Is karma a cycle of energy? A butterfly effect?
The more karma you have, the further you are from Brahman. You then have to burn away the accumulation of karma by practicing yoga.
Yoga is the internalization of the universe.
Yoga is understanding the body, letting go of the body, and preparing the mind and the body for moksha, nirvana, freedom.
Yoga is dislodging the soul from the body.
Creating heat in the body by practicing yoga burns karma and pollution (related to the Vedic sacrifice).
Yoga = TIA (transformation, intention, awareness)
Liberation and struggle are two sides of the same coin.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Happiness Factor
July 20
What do I think about judging the quality of one's life according to a happiness factor instead of an economic one?
Well, it’s long overdue! Some of us remember the blatant greed and consumerism of the flashy, trashy eighties. That decade sure showed me what I wanted to grow away from. I’m thankful I got to see how wonderful money made people look and act, but how ugly and vacant society actually was. It was during this time that I had to first decide what I wanted - to be like ”them,” or to be me.
It may look grim out there, when we wear our grim-glasses (aka TV), but the Universe, as I believe, is “unfolding as it should.” This path humanity is on has many issues that need to be addressed, many imbalances to correct, many mistakes that need to be rectified. Seeing the interconnection of it all and living an interconnected life will allow us to begin the healing for the Earth. But first we must heal our spirits.
Part of healing my spirit meant never working more than X amount of hours at a job. I knew I could not be at my best, could not be supportive, could not have enough energy, enough love to share if I overloaded my schedule with too many work hours. Of course that meant less money, as it always does. I had seen what money mixed with poor choices had done to so many young adults in the ‘80s. I felt I could be okay with less. I would just structure life a bit differently. From then on, I have been free of the self-imposed pressure to be someone/something I am not. I am happier for it.
Does anyone want to be married to their job or married to their life? Who has the capacity to love you? A career cannot love you, only you can fill yourself with love. Choosing to downsize from being owned by things open us up to so many valuable sources of joy and growth.
So if I had to judge my life according to a happiness factor rather than an economic factor, I would say I am relatively rich. I have so much in my life that I appreciate, that I can share love with, that enriches my idea of who I think I am. Would I trade my riches for material wealth? As Anais Nin said, "If I were rich, I would not be rich very long."
What do I think about judging the quality of one's life according to a happiness factor instead of an economic one?
Well, it’s long overdue! Some of us remember the blatant greed and consumerism of the flashy, trashy eighties. That decade sure showed me what I wanted to grow away from. I’m thankful I got to see how wonderful money made people look and act, but how ugly and vacant society actually was. It was during this time that I had to first decide what I wanted - to be like ”them,” or to be me.
It may look grim out there, when we wear our grim-glasses (aka TV), but the Universe, as I believe, is “unfolding as it should.” This path humanity is on has many issues that need to be addressed, many imbalances to correct, many mistakes that need to be rectified. Seeing the interconnection of it all and living an interconnected life will allow us to begin the healing for the Earth. But first we must heal our spirits.
Part of healing my spirit meant never working more than X amount of hours at a job. I knew I could not be at my best, could not be supportive, could not have enough energy, enough love to share if I overloaded my schedule with too many work hours. Of course that meant less money, as it always does. I had seen what money mixed with poor choices had done to so many young adults in the ‘80s. I felt I could be okay with less. I would just structure life a bit differently. From then on, I have been free of the self-imposed pressure to be someone/something I am not. I am happier for it.
Does anyone want to be married to their job or married to their life? Who has the capacity to love you? A career cannot love you, only you can fill yourself with love. Choosing to downsize from being owned by things open us up to so many valuable sources of joy and growth.
So if I had to judge my life according to a happiness factor rather than an economic factor, I would say I am relatively rich. I have so much in my life that I appreciate, that I can share love with, that enriches my idea of who I think I am. Would I trade my riches for material wealth? As Anais Nin said, "If I were rich, I would not be rich very long."
Seeing the Gods
July 20
How do I think images and myths function philosophically, theologically, and spiritually? What effect are do they engender in the viewer or listener? How are they metaphorical or allegorical?
How will I ever forget how Ganesha came to have the head of an elephant? Upon further investigation into the story of how this happened, we learn that Goddess Parvati represents Mother Nature. The first layer of Nature is Earth. The interpretation of Goddess Parvati creating her son using her sweat refers to her creating with the first layer of her body. The earth refers to Mooladhara Chakra, where Ganesha’s spiritual energy is held. Here we see the connection between Ganesha, Mooladhaara Chakra and the element of earth. After the boy was created, Mother Parvati asked him not to allow anyone into her chamber. However, this rule does not apply to Shiva. Shiva and Parvati are not only husband and wife but also father and mother of the universe. When the boy becomes indifferent to this fact and does not allow Shiva entrance, Shiva chops off his head. After learning from Parvati who the boy is, Shiva bestows his son with an elephant’s head to signify the omniscient wisdom. Both Shiva and Parvati bless Ganesha as the Lord of all faculties and mind. Ganesha is worshipped before starting any work as his blessings will remove obstacles to our mind.
