Witnessing the "mind stuff" and directing our attention.

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the process of witnessing the "mind stuff" and directing our attention.

Thoughts of themselves have no substance; let them arise and pass away unheeded. Thoughts will not take form of themselves, unless they are grasped by the attention; if they are ignored, there will be no appearing and no disappearing.

                                                                         – Ashvaghosha

Life is a kind of play in which we are called upon to play our part with skill. But in meditation we are sometimes more like the audience, while our thoughts are the actors. If we could go backstage, we could see all the actor-thoughts getting made up. Anger is there putting on his long fangs. Fear is rattling his chains. Jealousy is admiring herself in the mirror and smearing on green mascara.

Now, these thought-actors are like actors and actresses everywhere: they thrive on a responsive audience. When Jealousy comes out on stage and we sit forward on our seats, she really puts on a show. But on the other hand, what happens if nobody comes to see the performance?

No actor likes to play to an empty house. If they're real professionals, they might give their best for a couple of nights, but after that they're bound to get a little slack. Jealousy doesn't bother with her makeup any more; who's going to admire it? Anger throws away his fangs. Fear puts away his chains. Whom can they impress? Finally, the whole cast gives it up as a bad job and goes home.

In other words, when you can direct attention, your thinking will never be compulsive again.

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

The homework is to cultivate the practice of Pratyahara - the refinement or the withdrawal of the senses and combine this practice with dharana - one pointed concentration and learn to be a witness to the "mind stuff".  These two limbs of Yoga prepare us for the meditative state - Dhyana - that will guide us in directing our attention in meaningful ways. 

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

The shift from greed to gratitude.......

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the shift from greed to gratitude.

The second of the eight limbs of Yoga are the Niyama's – practices of self-purification through discipline.  The second Niyama is Santosa, or Contentment.  This is a commitment to being content and reducing desires and becoming cheerful and creating balance of mind. 

The second niyama, Santosa, is found in verse II.42 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

II.42 – santosat anuttamah sukhalabhah

From contentment and benevolence of consciousness comes supreme happiness.

Contentment cannot be achieved through the accumulation of possessions and people.  We can start our contentment practice with the understanding that everything we need for happiness we already have.  Additionally, we have to be willing to let things go, especially likes and dislikes.  To really practice or experience contentment we have to make a shift from greed to gratitude - gratitude for all of the little things that sustain us.  Contentment asks for only one thing: that you truly live in the experience of the moment.  With contentment comes a lessening of fear.  And with this comes the ability to share the most important thing that you have been given: your love, your wholeness.

Quote from, The Essence of Yoga: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. 

“Contentment comes from mental well-being (saumanasya) that moves us to consider the positive in all beings and situations.  …………

Contentment is a dynamic and constructive attitude that brings us to look at things in a new way.  It calms the mind, bringing a flowering of subtle joy and inner serenity that are independent of all outside influences and perishable things.  It is essential for self-confidence, for succeeding in our personal endeavors, and for relationships, education, teaching and therapy.

It is very difficult, however, to sustain contentment.  Though it may be easier to be happy when we are successful, only an exceptional soul remains positive in the midst of adverse currents.  Contentment means looking at every moment with a smile.  It helps to have a good sense of humor.” 

Homework:  As usual try to relate this practice to your asana practice first and then discover how you can take this practice off of the mat.  Can you be content with where you are in your yoga practice?  Can you maintain your gratefulness for your current level of abilities knowing that they will change?  Can you discover a time when you were greedy about your practice?  Is it possible to be greedy and grateful at the same time?     

References:

Light on Yoga, Light on the Yoga Sutras, both by BKS Iyengar , The Essence of Yoga: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Bernard Bouanchaud, and Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater

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 

The Atman or Our Real Nature

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the Atman or our real nature.

As pure water poured into pure water becomes the very same, so does the Self of the illumined man or woman verily become one with the Godhead.

                                                                   -Katha Upanishad

For some reason, it is very difficult for us to accept our divine nature. This has always puzzled me. We pay money for books about how destructive we are. We stand in line to see movies that emphasize our capacity for making trouble. Then, when Jesus comes to tell us that the kingdom of heaven is within us, we say, "There must be some mistake."

It is to convince us that our real Self is always pure and eternal that men and women of God keep arising among us. More than anything, we need to hear their good news that the source of all joy and security is right within. In the Hindu scriptures there is a precise term for our real nature: the Atman. All it means is "the Self" - not the little self, the changing personality with which most of us identify, but the higher Self, our real, changeless personality.

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

The homework is to learn from your own experience how your Yoga practices help you move from the physical plane to the spiritual plane.  Ask yourself how you use your body to move towards a state of oneness.  Experience how your Yoga practices move you in the direction of discovering your true nature. 

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

Passage Meditation and Slowing Down

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering passage meditation and slowing down.

We must do our business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet, recalling our mind to God mildly, and with tranquility, as often as we find it wandering from him.

                                                                   - Brother Lawrence

A fast mind is like a race car in the hands of a dubious driver. Fear, resentment, greed, anger, self-will, and jealousy rush through the mind at a hundred miles an hour. At such speeds we cannot turn, stop, or keep from crashing into people. At speeds like this we are not really driving  at all. We are hostages, trussed up in the trunk. And who knows who is at the wheel?

The function of passage meditation is twofold: it slows the mind, and by absorbing the words of an inspirational passage deep into consciousness, it gradually transforms negative emotions into positive states of mind. The slower the thoughts go, the greater the control you have over them, and the more positive they become.

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

Passage meditation is the silent repetition in the mind of a memorized inspirational passages. Practiced for one-half hour each morning.  By meditating on words that embody your highest ideals, you drive them deep into your consciousness. There they take root and begin to create wonderful changes in your life – changes you have wanted to make, but have not known how to bring about.

The homework is to choose an inspirational passage for you to contemplate on.  In whatever way works for you contemplate on this passage for one half an hour every day.  Consider how slowing down in general can help you with all of this work.  Especially learn to move slowly in your asana practice cultivating dharana or concentration.

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