Slow and Steady

15.2.09

Infinite patience is the only thing that gets immediate results.

~ A Course in Miracles




Through repetition, the magic is forced to rise.

~ Alchemical Principle




Mastery is achieved through repetition and practice.

~ Amazing Grace, by David Wolfe & Nick Good




Awareness without action is not nearly as powerful as awareness with action

~ Amazing Grace, by David Wolfe & Nick Good



During one of our weekly conferences, with Sharath, he stressed the importance of navigating through the practice slowly and consistently...releasing all ambition. As I took pause, it reminded me of the story regarding the tortoise and the hare. One, slow and steady, the other, fast and furious. Well, we know how the story ends...

In the beginning, it seems only natural to come to the mat with added zest and zeal...for everything is new. However, there comes a time when the newness wares off, the high, if you will, tapers, and then, the real work begins. We must journey through pain, soreness, boredom, apathy, and struggles, while maintaining the daily discipline. Through the highs and lows, it becomes about bringing one back to center, to equanimity, versus merely obsessing about asana. Can I focus on my breath? Can I connect internally as I flow externally with my body? Once we address these questions, the external expressions of the breath, the asana, unfold naturally. Our mind becomes centered. Outer circumstances become less agitating. The power they hold over us lessens.

Slow and steady. Sharath stressed the importance of committing to the practice for the long term. I loved how he stated that we aren't yogis yet, we are merely yoga practitioners. So true. For, when a yogi, there are years, upon years of solid experiential practice and study behind us. Truly, I'm only at the very beginning of this fascinating journey that never ceases to astound and challenge, in a way, that is beyond words...because it is simply about the daily practice. As our awareness deepens the essence of yoga fills our being and manifests into our daily lives. Can I stay present while washing the dishes? Can I find peace in times of struggle and turmoil? Questions that become apparent off the yoga mat.

I've found that when I slow down, things have a way of speeding up...magically. Instances where I've accepted the fact a certain asana possibly won't happen in this life, I've continued to show up daily...bringing it back to my breath...back to the present moment. Slow and steady. To then, as if by Grace, lift up or enter into an asana as if I've had it all along. Strange and fascinating how that happens.

In a world where instant gratification reigns supreme. Isn't it is wise we take pause from time to time? Checking in. Centering and listening to our higher calling. In a crazy, fast paced world, it is even more essential that we do so.

The Truth of who we are will never be found on the outside, even though we may be pulled in a million directions. Unplug to plug inward. Slow down. Practice. It becomes that simple. There is no destination point. There is only here. There is only now.

Moving forward, I will take what Sharath says to heart. If I am to commit to the practice for a lifetime there is really no need to rush. I'd rather become a connoisseur of each movement instead of merely skimming the surface. And, like my dear friend Tiffany says..."If I'm not gonna go deep, then what's the point."

True that, girlfriend. True that.

Reconnected

10.2.09



Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them--a desire, a dream, vision.

~ Muhammad Ali



Wow. Okay...so finally I'm plugged in and connected. After two months in India, and starting my 3rd, I've finally managed reliable internet in my place of residence. Things don't necessarily come very fast here, that's for sure.

I've missed blogging...but also, I feel it's good to take a break from time to time.

My trip so far has been filled with trails and tribulations, insights, emotional breakdowns and breakthroughs, unexpected surprises and connections, and as always, lots of laughs. For it all, I feel blessed and grateful for what the months have brought into my life. All we have to do is stand in awareness, look around, listen...for, life has a way of unfolding and teaching many things if we allow the lesson to be taught. In the end, it brings us to greater growth and understanding...which makes for exciting developments when we can stand firmly entrenched into the realness of who we are and realize the strength we embody.

So...finally, I'm back to blogging regularly. I think I have much to say and express. Bear with me...we're in for an interesting ride...

Transmutation



The greater the difficulty the more glory surrounding it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests."

~ Epictetus






Transmutation
- (the definition) - the action of changing or the state of being changed into another form.


After a week of being slammed...seriously...feeling like I've been wrung out on every possible level, I made my way to the shala for lead 2nd. While I waited on the steps I sat next to a fellow yogi and sighed...

"What a week," I said. There's been a whole lot of shifting going on, I can tell you that."

"Yeah. I know. I'm transforming...but I have no idea into what"...he told me.

I smiled and laughed.

True. So very true.

Amusing. We sign up for this challenging practice. So much changes, if you allow it. So much bubbles to the surface. Sometimes life has a way of slapping you in the face. Sometimes things happen when you least expect it. Exciting and scary. A mixture wrapped up into one.

Someone who has become one of my dearest friends told me...If you're not gonna go deep, then what's the point.

True. So very true.

Going deep on every level of existence. Being present with what is right before you. Maybe there's more to simply living in the moment. But also, loving it too. Embracing everything. Yeah, a challenging thing to sign up for. Can't say I'm totally there.

The more I enter inside during practice a state of Grace fills every cell of my body...as if I'm being lit up by an unknown force while at the same time feeling as if it's the most familiar place to be. The exhilaration. The wave of movement. With each breath my soul expands.

Nothing becomes more real than That.

Nothing.

And so the story goes...as I step through the fire of existence who knows what will become of me. But, what I do know is that nothing can hurt me when I enter into That space...

Nothing.

Mystery

9.2.09

The answer is never the answer. What's really interesting is the mystery. If you seek the mystery instead of the answer, you'll always be seeking. I've never seen anybody really find the answer--they think they have, so they stop thinking. But the job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in which strange plants grow and mysteries bloom. The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer.

~ Ken Kesey


Ok. Haven't blogged in a while. Stay tuned...Will be posting regularly soon. All I can say is India has a way of spinning the karmic wheel on an accelerated scale. I agree with this wholeheartedly, coming from a friend of mine.

Good, bad, ugly or indifferent, looking at your own stuff straight on, is an awesome process.

It doesn't get much better than that.
 

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