Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Friendliness toward the joyful
The Four Qualities of the Heart
The practice of the four brahmavihara are essential to truly breaking down the perceived barriers between self and other:
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Celebrating the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
As householder yogis, these four attitudes can be most useful. If you go off and live in a cave, there is less opportunity for testing your spiritual fitness in the presence of others. Most of us live real lives with all sorts of people and relationships that test us. Taking our Yoga off the mat and into the real world, can be a very powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. When we practice these four brahmavihara we can cease what I like to call the “spiraling” of emotions and mental unrest that comes from unresolved or unsettled relationships.
August Monthly Theme: Friendliness toward the joyful – it is easier to start with this one to gain the confidence we need to live more compassionately toward all.
"The first brahmavihara is perhaps the easiest, and that is simply to extend our friendship toward people who are already pleasantly disposed toward us. We can do this in very real terms--by extending assistance and support to friends when they need us and by availing ourselves of the same support. Without being indiscriminate, we can assume friendliness toward others in our daily interactions and by doing so wear away at the thickness of our skin. Clearly, it is easier to be friendly with someone who likes us or someone we admire, so by starting with an easy practice we gain confidence in our ability to live compassionately." ~ Donna Fahri
We'd love to hear from you about your experience, practice or wisdom regarding the first of these four qualities. Today, practice kindness and friendship toward someone you like or admire. This first step toward living a life of true compassion is an important one to practice. It helps us with the more difficult ones.
The practice of the four brahmavihara are essential to truly breaking down the perceived barriers between self and other:
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Celebrating the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
As householder yogis, these four attitudes can be most useful. If you go off and live in a cave, there is less opportunity for testing your spiritual fitness in the presence of others. Most of us live real lives with all sorts of people and relationships that test us. Taking our Yoga off the mat and into the real world, can be a very powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. When we practice these four brahmavihara we can cease what I like to call the “spiraling” of emotions and mental unrest that comes from unresolved or unsettled relationships.
August Monthly Theme: Friendliness toward the joyful – it is easier to start with this one to gain the confidence we need to live more compassionately toward all.
"The first brahmavihara is perhaps the easiest, and that is simply to extend our friendship toward people who are already pleasantly disposed toward us. We can do this in very real terms--by extending assistance and support to friends when they need us and by availing ourselves of the same support. Without being indiscriminate, we can assume friendliness toward others in our daily interactions and by doing so wear away at the thickness of our skin. Clearly, it is easier to be friendly with someone who likes us or someone we admire, so by starting with an easy practice we gain confidence in our ability to live compassionately." ~ Donna Fahri
We'd love to hear from you about your experience, practice or wisdom regarding the first of these four qualities. Today, practice kindness and friendship toward someone you like or admire. This first step toward living a life of true compassion is an important one to practice. It helps us with the more difficult ones.
The Four Qualities of the Heart
The practice of the four brahmavihara are essential to truly breaking down the perceived barriers between self and other:
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Celebrating the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
September Theme: Compassion for those who are suffering – At first glance, this may seem easy, but compassion and empathy are different than pity. Many of us are distanced from real suffering, so may pity those who are suffering and believe this pity to be compassion or understanding. We may even further distance ourselves and see these people as invisible.
How can we develop true compassion without being overwhelmed by it? We can start with what feels most real to us. Your greatest suffering can be turned into your greatest gift for developing empathy toward others. Where have you suffered in your life? The greatest gift Yoga has given to me is to learn that everyone has a story, and that most of us have been doing our best to survive or thrive based on our stories or assumed identities in the best way we know how.
Judgment is a way to distance ourselves from someone else's suffering by essentially blaming them for it. In doing this, we create the illusion that this perceived distance somehow protects US from the possibility of suffering. We create this illusory protective bubble of false happiness. Really, we are all connected, we can not truly separate ourselves. This false protective bubble is a tightly controlled field of "happiness" that is not true joy.
