Nothing left

When you do all you can with what time and resources (internal and external) you have, there is a beautiful place of fruition. If you stay too long, if you cling to what was, the fruit will rot. This is the place of the daily LY 365 eblasts.

For 2 years now, Elena and I have made this a daily practice. This, being, offering our practice, as we feel and know it in our bones and hearts.

If we stay for another year, we might start to get cranky and resentful. If we try to eke out another day, we might bring on sadness or regret. If we try to continue doing as we have done for the past 730 days, we will grow tired and old and start to grip around the idea of "loss".

So, as with our years' travels, we will find New Beginnings, Shed this old form, Let Go of what we need to in order to find a new direction to better share the practice, Be Fearless in the face of change and natural evolution, Be Warriorlike in our fierce determination to continue to practice lovingkindness and compassion to all beings everywhere. Where Seeds are Planted, there is a need for vigilant gardening: constant weeding, to reep and fruits of a positive Harvest.

Remember, if you plant an acorn, an Oak Tree is the only organism that can grow.

If you plant kind thoughts, kind actions from you and toward you are the only actions that will grow.

If you plant thoughts of truth, only words of truth and truthful actions will sprout.

Be very careful. Every thought wave counts. Make every breath meaningful.

Begin now, if you haven't yet.

Review this year. Review the previous year. Keep the postings of LY365 close to your heart. Read and re-read. Practice and stay vigilant.

The world needs more kindness. The world needs more compassion. If you look out upon your co-workers or your family members and all that you can do is complain about something, go inside. Be quiet. Stop talking. Start doing. Start by facing your own mind stuff. It is the only way to attain true, everlasting happiness.

You can read all you want. You can listen to lectures and attend yoga classes and conferences all you want. You can watch YouTube videos of the Dalai Lama and high priests or rabbis. You can do all of these spiritually materialistic acts and hope that you look like you are making progress. But, you will only be fooling yourself.

Give more of yourself to yourself. That means, sitting, alone. Face a wall. Stare blankly until you lose sight of the wall. Fall into conversation with yourself. The conversation through the heart, which is only conducted in stillness. It can be very scary, until you begin to realize that under all the layers of thoughts, likes, and dislikes, resides the real Self. This Self is all-knowing, fearless, kind and compassionate.

Elena and I bid you all adieu! We wish you well on your journeys home!

--Charry

Hey everybody,

I've been doing some Louise Hay mirror work recently.

I love her refusal to think a negative thought.

for example she doesn't use the word "should" and only
talks about that which she wants in her life...and it turns up!

Another thing she'll do is say "Out!" to a negative thought.
I've been doing this and it helps. Thanks Louise. I love you
and your work.

I love that.
and I love you.

Cheers

Bruce

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

When the community is ready, the teacher will make the studio appear.

When the the studio is charging the community in the utmost selfless way, serving the Yoga with all of its offerings and classes, the community will support the efforts of the studio. It will be sustainable and mutually beneficial.

It's a bit of the chicken and egg phenomenon. What comes first, the community or the studio? The teacher or the student? Maybe it all happens simultaneously out of good fortune and fruition of effort on everyone's parts.

It is a tricky business, this yoga studio operation and ownership. It takes a very clear, simple vision. It is easy to get distracted. It is easy to lose the way. Keep good friends. Keep good company. Listen and be open to the cares and concerns being voiced. Know what is said in truth and compassion and know what is said in greed and judgment. That could make all the difference. Discrimination.

If we speak and act from the truth, we will invite those things into our life. If we do the opposite, it will have the opposite effect.

If we speak and act out of non-harming and non-violence, we will invite those things into our life.

No matter what our business, no matter what we do to pay the bills, how can we do these things from a place of kindness for all beings everywhere?

How can we speak for those without a voice? Without understanding? Without being witness to the decisions that will ultimately affect them the most?

It is exactly what politics is. It is a position of such servitude and should be entered into with such humility and compassion for all people, all lands, all water, all animals, literally, all beings everywhere. Instead, on both sides of the aisle (why are there only 2?) we have greed. Greed for more power. Greed for more money. Greed to "be right". For what? To lay waste to our landscape, plant more corn, drill more holes, create more war, more violence, more fear?

Can you see the connection to the little yoga studio?

We need more mindfulness. More fearlessness. More clarity, truth and non-violence. We may need to start over.

Oh, just like in our meditation practice! Everyday, beginning anew. Trying harder. Concentrating more.

Yes, it is all a practice. It all starts with the tiniest seeds we sow.

Be brave! Be the change you want to see in the world. Now is your chance!

--Charry

Nearing... again...

There is truly a time and place for everything in our lives.

This year of yoga is coming to an end. I feel the fruition of the work. I am ready to harvest the efforts.

As long as we steadily practice, all is truly coming. Not in grand effect. Not in total enlightenment where we are lifted up to the heavens like angels, but in total engagement in this life.

What would be the point to know everything all the time?

What would be the point to have all the answers?

Be like the child just out of the womb. Open. Receptive. Curious. Amazed.

As we wrap up and take stock, notice the bounty that is your life. Each breath is a gift. Each moment with our loved ones is a gift. Whether or not we are rubbing up against something that is uncomfortable or something that is really pleasurable does not matter. Being present in the state of Being is all that matters.

Keep improving. Keep doing the daily sitting practice.

Nearing

We are nearing the end of Living Yoga 365 as it has been for the last 2 years. We hope that you have benefitted from the journey. Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see happen next year. Thank you, Charry

Why the September sun feels so good...

Because it is unexpected.

The sweetest lessons come when we least expect them.

The greatest teachers enter our lives when we least expect them.

We learn the most when we are expecting the least (or nothing at all).

We grow the most when don't think we can grow anymore.

Of  course, you have to go outside to feel the sunshine.
You have to keep studying to learn.
You have to keep practicing to encounter your teachers.
You have to keep planting seeds to have any seeds grow.

If you experience or receive a message from a messenger that you have already labeled harsh or critical, the message my seem harsh or critical. Know when to accept the message as a gift, instead of being stuck in your own critical mind.

Be thankful for each meal you "have" to cook, each floor you "have" to sweep, each essay you "have" to painfully grade, because you never know when it will be your last.

Be careful of the expectations you place on those around you and how you view their actions and words.

The themes of these last 11 months are percolating:

Lovingkindness, compassion, letting go, shedding, fearlessness, new beginnings, planting new seeds, nurturing new growth, opening, warriorship, balance, and equanimity.

They are all lenses into the heart. They are all practices to gain understanding and acceptance. They are all ways of understanding our Self.

Why?

So that we don't move through our days carrying the heaviness/guilt/sadness/elation/expectations of the past. So that we can live in freedom, in this moment, breath by breath. So that we can Be!

The "simple" practice of sitting, whether for 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or 20 hours a day is there as a tool to show us how to live each moment for what it is in that moment. To see each person before us for who they are in that moment. To experience each event in our lives, whether it is birth or death or everything in between with the same open hearted fearlessness.

No one is better than anyone else. No one can "help" you if you don't do the work. Yoga is the path of action. You must act to benefit. One thought at a time. One breath at a time. Do your own work. Continue to do the work. Be patient. Be receptive. Surrender all efforts to the Grace of the Divine within you that is within all of us. Connect to That!

From Emy!

organized is overrated. make sure you can find the key things you own,
and enjoy life. especially mothers of young children!
xx
emy

In The Dark

Here we go.

A shift of seasons is upon us. Lots of changes. Schedules, routines, weather.

