by admin | Jul 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
The fifth Yama (yogic way to live) is Aparigraha. Aparigraha means being un-possessive. Not holding onto an idea, a thing or an individual. Not needing labels or possessions to reinforce an identity: The practice of non-attachment. The practice of non-attachment can be challenging. Sometimes in the effort to not be attached (to others, outcomes, future goals), we become detached. Detached is like checking out – staying safe by not really taking part or fully putting yourself out there and living. Non-attachment doesn’t mean detachment. When we’re detached we have stepped away from feeling things – but when we feel things we live in a heart space. The heart space is a neutral, non-judgemental approach that comes out of love. We are content in our own space and open to what each moment can bring. We find joy in the happiness of others. SIMPLE TIP TO SUPERSEDE ATTACHMENT: Instead of focusing on taking away attachment, a great way to really shift out of the grasping, the jealousy and the desirous space of attachment, is to instead invoke the feeling of GENEROSITY (If this is hard, fake it ’til you make it). The feeling of generosity kind of sums up the feeling of non-attachment. We exist to encourage all beings to prosper and be fulfilled, including ourselves. It’s not all give and it’s not all take – it’s ALL enjoy. I have found personally, that when I’m struggling and feeling ripped off in life, if I direct my intention towards generosity, where I choose to feel joy for others, not jealousy, where I take my own dilemmas from the forefront of...
by admin | Jul 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
Bramacharya – the 4th Yama*. Historically this has meant preserving all energy for Spirit and removing oneself from the more human aspects of living. The yama of Bramacharya suggests abstaining from sex to enable the yogi to use sexual energy in other ways – to be channelled inward and to eventuate in enlightenment. This yama is often overlooked as not so relevant to the modern yogi, however when we approach it as being less about abstaining from sex and more about using energy (all energy) wisely; there is so much to be learned from this Yama. Generally as a culture we tend to push ourselves to the limits. We go until we really need to stop. This mindset of “use energy, re-fill, use energy, re-fill” somehow doesn’t quite cut it when considered through the lens of Bramacharya. Because Bramacharya is about balance. The practice of moderation – tempering the potential for over-doing it to avoid having to over-compensate later. Basically, it’s coming to terms with the FACT that where there is one extreme, the other extreme will follow. It’s the Yin and the Yang. If we expend too much energy, we’ll pay later. Bramacharya is the practice of what the Taoists would call the ‘middle way’. The idea is to not to go go go until empty, but to replace and replenish energy as we use it. This requires a careful balance of letting go and discipline. LETTING GO: Of the “to do list” head space. The list of all that needs be done. List consciousness is exhausting. Far more exhausting that actually getting through the list. Yogi Bhajan...
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...
