4/27/20

Have you ever wondered about the lineage that the Svaroopa Sciences come from? Bhagavan Nityananda is the first known Guru in our lineage. We don't have a picture, or a name for Nityananda's Guru, or his Guru's Guru, and so on. And he is a part of a stream of teachings that have been passed down through time. You can learn more about Nityananda's lineage here. I've always been so drawn to Nityananda. There's something about his pictures that just enchant me. Have you had that experience? Nityananda had many disciples through the years, and one of those disciples was Baba Muktananda, Gurudevi's Guru. He created the structure in his Ashram that continues to support us all today through Svaroopa Vidya Ashram. What a gift. And then there's my Guru, Gurudevi Nirmalananda. Many of you know her, and maybe even knew her before she became a Swami and a Guru. She'll be back down to visit us this fall, as long as we are able to be out and about. I take great comfort in knowing that I am a part of a lineage that has spanned the centuries. Maybe all of this Guru and disciple talk, and these Indian sages, is not your cup of tea. I understand completely. I had a really hard time with the concept of the Guru disciple relationship. Heck, I had a really hard time with the words Guru and disciple. LOL! One of the gifts of my practice over the past couple of years is that I no longer have a hard time with the concept or the words. I embrace them! And before that, the fact that I had a hard time with the concept and the words didn't stop the practices from being effective, or the teaching from being relevant and transformational in my life. This sums it up perfectly - “I do not understand the mystery of grace -- only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.” Anne Lamott

What other lineages are you a part of? Where else have you had teachings passed along to you? Where have you passed them along? We live in a society based on traditions, and many of them come from our family. Perhaps you've created some of your own. Consider your own lineage, and those who make up that lineage. Consider the traditions and practices of that lineage. When you engage in those traditions and practices, do you feel more connected to your lineage? I know I do, whenever I repeat the mantra, or sit for meditation, or say (or hear) "Notice your toes... all ten toes... all at the same time". How can remembering or observing your traditions and teachings keep you connected, especially in this time of social distancing? Give it a try today and find out. Then let me know, if you're so inclined - I'd love to hear!