Acceptance of what might not change is part of riding the wave of constant change. Accepting that I am not the most organized person. Accepting my forgetfulness. Accepting my lack of house cleaning ability. Accepting that I can't really keep my car clean. Accepting the sense of a life that is so full it overflows and feels overwhelming most days. Acceptance that I can't do it all myself. Acceptance that my way may not be the best, or only, way. Of course, I keep trying to "improve" all these things, all these foibles, all of these "imperfections".

On the flip side, it helps when I recognize that my "imperfections" are in relation to someone else's "perfections", or someone else's "standards", or someone else's "way". When I sit in judgment of myself, comparing myself to someone else, I will never measure up. I will always be less. I will always be imperfect. I will never "have" enough or "be" enough.

But, if I can accept "me" and "my way" for what it is and keep trying to improve by being kinder (to myself), more understanding (of myself), more patient (with myself), then the pressure lessens, I can take a deep breath, I can let go of some things "I" don't need to be involved with.

I can acknowledge the steady eddy existence of my Greater Self. I can shed some expectations, be brave by opening up to my reality. Underneath the "need" to be good, be successful, be rich, be famous, be all these descriptive things on the outside, I can just be. Me. Which is you, which is her, which is him, which is it, which is That.

Now that is balance.

Try to balance

On your head.
On your hands.
On your shoulders.
On your feet.
On one foot.
On your tippie toes.

At mealtime.
At bedtime.

When you are thinking about ten million things at once.
When you are going in a million directions.
When you are trying to "move up".
When you are going through a tough time.

When is it hardest for you to find your balance?

--Charry

Another must read

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/279303/346/Senator-responds-to-theater-shootings-with-love-essay

Please read

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/07/how-yoga-failed-in-aurora/


Do your yoga. Offer the benefits. Create peace.-- Charry

Actions=Reactions

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

For every act of anger and vindication there will be an equal and opposite reaction upon you.

For every act of Self-Aggression there will be an equal and opposite reaction toward others.

For every violent act there will be an equal and opposite reaction of violence.

For every act of kindness there will be an equal and opposite reaction of kindness.

For every compassionate act there will be an equal and opposite act of compassion.

Act with forethought. The reaction might come back and bit you in the butt.

--Charry

Today I am free

The transition towards Warriorship could not have come at a better time for me. I just closed a very long, painful, and abusive chapter in my life and am staring at a blank first page of the next. I am filled with a plethora of emotions and the range can be quite extreme, changing multiple times a day (or hour). I am allowing myself to feel them all; welcoming them and reassuring myself, as if I were supporting a loved one, that the process is natural and everything will be ok.

We're currently displaced from our home, as the removal of the energy vampire is occurring today. I'm trying not to focus on the potential destruction or theft of my things; carpets can be cleaned, walls can be painted, and electronics/appliances can all be replaced. The worst loss would have been staying, and not allowing an opportunity for my daughters to have a mother that was strong, confident, and content (and most importantly, ALIVE!). I hope the memories of all they have heard and seen don't impede their ability to cultivate healthy, loving relationships. I hope that now I can be a good example and give them the tools they will need to go out into the world as self-assured, well-adjusted, loving women. I hope they fearlessly greet each day with open hearts to receive all of the gifts that life has to offer (and that they very much deserve!).

This is my process of letting go and opening up to change. I find solace in knowing that I now have my freedom back, can take off my "mask", and create a more authentic version of my life and self. 

So today I will walk/sit tall, softening my chest knowing that my current battle is over.

KLS

Taking care of all the loose ends before our trip to Cambodia I realize just how much I enjoy the simple pleasures of NEO (North East Ohio).

Biking to town.
Coffee in town.
Running into friends in and around town.
Teaching in a gorgeous yoga studio.
Teaching and taking yoga with friends.
Watching the kids play all day long with their neighborhood friends.
Beautiful sunrises.
Beautiful sunsets.
Gardens that are maintained with so much love and attention.
Trees everywhere.
Green.

I hope everyone has a wonderful June and enjoys the simple things!

--Charry

Drama

Remember that too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing.

If there was only pleasure, the pleasure would eventually become pain.

If there was only sunshine, we would cry out for rain.

If there was only heat, we want a reprieve.

We need the full spectrum, the full range of emotions and weather, to appreciate the happiness, the great weather, the blue skies, the tears of joy.

Believe in the cards you have been dealt, but know that if there is constant "drama" in your life, you might be choosing that over peace... what might you be hiding from? Lonliness, fear of boredom, fear of an empty nest, tiresome/tedious job, struggles with spouse/partner,...

When we create a relationship to something that keeps us reacting in a knee-jerk fashion, how do we step back and get some perspective on the situation?

Meditation.

Sit and watch your thoughts. Let your thoughts go with the breath. Watch the breath. Let go of the thoughts. Take a mini-thought/anxiety/drama vacation. Notice what that might feel like in the body. Make it a pleasurable experience. Sit comfortably. Breathe easily and steadily.

Open up to new possibilities. Maybe the possibility of eradicating the drama from your life.

Growing Pains

You know how you feel when you are learning something new? Or when you are doing something for the first time? Isn't it similar to what a flower must feel like when the seed breaks open to sprout? Or similar to a snake trying to shed its old skin?

You are just bursting out at the seems.

It is like that with our children. You can sense it. They start rubbing up against us in a new way. Sometimes, they challenge old boundaries. Sometimes, they challenge the rules.

It feels like that in relationships too. All of a sudden, whether from a move, an illness, a new job, a new title, a retirement, an empty nest, a death, a birth, a new direction, a new hobby, there is this shift and we rub up against our spouse or partner in a new way.

If we aren't receptive to change, friction builds, communication breaks down, our relationship falters.

Things can either get better or get worst.

Stick with kind thoughts. Be patient. One day, this too shall pass.
--Charry

No A/C

I would love to have air conditioning. Don't get me wrong. But, what I notice without a/c in this hot and humid North East Ohio is that I can tell when the thermometer fluctuates even 5 degrees in either direction.  I notice that when the temperatures rises past my comfort level, I need to breathe and let my body sweat itself cool. It is an interesting yoga experiment.

 --Charry

Spending time

Spend time with the people you really want to spend time with. Other wise, what is the point?

--Charry

Some people

Why is it that certain people can just rub us the wrong way?

Is it that we let them? Is it that we have something to learn from them? Do they mirror how we act and drive us crazy until we change how we act?

What if a situation like greed keeps popping up in our lives? People "taking" as though something was theirs without thinking that they should pay for it?

For example, the teachings of yoga, or anything for that matter.

Isn't it interesting that teaching is so highly regarded as a profession, yet so poorly compensated.

As a nation, we know, fundamentally that education is at the heart of our children's success and yet we continue to pay more to fund wars in Afghanistan than teach our children how to read.

And what about food?

Here we are, the most "civilized" nation in the world, and we can't even figure out how to feed, house, and clothe everyone.

There is a disconnect and I believe it starts with each one of us.

Where in your life are you stealing because you view someone as having "more" and you having "less"?

Where in your life are you stealing because you think someone "owes" you something?

Where in your life do you feel like you are so desperately lacking that you take what is not yours and rationalize it to yourself?

Where is the disconnect?

I have been working on my "money karma" recently. No answers, just more questions. --Charry

Sponge

Getting my cardio points in for the day and thought about the state of affairs of our over-programmed children...

Imagine a used, dried up sponge. This is our bodies and brains if we get stuck. If we become too one-dimentional. For example. If our children get plugged into one set youth sport at the age of 6. This is the state of youth anything these days, from music to dance to soccer. If you are not specializing at an early age you may not "make it".

This is also happening to us in old age, but mostly out of fear. We get trapped by our own habits, our own routines, our own little box of chores and activities.

