Monthly Newsletter

We hope your spring has been as refreshing as ours here at Shoshoni. Often as winter begins to clear it can feel like a fog has been lifted. Hunkering down in winter can allow us to devote more time and energy to our inner life. The change in seasons is a welcome shift; it gives us perspective on new growth and development in our spiritual lives.

Spring transfers our attention to what is new inside and out. We all get “crystalized” or “stuck” in certain patterns, even when we meditate and practice regularly. Thought patterns, behavior patterns, relationship patterns — we can even get crystalized in our way of practicing! The transformation of the natural world in springtime is a macrocosmic view of what could be happening on the inside as well.

The Gayatri mantra is an ancient mantra that can help bring about transformation. It is a great mantra for spring, as it reminds us to connect with that which is light, that which is of a higher nature, so that we can let go of what is weighing us down. Repeating the Gayatri manta can help us to shed our winter skin!

Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ

tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ

bhárgo devásya dhīmahi

dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt

“We meditate on the effulgent glory of the divine light; may he inspire our understanding.” Try doing a mala of the Gayatri mantra to see how it affects you. If you are unsure of how to pronounce the mantra, try looking it up on youtube for help!

A Seat By the Fire: Spiritual Discussions with Sri Shambhavananda

From A Seat by the Fire, Spiritual Discussions with Sri Shambhavananda

What is Mantra?

Mantra is the sound vibration of the Self, that is, that sound vibration of God. By repeating mantra silently or by chanting it loudly you will begin to experience the inner radiance that exists inside of you. If your mind becomes one-pointed on mantra you will experience your Inner Self.The mantras that we do here came from India. The mantras are vibrations created by the ancient rishis, who were great beings who realized very high states of existence. The rishis either heard these mantras in the universe, or in some cases the mantras manifested through them. The energy behind the letters and sound vibration is called matrika shakti. The Sanskrit language is a very powerful language because the sound vibration that it creates when it is chanted, spoken or even repeated silently will lead you toward a deeper state of realization of your Inner Self. All sound emanates from divine consciousness. Chanting is a way to allow your consciousness to become balanced.All music has power. Some music makes young people get hysterical, some music makes old people cry. Words also have power. The science of mantra teachers you how to use these powerful words for your own spiritual evolution. It is a time-tested and ancient path that has many different facets. Miraculous things will happen when you make mantra part of your life.

Is the power of mantra possible if you just say things in English like “I’ll be happy”?

It is much better to learn the Sanskrit because of its sound vibration. The differenct is similar to making up your own notes as opposed to playing a song ta great musician wrote. A sanskrit mantra helps you tap into a source of power and energy that is very ancient, whereas when you are just making up your own mantra, you are dealing with your own limited resources.

Sustainability Corner

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Solar Project. We will begin installing new solar panels this fall. This initial installation will provide energy for 50% of Shoshoni’s electrical load!

Greenhouses Flourishing

With this year’s addition of a solar thermal heated green house we’ve enjoyed an unprecedented abundance of home grown vegetables all winter long.

Moving forward
This spring, Shoshoni will continue its efforts to reduced waste and conserve water and energy. Right now we are increasing our recycling efforts by taking tetra-pack, batteries, and other hard to recycle materials directly to our local recycling plant.

From the Shoshoni Kitchen

Try this delicious salad from the Shoshoni Cookbook to spruce up your springtime menus!

Beet Salad with Toasted Walnuts
Serves: 6
Cooking time: 1 hour
Prep time: 45 minutes1 pound whole beets with tops
1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced in half circles
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped and toasted
2 T balsamic or raspberry vinegar
2 T apple juice concentrate
3 T olive oil
1-2 t salt
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped1. Wash beets well and trim off coarse tops, removing stems and greens. Save the greens.
2. Boil beets for approximately one hour until soft. Insert a sharp knife into beet, and lift from the pot. Beets are ready when the test beet drops easily away from the knife. Rinse in cold water. When cool enough to handle, peel off skins and cut beets into 1/4 inch half circles.
3. Parboil onions until translucent.
4. While still somewhat warm, mix rest of ingredients and toss with beets and onions Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. May be served slightly warm.
5. Trim greens from stems and serve as decorative green garnish around the salad.

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