THE YOGA CONNECTION
SHANTI
In honor of our dear Shanti who left her ailing body and her Atma Center family April 14th, 2008 - - and to Atmarupa, her loving caretaker - - Yoga Connection is reprinting an article originally published in YOGA magazine (Year 4, Issue 10 October 2005). The author, of course, is Swami (then Sannyasi) Atmarupa Saraswati. She has edited the article to make it current.
Lessons in yoga take many forms. Sometimes they come disguised as big, black furry dogs. Seven years ago, on a cold dark evening, just before closing, a student came in through the front door of the Atma Center and left a stray dog. A year earlier, the best dog I had ever known had died. I did not want another dog, but I couldn't put her back out in the street, so I took her home.
The first lesson she taught me was to accept what life gives you. After three weeks of putting up 'Found Dog' signs all around the neighborhood and refusing to name her, I gave up and kept her. Since she was virtually untrained, fearful and quite easily excited, I named her Shanti, hoping she would come to embody her name. I took her to the vet for a check up, and although she behaved like a young dog, I found out she was probably about seven years old. It is said, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks.” This is not entirely true, but for all I have taught Shanti, this dog has taught me more.
She quickly responded to my love and affection, becoming my constant companion and guarding me with a level of awareness that any guru would wish to see in a disciple. She was aware of my every move and watched closely anyone who came near me. If they spoke harshly or laughed too loudly or moved too suddenly, she placed herself in front of me growling a warning. If this was not enough to deter them, she'd snap at them. She reminded me of Paramahamsaji's dog Bholenath.
Shanti is able to sense those with open hearts and an honest nature, but remains alert and watches closely those who have yet to earn her trust. She has taught me to trust more cautiously as well. Another lesson I needed to learn.
Over time she calmed down considerably and learned many dog commands. However, Shanti came with a deep samskara (a subconscious scar that results in certain patterns of behavior) about other dogs. From the beginning she barked viciously and lunged at every dog she saw. Friends who walked her when encountering another dog have on occasion suddenly found themselves flat on the ground as this 85 pound beast tries to attack. I've paid the vet bills for three dogs bitten by her.
The next lesson she taught me is just how difficult it is to change. Of course I know this on an intellectual level, but I suspect I am like most other people and become impatient with my progress. She has taught me not only to be patient, but to be much gentler with myself about my shortcomings. For seven years I have worked with her aggression towards other dogs. I have tried so many approaches. First I tried to move her attention away from approaching dogs by offering her treats, but her samskara about other dogs was so strong and automatic, that the prospect of reward was not enough to change her pattern and I was simply ignored. I felt a connection with her. What would my reward be if I could truly change my reactions? It, too, can be hard to see.
Next I consulted the 'professionals.’ In the same way we often consult psychologists or counselors to help us understand our own behavior, I hired the area's best-known dog trainer. Over the next few months Shanti was outfitted with one training device after another. First a collar that sprayed citronella under her chin triggered by the sound of her bark. I think she began to like the smell. A collar that had a strap that went around her nose turning her head to face you when you pulled on it. I feared I would break her neck as she continued to bark and lunge. Finally, a collar with a remote control to give her an electric shock, to get her attention and then give her a treat. This was met with some marginal success. Next lesson. You may be able to modify behavior through suppression, but the behavior will reoccur as soon as the suppression is removed.
For the first few years, a dear friend helped me in my busy life by walking Shanti most afternoons and some evenings when I taught. She used the electric shock collar, but didn't take along any treats. Gradually the shocks made Shanti less aggressive toward other dogs, but she sometimes growled at my friend, once she figured out who controlled the shock.
Deciding that restraint must have a voluntary component, when my friend was out of the country for two months, I abandoned the shock collar and consistently carried treats on every walk and also kept a stock of them on the dashboard of my car.
It was at this point that Shanti began to exemplify the value of the process of 'witnessing.’ In witnessing, we learn to place our awareness at a distance from our thoughts to enhance our ability to see our choices, rather than react. If there was distance between her and another dog, she began to make the choice to 'sit and no barking' in exchange for a treat. This requires tremendous will and restraint on her part. As the other dog draws nearer, she looks dog to treat to dog to treat, all the time doing what I call 'doggie kapalbhati' as she struggles to hold back the bark. However, if we come around the corner to suddenly find another dog, the space to witness is not there, and she totally loses the witnessing perspective, reverting back to lunging and barking.
Next lesson. Paramahamsaji has said, "If there is a lack of constant vigilance and spiritual alertness, the spiritual personality goes into oblivion." For me, Shanti exemplifies a form of sadhana. Determined to be consistent with her, I am always vigilantly looking for other dogs, with treat in hand, to give her the opportunity to practice sanyam (restraint) and create a new samskara that will eventually replace the old one.
