Another Day, Another Practice

31.3.08


"One does not accumulate, but eliminate. It is not daily increase, but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always leads to simplicity."

~Bruce Lee


I'm gonna have to start getting up a bit earlier than I already am to get through it all at this stage of my practice. Sometimes it feels like its never ending. Ha! So much is accomplished before the sun rises...now that's pretty cool. I'm getting back to adding the beginning half of 3rd Series after completing 2nd. I've been holding myself back for a while...just wanting to stay in my comfort zone. But, its time to progress to where I was practicing before...no matter how challenging it will be again.

There is an element in life when we wanna push, push, push. But, also, there are times when we hold ourselves back because of fear, doubt and reluctance. Truly we are powerful beings...so its time to step into it. I need to trust I have the capability to manifest great things in life...and taking my practice to the next level is an integral part of that...as it bleeds into the rest of my daily existence. Through the body, as a medium, we are able to break open the barriers we place on our minds...they go hand in hand...mind, body & soul. Namaste.


Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens."

~Carl Jung

Yoga Sutra Self Study

28.3.08

Slowing reading another translation/interpretation of the Yoga Sutras. I especially like the one I am studying now, The Essence of Yoga: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by Bernard Bouanchaud. With each sutra there are these great questions for the reader to reflect upon and answer for themselves. Its an interesting process. Helps one to connect to each sutra in there own personal way...which is nice...when going through the process of reading such a text sometimes it feels so beyond me...



Now it seems so natural to go into depth in this and other things, along with the asana practice...kind of a natural evolution...However, most importantly, I'm discovering the important action is taking the knowledge out in the world through direct experience...the challenging part of 'the practice'... ahhhh, but its exciting...discovering the Truth, trusting it, feeling it...I'm not totally there yet...but, hopefully making some positive steps...

Good things to chew on

27.3.08

Just recently finished A New Earth, by Ekhart Tolle. Amazing read. Yeah, I've joined the Oprah bandwagon and decided to study the book along with millions of others. I feel its a great thing. Why not?

Its funny, the first time I picked up The Power of Now was in college...and I found it interesting, but hard to grasp...being in that place of me and my...and this and that...it didn't really resonate with me at that time and I found it a bit dry...hahaha...imagine!! And, when A New Earth was first published I bought the book a couple years back. But, at that time, I remember being like yeah this book is great, but I hurried through it...and was onto the next book...not really savoring all the pearls in it. Now, however, I have had grace bestowed on me to look at things differently, and I've found each page just as compelling as the next...





Here are some of the gems that I would like to share from the book...



You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you, and allowing that goodness to emerge. But it can only emerge if something fundamental changes in your state of consciousness.


Ego is no more than this: identification with form.

The quicker you are in attaching verbal or mental labels to things, people, or situations, the more shallow and lifeless your reality becomes, and the more deadened you become to reality, the miracle of life that continuously unfolds within and around you.


When you can no longer feel the life you are, you are likely to try to fill up your life with things.


"That is the joy of Being," I said. "You can only feel it when you get out of your head." Being must be felt. It can't be thought. The ego doesn't know about it because thought is what it consists of.

Body awareness not only anchors you in the present moment, it is a doorway out of the prison that is the ego. It also strengthens the immune system and the body's ability to heal itself.


By not reacting to the ego, you will often be able to bring out the sanity in others,
Your greatest protection, however, is being conscious.

Somebody becomes an enemy if you personalize the unconsciousness that is the ego. Nonreaction is not weakness but strength. Another word for nonreaction is forgiveness. To forgive is to overlook, or rather to look through. You look through the ego to the sanity that is in every human being as his or her essence.
And the ego's greatest enemy of all is, of course, the present moment, which is to say, life itself.

The very being that you are is Truth.

When you confuse the ego that you perceive in others with their identity, it is the work of your own ego that uses this misperception to strengthen itself through being right and therefore superior, and through reacting with condemnation, indignation, and often anger against the perceived enemy. All this is enormously satisfying to the ego. It strengthens the sense of separation between yourself and the other, whose "otherness" has become magnified to such an extent that you can no longer feel your common humanity, nor the rootedness in the one Life that you share with each human being, your common divinity.


Awareness means Presence, and only Presence can dissolve the unconscious past in you.

