The Anusara Bulletin – PEACE IS ALWAYS PRESENT
- seadhna Treacy
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
PEACE IS ALWAYS PRESENT
Equanimity is Yoga
by Paolo Alessandro Ali
L1 - Elements Anusara Yoga Teacher
Member of the Board of Directors
Greetings! When I have to explain concepts that we realize through God’s Grace, such as non-duality, I often use the metaphor of a large piece of dough. Imagine you create a huge ball of flour dough, smooth and uniform. Now imagine taking the little molds that children use at the beach to make shapes in the sand (a crab, a sun, a moon, a fish, and so on). You press one of those molds into the dough and a shape appears. But notice something important: you have not really separated the shape from the rest of the dough. Then, ask yourself: Are the molds real? Or: Is the dough real? These questions do not really make sense. In the same way, the relationship between the Absolute unconditioned reality and the physicality of its manifestations cannot be reduced to a simple opposition. |
Both levels are real! The shapes exist, but only as long as the form is present, only for the time that allows them to appear. Eventually everything returns to that same dough.
It is not so different from snow, ice, and water: the same essence appearing in different forms.
Yet our philosophical approach goes even deeper. From this perspective there is not even a real separation between the substance and its contracted forms. Because we are that. We exist within that, and that exists within us.
And yet something happens. We forget.
But once we catch even the smallest glimpse of this truth, something in us longs to return to it. Why? Because that knowledge is a reflection of the supreme knowledge of Consciousness itself. Because we can return to the Source, to our most intimate nature.
The entire Universe arises within the mirror of Divine Consciousness, through svātantrya shakti, the power of joyful freedom. And this freedom is not only cosmic. Svātantrya is also the divine force that resides within the individual. To realize this freedom is to recognize that we are not ultimately determined by time or space. Even when we experience separation, we are already free.
In essence, knowledge is first and foremost knowledge of the Self as unity. From there it becomes knowledge of the many parts as parts of the Self, and parts within the Self—like waves arising in the ocean of Consciousness
It is like a torch illuminating what is already there. Yet this light is not external; it is intrinsic to reality itself. Like a subtle plane that is self-luminous and self-sustaining.
This is what we need to remember in moments of crisis, in moments of conflict, in moments when waves of hatred seem to grow stronger.
Even those waves are ripples on the ocean of Consciousness. But we possess a powerful instrument: we can return to the Source, to that luminous origin.
“Equanimity is yoga” does not mean refusing to recognize evil. It does not mean avoiding it, nor escaping into an imaginary peace in some abstract and distant void.
It means finding that peace WITHIN conflict, within darkness itself, and burning it to ashes from the inside out, through the fire of awareness.
When we chant nirālambāya śāntāya, this is what we mean.
That peace is not stillness. It is not the absence of movement. It is awareness of the divine vibrationless-vibration: spanda.
It means allowing ourselves to be soaked and immersed in the transformative power of Love, even within negative moments. It means breathing, grounding, reconnecting to our center, which is the SAME center for everyone, just like the shapes within the dough.
That Love is empowering.
And it is an intrinsic characteristic of kula. Because kula is not limited to those who practice Anusara, or yoga, or those who share our beliefs or political views. Kula is the heart as the center of Absolute Consciousness. It is Spanda itself.
Through this love, we recognize Love as a transformational and healing power, leading us back to unity.
The power of Love is the doorway to radical acceptance, not passivity. Acceptance is not surrendering or giving up. It is an active process that begins with recognizing reality as it is: countless manifestations of the One Divine.
Peace, therefore, is not passive either. It is something we cultivate daily, precisely within the conflicts that arise within ourselves. And by recognizing that peace is always present within ourselves.
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते । oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate Om. That is fullness; this is fullness. From fullness, fullness arises. पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥ pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate When fullness is taken from fullness, fullness indeed remains. ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ Om. Peace, peace, peace. |
Paolo Alessandro Ali Proud Anusara Yoga Teacher Member of the Board of Directors Anusara School of Hatha Yoga |
We are community. We are connection. We are Anusara. One School, Diverse voices. |
Thank You so much, your participation means the world to us!
Thank you very much for participating in our survey for the new Anusara Affiliated Studio Program.
We have received a lot of new ideas from you and are now incorporating all of your feedback into our new program. In the coming weeks, we will be back to present our new Anusara Affiliated Studio Program!
Stay tuned!
Announcement
Update your Profile!
Our website is the heart of our school—it’s where our community comes to find us. But for it to work its best for you, we need your profile to be as up-to-date as possible. Sometimes we fall into the limiting thought that "tech stuff" doesn't matter or that we are "hidden" by the system. Let’s break that paradigm! By choosing to update your info, you’re stepping out of the background and showing the world exactly who you are as a teacher.
Why take a moment to update?
Updating your profile isn’t just a chore—it’s an act of agency that helps your students find you. When you refresh your details, you:
Put yourself on the map: It adds a "filter by city" feature, so local students can find you in our directories instantly.
Boost your visibility: Don't let old conditioning keep you small! A complete profile makes you stand out as an Anusara teacher or trainer.
Open the door for connection: It adds your direct contact info so people can reach out to you without any hurdles.
Get everything in sync: It aligns your info across our different systems (MindBody Online and our Website), so you’re always presented accurately.
Choosing to be seen
We often let old "programs" or busy schedules decide for us. But today, we invite you to use your free will to take five minutes and update your presence on our site. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference in how you serve our global teacher-led School.
Need a hand with the update?
Just let us know—we are here to support you!
Feeling connected? - WhatsApp Community -
Join our WhatsApp community! It's a supportive space to share your news, updates and, ask questions, and connect with other passionate Anusara Yoga practitioners.
Let's build a stronger community together!
Samavesha San Francisco is getting closer!!Level Up in San Francisco:Pre-Samavesha 2026 Intensives are Here! |
The energy for Samavesha 2026 is already building, and we want you to arrive in San Francisco feeling inspired, grounded, and deeply connected to your craft. To help you dive deeper before the main event, we are thrilled to announce two world-class Pre-Samavesha Teacher Trainings. Whether you are looking to sharpen your technical teaching skills or master the art of therapeutic movement, we have the perfect space for you. |
|
Option 1: |
Teacher Training Intensive
With Christina Sell and Noah Mazé
Join two of the most respected voices in the yoga world for a high-level intensive designed to refine your teaching. Christina and Noah bring a wealth of knowledge in sequencing, technical excellence, and the "art of the seat." This is your chance to polish your skills and find new clarity in your personal and professional practice.
Option 2: |
 |
Therapeutics Immersion With Julia Pearring and Doug Keller Deepen your understanding of the body’s healing potential. Julia and Doug combine deep anatomical insight with the elegant principles of Anusara Yoga to help you address injuries, chronic pain, and structural alignment. This immersion is an essential toolkit for any teacher or student looking to practice with more sustainability and grace. |
A Special Gift for Our CommunityWe want to make it easier for you to join us in the City by the Bay. Use the discount code below at checkout to save on your registration: Discount Code: EQUANIMITY Your Savings: $99 USD OFF
Why Join a Pre-Samavesha Training?
Space is limited for these intensives, so we encourage you to reserve your spot early. We can’t wait to see you in San Francisco! In light and grace, - The Samavesha Planning Committee
|
We can’t wait to see you in San Francisco, where the heart meets the bay and the spirit finds its steady center. |
Would you like to Collaborate with The Anusara Bulletin?