We all have suffering and joy in our lives. There is universal suffering and universal joy, and if we can see ourselves as part of something bigger, and begin to see everyone as some small part of ourselves, we can begin to develop more compassion and understanding and less pity, guilt, and judgment.
We'd love to hear from you about your experience, practice or wisdom related to how you experience true compassion without pity or guilt. Go to the Flow Yoga Facebook page, become a "Friend", and share your experience about practicing this month's brahmavihara: www.facebook.com/home.php
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Celebrating the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
September Theme: Compassion for those who are suffering – At first glance, this may seem easy, but compassion and empathy are different than pity. Many of us are distanced from real suffering, so may pity those who are suffering and believe this pity to be compassion or understanding. We may even further distance ourselves and see these people as invisible.
How can we develop true compassion without being overwhelmed by it? We can start with what feels most real to us. Your greatest suffering can be turned into your greatest gift for developing empathy toward others. Where have you suffered in your life? The greatest gift Yoga has given to me is to learn that everyone has a story, and that most of us have been doing our best to survive or thrive based on our stories or assumed identities in the best way we know how.
Judgment is a way to distance ourselves from someone else's suffering by essentially blaming them for it. In doing this, we create the illusion that this perceived distance somehow protects US from the possibility of suffering. We create this illusory protective bubble of false happiness. Really, we are all connected, we can not truly separate ourselves. This false protective bubble is a tightly controlled field of "happiness" that is not true joy.
We all have suffering and joy in our lives. There is universal suffering and universal joy, and if we can see ourselves as part of something bigger, and begin to see everyone as some small part of ourselves, we can begin to develop more compassion and understanding and less pity, guilt, and judgment.
We'd love to hear from you about your experience, practice or wisdom related to how you experience true compassion without pity or guilt. Go to the Flow Yoga Facebook page, become a "Friend", and share your experience about practicing this month's brahmavihara: www.facebook.com/home.php
Honoring the Good
The practice of the four brahmavihara are essential to truly breaking down the perceived barriers between self and other:
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Honoring the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
Mudita Punya ~ Honoring the Good in Others
Mudita=delight punya=virtuous The third quality, or brahmavihara, is "delight in the virtuous".
Of the four supreme attitudes (or, ways in which we live as our truest nature) the honoring of the basic goodness of others is essential to freedom and happiness. In some relationships or interactions, we may make the mistake of believing that our fears and insecurities are actually true, and in so doing, miss Reality. We can believe that another is somehow better than ourselves, and feel envious of them or intimdated by them. In turn, we miss that we are actually One, and by any judgment or evaluation of other, we only come to the illusion of suffering and separation.
By acknowledging the basic goodness of ourselves and others, we come to interactions and relationships from a place that is grounded in Reality. This is not to say that every interaction is going to be pleasant or nourishing to us, it is just to say that seeing life in terms of basic goodness puts us in a proper relationship with things as they are.
There is an enormous love and freedom that arises when we cease to view ourselves and others in terms of 'what's wrong' and begin to view things as being rooted in essential Good.
It isn't even necessary to believe in this goodness, simply by allowing the possibility to see it we will begin to see inherent goodness everywhere...we will cease comparing ourselves to others and celebrate our diverse goodness.
May we see each other for the Basic Goodness that we ARE~
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Honoring the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
Mudita Punya ~ Honoring the Good in Others
Mudita=delight punya=virtuous The third quality, or brahmavihara, is "delight in the virtuous".
Of the four supreme attitudes (or, ways in which we live as our truest nature) the honoring of the basic goodness of others is essential to freedom and happiness. In some relationships or interactions, we may make the mistake of believing that our fears and insecurities are actually true, and in so doing, miss Reality. We can believe that another is somehow better than ourselves, and feel envious of them or intimdated by them. In turn, we miss that we are actually One, and by any judgment or evaluation of other, we only come to the illusion of suffering and separation.
