Reflections on the Practice of Letting Go,
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Why anyone thinks Meditation is Boring?
This is a "concept" that has come to me in meditation on a few occasions.
What is there was a lifeforms that we could not see, because in our three dimensional perceptive awareness, the manifest aspects appeared to be something else. What if the 3-dimensional physical world supported non-material beings, which were primarily manifest in higher dimensions. What if there was a whole kingdom or "life", which three dimensionally is expressed as systems, of which plants, fungus, animals and nature are the cellular building blocks or provide non-material nourishment to consciousness as far advanced from humans as humans are from single celled organisms.
Could it be the complex organization of our society enables, allows or is food for subtle, energetic anatomy of a more advanced awareness than human. That we are only a rung on a ladder of consciousness levels, and the only reason we don't see those above is is because our perspective is too small. Or perhaps the existence of higher beings is simply
What is there was a lifeforms that we could not see, because in our three dimensional perceptive awareness, the manifest aspects appeared to be something else. What if the 3-dimensional physical world supported non-material beings, which were primarily manifest in higher dimensions. What if there was a whole kingdom or "life", which three dimensionally is expressed as systems, of which plants, fungus, animals and nature are the cellular building blocks or provide non-material nourishment to consciousness as far advanced from humans as humans are from single celled organisms.
Could it be the complex organization of our society enables, allows or is food for subtle, energetic anatomy of a more advanced awareness than human. That we are only a rung on a ladder of consciousness levels, and the only reason we don't see those above is is because our perspective is too small. Or perhaps the existence of higher beings is simply
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Yama and Niyama
Yama and Niyama are fundamental but often subtle energetic distinctions.... Simply these are the does and don'ts of a practice of awakening. These are often mistakenly taken as moral guidelines or judgement. Yoga practice is a practice of awareness of the non-dual self, or remembering that opposing forces which appear to be separate are non-separate. Rigidly holding to ideas of "this" and "that", "right" and "wrong" can actually be an obstacle awareness of "this" as non separate. In Yoga there is no "right" and "wrong". These are relative terms... Something that is right for one person, may be wrong for another. The archetype of the Goddess Kali, Destroys all that is in her path, but of coarse destruction becomes new life. We might object to humanity being wiped off the earth, but animals on the verge of extinction might appreciate it.... The object of practicing Yama and Niyama is yoga. Practitioners have found the the energetic effects of a the Yama and Niyama practices are conducive to the state we call Yoga. Don't take these as dogmatic rules that you "have" to do. Everything leads back to Yoga eventually, including action that in the short run (many lifetimes) may cause bondage and suffering. These practices are meant for those seeking transformation, they are to prepare the way for greater energy and awareness to manifest in the experience we call life.....
Some Fun Kelp Recipes, that Kids might like
So I've had a surprising number of conversations recently with people struggling with how to incorporate kelp into their family's diet. If you're like "wait... what, Kelp?" click here.
Now take into consideration that my daughters have never had refined sugar, and its gettin' on 15 years since I have, but....
We've been working the kelp from quite a few different angles, one of my favorites is in "smoothies".... Not just any smoothie, Kelp can throw off the taste of a mere fruit smoothie, but what I've found is that it blends well with creamy, nutty, malty type flavors....
Another recipe approved of by my 2 year old daughters is this.....
Emerald Almond Butter
2 cups soaked almonds
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 teaspoon maca powder
2 teaspoons he shou wu extract
2 teaspoons reishi extract
2 tablespoons Chlorella powder
2 tablespoons Kelp (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon stevia powder
2 teaspoons powdered zeolite
2 teaspoons shilajit
optional:
honey to taste
this combined in the food processor until the consistency of a nut butter.
If needed you can slowly add liquid.... water, or chaga tea work nicely...
The idea is o get as much Kelp in as possible without the taste being overpowering.
Now take into consideration that my daughters have never had refined sugar, and its gettin' on 15 years since I have, but....
We've been working the kelp from quite a few different angles, one of my favorites is in "smoothies".... Not just any smoothie, Kelp can throw off the taste of a mere fruit smoothie, but what I've found is that it blends well with creamy, nutty, malty type flavors....
Another recipe approved of by my 2 year old daughters is this.....
Emerald Almond Butter
2 cups soaked almonds
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 teaspoon maca powder
2 teaspoons he shou wu extract
2 teaspoons reishi extract
2 tablespoons Chlorella powder
2 tablespoons Kelp (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon stevia powder
2 teaspoons powdered zeolite
2 teaspoons shilajit
optional:
honey to taste
this combined in the food processor until the consistency of a nut butter.
If needed you can slowly add liquid.... water, or chaga tea work nicely...
The idea is o get as much Kelp in as possible without the taste being overpowering.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
To be fully present, awake and in appreciation without fear
Its so divinely beautiful. That's why it is so hard to let go... These moments of rest, of ease, time spent with family in peace. What is more beautiful than being here now knowing the impermanence. Only with death in the picture do I truly not take for granted all of this, all of you.
