I love the fire ceremony. I think it brings me the same effects of meditation. I like how the sound of the conch brings me to most present moment, the gifts of flowers, ghee, milk and honey, the sound of crackling as the herbs burn, and how the fire continues to dance even when my eyes are closed. Having started the morning beautifully though, I would like to report that my 2 day experiment is complete. My conclusion: No more carbs at night. No more. My hamstrings were extra tight this morning. I felt sluggish and my poses seemed to have the consistency of oatmeal (with chocolate chips). I did get some wonderful advice from Rachel this morning and I think I'm well on my way to jumping through and longer headstands.
Michelle and I decided to skip the sun, sand, and sea to save our shoulders from burning. I attended Sanskrit class and the chanting and lectures. During the break, I had two veggie brownies (Jack bought me one). I enjoyed the snack immensely! After the class, I went for a swim in the pool. It started to rain but the water was so warm. After a good swim, I stayed in the steam room and then had another dip in the pool, showered and went off to our evening chants with Jack. It was beautiful - Om Hrim Sri Laksmi Bhyo Namaha... The mantra was for removing mists and the harmony came to me rather easily and then Jack fused it with a Irish poem of the same purpose and it was very beautiful.
He then spoke about tantra and how Krishna gave dark chocolate as the answer to one of the questions on how happiness could be attained. I could not agree more. And of course, right before we chanted our last chant, we were given dark chocolate. So yes, Lokaah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu.
* * *
By the way, for dinner, I only had three tablespoons of lentil soup. Let's see if I feel better during asana practice tomorrow morning....
* * *
Snippets (I was too engrossed to take down too many notes. I just like to let the words sink in):
The spinal column is where our consciousness sits.
Dreams are our memory's discharge.
What we need to do is be aware that we are functionally moving and witnessing at the same time.
If we keep this lesson, you can go on with our life without being tainted by life - you can be happy wherever you are.
On asana, asana practice is strenuous because it coordinates the mind, the physical body and emotions.
The posture, when practiced properly, will make you at ease in the posture (15 minutes in the asana to feel the curative benefits of the pose...)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Day 10 (Aug 30)
We started with the fire ceremony, chanting and meditation (this time with Surya Bhedan). My practice started very slowly though, I felt somewhat tired. I think it's from eating carbs in the evening (i.e., two small servings of brown rice soaked in green curry).
After practice, I had two servings of papaya, green leaves with shitake, and michelle's left over scrambled egg and pechay. I had lots of pineapple and chrysanthemum juice, too. And a cup of organic coffee. That's when we decided to go for a swim in the sea. The weather was perfect, the water warm on the surface but cool beneath. We were happily floating (I am very, very buoyant) and, like silly little yogis, did the poses in the shallow part of the water. Jump backs, jump throughs, Mayurasanas are effortless in the water. Then we decided to paddle out and pretend to catch some waves using Simone's inflatable raft.
Here I raised my tankini to tan the stretch marks on my tummy, looking at the sky also stretch marked with cirrus clouds. The macrocosm reflects the microcosm, so they say.
We paddled from the boundary of rocks and back and just let the sun, sand and sea have its merry way with us. We went back for coconuts and summer rolls (oh so deliciously made. Sitaw, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mango and wansoy in light egg wrapper and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. It comes with this fantastic tamarind dip). Then we took a dip in the salt water pool before taking a shower and coming to our afternoon session to finish chanting the Samadhi Pada. Jayashree and Narasimha are so funny. They always argue in jest and we all get a good laugh.
We continued our talk on pramana, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidra and smrti.
On all our so-called knowledge, wrong perceptions, illusions, sleep and memory. I knew that dreams could be borne out of memory but I learned today that they can apparently ease us out of our karma. (I'll type up some notes next time...)
I write this with a happy sigh. Glorious day. Even as I am quite toasted and covered in coconut oil.
In the evening, I had a bit of salad, a bit of soup, a roll of buttered wheat bread. And five chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Yes, five. They're not that big. Let your thumb touch your index finger. Jnana Mudra. There. Five of those. Energy locked in to keep me warm the whole night through. Let's see how I feel in the morning.
I have Jayashree singing in my head yet again...
After practice, I had two servings of papaya, green leaves with shitake, and michelle's left over scrambled egg and pechay. I had lots of pineapple and chrysanthemum juice, too. And a cup of organic coffee. That's when we decided to go for a swim in the sea. The weather was perfect, the water warm on the surface but cool beneath. We were happily floating (I am very, very buoyant) and, like silly little yogis, did the poses in the shallow part of the water. Jump backs, jump throughs, Mayurasanas are effortless in the water. Then we decided to paddle out and pretend to catch some waves using Simone's inflatable raft.
Here I raised my tankini to tan the stretch marks on my tummy, looking at the sky also stretch marked with cirrus clouds. The macrocosm reflects the microcosm, so they say.
We paddled from the boundary of rocks and back and just let the sun, sand and sea have its merry way with us. We went back for coconuts and summer rolls (oh so deliciously made. Sitaw, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mango and wansoy in light egg wrapper and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. It comes with this fantastic tamarind dip). Then we took a dip in the salt water pool before taking a shower and coming to our afternoon session to finish chanting the Samadhi Pada. Jayashree and Narasimha are so funny. They always argue in jest and we all get a good laugh.
We continued our talk on pramana, viparyaya, vikalpa, nidra and smrti.
On all our so-called knowledge, wrong perceptions, illusions, sleep and memory. I knew that dreams could be borne out of memory but I learned today that they can apparently ease us out of our karma. (I'll type up some notes next time...)
I write this with a happy sigh. Glorious day. Even as I am quite toasted and covered in coconut oil.
In the evening, I had a bit of salad, a bit of soup, a roll of buttered wheat bread. And five chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Yes, five. They're not that big. Let your thumb touch your index finger. Jnana Mudra. There. Five of those. Energy locked in to keep me warm the whole night through. Let's see how I feel in the morning.