By acknowledging the basic goodness of ourselves and others, we come to interactions and relationships from a place that is grounded in Reality. This is not to say that every interaction is going to be pleasant or nourishing to us, it is just to say that seeing life in terms of basic goodness puts us in a proper relationship with things as they are.
There is an enormous love and freedom that arises when we cease to view ourselves and others in terms of 'what's wrong' and begin to view things as being rooted in essential Good.
It isn't even necessary to believe in this goodness, simply by allowing the possibility to see it we will begin to see inherent goodness everywhere...we will cease comparing ourselves to others and celebrate our diverse goodness.
May we see each other for the Basic Goodness that we ARE~
Detachment & Indifference
Indifference Toward the Imperfections of Others
The practice of the four brahmavihara are essential to truly breaking down the perceived barriers between self and other:
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Honoring the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
Practicing detachment or indifference toward those who have harmed us or others in word or deed is the most difficult of all the brahmavihara. However, it is important practice for true peace. The time and energy that goes into creating enemy energy is completely not worthwhile. The negative energy we put into any feeling of hate will never serve us.
If we get still and very quiet for enough time, listening deeply, we will get a signal to turn our attention away from it. The ego tries to get us into creating enemy relationships so we can analyze and judge someone else so that we can feel “right” and better about who we are. At a much deeper level, if we really listen without internal chatter, we know this never works. It never feels quite right. We even try to get others involved in our “fight” and feel more justified in our behavior by the involvement of others. Or, instead, some of us become attached to the idea of becoming a victim to someone else’s bad behavior. Of course, this is disempowering, and not useful.
This takes Tapas, or fire. It can feel like burning to soften, and find the humility and strength to forgive. To let go of the ego's need to be right or justified in battle, initially, burns like fire. It means taking responsibility for our own peace without involving anyone else. It means realizing that truly, deeply, that which bothers us the most about someone else, may be a pattern of our own ego being reflected back to us.
If truly necessary for our overall health, we can remove our selves from a relationship and/or set discriminate and healthy boundaries while letting go of all the emotions and energy of attachment to that person.
I see this as a two-part realization. First, putting down the sword, or the shield, whichever fictitious weapon one has created in this illusory battle of the ego. Second, forgiving ourselves and the other to truly get past the anger, resentment, hurt, or any other feeling that arose. For the battle was never real anyway, even though our ego got so involved in the drama, the battle, the story...the Truth is that we can not harm anyone else without harming ourselves. There is no separation, only the projection of separation the ego creates.
Here are some great quotes by Mahatma Gandhi, a great teacher and example on this matter:
In fire and Love,
Stephanie
The practice of the four brahmavihara are essential to truly breaking down the perceived barriers between self and other:
1) Friendliness toward the joyful - August
2) Compassion for those who are suffering - Sept
3) Honoring the good in others - Oct
4) Remaining impartial to the faults & imperfections of others - Nov
(yoga sutra 1.33)
Practicing detachment or indifference toward those who have harmed us or others in word or deed is the most difficult of all the brahmavihara. However, it is important practice for true peace. The time and energy that goes into creating enemy energy is completely not worthwhile. The negative energy we put into any feeling of hate will never serve us.
If we get still and very quiet for enough time, listening deeply, we will get a signal to turn our attention away from it. The ego tries to get us into creating enemy relationships so we can analyze and judge someone else so that we can feel “right” and better about who we are. At a much deeper level, if we really listen without internal chatter, we know this never works. It never feels quite right. We even try to get others involved in our “fight” and feel more justified in our behavior by the involvement of others. Or, instead, some of us become attached to the idea of becoming a victim to someone else’s bad behavior. Of course, this is disempowering, and not useful.
This takes Tapas, or fire. It can feel like burning to soften, and find the humility and strength to forgive. To let go of the ego's need to be right or justified in battle, initially, burns like fire. It means taking responsibility for our own peace without involving anyone else. It means realizing that truly, deeply, that which bothers us the most about someone else, may be a pattern of our own ego being reflected back to us.
