Pre - Dawn

30.3.12

Stockholm, Sweden
"I don’t love studying, I hate studying. I like learning, learning is beautiful."     -Natalie Portman 
My routine is simple. I get up early, I practice, then go teach. I've received comments as to how crazy it is to get up as early as I do. I mean, it does sound crazy, but in the end, it gives more than it takes. Really, what am I missing? There seems to be a world of gain maintaining a daily morning (or pre-morning?) discipline. It's pure medicine. And yes, sometimes medicine that is hard to swallow when I feel too heavy to rise out of bed. But hear this, the energy and silent aliveness in the pre-dawn hour is hard to replicate compared to any other part of the day. I see why the yogis of old recommended this time for prayer, contemplation and meditation. In some ways the world is mine at this hour. Allll mine, haha! I absorb the steady strength, pulsating, giving generously, as I rub up against the static inertia of my mind. It's not easy, but somehow grace follows where tapas burns brightest. It doesn't take a special person to dedicate to practicing at this time, because the time itself is special.

Bakāsana to Vrksāsana




"If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path."    - Joseph Campbell



Happy Spring!

23.3.12

Östermalmtorg - Stockholm, Sweden

Right now, and in every now-moment, you are either closing or opening. You are either stressfully waiting for something - more money, security, affection - or you are living from your deep heart, opening as the entire moment, and giving what you most deeply desire to give, without waiting. ”   - David Deida


This past week the weather took a sharp turn. Warmer temps and sunshine! Spring feels believable. Approachable. Funny how easy it is to forget. I tend to get amnesia, especially with the extremes of light and dark in Sweden. When light, it feels like it couldn't possibly get dark again, and when dark, the Sun feels like a long lost friend. Through it all, I learn to appreciate the contrast. Or at the very least, I do my best.

Changes are coming, even within myself. I keep getting this nudge to get back to my creative roots. Yes, my roots! When young I was alway drawn to the arts. From the beginning we know who we are, and what we want out of life. I just took detour.

We can't run away from who we are. It's always waiting to be reborn.

Happy Spring!


Perspective


It's the weekend already, what?! Have a good one! 

Empty Mind

19.3.12



The empty mind - the pure mind - is not a blank, zero-land, where you’re not feeling or caring about anything. It’s an effulgence of the mind. It’s a brightness that is truly sensitive and accepting. It’s an ability to accept life as it is. When we accept life as it is, we can respond appropriately to the way we’re experiencing it, rather than just reacting out of fear and aversion.
Ajan Sumedho



WEEKend!

16.3.12

Taken in Mysore, India
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray."     
- Rumi


Hope everyone has a great weekend. Which has me thinking, I used to live for the weekend. Now, I see the importance of living what I love during the week-- finally after making changes to do what I enjoy. So much better than a race to the finish line, to then feel I can relax and enjoy. 

First They Ignore You

15.3.12


A great quote from Gandhi. In a world of spin, everyone has an opinion on everything. Seems easier to smatter at the mouth than to do something or simply lead by example. Fortunately, there are those who don't let it sway them. It's never easy, but has to be done. 

Discipline

14.3.12

Taken in Mysore, India


Let’s ask God to help us to self-controlfor one who lacks it, lacks His Grace.The undisciplined person doesn’t wrong himself alone–but sets fire to the whole world.Discipline enabled Heaven to be filled with light;discipline enabled the angels to be immaculate and holy…
- Rumi

Two words have popped into my awareness lately. Discipline and focus. When worked together in synergy, what an unbeatable combination. Miracles can happen. The practice has a way of refining this capacity. Through the rhythm of the sequence, Tristana, puts it all into perspective. Simplicity at it's best. Dristhe, Posture, Breath. 

Ashtanga Seated Postures - Names in Sanskrit & English



My Yogini

13.3.12


I'm in love. My niece! She could spin on her toes and I would think it's the greatest thing ever! Truth. 

The Happiness Advantage

12.3.12


Great talk!


Creating Lasting Positive Change

  • 3 Gratitudes
  • Journaling
  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Random Acts of Kindness

The Power of Empathy and Connection

11.3.12


Interesting . . . 

Unchartered

Taken in Mysore, India 

You sit here for days saying,
This is strange business.
You’re the strange business. You have the energy of the sun in you, but you keep knotting it up at the base of your spine.
You’re some weird kind of gold that wants to stay melted in the furnace, so you won’t have to become coins.


So don’t be timid.
Load the ship and set out.
No one knows for certain whether the vessel will sink or reach the harbor.
Just don’t be one of those merchants who won’t risk the ocean!


Work in the invisible world at least as hard as you do in the visible.


Keep walking, though there’s no place to get to. Don’t try to see through the distances. That’s not for human beings. Move within, but don’t move the way fear makes you move.


