Wild Woman Archetype

I had heard the author of "Women Who Run With the Wolves," Clarissa Pinkola Estés, speak on several podcasts and always found myself pulled into her talks like a rip curl pulling one out to sea, but never picked up one of her written works. The best way to describe her is being a women of innate wisdom, who also dances in the great mystery. Graceful, light, ultimately powerful. Recently, I struck up a conversation with an acquaintance who spoke highly of her most famous book and how moving it was. Being a book lover myself it motivated me to read it and already I am preparing myself to go on a great journey.

Myth and story has a way of igniting not only the mind but the heart. Think about it, before the written word, wisdom was passed down through oral traditions. Not only do they carry illuminating wisdom but energy. Carrying the energy of each person who has passed these great stories along.

"A woman's issues of soul cannot be treated by carving her into a more acceptable form as defined by an unconscious culture, nor can she be bent into a more intellectually acceptable shape by those who claim to be the sole bearers of consciousness. No, that is what has already caused millions of women who began as strong and natural powers to become outsiders in their own cultures. Instead, the goal must be the retrieval and succor of women's beauteous and natural psychic forms. 

Fairy tales, myths, and stories provide understandings which sharpen our sight so that we can pick out and pick up the path left by the wildish nature. The instruction found in story reassures us that the path has not run out, but still leads women deeper, and more deeply still, into their own knowing. The tracks we all are following are those of the wild and innate instinctual Self. "

(Clarissa Pinkola Estés, "Women Who Run With the Wolves.") 

Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity

"Through meditation one realizes the unbounded. That which is unbounded is happy. There is no happiness in the small."

(Upanishads)

I've been coming across loads of great books lately. This book, Catching The Big Fish, by critically acclaimed filmmaker, David Lynch, came as a gift just at the appropriate time. An early Christmas present. The connection with consciousness and creativity is a topic which holds fascination for me. His tool to find the connection is through TM Meditation, otherwise known as, Transcendental Meditation. David Lynch, explains his process with letting go to then allow more compelling ideas to flow into his awareness. I have really appreciated his candor and openness in regards to his process. Worth checking out if tapping into your inherent creativity is something that speaks to you.

Cultivating Peace

"Contemporary science tells us we are designed for peace and that our health and longevity depend on it. In fact, our survival as a species requires that we end our investments in war and direct our attention toward solving our many looming challenges. The worldviews that have promoted excessive competition, environmental degradation, increased social inequity, religious bigotry, and perhaps widespread systemic collapse are clearly not adequate to the optimal evolution of our species." 

 - James O'Dea, Cultivating Peace

Peace is the REAL game changer. 

I love this. In this day and age we are inundated with images of what is going wrong. However, we then miss all that is going right. The people who have made it their life's work to bring people together, building bridges instead of destroying them, creating networks, exemplifying their gentle powerful humanity, are the unsung heros of our day. I look to those for inspiration. No, unfortunately they don't make the news. Where media outlets thrive on exploitation, we must not forget this is only a small fragment of reality. The hour may feel dark, but let's not forget, all is not lost, and in the end, it is us we must look to for salvation. It is in our heartfelt connection with each other pacifying our prejudices within ourselves and finding the truth behind the veil, that will heal the wounds of our time. 

How then? 

There is so much that can be done, but first it has to begin within us. There is much work to be done within myself. I know this. Shedding the layers of discontentment, working through my own junk, is an important step to make. However, it can't always be about my own process and pain. Whenever, I live in service it puts a multitude into perspective. It heals. When and how can I add value to a situation instead of taking? Important questions. 

Delving into the above book has ignited and energized me on another level. This is not fluff. It asks hard questions and brings striking realizations to the table. It isn't necessarily about being against something but rather being for the values and attributes of peace. It's a practice. Simply naming yourself as an ambassador of peace isn't enough. It isn't about avoiding conflict but rather being comfortable in the mist of it, finding common ground, and ultimately the cord that connects us all.

Do I recommend this book? YES. O'Dea pushes us to be the change we seek. 

Light On Life

It's been a long time coming. I finally picked up the book "Light on Life," by B.K.S. Iyengar, and it's a book not to be missed. Maybe most of you out there have already read it. I could be one of the last to pick it up, haha.

