Truth v Lies

What is truth? What is a lie? Does it even matter?

If you've taken a yoga class from me, you might have heard something like "lie to yourself. pretend you love it." In context, "lie to yourself, pretend you are amazing/the person you've always wanted to be/invincible and yes, even "Divine." I have repeatedly said that since we tell ourselves lies all day long, such as "I suck," "i'm ugly," I'm worthless," "I could have done better" etc... why not tell ourselves lies we like?

It seems that this trend is catching on, and like all things that deal with energy, energy doesn't care how it gets used. take the example of electricity - it is pure power. it doesn't care if it feeds a toaster or a tv set). All this buzz in the political world, Paul Ryan I think is the name of one example, using lies to as means to change the thoughts, the "reality" of a large group of people. The strategy is that if they keep telling enough lies, especially with the right music, screen shots, advertisements, people actually start believing them. And it seems to be working. So why let the political parties have all the fun? For good or bad, the technique works. So feel free to use it for your Self.

Truth v lies. You decide. What reality do you want? It's best if you decide, or the indecision will decide for you.

Dark

There is no darkness where you are.

Amazing beginning

Amazing is just the beginning of a new reality. Each time we experience something that is truly "amazing," we open ourselves up to change our current world view. We can use these mini moments of enlightenment (not that there is a greater than or less than) as a springboard to see the world in a bigger way, with a more expanded idea of what is possible. When we open ourselves up to new possibilities, the outcome is that we create space to have those new possibilities in our own lives.
Down in the dumps? Seek amazing somewhere, anywhere. If we can train ourselves to see the amazing in the everyday and mundane and even annoying, we can change a rotten day into something else. Maybe even into something amazing, if you're open to it. If not, seek more amazing.

Experience amazing, change your life.

Light

That's what we are. All of us. Even in the darkest moments. What keeps is from seeing/being the light that we are? Veils. Perceptions. Samskaras ( impressions). Attachments. Attachments to the status quo. Shoulda-woulda-couldas. And much more. Anything that distracts us away from the reality that we are more than the physical and all of pit's worries. That is what hides our light. And what's interesting, is that often others see the light on us before we do. Therefore, time to turn that mirror around and look in it. What do you see? Light? Or something else? If something else- keep looking, starting being and at least start acting like the light that you are. Shine! And see, you can see in the dark.

Synopsis

Chakras weekend retreat in a nutshell;

Larger than, well, our previous point of view
Timeless
Inner child forgives
Potted plants fly
Fear rules
Fear is overthrown
Empowerment through all chakras
Surrender
Knowledge
Glow, shine, tejas, Sri
Worth waiting for
Worth it in general
Freak flags fly
Freak flags celebrated
Awestruck teacher
Unmistakeable light
You did it. Now be it.
Sri
Now

And banana slugs dont make sounds audible to the human ear

enough

when is enough enough? when it's enough.

when dealing with the first chakra, enough is enough when you overcome enough fear to stop needing more. Until then, its' never enough because we actually think that enough stuff can keep us alive.

when dealing with the second chakra, enough is enough when our life is full of all the things we like, just the way we like them, all of the time. And then maybe it's not enough because the cravings can be insatiable even though we may be stuffed.

when dealing with the 3rd chakra, enough is never enough. it's all about the game of acquiring, and it's even when it appears to be more than enough, as long as someone might have more than you do, then, well, it's not enough.

and that's as far as we went today.

so, from where i sit, it's enough.

Oh the Spanda the Spanda...

I know you make be thinking of spandex, but no, it's really spanda. It's the pulse that sits between non-physical and physical. The essence, the pulse that takes you from one to the other. The deliciousness of the "close eyes, stand and feel" part of class. The subtle energy waves that are always here, but we may have forgotten because of the din of life.

Stillheart

On one hand, Stillheart could be a cool thing - relaxing. a heart undisturbed by trauma, pain, or stress. On the other hand, a still heart is not such a cool thing. I like my heart beating, thank you.

