Loss has a way of reshaping our lives in ways we could never anticipate. It’s like being caught in a storm, tossed and turned by waves of grief, uncertainty, and pain. For me, the past year has been a wave of emotions after losing my mom almost a year ago. In the midst of my grief and self-inquiries, I was reminded of how my spiritual practice has served me time and time again. 

As I reflect back, I can still feel that sickening ache in my gut.

The call we are never prepared for. The news that my dear friend had passed came a week after my heart was broken by the end of a relationship I thought was my future. It was a time of what I now know as, “the dark night of night of the soul”.  

I found myself struggling with grief, longing, and an aching sense of emptiness.

And then, amidst the storm, through what I see now as the Divine herself at play, I was introduced to the yoga lineage that I now call my spiritual home. 

While I had been practicing yoga for years and even obtained my teaching accreditation, it was an immersion into the teachings of a specific yoga lineage that truly transformed my life. 

In the span of a week-long course focused on the power of the breath, I unearthed layers of wisdom and insight that resonated deeply within me. This introduction marked the beginning of a journey that would lead me to my current teacher, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. 

These teachings, passed down through the centuries, have turned my once sporadic meditations into a devoted spiritual practice.

Through the gentle rhythm of meditation, I learned to navigate the complexities of grief with grace and resilience. Each breath became a bridge connecting me to the present moment, allowing me to soften the edges of my pain and embrace the fullness of my experience. 

In the depths of despair, I discovered a flicker of Divine light that illuminated the path back to myself.

In the wake of my grief, I’ve come to realize the connection between spirituality and resilience. It’s not about escaping pain or pretending that everything is okay; rather, it’s about finding the strength to hold space for our suffering while simultaneously tapping into a deeper source of healing and transformation.

Through my spiritual practice, I’ve cultivated a sense of inner peace and stability that transcends the ups and downs of life’s challenges.

It’s inevitable as we age,to experience the loss of dear ones that may leave us feeling broken and battered. But it also has the power to awaken us to the infinite reservoir of strength and resilience that lies within. 

As we continue to journey forward, may we find solace in the knowledge that even in our darkest moments, we are held in the loving embrace of the universe.

with love,

Lisa