I have Jayashree singing in my head yet again...
Day 9 (Aug 29)
Pacasana. Kroucasana. Salabhasana A. Salabhasana B. Bhekasana. Dhanurasana.
Paul is an amazing teacher (amazingly funny, too). Hard core, he says as I blot the blood from a scrape on my left foot which I got from jumping not quite through. He did say to put band-aid though. When I finished the new pose, I looked at him for guidance. I say - What do we do now? And he says - Well, we could go for some coffee, blah, blah, blah. He lightens the otherwise uber serious uddiyanas in us.
As he moves me lower into the seated poses, he sings Om Mane Padme Hum (a tribute to my tattoo) and to Michelle, he chants, Go Hanuman! (a tribute to hers)...
After more chanting and a lecture on the Sutras, we had dinner and then our mini concert of chanting with Jack, Jayashree and Narasimha (who held the flashlight). It was beautiful, sweet. We encircled this.
Now to finally sleep.
Paul is an amazing teacher (amazingly funny, too). Hard core, he says as I blot the blood from a scrape on my left foot which I got from jumping not quite through. He did say to put band-aid though. When I finished the new pose, I looked at him for guidance. I say - What do we do now? And he says - Well, we could go for some coffee, blah, blah, blah. He lightens the otherwise uber serious uddiyanas in us.
As he moves me lower into the seated poses, he sings Om Mane Padme Hum (a tribute to my tattoo) and to Michelle, he chants, Go Hanuman! (a tribute to hers)...
I also did a photoshoot for my room mate. This is her. Ivana.
Now to finally sleep.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day 8 (Aug 28)
Today, I was initiated in to Reiki II. This was one of the things I wanted to do during these two weeks but I thought I would not be able to since no one could join me. I was not disappointed though. In this journey, I have learned that God's timing is perfect. As He would have it, this was possible afterall.
I received my attunement facing the sea in the outdoor shala. It was a lovely day for healing. Tonight I will sleep with the symbols encircling me.
This is beautiful Claudia (who also introduced me to Reiki I).
I received my attunement facing the sea in the outdoor shala. It was a lovely day for healing. Tonight I will sleep with the symbols encircling me.
This is beautiful Claudia (who also introduced me to Reiki I).
Friday, August 27, 2010
Day 7 (Aug 27)
Seven days. I've been here for seven days. It seems fast and slow at the same time. We were taught to shift our attention from the lower back and third eye as we breathed through our meditation. It was very relaxing after I got over the few mental notes (and. now. shift. inhaaaale. and. now. shift. exhaaaale...) In Savasana, we rested with Om Mane Padme Hum in the background. It takes me a few minutes to get on my feet afterwards.
I'm still feeling the energy from my practice. Today, I worked on twisting. I like how Paul sings or hums songs as he walks around the room looking for that back, arm, leg to lift, pull, push or twist. I imagine these limbs calling him even as the limb owner is contemplating on whether to ask for help or rush to the next pose. He twisted me deeper in Janu C singing Don't You Forget About Me...
And yet, ironically, I forgot Setu Bandhasana. I was doing baby back bends for prep when Paul asked/reminded me. Oooops. Then he asked me if I've started 2nd series. Nope. And so he started me on the 2nd series today. I thought I heard the crowd cheering with confetti everywhere. Ah, citta vrtti moment. It must be from the thirst that kicked in during my Navasana - chug boat style. I like that move, says my funny teacher, it's like the funk, you know. See, that's why I work extra hard, save up and fly to Thailand. To hear Paul and his quips as I practice. I really do love having him as a teacher.
Anyway, Pasasana and Krouncasana, welcome to my practice! Please behave and try not to break anything... So I was on my feet seated, knees together, my right arm wrapping around and behind me. I bind. Paul says chin up... look at me...okay. Other side. The other side was a bit of a problem but I think I get it. So then I jump back do it again. It'll take some practice. I move into the next pose, seated with one leg bent back and the other raised. I think I like this pose. Paul moves my raised leg closer to my chest. Breathe.
Then I was off to my Salabhasana and Dhanurasana (purely for prep purposes). Then I was again doing my backbends. 3 on my own and 3 dropbacks. Paul says we'll clean up the poses over the next few days. I love that this class is small enough to give the much needed airtime with him.
---
I slept over lunch. It was Prof. Rao's last day. He insisted that it's very easy to tell the Sanskrit letters apart, and read consonants with vowels and consonants with consonants (which was our lesson today). We nodded our heads, not sure what to say. I'm sure, though, that I've come a long way from where I was in Sanskrit in just those few hours he's spent to educate us. I also love the Gita more because he's shed so much light on it - at least, for Chapter 6. So, thank you, Prof. Rao.
After the Gita, we had more chanting and Sutras. Prof. Narasimha made me finally understand Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam. If I still the citta vrtti, I can be with myself. Funny how what we call our personality can be the barrier from seeing our true person....
In the evening, we had more singing. Here's Jack with Amra.
I'm still feeling the energy from my practice. Today, I worked on twisting. I like how Paul sings or hums songs as he walks around the room looking for that back, arm, leg to lift, pull, push or twist. I imagine these limbs calling him even as the limb owner is contemplating on whether to ask for help or rush to the next pose. He twisted me deeper in Janu C singing Don't You Forget About Me...
And yet, ironically, I forgot Setu Bandhasana. I was doing baby back bends for prep when Paul asked/reminded me. Oooops. Then he asked me if I've started 2nd series. Nope. And so he started me on the 2nd series today. I thought I heard the crowd cheering with confetti everywhere. Ah, citta vrtti moment. It must be from the thirst that kicked in during my Navasana - chug boat style. I like that move, says my funny teacher, it's like the funk, you know. See, that's why I work extra hard, save up and fly to Thailand. To hear Paul and his quips as I practice. I really do love having him as a teacher.
