Archive for ‘Articles’
Yoga Sutra 1.33- The Lighted Path
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
One of the many gifts of a yoga practice is the way we can find ourselves in the space of peace or equanimity. There are many ways to practice yoga, and yet often the end result is this space of peaceful ease, sometimes called grace or bliss. How delicious!
One of the ways to practice yoga is through studying the sacred texts, like the Yoga Sutras or the Baghavad Gita. I was recently reading Sri Swami Satchidananda’s translation of The Yoga Sutras and came across this advice, “Whether you are interested in reaching Samadhi (bliss) or plan to ignore Yoga entirely, I would advise you to remember at least this one Sutra. It will be very helpful to you in keeping a peaceful mind in your daily life. You may not have any great goal in your life, but just try to follow this one Sutra very well and you will see its efficacy.”
The Sutra he is referring to is 1.33. “By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard toward the wicked, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.”
Ah, can you imagine a sense of undisturbed calmness in your mind, body and spirit? Delicious! So what is Patanjali speaking of in this Sutra? He suggests that in your daily life you will come across people expressing 4 energetic forms. They are sukha or happiness, duhka or unhappiness, punya or virtuousness and apunya or wickedness. The keys he gives for maintaining your sense of well-being in light of these energies are friendliness, compassion, delight, and indifference or disregard.
As you come upon a happy person, find a sense of friendliness to them. Recognize that there may be some old habits which may create some other response to someone’s happiness other than friendliness. Apparently even 4000 years ago people would act in a less than friendly way when approached by other’s happiness. Take a breath and ignite in you a friendly response. It will be a selfless act that all, including you, will benefit from.
Patanjali then suggests that when you come upon an unhappy person, reach inward and ignite compassion for them. Your feeling of well-being will be energized by compassion, rather than being sucked out of you in feeling sadness or even empathy toward them. You certainly will not help others by becoming unhappy as well.
The third interaction is when you come upon one who is virtuous. How delightful to see true virtue being expressed, and to inspire it within you! Let virtuousness in others be the lighted path for you to follow, with a heart that sings delight.
Then lastly, what do you do when you are in the presence of wickedness? Indifference is the key, he says. This one can often be confusing, as we may believe he is suggesting that we do nothing about wickedness. Not true. He is saying that when in its presence do not react with anything else other than indifference when it is in your face, because any action you will take at that point will be like pouring oil on a fire. Once away from the wickedness, your actions, centered in your undisturbed calmness, will be virtuous, compassionate and friendly. What magic you will create!
Happy – Friendly Unhappy – Compassion Virtuous – Delight Wicked – Indifference
And away we go….
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, yoga, Yoga Philosophy | 1 Comment »
Community Bliss
Saturday, November 12th, 2011
It’s November and for many of us this is the month that reminds us to open our hearts to gratitude. On Thanksgiving Day we gather in community, feasting together in the bounty of our harvest and giving thanks for all of the blessings in our lives. Giving thanks for our family, friends, loved ones, health, and prosperity, just to name a few things, uplifts us and opens our eyes again to these gifts. It is a powerful experience and one that can generate amazing changes in our lives.
One day a year is a wonderful beginning to what can become a daily or even moment to moment life altering and affirming path of life. But let’s start with the baby steps, and not get too carried away, right away.
For example, start by noticing how often you are feeling thankful, or in appreciation. Do you feel and see the abundance of life that surrounds you, or do you often find your focus is on what is lacking? Open your eyes and heart to appreciate something right now! Go on, what is in your field of awareness right NOW that you are thankful for?
Next take it to the street. Start moving through your day and notice how you are relating to the people, places and things that you interact with every day. Do you struggle with them, or feel a sense of thankfulness for them? Just notice. Maybe you catch yourself grumbling about the cracks in the sidewalks, or noticing there is not enough room for you on the bus. What about the flowers that are growing along the sidewalks? Did you see them? Did you consider that the crowded bus means less people polluting with cars? Bring your awareness to that. The person who opened the door for you gives you an opportunity to get those feel good vibes of gratitude flowing, or criticize them for not holding the door wide enough for you. Are you starting to see and feel what is going on here?
