ganesha whilst doing household chores. Yesterday I found this cosmic Ganesha image on a sweet blog called balanced spirituality by a yogini named Ekta. After reading about her path with another saint called Amma (Sri Karunamayi Amma), I then went to the website of my Guru Ammachi’s ashram, and printed out excerpts from her New Year’s Message 2012.

At Amritapuri, on the 1^st of January, Amma said the following: “Nature – which was once like a kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow – has dried up. The oil supply is rapidly decreasing. The food supply is dwindling. Potable water and pure air are becoming scarce. Where did we go wrong? The real mistake we committed lies in our inability to differentiate between requirements and luxuries. If our current generation could reinstate such an awareness of Dharma, then poverty and starvation would vanish like a bad dream.”

Indeed, there are many obstacles facing humanity as we begin this New Year, and thus it is a very good time to call upon Lord Ganesha, who blesses new beginnings. In the talk, Amma goes on to say that many people tell her that the world will end in 2012, but she doesn’t feel that will happen. She says that Nature is agitated and tragedies are always taking place everywhere in the world, and that will continue to be so, but we should not live in fear. Instead, Amma says we should cultivate an attitude of acceptance in which we say “Whatever happens I will remain strong, courageous, and happy.”

To read the full message, please click here: Amma’s New Year’s Message 2012.

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah! May Sri Ganapati (Ganesha) bless all beings and remove all obstacles on the path to goodness and happiness. 

Om Shanti (Peace), 

Yogini Tejaswini

Image of Cosmic Ganesha from balanced spirituality blog. When I learn the name of the artist I will share it here…

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One of my favorite winter holiday memories is of crunching on handfuls of my Mom’s homemade party mix, so each December I make a batch of it to enjoy with my boys … here’s my vegan version of the recipe:

Teja’s Vegan Party Mix

4 cups nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, cashews)
8 cups cereals (O’s and chex-like bites)
4 cups thin pretzels

Combine the above in a large mixing bowl. Then, in a pan on the stove, mix and melt the following ingredients: 

1 cup Earth Balance vegan spread (butter substitute)
¼ cup vegan Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1 Tablespoon coconut palm sugar 

Mix the sauce into the bowl with the nuts, cereals, and pretzels. Spread onto cookie sheets. Do not oil the pans. Bake on low heat, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until browned and crunchy. My Mom’s recipe called for baking this mix at 250 degrees, but I’ve found that temperature was not hot enough for my old oven, and now it’s too hot for my new oven. Depending on your particular oven, you might need to bake this at 225 or at 275 degrees. In any case, stir every 10-15 minutes, and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

Bright Happy Holidays to all!

May all beings be free of suffering and the root causes of suffering. May all beings be happy, healthy, and harmonious with the Beauty of Life.

Om Shanti (Peace), 

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of Teja’s Vegan Party Mix by Teja Shankara. Photo of Teja with sons on Christmas morning by Teja Shankara.

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As we walk along the spiritual path, it is important to continually assess our daily spiritual practices. In my life, there are certain practices that I am committed to doing daily on a long-term basis, such as the ones outlined in my pocket book, Radiance Rising: Spiritual Practices for Daily Living. (Available on this website store in print or e-book version. The e-book is only $4.99 and is e-mailed to you within 24 hours of purchase.) In addition to my regular, daily practices, I make other commitments and vows, as guided by my intuition and by my ever-changing life circumstances.

For example, I walked mostly barefoot for six months, when I was working in my brother’s outdoor gear shoppe (and then when I was out of work for a month), and the weather was warm. Now the days are chilly and I am training to be a medical assistant at Morningstar Healing Arts, so I’ve put shoes and socks back on, knowing that I will walk barefoot again when possible. Now I’ve made a new commitment: to go to bed every night by 9:00pm, and to get up every morning (including weekends) at 5:00am sharp! I don’t know how long this new commitment will last, but for now it is very important for my current steps on the spiritual path. 

What commitments are you making to yourself at this time? Please feel free to share them in the comments section below this article. 

May all beings everywhere know Radiance rising within themselves.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of path at Southgate Meadows on Mt. Shasta taken by Teja Shankara.

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Happy Birthday to Gandhi-ji, who was born 142 years ago today! I’m celebrating his life as I head off to a soccer game with my parents who are visiting this week… Life is crazy-busy-full right now, which is why I’ve been away from the Teja Blog.

