"It is love that brings meaning to our lives. The path of love goes right through the middle of every heart. No one is locked out. No one is turned away. No one is unworthy. The love that lives within each and every being is Bhagavan; it is Ram, Buddha Nature, the Atman, the Great Goddess, the Self, the One. It is who we are - our own True Nature, radiant and shining like a million suns."

- excerpt from, Flow of Grace, by Krishna Das

Karandavasana

Repetition of the Name and reciting prayers like the Hanuman Chalisa are at once the path and the goal. They are the path when we think we are separate and we are doing it, but with deeper realization we find that Love has been waiting inside of us all along, pulling us into Itself. Just like a statue that slowly emerges from a slab of marble as more of a block is chipped away, we begin to experience Hanuman's inner form as our practice deepens. It already exists within. We are just removing what's covering it. As our focus and attention increase, the form comes alive within us.

It is Love.


- excerpt from, Flow of Grace, by Krishna Das

Ashtanga Demo

Amazing demo of various poses blended together from all the series of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system.

"Hanuman brings with him all the beautiful qualities of strength and gentleness, courage and fearlessness, love and compassion. More than that, he throws out all our old moldy furniture; all the unwashed pots and pans, all the old dirty clothes piled up in the corner, all our stuff, our selfish little secrets, and all we hide form ourselves and others - all the mold and dirt we have gotten used to living with! He doesn't give us time to clean up from him - he does the housecleaning himself, going from room to room throwing stuff out the windows, as we follow him around and say, "Oh no, not that too!" Once Hanuman has moved in, then we are truly ready to begin the practice of repeating the Divine Name: Ram. The Name is a mystery. It is said that God and His Name are not different. This is not the simple mechanical repetition of sounds, but a deep and ancient path to Realization. It is the transmission of awareness of the presence of God within us."

- excerpt from, Flow of Grace, by Krishna Das

"Taking refuge is a subtle and important concept. When we sincerely take refuge in a "higher power," it is an implicit recognition that we need help. More than that, it is the recognition that help is available. This is the beginning of developing real faith - not blind faith, but faith based on our own experience. It is opening to the realization that things are not the way we think they are, and that someone is there to help us - someone who knows what is to be known."

- excerpt from, Flow of Grace, by Krishna Das

John Scott - Practicing Blindflolded

Being & Doing

"When you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life."

- Eckhart Tolle

This morning when practicing, I had a moment where I realized the difference between doing and being in each posture.

Through the years, even though flowing through the same sequence, the richness lies in finding newness and presence everyday. Some days it's a struggle. Other days everything seems to flow with ease and effortlessness. Accepting that today wasn't like yesterday, and being with whatever has changed, has given me the experience on the mat to then take into daily life.

Like Tim Miller would say - "It's the same sequence, but everyday is different."

It can be easy to get caught up in the accomplishment of postures, however with that, there is little experience with Grace. Balancing the effort with non-doing starts to become a subtle practice.

After Mysore, India, I stayed true with where Sharath guided me, and found total satisfaction with scaling back, and becoming less concerned with how far I've come, and more into how deep I can go. It's never ending. Instead of spreading myself thin, I found unlimited abundance with simply being where I am.

Now I've come to a point where I've listened to my inner voice, and pressed on a bit further, knowing that nothing has been lost, and nothing is really gained by doing so. All is already available, and always has been.

It's so cool how our teachers have a way of subtly teaching us these vast and important lessons.

Commentary & Demonstration

Flow of Grace

Cover via Amazon

"Many people fantasize about going off to a cave somewhere, far away from "the world," where they imagine they will find peace of mind and live in some state of bliss. But the truth is that the cause of our unhappiness lies within our own hearts, so no matter where we go, we take it with us. That's the bad news, but it's also the good news. If it is true, it means that everything we see in the supposed outer world is really a reflection of - or a reaction to - our own state of being. If we look around and see anger, fear, and suffering of all kinds, it is the result of the way we see, not what we see. Of course, horrible conditions exist, but being stuck on a superficial level, we can't see what underlies them: the vast presence in which all things have their existence. It is because of this incomplete way of seeing that each of us suffers in our own personal way."


- excerpt from, Flow of Grace, by Krishna Das

Behold Yourself

Let go of your worries

and be completely clear-hearted,

like the face of a mirror

that contains no images.

If you want a clear mirror,

behold yourself

and see the shameless truth,

which the mirror reflects.

If metal can be polished

to a mirror-like finish,

what polishing might the mirror

of the heart require?

Between the mirror and the heart

is this single difference:

the heart conceals secrets,

while the mirror does not.


- Rumi, The Divani Shamsi Tabriz, XIII

Moving with Grace

Judgement

Lessons are everywhere when we cease being blind to them. The opportunity to learn and live more compassionately are available even when on the brunt end of what may be considered unjust.

If we are the makers of our own reality, then judging the darkness can also put us in a place where we become unaware of the bigger picture. Believe me, this is something I'm constantly working with, and I can't say it's easy. But, I guess it becomes a practice like any other, and hopefully in time, less of a challenge.

I've realized that judging another is a form of murder, in a sense. It blocks genuine connection. I've seen it within myself how automatic it can be to stand in a place of judgment without really understanding another human being.