Anyway, Pasasana and Krouncasana, welcome to my practice! Please behave and try not to break anything... So I was on my feet seated, knees together, my right arm wrapping around and behind me. I bind. Paul says chin up... look at me...okay. Other side. The other side was a bit of a problem but I think I get it. So then I jump back do it again. It'll take some practice. I move into the next pose, seated with one leg bent back and the other raised. I think I like this pose. Paul moves my raised leg closer to my chest. Breathe.
Then I was off to my Salabhasana and Dhanurasana (purely for prep purposes). Then I was again doing my backbends. 3 on my own and 3 dropbacks. Paul says we'll clean up the poses over the next few days. I love that this class is small enough to give the much needed airtime with him.
---
I slept over lunch. It was Prof. Rao's last day. He insisted that it's very easy to tell the Sanskrit letters apart, and read consonants with vowels and consonants with consonants (which was our lesson today). We nodded our heads, not sure what to say. I'm sure, though, that I've come a long way from where I was in Sanskrit in just those few hours he's spent to educate us. I also love the Gita more because he's shed so much light on it - at least, for Chapter 6. So, thank you, Prof. Rao.
After the Gita, we had more chanting and Sutras. Prof. Narasimha made me finally understand Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam. If I still the citta vrtti, I can be with myself. Funny how what we call our personality can be the barrier from seeing our true person....
In the evening, we had more singing. Here's Jack with Amra.
This time last week, I had just gotten here. I have so much to think about and also so much to be thankful for. What was that last song - I've got good religion. It's true. My religion is love.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Day 6 (Aug 26)
Morning practice was beautiful. Right after our meditation, we were "serenaded" by Jack with his version of Sarvesham Shanti Mantra. I was feeling rather tired and the music was just what I needed to soothe me. I slept past midnight uploading photos and finishing my entry last night. But I just love doing the things I love.
Still (and somewhat surprisingly), practice was very good. I was pleased with the quality of both breath and thought. We - me, my breath and my unusually cooperative thoughts, stuck together just working through the latter half of the series and really relishing the moments. I've become friends with Marichy D (as I did in Teacher Training). I hope this time it flies home with me to Manila and doesn't leave me when the teachers aren't around. Sirsasana seems to be more unfriendly (why do you stay with me for just 5 breaths? Don't you love me anymore?)
Oh, but I've been working on opening my heart more now so maybe I'll give my head a rest for a bit.
This afternoon was rather funny. I decided to take a catnap 10 minutes before the Sanskrit class and promptly fell asleep until I heard Mathias' voice ringing in my consciousness. I went to class and caught up very quickly (and without much of a choice). It was consonants with vowels. ka, kaah, ki, kiih, ku, kuuuu, kr, krrh, kl, ke, kai, ko, kau....(and they come with their own strokes). Ah, it just keeps getting better.
Now, the word I got for the day is Cuckoo. Yes, pikah. I attract these things, right? Others get crow or monkey but for me it's Cuckoo.
Dinner was very nice - summer rolls with shitake mushrooms (A. would love this!). Brown rice and pumpkin curry. Jack has been sitting with us during dinner time and he asked me my first difficult question for the day. Or my second, if you count Prof. Rao's question (Him: Madam, can you read this? Me: uh, pika-ha. Him: good. do you know what it means?). So anyway, the question was: What's the latitude of the Philippines/Manila? The answer: Give me 1 minute then... 14'35 N and 121 E. Thank you, Wikipedia. Thank you, Steve Jobs. Thank you, intermittent but now okay WiFi. We all had a good laugh. A good reason to have gelato (and a veggie cupcake for me).
So then for kirtan/singing, we got to sing one of Jack's originals and ended with the Sarvesham Shanti Mantra. I have a thing for full circles. Beautiful.
As I was writing this, Ivana decided to ask my last difficult question for the day. She starts with "May I ask a question" which always makes me nervous. Here it goes - Why is the letter r a vowel in Sanskrit?
Oh dear Lord. Give me 1 minute...
* * *
My photo of the day:
On my way back to the room, the birds were eating the banana offered during the agni puja...
In the notebook:
Today, we are still hunters and gatherers - only more sophisticated.
We are at the threshold of the savage and the Divine
Yoga can be interpreted as the process or the state/result. Joining together is the process. The state of equanimity is the result.
Fear is the basis of aversion of choice.
Society has built safety factors coming from conditioning.
We need to know why we need what we need and truly understand what drives this.
Still (and somewhat surprisingly), practice was very good. I was pleased with the quality of both breath and thought. We - me, my breath and my unusually cooperative thoughts, stuck together just working through the latter half of the series and really relishing the moments. I've become friends with Marichy D (as I did in Teacher Training). I hope this time it flies home with me to Manila and doesn't leave me when the teachers aren't around. Sirsasana seems to be more unfriendly (why do you stay with me for just 5 breaths? Don't you love me anymore?)
Oh, but I've been working on opening my heart more now so maybe I'll give my head a rest for a bit.
This afternoon was rather funny. I decided to take a catnap 10 minutes before the Sanskrit class and promptly fell asleep until I heard Mathias' voice ringing in my consciousness. I went to class and caught up very quickly (and without much of a choice). It was consonants with vowels. ka, kaah, ki, kiih, ku, kuuuu, kr, krrh, kl, ke, kai, ko, kau....(and they come with their own strokes). Ah, it just keeps getting better.
Now, the word I got for the day is Cuckoo. Yes, pikah. I attract these things, right? Others get crow or monkey but for me it's Cuckoo.
