Restorative Yoga: Sweet Surrender

Restorative Yoga: Sweet Surrender: Restorative
yoga (http://www.restorativeyogateachers.com/learntopractice.html) is a gentle practice designed to promote relaxation. Like more
familiar yoga asanas, restorative poses can be sequenced to...

The Purpose of Ramadan

 

The month of Ramadhan is not like any other month; its purpose is to rid man of those habits which he has accumulated throughout the rest of the year. It is a month that prepares man for the remaining eleven months by teaching him discipline and self control. Thus, Allah has made some acts which are beloved to man, like eating, drinking and fulfilling one’s desires, Haraam. If man can control these desires in this month, which are usually permissible for him, then he can surely control himself from other desires which are not permissible throughout the remaining months.

This blessed month has been sent by Allah to His bondsmen so that can create a connection and draw closer to Allah by reaping the many rewards that lie in this month. A person who has been given the opportunity to be present in this month can take this as a sign that Allah Ta’ala has given him another opportunity to draw closer to Him and earn His paradise through worship in this month.

In this month we will be given many opportunities, as mentioned above to reform ourselves and seek forgiveness for our bad sins. This is a month of reformation and self reflection, where a believer can ponder of over spirituality and piety and bring a change for the better. The Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم has clearly stated:

مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ 
“Whoever does not give up lying and evil actions, then Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink” [Saheeh al-Bukhari]

It is clear from this Hadeeth which has been narrated on the authority of Hadrhat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that Allah is not in need of any person to leave his food or drink. Allah is far from needs and desires. However, it is the mercy of Allah that He wants each and every person to leave those things which will lead him to thehellfire and by controlling one’s desires throughout this month it is hoped that one will be able to control himself throughout the following months also.

For those who can relate, we can look at the month of Ramadhan like an MOT test. It is vital to be on form during this test. Once the test is over then we should be at a standard where we can continue through the following months. Indeed, there will be repairs and faults in between, but these will be minor and can be dealt with on the spot.

May Allah Ta’ala make us successful in this test, for the one who is unsuccessful in this test may not be given an opportunity for a re-test.

ان جبرئيل عرض لي فقال بعد من ادرك رمضان فلم يغفر له قلت آمين 
“Jibreel came to me and said, ‘Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and does not have his sins forgiven and so enters the Fire, then may Allah distance him, say ameen.” So I said “Ameen” [Mustadrak al-Haakim]

In summary, the month of Ramadhan has been made so that mankind can take benefit of the merits and blessings contained within to change themselves for the better and by doing so create a bond with Allah that will continue throughout the eleven remaining months.

It is a month within which Allah has instructed us to place more emphasis on actions regarding our Deen (religion) as opposed to our daily routine and emphasis on worldly matters.

I pray that this information comes in use and aids the readers in preparing for the month of Ramadhan.

As a reminder, please commit the following Du’a to memory and make a habit of reciting it daily until the day of Ramdhan.

اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان وبلغنا رمضان 
“O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadhan.” [Musnad-e-Ahmed]

Source: Collection of Treasures
by Maulana Zain

A Healing Touch

A Healing Touch:

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Don’t waste the Human form

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Speaking about how a human being is capable of existing as something far more than just a biological entity, Sadhguru explains that this possibility will open up for each of us, if we strive to go beyond the instinct of self-preservation and procreation. Related Posts: The Easiest thing in Existence is Self Realization Never Divide
read more..
The post Don’t waste the Human form appeared first on Isha Foundation Blog - Official Blog.

Chamundi Yatra: An Expression of Joy

Chamundi Yatra: An Expression of Joy:
An Isha volunteer shares her experience of the recent Chamundi Yatra, which happened from 18th to 22nd June. Apart from visiting several places of interest in and around Mysore, the participants had the rare experience of visiting Chamundi Hills, the place of Sadhguru’s Enlightenment, which culminated in a sathsang with Sadhguru.
The post Chamundi Yatra: An Expression of Joy appeared first on Isha Foundation Blog - Official Blog.

Hata Yoga Teacher Training Program

Hata Yoga Teacher Training Program:
We are excited to announce that for the first time, a 21-week Isha Hata Yoga Teacher Training program devised by Sadhguru, is to be held at the Adiyogi Alayam. Open to meditators and non-meditators, it is an unparalleled possibility to experience and acquire a complete understanding of the yogic system.
The post Hata Yoga Teacher Training Program appeared first on Isha Foundation Blog - Official Blog.

Experience Guru Pournami at Isha Yoga Center

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The full moon day in the month of Ashadha (July-August) is known as Guru Pournami. This sacred day honors the ancient lineage of the Enlightened. This year, Guru Pournami will be celebrated at the Isha Yoga Center on Tuesday, July 3rd. The entire event will be streamed live over the web, concluding with a sathsang with Sadhguru. We invite you to come and experience this day of offering and gratitude to the Guru.
The post Experience Guru Pournami at Isha Yoga Center appeared first on Isha Foundation Blog - Official Blog.

Apollo Isha Vidhya School Inaugurated

Apollo Isha Vidhya School Inaugurated:
On 16th June, the first “Apollo Isha Vidhya Rural School” at Aragonda village, Chittoor District was inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. Aragonda is the birthplace of Dr. Reddy and with a desire to mark a new dawn in educational models, he provided his personal land and funded the construction of the school building as his contribution to society and for the people of Aragonda and Chittoor district.
The post Apollo Isha Vidhya School Inaugurated appeared first on Isha Foundation Blog - Official Blog.

Leave the Dead to the Dead

Leave the Dead to the Dead:
In this week's Spot, Sadhguru writes about the memory of the body, which far outweighs that of the mind: "Whatever kind of memory the mind carries, I see a lot of people in the world are pretty low GB in their mind, but their bodies are phenomenal GB. Your body still remembers just about anything."
The post Leave the Dead to the Dead appeared first on Isha Foundation Blog - Official Blog.

A Rare Experience

A Rare Experience:
Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan recently interacted with Sadhguru in a scintillating dialogue that lasted over two hours, examining various issues confronting India today – the rot of corruption in our political system, the need for a united India and the way ahead. Following is Dr. Narayan’s personal sharing of the event: “In Conversation with the Mystic – on June 16 was a rare experience. Two normally autonomous streams – the spiritual and the temporal – collided. The result was a happy synthesis.”
The post A Rare Experience appeared first on Isha Foundation Blog - Official Blog.

Spiritual Partnership

Spiritual Partnership: A spiritual partnership is a partnership between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth, it requires:



Commitment

Focus on what I can learn about myself all the time, especially from my reactions—such as anger, fear, jealousy, resentment and impatience instead of judging or blaming others or myself.
Notice my emotions by feeling the physical sensations in my energy centers.
Notice my

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