If you have any questions (see “New Teja Blog Feature: Ask Teja!”), please email them to me: teja@yogini-bliss.com

Let’s all follow Gandhi-ji’s advice and strive to be the change we wish to see in the world!

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of Mahatma Gandhi sourced from TopNews.in

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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. (This paragraph is repeated each month for emphasis, since this is the theme for the 2011 newsletters.)

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

~ Well, life continues to be crazy and full, as ever. Recently a dear friend wrote to me in an email, “When will this life settle down?” I have to laugh as I ask myself that same question when I am running around to soccer games and school meetings and pilgrimages to Mt. Shasta! (I’ve written a few blog articles about my recent time on Mt. Shasta, and I plan to write more about that memorable adventure. For now, see “A Vegan Yogini’s Radiant Shiva Bliss on Mt. Shasta!” and “Barefoot Vegan Yogini Praying for Divine Grace on Mt. Shasta”) ~ If you can relate to asking the question “When will life settle down?” please take a moment to email me (teja@yogini-bliss.com) and tell me about your experience with that question. The first three people to reply will receive a free e-copy of my pocket book, Radiance Rising: Spiritual Practices for Daily Living. Your reply can be brief or long – just write whatever comes to you in the moment!

~ Amidst the colorful chaos, daily spiritual practices help keep me grounded in my Happy Teja Self. Recently I have been both receiving and giving Reiki healing sessions, as well as deepening into the process of sending distance Reiki during my morning meditations. And, I’ve been reading my Reiki teacher, William Bagley’s book — again! This is at least the third or fourth (or maybe the fifth?) time I’ve read his Reiki Study Guide… and this time I’m absorbing the information on a much deeper level. Here is a section that is quite potent for me:

“Part of advanced teaching is to see that we create our own reality. The ego world is real in the sense that we have created it. But it is unreal in how it sees itself. If we create our own reality, we cannot really be a victim of anything. We choose what experiences we go through. The paradox of the ego world is that people use their power to feel powerless. We can create any reality we want, including a reality where we are victims of an outside world where we cannot create our reality. Because the bottom line is that we create our reality, then any reality we create where we do not see ourselves as the creative agent must be an illusion…. We will sometimes find illusions which feel temporarily safe, but these illusions are fragile. They will be shattered by life simply changing. The natural flow of cause and effect undoes illusions. People are meant to outgrow all illusions and return to reality. Reiki heals by radiating love from a source beyond all illusions.”

~ The Reiki healing energies help me to stay on track in aligning with my purpose. Sometimes I question the process of manifesting intentions (see my blog article, “Manifesting Intentions”: a workable process in this decade?”), but recently my faith in this Magical Universe has been restored! (See “Barefoot Vegan Yogini’s Intentions are Manifesting!”)

~ Lately I have really been enjoying making guacamole in my vegan yogini kitchen. One day I wrote down the recipe, and I’ll share it with you here:

Teja’s Colorful Vegan Guacamole

4 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
1 medium red bell (sweet) pepper, chopped finely
1 jalapeño pepper, chopped finely, without seeds (or with seeds if you like it hot!)
juice (and some of the pulp) of 1 lemon
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (use half of stems)
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon Himalayan krystal salt (or sea salt)

Combine all in a bowl as shown in first photo here, then mash all ingredients with a fork… then stir well, and serve. Serving suggestion shown in second photo is of guacamole served on top of cooked quinoa (for instructions on cooking quinoa, please see “Vegan Pinto-Quinoa Loaf”), with little tomatoes and pea sprouts on the side.

This is a fancy version of guacamole. Often I make a simpler version that is equally tasty, which is just avocado, lemon juice and pulp, salt, and pepper. So if you don’t have much time, you can still enjoy a tasty guacamole!

Please let me know how you like this recipe…

~ Whatever reality you are creating for yourself in this present moment, and regardless of how crazy it may be, I wish you inner peace amidst the chaos. May you take some time to ground yourself and cultivate happiness during this brief time on the playground of life.

May all beings have food, clothing, shelter, and peaceful sleep. May we all live together in Peace. Happy International Day of Peace tomorrow. (“International Peace Day this Wednesday”) Please join in the one-minute of silent prayer for peace at 12:00 noon in your local time zone, anywhere you are on this sacred planet earth.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photos of Teja’s Guacamole by Teja Shankara.

