The Core Values
These core values (expounded in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) are fundamental to the spiritual path and Moksha (liberation).
Kshama (क्षमा) - Patience: Great things manifest with time, dedication and disciplined effort.
In a world of instant gratification, we have become wired to expect immediate results with little expended effort. It is not always easy to be patient, but patience is necessary to allow the rewards of our labour and activities to blossom into fruition. Patience encourages us to enjoy the journey rather than prematurely achieving “the desired end result” and being potentially unsatisfied with the outcome when we arrive there.
Kshama is a layered word, in that the meaning also refers to forgiveness.
Bhakti (भक्ति) - Devotion: Passion, commitment and total involvement allow creativity to
blossom authentically and effortlessly.
When we are immersed absolutely in something that inspires us, we are unified with existence and utilization of our time and energy happens without question or expectation. That is true Bhakti - the giving of ourselves wholly without anticipation or return of investment. Practice without devotion leads to disconnection. We may haphazardly begin a practice inconsistently, committing one day and abandoning the next or perform sacred rites or rituals without true devotion to Bhagavan (God, Spirit, Creation etc…).
The fruits of genuine devotion are evident internally and externally, providing endless inspiration as we pursue our dharma (righteous duty, life’s purpose).
Sraddha (श्रद्धा) - Faith: Trust in something greater banishes fear and offers safety, security and assurance.
Trust is crucial to any relationship.
Trusting yourself, others and creation itself allows surefooted movement throughout life. Even if we stumble or fall, make mistakes or have moments that we are not proud of… there is a deep knowing that the divine will be there to hold and protect us from harm’s way or lead us out of any situations or obstacles we might face. Faith is especially essential during difficult karmic cycles and gives us the assurance of the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.”
When we align our actions with faith, our lives can miraculously expand in unexpected ways and can exceed what we previously envisioned.