Our minds and our bodies become to shrivel and dry out like that old, used, dried up sponge.

Now imagine a new, wet, soapy sponge that expands and becomes open to the task at hand. This is the mind and body of a child that is soaking up multiple languages, arts, learning musical instruments, playing multiple sports in the back yard with friends, nothing organized, all motivated by curiosity and the inherent challenge of the activity itself.

This can also be us as we age well into our 90s! We can learn how to dance, paint, write, new languages, travel, garden, take up a sport, we can still live outside of our little box. We can still grow.

So, you can choose, soak it up and stay wet and wild, or shrivel up and dry out. Be the sponge.

--Charry

Rewrite

When you write an essay, an article, a poem, or a book, there are countless edits and rewrites. There is continual scrutiny placed on each word. You must reread what you have written an incredible amount of times to know just how to continue. You must try to extract the exact meaning that you want to convey out of every syllable and every sentence. You review, edit, rewrite ad nauseum until there is "completion".

What if you took that same approach to your life?

What if you were careful with every word you said? What if you could try again over and over to be the kindest, most compassionate, most patient person?

Oh, you can! It is all right there for you! It is called practicing the art of mindful living.

--Charry

Living

We are just trying to figure it out.

If you don't try giving something up, you might not know its true value in your life.

If you don't let go and take a look at your pain/tightness/discomfort you might not know true happiness.

Meditation, is a time to be still so that your thought patterns can emerge without the distraction of movement in the body, or grasping of the senses which pull your mind in all sorts of directions. When you sit, even for 1 minute, you begin to notice the static of your mind. You begin to notice the chatter, the movie reel, the constant movement of the mind. Do not be afraid of all the noise.

Without fear, without judgment, without pride, try to sit and become non-reactionary to your thoughts. Befriend what appears. Become intimate with all that arises. Try not to push the thoughts away. No clamping down. No time outs. Just noticing.

And then, without any force or negation of your thoughts, bring your awareness from the movie reel, the chatter, the illusions of the mind's thoughts and place your focus on your breath. You do not have to make anything happen.

As soon as you are back with your breath, notice what happens. A simple shift of concentration onto the breath, away from the monkey mind. Just notice.

Do this exercise over and over again.

This is meditation.

Reflect. Be patient. Be kind. Be compassionate. Be receptive.

--Charry

Kids

I went in to tell my kids that they were "breaking our rules".

Apparently I had also just broken a rule because my daughter came in, showed me our family rule list, and pointed out the "No shouting" rule on the list.

Oh boy.

Would that be considered karma in action?

--Charry

What if...

If yoga was simply a bunch of physical poses to strengthen the body and stretch muscles, what would you do if you got hurt, had an illness, or went on vacation?

If meditation was simply sitting in stillness, what would happen when you had a real life crisis?

If yoga and meditation were just exercises that you did to fill your day and pretend that you were "improving" your life, what would happen if your spouse left you, someone died, or you hit rock bottom?

If you want your "practice" to be more than just a physical exercise, a tool to heal your back, or something else to become addicted to, use your mat and your cushion to rub up against what is really at the bottom of all of your suffering: tap into your greed, selfishness, hatred, guilt, anger, elation, euphoria, judgment, pride,...

Sit and reflect on that which is eating you up from the inside out.

Do you really think you don't have "enough"?
Do you really think you need someone else's "approval"?
Do you really need to hide behind the busyness?

What do you really need to end the suffering?

The yoga postures and the sitting practice both lead to an even higher limb of yoga- Self-Realization.

But, you must be patient, diligent, fearless, receptive, and make the effort to be kind and compassionate in every moment with every living being.

Take it off your mat. --Charry

Why o Why?

Just when you think there has been some light shed, some little opening, you are reminded...

And then, you know that you must begin again...

And again...

And again.

Just when you think that you have lots of interested readers, students, friends, you are reminded...

And then, you know that you must begin again...

And again....

And again.

Just when you think, you are reminded...

That you are human...

And you must begin again.

Patience.

--Charry

The Master Game

The Master Game

by

Robert S. DeRopp

Seek, above all, for a game with playing. Such is the advice of the oracle to modern man.

Having found the game play it with intensity – play as if your life and sanity depend on it.

(They do depend on it). Follow the example of the French Existentialists and flourish a banner bearing the word “engagement”. Though nothing means anything and all roads are marked “no exit”, yet move as if your movements had some purpose. If life does not seem to offer a game worth playing, then invent one. For it must be clear, even to the most clouded intelligence, that any game is better than no game.

But although it is safe to play the Master Game, this has not served to make it popular. It still remains the most demanding and difficult of games and in our society, there are few who play. Contemporary man, hypnotized by the glitter of his own gadgets, has little contact with his inner world, concerns himself with outer, not inner space. But the Master Game is played entirely in the inner world, a vast and complex territory about which men know very little. The aim of the game is true awakening, full development of the powers latent in man. The game can be played only by people whose observations of themselves and others have led them to a certain conclusion, namely, that man’s ordinary state of consciousness, his so-called waking state, is not the highest level of consciousness of which he is capable. In fact, this state is so far from real awakening that it could appropriately be called a form of somnambulism, a condition of “waking sleep”.

Once a person has reached this conclusion, he is no longer able to sleep comfortably. A new appetite develops within him, the hunger for real awakening, for full consciousness.  He realizes that he sees, hears, and knows only a tiny fraction of what he could see, hear and know, that he lives in the poorest, shabbiest of the rooms in his inner dwelling, and that he could enter other rooms, beautiful and filled with treasures, the windows of which look out on eternity and infinity.

The solitary player lives today in a culture that is more or less totally opposed to the aims he has set himself, that does not recognise the existence of the Master Game, and regards players of this game as queer or slightly mad. The player thus confronts great opposition from the culture in which he lives and must strive with forces which tend to bring his game to a halt before it has even started. Only by finding a teacher and becoming part of the group of pupils that the teacher has collected about him can the player find encouragement and support. Otherwise he simply forgets his aim, or wanders off down some side road and loses himself.

Here it is sufficient to say that the Master Game can NEVER be made easy to play. It demands all that a man has, all his feelings, all his thoughts, his entire resources, physical and spiritual. If he tries to play it in a half-hearted way or tries to get results by unlawful means, he runs the risk of destroying his own potential. For this reason it is better not to embark on the game at all than to play it half-heartedly.

Come backs

I keep coming back to this:

Is all disappointment in life simply a matter of not having gotten what I wanted, as I wanted it, in the time that I wanted it to be gotten?

Is all suffering simply a matter of impatience?

Is this too simplistic of a viewpoint?

These are some of the questions I am living at the moment.

What about you????

--Charry

As Long as this Exists

Yesterday, after a long weekend on a bus with rowdy boys to Culver, Indiana to play two high school lacrosse games, I needed a little quiet time. (We won a game on Saturday and lost one on Sunday; overall, a positive experience.) With too much on my mind, I headed over to Hudson Springs Park for a run, but ended up walking the loop around the lake. 

 At one point, along a marshy alcove near the woods, I came across a stork-like bird, perhaps, a type of crane with a long yellow beak, creeping with its long legs, looking for fish. (I confess I wish I knew my ornithology better - oh, someday.) 

For a moment, I hesitated, and accepted the bench's invitation, sitting down to watch the bird snap up a small fish and swiftly swallow it. Then, with its expansive wings outstretched, the bird flapped three times and fluttered twenty some yards over to the other side of the alcove's shores, and fished some more. Finally, after another unlucky fish, the great bird took flight and soared towards the center of the lake, banking right, flying North over my head. 

