
Vanligtvis praktiserar jag ashtangayoga och när jag yogar hemma gör jag de sk fundamentala positionerna. Inom ashtanga yogan finns ett inlednings – och avslutningsmantra som jag ”sjunger”. Det är mäktigt när man gör det på en shala och många stämmor blir förenade i mantrat. En fras som finns i avslutningsmantrat är en sådan vacker och betydelsefull fras att påminnas om varje dag, om och om igen. Följande förklaring hittade jag av Sharon, en av grundarna till Jivamukti yogan, läs, begrunda och ha med dig.
Lyssna gärna till Deva Premal som sjunger mantrat med största inlevelse- sjung med därhemma, klippet kan du lyssna på här.
Lokah Samasta
Erica
(ORAL TRADITION) LOKAH SAMASTA SUKHINO BHAVANTU
May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
This is the mantra of Jivamukti Yoga, chanted in almost every class. By giving voice to it, we set the intention to create a world that is harmonious and peaceful. We dedicate our yoga practice to seeing this reality manifest. This mantra inspires us to perform actions that benefit all beings, human and non-human alike.
When we practice yoga asana, we practice taking the seat of others. We practice being the moon, the warrior, the dog, the cow, the cobra, and the trees. We take their form and connect with their essence. With time and practice, we begin to develop empathy for all beings and realize that we are not different from each other after all. We learn that all beings share the desire for happiness and freedom.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
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May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
Let’s look more closely at the meaning of each word of this invocational mantra:
lokah: location, realm, all universes existing now
samastah: all beings sharing that same location
sukhino: centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering
bhav: the divine mood or state of unified existence
antu: may it be so, it must be so (antu used as an ending here transforms this mantra into a powerful pledge)
This is a prayer each one of us can practice every day. It reminds us that our relationships with all beings and things should be mutually beneficial if we ourselves desire happiness and liberation from suffering. No true or lasting happiness can come from causing unhappiness to others. No true or lasting freedom can come from depriving others of their freedom. If we say we want every being to be happy and free, then we have to question everything that we do-how we live, how we eat, what we buy, how we speak, and even how we think.
Karma means ”action.” It covers all actions-thought, word, and deed. The law of karma says that for every action there is a reaction. Albert Einstein was reminding us of the law of karma when he pointed out that space is curved. Whatever is thrown out there will eventually, but inevitably, find its way back to its origin. So we should be careful about what we choose to think, say or do, because we will be revisited by our actions in due time.
This may be a difficult idea for some of us to grasp, as we have been so thoroughly conditioned by our culture of slavery, violence and denial. We have been told over and over again that we don’t have to take responsibility for our actions, and that our individual actions don’t matter much to the whole-much less to ourselves. In the United States there is a common refrain when one’s actions are challenged or questioned: ”It’s a free country!” Legally free, yes, but where are our actions taking us? Our actions are in fact probably the most important and defining aspect of how our future world will be shaped.
The practices of yoga can guide us toward right action and a lifestyle guided by compassionate concern for the happiness of others. The first step toward understanding the link between how we treat others and our own happiness and liberation is to look at the deeper aspects of what the practice of yoga may be able to reveal to us.
-Sharon Gannon, adapted from Yoga & Vegetarianism









Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog!
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Tack snälla. Har haft lokah i mitt huvud så envist i flera dagar och ville ta reda på betydelsen… och nu förstår jag!
Underbart att du lagt in denna text och att jag hittade den. Nu och här men överallt hela tiden! 🙏