That being said, this place is gorgeous. The redwoods are majestic, i can hear the water from my room, the food was delicious tonight, and I'm so pleased that this awesome group of people came to share this retreat together. Topic - chakras. Wheels. Projectors. Little brains. Kundas. Energy centers. All of the above and none of the above. Ultimately, you tell me. What is your experience? Yep. That's right. It's all about you.

Chakras are like little brains. Little minds. Whatever mind we are in, that's how we'll see the world. Do we want our life to be determined by the pair of psychic sunglasses we are wearing, or do we want to be able to choose how we see and interpret the world around and inside of us?

One way to clear the lens, is to drain unconscious material from our chakras, from the chitta, the mind/impressions/storehouse part of the chakras. As we drain that part, there is more room for pure prana, fire, spirit, divinity, whatever you want to call it.

Do chakras spin?
They are wheels...

And big wheels keep on turning...

tomorrow, proud mary will keep on burning as we literally fire up the kundas (fire bowls) that are also our chakras.

thank you Stillheart. Thank you water beings. Thank you trees. Thank all of you and the serpent you rode in on.

Tuning

Funny. Tuning in. Being in or out of tune. Playing tunes. Cartoons.

We all have this sense of "tune." we want to be in tune with current trends, hip sayings, or even our higher Selves. We want to sing in tune, stay in tune, tune in.

I was playing with my singing bowls tonight. I have 3 now. And crazy, I have 2 that are the same pitch, just an octave apart. Yet they sound so different and evoke/invoke different energies. Why was I drawn to the bowls of the fifth chakra? Expression? Song? Who knows. But something inside me was drawn to that tune, because when I played these bowls, I knew they were for me.

So sing me a waltz with a sweet melody. You are the name on my dance card. Yes, I wrote those lyrics in the same key as my singing bowls. Years before singing bowls were in my conscious life.

Ahhhhhhh! Sing! Some! Awwwwww! Some!

Stillness

Part of yoga is moving through transitions. We move from busy to still. From stagnant to active. We seek steadiness. But this doesn't mean steadines is inherently still. Part of being steady is being able to change and adapt. To flow. To move through transitions with grace. So given our daily lifestyle, both skills are important so we can find a place of balance and discernment. Patanjali said "know when to hold, and know when to fold." perhaps that wasn't Patanjali. But it still holds.

What?

Yes. Listening.

Long hold

Tonight I taught a long hold practice for the 4 week workshop. It never ceases to amazing how effed up time gets when I teach this kind of practice. I do the math, factor in rest time and lecture, and I still run long!!! It's a long hold practice on so many levels. But seriously, come look at the numbers and see for yourself how fluid time is.

Time

It's fluid. Seriously. Just think about it. How come some classes/movies/events seem like the take forever, and some feel like they are over in a snap? Chances are, when things happen "in a snap" it's because we lose the "importance" of time. It ceases to have such a big pull on us. we actually transcend time for awhile. As opposed to the "taking forever" event. Then we are so far out of the present moment, possibly wondering how long it will be until we get to do the next thing, or wishing we'd made a different decision, like not to go at all.

How to make it go faster? Surrender and get in the moment. Stop judging. Or just leave. I mean, we're not getting any younger so why waste the time we have left wishing we were somewhere else? Just sayin...

Life's a beach

And then you go to one.

Something just plain magical about a beach and an ocean. Watching dogs run, and seals heads pop out of the water. And getting sand in your food, and a little bit sunburned. Sleeping in the car on the way home, giving the dog a bath and blow dry, then eating the leftover sandy potato salad.

Its yummy to be. Alive in fact.

Possible happens

My mom left to go back to Phoenix today, a different person. Walking better, a light in her eyes. She is inspired and wants to do yoga. She told me she learned a lot. She said she has already started practicing the "routine" I gave her this morning.

I love it. I love my mom. I told her that I was honored that she took my class, and she told me that she was honored to be there. Never did I expect that response. All I can say is that it's possible. Change your breath, change your life. It works.

