Thank you kula!!!

Kula,

Thanks to all of you for sharing your "nuggets of wisdom" throughout the cleanse - whether stated or written on the blog. I wish I would have opened up more during the cleanse, but I am, nonetheless, fortunate to have gone through the experience with all of you.

This morning, as we were all discussing our feelings about the cleanse, I was reminded of a temple I visited in Bangalore, India. It was a Shiva Temple, and the first thing you were able to do (after taking your shoes off) was to purchase a string to tie to a tree... there were "millions" of strings tied to this tree. The symbolism of this string was this... you think of something you want to leave behind, or let go of... and you tie the string to the tree to symbolize this letting go- and walk away from it. This was, of course, leading up to the Ganesha (remover of obstacles) statue / idol. I found this very helpful when I was there, and would love to find such a tree here. I still have more strings to tie!

As I said in this mornings discussion, I am encouraged to cast some anchors off because of our shared experience. I love the metaphore of being set free in the "sea of life"... possibly because I grew up in Miami - but I really like the sailing / sea metaphores.

I look forward to seeing you all in classes to come.

Blessings,
Jim (also Jim)

P.S. I would like to share my mantra... it is a translation of the Gayatri mantra:

Oh God, Thou art the Giver of Life,
Remover of Pain and Sorrow,
Bestower of Happiness
Oh, Creator of the Universe...
May we receive thy Supreme sin-destroying light,
May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.