intention

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Seva, selfless service in actions

Without breaking her stride, she reached out with a long-handled grabber, snatched up a crumpled soda bottle, and deftly stashed it in the bag hanging from her baby stroller. She was serene, in a meditation, leaving a wake of clean behind her.

As she cruised down the street her graceful swooping of trash reminded me of an orchestra conductor’s wave. Captivated, I could almost hear the melody.

It would be much easier for her to walk by the litter, but she collects all in her path. This action of caring coupled with follow-through transforms indifference into making a difference. 

The Yogis call this Seva, or selfless-service. Not acting to impress, not for personal gain, but because we care. When we care enough, it takes less energy to act than not to.

My street was better for her having walked it. How many of us can say that about where we've been this week?

           We are the epicenter of our community.

Each of our actions, (or inactions) sends a ripple into our world. We don't know how far they go or who they will touch. Once we act, the result is out of our hands.

          We best honor our heroes by emulating them. 

Later, I walked the parking lot at the Yoga studio, picking up every last bit of trash before going inside to teach. Now it's up to me to pass along her ripple, so… tag, you're it.

Now that the seemingly eternal snow cover has peeled back, the debris of a long winter has been revealed. In the spirit of a cleaner world, why not pick up a few pieces? 

I aspire to live more like my neighbor the Trash Lady, to act with skill and caring on what is important to me. To live in Seva.

What matters to you? Will you walk by with indifference or will you make a difference?

I welcome your comments on what matters to you, what you serve.

          Ripple-well today. 

Om Shanti, I'll see you in class. -j

 

P.S. I'll be away leading a retreat in a few weeks. Two spots have opened up, and the pre-invite list for the Oct 2011 retreat has us almost full-up, let me know if you'd like to get away for a few days of peaceful Yoga. –j

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"I know there's a place you've walked where love falls from the trees"  -the who

Who are you?

Parent, Student, Teacher, Runner, Boss, Worker, Friend, Yogi, Golfer, Lawyer, Human, American… We wear so many hats (masks?) that we can lose sight of who we really are.  We are not just these aspects we project into our world.

We are how we do, what we do… We are how we play these roles.

Our practice shines the light of awareness on all parts of ourselves. If we have the courage to look clearly at how we are doing what we do, we can see our weaknesses, fears and doubts, along with our greatest strengths.  

Only when we embrace the whole of ourselves, with equanimity, can change begin to happen.  

I came to Yoga to integrate the scattered parts of myself, Engineer, Yogi, Vegan, Teacher, Student, Human Man, Brother, Son… It just took too much energy to switch between roles.  

With practice, I get a clearer view, and gain perspective.  I wear less hats now, I keep simplifying, unbecoming,   looking forward to just being…  Unconsciously conscious.

How to mend the gap between how we are, and how we'd like to be:

The teachings are clear and simple, we become what we think and what we do. Set a clear intention of how you'd like to be, and practice living that way.  Start on your mat, and don't look away when you dislike what is revealed.

When you feel yourself squirm with resistance… that's where the juice is. The bigger the resistance, the bigger the potential breakthrough.  

Listen carefully, to your body, to your mind, to your breath, and to your emotions.  When they conflict, you can't hear your Ananda, your bliss trying to shine out.  When you get these aspects of yourself all inline, integrated with your intention… there's a profound clarity there. 

Yoga tells us: If you don't like what you're thinking or doing, to practice the opposite.  Stay the course. Breathe calm and acceptance into the discomfort.  On the other side is that clear glimpse of your true nature.

Lasting change comes from filling yourself to the brim with the antidote to how you don't want to be anymore.

Be steadfast and keep going.  Your efforts will shine-out into your other roles, your practice will radiate out to others… They're counting on you, and we're all in this together.

Om Shanti,  I'll see you in class.

-j

p.s.  A special treat!  I've arranged for Irene, a music therapist, to come play Live music for our Yoga class.  See the events page to meet Irene and get the details.

