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Lighting the fire…

Flames of the fire are so beautiful, but … untamed fire can also be so destructive. Very sorry to hear of this tragedy while not personally affected, I feel that I could have been there if I were in the area. I mean, it could happen to any of us and our friends. While exercising fire safety, really drawn to fireplaces lately … precisely because the temperatures have dropped. It can get chilly like chattering teeth – COLD outside. Fireplaces, the heath draws us to find the quiet nearby as you feel the flickering …we find the kindling of fire within – so warm. There’s outpouring of love amidst the ashes. Prayers to the victims and their families.

To give, visit https://www.youcaring.com/oaklandfirevictimsfrom130531staveinoakland-70668
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The yogi offers his labyrinthine human longings to a monotheistic bonfire dedicated to the unparalleled. This is indeed the true yogic fire ceremony, in which all past and present desires are fuel consumed by love divine.
– Paramahansa Yogananda

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Yoga

Affirmation of Renewal

IMG_9896_smallAt Moon Gate:)
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Presented the YT year end research and protocol this Sunday. When I signed up for advance certification in yoga therapy, I did not dream that I would be required to give a formal talk at the year end – I mean for the 200 hrs. certification years ago, we had a trial yoga class to teach and that was actually doing yoga of course – teach yoga … yes. But this was different. Teaching yoga vs. talking about specific chronic issues that yoga can help with and why and how …Western methods vs. this modality. There was a bit of wry smile and laughs when R, the program director, in an effort to alleviate the stress level said something to the effect that – Public speaking ranks #2 only after death (!!!) in the ranking of people’s fears. More on this later only to say that for now, “all is well” the last of the affirmation shared by my cohort.

I can report that (1) it’s really hard to condense hours of research and readings into mere 15 minutes and wow the audience the way TED talks are designed to do; (2) I was very happy to learn so much from each other – each, so well versed and knowledgeable in the matter that brought out their passion for this healing arts. Digesting and integrating all that knowledge today …

So

Here is my Affirmation I wrote up during those 10 minute breaks – I am flattered that some peers asked for it so here, I recite it again:

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I embrace this time of change.
I do not dwell on the losses and choose my language wisely.
I accept the natural course of all that is unfolding
& honor this special time with reverence.

I am filled with a sense of wonder and curiosity.
I am blessed to be given this season of renewal.
Offerings complete, rejoice in the prize of release and relief.
Taking comfort in the beauty I recognize as if for the first time,
I invite the lightness of the feminine spirit that nourishes and sustains.

I feel the luminous lunar light that reveals the beauty of this season.
I sense the synchronicity of the Universe in the waxing and the waning of the moon.
Universal cycle of renewal resides in nature I take part in.
Connected to that eternal cycle of beauty, I take joy in taking responsibility for my own well-being.
I take better care of myself so that I may care for others with empathy and compassion.
Bathing in the soft lunar light, I am filled with gratitude for this beauty in the renewal.
Beauty is all around and within us.
Namaste:)

newmoon

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Burning the midnight oil to

finish my mid-term project for Yoga Therapy training … at the same time, homework on yoga philosophy. I need sleep.

Found a surprising striking IMG_9996_smallsynchronicity with Pain Management & the Artist’s perspective post from 2 days ago. As I was reading Judith’s articles on yoga philosophy to help me with the latest homework (BTW, Judith has “Office Hours” – her new online learning with her lovely daughter, Lizzie. check it out if interested on yoga beyond the mat:), this is so exactly what the artist is demonstrating in an over the top extreme way – isn’t it interesting that I come across this passage after posting that MOMA exhibit, “Artist is Present”:

I read an interesting story lately about a Zen monk who was giving his first talk to a small group of beginning American Zen students. The monk spoke very little English and the students spoke no Japanese. The monk gave his presentation simply by standing in front of each student; he would not talk, smile, move or in any way avoid deep contact with the student. Some students were moved to tears. This deep acknowledgment of the God-sense or Self within us all is at the heart of svadhyaya.

Scientists continue to discover the powerful connections of energy that exist on all levels of the Universe. And these connections are not only between cells in the body, but between widely distanced events which only a few years ago would be considered separate.

– Judith H. Lasater on “Svadhyaya”

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