by admin | Jun 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
Clearly, stealing is not an activity that’s going to progress a spiritual practice. In the Yoga Sutra, a yogic text published many years ago, the third YAMA (recommended yogic way to live) is listed as ASTEYA. Asteya means “not stealing”. Keeping in mind that there are many ways to steal – from avoiding tram fares to simply being late to meet a friend and effectively stealing their valuable time – I’d like us to consider whether or not we practice Asteya in relation to ourselves. I think one of the biggest Asteya ‘crimes’ is stealing experience. Stealing our own experience from our own selves by not being open to the moment as it unfolds. Like viewing a beautiful sunset and rather than relish the moment, getting caught up thinking about how this moment won’t last, fearing that you may never experience such a moment again – attempting to capture the moment in a photograph – all the while missing the beautiful, perfect moment. In yoga practice, Asteya (not stealing) is all about openess. Open to what comes without grasping for more or taking what is not freely given. Being present and appreciating what we already have rather than wanting something different. A wonderful meditation to fine tune your ‘moment’ skills is this one. It develops your sensitivity to the moment. Through the practice of this meditation your aura expands, making you sensitive to the energy flow in any situation. Above all, the actual experience of doing the meditation is one that brings you right into yourself in that very perfect moment. With practice you can sit in this meditation...
by admin | Jun 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
Self- deception is the most fundamental and pervasive form of dishonesty, and the most difficult to recognise. As yogis, we essentially live our life in search of Truth. Truth that lies within us – the search to “find ourselves”. Being as authentic in our expression of self on or off the mat is the practice of Satya. Satya is the second Yama (yogic way to live) and means Truth; truth in speech, action and thought. Because behind all our “ifs” and “buts” is an essential truth. That essential truth expresses itself through integrity and consistency. An attempt to live life with integrity and consistency takes us closer to this essential truth. In yoga practice, Satya means honesty. An honest practice also requires consistency and integrity. The word “integrity” stems from the Latin adjective integer (whole, complete); meaning Satya is the whole truth, removing our personal opinions, projections, objections and continually coming back to possibility, coming back to the now. You do not know what you do not know. And you’ll never know unless you allow yourself the opportunity to learn. A little story: When I was travelling in India I met and spent time with a wonderful South African woman who had come to India to study yoga and indulge in her personal search for truth. At that time she was in the throws of sorting out visa’s to enable her to marry an Indian man she had met there. Their story was a love story of ongoing navigation through visas, cultures and generally a lesson in patience and commitment! This woman had left South Africa to come to...
by admin | Jun 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
Ahimsa means ‘non harming’ or ‘non violence’ and is drawn from the ancient yogic text the Yoga Sutra. Ahimsa invites us to become fully aware of the impact our thoughts, actions and words. In our yoga practice, this translates into one simple meaning – sensitivity. Through the practice of sensitivity we are engaging in the constant flow of listening and responding. Without the act of sensitivity in our practice we are really not practicing yoga. With an intention of non-harming or non-violence towards ourselves we can create a very present, open state of being when we practice. If our critical mind or our lazy mind or our victim mind etc comes up, we have the opportunity to allow that to occur with compassion and adjust our practice (adjust our mind, body, breath) to shift to a more accepting space. There is a simple process, offered by the Hawaiian Ho’oponopono technique that I recently became aware of. This process involves saying 4 simple phrases to yourself: “I love you. Sorry. Please forgive me. Thankyou” to neutralise harmful and negative actions, thoughts and words. The phrase is directed solely at yourself and your part in whatever friction is occurring to effectively be neutralised. A large part of the Ho’oponopono process is that no matter what the issue – you take 100% responsibility for whatever part of you has brought this issue to you. Through this simple but effective practice – the practice of Ahimsa – radical shifts can occur. One amazing example of this practice: In the 1980’s an experienced practitioner of the Ho’oponopono process and psychologist, Dr Hew Len, spent...
by admin | Jun 6, 2013 | Uncategorized
There is a Powerful Owl living in my garden – Australia’s largest owl. I love to hear it’s haunting echoing resonant “hoot hoot” at night. Although it took me a long time to actually find it in daylight to see it for myself, its presence has been strongly felt. When I finally saw the owl, perched on a branch way up high in the largest, leafiest old tree in the garden, I was humbled and hugely impressed by its tall stature and wise gaze – staring right back at me – penetrating my third eye. I felt like it could see right through me. I am thrilled to have such a royal feathered co-habitant in my garden. The owl is the animal that represents the THIRD EYE or SIXTH CHAKRA. The chakra of wisdom and intuition. Sanskrit word for this chakra: Ajna. Colour: Indigo. Element: Light Physically, the sixth chakra is located at the centre of the head and is connected to the pituitary gland and the eyes. Key words for this chakra: PERCEPTION, INTUITION, SEEING, LIGHT. EXPRESSION THROUGH drawing on our inner wisdom, knowing and intuition. Visioning our dreams. SIGNS OF IMBALANCE IN THE SIXTH CHAKRA: Rigidly intellectual. Only interested in concepts, neglecting experience. Belief in only what can be seen or measured. Worrying a lot. HOW TO KEEP THE SIXTH CHAKRA BALANCED: Meditate. Chanting “Ong”. Ong is the creative universe. Let Ong vibrate through the centre of the head, the throat and the nose. Then sit in meditation afterwards, focusing on the third eye. Beyond the Sixth chakra we move from the human realm and expand...
by admin | May 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
On the weekend I went to the March Against Monsanto gathering in the city of Melbourne. This gathering gave voice to a particular passion of mine – access to quality, life-enhancing food – preferably organic. By being there I was, along with many others, expressing this passion and the belief that all of us deserve to eat well and live in healthy environments. Voicing our passions and what we believe in is honouring the nature of our existence. With-holding the expression of our truthes is not living to our full potential. Working on the Throat Chakra allows us to express ourselves with confidence and stand behind our truth. Name in Sanskrit: Vissudha Chakra Element: Ether Colour: Bright blue. Key words for this chakra: Communication through SOUND, VIBRATION, SELF-EXPRESSION. Physical location in the body: Throat, neck, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland. More on the thyroid gland. EXPRESSION THROUGH communicating – self expression as well as feeling heard. Relationship to others at a vibrational level. SIGNS OF IMBALANCE IN THE FIFTH CHAKRA: Afraid to speak out as you fear what you have to say is not worthy. Verbal diarrhea – can’t/won’t stop talking. Dominate conversations. Untruthful – not connected to personal truth. Not listening to others or thinking what others have to say matters. Unaware of the energetic influence we have on others / others and our environment has on us. HOW TO KEEP THE FIFTH CHAKRA BALANCED: Singing/Chanting. Self-generated sound through chanting mantra is one of the most powerful ways to create a meditative, healing state of being. More on mantra and the benefits. Exercises to open up the...
