Schedule for Restless Spirit - February

FEBRUARY

UPDATE:

The Kirtan evenings with Ram for February will not run due to illness.

However, in place of the kirtan, there is the
Heart Path Meditation on Thursdays from now on!

Please join us!

Schedule for Restless Spirit looks like this:

*Tuesdays - 6:30-9pm - Open Mic Night for Spoken Word, Recitals, Music, etc.

*Wednesdays - 6:15-6:45pm - Q&A; 7-8:30pm - Kirtan!

Thursdays- 6:15-6:45pm - Intro to Meditation; 7-8:30pm Heart Path Meditation!

*Tuesdays and Wednesdays will come together for March
(please contact me if you would like to perform either for Tuesdays or Wednesdays)

Thursdays are running.

Please Call, Text, FB, or Email to confirm your spot. Space is limited!

Letting Go...

Vulnerability IS the human condition. Yes - You ARE vulnerable to EVERYTHING.

We get on a plane - we can catch a cold or worse. We could fall out of the sky - yet we fly!

We live, work, ride on buses, drive on highways, interact with people who are in variant stages of insanity (including us) yet most of us get home every night. By the GRACE of the Universe, we do not live in a war zone!

We get up every morning and we step into the world in some form or another.

We are by virtue of being human - Vulnerable.

What a cruel joke it is that at a moments notice you could be gone - heart attack, stroke, getting hit by a car - simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time... or is it right place at the right time... There are countless stories about people 'cheating' death in one instance and weeks/months later It catching up with them.

Our hearts are vulnerable - how many of us have lost those near and dear to us, family, friends, lovers one way or another? Everyone has! Being in relationship is part of the human condition which is what makes vulnerability a part of the human condition. You can't "fight" it - it is not "like height". It is not measurable, it is not material - it is as it is.

Stop fighting it. Let go!

Beyond the layer of fear is a place of warmth that is the embrace of the Divine. The Ecstatic Surrender. Do this and vulnerability will not be your enemy. Look at the sculpture of the "Ecstasy of St. Teresa" by Bernini - it is her surrender to the Will of God - Ecstasy through Grace.

To know and live through your own heart is to know the Divine - and isn't that ultimately what we are here for!?

Give up the need for control. Shit happens for better or worse. If you must, learn from it. We always want reasons for everything - 'why' is a question that can never be answered. Especially to our satisfaction - so let go.

Everything makes sense when you die to your own idea of yourself. Fear of vulnerability comes from an Identification with the small self. Me and I; an attachment to you and your physical and mental ability to stave off intruders. To protect oneself at all costs - to the cost of one's Heart (not the sentimental heart though).

Non-attachment is key.

This energy that we live, flows through us whatever we are masquerading as - take it off - take off your costume and live as you truly are.

Another woman's view: What I Love and Hate about Tantra and Sacred Sex

What I Love and Hate about Tantra and Sacred Sex: Have you ever experienced the kind of relationship that, years after it’s ended, you look back and think, “how is it possible ...

This post (see link above) is a very honest portrayal of what happens during the Spiritual journey.

Everyone's journey is expressed differently through different passages and avenues. We all go through a kind of right or ritual when a part of ourselves needs to manifest. Each passage is different in how it is expressed and the intensity with which it is expressed. Some of us do not even feel that there is a need at all. Or worse, we are not directed correctly by the people we trust - hopefully eventually, most of us who are seeking can find the way on our own...

In this case, this woman's psyche led her in a Tantric/Sacred Sexual direction - just because of what her organism at that moment in time needed. This was her right of passage that she believed would end the emptiness, and the fear.

After going along this journey fully and completely in full surrender, I would imagine she need not visit this particular part of herself again. On the other hand, like it is with the spiritual process - this experience may just be the tip of the iceberg and there may be things yet to uncover... I don't know.

This woman like so many of us pursued a particular path in order to find what she thought she lacked and in the end came to the same conclusion which is offered at the outset of any spiritual teaching - "...that which I seek was within me all along." It doesn't matter who you are and what you believe or what you are told - we all have to go through the 'fire' in order to heal, to become conscious and whole. We must experience whatever it is we need to in order to live fully and develop deeply. It doesn't matter what anyone tells you or what you understand intellectually, living our lives fully means to dive into parts of ourselves by doing things, experiencing what might seem risky, shameful or embarrassing. This passage this woman took is like many passages we all take in our lives over and over again. I'm sure if she thought back on it - this wasn't the first time she's encountered something like this and... it won't be her last.