I love the purity and power of Iyengar's writing. Simple and straight forward, which seems to be the natural way, when communicating to the masses, with as many years of experience as he has. With utmost clarity, you feel his decades of experience and wisdom cultivated through experiential practice. He has lived and tasted everything he writes. You can feel it.

Though, I have never met Iyengar, through his writing, something tells me he is as sharp as a tack, and as active as ever, at the ripe age of 93. I would love to see him in action. Even though I don't practice his method, I'm still very much intrigued by the measure of this man. Everything he speaks of translates to whatever yoga practice you may follow. Having the same teacher as Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, I feel the Iyengar method is on the other side of the same coin as Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga.

Everything he writes correlates. The internal relationship to yoga ultimately is the same, with varying shades of color.

I'm loving every word.

The Bowl Of Light

I love books. Seriously, I have a book addiction. Even when I tell myself, okay, no more book buying, I find something that piques my interest. It's endless. Better yet, is when the books I buy are intriguing, insightful and thought provoking. Makes it worth the purchase. Doesn't really matter from what genre. I wanna be stretched, enlightened, and to feel more human through the books I read. The most recent, the above, The Bowl of Light, by Hank Wessleman. A book that delves into the life of a well known Kahuna, or holy man, shaman, from the indigenous culture of Hawai'i.

I came away from this book affirmed the indigenous people of our world are truly the store houses of lost wisdom in our supposed modern age. Motivated by this ancient wisdom, and the way of life living in balance with the Earth, seeing it as a holy temple, while connected to the energies and elements of the unseen world, hold great fascination for me. I find it interesting how through the course of our lives and learning, we are pulled out of this wisdom passed down through the ages. Not only that, but the wisdom we inherently share inside ourselves. I think many feel called to reach back, while getting in touch with what has been lost, or maybe not lost, but what we have forgotten. 

If curious about another perspective, The Bowl of Light, is a heartfelt story of Hank's relationship with a Kanhuna, who taught him more than he could have imagined he would, when first encountering him. It gives hope, but in many ways, it woke me up to the power we hold within our very being and the mysteries that hold it together.

Karma: a novel

"The rape, the unpredictability of the drugs, the thirst, starvation, and isolation had to be a method to break me,. I tried to remain strong emotionally, and tired to encourage myself. I tried to adhere to the main objective of staying alive. I replaced the tape on the window, and then dealt with the darkness." (excerpt from Karma, by Nacy Deville)

This is a book that's extremely hard to talk about, but is one that has rocked me to my very core. Even though a fiction it isn't faraway from the truth when it comes to the plight of those who find themselves trapped in the world of human trafficking. Hard to believe this STILL goes on in this day and age. Affirms that we have a long way to go in this world. I finished this book several weeks ago and it still haunts me to this day. The reason? Well for one, the author doesn't hold back. Not at all. She lays it all out, and well, some of the scenes in the book were hard to take. The book centers around a woman being abducted and forced into this dark underground world. A few times I had to put it down and take a break. Nonetheless, I got through it and glad I did. Read it. I really can't say more. If anything, it will raise your awareness around human trafficking. We can no longer live in a world where it is accepted to use living beings, human or otherwise, as a commodity for our own selfish needs. 

Grace

"Grace lubricates your way, smooths it out and makes it easy, speeds it up. It's like having ball bearings instead of wagon wheels. It's like having the wind fill your sails or walking down hill. It's like perfumed air, the subtle smell of spring. Obstacles are reduced to a manageable scale. The way to God is grace-full. Grace has humor too, making things lighter, so we don't take them so seriously. You're aware of the spiritual meaning and perspective on your life, but it's a light touch; it's not heavy. Grace makes it lighthearted, the heart full of light."

- Excerpt from Be Love Now: The Path of the Heart. Ram Dass, Rameshwar Das

Be Love Now

So I came across Ram Dass's latest book while in India, Be Love Now, The Path of the Heart. Yeah, I know what you're saying. Do I really need another self-help book? Hahaha. I hear you. No worries. No self-help here, this book is more of a spiritual memoir, colored by Ram Dass's experiential journey, amplified by his relationship with his guru, his spiritual teacher, Maharaj-ji.

