Make Your Sacred Offering (& Your Offering Sacred)

May you awaken like the sun at daybreak,
Ready to make your sacred offering.
Set forth with delight, like a pilgrim on his journey.
 
O heroic one, move forward with resolve
To make this sacred offering of yourself to life.
May you plant the banner of victory
In the service of humankind.

- Rg-Veda

 
After living in India for four years, one thing I dearly wanted to hold onto was the idea that everything I do can be approached as an offering. I wanted to remember that, above all else, my deepest wish is to be of service to others.

To keep this intention alive, I placed a small candle on my desk and lit it each day when starting my work.

Over time, I stopped lighting the candle regularly, but found other ways to uphold this spirit of offering. It remains a guiding force, elevating work and family life to the realm of dharma, sacred duty.

When viewed in this light, even ordinary tasks like cooking dinner, washing the dishes, or chauffeuring my daughter can feel sanctified.

Recently, I faced a challenging work goal that required courage confidence and trust. I was terrified of failing. I lit the candle on my altar and made the project an offering.

Wouldn’t you know? I was pleased with the result and the process felt easier, more enjoyable, and infinitely more purposeful than simply getting it done.

Seeing the sacred in the seemingly mundane is yet another way that yoga expands our vision, providing a framework for infusing inspiration and meaning into our daily lives.