Asana, Pranayama, and Yoga Practice | Food for the Mind (Yoga Philosophy, etc) | Meditation | Quaker
Notes to Myself
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Answer to a Question (and Reminding Myself of My Own Advice)
The other day, a friend who is starting to teach in the evenings asked me how I make the shift from stressful work day to being in a good space to teach.
Without hesitation, I said: “meditation.” I then qualified that by saying it is anything that gets you quickly and effectively connected, centered, and grounded. I don’t know anything that would be consistently effective than meditation.
Breitenbush Retreat (and bringing joy back home)
I returned home last night from eight days away, five of which were truly on retreat — just meditating, bathing in hot springs, hiking, eating well, practicing yoga, and celebrating with dance and music. To see pictures, click here.The focus of the week was honoring the past and engaging in the present so as best to serve the future.
We left Breitenbush Hot Springs mid-afternoon on Thursday. Rather than take a red eye, I stayed Thursday night at an airport hotel and took an early morning flight home on Friday. I woke early Friday morning and rested in meditation to ease the shock of going from an off-the-grid community in the forest to an airport hotel. This rainbow glowed over the airport while I was waiting for the hotel shuttle to take me there for my flight.
The rainbow reminded me to carry the deep joy of the retreat home with me.
- Asana, Pranayama, and Yoga Practice | Community and Family | Food for the Mind (Yoga Philosophy, etc) | Quaker
Shaktipat?
Some of the yoga traditions that include a guru lineage believe that a guru can transmit grace (whatever that might mean) through their presence or touch. Back in the days when I was doing my first yoga teacher training, a fellow student asked me whether I had ever received shaktipat? My answer was yes–when I’d had the opportunity to shake hands with William Brennan. He’s not a guru, my fellow student objected. But he is a being of extraordinary grace, power, and intelligence who has devoted himself to the service of our collective well-being and my being in his presence inspires me to show my best light; isn’t that what’s supposed to happen with shaktipat? I don’t think she was ever fully persuaded by my unorthodox reading, but I had no need to persuade.
I found myself thinking about that discussion today, having gotten to shake John Lewis’s hand when he walked through the crowd to speak at day 2 of the people’s filibuster for health care. In the presence of his inspiration, I am compelled to figure out what more can I be doing.
- Asana, Pranayama, and Yoga Practice | Community and Family | Food for the Mind (Yoga Philosophy, etc)
It’s Thanks Giving Yoga Every Tuesday Night at William Penn House
Yes, though it is Thanksgiving week, there is class this Tuesday. It’s a great opportunity to support your own well being, while helping others. Please come join us this or any other Tuesday.