On the far side of the lake, two men sat in a small fishing boat. From a distance, they appeared motionless. The sun, setting, sent long shadows and slivers of reflected skylight. Another day. Another weekend. Another month drawing to a close. I sat in stillness without a word. 

Then, today, I read Writer's Almanac; through this excerpt from Ann Frank, my experience had words for the solace that I could not express the previous evening.



As long as this exists...


by Anne Frank

"As long as this exists," I thought, "and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts, I cannot be unhappy." The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.


"As long as this exists..." by Anne Frank, excerpt from The Diary of a Young Girl. © Bantam Books, 1986. Reprinted with permission. (buy now)

http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/#

How to sit

Seated method:

1. Get comfortable.
2. Stack head over shouldersa.
3. Straighten spine without tension.
4. Feel your sit bones supporting you.
5. Close eyes.
6. Release eye tension behind eyelids.
7. Soften skin on forehead.
8. Breathe in and out through the nose.
9. Watch your breath.
10. The mind will begin to think and you will begin to notice your thinking because the body is still and the mind is watchful.
11. When you notice that you are thinking, bring your mind's eye back to the breath without disturbance, judgment, or self-criticism.
12. Avoid harming your mindstate. Open to a state of watchfulness without reproach.
13. Notice if your pattern is to judge (particularly yourself).
14. Soften and keep coming back to the breath in your mind's eye.

It seems like you aren't doing much. In fact, you are doing a great deal. You are starting to Be. You are breaking habits by noticing your habits. Thoughts are habits.

Watch and be alert.

As soon as thoughts arise, coming back to the breath can, literally, change the way you think.

As soon as you change the thought process by coming from a place of non-judgment, you start to act from a heart-centered place of love. And this is where the magic happens. In this realm of the heart, karma, or past actions can be cleansed.

It takes constant practice.

You can do it!--Charry

An encounter

Encounter the elements. There are earth, fire, water, air, and ether within us. When we go out into nature, we automatically connect to our inner elements and tune their vibrations to the outter elements of nature. This puts us in synch with the world in and around us. This buffs the rough edges of the mind. This sands down the edginess of the nerve endings that get frayed from our life of constant stimulation. We need,  more than anything else, a refuge. A place to go to help us return to our deepest inner essence and the ultimate, seamless vibration of the one true Self. All the elements are ready and waiting. Find the time. Go inward.

A Heavy Dose of Inspiration from a 92-Year Old Yoga Teacher. {Video}

A Heavy Dose of Inspiration from a 92-Year Old Yoga Teacher. {Video}

Life as we know it

We are constantly making snap judgments about things and people. Our brains are constantly saying that this is good, or this is bad. Based upon our own limited knowledge and understanding of life, we decide how things should be done. Most of the time we end up repeating things that our parents had done. Most of the time we end up copying. Without even knowing it.

So, sit. Find You in there. It is separate from who You think you are, or ought to be, Out There.

Out There- scary.

Inside- safe.

"Get over yourself."
"Get out of your own way."
"Don't believe your story."

It is the mind that causes suffering. Attachment to the mind and its thoughts causing suffering.

Meditation allows us the space to realize the Supreme Self.

Take the time to sit. It is worth every breath.

--Charry

Wise

My daughter, Beckett (7), had a hard time falling asleep last night. This is what she said was the problem.

"Everytime I close my eyes bad thoughts come up in my mind. Things that I said or did that were bad. The good thoughts don't come up because I know that if those things happen again, they will be good. But when I close my eyes, I can't stop those bad thoughts from coming."

And, then, always the rational one in the family, my husband, Mike, says: "Well, can't you just think about the good thoughts?"

If only we could....

She finally fell asleep, couldn't wake her up in the morning, almost late for school.

Then, this morning, my son, Maddox (6), asked me: "What do you do after I get on the bus? I guess if I stayed home sick, I would find out."

Ah, yes, we all spend our life in the self-centered, self-contained bubble. I mean, how could anyone's life "go on" without us?

I am learning a lot here in NEO!--Charry

Spring storms

The unpredictability of spring is part of the fun. Just when we get used to something, it changes. Just when we get attached to how things "are", they change. Or, is change the reality and it is our desire to control that makes us want things to stay the same?

I have been trying to plant daily seeds with practice. Some days it is much easier than others to "find" the time, to "settle", to feel good in the practice. And then there are days that it is nearly impossible to pry myself away from work, kids, day to day "stuff" and get on the mat or cushion. And then, even more frustrating to find that when I do force myself to the practice, it feels all wrong, I feel tight, my mind can't stop with the chatter and the to-do list. But, then I remind myself. One is not "better" than the other. Be patient.

The fight and the frustration is no better or worse than the pleasure and the perfect flow. They are both placed there as the teacher. And then, in the end, it is necessary to surrender the outcome anyway. So, I can start again if it feels off or I can open and be receptive when it feels good.

Facing what is and sitting with it as it is. There is no need for the practice to be any other way than what arises. It is just a matter of practice.

Spring is a great time to understand change and volatility. We don't have to rejoice with the sun and lament in the rain. Both bring the right flowers and growth in the right time. Witness the changes without getting caught up in the big swing of the season.

--Charry

It takes a year...

It takes at least a year for 15 minutes of meditation to become a habit.

When you have created the habit of "doing" for 30-40-50+ years, creating a new habit of sitting and "doing nothing" is going to take a while.

So many students get frustrated because they don't see any progress with their flexibility when they come to yoga class. But, what they are forgetting is that they come to class, maybe, 1 hour a week, and sit/run/walk/drive/etc. for the rest of the hours of their week. How can there be change? Or, rather, change may still come, but at a dinosaur's pace. In other words, you may be extinct before your hamstrings get any looser.

That is why the practice is so important. If you sit for a few days or weeks or months, awaken a little bit, become a little more sensitive, then stop, let life take over, then, there will be frustration. Unless, you acknowledge that, oh yes, didn't practice. Of course. There has to be a reaction to the non-action too. Remember that choosing not to practice is a choice. Choosing the To-Do list over the 15 minutes of sitting is a choice. You may not think it is. You may think that life is just too busy right now. But, that is a way of training the will too. That is training the weakness of the will.

Of course, there will always be the curve ball. There will always be the vacation, the illness, the crazy actual insane curve ball of real life that can't be ignored and then, the practice really comes to life, and all that you were working for is put into real use. Patience. Surrender. Breath. At some point, this is all we will have.

And, That, is why we make ourselves sit. Now. Every day. Planting seeds. For when the time comes, when we need our inner strength to make it through, we will have done all that we could have.

Do the work. Be receptive. --Charry

Rain and seeds

Practice today. Crucial.

Tapping into the nectar of the One Source. Critical.

Being with the breath. Illimitable.

I hope you all can find the time to sit, to breathe, to pierce inward.

Do any of us really have the time to "just" sit?

Or, rather, can any of us really afford not to "just" sit?

Getting down to the essentials:
1. Health
2. Inner/spiritual growth
3. Love

Ok, maybe Love should be #1 on the list. Make today about what is #1 on your list. Plant the seeds to make your life about #1 on your list through every thought, word and action.

Become the #1 on your List of Essentials. Try it!--Charry

Back to Fear

Fear of the unknown= Impatience= Ego

There is wisdom in patience. How?

There are very high practices in the yoga tradition, of which I know none of, but sound amazingly cool and transcendental. But, if the student is not ready for their transmission, but reads about them in a book, or learns of them from a rogue "teacher", the student could literally lose her mind. That is why the teacher/student relationship is so important. Only when the teacher sees that the student has done the work and is ready, will the teacher transmit the energy and potency of the practices. This will then help rather than hinder the student's true practice- Preya vs. Shreya.