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This article is a continuation of the blog article posted on September 9^th, “A Vegan Yogini’s Radiant Shiva Bliss on Mt. Shasta!” As I shared in that blog, while hiking on Sacred Mt. Shasta (on September 4^th), I prayed to the mountain (and to my beloved Gurus, Ammachi and Neem Karoli Baba-ji) about my financial situation. Even though I have grown skeptical about the process of manifesting intentions (see “Manifesting Intentions”: a workable process in this decade?”), I said the following out loud to the mountain: “Please help me with my financial situation by September 16^th!”

In the “manifesting intentions” world, it is important to think positive thoughts and keep visualizing what you intend to manifest. Well, despite my growing worries (and despairing, negative thoughts) about finances, suddenly (and magically), over this past week quite a few job opportunities started coming my way! The most exciting one, which I was offered (and happily accepted) yesterday (September 15^th), is a part-time position of medical assistant at Morningstar Healing Arts. And, tonight I am going to give a Reiki session in someone’s home, since I now “have table, will travel” with my new business, Radiance Rising Reiki. So my financial situation is coming together, and today is September 16^th, the very date I asked for! 

I am filled with a Gratitude that is beyond words. I bow to the Great Mystery that is filled with a Magic which we cannot possibly understand with our little human brains.

May Divine Grace help all beings to have food, clothing, shelter, and peaceful sleep. May all beings know the Happiness that arises from a Grateful Heart.

Om Shanti (Peace), 

Yogini Tejaswini

Photos of Teja Bright in Lush Green Southgate Meadows (on Mt. Shasta), and of Teja’s feet by flowing waters in the meadow, taken by Teja Shankara.

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LIVE STREAMING AUDIO & VIDEO of the HANUMAN CHALEESAS BEING CHANTED FROM THE NEEM KAROLI BABA TEMPLE IN TAOS---

HAPPENING NOW UNTIL 1:08 pm Saturday September 10th US Mountain Time.

GO TO THE FRONT PAGE OF THE WEBSITE www.nkbashram.org AND SCROLL DOWN TO "WHAT'S NEW" AND CLICK ON THE LIVE STREAMING.

Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram

(From Yogini Tejaswini: I’ve been chanting along and it’s amazing!!! So much Gratitude!)

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The quote in the center of this photo reads “Too many activities, and people, and things. Too many worthy activities, valuable things, and interesting people. For it is not merely the trivial which clutters our lives but the important as well. We can have a surfeit of treasures—an excess of shells, where one or two would be significant.” ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

When I read that quote, I had to laugh, because I found it at the bottom of a nearly three-year-old stack of papers that were piled on the blue desk in my laundry room! The really funny part was that right before I picked up the paper with that quote, I had just thought, “too much stuff!” and I had just finally uncovered all the shells that had been hidden from view for so long!

I did get rid of a few shells, though I kept more than one or two! As I am slowly clearing out some of the clutter from my living space, I am experiencing how letting go of old things releases old energies and creates more space for inner peace. And, as I reflect on this quote, I feel deep Gratitude for all of the wonderfully inspiring people and passions that fill my life. 

May all beings everywhere know Freedom from clutter!

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of shells and Anne Morrow Lindbergh quote taken by Teja Shankara.

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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. (This paragraph is repeated each month for emphasis, since this is the theme for the 2011 newsletters.)

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

~ In keeping with my goal to visit Mt. Shasta at least 1-2 times per month, at the end of June my dear friend Jill and I drove down to attend the Shasta Amma Satsang. We arrived early to have some exploration time, during which we drove up the mountain as far as the road is cleared… and I delighted to take a few barefoot steps in the snow! Then we filled our water bottles at the Headwaters of the Sacramento River, and settled in for the satsang, which rekindled the Amma sparks in my heart… and I met a shining woman who gave me a great affirmation to say when I am wishing I could move to a different locale: “I am multidimensional.” For more details about this delightful Shasta pilgrimage, please read my blog article “An Amma Devotee’s Pilgrimage by Sacred Mt. Shasta”

~ This year the Americana Holiday of the Fourth of July offered me a big surprise: a very deep connection with my inner Happiness. I joyfully watched as even more Fiery Teja returned to my being that day. I wasn’t expecting to have such a fun day alone, and I wrote a really great blog article about my experience: “Teja’s Independent Independence Day!”

