Orginality leads to greatness

“When you're always trying to conform to the norm, you lose your uniqueness, which can be the foundation for your greatness.”

           

— Dale Archer

 

This a great reminder that conformity does not suit us but relishing in your originality leads to self inspiration and empowerment. What has helped you find your true spirit?

 

 

 

 

 

Satsang (sat=true, sang=company)

So, I attended the weekly Satsang which I always enjoy and we begin with meditation. Next, is chanting with drums and the harmonium. This always puts me in a state of comfort and joy. I seem to find my voice which is not so great but I am having fun so sing on.

We ended with some wisdom from Sivanada and tonight we talked about freedom. What I took away was that freedom is a state of mind, so realizing this is the first step in real freedom.

Freedom from guilt

Freedom from self judgment

Freedom from attachment to things

 

 

 

Over coming fear

 

 

Fear is excitement without the breath,

 so as we focus on our breath in yoga poses,

 pull that focus and courage when fear shows up.

 



The beach before sunset

yoga on the beach

 

 

 

“Yoga practice can make us more and more sensitive to subtler and subtler sensations in the body. Paying attention to and staying with finer and finer sensations within the body is one of the surest ways to steady the wandering mind. (39)”
― Ravi Ravindra

 

Discovery Park

A day to reconnect with me

We all may have a day of internal contemplation and self doubt. When these days appear in my life I must admit I do sulk for a time, but then I turn on some kirtan music by Jai Uttal or Snatam Kaur. I sing along with this beautiful heart opening lyrics. Then I cook myself a nice well prepared meal and top it off with a glass of white wine. Lastly, I do some restorative yoga and prepare a bath to read a book.

After, I take the time to treat myself I find that my mood lifts and I notice that every now and again we need to take time to love and celebrate us. I needed to surrender to my self doubt in order to come out of this self doubt.

How do you treat yourself when in a space of self doubt?

 

 

 

Dharma teachings

I am house sitting in Seattle so that means I get to attend my favorite meditation/ dharma teachings class.  The teachings were about helping others be happy by giving gifts, an ear, love, advice etc. Then he guided us through a meditation that has us envision those we want to give happiness to whether that be a person, a group the whole human race. Next,  he had us focus on the feeling of joy and begin to cultivate that within ourselves. He also talked about the true joys of giving to others. Lastly, he asked us what the obstacles would prevent us from giving happiness to others.

As I sat there listening I thought I use to be resistant to giving because I expected people to be appreciative or give back. But, I have found through yoga my heart has become more willing to give without expecting anything in return. Just as we all come to yoga for different reason we all are at a different place in our spiritual journey. So, if your giving ignites joy in another then find the beauty in that.

So, what are some of your big yoga learnings?

A buddha in one of the Angkor Wat structures

Listening and following your heart

To ignite ones passion is to ignite ones inner being,

yet to not allow one

 to follow their heart is to deaden ones spirit.

We as the human race must

 invite all that makes us unique

and know that a life lived following

your heart is a life to be honored.

 

How are you honoring your life?