Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Dealing With Difficulties.”
The Grace of Despair
If you have never reached the bottommost depths of despair, if you have not realized some point in your life at which you felt completely disintegrated, then you haven’t begun your journey towards God yet. But immediately upon that disintegration, when everything you value in life is gone, there should be surrender. The cup of your personality shatters, and at that moment of shattering you surrender your will completely to the unknown, whoever that is, and right there, by that very act, you have found the perfection that is God.
- Pandit Usharbudh Arya
The homework is to recognize the moments in life where you have “reached the bottommost depths of despair” and learn from your response. What does it mean to surrender your will and what is the outcome? Will you come closer to God, whatever that means to you, each time you surrender your will?
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, August 30, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Growing Pains
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Dealing With Difficulties.”
Growing Pains
Life is not a perpetual honeymoon. This earth is a school. Spiritual growth does not come without effort, and effort and change often means pain. I think it is meant to be that way: if there were no difficulties, we wouldn’t look for anything higher. And that would be hell because it would keep us from the infinite bliss which is our birthright.
- Brother Anandamoy
The homework is to determine where you are on your own spiritual path. Learn what kind of change and effort you need to bring to your life through your practices that will lift you up to the next level – something higher. Finally, consider what it means to move towards infinite bliss.
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 “Dealing With Difficulties.”
Growing Pains
Life is not a perpetual honeymoon. This earth is a school. Spiritual growth does not come without effort, and effort and change often means pain. I think it is meant to be that way: if there were no difficulties, we wouldn’t look for anything higher. And that would be hell because it would keep us from the infinite bliss which is our birthright.
- Brother Anandamoy
The homework is to determine where you are on your own spiritual path. Learn what kind of change and effort you need to bring to your life through your practices that will lift you up to the next level – something higher. Finally, consider what it means to move towards infinite bliss.
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, August 16, 2009
Pain As Teacher
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Dealing With Difficulties.”
Pain As Teacher
Pain is your best friend. It is infinitely more honest with you than pleasure. Despite what you might think, the painful experiences you have had benefit you far more than the pleasurable ones, even though most of us spend our lives trying to duck and hide from them. But when you can center yourself and be open to look pain dead in the eye, then you have transcended the limits of your ego and this humanity. It is then that you enter into the possibility of becoming a great being.
- Swami Chetanananda
The homework is to learn how your Yoga practice helps you to center yourself. From a centered space consider facing your pain and suffering straight on. What would that look like? Finally, what does it mean to transcend the limits of your ego?
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 “Dealing With Difficulties.”
Pain As Teacher
Pain is your best friend. It is infinitely more honest with you than pleasure. Despite what you might think, the painful experiences you have had benefit you far more than the pleasurable ones, even though most of us spend our lives trying to duck and hide from them. But when you can center yourself and be open to look pain dead in the eye, then you have transcended the limits of your ego and this humanity. It is then that you enter into the possibility of becoming a great being.
- Swami Chetanananda
The homework is to learn how your Yoga practice helps you to center yourself. From a centered space consider facing your pain and suffering straight on. What would that look like? Finally, what does it mean to transcend the limits of your ego?
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, August 2, 2009
The Inner Obstacle Race
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Dealing With Difficulties.”
The Inner Obstacle Race
Remember, Yoga practice is like an obstacle race: many obstructions are purposely put on the way for us to pass through. They are there to make us understand and express our own capacities. We all have that strength, but we need to be challenged and tested in order to understand our own capacities. In fact, that is the natural law. If a river just flows easily, the water in the river does not express its power. But once you put an obstacle to the flow by constructing a dam, then you can see its strength in the form of tremendous electrical power.
- Swami Satchidananda
The homework is to learn what your obstacles are on and off of the mat. Figure out how the two environments overlap and how work in either can impact the other. Finally evaluate how you are creating your own obstructions and start finding your power by challenging these obstructions through your practices.
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 “Dealing With Difficulties.”
The Inner Obstacle Race
Remember, Yoga practice is like an obstacle race: many obstructions are purposely put on the way for us to pass through. They are there to make us understand and express our own capacities. We all have that strength, but we need to be challenged and tested in order to understand our own capacities. In fact, that is the natural law. If a river just flows easily, the water in the river does not express its power. But once you put an obstacle to the flow by constructing a dam, then you can see its strength in the form of tremendous electrical power.
- Swami Satchidananda
The homework is to learn what your obstacles are on and off of the mat. Figure out how the two environments overlap and how work in either can impact the other. Finally evaluate how you are creating your own obstructions and start finding your power by challenging these obstructions through your practices.
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, July 26, 2009
Dynamic Tranquility
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Making Progress.”
Dynamic Tranquility
Tranquility should not be confused with passivity or apathy. It is, rather, a dynamic quality of balance and harmony. As love is the outward flowing of energy in selflessness, and joy is the experience of accepting the natural divinity of all life, tranquility is the experience we have when we know and accept ourselves for who and what we are.
We are the source of our own turmoil. The inner doubts, fears, impulses, the unconscious drives and motivations, all create an imbalance that leads to mental and physical suffering. We remain unaware of our spiritual identity and are caught in habits and patterns of the personality. The habits that make up this small self control us, and we bounce whenever and wherever the habits bounce, nearly always reacting to the world, with little capacity to consciously choose our actions in the world. When, through meditation, we come to experience directly our true spiritual identity, the personality with all its peaks and valleys no longer exerts a claim. We experience an inner calm and tranquility, a center that is secure and free of conflict. From the vantage point of this calm, unattached center, we gradually resolve our inner conflicts and unfold the subtle potentials of the deeper mind.
- Rudolph M. Ballentine
The homework is to use your Yoga practice to learn to be more accepting of who and what you are. Make the connections between how you practice and your life off of the mat. Challenge the idea that you are your personality and that your qualities are non-changeable. Work to go beyond your personality and habits and discover true tranquility.
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 “Making Progress.”
Dynamic Tranquility
Tranquility should not be confused with passivity or apathy. It is, rather, a dynamic quality of balance and harmony. As love is the outward flowing of energy in selflessness, and joy is the experience of accepting the natural divinity of all life, tranquility is the experience we have when we know and accept ourselves for who and what we are.
We are the source of our own turmoil. The inner doubts, fears, impulses, the unconscious drives and motivations, all create an imbalance that leads to mental and physical suffering. We remain unaware of our spiritual identity and are caught in habits and patterns of the personality. The habits that make up this small self control us, and we bounce whenever and wherever the habits bounce, nearly always reacting to the world, with little capacity to consciously choose our actions in the world. When, through meditation, we come to experience directly our true spiritual identity, the personality with all its peaks and valleys no longer exerts a claim. We experience an inner calm and tranquility, a center that is secure and free of conflict. From the vantage point of this calm, unattached center, we gradually resolve our inner conflicts and unfold the subtle potentials of the deeper mind.
- Rudolph M. Ballentine
The homework is to use your Yoga practice to learn to be more accepting of who and what you are. Make the connections between how you practice and your life off of the mat. Challenge the idea that you are your personality and that your qualities are non-changeable. Work to go beyond your personality and habits and discover true tranquility.
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, July 21, 2009
Controlling Nervous Habits
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Making Progress.”
Controlling Nervous Habits
Look about you anywhere and you will see people taping their feet, twiddling their fingers, twisting their mouths, chewing gum, chain-smoking, pacing restlessly, indulging helplessly in dozens of nervous habits and useless actions which merely waste the life-force so that it is not available when needed. Much of this is, of course, the expression of fear, anxiety, anger and other unhealthy mental and emotional conditions.
People who practice the self-control which Yoga teaches impart a feeling of controlled energy. They are efficient; they go about their work with a minimum of effort, with no wasted energy and few unnecessary movements. They seem to get straight to the point and are always ready to take quick, forceful action when they have to.
- Richard Hittleman
The homework is to learn how your Yoga practice can help you cultivate “a feeling of controlled energy.” Work to become more aware of when you start to express your energy in a “nervous habit” and change this habitual response into an expression that is more focused and useful.
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 “Making Progress.”
Controlling Nervous Habits
Look about you anywhere and you will see people taping their feet, twiddling their fingers, twisting their mouths, chewing gum, chain-smoking, pacing restlessly, indulging helplessly in dozens of nervous habits and useless actions which merely waste the life-force so that it is not available when needed. Much of this is, of course, the expression of fear, anxiety, anger and other unhealthy mental and emotional conditions.
People who practice the self-control which Yoga teaches impart a feeling of controlled energy. They are efficient; they go about their work with a minimum of effort, with no wasted energy and few unnecessary movements. They seem to get straight to the point and are always ready to take quick, forceful action when they have to.
- Richard Hittleman
The homework is to learn how your Yoga practice can help you cultivate “a feeling of controlled energy.” Work to become more aware of when you start to express your energy in a “nervous habit” and change this habitual response into an expression that is more focused and useful.
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, July 12, 2009
Idleness
Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the topic “Making Progress.”
Idleness
This is an important secret of life: if you remain idle without doing something useful your mind thinks scattered and random thoughts, and wastes its energy. Your good thoughts should definitely be brought into action. A thought is like an unripened fruit that is not yet eaten by anyone. Ripening fruit means bringing a positive thought into action. She who is great, successful, creative, and dynamic knows how to bring all her good and creative thoughts into action, and how to give a shape and form to her creative thinking process.
- Swami Rama
The homework is to learn how your Yoga practice can help you “give a shape and form to your creative thinking process.” Consider how the 5th and 6th limbs of Yoga, Pratyahara – refinement of the senses and Dharana – concentration, can assist you in this process. Finally, bring one of your good thoughts into action.
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 “Making Progress.”
Idleness
This is an important secret of life: if you remain idle without doing something useful your mind thinks scattered and random thoughts, and wastes its energy. Your good thoughts should definitely be brought into action. A thought is like an unripened fruit that is not yet eaten by anyone. Ripening fruit means bringing a positive thought into action. She who is great, successful, creative, and dynamic knows how to bring all her good and creative thoughts into action, and how to give a shape and form to her creative thinking process.
- Swami Rama
The homework is to learn how your Yoga practice can help you “give a shape and form to your creative thinking process.” Consider how the 5th and 6th limbs of Yoga, Pratyahara – refinement of the senses and Dharana – concentration, can assist you in this process. Finally, bring one of your good thoughts into action.
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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