I found myself hanging on to every word written. He has a way of giving real life images of what it's like to live in the heart, what it means, how it feels, how through bahkti (devotion) we reach the vehicle toward higher states. Or more simply put, living in Love. It's not pie in the sky stuff, no, it's tangible. When reading, I couldn't help but feel far away from living in this state of constant love, but at the same time, inspired by what it means. Inspired by this man, Maharj-ji, who in turn, inspired many known in the spiritual world today. 

It's so simple, yet the biggest challenge in our lives, unraveling the constructs of the ego, allowing the flow of love to emanate. Let go. Let go. Let go some more. Seems to be a constant theme everywhere I look.

In the West, Guru, often has negative connotations to it. While, in India, having a Guru is the most natural thing in the world. The life of the soul, surrendering, living in the world of God is a way of life. Seen everywhere you go. In every rickshaw, in every restaurant, in shops, represented in numerous temples dotting the entire country. It's a land inspired by God. Inspired by life beyond this reality.

So the long and short of it is, I recommend this book. It touches where it counts. The heart.

Ram Dass

 Neem Karoli Baba

"Maharaj-ji"

"Imagine feeling more love from someone than you have ever known. You're being loved even more than your mother loved you when you were an infant, more than you were ever loved by your father, your child, or your most intimate lover - anyone. This lover doesn't need anything from you, isn't looking for personal gratification, and only wants your complete fulfillment.

You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing. You don't have to do anything to earn it. Your shortcomings, your lack of self-esteem, physical perfection, or social and economic success - none of that matters. No one can take this love away from you, and it will always be here. 

Imagine that being in this love is like relaxing endlessly into a warm bath that surrounds and supports your every movement, so that every thought and feeling is permeated by it. You feel as though you are dissolving into love. 

This love is actually part of you; it is always flowing through you. It's like the subatomic texture of the universe, the dark matter that connects everything. When you turn in to that flow, you will feel it in your own heart - not your physical heart or your emotional heart, but your spiritual heart, the place you point to in your chest when you say, "I am."

This is your deeper heart intuitive heart. It is the place where the higher mind, pure awareness, the subtler emotions, and your soul identity all come together and you connect to the universe, where presence and love are. 

Unconditional love really exits in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It is not so much an active emotion as a state of being. It's just sitting in love, a love that incorporates the chair and the room and permeates everything around. The thinking mind is extinguished in love.

If I go into the place in myself that is love and you go in to the place in yourself that is love, we are together love. Then you and I are truly in love, the state of being love. That's the entrance of Oneness. That's the space I entered when I met my guru."

-Ram Dass, Be Love Now: The Path of the Heart

Samsakaras

"Life without tapas is like a heart without love."      - BKS Iyengar

Samsakaras. If you've been practicing yoga for some amount of time you've probably become familiar with the term. It's often thrown around here and there. The ingrained patterns that control our lives, and shape our destiny. Thankfully, yoga and other practices can assist us in making steps toward freedom, and through Grace and learning, we no longer need to be controlled by our Samskaras.

I've been wanting to write about Samskaras for a while now, but can't really say I'm fully equipped to give a full account of them. Although, I've had plenty of personal experience! Those crazy loops we find ourselves in from time to time are enough to drive us mad. No doubt. Recently I came across the following book titled, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, by Michael A. Singer, and was instantly taken with his explanation of Samskara. Below, I extracted excerpts from the book. Take a look if you want to learn more!

"The heart controls the energy flow by opening and closing. This means that the heart, like a valve, can either allow the flow of energy to pass through, or it can restrict the flow of energy from passing through. If you observe your heart, you know very well what it feels like when it's open and what it feels like when it's closed. In fact, the state of your heart changes quite regularly. You can be experiencing great feelings of love while in the presence of someone, until they say something you don't like. Then your heart closes toward them, and you simply don't feel the love anymore. We have all experienced this, but what exactly is causing it? Since we all have to experience the heart, we might as well understand what's going on in there." 

"... It is not easy to keep energy together in one place for long. As you willfully struggle to keep these events from passing through your consciousness, the energy first tries to release by manifesting through the mind. This is why the mind becomes so active. When the energy can't make it through the mind because of he conflicts with other thoughts and mental concepts, it then tries to release through the heart. That is what creates all the emotional activity. When you resist even that release, the energy gets packed up and forced into deep storage within the heart. In the yogic tradition, that unfinished energy pattern is called Samskara. This is a Sanskrit work meaning "impression," and in the yogic teachings it is considered one of the most important influences affecting your life. A Samskara is a blockage, an impression from the past. It's an unfinished energy pattern that ends up running your life."

