The use of a mantram.......

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the use of a mantram to redirect our minds when they go down an unhealthy path.

Suffering is the ancient law of love; there is no quest

without pain; there is no lover who is not also a martyr.

- Heinrich Suso

Practically speaking, in order to learn to love, we need a tool for transforming anger into compassion, resentment into sympathy. We need some kind of brake to apply when the mind shifts into high gear under the influence of anger and other negative emotions. The mind is so used to having its own way in almost everything that all it knows is how to race out of control.

How many of you would ever step into your Pontiac or Toyota if you knew the brakes could suddenly fail. I could say, "You have plenty of gas, a big engine, gorgeous upholstery, and radial tires. Why don't you go ahead?" You would reply, "But I can't stop the thing!" Amazingly enough, most of us manage to travel through life without knowing how to brake the engine of the mind.

We can all install a simple but effective brake - the mantram. Whenever you feel agitated, annoyed, impolite, or downright angry, keep repeating the mantram. Gradually the mind will race less and less. When the brake is thoroughly road-tested, you will have the equipment to be patient and kind in every situation. You will be ready to face the tests that real love demands.

Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran

The homework is to create your own mantram that you can invoke to brake the mind.  Choose something meaningful and short.  Then use this mantram to divert your attention when you start to follow the mind down a path that is not healthy for you or those around you.

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

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