From the Editor
FALL 2019: FOCUS
Welcome to the Fall 2019 issue of Parvati Magazine.
The American mythologist Joseph Campbell coined the phrase “follow your bliss” based on his study of the ancient Hindu scriptures known as the Upanishads. He said, “If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you.”
To follow your bliss requires discernment, constant vigilance, and commitment to honouring the call of your unique inner voice. It is based on the belief that the universe is not against you. Instead, it converges in each moment to support your greatest joy.
To live our bliss, we must be willing to remain focused on the incredible support around us, especially when we face the inevitable ups and downs of life. We may see help and we may not. Even if we feel alone at a crossroads, we can return to the simple yet powerful gift of our breath and feel our interconnection with the whole.
In this special double issue on the theme of Focus, you will discover the power of focus in all areas of life. Best-selling author, speaker and entrepreneur Kate Northrup tells us why connecting with Nature has led her to success (an experience I share!). Punk rock trailblazer Bif Naked shares about the gifts of humor, gratitude and mentorship. 5 Gyres founder Marcus Eriksen shares his passion for stopping ocean plastic pollution. Swiss Impact Investment Association co-founder Ben Banerjee focuses on the financial sector’s capacity to effect global change. World music guitarist Jesse Cook explains the powerful alchemy of Toronto’s multicultural music scene. Dr. Izabella Wentz tells us how she took her Hashimoto’s thyroiditis diagnosis, recovered from the disease and became a bestselling advocate for others to do the same. We speak with YogaFest and Fields of Yogis, two of the latest yoga festivals to join Yogis Unite for MAPS. I share potent YEM: Yoga as Energy Medicine practices to increase your focus and follow-through. Plus, much more.
And of course, all of this is dedicated to the singular focus in my life, all of us at Parvati.org and the extraordinary group of volunteers from around the world: we need MAPS, the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary now for the good for all. We are in this together.
Enjoy!
Parvati
OnWord
Thank you for reading the Fall 2019 issue of Parvati Magazine.
We need to stay true to our vision, especially as we face the varying challenges life brings. We learn to put the things that are most important to us as our highest priority, rather than getting caught up in the nitty-gritties of life, and watch time slip away. We learn to meet parts of ourselves and our lives that may even scare us. “Oh, I will get to that later”, we may tell ourselves in an elusive attempt to curb our fears. But when does later come? How long are we willing to wait? What is the cost of waiting? Focusing on our highest priorities is essential to living a fulfilled life. What we often forget, is that when we follow our bliss, we do it not only for ourselves. Because we are interconnected, we do it also for the world. That is exactly what makes MAPS so beautiful. It is not just a circle around physical space. It is a focused summoning of a profound shift. By establishing an inner peace sanctuary, we protect our shared world.
When you say yes to who you are, you are saying yes to life. The energy of that “yes to life” touches everyone you meet. It also goes out to the universe and supports all beings, including those you may never meet. When you stay focused and say yes to your soul voice, yes to life, everyone wins. Now, embrace what this moment brings and choose to live your highest joy. Go forward with a heart filled with courage, and a roar a huge “Yes!” to life.
Love yourself.
Love others.
Love our world.
We are one Earth family.
Parvati