Shrinkwrapped Lakshmi
Similar Posts
Down by the River
I was almost home from work, enjoying the wind and clouds and trees, when I saw a neighbor who was about to take his dogs to a little park down by the river. The dogs had a good time playing, and I really appreciated the opportunity to go down by the river.
- Asana, Pranayama, and Yoga Practice | Community and Family | Food for the Mind (Yoga Philosophy, etc) | Photos
Dakshinamurti
Sometimes we call out the names; sometimes they call out to us. I’ve been too tired and stressed to yearn for more adventures in the near term, but this week, I have found myself wanting to be in India, to be surrounded by the colors and the sights and the outrageous display of creative imagery.
The photo is of a roadside temple, with Siva in the aspect of Dakshinamurti–guru of all knowledges (jnana). I have been told that is good to chant to Dakshinamurti when one is looking for support and guidance in teaching.
In my work as a civil servant, I spend much time informally teaching colleagues and the regulated community the details of the complex area that is my specialty. I set my intention to be able not only to be clear, but to convey a bigger purpose even in that which does not readily come to mind as being something of spirit.
Santa Fe and Home
I just came back from a wonderful week in Santa Fe, studying therapeutics with John Friend. It was most wonderful to be among friends with a shared passion for nurturing and healing through yoga, all of whom are deeply committed to continuing intense study. It was also delightful to be in a beautiful place, away from the cares of the day to day.Although I have many friends from around the country I have met on previous study trips, I found that I spent the most time outside of class with fellow teachers from Willow Street. It was not because I know them best and it was expedient for me as a person who is by nature introverted to stick with people I know better, but rather because when we are home, we all are fully engaged in our daily lives and do not have much time to see each other. That we need to go away together to be free to see people close to us is a mindset that I am working to shift. If I have time to go away for a week, then I should be able to make time to see someone for lunch or tea. How do we make this shift? Part of it is just a conscious recognition that we need each day to pause and reflect, to make time to connect to our own spirit and to our home community. Living this way will not diminish the joy of going away, but it will make us more grounded and rested at home, while we are working. We will work better, be happier on a day to day basis, and be better able to serve. Yes, this is another aspect of enriching life by simplifying.