This is how we unfold!

Peace!

Christine

Happy Happy Joy Joy

It is difficult these days to teach and discuss 'traditional' yoga - like Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc...because of this notion that only if you feel happy, elated, and bolstered, empowered during your yoga class are you doing something worthwhile. The whole idea that if you're not feeling that way, then you are somehow still "burdened by the pressures of everyday life" as one yoga (Anusara) teacher put it; that by virtue of the style of yoga that is perhaps more difficult during class somehow does not let you "rediscover that belief in infinite possibility" (as another teacher put it). I say - Bullshit.

I have always said that Anusara and the like have usurped the heart out of the other practices, and as a heart-felt, sincere, mindful practitioner and teacher, I do not appreciate it.

The Heart is in ALL Traditions of Yoga Practice (including Asana, Meditation, Satsang, etc.)

I am so tired of how Anusara and all its clones take away the joy that is inherent in the practice of yoga postures in all its traditions - even if it is not "playtime" in an Ashtanga class. It is so apparent that these teachers have abandoned the traditional yogas for the sake of appeasing their own egos. Truly, we are not kids any more and that notion that we must somehow get back to that, is a fallacy. It's steering those people who want to deepen and give birth to their true selves in the wrong direction. As 'adults' we know too much to become children again. And yes, we have a lot more responsibilities to actually be able to act like one and get away with it. But through the difficulties of life, we have a choice to make - either we hide behind the tricks of the ego acting like we are spirit which only accepts 'goofing off' as a way to be 'happy'. Or we can accept ourselves and others in cultivating a no-nonsense, present centered consciousness which sees things for what they are and in that find the burden of the pressures of everyday life lifting in the face of the truth. That is freedom. In becoming unburdened this way, we find true freedom, with that we are 'happy'.

The Way to Happiness

Unburdening yourself of the constraints of an ego that can't face 'ordinary', sometimes boring moments is the work of true yoga and is made accessible by embracing all aspects of yoga not only asana. Meditation, reading thoughtful spiritual books (not only the Power of Now. C'mon!), going to a really good therapist that recognizes Spirit as a part of our worldly experience, etc., all help to open you up to those 'infinite possibilities' beyond the pacification and gratification of our ego-ic nature.

What is really scary and really exciting about it all is that it takes years! Not months. Really, the work to unravel you; what you've built up over the years to protect you: your defenses, your opinions, your preferences all must dissolve to make all of this work and it's quite a journey. You don't entirely get rid of the ego (see my other writings). You need your ego to survive. So the first real step is to cultivate awareness. How you do that by convincing yourself that there is nothing you need to work on, is beyond me. Somehow though, it is thought that if you admit you have things to work on, you are admitting to being irreversibly flawed. That there is something 'wrong' with you. That you are unworthy of love and attention because you are not perfect. That, my friends, is the first thing to work on. It is not awful to admit to yourself that "I can be a real bitch/bastard sometimes". It is actually pretty freeing. And it's scary at the same time. Still, just because you grow to accept that about yourself doesn't mean you go around being one. Go toward the fear, the dislikes, the repulsions. See what they can teach you.

We Are All Perfect In Our Imperfection

There are many aspects of ourselves we don't know and won't know if the idea of admitting to our flaws repulses us. So the next step is acceptance of yourself. Can you accept that you are not perfect? And that Perfection IS in the acceptance of all that is you! When you accept that can you accept that people aren't perfect. That means everyone. If you can open your heart to that then you are well on your way.

Surround yourself with those who know that it is not readily accessible in just a few months. When you are with others who know, then when your ego flares up because it is fighting for its life, those around will show you the way to go deeper. Trust them even if what they say 'hurts' you or 'insults' you - that's a good way to tell your ego has a hold of you.

The Playground That Is Yoga

There's nothing wrong with being playful. In fact, all of this is play in one way or another. The key is to pair your asana practice with counseling, reading and meditation. Ask questions and accept guidance. Be wary of those who tell you to ignore or forget about the dark and move only into the light. Be wary of classes which only stress to appease your tendency to look for distractions and your ego-ic nature's incessant whining. And as well, be wary of those who say yoga is about being stern. Even the most disciplined class of Ashtanga, practiced with an open heart can be light-hearted and very loving.

The wonder of it all is that when you do this then there is joy. When you can stay focussed and present in the most difficult, challenging posture (for you) or situation, there is elation. When you can accept guidance and assistance without expressing arrogance, there is love. When you can look at yourself without criticism, there is peace. Let YOGA teach you this. Then life will be so much fun!

This was inspired by this blog post: http://yogaspy.com/2011/07/22/hooping-and-the-hybridization-of-yoga-in-america/#comment-4309

The Rise and Fall of Yoga Teachers...

So one of the 'gurus' of one of the more 'popular' contemporary yoga styles in North America has been caught with his pants down - literally. I'd say good for him, good for them and good for everyone that has any righteous indignation around it. There's nothing better for the spiritual work than people who because of their own needs, desires that manifest in strong and utterly personal projections fall with the said 'guru'. When he fails, we fail - they project, and they don't like to fail. It is the Shakti at work. It happens all the time! This is the ebb and flow of the universe balancing and frankly we are but mere players...what's that Shakespear quote? Although it's not to be interpreted as Shakespear has been, as a cynical and fatalistic view-point. It's really enjoy the ride and learn - about your deep selves. About the Self that is the driver of yoga. So don't be so naive as to think that this is the first time - or the last time - this sort of thing will happen in the world, let alone in the yoga community. What is revealing to me and cosmically comical really, is the fact that people are surprised that their 'guru', the one they love, the one they love to hate, look toward, project all their aspirations of being a special yogi/yogini, would do such things that are contrary to what they believe to be true of yoga. Where's the light?, they ask. Where's the goodness and niceness in it all?

The Spiritual practice is a difficult one. And no matter how much we claim and squirm that yoga is NOT a spiritual practice (if I don't want it to be, they say. Ha, there's the rub) but just a great way to stay healthy and happy. "Somehow it works to make me happy because the teacher makes me feel that way when I'm doing my poses" - you say. "I don't go to teachers who make me feel bad about myself..." "A workout that makes me feel all oogly inside." That's why he and his practice were so popular, because that's what the practice that he 'developed' was for - to make you feel better about yourself. And he placed himself right at the helm. Responsible for how good or bad you feel. So when he did something that didn't make any sense to his 'followers', didn't give them that oogly feeling, their whole world-view fell apart.

No one in yoga whether student or teacher has super human powers and doing yoga can not give you them. You are not invincible to the mores of society and the spiritual practice is there to take you down as well as lift you up. There is always that yin and yang. You can not escape that.

Again, the Spiritual practice is a difficult one. It works on us constantly in this material life whether you are aware of it or not; Whether you are a teacher, or otherwise. If you're a strong individual or a weak one, the universe will conspire to show you a way through to balance one way or the other. Sometimes the path is varied and unseen. Every decision we 'make', every 'mistake', every 'success' is the universe directing you through your life. The path is revealed to you constantly and all the various styles and traditions, and forms of yoga, whether it is meditation or asana is to open your eyes to it by allowing you to shed the dross which hides it from your view. You have no say in it. Otherwise the ego would protect us all from ourselves! 

It is time to wake up to this notion that: you do NOT do yoga, yoga does you! All teachers, authority figures, celebrities (he turned into one) etc., get the strong mass projections of love, devotion, hatred, envy, betrayal, competitiveness, etc.. The love projection is huge, and I have experienced it myself - from both men and women. Of course, I have experienced the opposite of that. We all do at some point or another. But here's the real work - as a teacher you are the instrument of the Divine and the Shakti works through you in these ways. It is all for the learning of both the student and the teacher. For the student, it is to feel the strong emotion and the desire to have the ability to express it. For the teacher, it is to recognize that this love is not for you - personally! The job of the teacher is to stand firm in an open and compassionate stance. To recognize projection and to allow it to a certain degree until it becomes disruptive (in his case it became very destructive). The work is to dissolve the ego to the point that you can get out of the way of the learning that needs to happen for the student and for you. It is the big 'Self' that leads us into places of real learning. The misfortune of it is not getting caught, nor is it the behavior. The real sorrow is the failure to see the learning. It falls flat because of the ego's self-preservation expressed by back-stroking, denial, and projecting it back into the society. The sad part of it is the loss of the real experience of the work of the Shakti; to be able to receive and give love wholly and completely without cause or recompense. To sit in the joy of Divine love where all possessive and conditional qualities all fall away and you are left giddy with the feeling of release and lightness that comes with this profound work. That is where freedom that is Yoga really is. Be the instrument, the container which is to unite yourself so fully with the Divine that there is no question of to and from where the Love flows.