Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Making Progress.”
We are Our Own Remedy
Many people are unwilling to make progress on the spiritual journey because they do not want to face their desires or their fears. This is understandable. Nevertheless, if we could see how our demanding desires and blind fears, especially our fears of fear, are often the source of our sufferings, might we not take pause and reflect? This is the ironic nature of spiritual realization. As we progress spiritually, we begin to see how we, ourselves are the primary and ultimate cause of our own sorrows. Paradoxically, this is good news! It means that we can also be the cause of our relief, our release, and our happiness.
- Ron Leifer
The homework is to evaluate how you are getting in your own way on your path towards making progress on your spiritual journey. Determine how the discipline you bring to your Yoga practice can be built upon to help you progress. Consider as well what practices you can deepen that will support you in making progress.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
The BKS Iyengar Yoga School of Southwest Washington
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, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Making Progress
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Making Progress.”
If Yoga were designed to work on the surface only, we should expect immediate visible results. Fortunately, however, Yoga seeks to change us at all levels of existence. Its influence reaches deep into our mind. Hence we must be prepared for prolonged practice in order to allow Yoga to do its work in depth.
It is certainly possible to see positive change even after one or two session of Yogic postures, and after six months of correct and steady postural practice, we should find ourselves calmer and more balanced. But for deep psychological and spiritual effects, we must be prepared for a lifetime of practicing yoga in its entirety – from the moral disciplines to postures to breath control to meditation. There is no instant enlightenment. No one can enlighten or liberate us from the outside. We ourselves must do the inner work.
- Georg Feurstein
The homework is to ask yourself if you are ready for and prepared for “change at all levels of existence”. What would this change entail? What does it mean to you to “do the inner work”? Are you ready to devote yourself to practicing consistently over a long period of time?
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Making Progress.”
If Yoga were designed to work on the surface only, we should expect immediate visible results. Fortunately, however, Yoga seeks to change us at all levels of existence. Its influence reaches deep into our mind. Hence we must be prepared for prolonged practice in order to allow Yoga to do its work in depth.
It is certainly possible to see positive change even after one or two session of Yogic postures, and after six months of correct and steady postural practice, we should find ourselves calmer and more balanced. But for deep psychological and spiritual effects, we must be prepared for a lifetime of practicing yoga in its entirety – from the moral disciplines to postures to breath control to meditation. There is no instant enlightenment. No one can enlighten or liberate us from the outside. We ourselves must do the inner work.
- Georg Feurstein
The homework is to ask yourself if you are ready for and prepared for “change at all levels of existence”. What would this change entail? What does it mean to you to “do the inner work”? Are you ready to devote yourself to practicing consistently over a long period of time?
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
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Food and Mental Harmony
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Food and Mental Harmony.”
Aside from the fact that a meal should be never be eaten hurriedly, it is most important that it be taken with enjoyment, in congenial company and with pleasant surroundings. Food eaten in a state of anger, aggravation or displeasure produces a toxic condition in the body. Therefore it is better to skip a meal when in a bad state and wait until one gets back to normal.
Try to make your mealtime harmonious by avoiding upsetting discussions. A nicely set table also adds to the pleasure of eating. So does a smiling face, a cheerful word, a beautiful flower or a picture. Bless your food, and enjoy it.
- Indra Devi
The homework is to throw a small dinner party. Have all of the guests help prepare the homemade, fresh and local fare. Set the table beautifully. Have moment of silence before the meal, cherish the good company, bless the earth and every person who had anything to do with bringing the nourishment to your table. Eat slowly and with as much presence, concentration and awareness as you can.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Food and Mental Harmony.”
Aside from the fact that a meal should be never be eaten hurriedly, it is most important that it be taken with enjoyment, in congenial company and with pleasant surroundings. Food eaten in a state of anger, aggravation or displeasure produces a toxic condition in the body. Therefore it is better to skip a meal when in a bad state and wait until one gets back to normal.
Try to make your mealtime harmonious by avoiding upsetting discussions. A nicely set table also adds to the pleasure of eating. So does a smiling face, a cheerful word, a beautiful flower or a picture. Bless your food, and enjoy it.
- Indra Devi
The homework is to throw a small dinner party. Have all of the guests help prepare the homemade, fresh and local fare. Set the table beautifully. Have moment of silence before the meal, cherish the good company, bless the earth and every person who had anything to do with bringing the nourishment to your table. Eat slowly and with as much presence, concentration and awareness as you can.
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
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Nutritional Yoga
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Nutritional Yoga.”
Instead of eating carelessly and hurriedly, in the midst of noise, agitation and arguments and then going off to do Yoga exercises, wouldn’t it be much better to understand that meals give you the perfect opportunity every day, two or three times a day, to practice meditation, concentration and the harmonization of all of the cells in your body.
- Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov
The homework is to consider meal time to be your Yoga practice. This is all part of taking your Yoga off of the mat and applying it to all areas of your life. Work to deepen your experience of the smells, textures and tastes of the food. Consider chewing your food more and taking more time in-between bites. Bring more presence, concentration and awareness to your meal time.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Nutritional Yoga.”
Instead of eating carelessly and hurriedly, in the midst of noise, agitation and arguments and then going off to do Yoga exercises, wouldn’t it be much better to understand that meals give you the perfect opportunity every day, two or three times a day, to practice meditation, concentration and the harmonization of all of the cells in your body.
- Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov
The homework is to consider meal time to be your Yoga practice. This is all part of taking your Yoga off of the mat and applying it to all areas of your life. Work to deepen your experience of the smells, textures and tastes of the food. Consider chewing your food more and taking more time in-between bites. Bring more presence, concentration and awareness to your meal time.
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
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Food For Thought
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Food For Thought.”
All food is prepared for the Supreme, never for oneself.
Be aware of the sacred nature of all food and maintain an attitude of reverence in the same way as the gardener.
Dedicate work to the Supreme.
Make the place of work as clean and as pleasant as you can.
Keep all the utensils in good order.
Try to choose a diet that builds harmony.
Maintain a flow of loving thought during the preparation of food, in whatever way you can.
However you think during the preparation will in essence be consumed.
Realize that the food you serve, both yourself and others, will contain your love in subtle form.
- Jack Santa Maria
The homework is to commit to preparing as much of your own food as you can for a week. Work to have loving energy as you prepare your food and imagine the nourishment that your cooking will provide. As you consume what you have made welcome the loving energy you instilled in the food and the nourishment it will provide.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Food For Thought.”
All food is prepared for the Supreme, never for oneself.
Be aware of the sacred nature of all food and maintain an attitude of reverence in the same way as the gardener.
Dedicate work to the Supreme.
Make the place of work as clean and as pleasant as you can.
Keep all the utensils in good order.
Try to choose a diet that builds harmony.
Maintain a flow of loving thought during the preparation of food, in whatever way you can.
However you think during the preparation will in essence be consumed.
Realize that the food you serve, both yourself and others, will contain your love in subtle form.
- Jack Santa Maria
The homework is to commit to preparing as much of your own food as you can for a week. Work to have loving energy as you prepare your food and imagine the nourishment that your cooking will provide. As you consume what you have made welcome the loving energy you instilled in the food and the nourishment it will provide.
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
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Eating With Awareness
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Eating With Awareness.”
Remember that food is the most basic link with the source of life. Be thankful for it, pray over it, honor it. We are not just filling our belly; we are nurturing our mind and spirit as well. Eating with full awareness puts us in harmony with nature – not only with the external world, but also our own inner nature.
- Carrie Angus
The reflection from the quote is to explore what it means to you to eat with full awareness. Consider making a commitment for a while to eat in silence and without reading, TV, internet or other electronic distraction. See how slow you can eat.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Eating With Awareness.”
Remember that food is the most basic link with the source of life. Be thankful for it, pray over it, honor it. We are not just filling our belly; we are nurturing our mind and spirit as well. Eating with full awareness puts us in harmony with nature – not only with the external world, but also our own inner nature.
- Carrie Angus
The reflection from the quote is to explore what it means to you to eat with full awareness. Consider making a commitment for a while to eat in silence and without reading, TV, internet or other electronic distraction. See how slow you can eat.
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
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Money Worship
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Money Worship.”
The great banks are cathedrals to money; the stock exchange is a temple. When friends once took me to a brokerage house, the lofty ceilings, the hushed tones, and air of reverence made me feel as if I were intruding on a sanctuary. Market quotations flickered across the wall like a continuous prayer, invoking bulls to protect against the bears. When the Dow went up, it lifted worshippers into an exalted state of mind; when it fell, they slipped into depression. In ancient times, devotees inhaled the smoke of burning laurel leaves or drank soma leaves to alter states of consciousness; today we need only a digital display.
- Eknath Easwaran
The reflection from the quote is to become more aware of the things that bring you to an “exalted state of mind” and to less exalted states. Evaluate these experiences and determine if the things that lead to ups and downs are at all relevant to how you want to lead your life. In light of your evaluation ask yourself what value you place on the “things” in life and learn for yourself what is really important.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Money Worship.”
The great banks are cathedrals to money; the stock exchange is a temple. When friends once took me to a brokerage house, the lofty ceilings, the hushed tones, and air of reverence made me feel as if I were intruding on a sanctuary. Market quotations flickered across the wall like a continuous prayer, invoking bulls to protect against the bears. When the Dow went up, it lifted worshippers into an exalted state of mind; when it fell, they slipped into depression. In ancient times, devotees inhaled the smoke of burning laurel leaves or drank soma leaves to alter states of consciousness; today we need only a digital display.
- Eknath Easwaran
The reflection from the quote is to become more aware of the things that bring you to an “exalted state of mind” and to less exalted states. Evaluate these experiences and determine if the things that lead to ups and downs are at all relevant to how you want to lead your life. In light of your evaluation ask yourself what value you place on the “things” in life and learn for yourself what is really important.
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
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