abundance

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Written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you'll win some unfaithful friends and some true enemies.

  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

  Give your best anyway…

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A woman was waiting at an airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shops.
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be.
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies and watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I would blacken his eye."

With each cookie she took, he took one too,
When only one was left, she wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, as he ate the other,
She snatched it from him and thought… oooh, brother.
This guy has some nerve and he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show any gratitude!

She had never known when she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book, which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.

If mine are here, she moaned in despair,
The others were his, and he tried to share.
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,

That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

Please.. share this with someone.   If you like this, you may like:   Yoga Poems: Lines to Unfold By, and Go In and In: Poems From the Heart of Yoga

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Jill Manifests, creates her own reality, and says that we can too:

Manifest your reality

When did you first realize your ability to Manifest, has it always been there?

I've always had faith.  I knew on some level that "you get what you expect" and you have to keep a positive attitude and all, but now I see life from a spiritual, not a material perspective.

Has it developed over time?  Have you worked on strengthening it?

Yes, it has developed over time — the more I realize my "Oneness with God" the more of a "cosmic sweep" my thought has.  I guess you could say I think on purpose.  If you want to call meditating "strengthening" then, yes, I strengthen it all the time!

We’ll need some context, Can you expand on what ‘God’ means to you?

It's really a personal thing isn't it — it's whatever it means to you. Universal Mind, Infinite Intelligence, Cosmic Consciousness, Source, Being, Truth, Creator, etc. . . are some expressions that may have a deeper resonance with us.

As far as what it means to me? It's always evolving. When I meditate on divinity within, my understanding of the Infinite expands. It's hard to put into words. The soul has it's own language — silence. Let's just say you know it when you feel it!

Where has manifesting brought you the biggest benefits?

Just knowing that God provides for me, in every way, on a daily basis, has brought me great freedom and peace. All we have is this moment in time, this day, and I don't really need anything more than this day requires.

So, I don't have the burden maintaining a lot of stuff or worrying about it. If I need something, I ask in faith, knowing that God will provide it.

Do you try understand or explain your gift?

It's not so much that I try to understand it as much as "I now understand.” When I meditate on the Infinite, it's as if I'm blessed in some way with understanding and wisdom. I accept it and express gratitude. Appreciation is a big part of manifesting.

The first step in making a demonstration is to understand that "God will provide." Second, is to "affirm" there is no lack or limitation in spirit. Establish in your mind the difference between the appearance of lack or limitation from what it is your asking for . Third, visualize yourself as already having it and give thanks for it!

Can we can all do this, and does Yoga help?

That's a good question — I think so. Everybody already has it within themselves, they simply need to awaken to it. I started practicing Yoga a little over a year ago. The silence of shavasana was not lost on me. The calming postures of forward folds brought me clarity. I awakened spiritually. I saw the duality in everything and realized I was "One with the Whole."

I’ve heard you have a thing for the American flag, can you explain?

When I see the American flag, I see the face of God. It speaks to me. I feel the Spirit of it. Spirit is everywhere and in everything. This nation was founded on God and the American flag represents that. All I have to do is think of the American flag and one appears in my sight!

How about a specific story, what have you manifested lately?

About a month ago, on a Sunday night my husband and I were facing seemingly empty pockets. Although he was expecting to be paid in a few days, the immediate prospects weren't looking so good. The situation felt a little desperate. Knowing that there is a supply for every demand, I asked God to supply for this need.

I no sooner finished asking when I looked up and my eyes landed right on an envelope, with my name on it, that was hanging on the kitchen door. It was a paycheck for some temporary office work I had done just days before. It had been hand-delivered to my house earlier that day. Needless to say it was plenty enough! 

Should we ask for what we want or just what we think we need?

We should ask for both what we want and what we need. Our desires are the God in us looking to be expressed! And we should ask largely — don't skimp. God provides — period. Spirit doesn't recognize quantity.

This is an abundant Universe and it responds to your thought. So the more abundant and prosperous you feel and think the more it will respond in kind.  It may appear that we get what we need as opposed to what we want because most likely our belief and intention is stronger for what we think we need.

Please expand on "Ask."

To ask means to claim your good, to feel, to believe and have faith. It's a little misleading in so far as asking implies there could be a yes or no answer when in reality the Universe is always manifesting what your feeling and believing in this moment. Try it! Ask for what you really want or need . . .

