Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the sixth limb of Yoga - Dharana.
I have learned through bitter experience the one supreme lesson to conserve my anger, and as heat conserved is transmuted into energy, even so our anger controlled can be transmuted into a power that can move the world.
-Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi provides a perfect example of how anger can be harnessed. As a young, unknown, brown-skinned lawyer traveling in South Africa on business, he was roughly thrown from the train because he refused to surrender his first-class ticket and move to the third-class compartment.
He spent a cold, sleepless night on the railway platform.
Later, he said this was the turning point of his life: for on that night, full of anger because of this personal injustice, as well as the countless injustices suffered by so many others every day in South Africa, he resolved not to rest until he had set those injustices right. On that night he conquered his anger and vowed to resist injustice, not by violence or retaliation, but through the loving power of nonviolent resistance, which elevates the consciousness of both oppressed and oppressor.
We may never be called on to liberate a people or lead a vast nation, but Gandhi's example can apply in a small way in our own lives, when we decide to return good will for ill will, love for hatred, in the innumerable little acts of daily life.
Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to consider the sixth limb of Yoga: Dharana – concentration. With the reading in mind consider how the practice of Dharana can help you cultivate the awareness needed to turn anger and other unhealthy emotions into something positive. How does the practice of asana help you in this process?
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Pratyahara
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the fifth limb of Yoga - Pratyahara.
The more we have the less we own.
-Meister Eckhart
We have been ruthlessly conditioned to think we can find fulfillment in possessions, to love things rather than people - so much so, that when we feel an emptiness in our hearts, we go to shopping centers to fill it up.
I am all for living in reasonable comfort, but when I go to shopping centers, I cannot help getting alarmed. Not at the money that is being wasted - there is enough money in this country to waste. But there isn't enough will to waste. There isn't enough energy to waste. When we hear of the energy crisis, this is it. All our vitality, energy, and drive is sapped and undermined by the constant propaganda: go after this, go after that, and you'll be happy. Things are not meant to be loved. They are meant only to be used. People are lovable and loving.
Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to study the fifth limb of Yoga - Pratyahara. Pratyahara is the control, or the refinement of the senses. Ask yourself what it means to practice Pratyahara and how that would help you retain your vitality and your energy.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
This week in class we are considering the fifth limb of Yoga - Pratyahara.
The more we have the less we own.
-Meister Eckhart
We have been ruthlessly conditioned to think we can find fulfillment in possessions, to love things rather than people - so much so, that when we feel an emptiness in our hearts, we go to shopping centers to fill it up.
I am all for living in reasonable comfort, but when I go to shopping centers, I cannot help getting alarmed. Not at the money that is being wasted - there is enough money in this country to waste. But there isn't enough will to waste. There isn't enough energy to waste. When we hear of the energy crisis, this is it. All our vitality, energy, and drive is sapped and undermined by the constant propaganda: go after this, go after that, and you'll be happy. Things are not meant to be loved. They are meant only to be used. People are lovable and loving.
Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to study the fifth limb of Yoga - Pratyahara. Pratyahara is the control, or the refinement of the senses. Ask yourself what it means to practice Pratyahara and how that would help you retain your vitality and your energy.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
Sunday, July 10, 2011
What does it mean to take the “Middle Path?"
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering what it means to take the “Middle Path."
Lunch kills half of Paris; supper the other half.
-Montesquieu
I suggest eating moderately. Fasting may not be as easy as feasting, but after a while it is not too different. Both are extremes. It is not hard to go the extreme way, but what is really difficult is neither to fast nor to feast, but to be moderate in everything we do. This is what the Buddha called the Middle Path. It requires great artistry and vigilance. Instead of negating the body and senses, we train them to be valuable instruments.
I try to eat good food, wholesome food in temperate quantities in order to strengthen the body. If my body is not strong, I cannot contribute to the welfare of society, and I cannot give the best account of myself in life. We harness our physical, mental, and intellectual capacities not to make money or achieve power or fame, but to use these faculties to make our contribution to life.
Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to pay very close attention to the quantity and quality of what you eat. First just notice your habits. Second, try to eat a little bit less and stop before you are full. Be mindful of eating and take the time to enjoy all of the textures, smells, and tastes. Finally, consider what it means to take the “Middle Path” – being moderate in everything we do.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
This week in class we are considering what it means to take the “Middle Path."
