Mediation, slowing down, the practices of Yoga and undoing negative conditioning.

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering mediation, slowing down and how the practices of Yoga can help us undo negative conditioning.

Where are you searching for me, friend?
Look! Here am I right within you.
Not in temple, nor in mosque,
Not in Kaaba, nor Kailas,
But here right within you am I.

-Kabir

Many have begun the spiritual search while still suffering from severe personal problems. Saint Augustine was deeply enmeshed in the life of the world, and pulled himself free only after great anguish of mind. Others suffered physically. Saint Therese of Lisieux endured the constant pain of tuberculosis. So there is no need for any of us to feel downcast about our situation or the particular difficulties we face, provided we do everything we can to purify our mind.

Meditation is essentially a discipline for slowing down the furious pace of thinking; if you can gradually bring your mind to a state so still that no movement, no thought, can arise except those you yourself approve, your mind will have become pure. We have no need to teach pure motives to the mind. All that is necessary to make the mind pure is to undo the negative conditioning to which it has been subjected; then we will be left with pure, unconditioned awareness.

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

The homework is to take the awareness you cultivate through your Yoga practices and apply it to your own situations. Challenge yourself when the mind tries to direct your attention towards your own negative conditioning and learn to "approve" your thoughts, undoing any unhealthy conditioning. Consider how slowing down in general can help you with this work.

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