The consequences of our actions......

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the consequences of our actions.

A human being fashions his consequences as surely as he fashions his goods or his dwelling. Nothing that he says, thinks, or does is without consequences.

- Norman Cousins

The Hindu and Buddhist scriptures give us the same truth in what is called the law of karma, which is the psychological equivalent to the physical law that every action has a reaction equal and opposite to it. The Buddha says we can fly higher than the heavens or hide in the depths of the earth, but we will not be able to escape the consequences of our actions. Though we drive to another city or fly to another country, though we change our job or our name, our mistakes will pursue us wherever we go.

Paradoxically, the only way we can begin to escape from the consequences of our actions is to stop running from them and to face them with fortitude. In this sense, every difficult situation is a precious opportunity. When we find ourselves in some situation where we always make the same mistake, if we can manage not to make that mistake, the chain can be broken. Often, if we face it squarely, that situation will not come up again.

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

The homework is to learn how you can use your Yoga practices to prepare for breaking the chain of habitual behavior that is unhealthy for you and those around you.  Notice when you have an aversion to an asana and concentrate on overcoming that aversion by doing the best you can do and being grateful no matter what the outcome.  Consistently face your aversion with the joy of practicing and learn to appreciate the process.  Then apply this process to life situations off of the mat.  

 
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 

The third, fourth and sixth limbs of Yoga: Asana, Pranayama and Dharana

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the third, fourth and sixth limbs of Yoga: Asana, Pranayama and Dharana.

Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.

- The Buddha

Blaming ourselves when we get angry is not going to be of much help in the long run. What is helpful is to gain a clearer understanding of how anger comes about. Getting angry is like having a malfunctioning engine. The mind is like the engine of the body, which can be compared to the chassis of the car we drive. But the sad fact is that most of us know a lot more about our car engine than we do about our own minds.

We don't even have the slightest idea of where the ignition switch of the mind is located. As a result, the engine goes on cranking out thoughts of every description throughout the day and throughout the long night in dreams. Worry and resentment and anger use up enormous quantities of vitality. It's like leaving our car idling in the garage all night long; in the morning when we need to get to work, we have to push it down the road.

What we need to do is learn how to slow down the mind, and eventually to park it at the side of the road when travel isn't necessary. Then we will have all the vitality, all the fuel, we need when we want to reach a worthwhile destination.

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

The homework is to learn how you can use the breath (pranayama) as your ignition switch to interrupt the mind and slow it down.  Learn to use the concentration (dharana) you develop in your asana practice to direct the mind in ways that encourage the positive use of your vitality.  Combine the use of both the breath and concentration to rest the mind more and store up your vitality. 

Is this a description of the practice of Yoga?

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

The second Niyama, Santosa or contentment.....

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the second Niyama, Santosa or contentment.

We must not wish anything other than what happens from moment to moment, all the while, however, exercising ourselves in goodness.

- Saint Catherine of Genoa

A tremendous amount of our vital energy is squandered in the vacillations of the mind. If things go our way, we get elated; if things do not go our way, we get depressed. Yet elation and depression are made from the same cloth.

It is when the mind is getting elated that we need to be very vigilant, because what goes up will inevitably come down. If, through the practice of meditation and repetition of the mantram, we can keep the mind calm when good things are coming our way, then when bad things come, we won't be dejected. Our mind will stay calm.

Only then will we be free to be truly spontaneous in our responses to life.

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

The homework is to consider the second Niyama (practices of self-purification through discipline) which is Santosa or Contentment.  This is a commitment to being content, reducing desires, becoming cheerful and creating balance of mind.  Additionally, we have to be willing to let things go, especially likes and dislikes.  Ask yourself how the practice of Santosa will impact your responses to life?

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

The use of a mantram.......

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the use of a mantram to redirect our minds when they go down an unhealthy path.

Suffering is the ancient law of love; there is no quest

without pain; there is no lover who is not also a martyr.

- Heinrich Suso

Practically speaking, in order to learn to love, we need a tool for transforming anger into compassion, resentment into sympathy. We need some kind of brake to apply when the mind shifts into high gear under the influence of anger and other negative emotions. The mind is so used to having its own way in almost everything that all it knows is how to race out of control.

How many of you would ever step into your Pontiac or Toyota if you knew the brakes could suddenly fail. I could say, "You have plenty of gas, a big engine, gorgeous upholstery, and radial tires. Why don't you go ahead?" You would reply, "But I can't stop the thing!" Amazingly enough, most of us manage to travel through life without knowing how to brake the engine of the mind.

We can all install a simple but effective brake - the mantram. Whenever you feel agitated, annoyed, impolite, or downright angry, keep repeating the mantram. Gradually the mind will race less and less. When the brake is thoroughly road-tested, you will have the equipment to be patient and kind in every situation. You will be ready to face the tests that real love demands.

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

The homework is to create your own mantram that you can invoke to brake the mind.  Choose something meaningful and short.  Then use this mantram to divert your attention when you start to follow the mind down a path that is not healthy for you or those around you.

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

The fifth yama Aparigraha......

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are aconsidering the fifth yama Aparigraha.

The best, like water,
Benefit all and do not compete.
They dwell in lowly spots that everyone else scorns.
Putting others before themselves,
They find themselves in the foremost place
And come very near to the Tao.

-Lao Tzu

In today's competitive climate, often those who are aggressive about imposing their will on others are labeled "successful." But the accomplishments of such people are often sadly short-lived, while the damage they do themselves and others can be far-reaching. When competitiveness is excessive, we end up offending others, feeling offended, and lashing back, and that undoes everything worthwhile we might achieve.

People who do not compete, on the other hand, seldom get upset when life goes against them. They do not try to impose their way on others, or get agitated or depressed or defensive when people hold different views.

Gandhi was an excellent example of this. It is said that he was at his best when he was criticized; it made him even more respectful and compassionate, and made him reach deeper into himself to find new ways of explaining his stand.

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

The homework is to consider the fifth yama Aparigraha. Aparigraha is found in verse II.39 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Aparigraha can be translated as non-covetousness and/or greedlessness. The challenge is to understand what motivates our greedy behavior. Whatever we hold on to - Yoga poses, possessions, attitudes - will one day all be lost and they will never satisfy your cravings. Consider Aparigraha in the light of the fact that we are already whole.

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

Tapas again....

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are again considering Tapas.

We are not holier or higher for the outward works that we do. Truly God that is the beholder of the heart rewards the will more than the deed. The deeds truly hang on the will, not the will on the deeds.

- Richard Rolle

It is because we don't have any real challenge in life that we do not grow to our real height. We need a challenge that is worthy of our capacities, and making money, if I may say so, is not much of a challenge. Neither is becoming famous or achieving power; and as for pleasure, challenge is conspicuous by its absence.

But becoming rich in personal relationships, learning to return love for hatred, being always aware of the unity of life, these things are the most difficult achievements on the face of the earth. Only when we see a person who has accomplished such feats do we begin to glimpse the heights a human being can attain. This is our real stature, and no matter what our problems or liabilities, every one of us can attain these heights through regular, enthusiastic spiritual practice.

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

The homework is to consider the third Niyama or Tapas. Tapas is defined as austerity and discipline. Some mystics write that anything that you stay disciplined with leads to spirituality. See if you can bring Tapas to something you consider good and focus on this goodness until it becomes a habit.

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

Love, eagerness and enthusiasm towards your practices.....

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the practice of Tapas.

As butter lies hidden within milk,
The Self is hidden in the hearts of all.
Churn the mind through meditation on it;
Light your fire through meditation on it:
The Self, all whole, all peace, all certitude.

- Amritabindu Upanishad

Meditation enables us to understand the teachings of the scriptures and apply them in our daily life. It is meditation that reveals the inner Self dwelling in all things.

But the practice of meditation is like a long journey: some days we make wonderful progress, and others we seem barely able to go one step. Like a veteran traveler who knows the road, when we gain a little experience of the benefits, we'll look forward to our meditation period. We'll sit down for meditation with eagerness and enthusiasm each day.

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

The homework is to consider the third Niyama or Tapas. Tapas is defined as austerity and discipline. Consider how you can apply Tapas to your own Yoga practices. Find out through your own experiences if you can bring a commitment born of Love to your practice of Yoga. When you have been consistent in your Love, eagerness and enthusiasm towards your practices then you are indeed practicing tapas.

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