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What's so great about 108?
There are 108 beads on the japa mala strand, one for each of the 108 names given to each Hindu god. There are 108 delusions that plague the human mind and 108 negations that Buddha offered to help us see them. There are 108 energy lines that converge to form the heart chakra and 108 marma energy points that enervate the flesh. There are nearly 108 theories as to why 108 is significant in Eastern thought. Perhaps the most compelling comes from the properties of the integer itself. Divisible by the sum of its digits—which add up to the divine number 9—108 is considered a joy-giving or Harshad number in Sanskrit. There is a paradoxical quality to the way 108 evokes the consummate wholeness that defines the universe. It presents a riddle in how its symbols for something and nothing and everything add up to 9, the number that stands for the universe and Brahma, its creator. It is this sacred sum that has the power to divide the whole and start the cycle again. Peace Starts Within
Drawing on the philosophical significance of the number 108, the TogetherYoga count down to the YMCA's Strong Kids event grew out of a desire to reconcile the painful division wrought by the tragic events of September 11th. Devoting our daily practice to promoting peace and unity offers a chance to send healing energy to everyone divided by violence and conflict. The 108 Days of Peace and Practice stems from the belief that world peace starts with inner peace and that, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches: "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves." |
Putting Peace into Practice
Conceived of as a daily offering of sun salutations for peace, the 108 Days provides a moving meditation on easing tension from the inside out. To join in, simply move through as many sun salutations as you like and conclude with a few minutes of mindful breathing. Start anytime and share your insights with others. Chronicle your efforts in a journal or through social media posts that raise awareness about inner and outer conflict to get people thinking about peace and nonviolence. |
After following along with 108 Days of Peace and Practice, consider supporting this year's Great 108 Strong Kids Campaign. All you need to join the Great 108 is a basic knowledge of the sun salutation cycle and a desire to see how many sun salutations you can do. There is no requirement to complete any number of cycles.
The Great 108 will take place on September 22, 2012. The West Side YMCA event will start at 10 am. The Park Slope Armory YMCA event will begin at 2 pm.
Check out the Sun Salutations 101 page for a guide to the sun salutation cycle. We'll be doing the sun salutations together as a group, so there's no pressure to remember all of the steps on your own. If you're interested in joining us, contact Wyndy Sloan at the West Side YMCA or Megan King at the Park Slope Armory YMCA. Click here to start a donation page or to sponsor a yogi on CrowdRise.
The Great 108 will take place on September 22, 2012. The West Side YMCA event will start at 10 am. The Park Slope Armory YMCA event will begin at 2 pm.
Check out the Sun Salutations 101 page for a guide to the sun salutation cycle. We'll be doing the sun salutations together as a group, so there's no pressure to remember all of the steps on your own. If you're interested in joining us, contact Wyndy Sloan at the West Side YMCA or Megan King at the Park Slope Armory YMCA. Click here to start a donation page or to sponsor a yogi on CrowdRise.