If truly necessary for our overall health, we can remove our selves from a relationship and/or set discriminate and healthy boundaries while letting go of all the emotions and energy of attachment to that person.
I see this as a two-part realization. First, putting down the sword, or the shield, whichever fictitious weapon one has created in this illusory battle of the ego. Second, forgiving ourselves and the other to truly get past the anger, resentment, hurt, or any other feeling that arose. For the battle was never real anyway, even though our ego got so involved in the drama, the battle, the story...the Truth is that we can not harm anyone else without harming ourselves. There is no separation, only the projection of separation the ego creates.
Here are some great quotes by Mahatma Gandhi, a great teacher and example on this matter:
- Hate the sin, love the sinner.
- I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.
- In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth.
- The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
- When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
- You must be the change you want to see in the world.
- You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
In fire and Love,
Stephanie
Stillness, Darkness & Illumination
Today is the darkest day of the year. Since the beginning of times, we have celebrated this darkest time of the year. In the natural darkness, it is time for stillness and illumination. To come "indoors" for quiet times and reflective moments, balanced with inner light, illumination, and celebration. Winter is the time for hibernation, incubation, reflection, rejuvenation, contemplation, and completion in preparation for the new. Here is a poem Sybil wrote in celebration for this time of year: My body still and wise I trust The design so well thought , the love poured in and the life well lived My body still and wise I trust My age and my movement brings me deeper into questions and seeking My body still and wise I trust What I can imagine and see of the perfection has never dwindled in me My body still and wise I trust It is all possible for me and therefore true for you My body still and wise I trust Higher self and limitless love I exude My body still and wise I trust Guide me through this discomfort and still my doing so I can hear exactly what to be I align myself with truth I trust in the stillness and now I know where and how I am meant to be Happy Holidays and Winter Solstice. |  |  |
Pushti ~ Grace
Its January, if setting goals this year, perhaps, consider a different approach. Allow space for deep awareness. Do you set a similar goal each year, deeply fearful that you dont really know how to change, or not really wanting the change that you think you should want?
True transformation, in itself, does not come from effort, but from Grace. Pushti, or grace, is the path of doing the work, without regard to the fruits of our actions. This is a karmic practice. It is creating space for whatever practice brings you deeper awareness of all that you are, and all that you are not. Allowing, accepting, admitting, and deeply loving yourself and others while trusting in the deeper wisdom of the universe. In this way, we experience, santosha, contentment within the entire experience of life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Being grateful for the joys and the sorrows, realizing that they both enrich our experience and teach us so much. From this deep awareness, eventually we find loving acceptance, and the grace of contentment.
So, as we move from the inspiration of a new year, moving from dark to light, from old to new, this year, we do so with just a little more awareness. Perhaps, take your proposed "goal" and sit with it in silence and notice what comes up for you. Is there a feeling of lightness and fulfillment, or is there a sense of dread, fear, shame, or resistance?
If a sense of lightness, than it is probably in line with your true nature and a realistic empowered intention...you have done the work and are naturally ready for the grace of transformation. In this case, there will be little you have to "do", will require little effort, and will feel natural and light.
If there is fear, there is more awareness and loving acceptance to be learned and processed, from a psychological and/or spiritual place. Where is the fear coming from, if it is present? This practice is not a quick fix, but with the continued openness that comes from really paying attention in a loving way, eventually, it will come. Continuing your yoga practice, meditation, satsang privately with a teacher, or within your sangha/community, communing with nature, or any other practice that brings you still moments, deep reflections, or realizations that create space for awareness, will pave your way.
The difference between a goal and an intention is that an intention carries a different energy with it. It is more present. It is in line with our true nature and is realistic for us, in this moment. There is not a fear of failure or a sense that we are not already whole, but, instead, an empowered sense of strength and inspiration. It is not far out in the future, but Here Now.