Dinner was very nice - summer rolls with shitake mushrooms (A. would love this!). Brown rice and pumpkin curry. Jack has been sitting with us during dinner time and he asked me my first difficult question for the day. Or my second, if you count Prof. Rao's question (Him: Madam, can you read this? Me: uh, pika-ha. Him: good. do you know what it means?). So anyway, the question was: What's the latitude of the Philippines/Manila? The answer: Give me 1 minute then... 14'35 N and 121 E. Thank you, Wikipedia. Thank you, Steve Jobs. Thank you, intermittent but now okay WiFi. We all had a good laugh. A good reason to have gelato (and a veggie cupcake for me).
So then for kirtan/singing, we got to sing one of Jack's originals and ended with the Sarvesham Shanti Mantra. I have a thing for full circles. Beautiful.
As I was writing this, Ivana decided to ask my last difficult question for the day. She starts with "May I ask a question" which always makes me nervous. Here it goes - Why is the letter r a vowel in Sanskrit?
Oh dear Lord. Give me 1 minute...
* * *
My photo of the day:
On my way back to the room, the birds were eating the banana offered during the agni puja...
In the notebook:
Today, we are still hunters and gatherers - only more sophisticated.
We are at the threshold of the savage and the Divine
Yoga can be interpreted as the process or the state/result. Joining together is the process. The state of equanimity is the result.
Fear is the basis of aversion of choice.
Society has built safety factors coming from conditioning.
We need to know why we need what we need and truly understand what drives this.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Day 5 (Aug 25)
Happy Moon Day!
We started with the morning fire ceremony but on this special day, we spent half the day for 1,008 Gayatri Mantras by the fire. 108 aloud...
After my chores and a wonderful conversation with Amra, a Financial Controller also on the crossroads, I spent some quiet alone time just contemplating and deciding whether I should choose this view.
Or this.
But from where I was, I could see both and so I reflected on gratefulness.
Next stop. Sanskrit Kindergarten class. So now that we sort of know our vowels, dipthongs, consonants (guttarals, palettals, cerebrals, dentals, labials), semi-vowels and sibilants, we were going to read Sanskrit words (pop quiz??)
Here are the words I got: Elephant (ibhah). One (ekah). Pot (ghatah). Nine/New (nava). Monastery (er...). Loan (rnam, with dots under r and m). If I got this in a fortune cookie, it would read something like: You have an elephant in one pot and nine new monasteries on loan.
Very interesting but not very useful when I want to go looking for a toilet as I travel around India. I'll get there...
Here's what I was able to get right before Professor Rao decided to erase the board.
We had our usual dose of lectures and chanting that ended with a beautiful mix of Irish folksong and a well loved chant. Welcome, Jack Harrison. Om Namah Shivayah!
Finally, I capped my day with one more slice of (veggie) chocolate cake. Happy birthday, Simone! What a remarkable day!
We started with the morning fire ceremony but on this special day, we spent half the day for 1,008 Gayatri Mantras by the fire. 108 aloud...
After my chores and a wonderful conversation with Amra, a Financial Controller also on the crossroads, I spent some quiet alone time just contemplating and deciding whether I should choose this view.
Or this.
But from where I was, I could see both and so I reflected on gratefulness.
Next stop. Sanskrit Kindergarten class. So now that we sort of know our vowels, dipthongs, consonants (guttarals, palettals, cerebrals, dentals, labials), semi-vowels and sibilants, we were going to read Sanskrit words (pop quiz??)
Here are the words I got: Elephant (ibhah). One (ekah). Pot (ghatah). Nine/New (nava). Monastery (er...). Loan (rnam, with dots under r and m). If I got this in a fortune cookie, it would read something like: You have an elephant in one pot and nine new monasteries on loan.
Very interesting but not very useful when I want to go looking for a toilet as I travel around India. I'll get there...
Here's what I was able to get right before Professor Rao decided to erase the board.
We had our usual dose of lectures and chanting that ended with a beautiful mix of Irish folksong and a well loved chant. Welcome, Jack Harrison. Om Namah Shivayah!
Finally, I capped my day with one more slice of (veggie) chocolate cake. Happy birthday, Simone! What a remarkable day!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Day 4 (Aug 24)
I did not get enough sleep last night. It was too hot (Ivana and I had not figured out how to use the A/C yet), and my thoughts were on the sad news on the hostage tragedy in Manila. When I finally got some sleep, I had two nightmares. By the time I recovered, it was time to shower and so I did.
I'm really enjoying the morning ritual and I love being able to practice with Paul around. Having a small number of people in the class gives us more time with him. I got adjusted in my Supta Kurmasana (very hard to run away when you're a turtle trying to get into a shell, Paul...) and Supta Padangusthasana and I had to redo my roll up to Ubhaya Padangusthasana. :)
My headstand was too short and not quite there but I let it go. I felt very mellow after practice. The lack of sleep begun to set in. I had a rather late lunch by myself after showering, laundry and email and got to talk to 2 more people (Natalie from Perth and Amra from Bosnia). I love that I get to meet so many people from around the world. It's fascinating to connect with people along the journey. At the end of my lunch, I had a cup of organic tribe hill coffee and promptly fell asleep in the lounge, curled by a big triangle. I woke up just in time for Chanting at 2:30.
It was another good class and I can still hear Professor Jayashree's beautiful chanting in my head now as I write this (remembering her eyes full of expression and how we always smile at each other). After we chanted the Gita, Professor Rao gave his lecture on the passages. He teaches with so much passion, like an orator who has perfected commanding the audience.
Meditation (jnana) is bringing the same thing in front of the mind again and again.
The soul (atman) is pure - never tainted. It is the mind/intellect (buddhi) that needs to be cleansed and purified.
What we want is to make the citta completely inactive - not harm, hurt or destroy it. Like a candle flame without wind. We use the mind to make the mind inactive.
In jnana, there is no fear - we find everything in ourselves and ourselves in everything.
Place the mind in your Lord.
