Happy birthday Hanumanji!

The word out on the street is that it’s Hanuman’s birthday – So rock on Hanuman! Check out Tim Miller’s blog post about this most auspicious time. Not only is it full moon but it’s also Easter! I particularly like this part of Tim’s post: “Hanuman is considered to be the embodiment of what ayurveda calls the ‘three vital essences’ – Prana, Tejas, and Ojas. Prana is the life force, the Air element that gives us energy, intelligence and adaptability. Tejas, the purified Fire element, gives us glowing health, strength and courage, and penetrating insight. Ojas, the essential Water element, keeps us juicy in mind, body, and heart and gives us endurance and devotion.”

The Hanuman Chalisa and other prayers are usually offered to Hanuman during a dawn puja when it’s said that Hanuman’s power during this time is amplified over a 1000 times.

Origins of the Hanuman Chalisa

The great sage Tulsidas wrote the Hanuman Chalisa while imprisoned by the Indian Emperor. On completing the verses of the Hanuman Chalisa an army of monkeys started menacing the city of Delhi. The story goes that the Emperor tried unsuccessfully to control the monkeys with his forces and finally realised that they were the manifestation of the wrath of the Monkey God Hanuman. He released Tulsidas and the monkeys stopped their mischief immediately. Check out the Hanuman Chalisa on Wikipedia.

Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He’s worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. He’s a devoted disciple of Lord Rama and also the only deity not afflicted by Shani (Saturn).

A couple of songs for your iPod today: Rock on Hanuman by Mc Yogi and Sita Ram from Narayani’s beautiful 2nd albumn Maatri Sharanam.

Jay Hanuman!

We had a potluck at our new flat this week to mark the full moon. It was quite lively with a great turnout of 17 and loads of yummy food.

Here’s a couple of pics from the evening:

day potluck! Sorry I couldn’t resist the title!

A big thank you to Shari and Elaine for hosting the latest moon day potluck. It was well attended. I counted 14 in total. Jane gets a prize for her chocolate brownies… ooooh! Paul also gets a prize for most “avant garde” dish – cashew dates, dipped in cashew butter and then dipped in cacao powder! Seriously yummy – just don’t inhale as you put it in your mouth as the cacao powder gets caught at the back of your throat, as Shari and I both discovered!

The highlight for me was when Shari and Doug played guitar and sang… I’ve just started learning myself so it was nice that people felt comfortable enough to pick up the guitar and sing too! I must say that I’ve missed our potlucks, hanging out with the gang. It would be really nice to get them going a bit more regularly again!

So do we have any volunteers for the next one? Just let Sarah and Shari know and they’ll surely announce it at class!

There was also talk of getting a group together to go to five rhythms during the week. I’m seriously up for going to that too! Just as long as I can be tucked up in bed early enough for practice the next day!

Hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine!

G

In a recent post practice coffee I noticed that I actually find it easier going to practice every day than to practice on set days. It’s like the debate: “Shall I get up, or practice tomorrow, is it raining etc…” is over. I’ll have to practice tomorrow anyway unless it’s a moon day.

So it all takes up less mental space now, there’s no ambiguity or negotiation which is a nice small freedom.

Thanks to all those who came round last night for the Moon day pot luck. It was a bit last minute but there was a good turn out with 7 of us packed into my little studio flat.

The culinary highlight (besides the chocolate) was definitely Shari’s very tasty quesadillas. I was a bit zoned out as I’d just had an extraordinary 2 hour Thai Yoga Massage from Adriane which was awesome. Highly recommended!

It was nice to get to know my fellow Ashtangi’s a little better and Doug made an excellent suggestion of extending invitations to non-yogi’s too which will keep things interesting.

If you didn’t get an invite I probably don’t have your number or just forgot. So if you couldn’t make it and would like to come along some time then let me know your mobile number so I can send out a text.

Happy moon day!

Guy