Uncategorized

The word yoga means connection, a concept quite detached from the modern values attached to the activity. So when we talk about a system of yoga, though it contains various tools and physical practises, the main goal of which is the highest connection; with ourselves, others and God. Or we may list them in the reverse order.

By connecting our energy and hearts first with the Supreme Source of energy and love, we automatically connect with the smaller spiritual portions of such a Universal Presence.

There are many conceptions of the Higher, many names ascribed and many methods with which to strive in that penultimate direction. Bhakti yoga, the most simple and sublime system for this modern age, is non-sectarian and accessible for everyone to realise Truth and attain Happiness.

Why not hear more? This Wednesday at 6.30pm in Atma.

Hello, how are you?
I’m fine thanks, how are you?
Fine thanks.

Do your interactions often feel empty? Do you feel like you’re putting on a front? What would your real face look like if you took off the mask?

Some people believe the rejection of such, or even all, social customs is the way to be genuine. Society imposes them on us just to control us and to keep us down, to keep us in this capitalist, materialist rat race, so we might as well just abandon them.

Though there may be some truth in that, what is the alternative? Being real doesn’t mean letting go of all mental disciplines and formalities. Such a philosophy can only end in animalistic chaos!

So amidst our needs to express ourselves honesty, our desires to better ourselves and the world, and the conflicting duties and intricacies of all the Mother, Daughter, Father, Son, Friend, Partner, Boss, Employee hats we wear, how do we understand our Real Self?

The answer lies in stripping down all these layers to get to the core, the self that never changes yet simply witnesses all this juggling of hats and masks. Who is that? What do they look like? How do they act?

We know even from those little moments where we feel more true to ourselves, we feel so happy and complete. Can you imagine the sense of wholeness and joy we will feel when we experience that at its deepest, spiritual level?

To discuss more, please join us at 6.30pm on Wednesday 13th April at Atma, Cardiff City centre.

Gutted you missed it? Here’s a little sample!

Questions & Answers with Devamrita Swami

In an engaging talk given to 40 or so attendees on Wednesday, wherein a very dear friend of Atma, traveling monk and teacher HH Devamrita Swami, discussed both the problems and solutions within ourselves, our relationships and our society. He ridiculed the concept in modern politics that nuclear weapon arsenals are being built up in countries around the world to “maintain peace”. He connected the exploitation of the environment to the exploitation between living entities; so long as the propensity to “use and abuse” for our own pleasure is there, we cannot love and care for people or the planet. Then finally he brought these wider issues down to the microcosm within ourselves, the simultaneous dictations of lust and anger we have in our hearts that MUST go side-by-side, due to the nature of unfulfilled desire and resultant frustration.

The following questions (paraphrased) arose from our attentive audience:

Morganne: Is it spiritual to appreciate the little things in life, like the smell of a flower?
Devamrita Swami (DAS): Why settle for a little of such things? We must seek out the source of such beauty and joy, then we will be satisfied.
Luke: How do I accept that I may never achieve the pinnacle of happiness I have felt in the past?
DAS: If it didn’t last then it wasn’t the best pleasure, because the highest happiness is the one that lasts forever.
Lewis: How do we deal with the positives and negatives in life?
DAS: This is the material world, so there must always be duality. We must discern what is beneficial for our spiritual progress and what hampers it, these are the real positives and negatives.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the full lecture and Q&A session, soon to be posted on his Soundcloud, or via our Facebook and website:
https://soundcloud.com/devamrita-swami
https://www.facebook.com/cafeatma/

Have some questions of your own? Comment below or send them in! The best question will become the topic of next week’s Urban Meditation!