By Marlene (Matrikaa) Gast, Yogaratna

Gurudevi Nirmalananda is dedicated to guiding us seekers to the knowledge and experience of our own Divine Essence. This is the purpose of everything she does.

Thus, her newest book — Living Mysticism 2024 Calendar Journal ― is no exception. In the Introduction, Gurudevi states her intention. It is to “help you find and share from your Divine Essence in every breath, and in the sweet pauses between.”

This “calendar journal” comprises 366 curated sutras from Gurudevi’s teachings. That’s one for each day of the leap year. They have been gleaned from her 30 years of teaching articles. Each day, you get a sacred reminder of who you are as a yogi.

You are reminded of what drew you to Svaroopa® yoga and meditation. Reading each sutra, you renew your commitment to consistent practice. You experience your reasons for studies with Gurudevi as a Shaktipat Master.

From Day One of 2024, you get encouragement to create a yogic life based in your Divine Essence. Day by day, get guidance on how to let yoga propel you to Self-Realization.

What is Self? Throughout, you see different facets of Self, as though a jeweler is turning a gem for your inspection.

What is bliss? You learn about its source and nature and Divine emotions: peace, joy and compassion.

Other sutras remind you of how your yoga takes care of your body and mind. You see how it opens you up to your sacred identity as Consciousness Its-Self – Shiva.

You see the Divine in everything and everyone – including yourself! You learn how to get there, be there, act from there.

A sutra crowns the top of each four-by-seven blank page. Each invites you to plan your day and/or journal about it. Within this book of succinct teachings, you are writing your own 2024 memoir.

You unfold your personal story of being the Divine Essence that has created you. Your book within this book will reflect your experience of the mystical truth of your life. Simultaneously Divine and practical, you will see how you are a unique form of the eternal, infinite formless.

By Gurudevi Nirmalananda

The common denominator in most conversations is complaints.

But after a yoga or meditation session, you may find that you have fewer words. That is because, when you are in bliss, your mind is quiet. When you are in bliss, you no longer need outer things to make you happy.

Yogic bliss is reliable; happiness is not. Bliss is more fulfilling than happiness. It fills you from the inside. Since bliss arises from within, you can bring it with you everywhere you go. Yogic bliss is more portable than worldly happiness.

When you base yourself in the deeper dimensions of your own being, bliss is ever arising. Your neediness and fear disappear as though they never existed, like dark disappears when you light a candle flame. Now powered by Consciousness, you have lots to give.

I remember when I was needy. I couldn’t be generous because I always felt empty. Fear was what kept me moving. Whether money or relationships were motivating me, I worked hard at measuring up. Yet when things went well, my success didn’t ease my fear. It’s like I lived on red-alert. Until yoga, that is.

Yoga taught me how to relax. Yoga taught me how to breathe. Yoga taught me how to be present inside my own skin. It was my first step toward…