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