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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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"Want Change?  Make Changes."  is an old saying from back in my engineering days.  Don't get me started about stagnation in the corporate world.

Not just a big-biz phenomenon, We all form patterns of behavior, some serve us well, and some are in the way of who we're becoming.

Yoga asks us to look at things differently, through a lens that is continually cleansed and changed by our practice.

Yoga asks us not to get lulled into the trap of complacency.

change through the heat of Tapas

Doing just one thing different can change everything.  Take a different route home today.  Buy that strange looking vegetable at the farmers market. Skip Netflix this week and go to the big screen, go to the drive in.  Walk don't drive.  Wash the dishes by hand.  Need some new and very-loyal friends? Buy a bird feeder.  Go to that other coffee shop with a good book.  If you always read, just sit and sip. Try a new Yoga class out.  (hint… visit LuLu Lemon and pickup a bunch of first-class-free coupons to the area studios.)   Yeah, I'll miss you in class, but, it may be really good for you.  

What do you avoid, shy away from?  Why?  Shake things up:  Roll out your mat.  Do your nemesis posture 10 times, with a smile.  imagine it was your favorite.  If you've been practicing for years, take a beginners class.  Next time you're feeling resistance to something, step right into it.  Cook it with the heat of your Tapas.  The resistance becomes dust in your path.  Yes, you're a step closer to who you're becoming.

Sidestepping our normal patterns tells ourselves at many levels that we are open to change, really, and that we are making room for it.

Anyone can want change, anyone can set an intention, but a Yogi follows through with the effort required, and that Tapas creates lasting change.  

"If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always got."   -Hanumanji at Ananda Ashram

So I put it out there, Make a change, click on the 'add your comment link' and inspire us all with how it goes. 

Om Shanti,  I'll see you in Class  -j

 

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Yesterday over lunch,  I was fretting about a recent loss. 

My friend Ani Desal, a Tibetan Buddhist Nun told me, "In every moment you have a choice, positive or negative, focused, or unfocused, present or not present.  Choose to see this in a positive light."

Simple, and profound.  Yet sometimes difficult to practice.  

Pausing to get clear on our intentions, may be the most important part of Yoga class.  I’m not saying the words "Get very clear on the intentions that lie behind your practice" to fill space.  It’s because setting a crystal clear intention works for me.  It brings me further in my practice, and I share that with you.

You can let this be random, or you can choose a positive and focused presence.  Random is dangerous. Random is like when you arrive at work and don’t remember the drive. Where were you?

Fog on golden gate bridge

Yoga practice is like driving through thick fog, you can just barely see in front of you, you’ve got to slow down and concentrate on what is right in front of you.  (this breath, this posture)  then, you may see the glint of a taillight up ahead.  That is the teacher. Not smarter or better than you. Without supernatural powers, they are just a bit further up the road, so with some trust,  you let go and follow.  Hopefully the teacher has lineage, and is following their teacher, (choose wisely, ask who their teachers are.)

We have to stay present because we don’t know when the veils may fall away, the opportunity for clear vision, for enlightenment is going to happen.  It could be your next class.  Don’t miss it.

Maybe you choose that this will be your most focused class ever. Why not?  Like the proverbial weed growing through the crack in the sidewalk, you rise from the ground up into your warrior pose, full-up with reason. You are grounded, and your outstretched arms are reaching for something.  Your ViraBhadrasana is on purpose.  You’re one posture closer to becoming your intentions.  Live your intentions, radiate them, and become a source for others. 

The fog is clearing.  

Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.

John

P.S.  This coming Saturday Ani Desal and I are leading a Yoga Workshop , There are a couple spots left.  and We’ve got a great group together for the Fall Foliage Yoga Retreat coming up in just under two weeks.  There may be one spot left, (or we could squeeze a couple in) so if you were thinking about joining us, let me know right away.

 

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