Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Viveka

Literally translated, Viveka means separating out or discernment and is the process in yoga whereby the student looks beyond the unreal or the apparent into Reality, that which is real.

For example, say you have come to define yourself in terms of the roles you play, the decisions you make or the way people see you, you are abiding in the unreal for each of these change and are not rooted in permanence. In order to move toward reality, you must recognize the emotions attached to each role or strategy or adjective assigned to you--you must recognize the ephemeral nature of each and appreciate the experience of living without attachment.

It is certainly a journey worth being on...

Om shanti, shanti, shanti

Peace, peace, peace.

Usually when repeated in that sequence, it translates into peace of mind, peace in speech and peace in body.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

This day: A reminder

"You will only live this particular day once in a lifetime. Don't rush past it, enjoy it."

Taken from Dharma the Cat's Blog

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Sanskrit Blessing

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts and actions of our lives contribute to that happiness and that freedom for ALL living things.

Namaste'


Saturday, August 2, 2008

Samadhi

I glimpsed this coveted state of bliss today, this morning during practice while in pigeon pose. The onset was subtle--absolute peace, centered stillness. I didn't know it for what it was, didn't see it it coming--I just opened to the onset of supreme comfort.

And then...

The bliss intensified--an overtaking, a consumption of my mind and my emotional state. I was unfolding and it was raw and pure.

I was overwhelmed and couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face.

I became emotional--so much happiness rushing over me so completely was more than my simple mind could fathom and I had the urge to cry.

I opened to the urge--it wasn't a sob or a rush of tears, or anything like that. My eyes filled with water, the lump was in my throat and then at once, I saw it for what it was...I knew I had entered the blessed state...

...it evanesced.

With a feeling like that and the promise of more, I return to the mat like a bee drawn to nectar, like a moth to light, like a poet to words.

I am drawn.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Nik-Nak-Yoga-Yak

I have come across a cool new website--enjoy!

www.yogayak.com

Namaste