Decisions…decisions

Being young is a luxury. Or, is it a burden? With so much ahead of us, we have many decisions to make, from the person we want to be to what we eat for lunch. We make so many choices each day…some important and others not so much. Without getting into too much detail about the intricacies of my mind and racing thoughts about the future, I will present you with the following from “The World According to Mister Rogers.”

“When I think of Robert Frost’s poems, like ‘The Road Not Taken,’ I feel the support of someone who is on my side, who understands what life’s choices are like, someone who says, ‘I’ve been there, and it’s okay to go on.’” – Fred Rogers

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (1874-1963) Mountain Interval 1920
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Globalize Peace

My friends Steve and Bryan have been hard at work on their new website www.globalizeit.org/PEACE.

Our products offer a simple message, a message that needs to be spread throughout the world now more than ever: Globalize Peace! We began using grassroots tactics to spread the message of Peace in 2003. Since then we have worn our shirts while riding down the iconic Colorado River, hiking to remote hill-tribes in rural Thailand, climbing massive peaks in Mexico and South America, and attending anti-war protests throughout the States.

Wherever we wear our products, we speak to local people about the importance of Peace. We truly believe that simple compassionate contact with people around the world helps to improve America’s image one person at a time. In today’s world, we need people to
understand that not everyone supports a Wal-Mart in every country, a McDonalds on every corner, and the violent “democracy spreading” tactics that our government has used for the past 8 years.

Please take a look at our “World Map”, which shows some of the locations we have worn our shirts throughout the years. We hope that you find our message a positive one and that you would like to participate in our project. If so, please look through our products. We would love it if you could buy a shirt and send us a photo of you wearing it! In the coming months we will be uploading more photos to our World Map, photos from customers just like you!

Me @ Rothbury Music Festival 2008 Rothbury, MI

Check out their message and buy a shirt to support PEACE! Look for me on the World Map!

Sri Goswami Kriyananda at The Temple of Kriya Yoga Chicago

On Sunday, I went to the noon meditation at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago. This was my first time at the temple. I didn’t know what to expect when I walked up to the building, but when I walked in any anxiety disappeared. It was so nice to be surrounded by people who were on similar paths to me. There was such a great sense of welcoming and community!

My attendance was brought on by the visit of Sri Goswami Kriyananda, the Guru and Spiritual Preceptor of the Temple of Kriya Yoga.

Kriyananda is in town through the beginning of November and will be speaking at the temple on Sundays. You can find a full listing of topics at the temple web site.

Sunday’s meditation was, “Overcoming Obstacles on the Path.” Kriyananda spoke about these obstacles with humor and warmth. His words were encouraging and inspiring.

I would like to highlight some of the obstacles Kriyananda discussed and some of the ways he suggests to overcome them. The first thing we have to address is our body. A healthy body is essential to having faith in yourself. You must be comfortable in your body and within your own universe to reach enlightenment.

Secondly, Kriyananda points to laziness, what he likes to call confusion, as another obstacle. We must remove laziness from our life and never allow ourselves to become exhausted. This can be done with our attitude toward our work. We must find joy in everything we do. Ask yourself the question, “What do I want to accomplish in this lifetime?”

Thirdly, scattered thoughts and daydreaming can be an obstacle. By meditating and turning inward we can find what these daydreams are really saying and make our daily life more exciting. Kriyananda said to always keep one foot glued to the earth.

The fourth obstacle was mental chattering, similar to the previous obstacle. To overcome this we must, again, meditate. Kriyananda suggests spending time in meditation and said that if for just 48 seconds you can be comfortable within yourself, you have succeeded. If your are uncomfortable with yourself, you feel inferior and your bring your self to the lower chakras, further from enlightenment. Find your dream and your joy and follow it. Don’t feel like you have to go to some far off place to find it; make your home an ashram.

The fifth obstacle Kriyananda mentioned was doubt. Many people doubt God because of the modern churches. He points out that it is all about YOU. You are truth. Can you trust yourself? If you don’t, depression can set in.

Lastly, Kriyananda pointed out memory as an obstacle. He said we often hang onto negative memories and forget the positive ones. We are strong enough to not let these negative memories or those of others affect us. Do not let other people affect your. It’s about you and your reaction to the world. Choose to reverse your karma by reversing your reaction. Do not get caught up in others’ karma.

In summary, Kriyananda says that we are our obstacle. He said to be happy and be the master of your own mind. We’re all here to learn and to love others skillfully.

I cannot capture Kriyananda’s words in this small blog. If you want to learn more about his teachings, please visit the temple web site and check out Kriyananda’s videos on YouTube. Also, attend one of the Sunday meditations.

Namaste

Yonder Mountain String Band @ Chicago’s Congress Theater

I almost didn’t go see Yonder Mountain String Band this past weekend! Luckily, my two great friends, Kate and Joe, came through and we had a great time!

Here is the set list from the show (courtesy of setlist.com):

Set 1: Out Of The Blue, Looking Back Over My Shoulder, Saro Jane, Maybe You Will Change Your Mind, Another Day, Crooked Hitch, Too Late Now, Sometimes I’ve Won, *Play A Train Song> *Georgia On A Fast Train, Part 1(Lord Only Knows)> River, New Horizons> Southbound> New Horizons

Set 2: Traffic Jam> Winds On Fire> Traffic Jam, Belle Parker, Long Time, Mental Breakdown, Just The Same, My Gal, Only A Northern Song> Granny Woncha Smoke Some, At The End Of The Day, Corona, New Speedway Boogie> Ten> Up On The Hill Where They Do the Boogie> Ten

E: Keep On Going> Down The River Road> Keep On Going

Comment*= Todd Snider on vocals & guitar

The show was Saturday and today, Tuesday, my legs are STILL killing me from dancing my ass off! I had a smile plastered to my face for the entire show, which was nice and LONG!

I can’t wait to see Yonder perform again, they consistently deliver a great time!

EOTO @ Chicago’s Portage Theater

Saturday night, I saw EOTO perform with Michael Kang and Kyle Hollingsworth at the Historic Portage Theater in Chicago. I miss college for many reasons…one being the great music scene I found in Columbia, MO. However, standing outside of the theater, waiting for our group of 12 (I love my friends!), I was happy to be in Chicago, such a large city, and be surrounded by happy music lovers!

The Portage Theater was a great venue. The 1920s theater was recently remodeled and reopened. It is a great asset to the city and was a great atmosphere to see EOTO perform.

As always, the band went above and beyond my expectations with their improvisational show. Their special guests rocked and brought back fond memories of The String Cheese Incident. I loved loved looooved the “Soul Shakedown Party” cover and so much more that this blog cannot handle! I don’t think I’ve danced so much in years…my feet are blistered and my legs still feel tired (all signs of a great time)!

Check out this post and find out when EOTO comes to your town!