Removing Obstacles

Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Nama

A sacred chant offered up the the elephant headed deity, Ganesh or Ganapatai. Chanting this phrase over and over is considered a pathway to removing obstacles and reaching the fullest potential, in spirit, in prosperity and in success.

Most of us have prayed in one form or another to take away the things that are holding us back. Usually these things are within our own heads-self doubt, self destructive behavior, constant worry, critical judgements about ourselves and others, not feeling worthy of what we ultimately desire and want in our lives- and the list goes on. Ganesha, the elephant headed deity, represents success, prosperity and peace in all of our endeavors. He is know to be the remover of obstacles in our lives. By invoking Ganesh, it is said to remove the physical and mental blocks that prevent us from reaching our full potential for love, success and abundance. In addition, Ganesh is also the life of the party wherever he goes!

I recently purchased this Hip Hip album that is mixed with sacred chants by leading Kirtan singer call Elephant Power, by MC yogi...I love it...and it cracks me up listening to these hip hop beats with samples from artists such as Bhagavan Das, Jai Uttal and Krishna Das...cracks me up and makes me want to sing out loud...

Jai Ganesha! Rub your belly, breathe away the obstacles and receive what you desire!

Great!

My grandfather past away this last year and I have written about him before...today when I was getting my morning coffee before I went in to teach my Wednesday morning class, I was thinking about his fantastic optimistic attitude. Whenever anyone asked him how he was, he always shouted with resounding joy, "GREAT!" Just like Tony the Tiger. In his later years, with failing health, he perpetuated this sentiment when he could no longer speak...by knocking his large knuckles on a table...his new symbol of "Great!"

I reminisce about this for several reasons....you see, living with an optimistic and positive focus in life can considerably change everything around you. My grandfather was faced with adversity throughout his life, as well as, great abundance. Regardless of what he was faced with at any given time, he was always "Great!"

If you were to just start your day feeling great and shifting your focus to even say that you are great, maybe, just maybe you will feel great and then everything seems to fall into place. Depending on your beliefs, we only have this one life to live so why not make the best out of every moment....let go of what holds you back, forgive, be free, live with compassion and make a difference....even if only for yourself! Great things will come!