holding hands
helping each other stand
much more than a friend
the best of us strongly depends
on the goodwill we send
in intricate crafts unmanned
releasing bombs of intensity and number
that no man can outrun or withstand
perfect explosions shake us from slumber
drawing us to the front lines
divine weapon at our command
us and them surrender and combine
to a nuclear reworking that demands
peace and compassion as our mission
an art to be practiced and refined
beginning the proud tradition
of improving each other’s position
freeing our brilliant minds
from the confusion of opposition
setting the stage for our grandest designs
Tag Archives: Meditation
The Zen of Anger
It would be ludicrous to think that as a practitioner of yoga meditation I don’t get angry. In fact, my inclination toward getting annoyed is one of the reasons I am so dutiful with my practice. If we follow the DISC personality typing, I am an “I”–which means Influence–but, it can also mean Impulsive! However, the same energy that is the source of my strengths is also the source of my lesser strengths.
This morning I got angry with my son–the people that we are closest to can be the source of our greatest joy. Paradoxically, they can be the catalyst of our greatest frustration! I have a lot invested in my son–he is after all, my son. With an investment comes an expectation. When the investment does not yield a return it is a disappointment. This investment is an attraction and the disappointment is an aversion.
According to the Yoga Sutras, both attraction (raga) and aversion (dvesha) are two faces of the same coin–attachment. Both of these stem from a lack of knowledge of our true nature (avidya)–our true nature is perennial, not ephemeral. However, the nature of the physical world is transient. We cling to the things and experiences of the physical world that we love. We push away the things and experiences that we abhor. But, both the pushing and pulling cause us suffering (dukha or dukkha).
I am attracted to my son doing what I believe is best for me, he does something other than that, my attraction to my expectation is not met, I experience disappointment, my disappointment is a form of suffering. To the unmastered mind, all worldly experiences yield suffering because they are impermanent. However, this does not have to be the case.
When we are rooted in our true nature from earnest abhyasa and vairagya (practice and non-attachment) then we are aware of the fleeting nature of our experiences and we can be released from the suffering of attraction and aversion. It does not mean we are apathetic or ambivalent–I am still going to parent my child–with the hope that he leads a skillful and happy life. But, I am working on not expecting him to do what I want. We still have rules. If he breaks them, he is punished. But, now it’s not a big emotional tirade–because I didn’t get what I want.
Today I got angry, I felt the blood pump and my temperature rise. But, I was very aware that this was a bodily experience and not who I am at the core; moreover, not an emotion I have to act on. I didn’t resist the anger–that is aversion–I just let it come. I went for a drive and returned as the person I want to be.
Sum
You equal all space
Entropy equals disintegration
The ground we walk upon equals your face
Being worldly equals giving into temptation
Waking life equals fleeting
Karma equals an endless chase
Slowing down in meditation equals greeting
this perfect time and place
Scar Tissue
Today I planned on writing another meditation-based lesson/insight. But, sometimes you have to go with your intuition, and recently the universe provided me an opportunity to observe myself and where I am growing from my meditation practice. As an instructor I want to share what is working (and not working)–hopefully this offers some idea of what you may expect. Additionally, it is important to savor the small victories. But, don’t accept anything I say–meditate, meditate, meditate and find Truth for yourself.
A “glitch” I have wrestled with is holding grudges. Who knows where it arose from? I come from a long line of spicy Panamanian women– perhaps we ate to many chili peppers! But, it doesn’t matter where it came from; what matters is that it a pattern or samskara, “those deep impressions. It is those deep impressions or seed habit patterns, which are at the root of ALL of our Karmas (actions)” (Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati).
Samskara– it sounds like a scar– a deep etching a groove left in the mind which, like a cd stuck on a track, leads to habituated behavior.
When we sit to meditate we are first taught to let the stream of thoughts come and go without obstruction. We are taught to let the mind behave naturally and develop the perspective of a detached witness to this stream. Why? What purpose does this serve?
Over time this art of gently allowing the mind to unfold and bloom helps the aspirant to “see” that the mind has a limitless capacity for creation. A meditator learns to have more an impersonal relationship with “their” thoughts; they are just thoughts and not who we are at the core.
Once there is some space between the thinker and the thoughts; the fun starts to really happen… A consistent meditator notices that there are trends and habits of thinking which does not serve them. In my case, the habit is to become very defensive and angry when I perceived that I have been wronged. This tendency can lead me to hold a grudge.
Earlier this week, I was relaying to a dear friend some feelings I had about the Yoga community in my home town. I had a particularly unhappy experience which someone who has a very financially successful studio in-town. When the antagonist of my drama and I parted company, it left a very sour taste in my mouth. But, this time when I shared the story I finally felt more “neutral”. I am not going to say it was as if I was a newscaster. But, it was the first time my blood did not boil. Furthermore, I was aware of this new sense of “neutrality”.
I have begun to erase this groove.
The yoga sutras speak of four attitudes to cultivate: Maitri: Friendliness, pleasantness, loving-ness; Karuna: Compassion, mercy; Mudita: Gladness, goodwill; Upekshanam: Acceptance, equanimity, indifference, neutrality. The last of these is to be cultivated specifically towards “those we perceive as wicked or evil”.
In addition to the concept of neutrality– notice that the sutras say “those we perceive”, because the truth is, when our minds are deeply entrenched in thought we don’t really get the truth of what is going on. We ride off on each thought into the land of fantasy where we are the protagonist and the star of our drama.
As we move further into our path we work towards not creating new etchings by a committment to observing the thoughts. Then they don’t unconsciously affix to us– we are aware of their comings and goings. When an unsavory thought attempts take hold we label it as “not useful” and let it go. After all, we aren’t defined by them– they are just thoughts– and we understand that they are the product of our beautiful, boundless, ever creative mind.
