April 2025 Week 3

This week in class I spoke of a podcast I had heard. Mind body green interviewed psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph and she shared a perfect mental picture for me. She has patients take a physical rock and place it in a container of water. This rock is our anchor, or root. She then adds food coloring to the water which makes it cloudy and difficult to see the rock. She described this food coloring water as the “cash and prizes” that interfere with us seeing our root or our anchor.

So lets take this months Sutra 1.19 and put this into practice (also I suggest doing the meditation and yoga class this week, yin too) because information without application is just information. The general idea of sutra 1.19 is there are 2 types of yogis, those that are born with an innate connection with the divine and experiencing Samadhi (spiritual bliss through meditation) is effortless and then there are the rest of us who it states need plans and strategies to come close to Samadhi. (I say close because I am not sure I will ever experience that high level of meditation.). Today we are using this rock concept and journaling or quiet contemplation as one strategy to obtain a state of peace. This also leads me to remind you of our intention this month - I am as peaceful as I want to be today. Nothing that happens has to interfere with this.
Take a moment to visualize and maybe write out what, who and where is your rock. Think of these things as where you feel rooted and grounded. This is very important and it is the main focus of the Calm Crew - to find our integrity together as a community through honest work which leads to a calm and settled self - spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Now with that space of clarity list on paper or in your mind the “cash and prizes” that cloud your clear vision and connection to the rock. For example, a certain family member makes you feel complete and comfortable, yet another one is unsettling in some way and you focus on the negative relationship and miss the ease and gratitude of the one who anchors you. Or you love to start your day in quiet prayer and meditation or time in nature, but your thoughts of needing to accomplish something in the eyes of others clouds this connection and gets you up and running. This is such good stuff and great time to contemplate on this week of the pink full moon which is spiritually significant as a time for renewal, healing, and balanced harmony. It's seen as a time to embrace new beginnings, release old patterns, and foster growth, both personally and in relationships. This lunation also encourages self-love, forgiveness, and the strengthening of bonds with others. And finally this time of spring renewal comes after a period of darkness in winter where deep roots are formed. Did you give yourself time and attention this winter to connect with your roots so you can blossom in this time of renewal? Soon enough we will be in the full swing of busy summer time, take some time this week and next to pause and reflect on your rock and your food coloring that clouds it.