After chanting the sutras (we're up to 20 already) with Professor Jayashree, Professor Narasimha shed lght on the practical aspect of yoga. I like his very candid, very practical, humorous approach. He shared the debate between the theories and the applications (where Professor Rao talked about following strictly the steps - yama first then niyama then asana....as prescribed by the Gita). In the practical perspective, ashtanga is defined as limbs and not necessarily steps and so, "as in a table we are trying to drag to ourselves, we pull the leg closest to us."
Though the "Truth in the Gita remains to be the harsh and ultimate truth", he sums it up by saying -
Wherever you are, yoga catches you and puts you in the middle. Back to yourself.
I'm really enjoying the morning ritual and I love being able to practice with Paul around. Having a small number of people in the class gives us more time with him. I got adjusted in my Supta Kurmasana (very hard to run away when you're a turtle trying to get into a shell, Paul...) and Supta Padangusthasana and I had to redo my roll up to Ubhaya Padangusthasana. :)
My headstand was too short and not quite there but I let it go. I felt very mellow after practice. The lack of sleep begun to set in. I had a rather late lunch by myself after showering, laundry and email and got to talk to 2 more people (Natalie from Perth and Amra from Bosnia). I love that I get to meet so many people from around the world. It's fascinating to connect with people along the journey. At the end of my lunch, I had a cup of organic tribe hill coffee and promptly fell asleep in the lounge, curled by a big triangle. I woke up just in time for Chanting at 2:30.
It was another good class and I can still hear Professor Jayashree's beautiful chanting in my head now as I write this (remembering her eyes full of expression and how we always smile at each other). After we chanted the Gita, Professor Rao gave his lecture on the passages. He teaches with so much passion, like an orator who has perfected commanding the audience.
Meditation (jnana) is bringing the same thing in front of the mind again and again.
The soul (atman) is pure - never tainted. It is the mind/intellect (buddhi) that needs to be cleansed and purified.
What we want is to make the citta completely inactive - not harm, hurt or destroy it. Like a candle flame without wind. We use the mind to make the mind inactive.
In jnana, there is no fear - we find everything in ourselves and ourselves in everything.
Place the mind in your Lord.
After chanting the sutras (we're up to 20 already) with Professor Jayashree, Professor Narasimha shed lght on the practical aspect of yoga. I like his very candid, very practical, humorous approach. He shared the debate between the theories and the applications (where Professor Rao talked about following strictly the steps - yama first then niyama then asana....as prescribed by the Gita). In the practical perspective, ashtanga is defined as limbs and not necessarily steps and so, "as in a table we are trying to drag to ourselves, we pull the leg closest to us."
Though the "Truth in the Gita remains to be the harsh and ultimate truth", he sums it up by saying -
Wherever you are, yoga catches you and puts you in the middle. Back to yourself.
Day 3 (Aug 23)
I'm liking the sound of Svaa-haaa after each Gayatri Mantra during the fire ceremony. Maybe I can come in extra early tomorrow so I can do my Pranayama...5:30? Let's see.
Practice was beautiful today. I finished rather early despite doing 3 Urdvha Dhanurasanas, preps and then 3 dropbacks. Ah, the beginnings of love. I also was able to bind again in Marichy D quite happily. I must bring that feeling home for when I do my practice. Paul helped me with my Supta Kurma and then decided to have a conversation with Mathias (beside me). I had to remind him that I was still in my shell after a while...I thought that was funny.
Anyway, I need to work on my Chakrasana. I keep rolling on my left side...I tried the up and down Halasana Jon taught me but I may need extra energy (or someone to lift) because I lifted my legs up, down and....rolled onto my left side. Practice, practice.
Now, for my magical story of the day. After Tricia (new friend from Taiwan) left for her Reiki, I was left by myself in the dining area. Michelle (another new friend from Taiwan) joined me. We got around to talking about her leap of faith out of the corporate and into teaching - despite the many objections from the executives and panic from her parents. She now works 18 hours a week earning as much as she used to doing HR consulting. Enter another Michelle (new friend from HK) who was in IT Consulting but now doing freelance IT projects AND part-time yoga teaching. It takes not 1 but 2 Michelles to get me thinking about what to do next. We swapped stories of mantras and tattoos and magical moments in YT and Paul. We talked about so much more and I think it's wonderful when the sign posts that God send actually talk with you. Here they are :)
Practice was beautiful today. I finished rather early despite doing 3 Urdvha Dhanurasanas, preps and then 3 dropbacks. Ah, the beginnings of love. I also was able to bind again in Marichy D quite happily. I must bring that feeling home for when I do my practice. Paul helped me with my Supta Kurma and then decided to have a conversation with Mathias (beside me). I had to remind him that I was still in my shell after a while...I thought that was funny.
Anyway, I need to work on my Chakrasana. I keep rolling on my left side...I tried the up and down Halasana Jon taught me but I may need extra energy (or someone to lift) because I lifted my legs up, down and....rolled onto my left side. Practice, practice.
Now, for my magical story of the day. After Tricia (new friend from Taiwan) left for her Reiki, I was left by myself in the dining area. Michelle (another new friend from Taiwan) joined me. We got around to talking about her leap of faith out of the corporate and into teaching - despite the many objections from the executives and panic from her parents. She now works 18 hours a week earning as much as she used to doing HR consulting. Enter another Michelle (new friend from HK) who was in IT Consulting but now doing freelance IT projects AND part-time yoga teaching. It takes not 1 but 2 Michelles to get me thinking about what to do next. We swapped stories of mantras and tattoos and magical moments in YT and Paul. We talked about so much more and I think it's wonderful when the sign posts that God send actually talk with you. Here they are :)
***
We got introduced to the Sanskrit alphabet and got deeper into the philosophies.
We got introduced to the Sanskrit alphabet and got deeper into the philosophies.
The days are flying by and I just feel so very blessed to be here.
The world has enought to fulfill one' needs but not enugh to fulfill one's greed.
Yogis make their hearts larger.
For the "beginner" yogi, action. For the one who is "there," calmness.