Ashram
Ashram
Welcoming meditation’s
sweet lull
Relishing the satsang
and the strong vocal
Centered around the practice
that is my local’s main focal
Developing a stronger connection
with the US beyond our lovely hull
Helping me ever so nicely
lift the veils and comfortably
leave my skull
Consistency in Meditation Practice
I was listening to an audiobook that is a staple in my library now, “Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation” by Professor Mark W. Muesse Ph.D. The lecturer eloquently describes our exhibitionist media’s stereotypical image of a meditator: young, scantily dressed woman, on a beach or in a lush garden. He artfully explains this image makes meditation seem relaxing, easy, and fun. However, Muesse goes further to explain how polarizing this is–if you can’t sit criss-cross applesauce, if you’re not young and lithe, and if you’re not a sexy woman you may feel excluded from the club.
I’ve got news for you: meditation is not necessarily easy (in fact, at times it may be difficult). Furthermore, with an untrained body and mind there will be discomfort. But, like an athlete systematically trains for a marathon by consistently increasing their running on a weekly basis, a consistent practice will unfold in the ability to sit, reasonably comfortably, in meditation.
The Himalayan Tradition prescribes sitting in meditation four times a day! Yes, that may be daunting. Furthermore it may not be your reality. I have to maintain flexibility in my practice schedule. But, I sit every day!
The Yoga Sutras explain, if one wants Realization (if that is what you want), this requires committment. Realization is the greatest undertaking of a Human Life– it is not to be taken lightly. If you want to lower your blood pressure and zone out, then you should meditate sporadically.
All the Masters prescribe a relationship with The Silence, from Jesus to The Buddha. So I guess the real question, before we determine why so many people don’t meditate regularly–is, what do you really want?
Classically, in Raja-Yoga (the path described in the Yoga Sutras), one does not start with meditation. One begins with getting their house in order.
Perhaps you attracted to the idea of meditation, as stated it is recommended by The Best. But, you don’t know what you want for your life. Perhaps, you don’t have a goal. The aforementioned runner does not only hit the road to prepare for a marathon (meditation), they also use weights, they stretch, and they modify their nutrition. The Himalayan Tradition affords adjunctive practices to prepare and enhance meditation. One such practice is internal dialogue (atma vichara).
Internal dialogue is just that: having a two-way conversation with the mind. Don’t let that seem schizy to you– we do it all the time. Sometimes it is more that a two-way conversation– Muesse describes it as a committee meeting! Internal dialogue is a practice which allows you get to know your own mind, to befriend it, to learn your true deepest desires, and to have a goal for your life.
If you’re already meditating, but not using atma vichara consider adding it to bolster your practice. If you’re meditating inconsistently, understand your level of effort will yield fruit accordingly. If you haven’t begun a meditation practice, and you feel an aversion or hesitation, start with atma vichara (internal dialogue) to learn why.
Then meditate, meditate, meditate. As my beloved Swami J says, “May your meditation today bring you peace, happiness and bliss…“.
P.S. USE THE LINKS IN THE ARTICLE TO DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING!!! LOOK AT THE GUIDED PRACTICES CATEGORY FOR MORE ASSISTANCE.
I am NOT a Yoga Teacher…
I am not a Yoga Teacher… It sounds so ominous, as if I am rejecting my “career” path of the past 20 years! But, it’s quite the opposite; I am affirming my sadhana (spiritual path)–and that’s what matters.
All speech has an intention underneath it– allowing the propagation of a misnomer, for the sake of simplification, is egregious to a seeker.
I am not a Yoga Teacher–really there is no such thing. Among many definitions: Yoga is the transcendental state of consciousness; Yoga is the union of the microcosm and the macrocosm– how can one embodied being teach that???
Yes, there are Realized Masters who benevolently impart their wisdom. They have Realized their True Nature and they are guides– but, the aspirant must still walk the path.
In fact, the Yoga Sutras explain that there are three ways to obtain knowledge. Intuition, Experience, and a Qualified Teacher. But, the highest knowledge, truth, is the convergence of all three.
The aforementioned Masters are desireless– but, they share these teachings with the understanding that we are all one and it is the right and privilege of all to Self-Realize.
There is no “Teacher’s Training” that can offer this– because it requires direct experience. That is the part that seems to be ignored by the conventional.
At this junction I am a Sadhaka, not a Yogi (they have attained Yoga), I hope to Realize this state. But, until then I am a coach, a guide, and an aspirant.
The Way Aum
Step carefully
in the way
we’ve been so
graciously shown
Feel your feet
mindfully on
each of these
well placed stones
This simple path
laid out masterfully
Will certainly
lead you home
Agape
Love is the ultimate state of consciousness. This love is of a transcendental nature–not just the emotion-based physical level. This is the layer of Consciousness that has an infinite numbers of names. It is the layer that I attempt to Realize in deep meditation, contemplation, and prayer. I choose the word, “Realize”, as opposed to attain, because it is our true nature. In a sense, we have forgotten it. It is the realm of deathlessness. In fact, when someone dies the pain is due to the separation from their body–not the loss of Love. Because, what is left is what is Real and Permanent, and what is Real and Permanent is Love.
Sweet Heartful
Bursting at the seems
What seams to be us?
Getting the right words mixed up
Everything else is clear enough
In the right place?
They need too be
but its to tough for me
Leaf it up too you
two sort it out
I trust your judgement
believe in the movement
Tick tock is the reliable clock
Eye surrender too
the spaces in between
Divinity is next two cleanliness
So let’s make them squeaky
and get lost in the dream
From the Gross to the Subtle 