True transformation, in itself, does not come from effort, but from Grace. Pushti, or grace, is the path of doing the work, without regard to the fruits of our actions. This is a karmic practice. It is creating space for whatever practice brings you deeper awareness of all that you are, and all that you are not. Allowing, accepting, admitting, and deeply loving yourself and others while trusting in the deeper wisdom of the universe. In this way, we experience, santosha, contentment within the entire experience of life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Being grateful for the joys and the sorrows, realizing that they both enrich our experience and teach us so much. From this deep awareness, eventually we find loving acceptance, and the grace of contentment.
So, as we move from the inspiration of a new year, moving from dark to light, from old to new, this year, we do so with just a little more awareness. Perhaps, take your proposed "goal" and sit with it in silence and notice what comes up for you. Is there a feeling of lightness and fulfillment, or is there a sense of dread, fear, shame, or resistance?
If a sense of lightness, than it is probably in line with your true nature and a realistic empowered intention...you have done the work and are naturally ready for the grace of transformation. In this case, there will be little you have to "do", will require little effort, and will feel natural and light.
If there is fear, there is more awareness and loving acceptance to be learned and processed, from a psychological and/or spiritual place. Where is the fear coming from, if it is present? This practice is not a quick fix, but with the continued openness that comes from really paying attention in a loving way, eventually, it will come. Continuing your yoga practice, meditation, satsang privately with a teacher, or within your sangha/community, communing with nature, or any other practice that brings you still moments, deep reflections, or realizations that create space for awareness, will pave your way.
The difference between a goal and an intention is that an intention carries a different energy with it. It is more present. It is in line with our true nature and is realistic for us, in this moment. There is not a fear of failure or a sense that we are not already whole, but, instead, an empowered sense of strength and inspiration. It is not far out in the future, but Here Now.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Koshas & Purifying
In the yogic teachings, our human experience consists of five koshas. Kosha is a Sanskrit word meaning sheath or layer. From this particular teaching, we are able to examine our experience in five different ways, to get to know ourselves, our bodies, our minds, and our experience in a deeper way. This month we'll be focusing on purifying the five layers of our being, and developing deeper insight into the forces that contribute to our overall health, clarity, and well-being. The Koshas are:
*Annamaya Kosha~(anna means food) this kosha refers to the gross physical body composed of the five elements
*Pranamaya Kosha~(prana means vital energy) and refers to our psycho-physical being on an energetic or electrical level
*Manomaya Kosha~(manas means mind) and refers to the level of our being that is conscious thought, involving reason and logic
*Jnanamaya Kosha~(jnana means intelligence) and refers to our ability to discern truth from untruth, and comprehend the subtle knowledge of experience
*Anandamaya Kosha~(ananda means bliss) and refers to the part of our being that experience divine love and ecstatic joy
This month, as we explore the various layers of our experience we can focus on purifying on all levels to cultivate a human experience that is based on true love, wisdom, and peace. As Sybil puts it, "It is the softening and inter-webbing of all 5 koshas that allows us to know the truth, the intuition of each of us, the heart of each of us (the mana, prana and the anna of each of us) to know what is conditioned in ego and what is unconditioned and pure. It is the way of the heart, belly and root softening, and communicating so that truth rises up so strong and clear, without doubt or second guessing."
So, we'll practice purifying Annamaya Kosha with healthy food and drink, purifying Pranamaya Kosha with breathing and focusing our energy on what is wholesome, purifying Manomaya Kosha by examining our mind and its destructive habits and patterns, purifying Jnanamaya Kosha by seeking to know what is true and pure, and purify Anandamaya Kosha by celebrating life through devotion, joy, and service to others.
When all Koshas have aligned and exist in pure harmony Self-Realization results. Then, we are liberated from torment, and the doors of love, clarity, and truth are opened.