I was thinking about your experience in India and your burning desire for a Q-tip! When one appeared on the street, dirty and trampled on, you joked about how you should have been more specific. Actually, the dirty Q-tip was part of the manifestation of the real thing.  

When you're lost at sea, you know dry land is ahead when sticks and twigs are floating in the water. It's a sign of what's ahead — the real thing! and you did get a box of shiny, new, multi-colored Q-tips shortly thereafter. So the lesson is — don't give up, banish any doubt and believe "with God, all things are possible!"

There you have it.  Say hi to Jill at our Tuesday night class.  I've got some great interviews with our fellow Yogis lined up.  If you've got an aspect of Yoga to share, or know someone who would like to answer 9 questions about their practice, let me know!     Om Shanti,  I'll see you in class.  -j

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Covered

Amachi Om Tapestry

The Om tapestry that covers my television

Last Fall, on one of those amazing warmish days, I had all my windows open, and had a great practice going.  When it was time to wind down I settled in for a nice shavasana.  As I lay there checking in, realized it was a bit chilly.  
 
My body voted for rest – my mind clinged to comfort. "Move, and get a blanket was the predominant thought."  My body won.  Just as I surrendered to the chill – to contentment,  a strong wind blew the Om tapestry off my TV.  It landed perfectly, covering my feet.
 
 I'm grateful, but not surprised anymore when I get just what I need, right when I need it.
 

While traveling India I found myself in a few precarious situations. Things turned out okay… not always the best outcome, but okay. 

This one time, I was on the back of a motorcycle, hurtling through impossible-traffic in Gaya.  The term 'holding on for dear life' must be indian in origin, and the only thing scarier was the thought of the return trip.  My hands went numb.  Taking a few deep breaths of the thick air, my grip loosened.
 
"Worry is a prayer for what we don't want."  -Sharon Gannon
 
A smile came over me, inside and out.  I seemed to realize It'll be okay… or not… but the fierce grip wouldn't help either way.  It's a level of trust, that I could handle whatever is coming my way.  My illusion of control dissolved.
  
"You can't always get what you want – you get what you need."   -Mick Jagger
 
An aspiring meditator who I work with individually, was walking in the woods when she came across a railroad crew working with power tools on the track. They were loud and she resented their presence.  They were 'ruining' her peaceful walk.  Her practice kicked in, trying to find peace, she created thoughts of how the crew was protecting life, making the trains safe etc…  
 
Alas, she walked a bit further than usual and actually got lost.  When she got still and tried to get her bearings… off in the distance she heard the workers, and their sounds guided her home to safety.  
 
When what is 'bad' becomes 'good'  what really changes?

Don't hold on so tight, and we'll get what we need… We're covered. 
 
I've got a great interview in the works from a Yoga student who is a master at manifesting.  She's going to share some of her stories with us.  If you've got a story about being covered, please, Click on the comments link, and share it with us.
 
Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.
 
John

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I packed very-light for this trip, just what I 'needed' went in the bag… the basics, and some precautionary medications.

Heading out for a day-trip, I left most of my things in Mumbai. The day-trip turned into 4 days on the road, sleeping on floors and in cars.  Without my bag.

Traveling even lighter left room for new levels of gratitude. I found myself basking in the treasured cup of warm water I made each night.

Of course, if by design the next place had no power. Sigh, it's all perfect.

Through challenging our consumptive ways, we gain clearer perspective on our needs vs. wants.  Our needs are mostly simple. It's our unchecked wants that get us into trouble, setting ourselves up for Duhka, or suffering.  Was it needs or wants that crashed the economy? 

On the stiff mattress, I wished for the cozy bed at home. sleeping on the floor I desired the stiff mattress, and trying to sleep in the car made the marble floor a dream.  Back at civilization, if by magic, the impossibly-stiff matress is now luxurious. 

What changed?

If we could cling less to comfort – Raga, and resist discomfort less – Dvesha, we'd be more content.  One of the points made in Yoga Sutra II.3

How much do we really need to pad ourselves from reality?  These are the conditions we place on our happiness.    As Yogis, we choose to peel away the padding… we dare to un-spoil ourselves.

We seek a closer connection to the earth.  Sthira Suhkam Asanam.

Many here sleep in the streets.  Whole familes sleep soundly in a row, their heads literally 2 inches from the passing tires.  In the first few weeks here, seeing things like this would surprise me.

On return to Mumbai, My host family slept on the floor, insisting I sleep in their bed.  A very humbling experience, and I was sure to lighten my bag before moving on. 

We don't need to sleep in the street, but we can learn from those who do.  Before indulging, pause… do you need it, or want it?  How will it serve your intentions?  

Perhaps try a little less on for size.

Practice gratitude, and sleep well.  I'll be back soon.

Om Shanti, 

-j

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Enough is Enough

Thanks to all who came out for Thanksgiving Yoga practice this morning.

Our theme was Enough,  the prequel to Gratitude.  Our vehicle was flow, or Vinyasa.

Smoothing out, and honoring the transitions between postures tells ourselves at many levels, that in-between is a valid way to be. We don't have to know everything.  We don't have to do everything.  Flowing into postures can helps us get to where things seem to fit.

Our life is like a jigsaw puzzle, but we never get to see the picture on the box.  Keep going, slide the pieces in where they fit, and trust in the process.  If a piece doesn't fit, let it go.  It must be for another puzzle.  Trust that the bigger picture will become clearer in time, and resistance slips away.

When our mind drifts during practice, it's an expression of more, when we can focus our mind in practice, it's an expression of enough.  Continually returning our focus to right now strengthens our ability to remain there for longer periods of time.

                   The door to meditation will swing open on easy hinges.

We start out with just a glimmer of enough, an ember of content.  Each breath fans the flame.  Contentment, (Santosha) is like a big 'ol warm sweater on a cold day.  When we embrace enough.  We can turn down the thermostat of more… 

look around you, find two things.  Experience the space between them.  Carry that practice into all your actions and you'll need less to make you happy, guaranteed.

I am blessed with so many caring and earnest students.  You make it possible for me to teach and share, and I take your blessings with me to Asia.  

I resolve to see enough, and to soak up enough teachings to share on my returning.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Om Shanti, to all beings.  

John

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Yoga Retreat

 I’ve got a great guest-commentary about Vinyasa yoga coming from my friend Daniel, a NYC Yoga Teacher and writer.  I’m in the midst of formatting it, and will share as soon as I can. 

Just back from our annual Fall retreat.  Many thanks to those who could join us.  Sprit Fire is amazing. Not an austere event by any means!  in between focused classes and workshops we feasted on gourmet vegetarian food, Much of it organically grown on site. Yes, there’s coffee in the morning, and decadent snacks in between classes.  It was a joy to teach, we had a great group.  A full house, sorry for those on the waiting list, but as-promised, you’re first in line for our retreat in May, There’s been a tremendous response to the pre-invite and I’m doing my best to arrange for a second spring weekend to accommodate us all.  

I’ll get that Vinyasa article up very soon.

In humble gratitude, it’s so great to see you all in class.

John

 

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 Namaste.

I got some emails regarding the Fruit Fly Liberation blogpost.  Most were favorable, a few were fun, and a couple were hostile.  I’m used to the full-spectrum of reactions to my suggesting compassion.  For some reason, some people are threatened by the idea of caring for others.  

I wouldn’t say they are cold or heartless, just misinformed.  I bet they care for their dog or cat just fine.  All of us have a level of compassion, where we draw our line.  This is selective compassion.  The Practice of Ahimsa, or non-violence asks us to lower this line to include more beings. This is a foundational aspect of Yoga.

Myself, I don’t feel qualified to decide which beings to care for, it’s a matter of simplification to care for all beings, even the small ones, even the unpopular ones.  If the pigeons raid the feeder, I put more seed out. They are hungry too.  Ditto for the Squirrels.  Why not? 

As I was washing my greens for dinner tonight I noticed this tiny little bug in the basin of water.  He sure was small, and… he was swimming.  I held him a leaf, and he climbed on.  As I set him out in the garden, I could imagine his relief.  

Yes, I project a lot onto others… But this bug was trying to save himself, as you would if you were dumped in the middle of the ocean.  My dinner was nicer in knowing that he survived it.

This will to live is inherent in all beings.  We share the same Prana, (not the Yoga-pants, but the lifeforce) that animates him.

Okay, so John’s ranting about the bugs again.  

