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The Sky People have sent us a message... that they can take whatever they want. That no one can stop them. Well, we will send them a message. You ride out as fast as the wind can carry you. You tell the other clans to come. You fly now, with me! My brothers! Sisters! And we will show the Sky People... that they cannot take whatever they want! And that this... this is our land! (Quote from AVATAR)

Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day . An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!                                                    (Quote from LORD OF THE RINGS)

There are moments like these in movies where we are overcome with strong emotion. We feel goose bumps throughout our skin and tears begin to flow. There is a singular theme which, for me, cuts across all of these moments. The particulars within the story seem to fade into the background as this one powerful theme overwhelms my being. The story builds towards this moment. . . that we have made it this far is already a miracle. Hope is all but lost. How can we rise up against these insurmountable odds?

And then, we hear the voice which calls upon us to stand and fight! And the words fill us with a vigor and a vitality which heartens us. We are uplifted.  And from down deep inside, we draw upon the courage and the resolve which refuses to give in. Inspired, we are. Our spirit rises up. We will not give in. We will fight!

In the ancient texts of YOGA, we are told that we have forgotten our true nature. We have gotten bogged down in the burdens and stresses of life, and hence lost the ability to live life naturally, filled to the brim with vim and vigor and love. When I watch the movies which I've noted above, I cannot help but be transported into this divine and ancient theater of YOGA. It is a drama that reverberates through my heart. It is the story of the epic battle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. I can feel these forces at play within my own body and mind. And as the story builds towards its climax, I do begin to remember. I catch a glimpse of who I really am. I see in that moment a potential within me that reaches beyond the boundaries of my imagination!

But alas, this moment begins to fade away. The burdens of life start to reassert themselves. I look back at this ever so brief glimpse which I caught, and I doubt its veracity.

Isn't this the predicament in which we all find ourselves? Have we found effective ways in eradicating the burdens and stresses of our lives? Or do they continue to live on within us? Do they return, even in moments of good will and cheer, always there to bring us back down?

How can we capture this glimpse, this moment of divine transportation, before it is squandered away to doubt? How can we build upon these glimpses a life which will nourish us on more than fleeting moments of joy amidst a sea of burden and stress?

It is calling to me. It is a longing, deep and strong, to remember my true nature. It is the call of YOGA.  In the movies that I watch, I am hearing this call. In the dreams that are taking hold of me, I am hearing this call. I am being touched in some place deep inside where this call is recognized.

And I heed the call. My spirit rises up. I will not give in. I will fight!

SHYAM IS PRESENTING AN ONGOING SERIES OF WORKSHOPS WHERE MOVIES LIKE AVATAR ARE STUDIED WITH THE INTENTION OF CAPTURING THE MOMENT OF DIVINE TRANSPORTATION DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE DIFFICULTIES WE STRUGGLE AGAINST WHICH KEEP US FROM THIS DIVINE EXPERIENCE ARE EXAMINED. OUR GOAL IS TO DISTILL OUR EXAMINATIONS INTO A PRACTICAL APPROACH, STEEPED IN THE ANCIENT TEXTS OF YOGA, WHICH PROMISES TO LIFT OUR SPIRITS AND RECONNECT US WITH OUR MOST NOURISHING AND FULFILLING TRUE NATURE. PLEASE CALL IF INTERESTED!