On the Way Home from Work
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New Spinach (and Udyamo Bhairava)
The fifth sutra in Abhinavagupta’s Siva Sutras, is “udyamo bhairava” — the great upsurge of consciousness. When we are open and aware, we can witness this upsurge, the very pulsing of life energy in all that is in and around us, from the springing up of thought in our minds to the burgeoning of spring. The more we practice and live attentively, the more we will see the joy in this upwelling.
When I go out into the garden on the early spring days to see what needs to be cut back, what is volunteering, and what is coming up from fall plantings, I approach with great openness. When we plant in the fall, we do not know with any certainty what kind of winter we will have. Although the long-range forecast was for colder than normal with precipitation near normal (which translates into more than average snow), who could have expected three mammoth snow storms?
I plant with hope and some expectation, but am ready for the loss of some perennials, the failure of some seeds to germinate, and the unexpected pleasure of experiments working or welcome volunteers. This steady planting without specific expectation, with openness to discovery, with joy and attention to the miraculousness of what rises up in the spring, is a very tangible example of what I read in the yoga philosophy. It is how I, I believe, we most optimally would approach asana and meditation, as well as all aspects of our daily being.
Below: new spinach coming up in a container from seeds I planted around Thanksgiving from an expiring packet.
Orchids
I had open all day, while I worked from home, the windows that are protected from the rain. Having the scent of Spring rain and the brightness of my indoor garden helped provide balance to a 14-hour day of editing. Meditation and regular stretching help, too.
Tomorrow I plan to go outside for the clean up phase. With vigor and enthusiasm. I expect that though I’m stiff and sore from too much computer time, hard physical labor will feel good. I’ll get to remind myself of my yoga for gardening tips.
Vipariti Karani
I just finished day two of three of training in “Coaching and Mentoring for Excellence.” It’s at the OPM building, which is just a couple of blocks west of the White House. Given rush hour commuting traffic and where the building and my house are situated relative to mass transportation, it doesn’t take much more time to walk-especially if I jog intermittently-the just over three miles each way. (See posts on Facebook and Instagram to see photos). I also took a walk at lunch.
Sometimes–for those of us fortunate enough to have a safe comfortable space and be healthy and well-nourished–nothing suits like several intentional minutes in vipariti karani (legs up the wall pose). Time to relieve my feet and legs after all that walking on pavement, even with the right shoes; time to be still and quiet, after a day of interpersonal exercises with strangers.
Flying Carpet Yoga
I have been talking idly with the family at Woven History about having a yoga benefit for members of either local community or where Woven History trades who are in need. On a winter evening after closing hours, using the cushions and carpets for props. Here’s one pose I have in mind. You can also do this with bed pillows in a hotel or guest bedroom.
