What an interesting few weeks it has been. The opening thoughts and energy of last term were around creating change. I have to admit that this was a "theme" in my own life at the time. I had certain "change" in mind, and it was interesting to see that this did not manifest. HOWEVER there was change.  For over 4 years I have been working 3 days in an office down at North Richmond. The travel has always been an issue for me. This last week I was successful in obtaining another administration role, in Springwood. It would appear the universe had its own ideas around the change that was coming, I just needed to be open to it and allow it the room it needed to manifest. Then of course there is the ricochet effect. The Friday morning (9am) class is now not to be. After more than 10 years (with a brief break 5 years ago) the class will not be held. I have a deep sadness around this, but have to trust that to everything there is a season. Perhaps some of you will find a new teacher, and there will be new growth and learning. Perhaps this will be a time for the discipline of your own sadhana. I have no doubt that the friendships formed between some of you will be deep and long lasting, and not dependent on the Friday class. Perhaps some of you will enjoy the "tapas" and energy of the early morning 6am class. This week I am in Port Macquarie on holiday with my family. I am grateful for this space to renew before a new adventure starts.

I find it difficult to believe that this term of classes is almost finished. It has been a term where we have felt the coming of spring, a wonderful time for connecting with the power within us and initiating change as we emerge from winter's hibernation. So perhaps this can be a time to renew our sankalpa.

2 quotes were the springboard for me for this term's classes.

Declaration of Freedom
Whatever may seem to bind or limit you,
Declare yourself free from it now.
There is nothing in the outer world,
No person, no condition, no circumstance
That can take away the freedom
Which is yours in spirit.
Instead of wishing that you were free
to live your life differently,
accept the truth that right now
You are free.
Free to change your thinking,
Free to change your outlook on life,
Free to be all that you long to be.
Make this a day of freedom, spiritual freedom.
Declare yourself free from anxiety and fear,
Free from any belief in luck or limitation.

- Swami Satyananda Saraswati

and

Marianne Williamson: A Return to Love
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.