Author: Elizabeth

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    Cat’s Paw

    ByElizabeth

    This morning I was deep into my regular meditation when I felt the cat (whom I had not known was next to me) swat my shoulder.  He has been wanting much attention for the past couple of days, but he has never actually pawed me  the way some dogs do to get a petting.  I went back into my meditative space and then a couple of minutes later noticed my shoulder was itching.  Sully had tried to get a mosquito that was biting me.  Good kitty.

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    Waste Not, Want Not

    ByElizabeth

    As the child of Depression era parents, I was taught to use every bit of the food that we bought.   I was an impoverished scholarship student for the first eight years I lived on my own.  I also started paying attention to environmental issues early on; in high school, I worked to bring awareness of energy and water consumption and recycling in connection with the earliest Earth Days.  Having gotten into the habit of being resourceful and creative with food early on, I never got out of the habit–though many of my law school and better off friends thought I was weird or cheap.

    With the recession continuing (and only likely to deepen dreadfully for my lifetime given the tenor of the debt negotiations) and thankfully growing interest in being kinder to our environment, it is becoming fashionable to be more mindful of waste of any kind.  Here is a great article on how to savor more of your food and diminish your trash output (which, by the way, also lowers your carbon footprint.)

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    Under My Desk at the Office

    ByElizabeth

    There are three important things going on under my desk:
    (1) my feet are planted firmly on the floor with the inner edges of my feet parallel. This is the foundation of a good, comfortably upright posture where my low back, shoulders, and neck are in alignment and not overworking; my inner organs are in the right place for optimal functioning; and my lungs and diaphragm are situated for full, easy breathing, which helps me be healthier and more alert.
    (2) the only shoes for the day have flexible, supportive soles and leave my toes free to work–whether I am walking or sitting. I do not change into narrow-toed and/or high-heeled shoes to look “professional” or fashionable. I think if we try hard enough, we could make shoes that are good for us be in style. Think about how much we would reduce health care spending and lost work time (for foot, knee, and back surgeries and treatments), if we all wore shoes that fit and did not alter our posture in an unhealthy way. Eventually, foot binding when out of fashion in China, but we still require women (mostly) to harm themselves with their footwear to fit in.
    (3) I have two different-sized rubber balls to do foot exercises. Feels great, helps me stay grounded, and is a nice way to take a break.

    Come to one of my yoga classes to get tips on great exercises for the feet you can do at your desk or just about any where.

    Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

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    Signs Around Town (This One Temporary)

    ByElizabeth

    This is a quote on the wall at the Lewis Baltz exhibit at the National Gallery (closing July 31st).

    Where I travel, the landscape is often bustling or crowded or fine or grand–though much is spare like Judd’s. Some to love and some not so much. The relationships are perhaps both deep and complex at the level of mind and emotion. At the level of inner wisdom, illuminated by the light of consciousness (when I can maintain it with respect to those things external), though, it is exquisitely simple.

    Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

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    White Heat

    ByElizabeth

    By 8:30 this morning, the sky was already an engorged white, thick with heat and humidity. There is no prospect of a thunderstorm for relief. If any come, they will be to the south and east or north and west of the space inside the Beltway. (I am convinced that the pattern of storms parting and dissipating within the Beltway is due to the hot air generated within the Dome).

    I walked to work earlier than usual this morning and wore a sleeveless dress, sandals, and a sun hat. The co-worker who shared the elevator was wearing a suit, tie, dark socks, and heavy shoes. A few of the men are brave enough to wear short sleeves or go without the tie, but all are wearing long pants, close-toed shoes, and dark socks. In the cafeteria, people are picking out foods heavy with meat, fat, and sugar. The building is air-conditioned to a temperature for the comfort of those who neither dress nor eat for the weather. In the building, I am wearing a wool cardigan over my weather appropriate dress.

    Last year, in response to a call to government workers from the White House for ideas to save money, I suggested that the dress code be changed from “business” attire to seasonally appropriate attire (my sleeveless dress is long and plain and does not expose anything other than my arms; it is perfectly “appropriate” and not beach wear). That way, the temperature in government buildings could be raised a few degrees in summer and lowered in winter, saving millions of dollars in heating and cooling expenses, as well as helping the environment.

    It needs to be a policy to wear clothing right for the weather. If it is not policy, those who want to get ahead will continue to believe that there is no possibility of succeeding without wearing the suit and tie/lined skirt and jacket, pantyhose and heels. (Why is it that people believe that our brains focus better when our clothing is uncomfortable?)

    I did not get a response. The winner was someone who suggested storing their office’s records electronically–something that is gradually happening every where in any event.

    Being seasonally appropriate in our dress and diet can make an enormous difference in our comfort and in our impact on the environment. Same, too, for how we exercise. When it is over 90F, please do not crank up the air conditioning so that you can do a fiery practice. Instead, practice quieter poses. Concentrate on seated poses, cooling pranayama practices, and meditation. Enjoy the invitation to stillness and the fact that by virtue of the heat, you are already warmed up.

    Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

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    More Spam Poetry (how practice leads us to the expansive light of Consciousness)

    ByElizabeth

    Hello Guru, what entice you to post an article. This article was extremely interesting,  especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.

    isn’t crucial, at the least possibly not from the outset, in addition to awareness

    Everything is very open

    I think it’s essential for other to do this. I’m sure it will guide them in doing the right thing.

    I heard about that last week. I just want to check if this thing is real. It’s just like with the politics in our world

    not a problem. not as long stride when the untrained man or women will try

    It is lovely worth sufficient for me.

    It goes without saying I will be back again tomorrow,