When the teacher or the student is impatient, it means that they are actually glorifying their Egos.

When the teacher "pushes" someone into a pose that ends up causing injury to the student, that is Ego, that is the impatience of the teacher.

When the student "pushes" herself into a pose that ends up causing injury, that is Ego manifest, that is the impatience of the student.

When you do pranayama, or breath practices without having the foundation of a healthy and prepared body through asana, or postures, you could cause mental injury.

When you do meditation practices without being grounded in foundational practices such as Beginner's Mind, you could move out into the ether and cause harm to yourself and others.

Be patient with where you are right now, in this moment, with what is right in front of you. You do not have to grasp into the dark, into the future, or live in the past. There is enough right here, with this breath, for you to work with.

Strengthen your will. Be here now. Be receptive.--Charry

Believe

Elena mentioned Preya and Shreya in today's blast. I couldn't help but smile as I thought of her talking about these concepts last year. She was giggling away about the illiteration and the qualities of each in the same giggle.

We are so conditioned to find pleasure in everything we do. That instant gratification that actually causes suffering.

I like to shop. I would say that I have used shopping to squelch a broken heart, a big loss, or just a fowl mood. It felt great in the moment. All the colors, sounds, smells (love perfumes!)... And then, I would get the bill. Oh goodness. Now what have I done? Where did the pleasure go? How lasting is this pain?

I have also found many a night with friends downing tequilla! Yowza! Talk about pleasure. Lots of laughs, numbness, good times... but, oh, the lasting pain and suffering the next day.

And, now, parenting. Even harder to know what is the Preya and what is the Shreya. Time outs, hard lines, enforcement. Picking the battles. Knowing how to say "no" and mean it and enforce it. Tough stuff.

And, then, finding time to exercise, choosing the right foods, taking time (seemingly selfishly) for myself.

The only thing I can do is make one choice at a time. Plant one seed at a time. That is the only thing to do. Otherwise, life would start to become overwhelming. But, trying not judge all of my actions and who I am is the key. Sometimes, our best traits become our worst traits and our worst traits become our best. (Taken from Amy Cook of the Yoga Lounge:)) So, there really is no "good" or "bad" parts to us. We are just us. We are who we should be. It is in the forgetting of That when we get pulled off center and seek the immediate gratification of food, drink, shopping, company, busy-ness: the Preya, that makes us suffer.

Ha, now just putting it into action... The tough part.--Charry

Free Fish

As I read a recent Living Yoga 365 post on agape and came to the reference to free fish, I recalled the movie Dolphin Tale.

Before watching the movie, the images in my mind of a dolphin were swimming free in the ocean. After watching the movie, new images are in my mind -- the dolphin, injured on the beach, the dolphin rescued and taken to the marine rescue, the dolphin trying to swim without a tail, the dolphin causing injury to its spine by its renegotiated swimming method, the dolphin with artificial tail, the dolphin rejecting the artificial tail, and ultimately, the dolphin accepting the modified tail and swimming free.

The inspirational storyline of Dolphin Tale teaches us not to give up when all seems hopeless. The story of Winter, the dolphin, obviously is what drives this film, but relationships are what makes this movie so emotional and visceral. True hope stems from connections.

On a recent business trip to Florida, I took a detour from my ultimate destination to stop by and visit Winter. What I found was a Clearwater Marine Aquarium in transition. Struggling for many years with run-down facilities due to a lack of funds, the movie Dolphin Tale provided interest and awareness and brought crowds and funds to modernize. For some, this would might taint the real story to see such commercialization. For me, it increased the ability for CMA to touch lives of number of children with disabilities that could connect to the story of Winter and find hope.

If you have not seen the movie, here is the trailer:






Best
Sandee

Friendship

My daughter is involved in a soccer "World Cup" tourney at school (2nd grade P.E.). She came home the other day very excited.

"Mommy, Mommy, Yabi and Ava had trouble in friendship today."

"Yabi and Ava are best friends. Best friends! And they had trouble in friendship today because of soccer."

"Yabi's team played Ava's team today and Ava, forgetting that Yabi was on the other team, said some really mean things. They stood up to each other, in each other's faces and said mean things to each other. Because of the game! They didn't even play together at recess. They had real trouble in friendship today."

Think about it! How hard it is to lose. How hard it is to win. How we "forget" ourselves all the time. How we say things that cause so much suffering to ourselves and those closest to us. How we are costantly "having trouble in friendship" because we want satisfaction in the moment.

As a female athlete it was, and remains, difficult to be the most competitive person on the field, in the classroom, seemingly in life. So, how do we find that balance? How do we resist our own impatience? When the will is fierce and determined, how do we direct it to our benefit and the benefit of those around us?

That is some tough stuff to face. Yowza! --Charry

I'm reading the blog again now after a long hiatus. Sandee I understand your difficulty with being laid up. I think it's hard to find serenity in pain. March was taken up with recuperating from pneumonia that came on suddenly last days of Feb. Left me with some physical issues also that require physical therapy (details are boring). Physical therapy people are so encouraging.

This new subject seems to be quite what I need right now. I'm thinking of wearing a bracelet that I haven't worn much, as a reminder. In fact I'll put it on right now. Namaste. Emy

Regaining my equilibrium

“The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.” ~Norbet Platt

I have been feeling quite at at odds since I injured my back few weeks ago. I have experienced a range of emotions that have rocked my world. I have always prided myself on being strong and independent. I saw the Caroline Myss quote over the weekend and decided maybe it is time to let my soul do its work. I did not know how to start that process until I saw the above quote by Norbet Platt. I am putting this down on paper, well keystrokes, to try to silence my mind and start moving forward.

My first reaction -- denial. If I pretended I did not feel the slight pain, then it did not exist. I knew I did not feel quite "right," but a little discomfort was not going to slow me down. That worked for a few days. Then, a week ago Saturday, as I climbed the stairs in my house I received a blast of reality. Sharp, jabbing, mind numbing pain from head to toe.

Second reaction --panic. Oh no! What have a done? After a period of time, the pain dissipated, so I went on my way. I was not going to allow some pain to interrupt my scheduled plans. As the evening went on, the pain worsened. Finally, I do not know if it was fear, anxiety or a bit of reason, but I allowed my parents to take me to the emergency room.

Third reaction -- pain now officially is in charge and has gotten my attention. At this point, I was so out of it, that I could barely answer the basic questions the ER staff asked me. Thank goodness for my Mother and a very patient and caring ER staff.

Fourth reaction -- PAIN REIGNS! Now what am I going to do? My husband is out of the country on business and how will I care for our pups? What about all the work I need to do to prepare for an upcoming business trip? How did I seriously think I was going to take a flight west, when I could not sit in a chair for 5 minutes?

It was time for a dose of reality...

First reality -- NOW I KNOW WHAT PAIN IS! It hurts to sit, walk, lie down, to be. My mind is alive with the sounds of how what's, whys, how's. I am overwhelmed with pain.

Second reality -- Thank goodness for the loving kindness of a support team that swooped in and took over, so I would do not further damage to myself.

Third reality -- Time heals if you allow it to do so.

A week later, I have greatly reduced pain and discomfort. I am working with a physical therapist to gain my strength back. I have cancelled my business trip and I am easing slowly back into work. I am striving to understand I have limits. I am trying to put my EGO in check find patience. I need to give my mind a vacation and allow my soul to help me heal. This post is my first step in that direction. I know I may stumble along the way, but tonight I am able to see the path with much better clarity.

Thank you for helping me regain my equilibrium.

Namaste,

Sandee

One-Moment Meditation "How to Meditate in a Moment"

Thank you Charry for your very helpful post today about the practice of meditation.