Here Singer further explains the energetic component centered around Samskara.

"In order to understand this, let's first take an in-depth look at the physics behind these blocked energy patterns. Just like energy waves, the energy that comes into you must keep moving. But that doesn't mean it can't get blocked within you. There is a way that the energy can both keep moving and stay in one place - and that is to circle around itself to create a stable unit. That's why energy manifesting as an atom forms the basic building block of this entire physical universe. Energy cycles around itself, and as we've discovered, atoms have enough harnessed energy to blow up the world when that energy is released. But unless forced otherwise, the energy will stay harnessed because of its equilibrium state.

This process of cycling energy is exactly what happens with a Samskara. A Samskara is a cycle of stored past energy patterns in a state of relative equilibrium. It is your resistance to experiencing these patterns that causes the energy to keep cycling around itself. There is no other place for it to go. You won't let it. This is how most people process their issues. This packet of cycling energy is literally stored in your energetic heart center. All the Samskaras you have collected over your life are stored there.

... Everyone of the Samskaras that you've stored is still there. Everything that did not make it through you, from the time you were a baby all the way to this moment, is still inside of you. It is these impressions, these Samskaras, that encrust the valve of the spiritual heart. That encrustation builds up and restricts the energy flow."

Below he further explains Samskara and the connection to the heart.

"Now that we understand where the blockages within the heart come from, we have answered the structural question of how the heart gets blocked. You can certainly see the potential for impressions to build up to the point where very little energy can make it through. If they build up sufficiently, you will find yourself in a state of depression. In that state, all becomes dark. This is because very little energy is coming into your heart or mind. Eventually, everything appears negative because the world of the senses must pass through this depressed energy before it gets to your consciousness.

But even if you aren't prone to depression, your heart still gets blocked over time. It just builds up. It doesn't always stay blocked, however. Depending upon life's experiences, it can open and close quit frequently. This leads us to our next question: What is the cause of these frequent changes in the state of the heart? If you watch carefully, you will see it is related to the same stored past impressions that caused the blockages.

The stored energy patterns are real. A Samskara is actually programmed with the specific details of the event that could not pass through. If you experience jealousy because you thought you saw your girlfriend hugging someone in a car, very detailed data about that event is stored in the Samskara. It has that event's vibration, it has that event's nature, and it even retains your level of sensitivity about the event.

... The point is that past impressions do get stimulated, even old ones, and they affect your life. Sensory inputs from today's events dig through all the stuff you have stored through the years, and they restore the exact past patterns associated with the incoming events. When a Samskara is stimulated, it opens life a flower and begins to release the stored energy. Suddenly, flashes of what you experienced when the original even took place rush into your consciousness - the thoughts, the feelings, sometimes even the smells and other sensory input. The Samskara can store a complete snapshot of the event. It is way beyond any computer storage system created by human beings. It can archive everything you were feeling, everything you were thinking, and everything that was happening surrounding the event. All this information is stored into a tiny energy bubble within your heart. Years later it gets stimulated, and instantly you are experience the feelings you felt in the past. You can actually feel the fears and the insecurity of a five-year-old when you're sixty. What is happening is that unfinished mental and emotional energy patterns are getting stored and reactivated.

But it is just as important to realize that most of what you take in does not get blocked; it makes it right through you. Imagine how many things you see all day. They're not all stored like that. Of all these impressions, the only ones that get blocked are those that cause either problems or some extraordinary sense of enjoyment. Yes, you store positive impressions too. When a wonderful experience happens to you, it doesn't make it doesn't make it through because you cling to it. Clinging means "I don't want this one to go away. He told me he loved me and I felt so loved and protected. I want to keep reliving that moment. Play it back for me over and over again ..." Clinging creates positive Samskaras, and when these  are stimulated, they release positive energy. Hence two kinds of experiences can occur that block your heart. You are either trying to push energies close because you like them. In both cases, you are not letting them pass, and you are wasting precious energy blocking the flow through resisting and clinging."

What we can do to clear our blockages.

