Greetings Sadhakas,
This week in class
we are considering how to go deeper into our consciousness to bring out greater
resources.
Hatred does not
cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an
unalterable law.
- Buddha
In order to work
for peace, we should have an adequate sense of detachment from the results of
our work. If we are going to get agitated when there is a reversal, we
ourselves will become violent. As we know, sometimes even demonstrators against
violence become violent.
To paraphrase the
wise words of the Buddha, "Violence will not cease by violence. Violence
ceases by nonviolence. This is an unalterable law." In order to win over opposition,
we have to be serene and compassionate. Most of us look upon defeat and
reversals as weakening us; but when we are defeated it is possible to go deeper
into our consciousness to bring out greater resources. Mahatma Gandhi was at
his best when seemingly defeated. He used to say that
he struck his
hardest bargains from prison.
Defeat is found
very often in the lives of selfless people as an opening into opportunity. When
you follow the spiritual path, living for others, there come to you increased
challenges, to make you go deeper and deeper into your consciousness. If there
were no difficulties, you would only be skimming on the surface of life.
Gandhi, in a rare statement in which he gave himself away, said, "I love storms."
Words to Live By:
Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is
to use your Yoga practices to “go deeper into your consciousness to bring out
greater resources”. Consider Ahimsa, the first Yama and Dhyana the seventh limb
of Yoga as starting points. This practice could involve meditating on
non-violence or better yet L.O.V.E.. Or possibly the Buddhist practice of Metta
or Lovingkindness. Both of these practices incorporate Ahimsa, non-violence or L.O.V.E..
Try it out. Start slow and notice the impact on your consciousness and the
flowering of your innate inner resources.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington
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