Guru Purnima

ॐ सह नाववतु ।                                        oṃ saha nāvavatu |
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।                                          saha nau bhunaktu |
​सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।                                    saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai | 
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।            tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai || 
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥                       oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ || 

Happy Guru Purnima. This day marks the birthday of Ved Vyasa and it has been celebrated to remember the gurus that have paved the way for us. 

Our parents are our first Gurus. They give us the best they can offer and they continue to shower us with their prayers and their blessings. They have provided for us and taught us to their best efforts. They have given us the gift of life. I am truly grateful for my parents for all they have done for me, 

I also thank all of the teachers and practitioners who have been before me, without them I would not be able to study this method and practice and apply it to my life. I am truly grateful. 

The mantra above is one of the Shanti Mantra and I think this is very beautiful. I have taken this translation from Green Message. 

Meaning:
1: Om, Together may we two Move (in our Studies, the Teacher and the Student),
2: Together may we two Relish (our Studies, the Teacher and the Student),
3: Together may we perform (our Studies) with Vigour (with deep Concentration),
4: May what has been Studied by us be filled with the Brilliance (of Understanding, leading to Knowledge); May it Not give rise to Hostility (due to lack of Understanding),
5: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

It asks for protection for the student and for the teacher. To protect them in their journey of study. I think this is very fitting since the student teacher relationship, as any relationship is very delicate. And it comes from both sides. The student can be quite fragile so the teacher needs to be careful. Sometimes the student also thinks that the teacher is close to a god and it becomes a form of idolism. But no one is perfect, student or teacher. So may we always be protected and may we always know that the focus of the relationship is the studying. 

I am always grateful for the teachings, and the teachers, for passing on these knowledge, for paving the way, for putting their love and their passion to passing the tradition, for studying and for teaching. Thank you.

I'm on a week break from teaching next week. I will be back the week after. I have started teaching in person. If you are interested contact me and let's talk. The online platform stays as well. 

Love always,
​Jenny