So there is no such thing as "my life," and I don't have a life. I am life. I and life are one. If cannot be otherwise. So how could I lose my life? How can I lose something that I don't have in the first place? How can I lose something that I AM? It is impossible.


There is only one perpetrator of evil on the planet: human unconsciousness. That realization is true forgiveness. With forgiveness, your victim identity dissolves, and your true power emerges--the power of Presence. Instead of blaming the darkness, you bring in the light.


The decision to make the present moment into your friend is the end of ego. The ego can never be in alignment with the present moment, which is to say, aligned with life, since its very nature compels it to ignore, resist or devalue the Now.


Through nonresistance to form, that in you which is beyond form emerges as an all-emcompassing Presence, a silent power far greater than your short-lived form identity, the person. It is more deeply who you are than anything in the world of form.


Your inner purpose is to awaken.


Awakening is a shift in consciousness in which thinking and awareness separate. Awareness is conscious connection with universal intelligence. Another word for it is Presence: consciousness without thought.

Yes, whenever there is inspiration, which translates as "in spirit," and enthusiasm, which means "in God," there is a creative empowerment that goes far beyond what a mere person is capable of.
What is lost on the level of form is gained on the level of essence. You cannot lose consciousness because it is, in essence, who you are. You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are.

Joy does not come from what you do, it flows into what you do and thus into this world from deep within you. The misperception that joy comes from what you do is normal, and it is also dangerous, because it creates the belief that joy is something that can be derived from something else, such as an activity or thing.


Nothing is going to make us free because only the present moment can make us free.





Ok...I know I've gone a bit overboard with excerpts from the book...which are only a tiny fraction of the wisdom it has...just wanted to share and spread the word for those who may find it interesting...

Now that I've tagged, highlighted and underlined all over the book...I'm gonna start reading it over again...I'm a dry sponge...ready to be soaked...

Rise and Shine

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

~W.H. Murray



Damp and chilly outside this morning during my short commute to meet a small group of fabulous ladies to practice. Thankfully my mood didn't match the weather.

Just finishing our second week of meeting at 5:30 am to practice. I have the honor and privilege to practice with three incredible women who I admire and adore greatly...its inspiring to be in their presence every morning. Even though we all cycle through at our own pace... having the energy of others helps during those low points...and adds joy to the high...I'm blessed to be part of the group and it feels wonderful. Like LL says...its positive peer pressure when you know you have a group to meet, and in a good way, we are all counting on each other. Yoga doesn't have to be a solitary endeavor. Even though I have to do the work on the mat on my own...connecting and developing community makes it all worthwhile because it doesn't have to be all about me and my yoga...its all of ours...and it allows us to be connected as we ride on each others energy, and the greater whole...

What an inspiring start to my day...Thank you.

Commitment




"The irony of commitment is that it is deeply liberating ~ in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."


~Anne Morris


Practice this morning felt as if I was in slow motion. My sleep patterns have been off lately. Maybe its all catching up with me. No matter how much sleep I get or how little however...my body craves the morning practice. Almost as if another force drags me out of bed, even though my head is like..."no I'm tired!" Making the commitment in its self is the rewarding part. Just showing up...allowing what ever develops on the mat to develop. I once heard from a wise person that momentum...just a bit of momentum in the a positive direction can make all the difference...ignoring the negative self talk that goes on in the head. So...I'm gonna let it carry me...much easier that way...



"People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls."


~Carl Jung



In a quandary at the moment. I'm hesitating...not quite sure where any of this will take me. Challenges have continued to pop up. I doing my best to be in a state of awareness and move forward with grace...but, sometimes I just wanna be like..."God, give me a break, please." Ha! Then I quickly remember, there are those who have it much worse off than me, and I need to continue to be thankful for the little things...

After much hesitation and insecurity I'm gonna take on this project...doing my best to find the joy in the process...letting go of expectation...if that's possible. I got just the right nudge from a friend. She told me she sees it so clearly...but, why don't I see it? Well, first off I need to take me out of the equation...and ride, ride, ride...that's what's its all about.

So...I was invited to teach a workshop out of the country to a far off land...hahaha...my first international offer to teach yoga. I'm honored to be asked...a pleasant surprise...as always...There is NEVER a time I'm not up for a little adventure...that's just me...




















"In this world the wise one holds onto confidence and wisdom. Those are the greatest treasures; all other riches are pushed aside."

