If we aren't clear about what we want in life, it won't be able to find us The best way to get what we want from life is to first know what we want. If we haven't taken the time to really understand and identify what would truly make us happy, we won't be able to ask for it from those around us or from the universe. We may not even be able to recognise it once it arrives. Once we are clear about what we want, we can communicate it to those around us. When we can be honest about who we are and what we want, there is no need to demand, be rude or aggressive, or manipulate others that are involved in helping us get what we want. Instead, we know that we are transmitting a signal on the right frequency to bring all that we desire into our experience. As the world evolves, humanity is learning to work from the heart. We may have been taught that the way to get what we want is to follow certain rules, play particular games, or even engage in acts that use less than our highest integrity. The only rules we need to apply are those of intention and connection. In terms of energy, we can see that it takes a lot of energy to keep up a false front or act in a way that is counter to our true nature, but much less energy is expended when we can just be and enjoy connections that energise us in return. Then our energy can be directed toward living the life we want right now. Society has certain expectations of behaviour and the roles each of us should play, but as spiritual beings we are not bound by these superficial structures unless we choose to accept them. Instead, we can listen to our hearts and follow what we know to be true and meaningful for us. In doing so, we will find others who have chosen the same path. It can be easy to get caught up in following goals that appear to be what we want, but when we pursue the underlying value, we are certain to stay on our right path and continue to feed our soul. What makes a woman confident is her ability to call upon her feminine wisdom So often in our world we tend to think of strength as a quality that arises from a place of firm determination and a will to succeed no matter the cost. Even though we might want to think of a strong woman as being defined in this way, what really makes a woman confident is her capacity for listening to her true self and being able to call upon her feminine wisdom to any situation that may arise. A woman does not need to step into an assertive role or act like a man in order to be effective at what she does -- she simply needs to get in touch with her insight and sense of compassion to truly demonstrate the depth of her strength. Listening to the feminine side of ourselves may not seem easy at first for this type of energy is something that is often overlooked in many aspects of our everyday lives. If we can connect with this part of who we are, however, we will find that there is an unlimited wellspring of strength available to us. Our capacity to tap into our intuition and listen to our inner guides, to take into account the needs of those around us, and to view a situation with compassion and love are ways that we can show the world the true power that is part of our feminine nature -- our true nature. When we learn to integrate this source of strength into our daily tasks and decision-making, we will find that we can be more flexible and open to the things that happen around us and more receptive to new ideas. Not only will we see the world in a different light, but we will truly start to realise the potential for this form of energy to both empower ourselves and those around us. As we cultivate our feminine energy we can redefine the meaning of strength. By embracing our feminine power as something that is strong in its own right, we are able to use it with true assurance and determination and draw upon what truly belongs to us. Honouring the daily OM. When it comes to designing a yoga practice, it’s easier to picture doing seated forward bends and downward dogs than engaging with the yamas and niyamas (the first two rungs on the ladder of classical yoga) Postures fit solidly into a daily schedule and have beginnings, middles, and ends. But yogic attitudes such as non-harming and contentment are more contemplative in nature and require a measure of self-examination. As a result, they tend to fall off our practice map. Suppose, for example, that a fellow student in your yoga class turns to you and says, “I’m working on the fourth niyama. Do you have any suggestions for me? I could sure use some help.” Would you have advice to offer? If you think you might be stumped, perhaps it’s time to dig a little deeper into the underpinnings of yoga, where classroom work merges with philosophy, and the point of practice is to explore the nature of yoga itself. The fourth niyama is a perfect place to begin. SVADHYAYA: That mystery niyama? It’s svadhyaya—“self-study,” although the translation is a bit awkward. This Sanskrit word, like many, has a richer history than can easily be captured in one or two English words. Even within the Yoga Sutra (the bible of yoga, so to speak) the term svadhyaya picks up increasingly richer meaning as it winds its way through the first two chapters. To translate svadhyaya as “self-study” is, on the surface of things, quite precise. The first part of the word--sva—means “self.” The second part--dhyaya—is derived from the verb root dhyai, which means “to contemplate, to think on, to recollect, or to call to mind.” Thus, it works to translate dhyaya as “study”—to study one’s own self. By Rolf Sovik of the Himalayan Institute Read more of the complete