PEACE LOVE YOGA: David and Stan

Burnt To Ash

"All Inquiry is meant for one purpose; to take you experientially into the unknown as efficiently as possible. Once you get there, simply be still because inquiry has delivered you to its destination. The rest is up to Grace. Do not hold onto any knowledge that comes your way. Even the greatest revelations much not be clung to, or you will end up with a head full of memories and a heart empty of substance. The truth is ever new, existing only in the now. The highest truth is beyond knowledge and experience. It is beyond time and space, and beyond beingness, consciousness, and oneness. Just remember that all direct path techniques are meant simply to undermine, to cut away, the one who is performing them. No matter what spiritual path you've walked or what teachings you've followed, they must lead you back to no path and no teaching. A true teaching is like a blazing fire that consumes the itself. The teaching must not only consume you, but consume itself as well. All must be burned to ash, and then the ash must be burned. The, and only then, is the Ultimate realized. True Enlightenment destroys enlightenment. As long as you can refer back to yourself and say, 'I'm enlightened', you not. Enlightenment is authentic only when there is no one left to be enlightened. Even to say 'I am nobody', is one too many. There's a point when you intuitively realize that to be Free you have to give up your attachment to Freedom. You have to quit asking yourself: Is it still there? Am I okay? You have to decide to never look over your shoulder again to see if you're free or if others know you're free. You just have to let yourself burn there - no matter what. This isn't something I can help you with. I can tell you what you need to do, but you have to do it. In the beginning, teachers can help a lot. But the deeper you go, all they can do is point, and clarify, and tell you what you need to do. Only you can take this step. Nobody can push you in to this place."

- Adyashanti

No Expectations

A spirit that lives in this world

and does not wear the shirt of love,

such an existence is a deep disgrace.

Be foolishly in love,

because love is all there is.

There is no way into presence

except through a love exchange.

If someone asks, But what is love?

answer, Dissolving the will.

True freedom comes to those

who have escaped the questions

of freewill and fate.

Love is an emperor.

The two worlds play across him.

He barely notices their tumbling game.

Love and lover live in eternity.

Other desires are substitutes

for that way of being.

How long do you lay embracing a corpse?

Love rather the soul, which cannot be held.

Anything born in spring dies in the fall,

but love is not seasonal.

With wine pressed from grapes,

expect a hangover.

But this love path has no expectations.

You are uneasy riding the body?

Dismount. Travel lighter.

Wings will be given.

Be clear like a mirror

reflecting nothing.

Be clean of pictures and the worry

that comes with images.

Gaze into what is not ashamed

or afraid of any truth.

Contain all human faces in your own

without any judgement of them.

Be pure emptiness.

What is inside that? you ask.

Silence is all I can say.

Lovers have some secrets

that they keep.

(Rumi)

8.3.10

(Picture by Vera Simoes)

One of the best things about making the trip to Mysore is the people you meet. I can't think of a better fringe benefit. It truly is a community. A tribe, if you will. We breath together. We sweat together. We share a transformational practice together. Often the journey yoga takes one on can feel like a solitary endeavor, and connecting with other practitioners simply adds to the whole experience of deepening while in the shala. The vibrancy and contrast of personalities I've come in contact with has only added color to my life. It's a special thing, words cannot express.

I must share this beautiful couple above. David and Stan (Yes, her name is Stan, love it!). From Toronto, Canada, and soon expecting a baby, I had the pleasure of getting to know them while in India.

Stan is a highly gifted and talented writer. She hosts a blog at, missstan.com. Witty, fun, and insightful, whenever you get a chance check it out. I'll be adding her to my blogroll, as well.

David is a phenomenal and inspiring practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. An authorized teacher, he is one of the few who has more than 80 students roll into his Mysore class on a daily basis, and it's growing! It's a true testament to his commitment, and dedication in creating such a community in the heart of Toronto. Whenever in the area I couldn't think of a better place to practice. Visit their website at, ashtangatoronto.com.

What a pleasure it's been meeting you two! Many blessings!

3 Insightful Comments:

Stan said...: Laruga, you just made our little hearts go pitter patter! We were both so overwhelmed this morning when we read your post. Thank you for being so sweet. We miss you and David here a lot. Actually, I think many people are really missing your bright smiles and beautiful faces. I hope we can reconnect this September for a short visit in your new hometown. Much love, stan & dr; March 10, 2010 at 6:16 AM
11p. said...: I love your blog! I would like to come once to Mysore!
all the best to you! denise; March 10, 2010 at 6:31 AM
peaceloveyoga said...: @ Stan - I would absolutely LOVE to see you and David in Stockholm! Woo hoo!

@ denise - thank you! If you decide to go to Mysore let me know! xoxo; March 10, 2010 at 3:18 PM

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David and Stan

8.3.10

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