That person

Too salty, not hot enough, not cold enough, etc... Tonight I was that person. The one who is just not satisfied with what you bring. I don't like being that person. I associate it with a chronic complainer. But tonight I was not only "that" person, I was also the person that just let it slide.

Here's the deal from tonight's point of view. If you don't like it, either get over yourself and eat it anyway, as tapas, or get over yourself and be "that person" who wants it the way they want it and is not afraid to raise the standards to get it right.

Tonight I was neither, and as a result, I'm not feeling as awesome as I could be feeling, just having come from a wonderful evening with family. So, trust my ability to digest, assimilate, not take it personally, and move on. Tomorrow I have 2 more meals to try and get it right.

Acknowledgment

It's amazing how a little acknowledgment goes a long way. Last weekend I was acknowledged by a teacher, and my heart opened in a whole new way. In that moment I felt the joy of being recognized and appreciated for myself, not a construct of myself. I learned so much about love in that moment, and what did it cost the other person? Nothing. Unless there was ego involved, which in this case there wasn't, so what an inexpensive and mutually beneficial interchange. Try acknowledging someone and see what happens . Then get back to me. And btw- you rock for even considering it!!

Pacing

I witnessed something extraordinary today. My mom was pacing herself. She has never been one to sit still and let well enough alone, but today I heard her say "no, I think I'm done for now, and I want to save some energy to go to agility with you." Maybe it's turning 79, maybe it was the removal of a kidney, maybe it was the death of her youngest daughter, but whatever it was, it was a miracle. She seems content, and clear what is important to her and what isn't.

Bravo Betty!

Cooking

Cooking is good. Yes. To prove it, we have phrases like "now we're cookin'!" and that phrase is used when referring to something good.
Preparing food is indeed a fire ceremony. The act of cooking leads to the act of eating. And that is also a fire ceremony. Digestion, that is. And fire is Divine.

And happy 79th birthday mom! Tomorrow we'll have dim sum.

Scales

Yoga practice on the mat is like scales in music. We Practice them until we get them right- the fingering, the sharps and flats, the phrasing. But a scale is not a piece of music, it is an exercise, even though it may be performed beautifully, artfully. It becomes art when used in context. A jazz player practices scales for hours a day, so when she hits the bandstand, music will flow. What makes Coltrane, Coltrane, or Ella, Ella, is the application of said scales.

In yoga, we may have the most awesome wheel pose or be able to hold our breath for minutes, but it's how we apply these skills and teachings to our daily life that makes it yoga.

Home

Home is where the heart is. I felt like I was home at the Himalayan Institute. I feel at home in bed with my dog and husband. I feel at home teaching. I feel at home on stage singing. I feel at home in nature. I feel at home in Paris. In Mexico. In India with Panditji. I feel at home so many places. My heart must be pretty big to have so many homes.

It all starts in the heart. The cave of the heart. To be at home in there, well, then you're home everywhere.

Real fire

Fire ceremony tonight. Let's just say I'm speechless. I'd say it but I'm, well, speechless! That's why I'm writing I suppose.

Fire

It's a hot time in Honesdale tonight. And there's thunder and lightening. Not frightening. Just glorious. I had the pleasure and honor to perform "Fire" for the ParaYoga community and it was hot. I was hot. Flop sweat and all. What i'd like to say, and I will, here's to the awesome support I am receiving for just being myself. my Self. rough edges, smooth edges, slippery slopes, and the whole ball of melted wax. And if I can do it, you can do it. And if you do it, it's easier for me to do it. And that's community folks. A bunch of people being them Selves without apology.

And a big shout out and thanks to the fabulous Zetta Rose for letting me play her delicious Taylor 512ce. Seriously Zetta, I couldn't have played that song without you. And then I wouldn't have got to jump off the stage, and that was really fun.

To Do To Done

This morning, after a wonderful, long, yet back burning meditation, followed by a naval fire practice from Shelly Craigo (yummy - and you will most likely be getting some of that when i get back!), a little practice for the "talent show" tomorrow night, and here I am. I am. I am.

