The Search for an Authentic Teacher/School

My story in Progress:
Recently I've been inspired to embark to Rishikesh, India to learn yoga from the source and receive my 200 hour yoga teacher's certification.

Suffering from severe scoliosis with a titanium rod in my spine after spinal fusion surgery, I spent most of my life thinking that my dream of teaching yoga simply wasn't possible. I discovered Kundalini yoga and I was amazed how accessible the poses were, the level of which my spirit lifted, and the spiritual nature that was awakened from within my being. I began a disciplined daily practice of Kundalini yoga and my dream of teaching yoga emerged once again.

Searching for schools, I discovered that it seemed like a much better option to go to India to receive my certification. I could get my 200 hours, be completely immersed, learn from the source, and have my food and lodge accommodated all for less I would pay in the states (including my ticket). It was a great idea.

During my search for Kundalili schools, I came across a book called Confessions of an American Sikh where the author, spending several years close to Yogi Bhajan (the founder of modern Kundalili yoga), completely tears Yogi Bhajan and his teachings apart. He had been involved in several lawsuits, exuded aggressive behavior, lied about his lineage and teachings, and was ultimately not a genuine teacher. This discovery left my world spinning. The entire foundation of my practice had been based on a lie.

Believe it or not, this is actually a common thing within the community. So many seekers become swept up in sacred teachings that they become to naive to the true essence of those teaching and left susceptible to be taken advantage of. The teacher/student relationship is a sacred one where one should be comfortable enough to completely let go. Finding someone who can fit these standards can be extremely difficult thus I have outline some helpful advice.

Know Your Teacher/School:
 Unfortunately with situations like traveling to India, it can be difficult to really know what you're getting into. A legitimate guru should have a concrete spiritual lineage and be able to attest to a personal experience of awakening. When you find a school that seems fitting, read any and all reviews. Look through course outlines. Reach out to some of the people who have studied with in that school or with that teacher. Are they strangely more expensive than other similar schools in the area? Do they do anything to help their local community? Are they founded by the same "yogi" who also founded a similar school down the street? Are they asking you to pay under the table? Do they have strange attachments to their guru/founder that one might compare to being "cultish"? etc. I found a few different schools and emailed some questions, and the one with the more understanding the response was the school I leaned towards. You can tell a lot about a teacher/facility by how genuinely understanding and accommodating they are to a student's individual needs and concerns.

Often times we simply run into the problem that a guru is still human, thus remains a shred of the ego and rarely escapes the human condition. Being a guru, often times they will try harder to hide this shred, only aiding in its growth. It is important to find a teacher who is honest with their students, as well as with themselves.

Know Your Method:
If you want to teach a specific style of yoga, think about what it is about that style that draws you towards it. I wanted to teach Kundalini because it's focus on the spine/chakras, easy poses, and spiritual nature. I now realize that most of the things that I describe define yoga itself before it became westernized. The only exception would be easy poses, but, yoga being such a broad practice, there will always be poses more difficult or easier than others.  Many western varieties that seem "especially spiritual" are just profiting off what traditional authentic yoga already is.

Follow Your Heart:
Spiritual schools and gurus are always susceptible to negative allegations by those that don't understand. When discerning the truth from the lies, follow what feels legitimate to you. Pay attention to signs of potential teachings that correlate with synchronicities you may be experiencing, or even dreams that you've had. Often times the right teacher will find you if you remain open.

Don't Give Up:
I could of easily given up one yoga altogether after I learned about Yogi Bhajan's Kundalili yoga and many likely do in this situation. Instead I took it deeper, thought about why I really felt drawn to teach yoga in the first place. When we become discouraged in the spiritual community and fail to find anyone who is truly authentic, often times the only is answer is to become authentic within ourselves and find where that feeling leads. Currently, I am looking for schools that teach a deeper, more traditional style of yoga and hope to be heading to India the beginning of next year.


I hope my advice is worthwhile and wish you luck on your incredible journey.
Namaste!

Book of Shadows: Ostara Ritual

With the spring equinox on it's way, I decided to throw together a little ceremony. Ostara is traditionally a time of rebirth and reawakening. Things are coming alive, male and female are joining as on, and everything is in bloom.

This one I wrote combining a couple of things I read on pinterest, which I'm unable to recall enough to source at the moment so, just as a disclaimer if you notice any similarities.