*Annamaya Kosha~(anna means food) this kosha refers to the gross physical body composed of the five elements
*Pranamaya Kosha~(prana means vital energy) and refers to our psycho-physical being on an energetic or electrical level
*Manomaya Kosha~(manas means mind) and refers to the level of our being that is conscious thought, involving reason and logic
*Jnanamaya Kosha~(jnana means intelligence) and refers to our ability to discern truth from untruth, and comprehend the subtle knowledge of experience
*Anandamaya Kosha~(ananda means bliss) and refers to the part of our being that experience divine love and ecstatic joy
This month, as we explore the various layers of our experience we can focus on purifying on all levels to cultivate a human experience that is based on true love, wisdom, and peace. As Sybil puts it, "It is the softening and inter-webbing of all 5 koshas that allows us to know the truth, the intuition of each of us, the heart of each of us (the mana, prana and the anna of each of us) to know what is conditioned in ego and what is unconditioned and pure. It is the way of the heart, belly and root softening, and communicating so that truth rises up so strong and clear, without doubt or second guessing."
So, we'll practice purifying Annamaya Kosha with healthy food and drink, purifying Pranamaya Kosha with breathing and focusing our energy on what is wholesome, purifying Manomaya Kosha by examining our mind and its destructive habits and patterns, purifying Jnanamaya Kosha by seeking to know what is true and pure, and purify Anandamaya Kosha by celebrating life through devotion, joy, and service to others.
When all Koshas have aligned and exist in pure harmony Self-Realization results. Then, we are liberated from torment, and the doors of love, clarity, and truth are opened.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
An Inspiring Story
One of our recent Flow90X contest winners shared her story with us - this is a summary of her words:
"I really was dead set against ever doing or enjoying yoga. It just didnt seem like it was for me. In April of last year I suffered a major and debilitating spinal injury during a skiing accident. I was left severely incapacitated and faced months or even years of recovery. During my initial long months of recovery, I suffered from a syndrome which damaged my nerves and left me virtually paralyzed. Working with a physical therapist, I gradually regained some of my mobility, but was told my recovery was now at a plateau.
Due to the repeated encouragement of my therapist, I reluctantly tried yoga. At first, I was frustrated by my yoga experience. I felt like my body was not moving the way it should, and I had to modify the poses a ton to accomodate my injury. Due to sheer desperation, I persisted. Inspired by the Flow 90X Contest in January, I decided to just come as often as I could and see what would unfold. Amazingly, slowly, but surely, within a few months time, I have regained so much more mobility and function in my physical body.
But this was not all... I experienced something else. I experienced myself completely, without judgment. I realized presence, the true depth of breath, and discovered the mindbody connection people talk about. By following my intuition and listening to the wisdom of my heart, I became Yoga. The yoga practice I could have never seen myself doing or being, became an integral part of my life. I now practice yoga frequently at Flow and attribute the recovery of my body and the blossoming of my heart to yoga."
"I really was dead set against ever doing or enjoying yoga. It just didnt seem like it was for me. In April of last year I suffered a major and debilitating spinal injury during a skiing accident. I was left severely incapacitated and faced months or even years of recovery. During my initial long months of recovery, I suffered from a syndrome which damaged my nerves and left me virtually paralyzed. Working with a physical therapist, I gradually regained some of my mobility, but was told my recovery was now at a plateau.
Due to the repeated encouragement of my therapist, I reluctantly tried yoga. At first, I was frustrated by my yoga experience. I felt like my body was not moving the way it should, and I had to modify the poses a ton to accomodate my injury. Due to sheer desperation, I persisted. Inspired by the Flow 90X Contest in January, I decided to just come as often as I could and see what would unfold. Amazingly, slowly, but surely, within a few months time, I have regained so much more mobility and function in my physical body.
But this was not all... I experienced something else. I experienced myself completely, without judgment. I realized presence, the true depth of breath, and discovered the mindbody connection people talk about. By following my intuition and listening to the wisdom of my heart, I became Yoga. The yoga practice I could have never seen myself doing or being, became an integral part of my life. I now practice yoga frequently at Flow and attribute the recovery of my body and the blossoming of my heart to yoga."
Spring - Healing & Renewal
Spring is Here - the Way of the Healer. Indigenous and tribal peoples of each continent have differing perspectives, but there are also many commonalities - we are exploring them seasonally this year at Flow.
