tapas

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Fire and Ice

December 9, 2010 in jnana, tapas, writing, Yoga | 7 comments

Namaste.

Just back from Sunny Florida where I was visiting my father and his wife. Dad's great, and it's uncanny how much like me he's become over the years. Thursday was 70 degrees, and the bluest of skies. The locals were all bundled up, and thought me "crazy" to be splashing around in the ocean waves.

Vamadeva in headstand Venice Florida

The wave crashing over my headstand confirmed their suspicions.

Back at Logan airport on Saturday, I stood out in the frigid, biting wind for a good hour waiting for the bus to Framingham. Smiling at the juxtaposition, I practiced my equanimity. Fire and Ice, we've got to at least try and accept it all – embrace it with grace.  

Waiting with me were a couple of chain-smoking, real-deal Hells Angels, they in their 'uniforms' and me in mine. They got a kick out of my sandals, and Shiva scarf, while I appreciated that in contrast with their gruffness, they wear angel-wings on their back.

I asked how I could get a vest, Nobody would mess with me!

Hells Angels -

Reclining in the plush and toasty bus, I was glad to be back, and so grateful for my mindfulness practice. When I'm present to what is, my experience of life is so rich and rewarding, I can see beyond our masks.

Stop here for a moment, notice your breath, notice your posture, notice the tone and quality of your presence. Close your eyes, enjoy this moment for what it is, without having to change what it is.

Yoga practice gives us glimpses of this place, where we are not in memory, not predicting – Not grasping, not resisting, just present.

This is where I want to live, this is why I practice, this is why I teach.

A couple of special events to share with you:

This coming Sunday the 12th – 9am in West Concord – Live Music Yoga Class with Tom Lena

Next Sunday the 19th Restorative Yoga Session with myself and Natalie 12:30pm

I love the teachings of Yoga, and I love sharing them with y'all even more. Our classes exist because of you, and for you.   

Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.  

-john  

PS: Remember Charlie Browns Christmas Tree?

Tags: jnana, presence, travel

Tapas

September 11, 2010 in jnana, tapas, Yoga | 4 comments

The Sanskrit word Tapas means to burn, to be austere, but in Hatha Yoga, it usually means making a concerted effort.

Tapas is most often the doing part of Yoga, putting in that extra bit effort that makes us stronger… But for someone who tends to overdo, Tapas could mean doing less, say, resting in a child's pose for a few breaths during a challenging sequence of postures.

Going against the grain of our conditioning creates friction.

This willingness to override our conditioning – our usual ways of doing things, strengthens our resolve, and we become more aware of our motivations.

The fine line between wants and needs comes into focus.

My good friend and revered teacher Swami Sathasivom recently vowed to perform a Sahasrara Chandi Homam.

Sahasrara means 1008, and the Chandi Homam (an elaborate and ancient fire ceremony) is his signature ritual of devotion.

His plan was to perform 10 per day, for 108 days. His practice took 14 hours per day, for the avowed 108 days straight, a feat that has never been completed by a single person before.

Honored to be there for his 1008th Chandi Homam, I snapped this picture and as he wept tears of joy.

Swami sathasivom coaxes an om out of the puja fire - sahsrara chandi homam

Can you find the Sanskrit Om in the flames of the Puja fire?

When I find myself wavering on a commitment, I think of Swami Sathasivom, his focus, his determination to do what is so important to him. His 14 hours of practice a day, rain or shine for 108 days. If he can do that then I can surely follow through with my little challenge.

Slipping into Yoga-speak, it's the moving from Tamas through Rajas, to dwell in Sattva.

We don't have to practice 14 hours a day to benefit from Yoga, but we do have to put in sincere effort – sustained over time. If we truly want change, we need to go against our grain, to welcome the friction.

Tapas can be as simple as not having that third cookie.

The heat of Tapas forges the new us, the who we'll be on the other side of our practice. Less bound by conditioning we're that closer to freedom, closer to Mukti.

I've left some sanskrit words undefined here, so you can try out my new Yoga Glossary page.

Om Shanti, I'll see you all in class.

john

p.s. My brand new camera (long story) shot this great video of Swamiji performing his 1008th Chandi Puja: