Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Meditation is Drilling.”
After a lot of sustained, systematic effort in meditation, we may finally succeed in breaking through the surface crust of consciousness. What lies below is the unconscious, which has many layers - strata on strata deposited by habits of thinking and acting, little by little, every day of our life. Drilling through these strata in meditation means overcoming limitations, all the obstacles created by self-will: the fierce, driving compulsion to have our own way, get what we want, stamp ourselves separate from the rest of life. The biggest leap in meditation comes when we run headlong and throw ourselves over the rim of all duality to land in the unitive state, where nothing is separate. This state is shanti, perfect peace.
- Eknath Easwaran
The homework is to notice when you have thoughts or behaviors that create the feeling of being separate from the rest of the world. Noticing when your self-will encourages you to entertain these ideas or actions is the first step towards taking the big leap towards unity.
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
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Watching the Watcher
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Watching the Watcher.”
Although we cannot really stop the presence of I-making, we can disengage a certain part of ourselves from it and observe it. And when we observe our thought patterns, we find that the conscious mind begins to change. A different sense of ahamkara comes into being - a different sense of "I" is watching, witnessing, dispassionately observing. Just as there are various levels of consciousness, so there are different varieties of I-ness, and now we realize that in addition to the "I" who is being the typical me, there is another "I" who is watching it all.
- Rudolph M. Ballentine
The homework is to pay close attention to all of your "I" oriented patterns of thought. Observe this I-making process so you can disengage yourself from it. Do not try to stop it, because who would be stopping it? The more we try to control "I" making, the more we reinforce the sense of "I" and the more we lock ourselves into the very process we are trying to disengage ourselves from. Disengaging can be part of the process of observing it. Then ask yourself who is watching the watcher.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Watching the Watcher.”
Although we cannot really stop the presence of I-making, we can disengage a certain part of ourselves from it and observe it. And when we observe our thought patterns, we find that the conscious mind begins to change. A different sense of ahamkara comes into being - a different sense of "I" is watching, witnessing, dispassionately observing. Just as there are various levels of consciousness, so there are different varieties of I-ness, and now we realize that in addition to the "I" who is being the typical me, there is another "I" who is watching it all.
- Rudolph M. Ballentine
The homework is to pay close attention to all of your "I" oriented patterns of thought. Observe this I-making process so you can disengage yourself from it. Do not try to stop it, because who would be stopping it? The more we try to control "I" making, the more we reinforce the sense of "I" and the more we lock ourselves into the very process we are trying to disengage ourselves from. Disengaging can be part of the process of observing it. Then ask yourself who is watching the watcher.
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, August 30, 2010
Surfing Meditation
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Surfing Meditation.”
When I am out there on the ocean floating on my board, alone with the wind and the sky, I'm excruciating aware of how small and insignificant I am in comparison to the awesome power of the water. It would be presumptuous of me to say that I surf the waves - in fact, the waves surf me.
.......Well, meditation is like surfing. If you push too hard and try to control your mind, you'll just end up feeling rigid and tight, and you'll keep wiping out as a result of your efforts. But if you hang back and exert no effort at all, you won't have the focus or concentration necessary to hold your position as the waves of thought and emotion wash over you.
- Stephan Bodian
The homework is to consider that idea that Yoga involves holding the mind in quiet place so you can be present with life and holding the body in a relaxed place so as to not invite disease in. Then use your asana practice to find the balance between just enough effort and going too far. Practice more holding and less controlling; more observation and being and less doing.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Surfing Meditation.”
When I am out there on the ocean floating on my board, alone with the wind and the sky, I'm excruciating aware of how small and insignificant I am in comparison to the awesome power of the water. It would be presumptuous of me to say that I surf the waves - in fact, the waves surf me.
.......Well, meditation is like surfing. If you push too hard and try to control your mind, you'll just end up feeling rigid and tight, and you'll keep wiping out as a result of your efforts. But if you hang back and exert no effort at all, you won't have the focus or concentration necessary to hold your position as the waves of thought and emotion wash over you.
- Stephan Bodian
The homework is to consider that idea that Yoga involves holding the mind in quiet place so you can be present with life and holding the body in a relaxed place so as to not invite disease in. Then use your asana practice to find the balance between just enough effort and going too far. Practice more holding and less controlling; more observation and being and less doing.
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
Thursday, August 26, 2010
One-Pointed Mind
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “One-Pointed Mind.”
When one learns to practice awareness and attention while doing even the simplest and most mundane acts of life, a great joy comes.
When water runs in scattered rivulets down the hillside, it hasn't much force behind it. But when it is dammed up and made to come through a narrow opening, it's power is tremendous. Likewise when sunlight is focused through a magnifying glass, that spot of light becomes powerful enough to burn.
So it is with our minds. A mind that wanders distracted, scattered, and inattentive has little power. But when its awareness is focused one-pointedly, it becomes so powerful that it can achieve anything. Such a mind gains spiritual power.
- Brahmacharini Nitya
The homework is to choose a task you do everyday and bring more attention and concentration to it. Choose something that is considered mundane like brushing your teeth. Build on this practice by continuing to bring additional attention and concentration to other mundane tasks eventually applying this practice to life in general.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “One-Pointed Mind.”
When one learns to practice awareness and attention while doing even the simplest and most mundane acts of life, a great joy comes.
When water runs in scattered rivulets down the hillside, it hasn't much force behind it. But when it is dammed up and made to come through a narrow opening, it's power is tremendous. Likewise when sunlight is focused through a magnifying glass, that spot of light becomes powerful enough to burn.
So it is with our minds. A mind that wanders distracted, scattered, and inattentive has little power. But when its awareness is focused one-pointedly, it becomes so powerful that it can achieve anything. Such a mind gains spiritual power.
- Brahmacharini Nitya
The homework is to choose a task you do everyday and bring more attention and concentration to it. Choose something that is considered mundane like brushing your teeth. Build on this practice by continuing to bring additional attention and concentration to other mundane tasks eventually applying this practice to life in general.
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, August 16, 2010
The Power of Concentration
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “The Power of Concentration.”
Concentration is like a diamond, a brilliant focusing of our energy, intelligence, and sensitivity. When we concentrate fully the light of our abilities shines forth in many colors, radiating through all that we do. Our energy gains a momentum and clarity that allows us to perform each task quickly and with ease, and we respond to the challenges work offers with pleasure and enthusiasm.
- Tarthang Tulku
The homework is to apply “a brilliant focusing of your energy, intelligence, and sensitivity to your Asana practice.” Then take this practice off of the mat and into your relationships. Without any judgment observe the effects.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “The Power of Concentration.”
Concentration is like a diamond, a brilliant focusing of our energy, intelligence, and sensitivity. When we concentrate fully the light of our abilities shines forth in many colors, radiating through all that we do. Our energy gains a momentum and clarity that allows us to perform each task quickly and with ease, and we respond to the challenges work offers with pleasure and enthusiasm.
- Tarthang Tulku
The homework is to apply “a brilliant focusing of your energy, intelligence, and sensitivity to your Asana practice.” Then take this practice off of the mat and into your relationships. Without any judgment observe the effects.
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, August 9, 2010
The Mind is Like a Bird
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “The Mind is Like a Bird.”
The mind is like a bird in a field, always pecking at and picking up something; what is important is that it should select wisely. All that the senses report is woven into something which tends either to destroy or to build up the mind, for the mind assimilates that upon which it dwells…..Hatred and fanaticism introduce qualities which coarsen the mind, impairing mental health; but selfless thoughts are pure, for they seek the well-being of all and unite the puny individual with the cosmic Mind, the mind of God, which rules alike the stars in their courses, the electrons in their orbits, and governs the emergence of the infinitely varied forms of life.
- Hari Prasad Shastri
The homework is to consider the fifth and sixth limbs of Yoga Pratyahara – refinement of the senses and Dharana – concentration as a way to help you select wisely and to build up the mind. Learn to apply these two limbs to your Asana practice as a training ground for the cultivation of selfless thoughts.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “The Mind is Like a Bird.”
The mind is like a bird in a field, always pecking at and picking up something; what is important is that it should select wisely. All that the senses report is woven into something which tends either to destroy or to build up the mind, for the mind assimilates that upon which it dwells…..Hatred and fanaticism introduce qualities which coarsen the mind, impairing mental health; but selfless thoughts are pure, for they seek the well-being of all and unite the puny individual with the cosmic Mind, the mind of God, which rules alike the stars in their courses, the electrons in their orbits, and governs the emergence of the infinitely varied forms of life.
- Hari Prasad Shastri
The homework is to consider the fifth and sixth limbs of Yoga Pratyahara – refinement of the senses and Dharana – concentration as a way to help you select wisely and to build up the mind. Learn to apply these two limbs to your Asana practice as a training ground for the cultivation of selfless thoughts.
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
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Bringing the Mind Home
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Bringing the Mind Home.”
We are fragmented into so many different aspects. We don’t know who we really are, or what aspects of ourselves we should really identify with or believe in. So many contradictory voices, dictates, and feelings fight for control over our inner lives that we find ourselves scattered everywhere, in all directions, leaving nobody at home.
Meditation, then, is bringing the mind home…
- Sogyal Rinpoche
The homework is to ask yourself what it means to bring the mind home. To help you inform your answer sit well supported and meditate for five minutes every morning for a week. Practice just emptying the mind of all thinking. Observe what happens.
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
This week in class we are considering the topic “Bringing the Mind Home.”
We are fragmented into so many different aspects. We don’t know who we really are, or what aspects of ourselves we should really identify with or believe in. So many contradictory voices, dictates, and feelings fight for control over our inner lives that we find ourselves scattered everywhere, in all directions, leaving nobody at home.
Meditation, then, is bringing the mind home…
- Sogyal Rinpoche
The homework is to ask yourself what it means to bring the mind home. To help you inform your answer sit well supported and meditate for five minutes every morning for a week. Practice just emptying the mind of all thinking. Observe what happens.
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
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