I came across this clip tonight and I thought I would share it. Moments can become minutes and minutes can become more...

Enjoy!

Namaste,
Sandee

The Practice

What does meditation give us? Nothing.

Why should we sit and watch our mind wander and strut its stuff and show us who is boss? We don't have to.

What is the point of sitting, doing nothing, when we have so much on our plates already? There is no point.

This is what I suggest. I only suggest it because it has felt good to me. Try it, it may not feel good to you. You will have to find your own way in the end. But, this has helped me.

1. Get comfortable in your seat. Use a bolster, cushion, or blanket. Maybe a chair- when my right knee aches enough, I sit up higher. The spine is what is important. Not too loose. Not too tight. (That instruction helps me thanks to Elena.)
2. Breathe normally and settle in. This seems to take longer on some days than others. Patience is the key. I am practicing to strengthen my patience muscle. Not easy.
3. Turn the mind's eye onto the breath. As though the breath were a "thing" to watch and "see" from the inside. Turn the breath into a thread to watch.
4. Become entranced by the breath. The breath then becomes like a snake, dancing and performing its miracle within and without me. I do not attach myself to the breath. I am enthralled by its "thereness".
5. Thoughts of daily life arise to distract me. Like Thich Nhat Hahn mentioned, I tell the thoughts: "not now. I am on a 15 minute holiday from you. Come back later."
6. Repeat breath by breath.
7. Time to go. I give my thanks, prayers and salutations. I let go of anything I might have "gained" or "lost". I try not to attach myself to "my" practice. I try to remember that I am not my practice.

There are days when this is more "enjoyable" than others. But, it is in the regularity of it that brings the understanding. It is the understanding of impermanence and change. Feeling good today. Clear. Divine flow happening. Not so good today. Clogged. But still Divine Flow. "Good"/"Bad" these are just my mind's/Ego's tricks of projection. Judgments are just that, attachments to our Ego.

The practice of meditation and yoga bring space. The space to remember Who I Am! It is ok if I feel strong. It is ok if I feel weak. But that is not me. I am, underneath the layers of conditioning and armor, pure, whole and in tact. Whatever the mix that is me, acceptance and understanding are crucial. Compassion. Lovingkindness.

I plant the seeds. Every day, I create the space. Because it is important to me. --Charry

Injuries and set backs

There will come a day when we have to face an injury, a diagnosis, a systemic flare up, the onset of an allergy, a cold, the pain and suffering of our child....

There will come a day when we will have to face lethargy, depression, mania, loss of memory, dymentia,...

There will come a day when we are hospitalized.

There will come a day when we just need to stay in bed.

There will come a day when we can't do anything for ourselves and need help.

There will come a day when we will really need our yoga practice- the connection to the Divine Inner Source of Compassion and Wisdom.

There will come a day when we will realize what we thought was yoga practice, was just kindergarten play. When we come to this day that we are literally brought down to our knees, we will have only one thing left in our yogic arsenal- Surrender.

So, sit now. Sit, today. Because you can. Because it is there for you.

If you are having one of those days where the pain is too great, the depression too heavy, the anxiety too overwhelming, or the body needing rest, then listen... and Surrender.

--Charry

In from Bruce...

Doingthe Remarkable by Jim Rohn



When it comesto meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question:What can you do, starting today, that will make a difference? What can you doduring economic chaos? What can you do when everything has gone wrong? What canyou do when you've run out of money, when you don't feel well and it's all gonesour? What can you do?

Let me giveyou the broad answer first. You can do the most remarkable things, no matterwhat happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite themost impossible or disastrous circumstances.

Here is whyhumans can do remarkable things: because they are remarkable. Humans aredifferent than any other creation. When a dog starts with weeds, he winds upwith weeds. And the reason is because he's a dog. But that's not true withhuman beings. Humans can turn weeds into gardens.

Humans canturn nothing into something, pennies into fortune, and disaster into success.

And thereason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable. Tryreaching down inside of yourself; you'll come up with some more of thoseremarkable human gifts. They're there, waiting to be discovered and employed.

With thosegifts, you can change anything for yourself that you wish to change. And Ichallenge you to do that because you can change. If you don't like howsomething is going for you, change it. If something isn't enough, change it. Ifsomething doesn't suit you; change it. If something doesn't please you, change it.You don't ever have to be the same after today. If you don't like your presentaddress, change it—you're not a tree!

If there is onething to get excited about, it's your ability to make yourself do the necessarythings, to get a desired result, to turn the negative into success. That's trueexcitement.

Non-attachment to the seeds

Think about all the little things we do or say that have an alterior implication. We do something nice to make someone like us. We say something endearing to receive a thank you. We help someone so they feel endebted to us. We rush to defend someone so we can be perceived as the righteous one. We buy our children a toy so they will behave. We take our children shopping so they like to be with us. We give someone a promotion so they will get off our back. We give someone a higher grade than they deserve so their parents won't be upset. We give a player praise even when they didn't do a good job so they don't complain. We play a song in class that we know people like so they will like our class. We hire someone's friend so they will repay us one day.

Take a look at all the strings of attachment to the acts we "offer" throughout the day.

Now, what if we truly offered compassion without a price tag. What if we offered honesty without aggression. What if we gave love freely without needing anything back in return.

Plant seeds that need no reassurance, no reciprocation, no emotional feedback loop. Just plant without expectations or attachment to the fruits of the seeds.

Now that is a tricky and tough yoga practice.

--Charry

Fearlessness...

Fear drives me.  It drives me in everything I do.  I could give examples from every role I play as father, son, teacher, student, coach...

Acknowledging fear is like turning a light on in a dark room - I think I heard that once in a yoga class, and I know I've said it before in my class.  Awareness brings light to fear so that it's not as scary.

Yet still fear persists, creeping in when tired and late at night or moments of doubt.  Or in moments of conflict, it rears it's head like a fire breathing dragon that can spew words of anger if provoked or threatened.

On our spring break lacrosse trip to St. Pete Beach, we woke up every morning for a 7am team dip; we called it polar bear despite the warm temps in the Gulf of Mexico.  I woke up extra early and meditated before the bleary-eyed boys arrived on the sandy beach.  One morning after reading the daily Living Yoga 365 email on fearlessness - I meditated on fear.  Fear of failure.  Fear of failing as a coach (as a teacher, father, etc.)

When the boys stumbled out, I asked that they sit for five minutes (if it was 15 they'd fall asleep), and think about what they fear, and realize that fear comes from love being threatened.   We love to win; we fear losing.  We love success; we fear failure.  We love to look good; we fear looking bad.  We love our family; we fear losing them or disappointing them.

The boys spread out along the beach and sat for a few minutes.  And then they jumped in the gulf, running in by class.  Who knows whether they meditated or what they thought... but if it begins the process of awareness - it's a step forward.

Fear can paralyze us.  On the field, a player avoids taking risks, afraid to make mistakes.  We learn from our mistakes so we can't be afraid to make them.  Fear then becomes a players friend, if tamed, to motivate and instruct.

I am afraid I have to cut this short - this has been a good writing meditation for me. Thank you for reading  - I need to write today.

Best,

Kevin

Threshold

March 31, 2012

Good Morning,

We are wrapping up our exploration of fearlessness. We will re-visit this topic when we explore warriorship again later in the year.

Let your heart be known, to yourself and others. The world needs our fearlessness.