Lunch kills half of Paris; supper the other half.
-Montesquieu
I suggest eating moderately. Fasting may not be as easy as feasting, but after a while it is not too different. Both are extremes. It is not hard to go the extreme way, but what is really difficult is neither to fast nor to feast, but to be moderate in everything we do. This is what the Buddha called the Middle Path. It requires great artistry and vigilance. Instead of negating the body and senses, we train them to be valuable instruments.
I try to eat good food, wholesome food in temperate quantities in order to strengthen the body. If my body is not strong, I cannot contribute to the welfare of society, and I cannot give the best account of myself in life. We harness our physical, mental, and intellectual capacities not to make money or achieve power or fame, but to use these faculties to make our contribution to life.
Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to pay very close attention to the quantity and quality of what you eat. First just notice your habits. Second, try to eat a little bit less and stop before you are full. Be mindful of eating and take the time to enjoy all of the textures, smells, and tastes. Finally, consider what it means to take the “Middle Path” – being moderate in everything we do.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
Monday, July 4, 2011
Slowing Down the Mind and Resting our Nervous Systems
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering "slowing down the mind and resting our nervous systems."
Mental tensions, frustrations, insecurity, aimlessness are among the most damaging stressors, and psychosomatic studies have shown how often they cause migraine headache, peptic ulcers, heart attacks, hypertension, mental disease, suicide, or just hopeless unhappiness.
-Hans Selye
A great deal of psychological stress comes from the rush and hurry of a turbulent mind, which jumps recklessly to unwarranted conclusions, rushes to judgments, and often is going too fast to see events and people as they truly are. Such a mind keeps the body under continual tension. It is constantly on the move - desiring, worrying, hoping, fearing, planning, defending, rehearsing, criticizing. It cannot stop or rest except in deep sleep, when the whole body, particularly the nervous system, heaves a sigh of relief and tries to repair the damage of the day.
Simply by slowing down the mind - the first purpose of meditation - much of this tension can be removed. Then we are free to respond to life's difficulties not as sources of stress but as challenges, which will draw out of us deeper resources than we ever suspected we had. A one-pointed mind is slow and sound, which gives it immense resilience under stress. With a mind like this, we always have a choice in how we respond to life around us.
Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to work on resting your nervous system even when you are not sleeping. Use the awareness of your breath to provide you with feedback about your physiological and mental states. Use this feedback to modify your thoughts, actions and your breathing to ultimately create the yogic response – a parasympathetic response. Work to learn what it is like to have a calm nervous system. Try to have a little bit of savasana in everything you do.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
This week in class we are considering "slowing down the mind and resting our nervous systems."
Mental tensions, frustrations, insecurity, aimlessness are among the most damaging stressors, and psychosomatic studies have shown how often they cause migraine headache, peptic ulcers, heart attacks, hypertension, mental disease, suicide, or just hopeless unhappiness.
-Hans Selye
A great deal of psychological stress comes from the rush and hurry of a turbulent mind, which jumps recklessly to unwarranted conclusions, rushes to judgments, and often is going too fast to see events and people as they truly are. Such a mind keeps the body under continual tension. It is constantly on the move - desiring, worrying, hoping, fearing, planning, defending, rehearsing, criticizing. It cannot stop or rest except in deep sleep, when the whole body, particularly the nervous system, heaves a sigh of relief and tries to repair the damage of the day.
Simply by slowing down the mind - the first purpose of meditation - much of this tension can be removed. Then we are free to respond to life's difficulties not as sources of stress but as challenges, which will draw out of us deeper resources than we ever suspected we had. A one-pointed mind is slow and sound, which gives it immense resilience under stress. With a mind like this, we always have a choice in how we respond to life around us.
Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to work on resting your nervous system even when you are not sleeping. Use the awareness of your breath to provide you with feedback about your physiological and mental states. Use this feedback to modify your thoughts, actions and your breathing to ultimately create the yogic response – a parasympathetic response. Work to learn what it is like to have a calm nervous system. Try to have a little bit of savasana in everything you do.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
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