Loving and Divine Soul,

Let the choicest blessings of God and the masters be upon all of you. I take this opportunity to pray for you and send my best wishes on the occasion of International Yoga Day to be celebrated on 21 June.

This day is a universal recognition of yoga and the yogic lifestyle that transcends its place of origin in India. For a long time yoga has been accepted by people of different countries and cultures and has become an integral part of many lives for bestowing a healthy body and healthy mind. Although the ordinary meaning of yoga is to have a flexible body and mind and a joyful life, true flexibility arises when we make our lives and thoughts ever more expansive, and we develop love and compassion that will unite all creation.

What is the true message of yoga?

The masters of yoga have said that expansion is life and contraction is death. We must learn to expand and integrate three aspects of life: the head, the heart, and the hands. Head is the faculty of thinking. Let our thoughts be more universal so we can realize that the entire creation is one family. Our lives and thoughts should always be directed towards the well-being of the whole creation. Let our hearts expand until they feel amity and unity everywhere. Let all meanness and narrowness disappear from our minds and thoughts. Let our hearts empathize with each and every living being. Let us all love and respect all living beings and recognize their right to live. Let our hands be ever ready to serve with love and goodwill. In this way, yoga will integrate life and spirit not only among humans, but with all living beings in whatever state they might be.

Let our minds be sensitive. Let our intellects be integrative. Let our hearts vibrate with love and amity. Let our hands and feet be ready to serve with kindness and compassion. Let our lives be filled with spirit and joy. Let our words be sweet, loving, and pleasing. Above all, let our lives be filled with yoga, uniting and integrating everything with love and compassion.

On this special day, I pray to the Almighty Lord to bless each one of us with the true spirit of yoga and understanding. Let us transform this world into a beautiful temple for all life, whether plants, birds, animals or humans, to live with love, joy and amity.

Again I offer my love and best wishes on this special occasion.

With Love,
Prajnanananda