Friday, April 30, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
2 to the Yama "Aparigraha"( Non-possessiveness)
What is it that you think you own? Do you get wrapped up in owning your success in yoga poses, in career, success in relationships (or failures even)?
The 2nd Yama we'll be exploring in our classes this week, relates to our tendency to cling, attach, and associate ourselves with what we think is "ours." Do we hold on to an image of ourselves that is false? Does our self worth come from our car, our home, or our wardrobe? In exploring our relationship to "people, places, and things," where does the tendency to grasp come from? Is it fear of losing, fear of failure? What would happen if we let go of our need to control relationships; whether it's wanting everything to go our way, expecting perfection, or thinking that we "need" this relationship. If it's on our yoga mat and we just HAVE to perfect a certain pose, what is wrong with letting the pose open naturally into what it is at THAT moment?
Do we cling to an idea of ourselves or a loved one? One of my favorite quotes comes from a little book called, "Zen and the Art of Falling in Love"
"When he comes, let him come. When he goes, let him go." We do not own anyone or anything and we can not control any feelings, thoughts, or behavior that happens. All we can do, is "let it come and let it go" without grasping.
At the base level, Aprarigraha means do be non-greedy. Have you noticed that when you REALLY identify with something materialistic and it is taken away that great suffering results? How about you let go of something voluntarily BECAUSE you know how attached you are to it? Give it up. Let it go....and you are free.
If you took away all of things you think you are.........what is left?
I invite you to explore the act of being non-greedy in thought, word, and deed and see what happens over the course of one week. May everyone be happy, May everyone be peaceful, May everyone be enjoyed.
Namaste,
Natalie
The 2nd Yama we'll be exploring in our classes this week, relates to our tendency to cling, attach, and associate ourselves with what we think is "ours." Do we hold on to an image of ourselves that is false? Does our self worth come from our car, our home, or our wardrobe? In exploring our relationship to "people, places, and things," where does the tendency to grasp come from? Is it fear of losing, fear of failure? What would happen if we let go of our need to control relationships; whether it's wanting everything to go our way, expecting perfection, or thinking that we "need" this relationship. If it's on our yoga mat and we just HAVE to perfect a certain pose, what is wrong with letting the pose open naturally into what it is at THAT moment?
"When he comes, let him come. When he goes, let him go." We do not own anyone or anything and we can not control any feelings, thoughts, or behavior that happens. All we can do, is "let it come and let it go" without grasping.
At the base level, Aprarigraha means do be non-greedy. Have you noticed that when you REALLY identify with something materialistic and it is taken away that great suffering results? How about you let go of something voluntarily BECAUSE you know how attached you are to it? Give it up. Let it go....and you are free.
If you took away all of things you think you are.........what is left?
I invite you to explore the act of being non-greedy in thought, word, and deed and see what happens over the course of one week. May everyone be happy, May everyone be peaceful, May everyone be enjoyed.
Namaste,
Natalie
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Changes
I look around me and all is changing
the dogwood trees are flowering
the cool air is being replaced by warmth
and the heaviness of winter is shedding off of me slowly...
Friday April 2nd was my last day working for AIDS Action Committee. It was time to move on and stop living a double life of yoga (what I really want to do) and office work (something I never felt comfortable doing). I am now embracing teaching yoga as my daily dharma. It is not easy however to go from busy to relaxed with lots of unstructured time.
It's times like these when my yoga practice is so important. I remember the yamas and niyamas or ethical ways of living according to Patanjali an ancient sage. I think of the teachings about surrendering that which you cannot control and taking the plunge into uncertainty and vastness. I remember to practice "contentment" with the way things are right now.
I know that when I stand in Warrior I pose I am strong and have all the tools within me to live a happy life. I also know that when I fold forward in uttanasana or standing forward bend that i am leaving all that can't be changed to the universe and that also takes strength.
Today I remind myself that I truly can only do my best in this life and hope that I was inspiration to others. I remember a quote from Anais Nin as I sit here in my sunny apartment in Early Spring:
"And the risk it took to remain small in a bud was too painful than the risk it took to bloom"
Peace to all of you. Happiness to All.
Namaste!
Natalie
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