Discovering your Way

There is no fetter like illusion, no force greater than Yoga, no friend greater than knowledge, and no enemy fiercer than ego.  v.4 Gheranda Samhita

There is a path we all want to live in our existence, walk and breath, one that has been written upon the very halls of destiny.  Perhaps, it dwells deep within the marrow, far set into the furthest recesses of our minds, hard to tell from whence it comes.  But…it is there.  Even the most skeptical of persons must admit that each and every one of us carries propensities towards a particular nature that tends to far exceed nurture.  

The ancients, they knew of such things.  This identity behind the personalities of culture and creed were called a variety of things.  Soul, daemon, genius, atma, Self, the list goes on yet the mystery remains the same.  There is something within that transcends and intends beyond the masks of our temporal lives that drives us to be who we are meant to be.  If one is truthful and reflects upon the path of life from birth to now, one must agree.  

Finding this path, one’s way or dharma is the goal and beginning of life.  To realize what is the task of bliss for each every person is the focus of all great legends and epic tales.  

Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of my life? 

All questions, reflections from the magnetic draw of serendipity.  

We all feel it, the pull to be what we are meant to be. Indeed, we are drawn to the unique identity that is our role in this cosmic play we call life.  To find our place is a magnanimous fortune.  It is not easy, even though who we are is always there but it is covered by powerful magical illusion that bewitches our minds and leads us astray.  The life we live, the generations we are born into, the cultures that surround us, all these and more cloud our inner vision and place us in an existence that limits us from seeing our true nature.  Fate, karma, bad luck, these are all the same, remnants of what was before coming into the now.  Accepting this and seeing that there is something larger and more profound than these identities is the shaft of light in the darkness that reveals true knowledge.   

Knowledge begins the journey to liberation.  We see through darkness, out the cave of limitations and realize that a life beyond our imagination exists, one of true satisfaction and fulfillment.  This is the road we are meant to travel.  

If this were enough, so many would be happy and full of infinite joy.  But, most have this beatific sight then ignore it or fall into despair because what was seen seems beyond any reach of present circumstances?  Too many distractions, obstacles surround it.  Honestly, even for those who see and strive after it, what was seen as the path is confused and clouded by perceptions of our mind so the goal becomes even further out of our hands.  This is the realm of the ego and it's skewed take on what are meant to be binds us to ultimate disappointment.  

Here resides a force capable of leading us to the life we are meant to have.  It is a way that has taken many forms and shapes though the ages.  The moment we look at the vision of our lives see it and say yes to it, the cosmic wheels begin to churn and place before us the practice that will lead us into the life we are meant to live.  It will be different for every person.  

I call it Yoga! Name it whatever you want.  Go deep into it and you will discover the way to liberations and fulfillment.  

This is the plug that when connected to what we seek will illuminate our way.  Through following a course of yoga whatever it might be for one, however it manifests itself and then through a determined practice we will be led to the way we were meant to walk.  

May you find your Yoga!!!

Finding Meditation

First, without bragging let me just describe my life.  I teach five to eight yoga classes and week then add four to five indoor cycle sessions on top of that, fill in to sub in both disciplines, have private sessions with clients as well as oversee several instructors as their direct supervisor.  Oh, and, of course, there are all those extra projects that come along and fill my days.  This is all interesting but the days get filled and time slips away. Basically, my life is busy.  Granted I work in a really uplifting profession but even when one does what one loves things can be intense and exhausting especially when too much ends up on my mat or on the spin cycle.

What to do? 

I could just do more in an attempt to take care of things.  Work differently, find a better schedule, delegate, try and take time off, plan a vacation (that’s real work) and so on…but all this becomes more stuff to do in the end.  

I know in those moments it becomes apparent that it’s time to meditate.  The ultimate act of some non-doing!  That's right, not more doing, but more nothing just to be and be still without worrying about results or what it will get me.   When I meditate, I allow myself to exhale in a whole state of being sort of way then let the world dance by in all its seeming importance until at some point the chatter, urgency and importance of it all drops away allowing a quiet to emerge.  There in that place beyond the ripples of life the truth exists and what really matters rises to the surface and reveals itself.  

There from that place of quiet contemplation I see the relative nature of my acts.  Even when I am attending to great matters and taking care things that must be completed if I am to live a life without complication, still these too become secondary to what I find in meditation. 

This is the real path anyway. It’s not the action, the teaching, all the doing rather this is the arrow that points to the reality of a deeper experience.  Sitting, resting, and all the manifestations of meditation become the real goal of work, yoga and any other act.  

Strangely enough when I grant myself these moments, I receive what is needed to move forward. Sure things may still seem stressful and the day can be filled with obstacles and struggles but when I touch that inner serenity there possibility emerges beyond the immediate occurrences.  This creates a ground from which to move onward.   From this, things evolve, tasks get completed, the necessary finds its completion and the fringe falls away.

Most of all though, it’s not the result of the mediation that matters, this would make it another task to complete if this is the case.  It’s simply to go to where I am truly who I am, the place without masks, definitions and identities and to rest in that.  This is the realm of true Knowledge, the knowing that matters.  Just that!  

As an ancient text declares in all it’s directness.  

By Constant Meditation (comparable to the rubbing of the fire-wood) is kindled the flame of Knowledge, which completely burns up the fuel of ignorance.  V42 Atmabhodha

May we all unplug in our days and find this.  

Enjoy the Ride!

