A beautiful poem translated by Swami Abhyayananda

I offer obeisance to the God and Goddess,
The limitless primal parents of the universe.

They are not entirely the same,
Nor are they not the same.

The number 108 has long been considered a sacred number, not only in yoga but in many spiritual traditions around the world. But what is the significance of 108? Why is it recurring in so many places?

Samskara, as with most Sanskrit words, has several context driven meanings in Indian philosophy. Some of its loose translations include “mental impression,” “psychological imprint,” “recollection” and “activator.” All these definitions help us understand its reference to a deep conditioning that, in part, is caused by past actions and, in part, is responsible for future actions, much like a broken record stuck in a groove that repeats the same tune. Samskara is what we are referring to when we say we are “repeating the same pattern.”

This phrase can be interpreted in many ways, and together these perspectives form a kaleidoscopic view of your life and place in the world. The kaleidoscope offers a colourful, enchanting window into a vision that seems bathed in synergy and harmony. Yet the astonishing thing about it is that it’s created through symmetrical fragmentation in the apparatus of the optical instrument.

Peer pressure is not limited to school playgrounds. It exists within workplaces, family units, adult friendships and marital relationships alike. As people become more intimately involved, expectations invariably arise regarding the rules of relationship and tribal order.  

But, in the same way that we should not seek to control others or situations, we should be aware not to allow others or situations to control us. Maintaining healthy boundaries is about recognising where our principles and those of the people we are interacting with are not the same. It is about cultivating healthy relationships.

Life is full of ups and downs, no matter how rich or popular you are. Practical issues may range from having to vacate your apartment within a week and having nowhere to live, to having the tax man poke your ribs about your undeclared income. Emotional issues may range from feeling abandoned and rejected by those you care about to feelings of uncertainty as to the true motives of the people flocking around you. The dramas of life are plenty and the stories in which they unfold can come in endless variations.

Life offers many teachers in many different forms. We can recognise and honour all our teachers during the full moon of Guru Purnima.

Guru Purnima occurs on a full moon in the middle of summer, around July. On this full moon, we remember all those who brought into our consciousness the light of knowledge that dispels the darkness of ignorance. It is an auspicious day dedicated to all our gurus and teachers.

The timeless equation and an ideal we’re all consciously or unconsciously pursuing – a good work/life balance. Some seem to have nailed it effortlessly, aligning their work with their passion so that the demands on mind and body remain pleasantly manageable.

When you see your thoughts like a conscious sky sees clouds coming and going, they are no longer unwelcome. They simply are, existing in the boundless Now. They can be embraced as mere experience, another image on the flickering TV of the mind. You, as Awareness, remain untouched and the true ‘Present Moment’ is allowed to unfold at its own will.

When we talk about love and fear existing on opposite sides of the vibrational spectrum of consciousness, we can say that these opposite states of being manifest themselves in many different ways in our society. One of the more evident ways love and fear have been expressed in our world, especially in the past two years, is through freedom and control.