With the disciplines of yoga, meditation we’re working at bringing forth capabilities we already possess. Awareness is intrinsic. The more we sit and the more we practice yoga the more these qualities of mind come naturally. We’re able to meet our habitual tendencies (samskaras) straight on. Then we have a choice how to act.  Then our whole state of being begins to function more wholesomely. We begin to feel more buoyant and cheerful as a result of practice. We may experience a greater sense of well-being.  We feel a greater confidence in our ability to work with our situation and our relationships effectively. Having a strong posture and an open heart helps us. Having the courage to know our fear, we are fearless.

Explore/Practice/Apply

Put yourself at your edge today. Have a conversation you’ve been putting off, do something that the thought of doing makes you want to shy away. Say no or instead say yes. Find something that engages the edge. What is that threshold for you?

Open to fear

March 30, 2011

Good Morning,

Everything is easier when we connect in, especially practicing fearlessness.

…The everyday practice is simply to develop a complete acceptance and openness

to all situations and emotions.

And to all people – experiencing everything totally without reservations and blockages, so that one never withdraws or centralizes onto one’s self.

                                                          -Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Explore/Practice/Apply

Lie in Savasana (Corpse Pose). Place and eye pillow of a towel over your eyes. Let the ground receive you, feeling the support of ground below. With each out breath let more and more of your weight sink into the floor. With the support of the ground below, surrender. Open and become aware of breath, body, sensation, tender heart.

Celebrate the tender heart of the warrior today. Be fearless as you greet your day. Remember, fearlessness is simply the willingness to open to fear, acknowledging it directly, in its subtlety and intensity.

Gentleness

March 29, 2012

Good Morning,

Remember the relationship between fearlessness and gentleness. One can’t exist without the other.

 There is something unconditionally good about ourselves. Experiencing our soft spot (tender heart) we glimpse a larger world. We can use these glimpses to discover the path of courage.

                                                Cynthia Kneen, Awake Mind, Open Heart

Explore/Practice/Apply

Gentleness allows us to discover true fearlessness and courage. It is that soft spot that allows us to experience the world directly. Experience the unconditional goodness in yourself. Notice how that shapes the way you view yourself and others.

Opportunities

March 28, 2012

Good Morning,

As the adage goes, change is the only constant. Our relationship to change directly impacts the way we experience life. Enjoy this offering from Pema Chodron.

When you open to the continually changing , impermanent, dynamic nature of your own being and of reality, you increase your capacity to love and care about other people and your capacity to not be afraid. You’re able to keep your eyes open, your heart open, and your mind open, And you notice when you get caught up in prejudice, bias, and aggression. You develop an enthusiasm for no longer watering those negative seeds, from now until the day you die. And you begin to think of your life as offering endless opportunities to start to do things differently, endless opportunities to dissolve the seeds of war where they originate-in the hearts and minds of individuals like you and me.

                                                          -Pema Chodron

Explore/Practice/Apply

Look for the opportunities life presents you to keep your eyes, heart, and mind open. Every time we want to contract or avoid is an opportunity.

The joys of spring

Yesterday's 365 was a good reminder for me to remember the joy that can be found in the "little things." It also had me scrolling through my iPod to listen to 2 songs; "No Regrets" by Forest Sun and "The Little Things" by Carlos Bertonatti, as I was driving down I-70 enjoying the warm weather with the window rolled down. With the arrival of spring, it's fun to see nature budding into new life! I love the snow and the moisture it brings to allow the emergence of flowers from bulbs, the buds on trees turning into leaves, and the brown grasses becoming green again. Another simple pleasure of spring time is the return of flip flops. It's such a nice freedom of the feet after being crammed into ski boots all winter! And then there's spring break, which allows me to catch up with friends and family that I haven't seen in awhile. It was great to see Charry while she was out here, and to hear her beautiful giggle again! Having time to go down to my parents has been great too, while my brother and his family are here. It's amazing how quickly my niece and nephew are growing up and it's a lot of fun to hear all the stories and enjoy all the laughter! With seeing everyone, it reminds me of a quote I saw in the Vail Daily when I first moved to town:

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." Eleanor Roosevelt

Wishing you all the best,

Chris

Guard your thoughts...

“Day by day. Changing bad habits, planting permanent love with your thoughts, words, and actions.” ~Andrei

I love the quote above from today's LY365. I constantly try to remind myself to stay present. I find if I get too comfortable, then I am susceptible to fall. If I am too cautious, then I allow anxiety and fear to get in my way.

Day by day...

Taking out the head trash

head trash [hed trash]
noun:
1. A collection of limiting beliefs, thoughts, or ideas that prevent one from taking specific action that will help generate better results
2. Behaviors that unconsciously hold ourselves back

Last week while attending a sales and operations meeting, an attendee relatively new to my company repeatedly used the phrase "getting caught up in one's head trash." Use of the phrase got a chuckle from most of us in the session.

Since this meeting, I have been thinking aout about how the "head trash" can pile up in our lives. You know, those negative thoughts that might keep you from doing things that really matter like spending time with family, having a conversation with your boss, looking for a new job, taking a risk, exercising for example.

It is time to task out the trash.

Anxiety

March 27, 2012

Good Morning,

Anxiety is a mild form of fear. The tell tale sign of anxiety is tension in the muscles and the mind. Reacting with tension can become habitual so that we aren’t aware of our tendency to tighten in the face of stress.

When circumstances overwhelm, the body and mind switches into fight or flight mode. At these times blood pressure rises, adrenalin is released, heart rate quickens, and muscles tense. These physiological responses help us respond quickly to danger. For many fight or flight responses become habitual even when there is no danger. In fact some thrive on fight or flight calling themselves ‘adrenalin junkies’. The problem is that when the body and mind are chronically stressed the body starts to break down, disease can ensue, and reactive mind tends to dominate.

Explore/Practice/Apply

Practicing yoga and meditation can support efforts to change our relationship with stress. Stress is inevitable but we can change our relationship to stress so that it doesn’t zap us. Stress elicits creativity when we approach it skillfully.  Consider dropping language like, “I’m so stressed out.” Instead, get specific with your language like, “I’m tense.”   Rather than putting the locus of control on the stress, deal with the tension within you. Manage yourself, not the stress. Asana and meditation are tools we can utilize to change our relationship to stress.

As you go about your day, breathe when you feel challenged; cue your muscles to soften. Excitement is often within stress, see if you can approach a challenge with excitement instead of dread.

Competitive Attitude

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.”
Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Kindness

March 26, 2012

Good Morning,

The Tibetan Buddhist master, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche addressed fear in many of his teachings throughout his life. He said that in order to experience fearlessness it is necessary to experience fear and that the essence or cowardice is not acknowledging the reality of fear. Fearlessness results from going beyond fear. It is not a reduction of fear. The disciplines of asana, meditation, physical exercise provide us with a means to work with things like fear so that they don’t overwhelm us or dominate us.

Fearlessness isn’t being absent of fear. Fearlessness is not shutting down in the presence of fear. It is the willingness to face fear head on and experience all aspects of fear on the spot. It is acknowledging the quivery qualities, the not wanting to be present, the desire to distract and cover over, the sadness or anger. All of this becomes the feast for the warrior. All this becomes part of the path and an opportunity to deepen one’s experience of mind as well as an opportunity to cultivate compassion.

You feel fear and you soften to yourself. You let it penetrate your being with kindness and acceptance. There is no rejecting of any aspect of your experience. You accept it all as it is without trying to make it anything other than what it is.

Remember that is the essence of kindness. Rejecting or bypassing one’s experience is a form of self aggression.

The willingness to look at our experiences and show up for our self and others on the spot is the essence of fearlessness and warriorship.

Explore/Practice/Apply

It seems that so often we are reactive so that we don’t even know what caused us to react. These reactions can be subtle or more obvious. Notice all the little anxieties that come up during the course of the day. These are subtle manifestations of fear. Watch your tendencies to react and instead see if you can get curious and drop the story line and be with the experience.

