The Way A Cow Grazes

"No longer diverted by other emotions, I work the way a cow grazes." ~ Kathe Kollwitz

Jesus in the Lotus

“Every member of our species is invited to be a mystic, a seeker of truth, a lover of the ecstatic. We are all called to the Spirit.” ~Russill Paul

This book touched me on many levels. As a Christian (and often a jaded Catholic), and a Yoga practitioner, the book reaches deep into what I believe to be true. It is a call for healing among traditions, taking the best of both without diluting the value they each have, but rather honoring the uniqueness and commonalties, in a learned and respectful way.   

The author, Russill Paul, is an Indian – born and raised in India, whose ancestry is both Hindu and Christian. He was trained by, Bede Griffiths, an abbot of a Christian monastery in India. Here, he recounts the traditions upheld and practiced side by side. It is an interesting story, which can resonate with those of us who tout japa malas, practice Sanskrit chanting before pranayama and asana, and say grateful and humble Christian prayers before meals and bedtime with sincerity (among many other things…). This can be a very real case to allow both traditions to permeate one’s spirituality, not only in a faraway abbott or ashram, but in our daily lives.

As the author immerses more into his own interspiritual journey, on its own a very engaging and well written tale, he shares what is beautiful and effective in both practices, and what is lacking in one tradition that brings one to leave the other. Pointing observations on both practices to which he adheres, he makes a compelling case on how “relating one tradition to the other can be powerful for the world, since each balances and complements the other…”  

At the latter part of the book, there is a practical and helpful section on how melding traditions can be done through the author’s own experience, exercises and resources.

Some words of caution – It is easy to take phrases from the book out of context, to the detriment of the author’s real message. It is easy to let skepticism come in to try to take a side or find a way for one to outweigh another, to want to challenge and find fault in fence-sitting. It may be humbling to know how easy it us to create a fence where there is none. This is the very root of how we came to take sides on matters of religion.

I believe the author presents his own experience (with so much care for Christianity and Hinduism and Yoga) and allows us readers to make an assessment of where we are in our own path of finding balance and harmony. At best, the book’s message is to be taken wholly - with enough depth of understanding and knowledge of Christianity and Yoga. Taken as a whole, it is a beautiful story and a promising practice. As one who loves Jesus as much as Krishna, the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita, this book could not have come at a better place and time.

“We can see therefore that Yoga and Christianity, most certainly the mystical dimension of Christianity, are about the same process: the pursuit of oneness with the Divine.”

Highly recommended.

Birthlight Perinatal Teacher Training (Aug 25, 27 to 31)

I had an amazing week learning from Dr. Francoise Barbira Freedman, Director and Founder of Birthlight. There's more love (and literally new moves) to give to precious moms for my pre and postnatal yoga classes at the Yoga Manila shalas!

On Day 1

 Last day

It was wonderful being with fellow teachers in the community! Day 1 and Last day photo from Urban Ashram Manila, who hosted this lovely training with Dr. Freedman.  Thank you for making this happen! :)