Spring is a time for paying attention to what has heart and meaning. As archetypal healers, we extend our arms in love to acknowledge, accept, recognize, and express gratitude to others. Healers recognize that the greatest remorse is love unexpressed. We are Here to be Love, to express Love. Expressing love in all ways is living life whole-heartedly.
To be whole-hearted, like the four chambers of the heart, we sustain emotional and spiritual health by living full, open, clear and strong.
* We live life fully by saying "Yes" to life as it is now.
* We are open by allowing ourselves to see where we protect or defend and, in allowing ourselves to be open to courage where we feel most vulnerable, create incredible compassion.
* We are clear when we take time to deeply consider and, when we are doubting or ambivalent, be patient and allow the fruit to ripen before taking action or making decisions.
* We are strong in our hearts when we live courageously. The root of the word courage is coeur and one meaning is "the ability to stand by one's heart or to stand by one's core." To move through life authentically, paying attention to what is real and true and present.
Spring is a time for storytelling, singing, dancing and silence. Lying meditation with our hands at our heart and asanas that are rooted in "4-legs" are both practices that support healing and whole-heartedness.
I know the time has come
For me to walk through the door
To take a look at this critic within,
Who only wants me to listen
To what needs to be heard,
So I then can heal
and bring that part of me
back to me.
When I awake in the morning,
It is either the very next day
after many, many days
Or it is the very first day.
Today, it is the very first day
Of what exists now.
~Twainhart Hill
Many thanks to the book the Four-Fold Way for inspiring our seasonal archetypal themes and much of the content here.
Spring is a time for paying attention to what has heart and meaning. As archetypal healers, we extend our arms in love to acknowledge, accept, recognize, and express gratitude to others. Healers recognize that the greatest remorse is love unexpressed. We are Here to be Love, to express Love. Expressing love in all ways is living life whole-heartedly.
To be whole-hearted, like the four chambers of the heart, we sustain emotional and spiritual health by living full, open, clear and strong.
* We live life fully by saying "Yes" to life as it is now.
* We are open by allowing ourselves to see where we protect or defend and, in allowing ourselves to be open to courage where we feel most vulnerable, create incredible compassion.
* We are clear when we take time to deeply consider and, when we are doubting or ambivalent, be patient and allow the fruit to ripen before taking action or making decisions.
* We are strong in our hearts when we live courageously. The root of the word courage is coeur and one meaning is "the ability to stand by one's heart or to stand by one's core." To move through life authentically, paying attention to what is real and true and present.
Spring is a time for storytelling, singing, dancing and silence. Lying meditation with our hands at our heart and asanas that are rooted in "4-legs" are both practices that support healing and whole-heartedness.
I know the time has come
For me to walk through the door
To take a look at this critic within,
Who only wants me to listen
To what needs to be heard,
So I then can heal
and bring that part of me
back to me.
When I awake in the morning,
It is either the very next day
after many, many days
Or it is the very first day.
Today, it is the very first day
Of what exists now.
~Twainhart Hill
Many thanks to the book the Four-Fold Way for inspiring our seasonal archetypal themes and much of the content here.
Winter - The Way of the Warrior
This year, your Flow instructors decided to explore the four seasons from the ways of the ancient healers, visionaries, and healers as four of our monthly themes. This month, we explore winter.
Winter is the way of the warrior. The highest nature of the inner warrior is quite different than inner turmoil outwardly expressed as warring or fighting. To guide in developing our inner warrior, we choose to show up and be present. To show up with honor, respect and courage. The Latin word respicere means "the willingness to look again."
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.
When you are content to be
simply yourself and dont compare
or compete, everyone will respect you.
~Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
We convince by our presence.
~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
A physical practice for winter's warrior energy is standing in any position (yoga or similar postures are widely recognized for their rebalancing energetic warrior power) with various hand positions, including the deeply powerful position of one hand on the heart (4th chakra) and one hand on solar plexus (3rd chakra). Eyes are fixed softly on a distant point just below your heart level. Here we are anchored in the energy of empowerment and heart. Similar standing meditation practices are found in Oriental, Asian, Tibetan and shamanistic traditions.
