Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Mantram and Dharana

Greetings Sadhakas,

This week in class we are considering mastering the thinking process through a Mantram and Dharana.

The mantram becomes one's staff of life, and carries one through every ordeal. It is no empty repetition. For each repetition has a new meaning, carrying you nearer and nearer to God.                                             
                                                            - Mahatma Gandhi

The mantram, in some traditions called a prayer word, is the living symbol of the profoundest ideal that the human being can conceive of, the highest that we can respond to and love. When we repeat the mantram in our mind, we are reminding ourselves of the Supreme Reality enshrined in our hearts. The more we repeat the mantram, the deeper it sinks into our consciousness. As it begins to connect with this Reality, it strengthens our will, heals old sources of conflict and turmoil, and gives us access to deeper sources of strength, patience, and love.

In every religious tradition we find hallowed prayer words and mantrams. In the Christian tradition, the name of Jesus is precious; in India we have the name of Rama; in Buddhism Om mani padme hum is an ancient mantram.

The mantram or prayer word can be repeated in the mind at any time, anywhere. But to meditate we must sit in a quiet place and concentrate on a memorized inspirational passage.

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

The homework is to discover for yourself what word or phrase you can use to slow the mind down when it begins to race. Look to your traditions and values and choose something that really means something to you. Use this mantram whenever you need a tool to slow things down and regain your focused attention. This is another way of practicing Dharana, the sixth limb of Yoga, which means one-pointed 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

Monday, April 11, 2016

Mastering the Thinking Process


Greetings Sadhakas,

This week in class we are considering mastering the thinking process.

In deep meditation the flow of concentration is continuous like the flow of oil.                                                                          
                                                            - Yoga Sutras

There are two basic tools for mastering the thinking process. The first is meditation, which is described in the yoga texts with a beautifully precise image: there should be a smooth, unbroken flow of attention on a single subject, like the flow of oil poured from one vessel to another. My method of meditation is to make the mind go slowly through the words of a particular passage from the scriptures or great mystics, as slowly as possible. Whenever the mind wants to slip off on another line of thought, bring the attention back to the words of the passage. It may take practice, but eventually thought flows smoothly without interruption.

The other tool is the mantram, or mantra, which is a name or phrase with spiritual meaning and power.  Meditation on an inspirational passage for half an hour every morning slows down the thinking process. Then during the day, the mantram keeps the mind from speeding up again. The mantram keeps the stream of concentrated thought flowing throughout the day.

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

The homework is to figure out for yourself what technique or practice you can use when you notice the mind speeding up. Use this process to learn to master the thinking process, slowing it down. Review the 5th, 6th and 7th limbs of Yoga for inspiration.

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

Monday, April 4, 2016

Yoga Angels


Greetings Sadhakas,

This week in class we are considering the cultivation of Yoga angels.

Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.                                                                        
                                                            - Saint Francis de Sales

When the word "angel" is used, we can understand it as a personification of the forces for good in the world. Who will deny that forgiveness is one of the greatest forces on the face of the earth? Show me a man or a woman who can forgive completely and I will show you an angel.

If you want to see an angel, you have only to see a person who can return love for hatred. He is not just a person, he is a force. Similarly, a woman who has boundless patience is a powerful force that can transform antipathy into sympathy, ill will into good will, hatred into love.

There is another meaning as well: there are beneficial forces in life, ready to support those who are sincere but who find their capacities not adequate to the challenges that life presents.

When you are needed by others, when you have something valuable to contribute, these beneficial forces will support you, and give you greater health, greater energy, longer life, and deeper creativity. Life may strike at you, and challenges can hurtle themselves against you, but you will feel equal to them. Deeper forces from within will support you, hold you up, and act as a shield.

We are not alone in the universe. We are surrounded by mighty creative forces.

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

The homework is to consider how the cultivation of Ahimsa (non-harming, Love) and Satya (honesty and truthfulness) the first two Yamas from the first limb of Yoga can help you create the energy to become a creative and loving force in our world. Beyond these first two Yamas study the practice of the remaining Yamas and the elements in the other 7 limbs. Could these practices cultivate Yoga angels?

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