abundance

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Covered

February 2, 2010 in Yoga, abundance, jnanna, writing | 2 comments

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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Needs vs Wants

January 7, 2010 in Yoga, abundance, frugal living | 4 comments

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

November 26, 2009 in Yoga, abundance, ahimsa | 1 comment

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

October 6, 2009 in Yoga, abundance | 1 comment

 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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World Vegetarian Day

September 30, 2009 in Yoga, abundance, ahimsa | Add Your Comment

 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

September 21, 2009 in Yoga, abundance, books | Add Your Comment

 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

April 18, 2009 in Yoga, abundance, recipes | 6 comments

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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Vrkshasana

April 7, 2009 in Yoga, abundance, recipes | 6 comments

vrkshasana the tree pose. yoga and the environment

In Vrkshasana, or tree pose we are looking to reclaim our connection.  From connection comes balance, and choices that are more life affirming. 

When you rise into Vrkshasana, you reduce your footprint on Mother Earth by half.  By lessening our impact, we deepen our connection.

Our practice serves as a mirror, if we have the courage to look,  to see clearly how we’ve been living. 

I hope you have a favorite tree you can clearly bring into your mind, if not, find one. I can lend you one of mine.  Visit your tree, notice your tree through the seasons, even if it’s a drive-by, acknowledge and make connection, a relationship. 

Learn from her.  When you practice tree pose, you now have a model, internal drishti.  Be a nice tree, a tree that birds would want to nest in.

Every day,  50,000 acres of trees are taken down for paper, packaging, and to make room for animals to be raised for food.   Each American uses 740 pounds of paper every year.  Can we use less, can we choose meals lower on the food chain?

As Yogis, we pledge to abide in truth.  Do we have the courage to look honestly at our lifestyle and where we could change?  I know that many of us are suffering from Green Fatigue, but here’s a few easy ways to make a difference, and  deepen your connection.


Need to send a gift? plant a tree for them:  BeGreenNow.com

Stop the catalogs for free: 

Stop those telephone books for free:

Look forward to an empty mailbox:

Reducing junkmail is noble, but our individual footprint is primarily made up by our diet.  Lower on the chain means much less area cleared for the raising of animals,  We also inflict less harm, and improve our health.  It becomes clear that what’s good for us, is good for all beings.  visit Vegsource for recipes, or ask me for more info.

Reading about this is one thing, my hope is that you’ll take a step and enrich your connection.  Every action, every dollar spent is a vote for the type of world you wish to live in.

Remember to visit your tree.  Go ahead, give her a hug.  Nobody’s looking, or even if they are…

Om Shanti,

John

p.s.  Sharon Gannon’s new book: Yoga and Vegetarianism is a captivating read.

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