Every moment is an opportunity to feel good or not. AND how you feel will affect others all day around you. Want to live in a feel good community? Then start feeling good. The best way I know is to feel the bliss of gratitude. That’s right give some thanks, feel it within yourself and watch what happens.
I recently noticed this sense of community spirit with two restaurateurs here in Key West. They are in business right across the street from one another, and a number of times I have noticed that they help one another, offer each other assistance and support. There is a lot of appreciation and support that flows between them. At the same time another restaurateur down the street feels the sting of lack, and competes with the other two establishments, often doing things in an effort to undercut or undermine the other businesses nearby. Guess which two are thriving businesses, and who is struggling to survive?
When you gather this Thanksgiving Day, let it be a kick off day for you to spend every day finding your bliss through gratitude. Some people find a gratitude journal or making a list daily in the morning or at night a great way to make a shift for themselves. If you need more support with this check out Heartmath at http://www.heartmath.org/. I know I speak for many when I say thank you for taking on this shift, and welcome to the bliss community.
Favor Bank
Monday, October 10th, 2011
I recently read a wonderful book, Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman. In it she mentions the concept of a Favor Bank and it tickled my fancy to share it all with you. It is really quite simple, yet so very profound. It is a mindset and a practice. And with the way the finances of the world are these days it is a breath of fresh air for many of us when it comes to banking. We can engage in this form of prosperity no matter what the finances of the world are doing.
So what is this Favor Bank? Let’s start by defining a favor by saying that a favor is something we do for others, with no expectation of anything in return, and in the act of doing the favor it feels good for all parties. So with that understanding a few other key things may come to mind. To begin with, most often you will be asked to do the favor (that way you are not forcing your desire on someone else.) Then find it in your heart to say yes, and let go of any thoughts of how it will be returned to you. Lastly keep your eye on the way it is feeling for you, and being received by the other.
Yes that’s right, let’s pause here and remember when doing a favor it mustn’t feel good for only one person! You can’t push someone over to do them a favor, nor take advantage of others. Key to the workings of the Favor Bank is that we make our transactions with free will and an open heart. Everyone feels the worth, joy and benefit. Kaching, a deposit and withdrawal is happening simultaneously!
Now here is how the Favor Bank has been viable for centuries. Each time you do a favor for someone you are making a deposit into the Favor Bank. Sounds easy, right? Many of us love to do favors. We are happy to, and may even go out of our way to do a favor for others as it makes us feel good to be in the light of gratitude.
But as the author reminds us, for the health of the “bank” we must remember to participate in withdrawals as well! Don’t get stuck in the “doing” of favors only. Be open to receiving them as well. When others offer to do something kind for us, it is extremely important to remember to accept it as a withdrawal from the Favor Bank. When asked, “Is there something I can help with” take a moment to see if it is your time to make a withdrawal, and open to receiving this wonderful gift.
Yes that’s right unlike other banks, you will receive a gift with each deposit and withdrawal. No fees. No penalties. No time limits. The interest on your capital deposit will cover you for a lifetime. So enjoy the rewards, with no fear of retributions. This bank is user friendly. May you hear the sound of prosperity often, “kaching!”
Posted in Articles, Spirit | 4 Comments »
Excersing Responds-Ability
Thursday, September 8th, 2011
Sitting there, take a breath and feel what is going on inside you right now. Can you feel your breath moving your physical body? Are there any thoughts flying around in your mind? Can you feel the response or reaction in your body? Excitement, irritation, tension, joy, a desire to strike out, run or hold your breath? What is the mind/body communicating you right now?
