Remove Obstacles

We've come to the end of May, a month of practices focused on mindfulness, and this final week, we've been talking about things that prevent us from moving forward in life. The mindfulness piece is about understanding what is blocking us by growing our awareness of those obstacles that might be standing in our way. Sometimes, the obstacles seem quite obvious, such as not having the budget to renovate a house or start a new business. But as I meditated on this earlier in the week, what I thought about is that many of our obstacles may be quite subtle and difficult to uncover. Some examples might be:  What stops us from giving time and energy to self-care, growth or self-love? What blocks us from sitting for a few minutes a day in meditation?

One of the many reasons to step onto our yoga mat or sit on our meditation cushion is to encourage the open flow of Prana or energy through all levels of our being from the physical, spiritual, the emotional and mental parts of us. When we bend, stretch, contract, breathe, find stillness, and observe, we begin to notice where in our being the energy feels blocked or clogged. It is thought that injuries and illness block the flow of energy in our being, keeping us from finding ease and harmony. Part of the healing process is to support ourselves on many levels to move energy through these sticking points. 

When I was working at the Wellness Institute, we had a variety of practitioners offering acupuncture, kinesiology, cranial-sacral therapy, yoga, meditation, and massage. All of these various practitioners had one thing in common regardless of the modality-they were all trying to enhance the flow of life force for better health. Understanding where the energy pools in the body is one step in awakening our ability to heal and thrive.

In the Hindu pantheon of archetypes, gods and goddesses, one of the most beloved is the elephant-headed god, Ganesha. During my two visits to India, images, icons, statues, and carvings of Ganesha were omnipresent and part of his role is one of the "Remover of Obstacles". Thus, the mantra, Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha is often chanted, to invoke the energy of Ganesha and clear the way for things to unfold with ease. It's often chanted at the beginning of new endeavors such as opening a business or beginning a relationship. When I chant this mantra, I visualize a huge elephant walking along a path in front of me, swinging his massive trunk from side-to-side, clearing away any obstacles so things move along as smoothly as possible. In some ways, it reminds us to not sweat the small stuff, that all things change over time and in the end, all will be okay. We so often simply find a way to work or accept what's in front of us.

Ganesha is also the "Ruler of the Muladhara chakra", that is, the first of the seven energy vortexes running from the base of our spine to the crown of our head. The base chakra is represented by the color red, the seed sound of "LAM", and the element of the earth. It's about being grounded, safe, secure, and connected to our tribe. Another reason to chant the Ganesha mantra is to connect firmly in the earth's energy, as though we are planting ourselves in order to move the energy upward. The mantra is thought to remove negativity and fear from our minds which so easily creeps into new endeavors. We need to tap into our courageous selves as we move along our intended paths so why not invite an elephant-headed god along for the journey?

No matter what might feel as though it's an obstacle in your life, it is said that when we are unified within when oneness is present, there are no obstacles. So take some moments today, to check in with how the energy is flowing through your life, where it feels stagnant and then honor what might be in your way. Invoke a sense of courage as you move forward and perhaps chant 1008 rounds of the Ganesha mantra, as it's said that in doing so, all fear will be removed from your heart.

Om Gum Ganapatayei Namah, indeed!