May 2008

The Native American traditions have a daily prayer that acknowledges those new souls who are just arriving on ‘turtle island’  (their name for North America)  they then pray those who this is their last day here.  

Om Shanti

-john

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Namaste.

In Japa Mala Mantra practice, once you learn the technique and mechanics, the key to results is focus, and practice.

Focus: on the result you wish to see, if it’s change, phrase it in a positive tense, see yourself as already in that new state. Really experience it with all your senses. How does it feel?

Practice: if this is new to you resolve to practice your mantra 4,000 times then, follow through with it.

Sounds like a lot? just 1 round a day for 40 days, a round each in the am and pm for 20 days, or the fast track, 4 times a day for 10 days. You can do this. You’ll be glad you’ve done this.

In the engineering community we had a saying, Want change? Make change.

Change takes action!

Thought is a start, plants the seed.

Thought + intention = the potential for change.

Thought + intention + regular practice = Transformation

This is a science. The science of clearly focusing the mind, (dharana) to make space for meditation(Dhyanna.) If you practice, you will see the results. Remember that it’s just one of many paths.

Don’t rush, fully articulate your mantra, respect the space between the beads, and the sounds. Like the transitions in your breath and your asanas, everything matters…. or nothing matters.

If you’re wearing your mala, it’s the right wrist (sun) for men, the left wrist (Lunar) for women.

I’d be glad to answer any questions, send an email or ask me after class.

Om shanti, peace… I’ll see you in class

john

Namaste!

I was at the computer breathing life into this new website I’m building when my cell phone rang.  It was my mom, (who I’m convinced is the living Buddha.)  As we were catching up, my landline phone rang.  I was trying to focus on the conversation with mom, but found my mind drifting to the message being left.

As that person was talking to my answering machine, I could hear the call-waiting beep of my cell.  I’m trying to ignore this and hear my mom when, this is great… She says: “Oh, I have another call coming in, I’ll talk with you later.”  We hung up.

I find myself laughing, but feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Two messages to check, a boatload of email, and I didn’t get to discuss what I needed to with mom. 

When/how did some unknown caller become more important than the person you are currently with?   I’ve long-ago asked Verizon to shut off my call waiting and they said they cannot.

We’ve become so fast, so adept at multi-tasking, even though many studies have shown that it leads to lower productivity, stress, and overwhelm.  I’m going to develop a workshop for the fall and call it “The Lost Art of Single-tasking.”

When did this become something we need to practice?  Do you wonder how it already got to be mid-May?    Join me in slowing down, we can stretch time, doing  less, enjoying more.

For the record, if you call me, I promise to never put you on hold or hang up on you to get to the next call.  Perhaps I’ll learn to use the three-way calling and just invite the new caller into our conversation.  All one right?

Be well, I’ll see you in class.

John

Namaste! 

This past Sunday, 12 or so of us met up in Ashland for a tour of the Shri Lakshmi Hindu temple.  Arriving early, we walked around the building, admiring the Rangoli, (chalk designs drawn on the pavement.)  Traditionally drawn by women for protection and blessings, they are stunning, temporary art.

Once everyone was gathered, we took off our shoes and headed inside.  Shri Lakshmi is amazing inside and out, there’s always some ceremony happening, and the depth of devotion to their spirituality can be seen in the architecture, and demeanor of everyone present.  It’s not silent like the churches I was brought up visiting on Sunday mornings.  It’s alive,  there are children laughing, cellphones ringing, bells chiming, many different prayers happening at the same time.  This is not to say it’s casual, more like spirituality is not set aside for a certain day, time and ceremony, it is woven into every part of their lives.

We visited with all the deities, Ganesha, Sri Lakshmi, Vishnu, Shiva, Kartikeya, Garuda, and Ayyapa. Sharing stories of the gods, and making our offerings.  Everyone adds a bit of knowledge, and our understanding grows. 

My friend, and Shiva priest Jagadesh welcomed us, and blessed us wtih Arate, the blessed flame offering from Shiva and Ganesha… filling us with blessings and our hands with Prasad, (fruit that has been blessed.)

We said our goodbyes to the gods for today and headed off the The Dosa Palace for a dinner together.  A day of devotion works up the appetite, and our table was soon abundant with delicious South Indian food.  Tara and Arron Blessed our dinner with the traditional Sivananda gratefulness mantra, and we found a nice mix of mild to firey flavors.   I’ve got some great feedback from you all, and we’ll be sure to gather again for another field trip soon.    Keep in touch and I’ll see you in class.  -j