I'm not going to lie and say that I am not scared. It's intense at moments, overwhelming my ability to act skillfully, and remain connected. I've been meditating on death for the last month and a half, since I had this dream about my father. I woke up and knew that my resistance to my father's mortality I was storing in my low back. As I practiced morning asana I could feel the weight of resistance. I don't want my dad to die. With practice, drishti awareness and breath I found that I could release him in meditation, though resistance comes in waves through out daily awareness.
What seemed like emotional yoga, a hypothetical practice has taken on new light since I saw this video. And this one. The Karma of what we have done to our earth could off us. Over whelmed by the sense that the nuclear threat is unprecedented, my practice has become that of releasing my wife, twin 3 year old daughters and new born son. Whether the threat is real or not, who can say. To my emotional body it is real, which like all intensity is an opportunity to open to teacher in all experience.
Things are changing fast.
Personally in my life, and for all of us world wide. Two of the elders in our family are suffering from unknown genetic disease. What is it? Would a diagnosis in the form of a recognizable word make it easier? It's transformation, and it's really hard.
Globally, politically, whether anything has changed or not, I am now aware of the nuclear situation. While I personally feel empowered that I have the knowledge and will to thrive through this new unfolding realty, living in a radioactive world, I have been disappointed that we as a larger community are not dialoguing about this.
I guess the most shocking part of Fukishima, for me, was that the plant didn't have back up power. It wouldn't even have taken a tsunami. The electricity going out would have had the same effect. Learning that there are over 200 nuclear power plants in the United States, with more radioactive waste then Fukishima, is overwhelming. I see 2 possible outcomes, be they soon or in the distant future... 1. We do something about nuclear waste now, be it browns gas, zeolites, or some other solution unknown to me. 2. When the grid inevitably does fall at some point (like Rome or the Soviet Union) those who remain will experience the effects of our nuclear waste in their food, water, rain, and air.
So.... With this knowledge, arguably true or false, but emotionally real none the less, the practice is to let go. To be fully present, awake and in appreciation without fear. To be receptive to the call; if there is anyway that I may serve my family and all of you. Connected and in appreciation. That my energy be available to focus as skillful intention.
Mainly this has been a deepened relationship with right now. Dissolving into ThankYou.
I have hope though.
I have a strong suspicion that the answers are right in front of us, in the natural systems, in the weeds that thrive in our parking lots and yards. This information unfolds little by little though, as greater strength, balance and wisdom.
So for now, I practice everyday, love my family with all my heart, and feel the weight of my 3 year daughter when she lays on my chest during shavasana. There is nothing better.
I'm not going to lie and say that I am not scared. It's intense at moments, overwhelming my ability to act skillfully, and remain connected. I've been meditating on death for the last month and a half, since I had this dream about my father. I woke up and knew that my resistance to my father's mortality I was storing in my low back. As I practiced morning asana I could feel the weight of resistance. I don't want my dad to die. With practice, drishti awareness and breath I found that I could release him in meditation, though resistance comes in waves through out daily awareness.
What seemed like emotional yoga, a hypothetical practice has taken on new light since I saw this video. And this one. The Karma of what we have done to our earth could off us. Over whelmed by the sense that the nuclear threat is unprecedented, my practice has become that of releasing my wife, twin 3 year old daughters and new born son. Whether the threat is real or not, who can say. To my emotional body it is real, which like all intensity is an opportunity to open to teacher in all experience.
Things are changing fast.
Personally in my life, and for all of us world wide. Two of the elders in our family are suffering from unknown genetic disease. What is it? Would a diagnosis in the form of a recognizable word make it easier? It's transformation, and it's really hard.
Globally, politically, whether anything has changed or not, I am now aware of the nuclear situation. While I personally feel empowered that I have the knowledge and will to thrive through this new unfolding realty, living in a radioactive world, I have been disappointed that we as a larger community are not dialoguing about this.
I guess the most shocking part of Fukishima, for me, was that the plant didn't have back up power. It wouldn't even have taken a tsunami. The electricity going out would have had the same effect. Learning that there are over 200 nuclear power plants in the United States, with more radioactive waste then Fukishima, is overwhelming. I see 2 possible outcomes, be they soon or in the distant future... 1. We do something about nuclear waste now, be it browns gas, zeolites, or some other solution unknown to me. 2. When the grid inevitably does fall at some point (like Rome or the Soviet Union) those who remain will experience the effects of our nuclear waste in their food, water, rain, and air.
So.... With this knowledge, arguably true or false, but emotionally real none the less, the practice is to let go. To be fully present, awake and in appreciation without fear. To be receptive to the call; if there is anyway that I may serve my family and all of you. Connected and in appreciation. That my energy be available to focus as skillful intention.
Mainly this has been a deepened relationship with right now. Dissolving into ThankYou.
I have hope though.
I have a strong suspicion that the answers are right in front of us, in the natural systems, in the weeds that thrive in our parking lots and yards. This information unfolds little by little though, as greater strength, balance and wisdom.
So for now, I practice everyday, love my family with all my heart, and feel the weight of my 3 year daughter when she lays on my chest during shavasana. There is nothing better.
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