The images we have seen and learned about function to engage our minds by providing information on the practice of living. There are many stories to help us understand the concepts everyone faces in life: ethics, right action, non-violence, liberation, etc., and these myths serve to explain creation, faith, existence of god/s, humanity, harmony, and the power of love, all of which are central themes in philosophy, theology and spirituality.
How do I think images and myths function philosophically, theologically, and spiritually? What effect are do they engender in the viewer or listener? How are they metaphorical or allegorical?
How will I ever forget how Ganesha came to have the head of an elephant? Upon further investigation into the story of how this happened, we learn that Goddess Parvati represents Mother Nature. The first layer of Nature is Earth. The interpretation of Goddess Parvati creating her son using her sweat refers to her creating with the first layer of her body. The earth refers to Mooladhara Chakra, where Ganesha’s spiritual energy is held. Here we see the connection between Ganesha, Mooladhaara Chakra and the element of earth. After the boy was created, Mother Parvati asked him not to allow anyone into her chamber. However, this rule does not apply to Shiva. Shiva and Parvati are not only husband and wife but also father and mother of the universe. When the boy becomes indifferent to this fact and does not allow Shiva entrance, Shiva chops off his head. After learning from Parvati who the boy is, Shiva bestows his son with an elephant’s head to signify the omniscient wisdom. Both Shiva and Parvati bless Ganesha as the Lord of all faculties and mind. Ganesha is worshipped before starting any work as his blessings will remove obstacles to our mind.
The images we have seen and learned about function to engage our minds by providing information on the practice of living. There are many stories to help us understand the concepts everyone faces in life: ethics, right action, non-violence, liberation, etc., and these myths serve to explain creation, faith, existence of god/s, humanity, harmony, and the power of love, all of which are central themes in philosophy, theology and spirituality.
Shunryu Suzuki
A favorite excerpt from Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga written by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison:
“When my master and I were walking in the rain, he would say, ‘Do not walk so fast, the rain is everywhere.’ “
- Shunryu Suzuki, Page 241
Pain and grace are everywhere. When we come to recognize this and accept it, it is a shining day in understanding the universe. Yes, it is raining, but the moment we are in only lasts for a moment. The rain is neither good nor bad. It is wet. I hope that my understanding of this quote will permeate my spirit and enable me to be more accepting and less emotionally attached to upsets.
Hurrying or running from something does not make it go away. Sitting with our pain, we can examine it, experience it, allow it to be integrated and only then we can move forward. Running from pain is essentially running from growth.
I made a reference in my Touching Enlightenment post about riding on the back of a motorcycle through the rain and a monk that didn't speak English. Indeed it was raining that day and we had no other transportation for the four hour commute, other than that motorcycle. For that visit the monk spoke only Vietnamese and had I not been ready to accept the gifts of the present moment, I could have stomped through the mud and missed out on the beauty of the trees, the community, the rain, and especially the peace that was present in every breath.
“When my master and I were walking in the rain, he would say, ‘Do not walk so fast, the rain is everywhere.’ “
- Shunryu Suzuki, Page 241
Pain and grace are everywhere. When we come to recognize this and accept it, it is a shining day in understanding the universe. Yes, it is raining, but the moment we are in only lasts for a moment. The rain is neither good nor bad. It is wet. I hope that my understanding of this quote will permeate my spirit and enable me to be more accepting and less emotionally attached to upsets.
Hurrying or running from something does not make it go away. Sitting with our pain, we can examine it, experience it, allow it to be integrated and only then we can move forward. Running from pain is essentially running from growth.
I made a reference in my Touching Enlightenment post about riding on the back of a motorcycle through the rain and a monk that didn't speak English. Indeed it was raining that day and we had no other transportation for the four hour commute, other than that motorcycle. For that visit the monk spoke only Vietnamese and had I not been ready to accept the gifts of the present moment, I could have stomped through the mud and missed out on the beauty of the trees, the community, the rain, and especially the peace that was present in every breath.
Helen Keller
A favorite excerpt from Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga written by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison:
“I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and my God.”
- Helen Keller, Page 196
I was raised untraditionally and I was given the opportunity to make nearly all of my own choices from a very young age. I learned that my choices reflected who I was and I had a responsibility to myself and to everyone I encountered. I was never handed a life plan and I was never expected to do anything other than listen to my heart. Years later, in early adulthood, I regretted the fact that I was given so little structure in life. But that’s what enabled me to freely become me. Helen Keller found peace with her circumstances and eventually flourished as a teacher and human. From whatever backgrounds we come from, we can choose to accept the past and grow from there. God dances within us when we have peace with what and who we are.