article here: Yoga International It is a great act of love to leave the earth a better place when we leave, than which we found her We inherit this great planet from our parents and from the generations that came before. Then, in concert with the surrounding culture, our elders teach us how to care for the land and the sea, ourselves and each other. They model ways of being in relationship with every other expression of life on earth. But whether they act with care or carelessness, compassion or cruelty, generosity or greed, we have the ability to choose our own individual way of relating with the planet and her inhabitants. From our first breath here to our very last, we will find infinite opportunities to influence our environment for the better. We can decide now to act with intention in order to leave this amazing planet brighter and more beautiful than when we arrived. If we enjoy environmental activism, we might feel moved to clean up beaches or to plant trees. But, we need not feel limited in our ability to contribute positively. There are many ways to leave a legacy of love. We might begin by radiating affirmative thoughts and feelings about how magnificent the earth truly is. We might create and tend a special garden, one that provides an abundance of food and herbs for ourselves and our loved ones. Or we might create a garden filled with sweet smelling flowers to uplift our hearts. We might even honor the earth simply by trying to be the best person we can be while we are here. Such good will can have a domino effect, inspiring others to contribute in their own way as well. We spend our lifetimes being nourished and enlivened by the rain, sun, soil and wind. Our experience is blessed by other living beings, from plants to insects to birds and humans. We receive so much; giving back just naturally feels good. When we live our lives with intention of leaving this temporary home a better place for generations to come, we are perhaps leaving behind the best gift of all. Yoga creates an awareness of our connection to all of life...one way to enter is to begin to reflect on the teachings of the Yoga Sutras, and the Yamas and Niyamas are a perfect place to start your exploration of applied philosophy. One breath, one practice at a time, we begin from where we are and move towards where we want to be in the world. To shine bright and be of service to all. Om Tat Sat. Today I borrowed some words from the beautiful Madisyn Taylor. Can you Imagine a life free from pain and sorrow, and infused with joy and tranquility? The ancient yogis called this state Vishoka and insisted that we all can reach it. The key is a precise set of meditative techniques designed to unite the mind and breath and turn them inward. Grounded in the authentic wisdom of a living tradition, the simple—yet profound—practice of Vishoka Meditation is the perfect complement to your existing yoga practice, as well as a powerful standalone meditation practice. Each person I have shared this practice with has so far has spoken of a sense of joy, peace and inner nourishment - whether experienced yogi, meditator or new - that they tasted a glimpse of that state we are all aspiring to in our yoga sadhana. I began this practice with Pandit Rajamani Tigunait in his inaugural training at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale PA USA, in May 2020 and have been practicing each day since. I was honoured to become a teacher of Vishoka in March 2021 and am now offering opportunities for you to experience this beautiful practice personally. I am teaching the foundations of this sublime practice online each Thursday and Friday in 45 - 60 minute small group sessions. Please contact me to arrange your personal introductory experience before moving into the group practices. email tania@kaviyoga.com.au or phone 0408061265. Om Tat Sat. How are you raising yourself and others up? The strength of your will can carry you forward as you reflect on what you hope to achieve in this life. Upon closer examination of the course you have set for yourself, you may come to recognise that your current rate of goal realisation is causing you to fall behind slightly in the pursuit of your purpose. You may be delighted to discover how assertive you can be when you want to move forward more quickly. This can be a good time to take on a greater degrees of responsibility at work, home, or in the community. One of the best ways to demonstrate that we are comfortable with the level of responsibility we currently shoulder is to expand our efforts so that we are once again challenging ourselves. We often do not realise how broad our potential really is because we have never seen the extent of our capabilities. The more proactive we are about undertaking new duties and obligations, the more others will sit up and take notice of our talents and abilities. Though the extra work we do may not be recognised as vital at first, the people with whom we share our environments will soon come to realise that we are worthy of their further consideration and be more than willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. Your assertiveness will take you further, and it is likely that you will not stop pushing yourself just because you can. In all ways, be gentle and patient with yourself and others as you expand, rise, and work to support and encourage others in elevating and thriving in the world. Shine your light bright on the path so others can see their way home. Be loving. Be kind. Be compassionate. Be friendly. Reflect on Yoga Sutra 1.33. |
TANIA
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