Each moment there are thousands of neurological activations happening in your body. Each thought generates an electrical spark, which has a chemical reaction and all of this is triggered by your personal Samskara (habit.) When we practice yoga, we become fine-tuned to all that is going on, and awakened to the response/reactions. Choice is born from that awareness, we become Response-Able.
Take another breath. What is happening now?
It is that practice in yoga that is the key to your transformation. When you become aware of what is happening now, and aware of what you are feeling, your choices broaden. When you are unaware of what is going on, your habits or conditional reactions will govern you. It is like the movie Groundhog Day, when everything just keeps repeating itself and you don’t know why nor do you like it. As you become more familiar with what is happening, what you are feeling, and what thoughts you are thinking you will begin to see the moment when a reaction can become simply a response.
Think of it this way, a response is the feeling you have about what is happening. It is the result of the stimulus in the moment. Have you ever heard a choir sing, and then the responds? That is what is happening in your body. The mind has a thought and the body sings the responds with a feeling. A reaction is what you are doing with that responds (and often it is not for the highest good.) We all have had those moments when we react to something, and then soon after regretted what we said or did. Would you like to avoid feeling regret?
Underlining the transition from a response to reactions is very often the inability to accept was is happening. This is a whole other subject for an article, but is key to this one as well. Accepting what is happening in a given moment can be so very tricky for some, as it implies that you are condoning it. Number ONE understanding of acceptance is that it is simply stating what is happening in the moment. It is neither condoning it nor stating that it will continue. When we can accept what is happening we simple see the presence clearly. From there we can make choices that serve us, and continue to amplify feelings that inspire us.
For instance imagine it is raining right now. If you start flying off the handle, not accepting that it is raining, how would you feel? What choices might you make? How wet would you be? On the other hand, when you accept that it is raining you may find your umbrella, enjoy the free car wash and be happy for the plants in your yard.
Learn to be more present in the feelings you are having, and let the response factor guide you. If what is happening in a given moment is creating a feeling just be with it. Be in the feeling and let your mind hear it. “I’m feeling _____________(name the feeling) right now.” Creating some space to observe the feeling before jumping into action gives you the opportunity to give a broadened perspective on it. Maybe all you need to do is feel it. Let your Response-Ability be exercised daily, simply take a breath and feel what is going on now.
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, Uncategorized, Yoga Philosophy | No Comments »
Receptivity
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
I’ve been observing the concept of receptivity lately, pondering its power and gifts. Teaching Yin yoga gifts me with the opportunity to explore receptivity, as it is one of the wonderful elements of Yin nature. Receptivity is the ability to be open and fully receive which allows us to live life in limitless ways, including well-being, ease, and prosperity.
As I am teaching I notice the great ability of many of our students to push through, to resist, to go up against with such tenacity. All of this is wonderful in its nature of Yang expressed physically, yet what about its counterpart? What is your ability to be whole and fully engaged in life like? Take a look at your receptivity ability.
Are you able to openly receive? Savasana is a wonderful pose to check in with your receptivity. Are you able to be alert or do you shut down during it? Check in the next time you are doing savasana and feel your sensitivity in the pose. As you settle into the pose invite your whole body to be receptive to the floor supporting you. Relax into the support and steadiness of gravity holding you to Earth. Receive each breath with ease, allowing a sense of flow to be dominate. Unravel the nature of Yang that may be showing up wanting to push away, shut down, or be active. Lie in the stillness and openly embrace it. Or at least watch the desire to get up and run!
Receptivity simply allows. It is the quality of life that embraces a friendly, approachable nature. It is inviting and allowing life. When we live life in its wholeness we can flow from Yin to Yang as each current situation or moment dictates. In clear awareness we can be blending our receptive nature with our ability to repel. Being or doing, it’s your call every moment of the day. May you explore receptivity today, and discover its innate nature and gifts.
Tags: recepetivity, savasana, Yin Yoga
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, Spirit, Yoga Philosophy | No Comments »