This talk is like stamping new coins. They pile up, while the real work is being done outside by someone digging in the ground.
- Rūmī

There is One Thing

10.3.12

Taken in Mysore, India
THERE IS ONE THING
There is one thing in this world which you must never forget to do.
If you forget everything else and not this, there is nothing to worry
about, but if you remember everything else and forget this, then you
will have done nothing in your life.
It is as if a king has sent you to some country to do a task, and you
perform a hundred other services, but no the one he sent you to do.
So human beings come to this world to do particular work. That
work is the purpose, and each is specific to the person. If you don’t
do it, it’s as though a knife of the finest tempering were nailed into a
wall to hang things on. For a penny an iron nail could be bought to
serve for that.
Remember the deep root of your being, the presence of your lord.
Give your life to the one who already owns your breath and your
moments. If you don’t, you will be like the one who takes a precious
dagger and hammers it into his kitchen wall for a peg to hold his
dipper gourd. You will be wasting valuable keenness and foolishly
ignoring your dignity and your purpose.
- Rumi

Frida Börjeson, Stockholm Photographer






Had the pleasure of shooting with a local photographer here in Stockholm, Frida Börjeson. Below are her links. Just wanted to give her a quick shout out!

www.fridaborjenson.se
www.fotofrida.se

On Enlightenment

Tim Miller


David Swenson 

Work Hard Stay Humble

9.3.12


As I Know It

Shala Road - Mysore, India 2012

Reality does not require your explanations.”   - Lama Wangdor


It's been a over a month since coming back from India. I have found a new appreciation for living and taking this practice out into the world, better said, into my life. In many ways it's a luxury to spend that long only content with practicing yoga. Going inward through the process of more intense practice has served me well. Although, sometimes I feel it a bit self-indulgent. I've discovered this gem inside that has the desire to emerge, to create, and to serve. Yoga practice is a tool, and when centered around those who lament about it too much tends to take a tole on me. Again, it's such a personal thing. The whispers in my ear may manifest differently than the person practicing next to me. We all have this personal journey to tread upon. We must choose to keep our focus there and not be pulled by outside distractions and/or idle talk. Everyone has an opinion about everything. Blahhdy blah blah! Is it this, or is it that? People say, this is right, this is wrong. This is nonsense - this, oh yes, this I approve of! At the end of all this talk I say, WHO CARES! 


I can post a video on Facebook, I can blog about whatever I'm feeling and someone will find fault with it, even without knowing the essence behind where it came from. I'm tired of fault finding, I just want to live, and be inspired to create whatever feels the need to bubble up inside, and to also connect and understand. We can never claim to know the full scope of the story. Why the judgement? Whenever I'm provoked or feel resistance toward something it gives rise to the opportunity to look inside and see, what's got my feathers so ruffled? Through that, I can stand in greater appreciation of the outer world. I don't need to deny anything. And, through this level of acceptance I am better apt to take action. It is  much easier to talk a good game or to even write about it. What are you doing today? This is what I need to ask myself moving forward. This I know for sure. 

The Power of Introverts!

8.3.12



“For instance, if a man ceases to take any concern in worldly matters, conceives a distaste for common pleasures, and appears sunk in depression, the doctor will say, “This is a case of melancholy, and requires such and such prescription. The physicist will say, “This is a dryness of the brain caused by hot weather and cannot be relieved till the air becomes moist.” The astrologer will attribute it to some particular conjunction or opposition of planets. “Thus far their wisdom reaches,” says the Koran. It does not occur to them that what has really happened is this: that the Almighty has a concern for the welfare of that man, and has therefore commanded His servants, the planets or the elements, to produce such a condition in him that he may turn away from the world to his Maker. The knowledge of this fact is a lustrous pearl from the ocean of inspirational knowledge, to which all other forms of knowledge are as islands in the sea.” 
-The Alchemy of Happiness, Imam Al-Ghazali

I really enjoyed listening to the above TED talk by Susan Cain, the author of the NYT Bestseller, "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking." I haven't officially started reading the book. However, I didn't waste time and downloaded it on my Kindle, haha.

She brought up some good points, and a few I can definitely relate to. I agree with her idea that we each reside on the spectrum, so to speak. Never being 100% one way or the other. I tend to dabble in both. By nature I'd say I'm an introvert. However, destiny has always put me in positions of extroversion. Today, I feel fairly comfortable in both worlds. There is so much to learn finding ease living in either realm. With that being said, times of solitude aren't something I shy away from and find it essential for growth, giving space to reflect and hone in on creative energies. It's a power source.

Growing up and being in certain sectors of the corporate world I have always been fascinated when being steady and quiet was often looked down upon. In many ways, the squeaky wheel, always got the grease. I think another thing most introverts have is, patience. There have been more than one example in my life, where sitting back, observing, while continuing on with the work, in the end, brought reward.

All in all, there is a season for everything. A time for being open and outward. A time for receding and reflecting. Dancing in both realties is a good thing. However, in our culture extroverts are more highly regarded in most cases. Which gives me pause, living in a country where people are naturally reserved. There tends to be more distrust in those who are overtly boisterous and demanding of attention. I find it has definitely taken affect on me. Instantly, when I am around Americans, I am always left wondering why are they talking so loud? Hahaha. I say this out of love. But it's true.


KONY 2012 - WATCH IT!



This film is 30 minutes in length, and sends a very important message. We live in uncertain as well as exciting times, and it's up to us.

www.kony2012.com
www.invisiblechildren.com

Ashtanga Yoga, Primary Series with Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois

6.3.12


There have been a few archived videos of KPJ released recently. I just love it. Don't know why, but these videos REALLY make me smile. :)))))
 

PEACE LOVE YOGA © All rights reserved · Theme by Blog Milk · Blogger