Fringe Benefits

Fringe Benefit

The endeavor of this blog is simple–but not easy: Changing the Past, Transforming the Future, by Loving Right Now!  As most of our readership knows, we strive to serve others through sharing: teachings of the Himalayan Tradition, our insights and experiences in meditation, and our Poetry.  However, my recent acumen is, being a Yoga Meditation Coach supports my own Life Goal–SelfRealization.

As I have said in previous postings, this tradition uses the word Realize (as opposed to transcend) because we are waking up to our Truth–our Real Nature.

About a year ago, my meditation practice began to shift.  I felt a burning desire to affirm to Consciousness my desire to assist others develop a meditation practice.  There were several factors contributing to this pull: I wanted to feel more “authentic”, I was unhappy with the direction I found many asana classes going in, and I was driven by the peace I find when I go inside–even during a seemingly lackluster sitting. Over the course of the year, spaces opened up and I was propelled from leading a casual workshop to several, then to multiple weekly classes and then this blog–which I am so fortunate to share with The Love of my Life.

As space (not really free time) has presented itself in my schedule, it has also presented itself in my heart.  Coaching is propelling me into a place of intense devotion (bhava) to the teachings and teachers which have given me so much. Furthermore, it has forced me to raise the standards I hold myself too.  I was inconsistent.  I used to feel that I could not sit still, I could not quiet my mind (which I have relinquished trying to do), and I could not go deeply into meditation.  But, as I began to share my passion, I found the committment (virya–notice the similarity to virility) that I had previously lacked. Merely (but, again not easily) having a modicum of accountability to others lit a fire under my rear.

My husband often says, “even if you practice serving other for selfish reasons, it raises the vibration of everything”.  When I began this endeavor, I wanted to feel more authentic, was unhappy with classes, wanted to share my perspective on peace– it wasn’t about The Tradition is was about me…

Wow, I still have so much more undoing to do.  As my beloved Swami J reminds me, this practice is about setting aside the false identitiesPractice makes proficient–we are already perfect.  We just have to Realize it.

P.S. Click the links!

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

Autobiography

So many twists
this tornado of a story
Such great risks
born of stupidity
and a lust for glory
Easing into fluidity
At peace with the irreversible
Made my way to center
Witnessing all
that is observable
Perpetuating positivity
As responsible inventor
It is my duty
A need born of necessity
that cannot be dictated
by the tale it secedes
Changing the way I see
weakness and entropy
Just necessary aspects of
the happy ending yet to be

Unplugged Snippet

Just a snippet of the guided meditation at “9 am Unplugged” every Sunday at Unity North Atlanta.

We share acoustic music, interactive dialogue, guided meditation, and Love!

We are still producing some more guided practices that will be uploaded to the blog soon!

I am NOT a Yoga Teacher…

Golden Om

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

image

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.

Just a Quickie…

Avril and Chad

Avril and Chad

Remember “This” is a labor of Love,

A work in Progress

Enjoy the new Profile Image

We” have been doing “This” together–the whole time.

But, really–even when “One” thought the blog was “Hers”–

“She” never subscribed to duality.

Earth Mover

Greet love with each heart beat
Gush love even in heart break
Let the love you make
sweep the world off its feet
The fate of it all is at stake

Unity North Unplugged

Unity North Unplugged Poster

I am co-facilitating a regular service on Sundays at Unity North in Marietta, GA.

Please see the “Events” Section for details soon!