RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Know and Love Your Shadow

Want to be free from blockages?

In recognizing and understanding our inner blockages, we are transformed. Ramakrishna Ananda shares several ways to bring light into our shadow areas. We discover that each shadow hides a gift of freedom and blessing.

Yoga in Daily Life, Afflictions / Kleshas, Self-Study

A Gift

Yoga seekers know and even appreciate their own shadows. They have compassion for themselves and their shortcomings. With greater understanding, they are able to recognize the troubles of others more clearly, with deeper sympathy and understanding. They recognize how shadows help reveal where light is needed.

Yogis, like mystics and psychologists, look to their shadow selves in order to become whole, happy, free and enlightened
Yogis use these terms in dealing with the shadow self: the five kleshas or afflictions (spiritual ignorance, the false sense of self, immoderate liking, immoderate disliking and possessiveness); and the six fetters (anger, fear, guilt, grief, arrogance and prejudice)

Yoga devotees see their shadows as areas where they need to change and grow. They know that each shadow reveals a blessing
Sri Ramakrishna suggests a tantric yoga practice for shadows: think of God whenever you are doing something that you know is destructive (such as abusing alcohol or smoking). Gradually the problem will be lifted
Learn yoga techniques to reveal and heal these blockages