~Buddha


"Here within the heart, the Self shines in its captivating splendor like a noonday sun."


~St. Teresa of Avila



More and more I find that it doesn't matter where I am per-say that fills me...but, what fills me up are those moments where I feel present with everything and everyone around me. For me, that is what bliss is...the feeling of that connection. When I feel like these moments are few and far between its a sign that something is pulling me out of alignment with who I am. Its this constant learning and discovery process...starting with simple awareness...

As of late since making it back from Mexico I've had strong moments of being pulled out of that alignment. Thankfully, I have my daily practice and visit to the mat to bring me back. For some reason when on the mat the flow seems to take over seamlessly. However, my challenge has been taking that Presence off the mat, and into life as much as possible. Even through the evolution of my asana practice, as poses become increasingly more difficult...or challenging...the completion of these postures isn't really where the richness of the practice lies...even though it is fun learning something new. Its my mind...training the mind that becomes the exciting part...quieting the party that goes on in the head as I begin to feel more of the realness of who I am...how easy it is to get carried away by an array of thoughts and worries. Ahhh...so much worry...I guess that is where trust comes in...a trust in the process...an unfolding if you will. It can be a challenge to sit back and see the beauty in it...even though all I want to do is run from it...

I remember sitting atop one of the pyramids on Monte Alban in Oaxaca, MX...and everything was so still. On the horizon were mountains en-circling the plateau...and in that stillness I felt as if I could disappear...as if I was connecting to something bigger...and it felt soooo good. The me, the my...didn't seem so important. What I wanted or hoped to achieve was all lost...and all there was, was that moment...and there was no other place I wanted to be but there feeling the feeling of complete stillness and connection...

What a dance...to be so caught up in it...and then for it to be lost again...but there is no need to seek for it, because its always here...we just forget, and its time to remember again...




Puebla, MX

23.3.08


















"(The) inner universe is much greater than the outer universe; it is so vast that the entire outer cosmos can be kept in just one corner of it."

~Swami Muktananda

















"The sense of separate existence is a reflexion in a separate body of the one Reality. In this reflection, the unlimited and the limited are confused and taken to be the same. To undo this confusion is the purpose of yoga.

~Nisargadatta Maharaj

God Never Dies

20.3.08


















"The heart is the hub of all sacred places. Go there and roam." ~Bhagawan Nityananda


One of the fondest memories of my trip to Mexico was when my bf and I would go to his sister's home to practice yoga...and his nephew would be beyond excited. Already, at a young age... mystified by the practice...there was a connection. This cute, beautiful, little thing would plop down between me and Ricardo and try his best to follow along with what we were doing. Let me just say he became my teacher instead of the other way around. What a wonderful site to see, someone embrace yoga with nothing but an innocence that was so pure. It reminded me of what its all about. Just connecting to the moment. Laughing when I fall or flub up...and moving on with a fresh mind...an airy lightness...having fun with it all. This little guy loved every moment of what he was doing with no expectations or goals...only living in the moment of discovery and excitement...how refreshing...something to take to heart, and bring to my mat...as well as into life...

A Ray of Light

18.3.08


















We do not meditate only to relax a little and experience some peace. We meditate to unfold our inner being.

~Swami Muktananda

Love this picture...

Cathedral Santa Domingo

17.3.08


















































The mind that always thinks of a woman
takes on a woman's form.
The mind that is always angry
burns in the fire of anger.

The mind that contemplates illusion
falls into the well of illusion.
The mind that continually takes refuge in the Supreme
eventually becomes That.

~Sundardas



Stillness

16.3.08


















































"We are taught how to move and behave in the external world, but we are never taught how to be still and examine what is within ourselves. At the same time, learning to be still and calm should not be made a ceremony or a part of any religion; it is a universal requirement of the human body. When one learns to sit still, he or she attains a kind of joy that is inexplicable. The highest of all joys that can ever be attained or experienced by a human being can be attained through meditation. All the other joys in the world are transient and momentary, but the joy of meditation is immense and everlasting."

~Swami Rama, in 'Meditation and Its Practice'


Monte Alban

15.3.08


















































"No longer conscious of my movement, I discovered a new unity with nature. I had found a new source of power and beauty, a source I never dreamed existed."