"The alternative is to enjoy life instead of clinging to it or pushing it away. If you can live like that, each moment will change you. If you are willing to experience that gift of life instead of fighting with it, you will be moved to the depth of your being. When you reach this state, you will begin to see the secrets of the heart. The heart is the place through which energy flows to sustain you. This energy inspires you and raises you. It is the strength that carries you through life. It is the beautiful experience of love that pours through your whole being. This is meant to be going on inside you at all times. The highest state you have ever experienced is simply the result of how open you were. If you don't close, it can be like that all the time. Don't sell yourself short. This can go on all the time - unending inspiration, unending love, and unending openness. That is the natural state of a healthy heart.

... So, you have a choice: Do you want to try to change the world so it doesn't disturb your Samskaras, or are you willing to go through this process of purification? Don't make decisions based on stimulated blockages. Learn to be centered enough to just watch this stuff come up. Once you sit deeply enough inside to stop fighting the stored energy patterns, they'll come up constantly and pass right through you. They'll come up during the day and they'll even come up in your dreams. Your heart will become accustomed to the process of releasing and cleansing. Just let it all happen. Get it over with. Don't process them one by one; that's too slow. Stay centered behind them and let go. Just like the physical body purges bacteria and other foreign matter, the natural flow of your energy will purge the stored patterns from your heart.

Your reward is a permanently open heart. There is no ore valve. You live in love, and it feeds you and strengthens you. That is an open heart. That is the instrument of the heart as it was meant to be. Allow yourself to experience every note the heart can play. If you relax and release, this purification of your heart is a wonderful thing."

Excerpts from the following book:
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation

Many of you have heard about my experiences with the liver and gallbladder cleanses. Following the guidelines of Andreas Moritz and totally blown away by the results of his recommendations I was then inspired to browse his other highly recommended book. A wealth of information, I especially appreciated the chapter on living in tune with the bio rhythms of the earth. It's fascinating, and a true testament to how our bodies naturally want to be healthy and in state of homeostasis.

No. He isn't a physician which in a way comforts me, especially when he has found his way to radiant health while previously suffering from ill health. When it comes to health I always look to the author as an example, and he truly is. It has to be an experiential experience. I've already been experimenting with some of his recommendations when comes to my daily routine and it's been wonderful. Prevention is key, and why not do little things to keep everything in check? It's like having my own health insurance in a way. It's really good stuff!!!

Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation

A Portrait

Celebrating my birthday last Saturday, one of my gifts included the inspirational book, Guruji: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students (Thanks DF). I've known about it for some time and had been looking forward to it's release, and let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. I'm hanging onto every word like a life raft - loving every story told in the book.

Though my time with Guruji was brief, I can identify with how life changing being in his presence was. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is connected to the practice of Ashtanga yoga in any way. It's amazing how alive he's living in all of our hearts. Through his tireless energy and devotion, and of course his passion for yoga, he touched the world with love and enthusiasm.

In this book you'll intimately experience all that he gave.

Thank you Guy Donahaye, and Eddie Stern for compiling the stories.

Thank you Guruji. ♥

Long Walk to Freedom

My next read, is the Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom. I've had a craving for reading about and/or being inspired by those who have really done something with their lives. I know, I'm about to go on a rant, but I'm completely tired of people being famous for being famous having really done nothing, hence ... being famous. What's happened to all the champions of spirit out there!!!? Why are we inundated with petty silliness in the media constantly. Why are we fed more things to fear versus being moved my fearlessness?

Who are your champions of spirit? Please share. I feel as if I'm stranded in the dessert with nothing to drink.

Isn't it about time we hold such people, who have paved the way for positive change in the world, close to our hearts? Anytime I feel as if I have nothing left, I remember those who literally didn't, and STILL found the strength to carry on and thrive in the world, lit from within, even when viewed as unpopular by the masses.

I've learned the hard way. Just because something is popular and excepted by many doesn't necessarily mean it is true. By no means does it give those the absolute authority. We must be mindful of this. In every way. Continue to question. Continue to look within. Feel what is right without the pressures of the external world dictating every choice to be made. The hard part is, it's not easy. It takes strength of character.

Something's gotten me fired up! Hahaha. In the end, it's all good, and even though I stretch my body everyday, I look to those who stretch my spirit. I need it. Like anything else. 

