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    Standing Vigil

    ByElizabeth

    My walk in the neighborhood led me to Eastern Market this morning although I was not looking for anything in particular. A small group of people were standing at the four corners of 7th and C Streets Southeast, standing vigil for the children in Gaza and asking for ceasefire.

    I asked if I might join them and they offered me a sign. The demonstrator next to whom I was standing was most curious about what led me to be supportive of Palestine and we mostly talked about Quakers and Quaker emphasis on peaceful and fair solutions.

    How could I not, in this small way, not add my voice and add my physical presence when I imagine how much more brave to be speaking out and how much more painful for those with friends and family and familiar places under siege.

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    Thanks Giving

    ByElizabeth

    It’s almost time for Wednesday evening house yoga practice, and I still have my work computer on and open to a couple of documents that I need to review by Monday morning.

    I try a practice from the non-violent communication course I have been taking:  Since I cannot change the work situation in the short term, I am choosing to think about what needs are being met by my feeling compelled to work by the enormity of upcoming deadlines instead of getting to enjoy the two hours of administrative leave granted in honor of Thanksgiving.

    I come up with this tentative list:  it is good to feel needed, to be engaged, to experience a sense of competence and responsibility.  As I am working from home, I get peaceful quiet and solitude while still feeling connected through the work.  This does not mean that I don’t want or shouldn’t take action to change my work situation to better meet other needs, or even these needs better.

    I am truly grateful that I am being brought to my yoga mat for an hour and a half tonight and that I’m looking forward to a weekend of friends and food and walks (and more work).

    I wish you all the best holiday possible.  May you experience gratitude.

    Look forward to a longer newsletter and a new look to the website in coming weeks.

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    Why Study Yoga? (and Pete Seeger’s 90th)

    ByElizabeth

    In the session yesterday, in discussing the Siva Sutras, Paul Muller-Ortega said that the whole of the teachings are in the very first sutra, even in the first word (caitanyam — consciousness).  For students who, on hearing the first word from their teacher,  say “got it, I understand fully,” no further teaching is necessary.  For the students who say, “please explain further, what does it mean?” more elaboration is needed.

    What does it mean, though, to “get it?”  What do we do with the teachings of yoga?  How do we integrate them into our lives?  I practice and study yoga because it is teaching me how to be stronger, more flexible, more grounded, and better able to serve.  Some people I know already have that.  They are already living the yoga, so they do not need the details and the practices.

    As a reminder of one who has been living a rich, full life of service and love, enjoy this video of Pete Seeger in honor of his 90th birthday.  (If you cannot see this link, please just do a search for videos, using your favorite search engine.)

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    Yoga Citta Vritti Nirodaha

    ByElizabeth

    I slept restlessly last night and woke early with concern for those who were in the metro crash.  Being already a bit agitated, worries about getting things done at work also were arising.  Despite my restlessness, I made sure to sit for meditation.  Thoughts kept arising, but by the time I was into my sit, I was able to find a space, where I was not tangled or unsteadied by the thoughts.  I felt more peaceful and able to meet the challenges of the day.

    In times of agitation, I often find myself drawn to contemplate again Patanjali’s sutra 1.2:  Yoga citta vrtti nirodaha. In classical yoga, it means to still the thought waves.  This is meant to be the ultimate purpose of yoga:  to still thought so that what is beyond mind and body can be revealed.

    Practicing and studying from a tantric perspective, I think not so much of stilling my thoughts when I practice and meditate, but rather, finding a sense of alignment, an allowing of and making allowance within my being for the rhythm of the thoughts like a sailor getting sea legs on a boat, so that I can be steady (sthira) and have a greater sense of peace (shantaya) and light (tejase), no matter how wild are the thoughts arising and sensations entering in the field of my consciousness.

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