So what is the game of life like? How can it be described? Isn’t it very much like suddenly, out of nowhere, being squirted into the middle of a football game. One day you appear, suddenly dropped down on the field. Then, someone throws you the ball and shouts, “run!” And you’re thinking, “This doesn’t even look like a ball.”

And there you are innocently holding this ball, and a gang of large men with big shoulders and helmets come running toward you and knock you down -just because you’re holding the ball! And you don’t get it. You don’t know the purpose of the game. You didn’t ask to be put there. Yet, there you are, stuck in the middle of this game. People screaming, “run,” “don’t run,” “throw”, "tackle.” And you don’t even know what these words mean. At this point the game is not much. You just keep your fingers crossed that you won’t be tackled and look forward to time-outs and half-time entertainment. You get confused and battered because you are unsure what the purpose and rules are.

Then, one day, tired and in pain, you hear what sounds like a voice of sanity. That’s the coach. He says, “You see those two sticks over there?” Next time you get the ball, go that way. Run through those sticks, that’s your goal.”

“Run between those sticks? Why? What kind of goal is that? What’ll happen if I make it?”

“When you go through those sticks you’ll be really happy.”

“Why?”

“You’ll see. And not only will you be happy, but many other people will be happy, too. Your teammates will slap you on the back and hug you and you’ll be a hero and you’ll be in the newspaper the next day.”

“Running through those sticks? This is something special?”

And the coach, who seems so wise, now has little to offer. “Trust me, it is special, but I can’t really give you a reason for why, but that’s just the way the game is.”

Isn’t this where we, as seekers, are now? We’ve been squirted into the middle of the game of life and got knocked around until we heard wise instruction from a coach:

“You’re looking in the wrong place for happiness. Look within. Peace and happiness lie within. Clear and steady the mind, open the heart. Serve others. Do this, do that.”

So in the middle of this game of life, you apply these teachings as best you can, learning to play the game as you go. Life, which seemed like a nightmare, now becomes more enjoyable. You know that if you make particular moves, you can get around the guys who are trying to tackle you. You might even throw the ball and let someone else get chased for a while.

And of course as with any game, the bigger the challenge, the more fun it is. In the beginning you we're trying to run away, avoid the game and even the slightest challenge would make you upset. You’d lose your peace over the smallest challenge. Now, you enjoy a big challenge and if you’re really good at playing the game, you want to play in the championship. You want to be in the Super Bowl. A super challenge means super fun.

Of course the great thing – the great cosmic surprise - comes when you finally reach the goal and realize that you – the real you, your True Self - has been watching the game in the stands the whole time. The real you really never was on the field; you were always the witness of all that was happening. That’s the higher truth. “Aham sakshihi,” the scriptures say, “I am the eternal witness of all there is.” You are that witness. Absolute unbounded consciousness. Your True Identity is Divine.

Keep your spiritual life simple. Be regular in your Yoga practices, lead a dedicated life and the light in you will shine brighter and brighter. Gradually, you will experience the full light – enlightenment, you will become a liberated being who will never again know sorrow or suffering and who will serve as a light of wisdom and compassion to all.

May you all soon master the game of life and come to know the unshakable joy of living as one free from all limitations.

OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
OM Peace, Peace, Peace.

"Our own true nature is Infinite Joy! Always happy, Always peaceful, Always free."

OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

3 February - Tu B'shvat - Jewish celebration of the coming of spring.
14 February - St. Valentine's Day - Christian celebration of the love of God. Widely observed in the USA as a secular celebration of love.
15 February - Nirvana Day - Buddhist observance of the death of the Buddha.
16 February - Maha Sivaratri - Hindu festival in honor of Lord Siva
18 February - Chinese New Year - Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist ceremony traditionally honoring Heaven and Earth. Begins 15 day festival for Chinese People of all religions marked by thanksgiving and remembrance of departed relatives.
21 February - Ash Wednesday - Christian observance to begin 40 day season of Lent. Ashes are marked on worshippers as a sign of penitence.

