Around here lately...
It's been a busy few weeks...full of cooking, art and spiritual wisdom!!
We had an awesome fundraiser at Dhyanyoga Centers where we sold all kinds of yumminess. Unfortunately, Anandi Ma has gotten a little sick, so she was unable to attend physically, but overall we still had a great turn out and event. 
The lovely Hibiscus Boutique Spa in El Cerrito hosted me and my work during the Stockton Ave. Stroll. It was so great getting feedback from total strangers on what they thought of my work. It was especially touching when some of them really connected with my work. My favorite was when one young lady said.... "These are great! They say what I hear in yoga class all the time, but I forget once I'm off my mat". Yipeee, is all I can say to that...because that's my whole goal behind my artwork....I want my pieces to serve as daily reminders of faith and inspiration off the mat! Also, with the tremendous about of great feedback, Hibiscus would like to continue to carry my artwork and products! So if you live in the Bay area, please do stop by if you get a chance to check out my goods (6929 Stockton Ave. El Cerrito, CA 94530)!
And then last weekend, I got to attend a workshop by Dr. Lad (Founder of the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico) and Dileepji. It was on Ayurveda in Aging and Spiritual Practices. What an AWESOME workshop. So many tidbits of wisdom on the importance of self-care so that one can truly focus on spiritual practices and seva (self-less service). The re-enforcement and gems of wisdom I got out of the weekend were:1. Being conscious of the food we put in our bodies is VITAL because we are made of the food we eat and ultimately when we die, our bodies then become food again. It starts even before conception, because the food we intake helps create the sperm/egg needed for conception. Then during conception, all that is consumed goes to the baby...so being aware of the qualities of food; sattvic (pure), rajasic (stimulating) and tamasic (dull and heavy) is really important because that helps shape the life of the babe. Isn't that interesting! And then of course, once you're born and throughout your life, what you ingest ultimately affects your mind and the state of your physical body which then influences your spiritual life. It's ALL connected!2. Taking care of our bodies through exercise and ayurveda is essential when on the spiritual path because our bodies are critical instruments for us to utilize in order to attain enlightenment. Prananyam, (specific breathing techniques) are so important in helping keep the channels of energy in our body's open and flowing.3. Lastly, at then end of the day, our attitude is key as it allows GRACE to come in. So learning to be content (santos) and accepting situations for what they are and not getting caught up in should be's, would be's and could be's is essential. In addition, through self-study (swadhyaya), we can slowly, without judging ourselves, remember the glory of who we truly are.Happy Thursday!xo,Kajalp.s. The print above is also available as one of my wood block reproductions :)!
