Namaste Dear Students,
I hope you are enjoying the heat of summer. If you were able to listen to the Conversation and Meditation on the Soul, you know that I have been in the contemplation of how to experience greater awareness of the soul. Summer offers us the spaciousness to reflect and contemplate the higher forms of the self.
My teacher and Shaman Rene Dust walker, has been inspiring a path to awaken a deeper soul connection in my life. He has been teaching me to experience “she who watches from behind the eyes”.
I see the soul as the deeper essence of the self that is enduring, that travels through a multitude of lifetimes. It is the self beyond the self. When we connect to the Soul we are able to experience life from a place of profound vastness. We experience the magnitude of existence and infinite possibilities. We see ourselves expanding beyond the confines of our physical body and merging with all of existence.
One of the simplest practices is to acknowledge our deeper connection to all of the 5 elements. Remember each day to offer gratitude to the earth, the waters, the sun, the air, and the cosmos. See them as your brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. Acknowledge the oneness and give thanks for their presence.
The second practice is to acknowledge the soul connection to all other living beings, all of the people that walk on 2 legs, the four-legged creatures, the winged ones, those that swim in the waters, and the creepy crawlers. Acknowledge all forms of life as an extension of yourself.
Allow yourself to expand into an infinite presence that is connected to all that is.
In the Yoga tradition, we practice the So Hum mantra, the mantra of unification. So translates to “I” and Hum translates to “all that is” or “divinity” or “god” or the “universe”. Chant this mantra, I am all that is, to remind yourself you are one with all that exists.
At the soul level, we can open to the divine essence within all of life. When we experience all that is as divine, there is no longer separation. We release suffering and experience the joy, bliss and unlimited love of unity.
Awaken your soul this summer, worship the sun, hug a tree, smile at a stranger, thank the earth, breathe the air, clean the oceans, save a spider, swim with the dolphins, pray for world peace.
Take any action that will awaken your soul’s infinite connection to all of existence and acknowledge your part in this great web of life. Know that you have the power to effect change, to minimize the conflict and to deepen the unity.
Wishing you a soulful summer.
With Love,
Lauren
My favorite soulful summer song:
Follow the Sun
Follow, follow the sun
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done
Breathe, breathe in the air
Set your intentions
Dream with care
Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
Brand new moon, brand new sun
So, follow, follow the sun,
The direction of the bird,
The direction of love
Breathe, breathe in the air,
Cherish this moment,
Cherish this breath
Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
Brand new moon, brand new sun
When you feel life coming down on you,
Like a heavy weight
When you feel this crazy society,
Adding to the strain
Take a stroll to the nearest waters
And remember your place
Many moons have risen and fallen long, long before you came
So which way is the wind blowing’,
And what does your heart say?
So, follow, follow the sun,
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done
Xavier Rudd