Recently, I've been put on the other end of a judgment, which is never fun, and frustrating. However, instead of feeling victimized, I used it as an opportunity to take inventory where I've fallen prey to judging others. It's interesting, because how can I be angry of it if my own record isn't pristine. I mean, I do what I can to live with an open mind - but, if I am to be truly honest with myself, it isn't always the case.

The big question is - When have I placed value over Love?

The thing is, I can never control what other people will think or say. Nonetheless, where the true courage comes in is if I can still react with Love. I dunno if I'm there. However, I continue to ask the questions, doing my best to see the bigger picture, and taking responsibility to see things with Truth.

Ashtanga Yoga - Finishing Squence

Guru Purnima - Full Moon

"The Guru doesn't stuff your head with knowledge. He infuses your being with Life!" (Shri Shri)

Today is a very auspicious day. Guru Purnima - the beginning of a month long revisiting for students to connect to their teachers, rejuvenate their spiritual practice (sadhana), receiving inspiration and further instructions on the path.

Take time to connect to your teacher, guru or internal teacher. A wonderful time for refocusing and aligning to our higher self. Enjoy.

Importance of Breath

www.pineappleyoga.com

"Sacinandana Swami says that Hanuman is "an example of discovering our forgotten potency." Up to the point where he crossed the ocean with one big leap, he was not aware that he had this potency, but because he wanted to do seva (selfless service), his potency came out, empowered him, and proved that the word "impossible" is a word not existing in a devotee's dictionary. This quality of unlimited inner strength can only be awakened when it is in the service of Love. God is love, and when we align ourselves with that love and act in the service of that love, anything is possible."

- excerpt from, Flow of Grace, by Krishna Das

No matter what. Whatever time zone - I seem to wake up at dawn. My body comes alive, and tells me...okay let's get to work. But, I'm still a bit jetlaged, wanting to sleep at odd hours, preceded by a bit of dizziness.

Surprisingly, practices have been smooth - no kinks or unusual tightness that come with travels. I think it may be partly due to the fact that I haven't fallen to the wayside with my diet, which is easy to do with traveling. Since doing the panchakarma in India, keeping my body in balance has become essential priority #1. Making choices at the level of cause and not effect has been a key realization to me in the last several months.

Got the paperwork sent off today, and have a huge weight lifted off my shoulders now that that's done. Next - sit and wait - here is where I cultivate patience. Ha! Fun times.

Handstand Workshop

I came across this video a while ago and thought I would post it. Even though it is geared toward dancers, there are some interesting movements represented that gather strength and spatial awareness.

Ashtanga Yoga Classes

aNot sure how many from the Columbus area read my blog. However, I'll be teaching Ashtanga yoga classes & privates in the tradition of KPJ for the following months I'll be in the area. Classes will be in a warm and low key setting, while being guided in a thorough, light manner.

If anyone is interested please contact me via email. peaceloveyoga@gmail.com.

Back

"There is no remedy for love, but to love more."

- Henry David Thoreau


Goodbye Stockholm. Hello...jet lag. I'm back in the States. Didn't really report when I was leaving because I was sidetracked, obviously, before taking off.

I probably had one of my best international travel experiences flying British Airways from Stockholm to Columbus. Everything went super smooth even though I had to go through security a total of 3 times. Started in Stockholm, Arlanda, with layovers in London, Heathrow, and Chicago, O'Hare....to finally touch down in Columbus. The added bonus was I flew business class from Heathrow to Chicago, and I'm officially spoiled for the rest of my travel career. Ha!

How does it feel to be back after over a year of being away? Well, let me get back to you on that.

Tomorrow, I'll send off the paperwork, and set the wheels in motion in regards to living abroad more permanently. This time, I'm not running away, I'm running toward something. Another life. Another experience that happened unexpectedly - nonetheless a pleasant surprise. You just never know what life will throw at you.

Travel and discovery are undoubtedly in my blood. Finally, I'm living and aligning to what ultimately makes me come alive - sometimes, we simply don't have a choice in the matter. We are lead toward a calling that can only be answered by stepping forward confidently, with faith, knowing, understanding that leading a life with heart is part of joining to the will and gifts of Grace.

Something has changed. Call it an internal shift. Call it a small awakening. Call it what you like. The label is insignificant. However, looking with new eyes changes everything. It is true - our reality begins within us.

Now, I hold a space of gratitude within me, which has been such an important practice. Whenever, I start to tread into negative waters, I take it as a sign that I have forgotten who I am and all that I have to be thankful for. Gratitude has a way of pulling us out of the muck and into the essence of what is True.

I definitely don't have all the answers...and, yes I probably have more questions than answers, but sitting in the delight of what each day will bring, holding on to what is True, brings comfort in times of transition and uncertainty. This is a place I've come to know well on every level imaginable.

Am I any wiser? Ha! I doubt it...but, I've experienced much, and have rubbed up against the troubled waters that rise and fall, from time to time, and will always be...but, maybe I've become better acquainted with how to navigate through it, all the while, connecting to what is ultimately real and untarnished.

With every breath I take, I couldn't be more thankful for what the gifts the past year gave - invisible to the naked eye, but priceless in value. Some were tough lessons of faith and surrender. Others were gifts of unconditional love and strength. All of it culminating to a place of oneness.

Blessed by all the people who touched my heart, no matter how big or small, I've learned that it starts and ends with each other. It's isn't me without the other.

Thank you.