Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Hanuman of Mount Shasta brings to us healing herbs...Sanjeevani




I recently returned from Mt. Shasta, California where I was at an ashtanga /hiking/healing retreat with Tim Miller aka "Hanuman"
who teaches us asana,pranayama and bhakti through devotional chanting and shares with us the wisdom of his lifetime journeys. Like Hanuman in the Ramanaya who brings back healing herbs of spiritual rejuvenation from the Dranagiri Mountain in the Himalayas ,so too the modern Hanuman of Mt. Shasta brings us healing herbs and inspiration from the energetic vortex of Mt. Shasta to help us become more grounded,yet lighter ,softer and ultimately more courageous and more adept at leading a life of compassion and generosity which he embodies so naturally.
I asked the Hanuman of Mt.Shasta ,this question," I/we are lucky to practice yoga and inquire in deeper ways to our own self knowledge. Most of the people that I encounter in my professional and personal world will never practice asana, pranayama or any other aspect of yoga.In light of this, what do you think is a quintessential way of being /interacting with others that I can impart onto them in my daily living that would embody the gifts that one gains access to in yoga. "Hanuman , then in confidence and with humility recited softly Patajali's yogs sutra 1.33


The Philosophy of Yoga (Yoga Sutra 1.33)

Yoga Sutra 1.33 – maitri karuna mudita upeksanam sukha duhkha punya apunya visayanam bhavanatah cittaprasadanam

Through the cultivation of friendliness, compassion, joy and indifference in the face of pleasure, pain, virtue and vice, the consciousness becomes favorably disposed, serene and benevolent. Development of these qualities keeps the mind in a state of well-being and lays the groundwork for our journey towards Self-Realization. Citta viksepa is a current of disturbed thoughts running like a river. In citta prasadana (graceful diffusion) this turbulent flow is dammed up and consciousness diffuses calmly like water in a lake. If the citta is caught in the web of the senses, and the sadhaka (student) fails to cultivate friendliness, compassion, delight and equanimity, then sorrow and unhappiness will arise in his heart. This sutra asks us to rejoice with those who are happy; to be compassionate to the sorrowful, friendly to the virtuous, and indifferent to those who continue to live in vice. This mental adjustment builds social as well as individual health. Besides cultivating these qualities, one should follow the social virtues of yama (11.30) for the well-being of society as a whole. This approach to life keeps the mind of the sadhaka serene and pure.
maitri-friendship
karuna-compassion
mudita-joy,delight
upeksanam-equanimity
sukha-joyful,happy,comfort
punya-virtue,goodness
pra-sadanam-purifying,clarification

from the Ramanaya;Hanuman brings the Sanjeevani to Rama -
Rama was frantic. His beloved brother lay dying and the only cure was tucked away on a forested mountainside far, far to the north. Big-hearted Hanuman could not bear to see their pain. He swelled into a giant; he flew; he battled deadly crocodiles and murderous ogres; he pitted his wits against powerful gods – all to deliver the precious medicinal plant Sanjeevani before it was too late. He brought the entire mountain to rest at Rama’s feet!
In Hindu mythology, Sanjeevani is a magical herb which has the power to cure any malady. It is believed that medicines prepared from this herb can even revive a dead person. This herb is mentioned in the Ramayana when, Ravana's son Indrajit hurls a powerful weapon at Lakshmana. Lakshmana is badly wounded and is nearly killed by Indrajeet. Hanuman was called upon to fetch this herb from the mount Dunagiri a.k.a Mahodaya in the Himalayas or Valley of Flowers[citation needed]. Upon reaching mount Sumeru, Hanuman was unable to identify the herb and decided to lift the entire mountain and brought it to the battle-field
So too, in the our times, The Hanuman of Mt. Shasta, Tim Miller gives us revivifying energy from the mountain to nourish,heal and enlighten our hearts and souls. Jai, Jai Hanuman!

from the Hanuman Chalisa;

11. Laaya sajeevana Lakhana jiyaaye
Shree Raghubeera harashi ura laaye

Bringing the magic herb you revived Lakshman
And Ram embraced you with delight.

36. Sankata katai mite saba peeraa,
jo sumire Hanumata bala beeraa
All affliction ceases and all pain is removed/
for those who remember the mighty hero, Hanuman.

1 comment:

  1. Wow Emma! You should consider teaching Sanskrit and Hindu mythology. Loveliest of posts!

    ReplyDelete

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