Summer Reading

"Sometimes I feel like there’s a hole inside of me, an emptiness that at times seems to burn. I think if you lifted my heart to your ear, you could probably hear the ocean. The moon tonight, there’s a circle around it. Sign of trouble not far behind. I have this dream of being whole. Of not going to sleep each night, wanting. But still sometimes, when the wind is warm or the crickets sing… I dream of a love that even time will lie down and be still for. I just want someone to love me. I want to be seen."

(Practical Magic)

I've been obsessed with images of water lately. Especially ocean waves. For as long as I can remember I've had an affinity for the ocean. Living in Stockholm water is everywhere. It meanders throughout the city, and it's easy to forget Stockholm resides on over 14 islands when roaming about. The bridges and tunnelbanna (subway) connect the city in an organized fashion. For fun you can kayak throughout Stockholm's canals. Already tried it once. Talk about sore back muscles. At any rate, it's good fun.

Stockholm is a café culture. Every street corner dawns a coffee shop. Heck, I've seen four on one city block. Some better than others, however essentially the same. Comfy and cozy, with plenty of seating outside. It is almost sacrilegious to sit inside with such beautiful weather, and the bluest skies imaginable. Which reminds me ... I need to take more pictures! My camera has been collecting dust the past several months.

In the lazy days of summer I've been doing the ceremonial summer reading. You know, reading out of pure entertainment. I've been devouring the Millennium Series books. Love it. Yes, it's a bit violent. Yes, it's a bit graphic, but I can't stop reading! Haven't come across a heroine (if you dare call her that) with the likes of Lisbeth Salander in a long time. Well, let me rephrase that ... I never have.

I had to give the books a go since the author is Swedish, and been wildly popular worldwide. Only three books were published. I'm reading the last one now. There were plans for 10, however Stieg Larsson died of a heart attack in 2004 after turning in the manuscripts for the three novels to his publisher, cutting the series short. Our loss. Nonetheless, still interesting books to read.

However, after reading the nature of his books I wonder if there wasn't some foul play centered around his death. I know, my imagination is running wild after reading the novels, lol. Anyway, if in the mood for entertaining reading of the criminal thriller genre give'em a go.

Stieg Larrson (1954 - 2004)

Morning Pages

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify and vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

(Steve Jobs)

My blog posts have been few far and between. Now I'm feeling back up to speed. I've been writing, but not on my blog, obviously. Inspired by Ursual, from My Yoga Blog, I took up the practice of morning pages. Ever heard of it? Basically it's a writing exercise where you write first thing in the morning, by hand, stream of conscious. No censoring. Whatever comes to mind, you write. That's it. Taken from Julia Cameron in, The Artist's Way, she states that 3 pages, at least, should be written. I tried this years back in my early 20s, but didn't have the stamina for it. Now I do, and it's proved to be invaluable. I like to think of it as mental cleansing, and lately I've really needed it. Maneuvering through emotional states and subconscious garbage is an undertaking; one I'm willing to dive into, and writing unedited, is liberating. Damn, it feels good afterward to let it all out.

Another reason the exercise attracted me again is uncovering my creativity. I was so imaginative as a child. I loved the arts. Practically all mediums. However, during the course of my early adulthood it withered away. Suffocated. Now I feel the urge to reinvigorate this part of myself again.

It's interesting when we are really young and untainted by societal expectations we know who we are. It's that simple. We know what we like. When I look back on it I was very decisive as a child. Maybe frighteningly so. Then through certain life experiences, that I won't go into now, much of that died. Over the last several years I'm on the quest to reclaiming my inherent creativity. I've been starving for it, in a matter of speaking.

On another topic. I sliced up my finger pretty bad yesterday. Yeah. I hacked my finger with an immersion blender. Ha. Don't ask. Got stitches. I was told to hold off on practicing, or at the very least, not put undue pressure on my hand.  I cringe at the thought of what I did. A total dumb ass move on my part, lol. I'll never look at an immersion blender the same for as long as I live. But hey, I had my first taste of the Swedish health care system. Ummmm, yeah. National health care is a good thing damn it! At least here it is. Right, I know, it was only one experience. The nurse said I had a high threshold for pain. Ha! I thought I was a total baby, but I did alright. Glad that's over, and looking forward to steady healing.


