Greetings Sadhakas,
This week in class
we are considering Tapas - to use burning effort under all circumstances to
achieve ones goal in life.
If someone takes your coat, give him your cloak as well; if he makes you go a mile with him, go with him two.
If someone takes your coat, give him your cloak as well; if he makes you go a mile with him, go with him two.
-The
Gospel According to Saint Matthew
If you really want to land a blow at a compulsion, defy it. Do
just the opposite of what it says. It is a daring approach which appeals to
everyone with a sense of adventure. If somebody has been unkind to you, go out
of your way to be kind to him. It can require a lot of endurance simply to be
patient with such a person, but we're talking about more than endurance now; we're
talking about daring.
Try it: there is an exhilaration in it, and a special delight
in seeing the other person rub his eyes in disbelief, "I was just rude to
him, and now he's being thoughtful. What's wrong with him?"
Words to Live By:
Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to learn how the discipline
we bring to our Yoga practice - part of our Tapas can help us move
through life as described above. Tapas
means to use burning effort under all circumstances to achieve ones goal in
life. Tapas needs to be applied
in three areas: body, speech and mind.
Practicing non-violence towards your own body is one way to practice
tapas of body. Speaking kindly and
truthfully can be one way to practice tapas of speech. Developing an even mind that stays balanced
in sorrow and joy and practicing self-discipline is tapas of mind.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
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