But It’s really not about the bugs, it’s about recognizing the gift of life in all beings.  

October first is World Vegetarian Day.  Please read:  The Startling Effects of Going Vegetarian for Just One Day  

Yoga asks us to examine our beliefs often, and hold our truths lightly, cause they change as we learn more about ourselves and our world.  We don’t have to be selective, we can care for all beings.  Om Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

 The further I walk along this path, the less I need to know.  

As we head off to our Fall Retreat at Spirit Fire this weekend, our group will live in peaceful practice and enjoy amazing Vegetarian food.  

We’ve got a full house this trip, but a couple spots may still be left for the Spring 2010 retreat.  Email me right away if you’re interested in joining us though.  

Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.

john

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Yoga Books

 I’m often asked "What Yoga books would you recommend?"   I have more than a few favorites, but first a caveat.

Jnanna Yoga is the pursuit of knowledge.  However it can be a trap.  When we approach our Yoga studies like the rest of our modern lives we ‘collect’ Yoga knowledge. We stuff ourselves with the facts and figures and leave no room for clear understanding.  Our culture is about more.  Yoga is about less.  

There are acres of ancient texts available, ancient maps to liberation, We’re fortunate that the modern masters have translated them for us.  As usual in our culture, we can drown in our abundance.  

Paramahansa Yogananda taught that once we integrate a single sentence into our lives, only then should we move on to the next line.  A book would last a while huh?

When we approach our practice from the point of less is more, then we can appreciate the subtle.  No need to run after every workshop, or fill your schedule with classes.  Honor the space between things.  This practice of space shows up in our lives, doing less, needing less, making some space for the unfolding.  Pour a cup of something. Sit and sip. That’s enough.  

I was brought to this most amazing Puja, (fire worship) for Chamundi, a form of the Mother. Very complex.  All sorts of Mudras, Mantras, songs, and offerings to the fire.  It took 4+ hours to conclude.  At the end my teacher handed me a mala, and whispered a mantra in my ear.  "Condensed" he said.  The entire 4 hour ceremony contained in 7 words.  Yes, the rituals are sacred and important, but balance is key.

You’ll never learn all the mantras.  No need to, they are all contained in our sacred sound ‘Om.’  Can you really feel Om?  It’s no surprise that we need to approach our Yoga Studies in a Yogic mindset of balance.  Can we practice that most ancient Mantra of ‘enough?"  Okay.  here’s the short list:

I have a well used, and often referred to copy of the Jivamukti book:  

Jivamukti Yoga: Practices for Liberating Body and Soul

and you’ll need a copy of the Sutras:

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda

 and perhaps a  translation of the Bhagavad Gita:

The Bhagavad Gita : A Walkthrough for Westerners

Start there.  Savor them, a page a day.  Let me know what you think. The teachings are vast, give up the idea of absorbing them all this time around.  

Om Shanti,  I’ll see you in class.

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The You Bar

Food is life, it becomes part of us. Literally.  I make the majority of my food at home, with quality ingredients, and tend to eat in restaurants where I know the owner,  I believe that food created with intention is better for us. 

Sometimes I resort to ‘food’ bars while on the road.  Not too often, cause most of them seem to have just too much sugar for me.  I feel better when I can pack something more substantial, simple, and real. 

I’ve just hooked up with this great company that makes custom nutritional bars!    there’s a great web interface, you choose your own tasty ingredients from a menu. They even print your chosen name on the wrappers!   and, I’ve arranged a 5% discount for us.

My new favorite thing:

You Bar, at You bar, you build your own nutritional bar

I’m really excited to send ‘make your own bar’ gift certificates to my friends and family, and make bars with their names on them.

I ‘made’ myself a nice vegan bar with no added sugar, and called it by my nickname.

Make your own bar, perhaps name it after your favorite Yoga pose, and! Yes, I called the chef.

Anthony over at YouBar hooked us up. Remember to type in  YogaJohn for a coupon code and get 5% off your order!

Check out youbars.com, and have a blast!  let me know what you end up making, we could trade and have a taste-test.

how about a SuryaNamaskarBar?

Om Shanti, see you in class.

-john

P.S.  Just A few spots still open in the special Restorative Yoga class next Sunday, and check out our Invoking Shiva  class the following Saturday of May 2′nd.  This will be the last workshop this season.  see the events page for more info!  

 

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