So, I'm reading, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Naturally. With much of the story set in Stockholm, which I get a big kick out of, I had to give it a go. I love the fact I actually know many of the places the author mentions in the story. Great read, though a bit dark. I've been due for a good thriller/mystery in a long while.

   

The movie has received rave reviews worldwide even with subtitles. It's in Swedish, of course. I'm holding out till I finish the book. From what I've heard it's a rather graphic film. You've been warned!

Guruji and the Depth of Practice

"I don’t think what he’s imparting can be said. But I think there’s nothing
else really worth talking about, because he is teaching a kind of openness
of the mind and the heart which is so stunning that, at least at times, you
don’t know what to say, you are awestruck and can’t put it into words.
That’s why there is such an art, I think, to teaching. Krishnamacharya
once made a comment to a friend of mine: yoga is not mechanical. I
think Guruji is always teaching that through a very formal system. You
have to follow the form very carefully, in fact you have to pour your being
into it with intensity to create tapas, internal heat. But then you have to
be completely not attached to it. And somewhere in that changeover,
where you are able to follow form precisely but then not identify with it,
the real yoga comes out."

Is it a spiritual practice?

"Yeah, I think it’s spiritual in the way most people use that word. You
could also say it’s beyond spiritual. If someone has a concept of spirituality,
this is much more interesting than anything they could imagine. But
it’s definitely a totally spiritual practice. However, if someone comes to it
and has no interest in what they believe spirituality to be, if they just take
up the practice for improving their health or fixing some biomechanical
problem in the body, it’ll prove effective but it will also put them in touch
with their core feelings. And just by touching those core feelings they
will start inquiring into what is real. They’ll start to ask: “Why am I suffering
all the time?” “What is true?” And so they’ve come to the right
place. And so yoga in a sense is like a fountain. People will go to it, for
many different reasons but because they’ve gone to the source they start
to get a taste for it, and they might not really understand why they like it
but they’ll keep coming back to the source and eventually they’ll just
jump right back in."

It is spiritual in the sense that the Atman, the soul, is revealed, but at the
same time there is a methodology as well, so is it somehow a fusion of those
two things?

"Exactly. If we say that what is of most interest to the open mind, to the
open heart, is beyond expression, beyond words, also therefore beyond
technique, our first reaction is “I won’t do anything.” But the fascinating
thing about practice is that what is manifesting as the body and the mind
is composed of strings and strings of techniques, and so yoga is actually
the art of using techniques with incredible skill and through that one
naturally arrives at a place where there is no technique anymore but freedom.
This is one of the major themes of the Bhagavad Gita, one of the
extremely illusive themes, that the truth is ultimately formless because it
generates all forms. How can it be approached? How can you realize it?
It’s actually through seeing forms with an open mind and allowing the
body and the mind to complete their natural tendencies to complete
their forms, and in that you release form." 

(Richard Freeman)

(Extracted from, Guruji: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students, by Guy Donahaye, Eddie Stern)

Guruji

"He’s like the whole orchestra. He doesn’t just have one way, he can find
a way for everyone. So he sees you and your spirit and the aspects of your
character that are competent and good and that may be lacking and
not so rounded, and he seems to be able to do that with everyone. He
doesn’t overcomplicate it, he keeps it really simple. There are three really
powerful techniques: the breathing method, coordinating the movement
with the breath; the drishti; and the squeezing, the bandhas. He doesn’t
get extremely technical, he doesn’t talk about anatomy, he doesn’t talk
about complicated energetic concepts. He keeps it incredibly simple. It
takes a brave person not to appeal to a person’s, particularly a Westerner’s,
need for information. You know, that kind of information, it’s incredibly
simple: “Breathe!” “You breathe!” “You do!” “No, no, no, don’t
think, you do!” And it’s so effective."

- Nick Evans

(Extracted from, Guruji: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students, by Guy Donahaye, Eddie Stern)

KPJ

"Guruji is tremendous, he is amazing at getting people to go beyond
where they think their limits are. It’s a little scary sometimes. I’ve seen
looks of panic and complete terror on people’s faces and also tremendous
breakthroughs. As a teacher—I’ve been teaching for thirteen years—
watching Guruji is amazing. I don’t feel confident to do the same thing
that he does. He’s got sixty years of experience teaching—he’s seen a lot
of bodies, he’s put a lot of bodies through this practice—and I feel like I
need to be much more conservative than him. I’ve seen him put people
in full lotus, and get them into garbha pindasana, kukkutasana that I
would have never believed possible. And what it gives them is tremendous
and you can take that and from that develop the discipline and love
for doing the practice, which is something that does happen through that
sense of accomplishment."

