Fresh Perspective

This past Thursday, May 26 was the New Moon, the phase of the 28-day moon cycle where the night sky is dark, as the moon isn't receiving the light of the sun. It is thought that the New Moon is the perfect time for planting seeds based on how we wish to live intentionally. It is on the full moon where we reap what has been sown, and this particular New Moon is in Gemini as explained on the site, foreverconscious.com. It is a time to check-in with how we are communicating with ourselves, others and the planet. It's the perfect time to open up to a new perspective, to perhaps see things from another viewpoint.

This past weekend was also the completion of Module Four of the ten module Yoga Teacher Training program that I offer. The beauty of being in the role of minting new teachers is that it constantly offers the opportunity to return to "beginner's mind", that curious state we enter as we explore unfamiliar thoughts, concepts or travel to unknown places. I get to bear witness to the process of unfolding and, as a result, I stay connected to what it feels like to learn something for the first time.

One of the most challenging assignments given by my teacher, Judith Hanson Lasater, was to write from the perspective of someone whose viewpoint or opinion was opposite to my own. We were asked to view through their lens. We didn't have to like it or agree with it, but to simply stand in their shoes and write from their voice. It was truly difficult as I, like most of us, are rather attached to my way of thinking. As I worked the process, something very cool happened...I softened. One of the goals of our training that year was around empathy and this practice fostered it more fully than anything else I had previously undertaken. I didn't like it, I had resistance and felt discomfort speaking from a perspective that wasn't mine. But, my heart opened to where that other voice was coming from.

Given the state of division and conflict in our world, I am grateful for this particular gift of freshening up my own perspective. And it is an ongoing practice as I'm certain I will continued to be challenged by opposing opinions! And that's the point. How can we find greater ease and equanimity in our daily lives if we continue to see ourselves as separate to other beings? Is it possible to find grace in moments of conflict? As we look to improve how we communicate, it's important to realize that we are not our thoughts but rather the witness to our thoughts. If we begin to identify with what we are thinking, we plant the seeds of our own suffering. Part of the practice of meditation is to become better at watching our thoughts, just as clouds pass through the sky, so do the thoughts we are thinking. Meditation encourages us to notice where we cling and challenges us to let go of the clinging.

These practices of opening to greater awareness take time. It may be numerous cycles of New Moons before we see the manifestation of our efforts. I like to think of it from the perspective that each time I state a positive intention, each time I soften my heart, and each time I consciously sit in meditation I am strengthening my commitment to finding inner peace. I trust that what I am planting within will spread further and further away from me into the connected web of universal consciousness. Let's take responsibility for our inner garden as it all contributes to the collective. In another few weeks we can gaze up at the full moon and see the results of our efforts. Something from many moons ago might just show up. How exciting!

Stay Open

This past weekend I was in the high desert of Joshua Tree attending Shakti Fest, a gathering of yogis from all walks of life. Held in the spring over Mother's Day weekend, Shakti Fest has been honoring the divine feminine for the past seven years. Just after Labor Day (early September here in the USA), is a slightly larger festival called Bhakti Fest which celebrates its ninth year in just a few months. I've attended all but one Shakti and Bhakti Fest, so this experience certainly wasn't a new one for me. The beauty of the gathering, apart from the stunning desert and its sunsets, is a confluence of people who practice yoga from many different angles. Daily yoga classes, meditation, workshops, chanting, sound baths, vegetarian food, chai, organic coffee, and acai bowls abound. And the MUSIC! A plethora of talent adorns the stage for three straight days with an abundance of dancing and devotion. It's all quite astounding that this gathering happens twice a year and it's only 45 minutes from where I live.

Yet what I love most is the gathering of community. Over the years of attending, I have seen both my local yoga community and this larger bhakti community grow. It offers me the rare opportunity to sit in deep conversation with many of the people I've come to know. So many of my daily interactions are with students as they come and go from classes. I don't often get a chance to have more than a few minutes of conversation. Over this past weekend, I had so many open-hearted discussions that fed my own soul. It was beautiful to hear deeply about the path many people are exploring.

Three conversations, in particular, had one thing in common--how suffering leads to transformation. It led to my thought of the week of staying open. Although the individual circumstances of each person varied-one coming to terms with an auto-immune disorder, another in conflict with their son and another, the breaking up of a 35-year relationship. Uncertainty, discomfort, and anger were present, yet it was so fascinating to notice that these powerful emotions didn't seem to be smothering the person's ability to experience love and joy. Laying below the surface was this sense of equanimity with each person having a strong practice that is supporting them whether through kirtan (music/chanting), meditation, or the physical practice of yoga. Although under immense life stresses, these people were able to stay wide open to the current experience, knowing perhaps only on a subconscious level, that making peace with what is, rather than pushing it away or ignoring it, opens the way for greater long-term growth.

Challenges create transformation and big challenges can be the fertile soil in which tremendous growth takes place. When I was 19, my father passed away at the age of 46. The grief was immense and I had no experience or tools by which to deal with the heaviness of grief. It took almost 25 years for me to process and acknowledge the sadness that I had stuffed so deeply into my tissues. It was through my deepening practice of yoga and meditation as well as being in a safe and supportive environment that I could finally come face-to-face with a deep sadness. In finally releasing this weight, I was able to be at ease with the love of the relationship I had experienced with my Dad. And it taught me a profound life lesson-life is short, things change, so make the most of your heart's calling.