I am wondering what is on my to do list. Yes, the list that keeps on giving. The endless list that I've had since probably 1995... So I checked my email. Nothing pressing. Unless I forgot about something I need "to do." Could it be that my current "to dos" have moved into "to dones?" And just in time because I, too, was done. Maybe a tad overcooked even.

So this nagging feeling is dissipating, thank goodness, and all the to dos that are out of site (pun intended) and literally out of mind, will get done. When they get done.

To do's are too, done. What remains is to be.

To be's.

To be or not to be. That is question. Or is the question "to be or to do?" I think the former carries more weight and meaning, and once again, Mr. Shake got it right.

We either are or we aren't. Or are we?

Be.

Sri.

Getting HI

Or maybe i mean being HI. I'm at the HI aka Himalayan Institute, and quite frankly, it's great to be here. Gorgeous time of year, I had a lovely evening walk with the awesome Sarla Nichols, and it's just quiet. Except part of me is still flying. Literally. From travel, reeling from the amazing teacher training, and still feeling the waves of my sister Susan's death. So now it's time for me to digest. It was tougher than usual finding wi-fi tonight for whatever reason, but i know the resistance has nothing to do with the wi-fi signal. Rod Stryker once used the analogy of a radio. The signal coming from the tower is always clear, it's the interference that gets in the way of what we hear or don't hear. So I am Here. HI.
Being. hi.

Stay hydrated

My big advice for air travel is "stay hydrated." I think many experts agree. Here's a scenario- get to airport, flying out at 11:30pm, get through security "dry" - no liquids, then go to buy water, but everything is closed.
Interesting.

Send in the clowns

Why not? We can always use more laughter. But seriously folks, when life gets too serious, why? Isn't is because we let our vital reserve get too low so we didn't have enough juice to keep perspective? So replenish that reserve with self love. Beating ourselves up also is a byproduct of low vital reserve btw, which can make it all the more difficult to pull ourselves up and out of our funk, crabbiness, judgemental ness, or however we express said loss of juice. That's where discipline and practice come in. We practice sucking it up and to start loving ourselves again.

Or we can send in the clowns...

People

Who need people. Well, that would be all/none of us. This past week or so, I've had the calendar of a social butterfly (although I seriously doubt there are anti- social butterflies, or maybe they are a colony of loners. Hmmmm) insects aside, socially I've been "out there." and it's been cool. More than cool. Actually fun. And even though I can curl up with myself and have a great time, there is an aspect to interaction that is quite special. So yes we are all fine alone, no one can make us happy and all that. That being said, there is just something fun about being with people, which is why we are all the luckiest people in the world, cuz if we weren't, we'd probably be in some other world. So alone, together, enjoy this people thing we have going.

"the luckiest people in the world." what were they thinking when they wrote that? Something similar to my thoughts here? Or something quite different? Or is that on a need to know people basis... Nice.

TCB

And I'm not talking yogurt. Yes, after a couple of months that required my attention to be elsewhere, I finally got down to business and took care of some. And you know, the world is still a place where people eat, sleep, love, hate, talk, fight, and flowers grow. And stuff got done. Today. Not last month. And I'm still alive and so are you, unless you are reading this from beyond the physical plane, in which case, wow! Thanks! And for the rest of us eating, loving, fighting, breathing beings, remember- no matter how important we think it is, we can always ask the question "is it?"

It's my party

And I'll cry if I want to. And I did. I cried for all the live I felt coming in. I cried for my birthday wish. I cried tears of feeling for all the beauty I have been privy to witness. And if you are a blog reader, you are getting this extra special shout out and thanks for being part of this awesome dance of life, where no on is the team captain, owners, or wallflower or outcast. So hum. Hum sah. We are one.

Cones

I heard tonight on a nerdy science radio show that dogs and color blind dudes have 2 cones, people have 3 cones, and mantis shrimp have 15 cones, which means mantis shrimp see thousands more colors than we do.

More evidence that there is more to life than meets the eye, and that just because we can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there.

Nothing left

Last night there was nothing left to say. So I didn't.

Thanks again to the Sri yoga trainees for another amazing training!