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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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Yoga In The News

January 24, 2010 in Yoga, writing | 3 comments

I've missed you all, and sure missed teaching our classes.

I've been asked so many questions about India, most of which have no easy answer.
I wouldn't say that India transformed me, but she did expand me.

John in RIshikesh, looking for drinking water, my bill was too large to get change.

In the picture above I'm wandering Rishikesh with the equivalent of a $20 bill. I couldn't find a shop that can make change for a bottle of water, it's all I've got and I'm thirsty. I remember laughing about being rich, and poor at the same time.  

The man in the brown coat behind me had just literally saved my life.  I wish I had given him my thousand rupees. There should be some sort of exchange for something like that right?

My mind's thresholds of what is possible have been completely blown away, and the limits 
have not settled yet, will they ever?

But, I still have my center, and it's a nice place to begin again.

I have an incredible logjam of experience to share with you all as I decompress.



Here's a start though, A bit mindless from malaria pills, and without sleep for two days, a reporter called from the Metrowest Daily News. There's a story about our classes and my travels in India slated for todays paper.  They even took a few pictures of 
the Tuesday night class!  I just found the link to the story
.  

I've been taking a poll on how high Yoga students are scoring on this Happiness Quiz  Let me know how you do!

we'll post the results.

See you in class, oh, and the Events page is updated, check out the Valentines Day class, and the return of Restorative Yoga.  


-john

P.S.  I finally got water, Swami Sathasivom smiled at my predicament and gave me 20 rupees to quench my thirst.  The big bill went to a driver in Assam, probably a months pay for him.

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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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rich or poor

December 3, 2009 in Yoga, animals | 2 comments

At 3am the Delhi airport is a sea of humanity  The roads are a mix of new and prehistoric, and the air thick with dust, exaust, and puja fires. I'm whisked off to a fine apartment in Delhi for a beautiful home-stay with Jyoti and Sunthil.  Their dog Shelly barks in Hindi but we reach a quick understanding and become best of friends.

On the way to the Jammu/Kashmir border, The roads seem in absolute chaos. It's terrifiying and hilarious at the same time,  I do my best to defer to the back seat but have no choice but to ride shotgun for 14 hours.  It's an impossible mix of vehicles, horse drawn carts, pedestrians, bicycles and stray animals.  This can't be how it is, yet, it is. 

We're heading to VaishnoDevi, a mountain top temple to Mother.  In the backseat everyone is alseep.  How can they sleep at a time like this?  If I don't stay awake to jam on my imaginary brake pedal we're all doomed for sure!  

There is an amazing skill in these drivers, not an inch of space is wasted, and the timing is precise. Suthil and Swamiji are masters of these roads. What seems out of control is actually a moving-meditation, one that I'll not try today.

A helicopter is arranged for our ascent, after a trek and crawl/shimmy though a narrow crevice shin-deep in freezing water, there are the natural deities.  To have darshan is to be seen by her, and to hopefully take mothers blessings with you. 

Words could never do these places justice.  after an all-night harrowing drive from Amritsar,  Haridwar is stunning to sleepless eyes.  Against my doctors orders, a wade into the Ganges is refreshing and grounding.   I wander the streets trying to buy a bottle of water, alas not a single shop will accept my 1,000 rupee note. (about $20)  I'm so wealthy that I'm actually quite poor and thirsty.  That's probably a good metaphor to stop at. 

I'm flying off to Assam to a Shakti temple for Devi in the form of Chinnamasta and Tripura Sundari.  It's where Sati and Shiva would meet for their trysts before getting married.  I'm working on some pictures, hopefully soon.

I offer you all the amazing blessings these places hold. 

-john

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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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Prayers for World Peace

August 1, 2008 in Uncategorized, Yoga, events, music | Add Your Comment

Prayers for World Peace

On August 5′th People around the world will be reciting the Sutra of Golden Light for world peace.  You can join in, got to the IMI website to find out more, or sit in silence for some time that day to participate.  http://www.joinprayersforpeace.org/ 

Save the date!   I look forward to this all summer!  Sunday August 17′th  The India Association of Greater Boston presents: India Day at the Hatch Shell in Boston.  This is a great celebration of music, arts, dance, crafts and food.  Starts at 4pm.   Let me know if you plan on going it would be great to meet up there.

Namaste!

John 

www.YogaWithJohn.com

 

 

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