Many years later, I now know that staying open to the present experience, no matter how difficult, ugly, challenging or unpleasant it may be, needs to move through us and not become embedded within us. Is this easy? No. Is it a powerful teacher? Absolutely yes.

Our lesson for this week is to acknowledge our toughest life lessons and honor what they have taught us. It is to remember to stay open to whatever may be arising and to realize that all of life is impermanent.

Breathe into your heart and let go!

Jai Ma

One of my favorite necklaces that I wear often has the word "Jai" on it, in the handwriting of my teacher Judith Hanson Lasater. She will often sign off with the word "Jai" which is translated from Sanskrit as "victorious". In honor of two happenings this weekend, Mother's Day and Shakti Fest (in the high desert near Joshua Tree, CA) we have been connecting to the mantra "Jai Ma", victory to the divine mother/feminine this week in classes. This energy of the divine mother represents Shakti, cosmic energy which is both responsible for the creation and the agent of all change. Over the weekend of Shakti Fest, the celebrations are in honor of this feminine aspect of all beings and you can hear the mantra, "Jai ma, jai ma, jai ma" repeatedly frequently.
Given the universal unrest in the world, many yogis believe that moving toward the element of the feminine must be undertaken in order to create a shift away from overly dominant Shiva (masculine) energy. Too much masculine energy results in a hardening or stiffness and lack of flow. This can manifest as tight muscles, digestive trouble, holding grudges, and unreasonable anger. It can be destructive on many levels. Shiva and Shakti need each other for full potency, with Shiva providing the conscious ocean of possibility and Shakti being that which drives manifestation. 

Not defined by gender, all of us contain both of these qualities: masculine and feminine. One way to connect to Shakti is through the heart chakra, the fourth energetic center of the seven major energy hubs in the body. It is located right in the center of the heart, connecting the lower three to the upper three chakras. When all is in balance, we tune into the hearts energy readily, connecting to love, compassion, joy, and forgiveness. This is a place of support and nourishment to whatever it is that we are bringing into the world.

I have a saying that although I didn't birth any babies, I have mothered many. We may birth ideas, businesses, relationships, and connections and when the element of unconditional love propels those connections we are residing in the flow of Shakti energy. The practice of affirming statements focused on the heart center support this. You many want to repeat these and stay with one that sits well within you:

• Infinite love is available to all.
• I lovingly accept myself as I am.
• My heart is open to giving and receiving love.
• I am worthy of love.
• I live in balance with others.
• I am loving to myself and to others.

Affirmations are repeated even if we aren't convinced they're completely true. So if we are trying to foster more kindness and connection, this may be a great place to begin. Love begins within. Let whatever divine feminine influence you have received in your life be the seed that blossoms into a stronger sense of loving energy.

However you spend this Mother's Day, with or without your mother, honoring your mother who has passed, or tapping into the energy of feminine unconditional love, take a moment to recognize how powerfully transformational this energy can be. Let's honor the feminine in all beings and allow it to take firm root within our own hearts.

Jai Ma!

I Do

We recently returned from a quick trip to Columbus, Ohio to attend the wedding of my nephew, Matthew, to his new bride Jordan. It's crazy to see someone you've known from infancy move through so many stages of their lives. As we sat in the church with Matthew and Jordan exchanging their vows, it struck me about how much forethought went into that particular moment...when they said "I do" to each other. Usually, in the cases of marriage, people give it a good amount of consideration before committing, although a thriving business exists in Las Vegas for those who are more spontaneous!

My thought for the week was actually planted a couple of weeks ago during a conversation around saying "no" and how important that can be to creating boundaries. Instead, I am inspired to focus on the more positive approach of what are we saying "yes" to in our daily lives.

Many years ago, I intuitively knew I needed to bring meditation into my life on a regular basis.  And I knew this translated as a daily practice. It all felt quite challenging and I didn't really know what had held me back from doing it, but I felt a bit blocked. I knew about meditation, I practiced erratically, and needed a gentle and supportive nudge in order to get me to commit to sit. That was almost 11 years ago and I'm still sitting daily. I knew I wanted this part of my yoga practice to grow. I was seeking greater ease, more calm, and connection into a quiet and personally spiritual place.

The thought of the week is asking ourselves, "Am I saying yes to what serves and supports me?" Are we doing something today that aligns with our future selves? If we know we want more peace and ease in our daily lives, then today is the time to practice being more at ease and peaceful...not tomorrow, or next week. If I truly wish to embody a peaceful life, I need to practice having a peaceful life now. When I awake in the morning, I no longer have to make the decision, "Will I meditate today?" The ritual of daily practice has become so ingrained that it is now a non-negotiable part of my day and life. It's simply part of who am I and how I wish to be. It still serves and supports me along my own journey. I remember one of my teachers said that creating a meditation practice will eventually feel like the same leaving the house without brushing your teeth. It simply becomes a daily ritual of who you are.

So what are you saying "yes" to? Are you saying "yes" to things that take you further away from what is propelling you forward? Do you say "yes" to doing something because it's easier than saying "no"? It almost sounds too simple that when faced with a decision what may help the process is asking the question, "Does this serve me?" If we drop down into our belly and listen to the answer, we can get fairly clear, fairly quickly. Is it easy? Not always...but in yoga, there's a sutra that describes how we can avoid the creation of future suffering. 

2.16

Heyam duhkham anagatam

"Pain that is not yet come is avoidable"

~Swami Satchidananda

Begin today by asking yourself the question, "What can I say "yes" to that my future self will thank me for?" Then put your hand over your heart and strongly affirm your intention by saying, "I Do!"