Everyone is a residence of God.
If one is a yogi, God is in his heart.
There is a subjective world and an objective world.
We were trained not to believe in our own subjective experience. In objectivity, the greatest casualty is the mind.
Science has taught us to doubt everything and so we move from doubt to doubt.
In the process of this never ending process, there is no satisfaction.
Scienc created wonderful objects to suit our needs but ignored the subject (and so we create more problems).
In yoga, we need to bring the head and the heart in matching coherence.
Our citta vriti (mind conditioning) becomes more and more complex with experience - but confined in our own domain.
At the heart of citta vriti is our dependence on our ego (personality). When our personalty is fixed, we are not capable of learning (and we start complaining).
It is the citta vritis that make us old an inflexible.
We need to regain our HARMONY.
Stability. We have to be what we are. But everything changes constantly and so we need
Adaptability. So we can be stable in changing conditions. When these match, we have
Integration. In this, the undesirable aspects of stability (rigidity) are removed and we go through
Purification.
When this comes, growth is natural.
We need to know what is causing the disharmony in ourselves...
The world has enought to fulfill one' needs but not enugh to fulfill one's greed.
Yogis make their hearts larger.
For the "beginner" yogi, action. For the one who is "there," calmness.
Everyone is a residence of God.
If one is a yogi, God is in his heart.
There is a subjective world and an objective world.
We were trained not to believe in our own subjective experience. In objectivity, the greatest casualty is the mind.
Science has taught us to doubt everything and so we move from doubt to doubt.
In the process of this never ending process, there is no satisfaction.
Scienc created wonderful objects to suit our needs but ignored the subject (and so we create more problems).
In yoga, we need to bring the head and the heart in matching coherence.
Our citta vriti (mind conditioning) becomes more and more complex with experience - but confined in our own domain.
At the heart of citta vriti is our dependence on our ego (personality). When our personalty is fixed, we are not capable of learning (and we start complaining).
It is the citta vritis that make us old an inflexible.
We need to regain our HARMONY.
Stability. We have to be what we are. But everything changes constantly and so we need
Adaptability. So we can be stable in changing conditions. When these match, we have
Integration. In this, the undesirable aspects of stability (rigidity) are removed and we go through
Purification.
When this comes, growth is natural.
We need to know what is causing the disharmony in ourselves...
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Day 2 (Aug 22)
We did a a fire ceremony at 6.15 in the morning. It's a heartfelt way to begin any day, to start with a ritual offering to the Divine. I feel we lost the magic in connecting with the many sacred aspects of our lives in our mad rush to do the things we think are so urgent and important.
After the fire ceremony, we had a fifteen minute meditation using Gam as a mantra. I liked that I felt present, watching my thoughts, watching the shapes and colors behind my eyelids, coming back to the mantra, feeling engulfed with light, real or imagined. When it was time to open the eyes, I felt very relaxed and Prof. Narasimha was right. It took about 10 minutes to "recover" from the state. We listened to Jayashree chanting... the power of music and sound.
Then it was time for practice - my first Ashtanga session since I got here. I was able to bind in Marichy D by myself without so much trouble - whenever Paul or Govinda are around I feel like my body obeys more. Elonne also helped me with my dropbacks the way Jon does back home. I am starting to love my Urdvha Dhanurasana ever so slowly. Although by the time I got sent to the wall, I was too tired to plaster my heart against it. Maybe tomorrow.
I showered, did my laundry and enjoyed my meal of vegetarian thai food - fried rice with lemon grass, green mango salad, tofu and scrambled eggs. For dessert, granola with yogurt and honey and pandan juice. I'm back in my room, contemplating a quick nap.
This place feels like home, somehow. The view is beautiful from my room.
I met my room mate - Ivana. She, like Veronique, is not a fan of airconditioners. I guess it must be colder on the second floor. I'm done cleaning my mat. I'm back on my bed. I think I should give in to a cat nap now...
---
In the afternoon, we chanted the first 6 sutras and the first 5 slokas of Chapter 6 of the Gita.
It is necessary in life to go to different Gurus. The full universe is our guru.
The guru teahes us to focus our eyes inside...to find the source within us
All the Himalayan pleasures of this world is within, if the mind is not confined to desire
Even those who have nothing but is always aspiring can be attached
But when the fruits of aspiration is there, we take the opportunity. Not the attachment.
If you want to be a yogi, be active.
Patanjali uses different aspects of the mind. His teachings are relevant because we are in the age where we are so conflicted.
If we know ourselvs and the objects well, there is harmony and happiness.
We are dependent on so many things because we are not self confident but if we know ourselves, we will not be carried away by the situation or the reaction.
In the evening, I chatted with A. and the little princess. And had a wonderful conversation with Ivana.
After the fire ceremony, we had a fifteen minute meditation using Gam as a mantra. I liked that I felt present, watching my thoughts, watching the shapes and colors behind my eyelids, coming back to the mantra, feeling engulfed with light, real or imagined. When it was time to open the eyes, I felt very relaxed and Prof. Narasimha was right. It took about 10 minutes to "recover" from the state. We listened to Jayashree chanting... the power of music and sound.
Then it was time for practice - my first Ashtanga session since I got here. I was able to bind in Marichy D by myself without so much trouble - whenever Paul or Govinda are around I feel like my body obeys more. Elonne also helped me with my dropbacks the way Jon does back home. I am starting to love my Urdvha Dhanurasana ever so slowly. Although by the time I got sent to the wall, I was too tired to plaster my heart against it. Maybe tomorrow.
I showered, did my laundry and enjoyed my meal of vegetarian thai food - fried rice with lemon grass, green mango salad, tofu and scrambled eggs. For dessert, granola with yogurt and honey and pandan juice. I'm back in my room, contemplating a quick nap.
This place feels like home, somehow. The view is beautiful from my room.
