Notes on the Gayatri Mantra

"Om bhur bhuva svaha
tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat" Rg Veda 3.62.10 the Gayatri Mantra

Please indulge me as I wade into the deep waters of my yoga nerdery. Yesterday I studied virtually with my dear Douglas Brooks and we explored the meaning behind the Gayatri Mantra one of the most famous and important hymns. Instead of offering a direct translation (because they vary greatly) I will share with you some notes that I took during yesterday's lecture that I found inspiring.

1. "Om" is radical affirmation. The first thing that Creation does is say "Yes." Yes, to life, yes to love, yes to you and me.
2. The prefix -ga in Gayatri means to sing and this song is how the Universe becomes the Multiverse. How the Divine experiences itself through us and all beings.
3. It is said that the Gayatri Mantra is a song to the god Savitur and he is what lifts the sun (Surya) into the sky. It is the force that invites our hearts to beat and our lungs to breathe. It is the reminder that with each new day we can begin again, move forward, expand.
4. The recitation of the Gayatri Mantra kindles the fires of the heart -- it is tapas (heat, fire and in this context sacrifice) through gratitude, recognition of the Divine and birthing oneself to the gift of life everyday. It cleanses the mind and heart and returns us to our elemental origin.
5. Douglas' teacher, Sri Sundaramoorthy summed up the meaning behind the Gayatri Mantra like this:

" We come from the Light, we manifest in the Light and we return to the Light by becoming darkness (sunset)"

I hope that you find the Gayatri Mantra as inspiring as I do and I hope to see you in class this week so that our Lights can join to move the world forward.

We will meet on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 AM. You can register here: https://www.toembodyyoga.com/offerings

Can't make it live? Watch one of 60 replays here: https://www.toembodyyoga.com/online_store

Also, last week I mentioned that I'm teaching a gentle yoga class (virtually) at The Happy Yogi on Wednesday at 10:00 AM. You can register for that class here: . https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=1185&stype=-7&sView=day&sLoc=0&sTrn=100000247&date=08/03/22 If you register but can't make it, the studio will send you a recording.

Om Shanti Om (YES to Peace!)

Julie