~Roger Bannister, on breaking the 4-minute mile



Soon...I'll be writing again. I've been going through a contraction period...ugh! frightening...but, I feel an expansion coming on...its just a feeling...

What a view

14.3.08


















































"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

~Picasso

Mitla

13.3.08


















































At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities."

~Jean Houston

Tule

11.3.08


















































"The secret of the receptive must be sought in stillness;
With in silence there remains the potential for action."

~Zhou Xuanjing

Oaxaca, MX


















































"Once we push the gate of the mind slightly ajar and let the light stream in, the meaning of life becomes silently revealed to us. The gate may be open for one minute or for one hour, but in that period we discover the secret, and neither weary time nor bitter woe can tear that priceless knowledge away from us."

~Paul Bruton, The Secret Path


Love, love....Oaxaca!! Even though I just recently made it back home...to 20 inches of snow no less. I will still be posting some photos of my trip in Mexico. Oaxaca was one of my favorite places.

Looking for a job...anyone got suggestions...? I'll go anywhere...hehehe...anywhere interesting that is...

Trust

10.3.08


































"No more words. Hear only the voice with in." ~Rumi


Long time since I've written. I guess I've been hiding out too long. The last several months I have found myself hyper-sensitive to everything around me. And, somehow with all the feelings that have bombarded me...honestly, I have had a hard time channeling it...dealing with it all. It's not necessarily a bad thing...moving from a thinking mind to a feeling presence is something I am trying to grow into. Its just this damn sensitivity I'm experiencing...sometimes it feels as if its too big for me to handle...but somehow it ends up okay when I allow it to flow no matter how painful it is...I don't mean to paint a dismal picture...because honestly it doesn't have to be that way...I guess when observing, listening...being...so much comes to the surface that may have been hiding under a cloud of distraction...or delusion.

I spent the last two months in Mexico...what a beautiful country. What beautiful people. I went down there for nothing more than love. Yeah...call me a silly little girl...but its true...nothing more, nothing less. Was my love tested? I can definitely say...yes. But, has it wavered? I can without a doubt say...no. A relationship I feel can teach you many things. And, many times, I can see where I start not to trust...and become scared, insecure...often that can come out in a relationship. And, it all starts with me...not the other person. Its unbelievable how another one can become a mirror. Yes, yes...I have much to learn...but that's why I'm here...or else I would have graduated to the land of enlightenment...haha...

Above all...my trip to Mexico taught me many things...and I had the pleasure of seeing much of the country...traveling from northern Mexico all the way south...amazing. And to my wonderful tour guide and boyfriend...you are something truly special. I admire your humanity. I'm in awe with all that you give. Part of the intrigue is that you don't even realize just how wonderful you are. Faith and trust in something bigger and larger than us is all we have...and I know it will see us through. I love you.

Huathulco, MX

9.3.08


















































"Something we were withholding made us weak until we found it was ourselves."

~Robert Frost

Making Waves



















































To see the world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.

~William Blake

The Seat

8.3.08


















































The seat (asana) should have the dual qualities of steadiness (sthira) and lightness (sukha). These qualities can be achieved by observing the reactions of the breath and body. From there the individual's dualities cease to disturb. Upon perfect stillness of the seat the uncontrolled and disturbed movements of the breath reduce (pranayama). The internal and external fluctuations of breath become soft and subtle when the transition (sthamba) between each breath becomes increasingly measured. The breath may then transcend consciousness (the thinking mind).

~YSP, 2:46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51

Mexico's West Coast

7.3.08


































"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thought. With our thoughts, we make the world."

~The Buddha

















































"When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." ~Lao Tzu

More Pyramids...

3.3.08


















































If you come to me at this moment, your minutes will become hours, your hours will become days, and your days will become a lifetime.

~from Letter 74, excerpt from, A Novel in Letter, by Gregory Colbert

I gazed upon all of the edens that had fallen in me. I saw edens that I had in my hands, but had let go. I saw promises I did not keep, pains I did not soothe, wounds I did not heal, tears I did not shed. I saw deaths I did not mourn, prayers I did not answer, doors I did not open, doors I did not close, lovers I left behind, and dreams I did not live. I saw all that was offered to me that I could not accept. I saw the letters I wished for, but never received. I saw all that could have been, but never will be.

~from Letter 351, excerpt from, A Novel in Letters, by Gregory Colbert
 

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