“I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and my God.”
- Helen Keller, Page 196
I was raised untraditionally and I was given the opportunity to make nearly all of my own choices from a very young age. I learned that my choices reflected who I was and I had a responsibility to myself and to everyone I encountered. I was never handed a life plan and I was never expected to do anything other than listen to my heart. Years later, in early adulthood, I regretted the fact that I was given so little structure in life. But that’s what enabled me to freely become me. Helen Keller found peace with her circumstances and eventually flourished as a teacher and human. From whatever backgrounds we come from, we can choose to accept the past and grow from there. God dances within us when we have peace with what and who we are.
Lao-Tzu
A favorite excerpt from Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga written by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison:
“Do you want the world to improve? I don’t think it can be done. The world is sacred. It can’t be improved.”
- Lao-Tzu, Page 96
We can all see that there are negative things going on across the planet but at some point, I have to trust that the world is exactly where it needs to be to evolve. Why does it have to be the world’s fault for being perceived as imperfect? Maybe it is my responsibility to see the perfection in everything, to understand that imperfection does not mean bad. To quote Max Ehrmann, “Whether or not it is clear to you, the Universe is unfolding as it should.”
I find this quote so important to me because I often want to control part of the world. Don’t I know by now that it’s an impossible task? And why would I want to control it anyways? It’s a perfect reminder for me to accept what is and to work on what is changeable.
“Do you want the world to improve? I don’t think it can be done. The world is sacred. It can’t be improved.”
- Lao-Tzu, Page 96
We can all see that there are negative things going on across the planet but at some point, I have to trust that the world is exactly where it needs to be to evolve. Why does it have to be the world’s fault for being perceived as imperfect? Maybe it is my responsibility to see the perfection in everything, to understand that imperfection does not mean bad. To quote Max Ehrmann, “Whether or not it is clear to you, the Universe is unfolding as it should.”
I find this quote so important to me because I often want to control part of the world. Don’t I know by now that it’s an impossible task? And why would I want to control it anyways? It’s a perfect reminder for me to accept what is and to work on what is changeable.
Michael McGriffy, MD
A favorite excerpt from Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga written by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison:
“Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
- Michael McGriffy, MD, Page 288
On day two of our training, I held a winning lottery ticket in my hand. I laughed and shouted with excitement, fully living in the moment, not thinking about the money at all, just experiencing the feeling of joy. “How much did you win?” asked my husband. “A dollar!” So I came out even in my gamble. It was neither good nor bad, but my response to the moment was what made it worthy. I would hope that my response to the ticket was the same whether I won a lot or nothing at all.
We all know about the inherent strength of bamboo. It sways and flexes in the wind, bending when necessary, never fighting with a storm. But at the same time, it is so strong, it cannot be easily broken. When our minds are modeled after bamboo, we are firmly rooted into the earth, swaying when necessary but never being broken by outside influences. Having a strong base from which we stand on will allow the wind to rush through our hair while our limbs stay at our sides and we accept the wind and just let it do its thing, knowing that the wind will eventually subside and we will stand in tadasana again.
This flexibility is so close to my heart because I have been practicing it for so long and will always work on becoming more flexible. I won't say, "Hey, I'm flexible," and then just stop trying. It doesn't work that way. Being flexible means knowing that more flexibility can be attained by trying.
“Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
- Michael McGriffy, MD, Page 288
On day two of our training, I held a winning lottery ticket in my hand. I laughed and shouted with excitement, fully living in the moment, not thinking about the money at all, just experiencing the feeling of joy. “How much did you win?” asked my husband. “A dollar!” So I came out even in my gamble. It was neither good nor bad, but my response to the moment was what made it worthy. I would hope that my response to the ticket was the same whether I won a lot or nothing at all.
We all know about the inherent strength of bamboo. It sways and flexes in the wind, bending when necessary, never fighting with a storm. But at the same time, it is so strong, it cannot be easily broken. When our minds are modeled after bamboo, we are firmly rooted into the earth, swaying when necessary but never being broken by outside influences. Having a strong base from which we stand on will allow the wind to rush through our hair while our limbs stay at our sides and we accept the wind and just let it do its thing, knowing that the wind will eventually subside and we will stand in tadasana again.
This flexibility is so close to my heart because I have been practicing it for so long and will always work on becoming more flexible. I won't say, "Hey, I'm flexible," and then just stop trying. It doesn't work that way. Being flexible means knowing that more flexibility can be attained by trying.
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