"One of Guruji’s real strengths as a teacher is that he obviously practiced
strong yoga. He was clearly challenged by Krishnamacharya, and at
the same time he was also a scholar and I think that is unique. A lot of
people were just yoga practitioners or they were scholars. Guruji has
been both, and he brings that into the room. He obviously embodies the
yoga teaching, the philosophy, the lifestyle, as well as having done the

practice."

(Chuck Miler)

(Extracted from Guruji: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students, by Guy Donahaye, Eddie Stern)

Guruji

In honor of Guruji, and with the anniversary of his passing coming up, I thought I would highlight I few excerpts from the upcoming book, Guruji - A Portrait of Sri K. Patabhi Jois - Through the Eyes of His Students, over the next week. A big thanks to Steve who put me in contact with the link to Guy Donahaye's website, which have a list of passages from the book. Incredibly inspiring.

The way Guruji teaches is not lazy in any way, shape, or form. He brings the same energy, or more, to every class every day. I would be dragging, it would wear twenty of us out. I think it was the consistency and the genuine love and desire to see you learn this practice and improve your health. It took me four years in Mysore, off and on, to get into lotus. I remember the day that he finally, after sitting in front of me, got me into lotus. He stopped the whole class and almost started crying with laughter and joy. I think he was more thrilled to see me in that posture than I was. You know, that’s just one example. It goes on every day that you are in there. Whatever posture is difficult for you, he never forgets, he always makes you do it, even if you’ve gone by it. It’s his discipline and his tenacity along with the love of the practice that make him unique.

.............

I would describe it as being one of the most sincere messages I’ve ever received. When you are in there with him, you know he has totally dedicated his heart and his soul to this teaching, so you want to give him the same in return. I’ve had many teachers of all types throughout the years, from English to basketball, and of course, you meet great teachers along the way. I’ve never met anybody who loved to teach as much as Guruji. In fact, it seems to me, as he is teaching he seems younger, he’s a different person in the room. Out of the room, he’s such a beautiful wonderful householder that the combination was overwhelming to me. To me, he is one of the great humans.  

- Ricky Heiman

( Passages from Guruji, A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Through the Eyes of His Students)

Holy Cow

Next book, Holy Cow, by Sarah MacDonald. I've just started reading it and really enjoy the author's writing style. She really brings the realities of India to life. If you're into travelogues it might be one to check out.

Following is the book's summary:

"In her twenties, journalist Sarah Macdonald backpacked around India and came away with a lasting impression of heat, pollution and poverty. So when an airport beggar read her palm and told her she would return to India - and for love - she screamed, "Never!" and gave the country, and him the finger.

But eleven years later, the prophecy comes true. When the love of Sarah's life is posted to India, she quits her dream job to move to the most polluted city on earth, New Delhi. Holy Cow is Macdonald's often hilarious chronicle of her adventures in a land of chaos and contradiction, of encounters with Hinduism, Islam and Jainism, Sufis, Sikhis, Parsis and Christians, and a
kaleidoscope of yogis, swamis and Bollywood stars. From spiritual retreats and crumbling nirvanas to war zones and New Delhi nightclubs, it is a journey that only a woman on a mission to save her soul, her love life - and her sanity - can survive."

On the Night Stand

I recently finished the greatly anticipated novel by Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed. For the millions who read Eat, Pray, Love, it doesn't exactly have the same energy and intrigue, however it's still interesting. A continuation of the love story that developed in Eat, Pray, Love, Gilbert brings up many insightful thoughts on the institution of marriage while digging into it's history. In that regard, it was educational on some level. Though, she does explain she isn't an expert on the topic. If anything, she myth busts many of the beliefs we are fed regarding marriage. A quick read.



On tap next is The Palace of Illusions, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Since I'm in India, I was really feeling a good fictional read by an Indian author. I've read several books by Divakaruni and have thoroughly enjoyed them. This one so far has really peeked my interested and I find myself looking forward to picking it up whenever I get the chance.