"The Guest House" by Rumi

I was reminded this week of a wonderful prose by Rumi.  A reminder that we may all need, especially during the rough times in our lives.  Somethings in life come to us because of others choices, some come to us because of our own choices.  What we are reminded of in this writing, is that they do come.  The interesting thing that our practice of Yoga and its philosophies try to get us to do is to be aware, and then choose to "act" rather than to "react."  This is a very hard thing to do, especially when emotions, old and new, are brought into the mix.

 What our practice of living is really begging us to do is to pay attention and to choose our actions, instead of staying in the mode of reacting.  Which do we choose? Action or Reaction?  It is a very interesting view to step back, as though we are watching ourselves from a distance, and see ourselves as we truly are.  In this way we can learn some very valuable things about ourselves, and with this new knowledge, learn to stop the pattern of reacting, and choose our actions.  This can help us avoid more of the bumps in life, and with that, possibly our "Guest House" visitors will be more pleasant.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
- Rumi -

Our deepest fear

Especially for Kaitlin:

Here is another favorite writing of mine. You do shine, don't cover your brilliance. Sending Love, Warm Hugs, and hope that you listen to YOUR OWN INTUITION. It is always right. ~V~
***************************************************
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us;
it’s in everyone, and as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

~Maryann Williamson~

Used in Nelson Mandela's l994 Inaugural Speech

The First Step to True Intimacy: author unknown to me

"The first step to true intimacy in a relationship is to know, and become intimate with your Self. Your Self is what you bring to the relationship. If you don't know your Self, or are ashamed of some part of your "self," you won't be able to fully share your Self with your partner. You will hide and protect unhealed wounds. You will not offer your Self fully to another, as is required for true intimacy, unless you feel good about the Self you are offering.

This means that we must make a journey into our own Self to learn about our defense mechanisms, to deal with our fears, and remove our anger. Only then can we reach the core of love that is at the heart of who we are.

This may seem like an impossible task, but it is not if we are willing to do the work. This is perhaps the greatest gift of our lifetime. A little work is such a small price to pay."

**************************************************************

*Self when capitalized refers to your REAL Self, the one connected to your CREATOR (Your God,Your Source,ect.), when not capitalized, "self" refers to the self we show the world in our unconsciousness.

** True Healers: True Love, True Forgiveness, True Repentance; all are a constant work in life to acheive.

Especially for Brok & Kaitlin with Love

The Importance the Physical Practice of Yoga

A Student of Yoga develops their body by the practice of asanas (postures), for they know that the body is a necessary vehicle for the spirit. A soul without a body is like a bird deprived of its power to fly. BKS Iyengar

This is my favorite quote for yoga. When people would ask Iyengar why he put so much emphasis on the physical body, alignment, and so forth, this was his reply.

The yogis practiced the postures so their physical body would not keep their mind from their meditation. We know this as well. When we feel physically uncomfortable, sick, etc., it keeps us from the full joy of life. We need our body happy in order for our whole self, Mind/Body/Spirit, to be happy. We are not one of these, we are all of these. No part exists without the other.