Spiritual Life...What It's Like...In the Real World...

It's like being the ocean.

The surface of the water because of its saltiness stays buoyant. It doesn't know the depth of the ocean, and stays happily afloat to tend to it's comings and goings.

Then it is churned up by a storm or a big wave and is brought under and gets caught in the current and so becomes aware of its own depth and a whole new world it didn't know about (or had forgotten about) opens up (awareness).

Perhaps the once surface of the ocean would like to stay down and discover this vast weightless, calm embodiment of Self, but because of the nature of the ocean, constantly churning and changing, reacting and flowing, the surface of the ocean will have to once again at some point become the surface. Once it's been churned and tossed around a bit, led and cradled by the depth of it, it will bring to the surface with it a part of that depth - it is no longer what it was.

The changes will continue to occur as long as the surface of the ocean allows itself to be taken to its depths. It will always resurface until one day, it is no longer the same as it started. If the ocean is stagnant - resists change - then the surface will forget its depth.

Let the wind, rain, storms, and currents of your life take you to your depths.

Peace!w

Ashtanga - Primary Series - Practice

The past two weeks, I have focused on the Primary Series. Haven't done it - consistently - for a while. Wanted to get back into it - really missed it. It was so hard to do in the beginning years ago when I first started to practice. My body and system did not like all the forward bends. It really effected me - and not in a good way. I remember how I would not be able to do ALL of the postures. It took years upon years of practice to get me to a point of feeling good in the practice.

But it came at a price. I mangled my body and stressed it out just by working into the postures.

I have a very sensitive system - even my bodyworker whether it is a chiropractor/thai massage/SOT therapist, says that my body has extreme reactions to adjustments. In other words, the work that I do in my practice can really set off a chain reaction of pain. Shoulder pain, back pain. Stiff neck and back. Sore hips and aching legs. So I had to lay off for a while.

Now - it's all back. The shoulder pain especially. It's because my right shoulder leans more into the forward bends and it puts it out every time. Even when I am totally conscious of it.

That's a part of the practice then isn't it. The physical practice is easier - I know the postures I can get into easily, I know the postures I can get into with some effort, and I know the postures, for my body's sack, I shouldn't push. It is a part of the practice to know these things.

I need to work like this for a while and let my body slowly work out the kinks again.

I know that if I were in Mysore practice I would try to push myself too much - spurred on by the energy of the room. Although I really love that - being with all those people. It has never served me.

Today I practice quietly in my home - I've got a great little spot - breathing and working through the aches in my body with a clear and calm mind. I do not push. I listen and learn. And I love every minute of it!

Peace!

Sharath Jois in Copenhagen

Lovely vid of Sharath in Copenhagen. Wish I were there…

vid by Alessandro Sigismondi.

The Story Behind the Black Board at Restless Spirit

I painted and framed a blackboard at the entrance of the new incarnation of the studio, Restless Spirit. 

The intention behind the blackboard at the entrance of the studio was for me to ask a question and for the public - whoever came down the hallway, would write their answer to the question. I asked this question just before I left. (later I changed "today" to "lately")

I was looking forward to coming back and seeing what people wrote. I was going to document it in some way - through photos and writing.

Upon my return I found that someone had erased everything and put three words on it - nice words - but not My words. They decided for whatever reason to erase My board and put whatever they wanted on it.

So I decided that I was going to share quotes for now. Whether they are my own or from writings of my favorite teachers. I will post a new quote every couple of weeks.

I will revisit the "ask a question" project when I can be there more frequently, and have a discussion about the board with those around.