I met my room mate - Ivana. She, like Veronique, is not a fan of airconditioners. I guess it must be colder on the second floor. I'm done cleaning my mat. I'm back on my bed. I think I should give in to a cat nap now...
---
In the afternoon, we chanted the first 6 sutras and the first 5 slokas of Chapter 6 of the Gita.
It is necessary in life to go to different Gurus. The full universe is our guru.
The guru teahes us to focus our eyes inside...to find the source within us
All the Himalayan pleasures of this world is within, if the mind is not confined to desire
Even those who have nothing but is always aspiring can be attached
But when the fruits of aspiration is there, we take the opportunity. Not the attachment.
If you want to be a yogi, be active.
Patanjali uses different aspects of the mind. His teachings are relevant because we are in the age where we are so conflicted.
If we know ourselvs and the objects well, there is harmony and happiness.
We are dependent on so many things because we are not self confident but if we know ourselves, we will not be carried away by the situation or the reaction.
In the evening, I chatted with A. and the little princess. And had a wonderful conversation with Ivana.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Day 1 (Aug 21)
I've finally settled down. Pranayama and a led restorative class in the morning. Moved to my unit (still chose the "first floor") and did my laundry.
In the afternoon, I took more photos of the changes in YT from nine months ago...
There's now a wall by the wellness center (used to be wood)...
A Shala board with anatomy charts...
We met the teachers this afternoon. It's a small class and a beloved subject. I am looking forward to the coming days.
* * *
From the website http://www.yoga-thailand.com/advanced-training-course.html
M.A. Jayashree
A devoted student and teacher of Sanskrit and the arts all her life, she quietly taught in Mysore as she reared her family. Gradually over the years a few students started to hear of her and studied with her regularly. Paul was one of these. Her brother Narasimha would join in and offer philosophical discourse. She has now been recognized as one of the leading Sanskrit scholars and teaches it simply and beautifully. She has put many of these traditional texts to recording so we all can benefit and get it as originally intended. A sweet joy to learn with.
Prof. Nagaraja Rao
A gifted and very natural teacher, he is an expert in the field of Sanskrit where his primary specialty was Panini's grammar. He was chief researcher at the Oriental Institute in Mysore, India, visiting professor to both Chicago University and Jerusalem University, Israel. He has visited Yoga Thailand many times and his humble yet clear and knowledgeable way of teaching has always inspired students.
Prof. Narasimha
Brother of Jayashree and a devotee of meditation, yoga and Sanskrit all his life. He was a very close aide to the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and became a senior teacher of the Transcendental Method approach to meditation. He is also well versed in Sanskrit and the classical yogic texts. He lives as a Sannyasi and supports his sister in all the teaching events in both Mysore and around the world.
Jack Harrison
Jack Harrison is a yoga teacher, singer and folklorist. He has worked and studied in all three of these areas for the last 30 years and has recently begun to blend them together in his Spanda Yoga Music Workshops which include yoga, music and mythology. He has a Master's degree in Irish Folklore and is a lecturer in Irish Heritage at University College Galway, as well as the designer of exhibitions at the top Heritage Attractions in Ireland. Jack's musical talents come shining through on the classic album Wind Across the Sea, produced with and recorded live at Yoga Thailand. He has been coming here for years and always gives an amazing musical performance.
In the afternoon, I took more photos of the changes in YT from nine months ago...
There's now a wall by the wellness center (used to be wood)...
A detox bar...
A new place for the mats and lockers...
More room by the pool...
and the lotus is still in the works, I guess...
We met the teachers this afternoon. It's a small class and a beloved subject. I am looking forward to the coming days.
* * *
From the website http://www.yoga-thailand.com/advanced-training-course.html
M.A. Jayashree
A devoted student and teacher of Sanskrit and the arts all her life, she quietly taught in Mysore as she reared her family. Gradually over the years a few students started to hear of her and studied with her regularly. Paul was one of these. Her brother Narasimha would join in and offer philosophical discourse. She has now been recognized as one of the leading Sanskrit scholars and teaches it simply and beautifully. She has put many of these traditional texts to recording so we all can benefit and get it as originally intended. A sweet joy to learn with.
Prof. Nagaraja Rao
A gifted and very natural teacher, he is an expert in the field of Sanskrit where his primary specialty was Panini's grammar. He was chief researcher at the Oriental Institute in Mysore, India, visiting professor to both Chicago University and Jerusalem University, Israel. He has visited Yoga Thailand many times and his humble yet clear and knowledgeable way of teaching has always inspired students.
Prof. Narasimha
Brother of Jayashree and a devotee of meditation, yoga and Sanskrit all his life. He was a very close aide to the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and became a senior teacher of the Transcendental Method approach to meditation. He is also well versed in Sanskrit and the classical yogic texts. He lives as a Sannyasi and supports his sister in all the teaching events in both Mysore and around the world.
Jack Harrison
Jack Harrison is a yoga teacher, singer and folklorist. He has worked and studied in all three of these areas for the last 30 years and has recently begun to blend them together in his Spanda Yoga Music Workshops which include yoga, music and mythology. He has a Master's degree in Irish Folklore and is a lecturer in Irish Heritage at University College Galway, as well as the designer of exhibitions at the top Heritage Attractions in Ireland. Jack's musical talents come shining through on the classic album Wind Across the Sea, produced with and recorded live at Yoga Thailand. He has been coming here for years and always gives an amazing musical performance.
Today's DailyOM
I really love getting my dose of DailyOM in my mail. Today's reading speaks to me so loudly. Yoga is less about being a contortionist and more about walking the tight rope of life with faith, courage and steady thoughts of peace...
August 20, 2010
Without a Net
Living Life with Trust
Living life without a net can be just what we need to step outside of ourselves and make the choices we need most.