Favorite Morning Affirmtaion

I have tried all sorts of affirmations and mantras in my time.  Friends, inspirational books and teachers have given all sorts of suggestions, some complicated and others interesting.  But,  the one I prefer and use is simple and open ended.

Almost every morning, I open my journal and write down the sweetest words.  They are so simple.

Ok-are you ready?  Here it is.

Everything I need now is here!  

That's it, the magic formula to success and living a blissful day, at least for me.  I do what I can through my day following my truth and then trust that the process will take care of me, leading me where I need to go.

Just try it or make up your own version then live into the day knowing you are on a journey with a universe whirling in and around you that completely supports your story.  Maybe, you don't believe that right now but see what happens and perhaps you will start to see that you indeed are taken care of everyday.  It doesn't mean that you won't doubt or have bad times, just that there is a purpose to your life and that it is to be the most radiant being you are.

Om

Sitting When Things Get Busy

Has any one else had a busy few weeks?

I have, regular yoga and spin classes, filling in to sub as well as taking on some extra projects, all interesting but the days start to get filled. Granted I work in a really uplifting profession for my livelihood but even this can be intense and exhausting if too much ends up on my mat or on the spin cycle.

I know in those moments that it's time to sit!  That's right, not more doing, but more sitting just to sit and be still, read something uplifting and light, write free form in my journal or just breathe with my dog at my feet.  When I sit, I allow myself to exhale in a whole state of being sort of way.

Strangely enough when I grant myself these moments, I receive what is needed to move forward. Sure things may still seem stressful and the day can be filled with obstacles but when I touch that quiet moment there is an inner possibility beyond the immediate occurrences.  This creates a ground from which to move onward.   From this, things evolve, tasks get completed, the necessary finds its completion and the fringe falls away.

What's Your Yoga?

Recently, I had the amazing opportunity of guest instructing at a local yoga teacher training program. Twice in one week, I traveled to a beautiful little Alaskan college campus tucked away in the woods next to a small lake with the mountains of the Chugach range hovering in the distance.  Impressive!

My topic? Introducing Patanjali along with the Yamas and the Niyamas.  Quite an undertaking in a total of six class hours.As we all sat together and discussed Patanjali's ideas, a question began to emerge that continues to stay with me even after our session ended.

What is yoga?

Of course, I could answer from Patanjali himself or with one of the descriptive definitions provided by his numerous commentators.

But...

What is my yoga?  What does it mean to me?

I would ask any reader of this blog.  What is your yoga?  How do you define the path you walk upon. This is worthy topic of contemplation.  So, I ask you dear yogis...

What is your yoga?

Add Gratitude to your Practice

Try writing a gratitude list before stepping onto the mat.  The simple act of listing the gifts of life with pen and paper can add so much to any yoga practice.  It's true! 

Long before any semblance of a consistent yoga practice, several people suggested starting my day with a gratitude list.  I sat at my desk the next morning halfheartedly attempted writing one, on one level hoping it worked and the other wanting to prove it a ridiculous suggestion.  It seemed simple but proved difficult while at the same time curiously engaging.   This process continued, and over time, the list grew from ten random listings to a whole page.  

Years later, an instructor in my teacher training program suggested that writing gratitude lists prepared the mind for yoga. This added a new awareness to the daily gratitude list. I soon found that it merged with my developing yoga practice and later with my path as an instructor.  The physical poses opened the body and brought along the mind.  The gratitude list opened the mind which then softened the body.  The combination of the two complimented one another.

Rather than take my word for it just try it.  See what happens.  If it doesn't work than put it aside.  If it does, then keep it.  Here are some simple suggestions how to start a gratitude list.

1. Start with you.  Begin by listing the obvious, you and the gift of being alive.  It could look like this-me, waking up, being alive, my body, being me, etc...

2. Recognize the obvious and simple things.  Hot showers, a bed, sleep, your home and its amenities, clothes, breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, electricity, the car out front.  The list will go on.  There are so many things to write down.

3. Nature provides us with so much.  Here is a great pool from which to acknowledge.  Light, sunshine, rain, snow, stars, trees, there are so many depending on one's preference.

4.  List family and friends.  It is always helpful to remind ourselves about the people who support us.  No guilt trips just jot down the people that you love and mean something special, wives, husbands, parents, siblings, children, best friends, and those people who we positively interact with on a regular basis.

5. Acknowledge what brings joy.  What is it that brings a smile into a life?  Yoga, travel, hobbies and so forth, it is important to write these down because they give so much to life.  Putting them on paper reminds one of these pleasures.

6. How about your career? Yes, our work is a huge part of our life.  We spend a huge part of our lives working.  One can list a vocation, work place, colleagues, and clients.  Maybe, this is a tough spot? Then, this practice might open up the eyes to actual good things in the arena of life.  

7. Remember the lessons of life. Every day teaches us so much if we open our eyes to these lessons.  It can be through the guidance of a teacher or through a challenge in life.  Regardless, we learn fresh perspectives and new ways in which to engage the world and in our daily affairs.  Thanks for those lessons.  

Start your gratitude list.  See what happens as you discover all the wonderful benefits in your life.  Share what you discover and pass on the joy.  Namaste

Yoga Trade Article:Thirty Days of Sun

All of you probably remember my road trip from Anchorage AK to Long Beach NY and back again, more importantly the Thirty Days of Sun Challenge that many of you participated in during the time of the summer solstice.  I wrote an article about this and Yoga Trade just posted it.  Check it out by following this link and let me know what you think.