Monday, September 29, 2014

How Dharana (one-pointed concentration) Works Together with Ahimsa (non-harming, Love).

Greetings Sadhakas,

This week in class we are exploring how Dharana (one-pointed concentration) works together with Ahimsa (non-harming, Love).

When one is rising, standing, walking, doing something, stopping, one should constantly concentrate one's mind on the act and the doing of it, not on one's relation to the act, or its character or value. . . . One should simply practice concentration of the mind on the act itself.

                                                              – Ashvaghosha

There is a close connection between deep concentration and love, and with the practice of one-pointed attention we can greatly increase the precious capacity to remain loving and loyal no matter what the vicissitudes or circumstances we encounter.

We can practice this one-pointedness throughout the day by doing one thing at a time, and giving our full attention to whatever we are doing. While having breakfast, for example, we can give our complete attention to the food and not to the newspaper. If we are listening to a friend, even if a parrot flies down and perches on his head, we should not get excited, point to the parrot, and burst out, "Excuse me for interrupting, but there's a bird on your head." We should be able to concentrate so hard on what our friend is saying that we can tell this urge, "Don't distract me. Afterwards, I'll tell him about the parrot."

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

The homework is to explore through your Yoga practices how Dharana (one-pointed concentration) works together with Ahimsa (non-harming, Love) to help cultivate Love and loyalty no matter what the situation.
    
Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

No comments: