The extraordinary blossoming of Spring is springing! Witnessing this great effulgence can help us understand the potential of practice, all of which is intended to lead us to an inner effulgence of bliss so that we can bring it out in all we do.
Here’s an aerial view of the back garden on the equinox after I spent several hours cleaning, deadheading, repotting, mulching, etc. As you can see, the moss is ecstatic from having had the weight of the snow on it for several weeks. Coming up in quantities almost enough to pick are lettuce, spinach, cilantro, parsley, chives, onions, lemon balm (always have too much of that — if you’re local let me know if you want some). The first rosebud emerged sometime between Friday and Sunday. It is hard to believe that just a month ago, I was blogging about indoor gardening — how to find delight even when snowed under (scroll to the bottom of the linked post to compare pictures of the same view).
As you can see from comparing the two photos, things were still growing under the snow or getting ready to do so. That is what practice is like for me. Sometimes I feel completely snowed under by an injury or rush jobs at work or personal circumstances beyond my control. I keep practicing, but I don’t have the time or energy for long practices or full weekend workshops, when it is easy to get to a place of delight. Other times, things are less pressured, and I feel brimming over with health. Then practice feels wildly effulgent. For my garden to offer its full potential (as is true with my practice), I need to spend lots of time and effort in it for the next several weeks. I know that if I do so, I will be blessed with fullness.
In the yoga stories, all of those who work, who commit to the arduous practices get boons, including the demons. If it looks like the demons are winning the day because of their efforts, the only way to change the game is to commit and surrender more deeply to our own work and practice.
Dear Friends,
Hope you all enjoyed the big snow. I missed seeing Saturday regulars and drop-ins with the snow canceling the last day of Willow Street classes and December’s Serenity Saturday.
If you are in need of a little last minute, holiday yoga, come join us tonight at William Penn House, 6:30 pm, all levels class.
For a great way to begin the year, on New Year’s Day itself, come to Capitol Hill Yoga for “Flow Into Grace” a heart-opening, body-shifting (gently), and intention-setting workshop with a combination of all-levels flow and yoga nidra. To register, please visit, www.capitolhillyoga.com. Late night revelers welcome; it doesn’t start til mid afternoon!
I’ll be taking my own holiday break so no Wm Penn or house classes next week, while I am in NY visiting friends, family, and enjoying the delights of the city.
Wm. Penn and house classes resume the first week of January. That week is also free class week at Willow Street Yoga Center (www.willowstreetyoga.com). I’ll be offering 8:30 am level 2 and 12 noon Gentle/Therapeutics on Saturday, January 9th.
If you were registered for Serenity Saturday in December, call Capitol Hill Yoga to switch your registration to New Year’s “Flow into Grace” or January’s Serenity Saturday (January 16th).
May you all have healthy and delightful holidays whether traveling or staying at home.
Peace and light,
Elizabeth
*Coconut-Red Lentil Dal
*Brown Basmati Rice with Cashews
*Roasted Winter Vegetables (Including turnips from the garden and brussel sprouts in honor of St. Patrick’s Day)
*Six Tastes Fresh Mango Chutney
*Avocado Raita
~
Butterscotch-Ginger Cookies
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