This dog that no one wanted has taught me so much. Through her lessons I've learned more about awareness, abhyasa (dedicated practice over a long time), the value of the drashta (witness) and great patience toward my own spiritual development. She has taught me to accept myself more fully and to feel my own value as a devoted, yet imperfect being. Now, at the ripe old dog age of fourteen, she has taught me a final lesson: 'the impermanence of life.’
In her last hours she ate ice cream with joy and exuberance even though she was suffering and could barely move. And with her Atma Center ‘pack’ around her, she taught us the importance of giving love unconditionally. We chanted a mantra of healing to overcome fear of death (ours, not hers), sprinkled her with Ganges water, and let her go. It was an auspicious ending for a yogi.
Shanti, you taught us well. Peaceful transition, old girl. You will be missed!
Comments from Shanti's Pack
“When I came to the Atma Center I always looked forward to seeing Shanti, and if I was lucky she’d even come around and say her hellos when she was doing her “rounds” in class. Whether she was sprawled out at the head of the class or rubbing her behind in my face as a special “greeting” at the beginning of Chakra yoga, she made me smile and reminded me to stop taking myself so seriously. She was a gift to the world, and I will miss her dearly.”
“Shanti was a blessing to us all and I am grateful to have known her.”
“Shanti was an amazing soul and her memory will live on with every life she touched.”
“I am so sorry to hear about your loss and the center’s. I will miss Shanti too, and will pray for her. Indeed, she did depart on an auspicious day with a beautiful ceremony. God bless her soul.”
“I feel very sad that Shanti can no longer be with us, but I also feel happiness that she found you and for all the years she had with you she was a princess. No living being could have found more love or better treatment than that which you freely gave to her. Truly unconditional loving existed between the two of you and serves as a lesson to us all - that of bhakti and karma in the purest form.”
“The Atma center won't ever be the same with her gone, although I believe the blessings she brought there will remain.”
“Please accept my sincere condolences. Shanti is quite an irreplaceable member of the Atma Center staff. She brought her wisdom and loving presence into the center, for the benefit of all the staff and students. Good bye dear friend.”
“I loved that dear old dog so much, as did many people. She truly was our teacher on a number of levels. Good for you for being compassionate and sparing her pain. What a comfort it is to know that she went back to Bliss on this auspicious day. And what a wonderful way to release her-- at the Atma Center that she loved and blessed with her presence every day!”
“Thank you Shanti for touching so many. Be at peace in love and light. Namaste.”
“So sorry to hear of Shanti’s release and passing on to better spirit life. I know she will be missed by everyone at the center and especially by you. I will miss seeing her as well as her devotion and trust in you. May God give you and us strength to cope with her physical loss and bless her spirit. May her spirit watch over you forever.”
“This is very sad. I am awfully sorry. We are going to miss her very much. Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, have a nice journey. We love you.”
“Thanks for taking care of Shanti so we could all be richer by knowing her!”
“I will miss Shanti too. Thanks for sharing her with us, and for letting us learn from the love you gave each other.”
“Shanti was a special dog & I know she’ll be greatly missed. My favorite memory of her is how she would lay there during class & be so calm & serene, but then go nuts if she saw a dog walk by the front door. I’ll always smile when I think of her!”
An ode to Shanti
Good girl Bad girl
What a trip you have been
Four dogs went to the vet
And I was so upset
But Beverly paid the bill
So life went on to the next adventure
Sweet dreams dear Shanti
Love
Audrey & Danny
To read more about Shanti, visit her staff page.
Major Workshops Coming Soon!
June 20–22
Summer Solstice: Time of Fulfillment
Anusara Yoga Workshop with Jamie Allison
Please join Jamie Turner Allison, senior certified Anusara Yoga Instructor, for this transformational weekend. Jamie is one of the most respected and inspired yoga instructors in North America. She speaks with the wisdom of her Senior Certification in Anusara Yoga and long-time study of Rajanaka Tantra. She has been studying closely with Anusara Yoga Founder, John Friend, since 1994 and Dr. Douglas Brooks, world renowned scholar of Rajanaka Tantra since 1998.
Jamie will be joined by her husband, Justin Allison, likewise a student of Anusara Yoga and Rajanaka Tantra. A talented musician, Justin will lead a session of Kirtan during this comprehensive weekend workshop.
July 26 - 27
Anatomic Yoga™: A multimedia workshop
with Bandha Yoga author Ray Long MD FRCSC
"See and understand the body in yoga like never before."
Dr Ray Long will use cutting-edge technology to guide you to new wisdom and understanding about the body and yoga!
Atma Center Calendar of Coming Events
| May 10 | New Six-Week Class Session Begins |
| May 17 | |
| May 18 | Yoga Therapy - Neck & Shoulders 1-3 pm. SOLD OUT - Call 216-371-9760 to be added to the waiting list. |
| June 7 | Mantras & Mala Making 1-4 pm. |
This newsletter is provided to you by the Atma Center, 2319 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. [216-371-9760 www.atmacenter.com] The Atma Center is one of three places authorized worldwide to offer advanced training in Satyananda Yoga through Yogic Studies and Teacher Training courses.