"Yoga: The Practice of Myth & Sacred Geometry"
Rama Jyoti's Opening to her recently published Asana book reminds us of the blessings we receive from Ganesa: Gaṇeśa is the remover of obstacles, both spiritual and material. He is a protector, evident by the rattle that is heard before his darśana, or revelation. The rattle is to chase away the evil spirits that symbolize hindrances on the spiritual path. In one hand, Gaṇeśa holds a bowl of rice and in the other, the Vedas. This symbolizes that one needs material fulfillment as well as spiritual nourishment. It is believed that when one is hungry, the mind cannot soar to loftier heights and becomes consumed with survival at the most basic level. Perhaps this may explain why Gaṇeśa is said to dwell in the first chakra, Mūlādhāra, guarding the chamber of the Inner Self, just as he is known to be the guard of his mother Pārvatī's chamber. Gaṇeśa's huge ears symbolize the ability to hear all things, the ability to listen, and to listen compassionately. His small eyes symbolize shutting off the outside world to look within. His long trunk, which brings nourishment from the ground into his mouth, symbolizes discrimination, for it takes more time for food to reach his lips, allowing time for evaluation or re-evaluation of the action. Gaṇeśa represents a vast universal energy, an energy that we can bring into all of our lives and our yoga practice. ~ Rama Jyoti Vernon
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