To perform this ritual, I several eggs (one for each individual) with beet juice and turmeric. Me and a small group went on a hike in a New Hampshire nature preserve and scouted out the perfect spot. We made our offerings with holy basil and mint seeds. It was a great experience, but I have not returned since to see if any of the seeds had sprouted. If you decide to perform this, let me know how your experience goes. Again, if your unsure about any of the steps, just ask.

Created: 03-10-2016

Supplies: A naturally dyed egg (Suggested: Turmeric, Beets, Coffee, etc.), Nature, Seed(s) of choice, a Basket, other offerings of choice *optional*

• Cast a circle. 
• Call the four quarters/elements
• Ask the God and Goddess to be present.
•  Place the seed(s), egg, (and other offerings) in a basket.
• Holding the basket, relax your being creating a union with nature and say

     “The wheel of the year turns once more,

As the spring equinox arrives at our door

Light and dark dance a balanced wonder

And the earth awakens from its slumber

Gardens of flowers coming into bloom

As life sprouts from the earth mother’s womb

The sun reaches forth its hand

To the maiden of flowers returned to the land.

And on this blessed day we do remember

The sacred wreath of life and all of its splendors.”

•  Spend a few moments in meditation of the earth, the seed(s) and egg.
• Dig a small hole in the dirt and place the seeds as you say

“The gentle spirit of these seeds I/we call forth

To awaken now with light and new birth.

May you grow green and lively in the cradle of mother earth.

And may we also grow with these seeds,

Bringing our roots to the soil and our spirit to the breeze.”

•  Crack the dyed egg into the small hole in the dirt (and place in other offerings).

“I/We give this/these offering(s) as a symbol of natural oneness

May this soil be blessed with fertility and abundance.

• Continue with a Cakes and Wine Ceremony (optional)
• Cover the hole with topsoil and spend a few more moments in meditation.

“While the equinox enters our hearts with joy and glee

I/we complete my/our workings here, so mote it be!”  

• Deeply inhale and exhale letting the new energy flow through you

“With harm to none, this ritual is done.”

• Thank the directions and the God/Goddess for being present and any other energies you may have incorporated.
• Close your circle with a deep breath and a namaste`.

Book of Shadows: Feline Purrification Spell

I created this spell when I began to notice scrambled energy of my familiar. He had been through a lot of moving back and forth and I felt he needed something to help readjust. Immediately after performing this, the entire room felt a little lighter and my cats energy seemed more cohesive. If you're facing a similar situation, I hope this helps and look forward to hearing about your experiences. Of course this spell isn't limited to cats, feel free to change the wording to fit any animal or human in need. If you are unsure of how to do some of things on here like casting a circle or calling the elements, just ask and I'll provide examples.

Created: 03-07-2016

Astrological Correspondence: New Moon

Supplies: Salt, Sage, Cedar, Lemon, Chalice of water, bowl. Candle, Feline/magickal recipient

• Cast a circle and/or create an energetic protective barrier for your workings.
• Call the four quarters/elements to be present in workings.
•  Burn a Sage/Cedar mixture and allow the smoke to fill the room as you become completely relaxed.
•  Bring the smoke over the recipient and say
  “With air ___ is cleansed”
•  Hold the bowl over the smoke and add a squirt of lemon
• Light the candle near the recipient while you visualize it burning away anything unwanted and say “With Fire ___ is cleansed
• Add a pinch of salt to the bowl
• Take an additional pinch of salt and crumble it in your fingers/over the recipient and say “With Earth ____ is cleansed”
• Dip hands in the water (and place on the hands of the recipient) and say “With Water ____ is cleansed”
•  Sit in silent meditation for a few moments before focusing on the energy within the recipient and say
  “Any energy that no longer serves ____, leave now.
  I thank you for your presence, now I am sending you home.
  Pass from this space effortlessly, gracefully and completely.”
• Bring the bowl forward and say “Smoke of air, Lemon of Fire, Salt of Earth, Element of Water. Guard this being, from blockages of hurt, confusion, and all things of no matter. Keep ____ safe and fully present in the beauty of now. Cleanse ____’s past and empower his/her meows.For the good of all, this bond I do allow.”
• Dip a finger in the mixture and place it on the forehead of the recipient“With harm to none, By elemental power, this spell is done.”
• Thank the God, Goddess, elements, and any other energies you have called for being present.
• Close the circle.