Look what I can do!

I’ve been working hard on my physical yoga practice. We’ve been studying inversions in my teacher training for about a month now, and until Saturday, I was not able to kick my legs up to the wall in Salamba Sirsasana (supported headstand). Right before my attempt on Saturday, I shared with my fellow teacher that I usually go into the pose with the attitude that I can’t do it, but I should try anyway. This time, though, I told myself that I can do it and I will do it…and, I did it!

I was able to stay up for much longer than I thought, and I even practiced taking each foot away from the wall to balance in the pose all on my own. In time, I am confident I’ll be able to do the pose without the wall! I am so proud of myself. I wanted to share this story as inspiration for anyone who has a hurdle in their life that needs jumping over. Once you face your fear and get over your self-given limitations, you will ask yourself how you could have doubted yourself.

Keep believing in yourself!

Book Review: Eat Pray Love

So, I must be living under a rock because I only recently picked up Elizabeth Gilbert’s brilliant memoir “Eat Pray Love.” The story of Gilbert’s year spent traveling through Italy, India and Indonesia is told with such honesty, humor and insight. Even though Gilbert’s journey followed a severe depression and divorce (things I’ve not experienced in life), I found myself identifying with her many times throughout the book. Gilbert’s words inspire me to be independent, seek my true self and be happy. I especially liked her insight into meditation, and I have used many of her techniques in my own practice already. (Thanks so much for that!)

It wasn’t until I finished the book, that I visited Gilbert’s web site. There, she answers questions about the book and gives an update on her life since returning to the U.S. What I found most intriguing, though, was her Thoughts on Writing. As a big-time writer, Gilbert is undoubtedly asked to give advice to those wishing to turn their story into a masterpiece the likes of Gilbert’s. Her words were so inspiring to me and others, I’m sure. Here, I will share some her insights that touched me most (note: most of these tips are very much linked to spiritual practice…it all comes around in the end!).

I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling.

“Hey – somebody has to write all those stories: why not me?”

As for discipline – it’s important, but sort of over-rated. The more important virtue for a writer, I believe, is self-forgiveness. Because your writing will always disappoint you. Your laziness will always disappoint you.

You must find another reason to work, other than the desire for success or recognition. It must come from another place.

All these insights can be applied to any kind of work, really. I think that it is most important that you make sure to act with purpose in every thing you do. This is the way to reach happiness and be at peace with your self.

A New Meditation

I’m accustomed to meditation in a seated position or lying down. When I come to this relaxed pose, I focus on my breath and try in earnest to let my thoughts come and go. Recently, I’ve been trying to deepen my meditation practice, and this effort has seemed to have brought me further from my goal–to rest easily within my divine self.

To get myself back on track, I’ve sought many texts and audio guides to help me relax and feel connected to my universe. This morning, I tried a walking meditation for the first time. Using the guidance of Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh and one of his principle students, Nguyen Anh-Huong, I walked with peace in every step. The 20 minute guided meditation, read by Ahn-Huong, asked me to not only focus on my breath, but to also sync my breathing with my steps.

The most important thing to remember when practicing a walking meditation is that you have no destination. You are there–here–at home. I walked past just six houses during my 20 minute meditation. I’m sure my neighbors were curious about what I was doing when they saw me walking zombie-like as they got their morning newspaper.

These outside distractions were easy for me to block out. I was totally engaged with my step. Feeling the earth under my feet and feeling nourished by it. I really felt at peace, present and happy.

I encourage anyone who has either come to a stall in their meditation practice or those who have yet to start one to try walking meditation. I found the book, CD and DVD program I used at the library (aka it was FREE)!

I found this article. It is a nice summary of walking meditation.

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.

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

What Really Matters

The biography of Cheryl Long, Editor and Chief of Mother Earth News fascinated me. Most notably, the portion of her life spent living off the grid in northeast Washington with two friends, John Stuart and Carl Mack.

From there, I read this article written by Stuart. He reports back to Long on the unforeseen challenges and successes experienced in the 25 years he and Carol spent living and raising a family in their vertical log design home.

Stuart writes: “…the skills associated with sustainable rural living sometimes seem buried by popular culture, corporate farming and the commuting lifestyle…The hands-on approach to life is so visceral and pleasing however that it always survives in those of us who take the time and energy to seek out the traditions, information and companions who can help us see the light of day.”

I enjoy hearing Stuart speak to both those living on and those living off the grid. It’s too often we forget what really matters and sustains us.

I’m a big fan of John Muir

The grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls. – John Muir