As we create the life of our dreams, we often reach a crossroads where the choices seem to involve the risk of facing the unknown versus the safety and comfort of all that we have come to trust. We may feel like a tightrope walker, carefully teetering along the narrow path to our goals, sometimes feeling that we are doing so without a net. Knowing we have some backup may help us work up the courage to take those first steps, until we are secure in knowing that we have the skills to work without one. But when we live our lives from a place of balance and trust in the universe, we may not see our source of support, but we can know that it is there.
If we refuse to act only if we can see the safety net, we may be allowing the net to become a trap as it creates a barrier between us and the freedom to pursue our goals. Change is inherent in life, so even what we have learned to trust can surprise us at any moment. Remove fear from the equation and then, without even wondering what is going on below, we can devote our full attention to the dream that awaits us.
We attract support into our lives when we are willing to make those first tentative steps, trusting that the universe will provide exactly what we need. In that process we can decide that whatever comes from our actions is only for our highest and best experience of growth. It may come in the form of a soft landing, an unexpected rescue or an eye-opening experience gleaned only from the process of falling. So rather than allowing our lives to be dictated by fear of the unknown, or trying to avoid falling, we can appreciate that sometimes we experience life fully when we are willing to trust and fall. And in doing so, we may just find that we have the wings to fly.
When we believe that there is a reason for everything, we are stepping out with the safety net of the universe, and we know we will make the best from whatever comes our way.
August 20, 2010
Without a Net
Living Life with Trust
Living life without a net can be just what we need to step outside of ourselves and make the choices we need most.
As we create the life of our dreams, we often reach a crossroads where the choices seem to involve the risk of facing the unknown versus the safety and comfort of all that we have come to trust. We may feel like a tightrope walker, carefully teetering along the narrow path to our goals, sometimes feeling that we are doing so without a net. Knowing we have some backup may help us work up the courage to take those first steps, until we are secure in knowing that we have the skills to work without one. But when we live our lives from a place of balance and trust in the universe, we may not see our source of support, but we can know that it is there.
If we refuse to act only if we can see the safety net, we may be allowing the net to become a trap as it creates a barrier between us and the freedom to pursue our goals. Change is inherent in life, so even what we have learned to trust can surprise us at any moment. Remove fear from the equation and then, without even wondering what is going on below, we can devote our full attention to the dream that awaits us.
We attract support into our lives when we are willing to make those first tentative steps, trusting that the universe will provide exactly what we need. In that process we can decide that whatever comes from our actions is only for our highest and best experience of growth. It may come in the form of a soft landing, an unexpected rescue or an eye-opening experience gleaned only from the process of falling. So rather than allowing our lives to be dictated by fear of the unknown, or trying to avoid falling, we can appreciate that sometimes we experience life fully when we are willing to trust and fall. And in doing so, we may just find that we have the wings to fly.
When we believe that there is a reason for everything, we are stepping out with the safety net of the universe, and we know we will make the best from whatever comes our way.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Day -1 (Aug 19)
Flight delayed. I have 2 more hours to wait here at Gate 11... I miss my family already. Still, I am on my way to keep pursuing my dream. Somewhat delayed as well, but then again, it may not have come at a better time. Oh but I miss my husband and children.
It's 1:17 a.m. (in Manila). And 12:17 a.m. here in Bangkok. I am again at Louis' Tavern (USD89 for 4 hours with breakfast). I had to look for this place. There are apparently 3 of these transit hotels here. Need to remember: one floor up then go straight when you see Memories of Thailand at your right.
So here we are. Now time for bed.
Day 0 (Aug 20)
Up at 4:30 a.m. (Manila Time) I could have gotten the 6-hour stay so I could sleep in longer. But this is the yogi's happy hour, isn't it?
I am steeped in vague familiarity and, strangely enough, total newness. Already, the journey has me riveted. I am already so far away from yesterday and seemingly nearer to nine months ago. I am stepping into my spiral dream.
Just like before yet...
Waiting at Gate B4
You are right, Mr. Heraclitus. We really never step into the same river twice.
Easy Time Resort
After saying hello to YT, I moved to Easy Time Resort (this is where I'm staying for the night). It's a great place for resting, and judging from my constant sneezing, I'll need this day just for that...
I went to YT for lunch and saw old friends from the teacher training course back in November. Simone and Frederick and the family, Owen. The YT staff who warmly greeted me. And Paul and Jutima. I stayed awhile then went back to my room for a nap - a long one because it was 7pm when I woke up.
Dinner was at the nice Pizzeria and Missy was my virtual date. The rain poured after my last bite of eggplant parmigiana and I headed back with an umbrella to my Internet-less room. Time to read.
Tomorrow, I will wake up at 6 and practice at 7. And then I'm moving in my room at YT for Day 1.
Just like before yet...
You are right, Mr. Heraclitus. We really never step into the same river twice.
Easy Time Resort
After saying hello to YT, I moved to Easy Time Resort (this is where I'm staying for the night). It's a great place for resting, and judging from my constant sneezing, I'll need this day just for that...
I went to YT for lunch and saw old friends from the teacher training course back in November. Simone and Frederick and the family, Owen. The YT staff who warmly greeted me. And Paul and Jutima. I stayed awhile then went back to my room for a nap - a long one because it was 7pm when I woke up.
Dinner was at the nice Pizzeria and Missy was my virtual date. The rain poured after my last bite of eggplant parmigiana and I headed back with an umbrella to my Internet-less room. Time to read.
Tomorrow, I will wake up at 6 and practice at 7. And then I'm moving in my room at YT for Day 1.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
And so I've decided.
Although that may not be entirely accurate. Let me rephrase by saying - It has been decided. I am going back to YT! I believe I am moving towards my dream. Synchronicity is happening in a harmonious confluence of events, my cycle days have adjusted so I will be un-red by the tim I get there. I was able to reserve my slot in the nick of time. Best of all, I have (just starting today) finally begun assisting in class.
When I return, I will begin teaching in two more special places. =)
When I return, I will begin teaching in two more special places. =)