Back in Hudson!

Got back to NE Ohio late last night. Thanks for the ride Sandee!!!!

We woke up to green grass and colorful flowers in bloom everywhere! Quite a contrast to the melting snow and brown rocky heights of Vail. It made me realize that Spring is in full swing and we missed Spring solstice in the blasts a few days ago. Notice if there have been any changes in your appetite, your skin, or your energy levels recently.

It was so great to see so many of you over the course of the last 2 weeks! The clean air and water of the mountains felt so good. The strength of the mountains was also a reminder to be brave and steadfast in the face of change.

Let Elena and I know if you need anything specific regarding your practice or anything that is arising on your mat.

Have a great Sunday!--Charry

Blogging again :)

It's been a while since I blogged, and it's good to be back.

I've been preoccupied with lacrosse and life.

Last week, we had an incredible team trip to FL - 31 players and three coaches, 16 hours of practice, and 4 scrimmages.  It was the first time we made the trip and I would definitely do it again.  Yet learned a few things that will make it smoother travels next time.  Nevertheless, once we do something once, we gain confidence that we can do it again.

As I go through this first season as head coach at WRA, questions and concerns abound. It's a great responsibility to nearly fifty boys and their parents: communication is key, but it eats time.

The days I don't meditate quickly turn into general anxiety days - too much to do and too little time.

The days I make the time to meditate - the anxiety melts  - and I get clear and focused.

Meditated today and it was good.

More soon - sorry to be a stranger.

Kevin

Snow!

Finally, snow in the mountains!

As I try to soak up the elements, I realize how unappreciative of the surrounding beauty I became living in Vail for the past 14 years. Notice what you used to enjoy and appreciate that you longer do. Maybe, it's not a place, or an activity, but a person.

Just notice. What would life be like if you could see and feel as though you did when you first fell in love. Wouldn't that be an incredible way to live.

--Charry

Bruce on clutter....

When I was a kid we lived in a house with no garage.
Every nook and cranny was jam packed with stuff,
even the space inside the roof.
Me and my two brothers developed the "Vacuum"
theory which stated that where ever there was
an empty space or available surface it would be
filled with stuff.

I guess I'm still working on becoming stuffless
(I just made that up, sounds like a real word doesn't it?).

Cheers

Bruce

From Bruce...

The Subtlety of Language by Jim Rohn

I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our attitude, whichof course can make a major difference in our future, can be as simple as thelanguage we use. The difference in even how you talk to yourself or others.Consciously making a decision to quit saying what you don't want and to startsaying what you do want. I call that faith. Believing the best, hoping for thebest and moving toward the best.

A few examples could be, instead of saying "What if somebodydoesn't respond?" you start saying, "What if they do respond?"Instead of saying "What if someone says no?" you say "What ifthey say yes?" Instead of "What if they start and quit?" you say"What if they start and stay?" Or instead of "What if it doesn'twork out?" you say "What if it does work out?" And the list goeson and on.

I found that when you start thinking and saying what you really wantthen your mind automatically shifts and pulls you in that direction. Andsometimes it can be that simple, just a little twist in vocabulary that illustratesyour attitude and philosophy.

Our language can also affect how others perform and behave around us. Ateenager says to a parent, "I need $10." If the parent learns to say,"That kind of language doesn't work here. We've got plenty of money, butthat's not how you get $10," then you teach your teenager how to ask,"How can I earn $10?"

That is the magic of words. There is plenty of money here. There ismoney for everybody, but you just have to learn the magic words to get them—foreverything you could possibly want, if you just learn the philosophy. How couldI earn $10? Because you can't go to the soil and say, "Give me aharvest." You know the soil smiles and says, "Who is this clown thatbrings me his need and brings me no seed." And if you said to the soil,"I've got this seed and if I planted it, would you work while Isleep?" the soil says, "No problem. Give me the seed. Go to sleep andI'll be working while you're sleeping."

If you just understand these simple principles, teaching them to ateenager (or adult) is sometimes just a matter of language. It's like aninvestment account instead of a savings account. Simple language, but soimportant. It is easy to stumble through almost a lifetime and not learn someof these simplicities. Then you have to put up with all the lack and all thechallenges that don't work out simply from not reading the book, not listeningto the tape, not sitting in the class, not studying your language and not beingwilling to search so you can then find.

But here is the great news: You can start this process anytime. For meit was at age 25. At 25 I'm broke. Six years later I'm a millionaire. Somebodysays, "What kind of revolution, what kind of change, what kind ofthinking, what kind of magic had to happen? Was it you?" And I say,"No. Any person, any six years, 36 to 42, 50 to 56. Whatever six years;whatever few years you go on an intensive, accelerated personal-developmentcurve, learning curve, application curve, and learning the disciplines. Now, itmight not take the same amount of time, but I'm telling you the same changesand the same rewards in some different fashion are available for those who paythat six-year price. And you might find that whether it's in the beginning tohelp get you started, or in the middle to keep you on track, that your languagecan have a great impact on your attitude, actions and results.

Reminder from the mountains

These things I am starting to believe in:

1. Practice kindness.
2. Practice compassion.
3. Give as much of both to ourselves. You have an endless supply of both.
4. Practice with fierce determination. We all make "mistakes", keep on keeping on.

Have a great day!--Charry

Self Study

While reflecting on the topic of self study, what is very clear to me is that happiness is a state of being. The Emerson quote below is one of my favorite quotes. It serves as a reminder that f I resolve to be happy, I will be. And, if I do not resolve to be happy, then likely I will not be.

This is a choice that is in all of our control. Why miss out on happiness!

Namaste,
Sandee

think about it...

How many times do we think we say what we mean, only to be "misunderstood" or "misconstrued" or down right "ignored"?

No matter how we practice open and honest communication, we are all wearing our own blinders. No matter how much we think we are listening, we are always putting our own spin on things. No matter how much effort we put on our mats, there will always be a certain amount of confusion in our lives.

So why even bother?

1. Our bodies always feel better after we do some yoga poses.
2. Our minds are always a little less cluttered.
3. Once we know that we are our own cause of suffering, is there any way other than trying to rid ourselves of our own patterns of suffering?

Just when you feel a sense of progress, beware.

Do the work. Don't expect "results". Be present with everything as it arises. It is not about "not feeling", it is about feeling exactly what and who you are moment by moment.

Notice when you want to run away from all of That!

Keep practicing! You can do it!!!--Charry

From Bruce...

Okay,

Yesterday morning I'm studying and start to feel
completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of
work and a feeling that I don't have the answers.

I go for a walk and spend time in my garden to
just calm down a bit.

I get back into my office and flick through to
the homework task I'd been given to find that
answers were in the back all the time!

Just goes to show that we can blow things
out of proportion eh?

You know. I think this is more about fear than fearlessness.

The main point is I got through it. No matter how it seamed
or how I felt at the time.
Today is another day, I'm feeling much better and I'm taking
the actions I can to stay that way.

PS I'm reading a book: "Learned Optimism" a most fabulous
read. Almost required reading I reckon.

Cheers

Bruce

What if's

Today while in Charry's restorative class, I found "what if's" floating in and out of my mind. I have had some issues that have been trying to resolve. Though I feel like progress has been made, the pace has been slower than I would have liked. The unresolved topics were ripe for a visit from the "what if's." While trying to focus on my hour of restoring, I relaized the "what if's" are are keeping me from closure. I recalled the Shel Silverstein poem "Whatif" and thought I would share it, so we might all put "What if's" in their proper place.

Whatif by Shel Silverstein

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow talle?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!

Namaste,
Sandee