PEACE LOVE YOGA: photos

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)

Instagram Addict

1.4.13

@laruga

In case you didn't know, I'm an Instagram addict. I love it. Recently, I have taken up photography on a legit DSLR, but I still can't help but snap photos on my iPhone. I love documenting the ordinary through photos. So, if you are at all interested, follow me on Instagram at @laruga or online here. Also, if I don't follow you already, give me your link in the comments thread, or through email.

Have a great day!

Breath is the Bridge

8.8.12

Stockholm

"Our breath is the bridge from our body to our mind, the element which reconciles our body and mind and which makes possible oneness of body and mind. Breath is aligned to both body and mind and it alone is the tool which can bring them both together, illuminating both and bringing both peace and calm." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Breath is the bridge. This has been my mantra this week . . . Honestly, I've been going through some interesting stuff internally during my stay in Taiwan. Once I attain some semblance of clarity, I will share. I've been working various balance points, and it has been a challenge. Planning for the future which requires intense focus, all the while, staying present, stepping into various roles, and still feeling connecting to my center, can be an interesting dynamic to play around with. To say the least, I've been touched by the warmth of the people and community in Taiwan. So in that regard, I feel grateful. Experiencing internal upheaval has in many instances given me the opportunity to recess my direction, my life, hopes and dreams. Also, a big one for me is what is holding me back? That, more than anything, has been a big issue for me. I know where much of it has manifested and truly sometimes I wonder if I will ever heal from it? I am sure many of you out there can attest to this. When stricken with certain events and misgivings in life often we find better ways to cope, but maybe haven't truly resolved or come to terms with it fully. I am only human, and when I start to feel the cracks in my being, though painful, brings me closer to my humanity. I soften. I come out of the numbing. So much in life pulls us out of the quiet and the stillness, but it is only here where we can find our truth.

Day Two

3.5.12

Yes. Another AMAZING day in Stockholm! Go on, roll your eyes, but it's true. You just don't understand what it's like to live through a cold and dark winter and to have it turn into this! I relish it. Nothing has made me appreciate Spring more than living through a winter in Stockholm. Nothing. Even growing up in the American Midwest, with all four seasons, and definitely winter. In Sweden, the winter comes early and leaves late. There's something about going through the darkness with a fair amount of grace. At the other side of it, an outpouring of appreciation. It's an expansive feeling.

Today. Day two, practicing with Peter Sanson. Intermediate Series. Everyday is different. Everyday brings new lessons. Another journey, a new insight. Today I felt the synergistic nature of relaxation and fortitude at the same time. The marrying of softness and the energetic power of release. It's interesting playing with these forces, uniting with the energy that presents itself within the body. Even days I feel tired and stiff, I can join with whatever feels blocked, and learn to melt into, to wrap myself around, and give space to what presents itself. There's grace in it all. Nothing stays the same on the outside, and there is more being born than just the physical accomplishment of asana. These invisible attributes cultivate, give solace and a mental clarity and strength, that for me, always comes unexpected.

Say hello to Nina!

Frida Börjeson, Stockholm Photographer

10.3.12

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

Dog Lovin'

7.11.11

I love this dog! I see him almost every morning on my way to teaching class. Such a cutie. It's the little things. Ya, know?

London Cityscapes

14.9.11

Yeah, I know, I'm really overdoing it with the London pictures! I took so many! I was feeling inspired or maybe a bit trigger happy, not sure. One thing I appreciated about London were the abundance of pubs with funny names. Hahaha, It doesn't take much to amuse me.

Like Stockholm, London is a coffee mecca. I fell in love with Monmouth in the Borough Market area. Ahhh, so nice, minus the fact I really shouldn't be drinking coffee anyway, haha. Shhh!

Near Brick Lane

Navigating in London's Underground, otherwise known as the Tube, is like maneuvering in an endless array of tunnels and corridors. Took me a while to grasp it all. Also, it's hotter than hell down there! This, is coming from someone who is always cold!

London Fog

Bliss Hoodie

Millennium Bridge

Tower Bridge, again

We also caught the show, We Will Rock You. It was fantastic. Are you a fan of Queen? Can't say that I am, but it's righteous good stuff. I recommend it. It's amazing how talented these performers are! I was seriously impressed.