steps

recent cafe "musings" from the summer in Taiwan.

the approaches one takes to yoga asana.

the union of polarities and  the merging of prana and apana.

preparing the groundwork for entering higher states.

cleansing and stabilizing,

managing the health of the body.

to recognize oneself through attention to oneself.

to still the mind and retract the senses.

contemplation of the breath as it passes through various forms.

then further, the mind retracts into the heart, the senses retract from their usual outward direction,

and the breath finds its own balance

to experience and relish the joy of the self in the moment, timeless and fearless

being grateful for being here!

Here below is a beautiful poem (I respectfully have changed some words for ease of understanding) about the stages of growth along the spiritual path.

 

Teachers are kind,

But I am too young to appreciate it.

The highland mountains and valleys are beautiful,

But I have never experienced the lowlands, I am proud.

 

Having striven for mind’s nourishment,

Sharpening the spearhead of intellect,

I discovered permanent guidance

Which I can never forget

 

Having no one to influence my outlook,

I display my primordial nature

And adopt the style of a youthful prince.

This is due only to the guru

 

I am busy working for others.

The Pranja which penetrates all obstacles,

Has made me prince, now old and wise,

Fearing nothing.

 

Dancing in space,

Clad in clouds,

Eating the sun and holding the moon,

The stars are my eyes.

opening to the unlimited

I am often reminded of the power of a passionate idea. There is a saying by Goethe, "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." Or as I recently read somewhere scribbled on a wall, " ...in passion there are no boundaries."

A few nights ago I sat with a fellow yogi and watched a little documentary about the short and potent life of Swami Rudrananda (affectionatly known by his followers in 1960's New York, simply as 'Rudi'). We sat listening to Rudi. To feel the brightness and the clarity that comes from his consuming fire was quite awesome. How fascinating to feel the power of passion and clarity transmitted. We both sat for an hour afterwards digesting the teaching.  

What support is there for our passionate ideas? Full support. In the presence of following our highest ideas, there is complete support. How do we access this unlimited energy? By opening up and taking it. By simply surrendering to all and thus reducing the false barriers we erect between ourselves and our environment. The divine exists to feed us. When we reject or become selective, when we try to take only a bit of this and maybe a little of that,.. but not this part and not that part.. or when we say, "some now but not all". then we limit what is there for us to access. In fact we are not in service to the Divine, the Divine is in service to us. And we in turn serve others.

We have unlimited potential when passion is met with acceptance and surrender. As Rudi said, when we fail to see this "we are like people floating in the ocean crying because we miss the water".

vienna

Wed. May 22

I arrived back in Zurich after a wonderful weekend in Vienna, Austria at Horst's shala, (Pure Yoga AT). We spent three days exploring pranayama and mantra and mixed that with some insight into the ashtanga practice based on my studies in alignment and energy work. Managed to sneak a good lunch in the Turkish quarter in a outdoor courtyard that was brimming with life and mettza platters. Walked into the central district on saturday night,.. shared a gelato with my Austrian hosts and watched the world as it buzzed slowly by. It was so nice to be at a small neighborhood studio with a great dedicated yogi teaching the authentic practices - the room reflected it, lots of shakti and light. 

ananta

Zurich.  on a wednesday night.

Do not avoid your suffering. 

Plunge it in the river.

Purify your stubbornness. 

Drown it. Bury it.

Your body is a stingy piece of incence
that won't let go of its healing smoke
until you put it in the fire.

Rumi again is in my mind.
now,... laying here after the sun. 
the cool evening air has wrapped around me and invited me to rest.