A Message From Our Beloved Guruji

Beloved Sweet Ones,

Hari OM. Greetings of Peace and Joy.

16 February is one of the most auspicious holidays that a yogi can observe: Maha Sivaratri (the great night of Lord Siva). This night was always a favorite of
Sri Gurudev and He encouraged us all to take part. There are a number of meanings and purposes, here are just a few.

The mind is very influenced by the phases of the moon. When the moon is full, the mind is at its strongest. When the moon is new, the mind becomes susceptible to any influence - positive or negative. The new moon that occurs in February or March is when the mind is at its most vulnerable all year. Even subconscious negative thoughts go deeper within. Tamas and rajas have more sway over the mind at this time as well. Therefore, it is important to keep the mind surrounded by positive influences. These positive influences will also go very deep into the mind, paving the way for accelerated spiritual growth, peace, joy, and love.

At this time of year, the sun's beneficial influence also is at its lowest point. Since the sun and digestion are also linked, the digestive organs are at their weakest. In fact, the brain, nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and spleen (immune system) are also vulnerable. The mantras and holy water used during the pujas done at Sivaratri help counterbalance these negative physiological effects.

Siva is auspiciousness. Sivaratri is also the celebrating of the return of spring (growth and renewal) while still at the end of winter. It is a time of joy and new beginnings. Resolutions made on that day have more power. Prayers said for others also have greater impact.

Traditionally, it is said that by participating in Sivaratri, all past sins are cleansed, the effect of rajas and tamas are greatly reduced and that one gains liberation in this life.

Does it sound good to you? Maha Sivaratri is grand fun, inspiring, uplifting - a memorable event. Those that have tasted its greatness always look for its return.

The event involves lots of activities and a little challenge on the part of participants. It is an all-night program, beginning at 10 pm and going until morning. There are four pujas - one every two hours. After the last puja, all gather to share a fantastic breakfast. In between the pujas, there is chanting, story-telling, dance - anything we can think of that is elevating. Staying awake is not as hard as it might sound when we do it together. Of course, not everyone is free to spend the night. Those people can come and go as needed. But the real glory, the real joy, is in accomplishing this vigil and gaining the blessings and benefits that will stay with us for the entire year.

Let's be a little bold. We re talking about jumping many hurdles that block our way to enlightenment all in one night. It's an adventure not to be missed.

Love and Blessings.

Yours,

jaganath

Let us come together in love, serve together in joy, and live together in peace as One.

Power of Prayer
Friday, 2 February, 2007, 9:15am-10:45am
Integral Yoga Institute,
201-796-7585
Fairlawn, NJ
- Suggested Donation $12

Raja Yoga
Saturday, 3 February, 2007, 4pm-7pm
Lotus Yoga Center, 973-783-5060
Montclair, NJ
Please note that this class is part of the Lotus Yoga Center's Yoga Teacher Trainee curriculum, but is open to the public.
- Fee $25, Pre-registration by phone is required as space is limited

Can You Trust Your Feelings?
Sunday, 4 February, 2007, 10am-12pm
Integral Yoga of Princeton, 609-683-9199
Princeton, NJ
- Suggested Donation $15

Master the Game of Life
Friday, 9 February, 2007, 8pm-10pm
Freehold Yoga Center, 732-462-YOGA
Freehold, NJ
- Suggested Donation $15

Healing Hands,
An Introduction to Meridian Therapy
Saturday, 10 February, 2007, 9am-4pm
Sponsored by Integral Yoga of Princeton,
and held at Unitarian Universalist Church,
50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, NJ.
For more information please contact
Jayadeva 609-851- 1721
- Fee $125 advanced registration by phone,
$150 at the door
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credits Available Upon Request

Maha Sivaratri
Friday evening thru Saturday morning,
16-17 February, 2007, 10pm-6am
Freehold Yoga Center, 732-462-YOGA
Freehold, NJ
- Fee $15, includes breakfast

Power of Love
Friday, 23 February, 2007, 8pm-9:30pm
Integral Yoga Institute, 201-796-7585
Fairlawn, NJ
- Suggested Donation $12

