The LookIng Glass

May 1st, 2016

The name, The Looking Glass, comes from a title of a paper Kristen wrote long ago, expounding upon the link between The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and a Spiritual Psychology practice of inner and outer projection / mirror work. 

 Further, The Looking Glass, also pays homage to Kristen's  strong interest in Svadhyaya, or the 4th Niyama, observances towards self.  Svadhyaya is a practice in which you must turn and look inward, and reflect, in order to get to know yourself; both your personality made up of your likes, dislikes, reactional behaviors, thoughts, patterns, etc , and your Highest Self that is always there.  

Sva means “self” and adhyaya means “investigation, inquiry, or education.” TKV Desikachar defines svadhyaya as “Self-inquiry; any study that helps you understand yourself; the study of sacred texts.

Finally,  The Looking Glass is a coined phrase and another name for a mirror.  It comes from the second sequel of the books by Lewis Carol: Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass.  Just like Arjuna on the battlefield,  Alice must go on her own Spiritual Quest, and steps through the looking glass.  The fantasy themes and archetype characters she encounters,  just like any other good "journey to the self story" we've encountered, reflects our own egoic stories and dreamlands with confusing societal law and social orders, evil kings and queens, "strange others (strang:ers)", knights in shining armor, friends, foes, and the wise guide that is always there deep inside. 

Overlooking the Rhein,  we are blessed with a view to the changing seasons, turnings of the weather, and the cycles of day into night reminding us of our own True Nature.  Come Look...  

with open arms,

Kristen