In Anusara we believe that grace is always present: in times of grief, when you are going through a heartbreak, even on dark, stormy days. Those moments of concealment actually can be a gift, as it is only through contrast that we understand it. Quite simply, you only know you are happy because you've been sad. You only know you are healthy because you've been sick. So whenever we experience dark nights of our soul, may we courageously go through them and perhaps even somehow gracefully ride those times, since we know that they will help us appreciate more the happy times, and since we know that grace is there all along.

The Sanskrit word for grace is anugraha. It literally means: "favor, amiability, bestowing benefits." Etymologically speaking, Anu as we know from the word Anusara means "individual" or "piece." It also is a prefix that indicates "following." Graha means "to grab, grasping, taking hold of." So the word for grace, anugraha, thus involves what happens to the individual when they are taken over by something. 

As Swami Shantanada writes in his book The Splendor of Recognition:

"(grace is) a divine gesture that takes hold of an individual in order to bestow favor on her."

This can happen at any moment, at any time. May we open to grace, to the possibility of being taken over by a benevolent force that is always there at every moment.

Theme: Anugraha

Focus: Pulsation between Muscular Energy and Organic Energy

"Place your hands in Downward Facing Dog with the intention of connecting to a bigger energy, the earth and receiving boons from it."

Something to think about: we are so blessed to have these teachings that will help us in times of need!

Anusara Poster Project Pose: Paschimottanasana