~ My older son turned 14 on July 7^th, and I am feeling super grateful for the special time that he and I shared that morning over cups of soy chai at a local coffee shop. Our family then gathered for a birthday lunch. I served the fixings for TLT’s (tempeh, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches), along with BBQ chips, vegan chocolate cake, and several flavors of Coconut Bliss non-dairy, vegan frozen delight. My little niece Lily (born May 21^st) also graced the party with her sweet presence, and then she took a three-hour nap at my cottage! All in all, this has been a summer filled with wonderful family connections, and I am feeling very blessed by that.

~ On the July Full Moon, I took one of my brothers and one of my sons with me up to Mt. Ashland to enjoy the sunset and the full moon rising. Although quite cold, we had a fabulous time hiking around and sipping hot cocoa. While sitting on some tall rocks and gazing at the full moon, I said we should speak our intentions to the moon. My son immediately said that he’d like to find a billion dollars, to which I quickly responded, “Oh, that’s similar to my intention!” It’s not so much the money that I’m desiring, as it is the freedom that the money would give me to travel… to both give & take retreats. The retreat that I am most interested in attending is December 7^th-12^th on Maui, Hawaii… it will be led by Ram Dass, Krishna Das, and Sharon Salzberg. So I spoke my intention to the Full Moon, saying that my ideal plan would be to visit Amma in Castro Valley over Thanksgiving, and then to fly to Maui for that retreat, and then for my boys to join me on Maui for a Christmas vacation. I added that I am willing to surrender those plans if they aren’t meant to be, but I really would like for them to be!

~ Last weekend I drove to Mt. Shasta by myself and enjoyed a magical time hiking barefoot and chanting in an enchanted forest. Then I attended an evening of Amma bhajans (devotional songs) that filled me with incredible Bliss. Please read the blog I wrote about my hike that day: “Happy Teja Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa on Barefoot Hike at Red Fir Flat (on Sacred Mt. Shasta)” and please view the 21-second video I took of myself chanting Om Namah Shivaya while hiking barefoot, with bells on my ankles: Yogini-Bliss on YouTube.

~ Although this has been one of the busiest, craziest summers of my life, somehow I have found the time to continue writing regular articles for the Teja Blog. This month I have already published 16 blog articles, and most of those articles are about the transformational time I spent with Amma in June. Also, last week I posted a book review of Krishna Das’ spiritual classic, Chants of a Lifetime: Searching for a Heart of Gold, and they posted the link for my review on Krishna Das’ website! You can see that link and follow it to read my review here: http://www.krishnadas.com/press_cuttings.cfm

~ This week I am happy to introduce a new feature here on the Teja Blog… it’s called “Ask Teja”… if you have any questions you can email them to me (teja@yogini-bliss.com) and I will do my best to answer them! For more information about this, please see "New Teja Blog Feature: Ask Teja!"

~ And finally, if you haven’t already experienced the Stay Strong video, I highly recommend it! With many of my favorite chant artists in one video, I cry every time I see it! Here’s the link: Stay Strong

~ On this great playground of life, “let’s all come together and take care of each other… stay strong and keep your faith alive!”

May all beings everywhere know the Strength of Deep Inner Happiness.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of Teja filling water bottles at the Headwaters taken by Jill Rothman; photo of Teja and sons on the birthday taken by the boys’ papa; photo of Teja with sunset on Mt. Ashland taken by Teja’s son Gabe.

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Today I am happy to announce a new feature here on the Teja Blog: Ask Teja! Yes, now anyone at anytime can ask me questions… simply send me an email with any questions you have, and I’ll do my best to answer them! My email address:

teja@yogini-bliss.com

If you wish to remain anonymous, that is fine… and if you wish to have your name and photo on the Teja Blog along with your question(s), that is also fine… Just let me know your preference when you send me your question(s)…

My beloved teacher, who left his body on July 21^st, 2009, David La Chapelle, predicted that one day people would be asking me questions, and I shrugged my shoulders, like “Yeah, right” but now the time has come when I do feel ready and available to field some questions… after all, those silver hairs on my head did not come from a hair frosting kit! Lol, those silver hairs have come from some hard knocks and some dark nights of the soul, which gratefully have given me some wisdom… So, please send me your questions!

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of Teja with new leopard-skin seat cover (on her old Schwinn bicycle) taken by Teja’s Mom.

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