yogic reflections
Like the heart which beats in each of our chests, the Cosmic Mother's heart beats the multi-verse into existence. This universe but one, great, vast, deep exhale into expansion that eventually, as with all breath, will inhale and return home. The place where, deep within, we all long to return and know, for what is home but LOVE and what is God but LOVE and what is creation but LOVE expressing in infinite values of cosmic Self. Each of us an individuated point of consciousness interconnected with all other in the great, mysterious web of Life.
Karmic Liberation
one born into extreme luxury may appear to have “good karma” to an outsider, but what is really challenging them may not be defined by privilege and wealth and they may have an even harder time discerning what is Truth, what abundance truly means and may have to work much harder to discover the hidden layers of their subconscious, their samskaras and karma.
reprogram your mind
Where does your mind exist? Have you ever wondered? Does it live inside your brain? Where do thoughts come from? Questions which few of us stop to ask ourselves for we are too busy being completely identified with the thinking mind, claiming every thought as our own, that we never stop to wonder... whose thoughts am I really thinking?
The Guru is in Everyone
In yoga, as with any great spiritual teaching, we learn that the most valuable and profound lesson is to know who we are in Truth ~ or, Self-realization. In Sanskrit the true Self is ‘Saakshaat’ and referred to as one’s ultimate guru to seek, for it is when we connect with that truest part of ourselves that all darkness, as the ‘illusory’ self, or ego-self, is dispelled. As long as we remain identified with the ego as who we think we are, then we remain trapped within the constant fear-based struggles of the ego-mind, or ‘Ahamkara’ in Sanskrit. The ego knows no peace and is constantly either seeking pleasure or avoiding pain.
Temples of Light
A soul-seeking journey begins with an honest, earnest seeking, knowing that the answers will be given in even the subtlest clues, guided by Spirit along the way to discovering what it is we wish to know. We may travel to the other side of the world, pilgrimage to sacred sites and great temples, seek out a cabin in the woods, or venture into the jungle to connect, but always, when we are searching for the answers to life’s biggest questions, we are ultimately, always journeying into the temple within.
yoga of the soul
Patanjali’s yoga sutras opens with “yoga citta vritti nirodha,” meaning, “unified consciousness comes with cessation of thoughts.” Yoga and meditation are inextricably linked for while the yoga prepares the body to sit in stillness, it is only through stilling the mind that the depth of Spirit may enter and manifest in this divine, personal temple. The mind can connect you with soul or it can keep you deeply attached to ego, to personality and who you “think” you are ~ the choice belongs to each of us.
yogi me this...
However, once we begin a spiritual path and detoxify the mind, transformation occurs spontaneously and life unfolds synchronistically. One can either exist in living the dharma, or their karma, but not both. So, by choosing the path of dharma ~ by learning and understanding that we all have dharma to live and fulfill, we grow spiritually and therefore, evolve.
In yoga, we unlearn more than we learn and realize that:
knowing is different that thinking,
wisdom is different than intellect,
and that power is different than force.
yoga as prayer
Yoga offers infinite potential and access to many dimensional experiences, one of which is to be a form of prayer. Spirit comes from the Latin “Spiritus”, meaning breath. In every day life and every time we step on our mat, we breathe… and every time we breathe, Spirit is moving in, out and through us.
The Art of Sadhana (Copy)
Sadhana is a daily spiritual practice that is cultivated over time. It can also be translated as “realization” for within the concept is the understanding that this as an art of true devotion to the path of self-realization that is known as yoga.Sadhana represents a disciplined surrendering of the ego. Getting into daily practice is part of the yogi's journey and the beginnings of a daily devotional Sadhana practise.
Vichara Yoga
In the same way that various asana practices strengthen the body, the ancient yogic practise of vichara prepares the yogi to meet their Soul. Vichara is the practice of self-inquiry that opens the seeker up to the truth from within; of remembering who we are as an embodied Soul; it is a yoga that calls us to the shadow work necessary to burn away the karma and accumulated layers of maya in false identity, attachment and delusions of the “small self”.
wrapped up in malas
on our mats, sometimes we weep
We are taught early on in our yoga practise that the most important act of yoga is showing up. It is after all why we are here. We - our spiritual essence of soul and being - has shown up on Earth for the medicine of being human. As yogis, we show up on our mats to remember and connect with all that we are.
the tunnel is the illusion
sometimes we have to stop. sometimes we have to let go of everything to discover who we really are.. “sometimes” is every time and the only way down the rabbit hole is through a place where bullshit and baggage don’t fit. it’s the moment you realize the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t the illusion -
The Art of Allowing the Present Moment
"Where do I find this powerful now?" is probably the most common question and of course, the greatest irony for it never leaves you. Every time you choose to be with it, it is there with you.
Practice the pause
It was only a moment or so ago, perhaps 4000 years ago in Ancient Egypt where Turkey Tail was revered as the “Plant of Immortality” - second to none except perhaps Reishi at times. However, mushrooms aren’t competitive and work best in communities as they harmonize and enhance each other's healing powers.
Meditation ~ to heal...
You can focus on your breath, a constant noise in the background, such as a river or the air conditioning, or even the tip of your nose. It does not matter what you focus on, what matters is that you do.