“Connect with the divine everyday, and let that be the most important thing you do that day.” – Amma

My last retreat with Amma was only a week ago, and yet it feels so far away. I usually find that I get a bit melancholy after my retreats. A mix between missing the spiritual bubble, and now wanting to put what I learned into practice. What did I learn this time around? I learned that I’m more vulnerable since getting married, starting a family and having Nate, which means I’m also more open to receive. I was able to feel the love in a new way. I was able to connect with my Amma family in a new way. I was able to realize how connected we are, all the time.

Amma let me know that it’s time to deepen my practice of trust. As I connect with the divine each day, what is my intention? During the spiritual talk, Amma asked what makes a prayer sincere? The answer she gave touched my heart. “Purity in action.” It’s not just what I’m thinking while on my mat, but how I interact with my world that really matters. My prayers extend far and wide each and every day. Do they reach the destination? Yes. I believe they do.

Now that my retreat is over, and I have to wait to see Amma until November, I will try my best to put my new sadhana into action. The phrase that has stayed with me everyday since my two retreats is, “Connect with the divine everyday, and let that be the most important thing you do that day.” I feel called to shift the time I do my spiritual practices. I usually do them in the evening before bed, but now I feel I should try to wake up as the scriptures suggest, between 3:00-4:30am to do my spiritual practices, which includes chanting the Lalita Sahasranama (1000 names of the divine Mother), meditation and yoga. I’m not sure if I’ll succeed, but I will continue to set my alarm, knowing that one of these days, I will listen to the calling.

What is your spiritual practice like these days? What are you being called to do? I’d love to hear from you.

With love,

Kerri

I have been apprehensive to write my first blog post. I realize that this is silly, because the whole point of a blog is to take a moment to let go, release and hopefully connect with others.

I’m going on retreat with Amma, my yoga (the science of life) teacher. I could not be more excited. I’m driving 3.5 hours, with my 17 month old son and 8 year old niece. This should be an adventure, a pilgrimage.

Every spiritual retreat I have ever attended was a challenge to get to. As if the universe was testing my dedication to a sacred event. This time is no different. I am ready to soften and move into the beauty that is growth.

Since having Nate, I have held onto my spiritual practice as a life raft. Meditation, meditation, meditation. I sit on my mat, and wait for my body and mind to soften. My teacher is always there, guiding me, and I find that the yoga comes to life. Retreats help strengthen this inner knowing. Submerging myself in the practice, for an extended period of time, without gaps is the work of a yogi.

I will let you know how it goes.

Namaste.

Uma Kerri

First Blog Post Coming SOON.