Ancient societies drew pictures of trees and tree people to symbolize our biological need to be connected to nature. Another physical practice for the teachings of the warrior, is tree pose. A warrior's way is to be rooted, stable, yet flexible and bending in the wind. Our roots are associated with the honoring of our past. Our trunk the present life force and creative spirit. Branches symbolize our flowering or growing.
Enjoy exploring your inner warrior this month - winter warrior words: north, air, winds, winged creatures, tree people, power, presence, communication, position, standing, right action, show up, and dancing.
Winter is the way of the warrior. The highest nature of the inner warrior is quite different than inner turmoil outwardly expressed as warring or fighting. To guide in developing our inner warrior, we choose to show up and be present. To show up with honor, respect and courage. The Latin word respicere means "the willingness to look again."
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.
When you are content to be
simply yourself and dont compare
or compete, everyone will respect you.
~Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
We convince by our presence.
~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
A physical practice for winter's warrior energy is standing in any position (yoga or similar postures are widely recognized for their rebalancing energetic warrior power) with various hand positions, including the deeply powerful position of one hand on the heart (4th chakra) and one hand on solar plexus (3rd chakra). Eyes are fixed softly on a distant point just below your heart level. Here we are anchored in the energy of empowerment and heart. Similar standing meditation practices are found in Oriental, Asian, Tibetan and shamanistic traditions.
Ancient societies drew pictures of trees and tree people to symbolize our biological need to be connected to nature. Another physical practice for the teachings of the warrior, is tree pose. A warrior's way is to be rooted, stable, yet flexible and bending in the wind. Our roots are associated with the honoring of our past. Our trunk the present life force and creative spirit. Branches symbolize our flowering or growing.
Enjoy exploring your inner warrior this month - winter warrior words: north, air, winds, winged creatures, tree people, power, presence, communication, position, standing, right action, show up, and dancing.
Love-Union
Love - Union
One of the things that I have have found to be so deeply true is that whether we are speaking of romantic love or unconditional spiritual love, what we are really talking about is the willingness and courage to be unconditionally open, fiercely vulnerable, and radically tender with ourselves and others. The great master Chogyam Trungpa spoke extensively of the 'shaky tenderness' that underlies our whole life situation, and the way to direct our lives toward that tenderness with fearlessness and confidence. In holding ourselves with utmost vulnerability and openness, we discover that we have the capacity to be Love itself. We discover our capacity to be 100% available to ourselves, others, and life.
Love often sounds so sweet, so mushy...but, if we look into the depths of unconditional love we call on our warrior-ship as a way to live our lives totally uninhibited, open, and free. Our willingness to love includes our willingness to hurt, and if we allow ourselves to find the great courage to not turn away from fear or hurt, we manifest within ourselves the capacity to be buddhas and to approach life from a standpoint of radical, fierce love.
One of the things that I have have found to be so deeply true is that whether we are speaking of romantic love or unconditional spiritual love, what we are really talking about is the willingness and courage to be unconditionally open, fiercely vulnerable, and radically tender with ourselves and others. The great master Chogyam Trungpa spoke extensively of the 'shaky tenderness' that underlies our whole life situation, and the way to direct our lives toward that tenderness with fearlessness and confidence. In holding ourselves with utmost vulnerability and openness, we discover that we have the capacity to be Love itself. We discover our capacity to be 100% available to ourselves, others, and life.
Love often sounds so sweet, so mushy...but, if we look into the depths of unconditional love we call on our warrior-ship as a way to live our lives totally uninhibited, open, and free. Our willingness to love includes our willingness to hurt, and if we allow ourselves to find the great courage to not turn away from fear or hurt, we manifest within ourselves the capacity to be buddhas and to approach life from a standpoint of radical, fierce love.
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