Re-posting this video … because I love what he says. It also shows that one needs an excellent interpreter to get the point across. It’s the interpreter who makes it possible the fostering of understanding among different languages, cultures and peoples. I have heard some talks that did not get an accurate interpretation or what’s worse, incorrect translation … which can be quite fatal (fear is over-confidence or over-estimation of one’s ability*) in fostering a trusting relationship – but this is well done. It’s not only her intelligence but actually, it’s the “heart” not the computer like capability to translate, that makes true heart-to-heart communication possible. No google translate can do it as well of a job as this human who is bi-cultural and bi-lingual – and in this case, also a yogini who actually practices.
There’s nothing like Ocean of OM to feel the vibration of inter-connectedness … the unity, the oneness. I wish I were in Roppongi:)
Feeling like I missed out…this is a coverage from 3 years ago, apparently a Park Yoga Aid event.
Vision connects you. But it also separates you. In my work, and my life, I feel a desire to merge. Not in terms of losing my own identity… but there’s a feeling that life is interconnected, that there’s life in stones and rocks and trees and dirt, like there is in us.
– Bill Viola
Yoga was brought to Japan about 1000 years ago from India and evolved over the years, sometimes blending with native, indigenous martial arts as had Buddhism blend with the spirituality of the land. In modern times, Yoga had lost its popularity due to its association to a fanatical cult group lead by a terrorist of a demagogue, who tarnished the yoga image. However, in the last 20 years, it has regained its popularity as more health and fitness oriented Westernized yoga was re-introduced by Western yoga teachers and Japanese yoga instructors re-trained abroad, not only in India but in the West. It’s an interesting history, Yoga in Japan as is Yoga in USA – both rather unique but shares common thread as all are weaved into one beautiful garment that shimmers and flows to enlighten us.
There are many styles or schools of yoga but when it becomes TOO dogmatic or exclusive, or cult-like, I have to wonder… albeit suspect at times, I can understand our instinctive desire to want to belong to a “tribe” or to a “community”. It’s all good if it serves good.
Oh.. BTW, “itai!” means “ouch!”. Physical pain and suffering is not good … Yoga can help ease it; not cause it.
True self is non-self, the awareness that the self is made only of non-self elements. There’s no separation between self and other, and everything is interconnected. Once you are aware of that you are no longer caught in the idea that you are a separate entity.
– Thich Nhat Hanh
* Once heard an interpreter who said the exact opposite of what this boy said. A famous choir group is on a tour and the boys are interviewed locally. One representative boy says – we snack before the performance BUT we DON’T eat dairy like yogurt, cheese, milk because that’s NOT GOOD for our vocal chords. Well, the interpreter, translated exact opposite THAT boys are eating lots of nutritious snacks which includes plenty of dairy that they love to prepare for the show! What? This kind of mis-interpretation is a commonplace, causing misunderstanding best avoided.