Raja Yoga
Wednesdays, 28 February, 2007, 28 March, 2007,
and 25 April, 2007, 7pm-10pm
Integral Yoga Institute, 201-796-7585
Fairlawn, NJ
Please note that this series of classes are part of the Integral Yoga Institute's Yoga Teacher Trainee curriculum, but is open to the public.
-Fee $25/individual classes ;
$60/3 class series package

Bhagavad Gita
7 week study course, Thursdays, 8pm-10pm
beginning 1 March, 2007
Starseed Yoga, 973- 783-1036
Montclair, NJ
- Fee $108

Introduction to Raja Yoga
Sunday, 11 March, 2007, 1pm-5pm
Simply Yoga, 609-924-7751
Kingston (Princeton area), NJ
- Fee to be determined

4 Day Raja Yoga Intensive
Thursday thru Sunday, 15-18 March, 2007
Yogaville, Satchidananda Ashram
Buchingham, Virginia
For more information, please log onto http://www.Yogaville.org
or call Yogaville at 434-969-3121

If you would like Sri Guruji Reverend Jaganath Carrera to speak at a function or your Yoga Center, or perhaps if you have a program idea you would like to discuss and develop with Guruji, please contact the Vice President of the Yoga Life Society, Karuna Lynne. Karuna is also Guruji's personal assistant and can be reached via email at revjaganathprograms@yogalifesociety.com. Karuna will be happy to help you with scheduling details and more in depth projects and ideas.

By Karuna Lynne

I don’t know about you, but just after the rush of the holidays the darkness starts to get to me. The only good thing about winter weather is that there is an excuse to stay in and watch movies. For the past six months I have been a member of a movie group that you might enjoy. Each month the Spiritual Cinema Circle sends me one DVD that has four films on it. Sometimes they are short independent films, sometimes documentaries, sometimes a mix of comedy and drama. All of the time, they are moving pieces of art that I cherish. I get giddy when I see the Spiritual Cinema package in the mail. It’s only twenty dollars per month, and unlike Netflix, you do not have to return the movies. Now I have a library of dozens of really awe-inspiring movies that I share with my friends and family. I’ve noticed that after many of the movies, I am transported to a place that helps me reflect and like a wonderful yoga class, the movies help me to reaffirm my path.

This past month I enjoyed a movie called, The Secret. Its main premise of positive thinking and the Law of Attraction has permeated my discussions with others. I find myself talking about the power of positive thought with colleagues, family members, etc. If you liked What the Bleep Do We Know!, you’ll enjoy this movie.

I’ve also used these films in my junior high classroom, where students were moved by a short film called, Audrey and Einstein. A lonely woman finds friendship, takes risks and changes her life all because of a goldfish.

If you are interested in finding out more, log onto http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com.
Then after you get your films, email me, at karuna@yogalifesociety.com. .
I would love to hear what you think about them.

The Yoga Life Society exists to foster the study and practice of the branches of Yoga, and to share these teachings with anyone seeking health, happiness, and peace.

The goal of the Yoga Life is to experience the unlimited Peace that is our True Nature and to experience that same Peace as the essential unity behind the names and forms of everyone and everything in creation. This goal is attained through:
o A body of optimal health and ease
o A mind that is clear, tranquil, and strong
o An ego free from selfishness
o A heart filled with compassion and unconditional loving- kindness to all

The Yoga Life brings balance and harmony in every aspect of life and the fulfillment of human potentials. Its practices include:
o Postures, deep relaxation, and breathing techniques
o Non-violence, truthfulness, and other such moral and ethical precepts
o Meditation and mantra repetition
o Introspection and self-analysis
o Study of sacred teachings
o Selfless, dedicated service to all creation
o Worship of the Absolute in any name or form that one chooses
o The mutual support of like-minded seekers

The Yoga Life Society is founded on the Integral Yoga Teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda Maharaj and functions under the direction of Reverend Jaganath Carrera.