Monday, January 28, 2008

A None-Prayer

Today in yoga, I learned a none-prayer. It is a simple and beautiful closure that one can do any time.
Cross your hands, touch your thumbs to your forehead, "Remember positive thoughts."
Touch your thumbs to your mouth, "Remember kind words."
Touch your thumbs to your heart, "Remember good intentions."

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Irritability

What is irritability? Yesterday I was irritable for no apparent reason. I really gave this some thought. I felt guilty for my feelings.

I have concluded that irritability is a heightened sensory state. (Think about when you irritate your skin by excessive rubbing.) I cloistered myself away from my family in my room. I piled blankets on my bed and read in a quiet environment. I assume the origin of this heightened state was hormonal but I could be wrong. I do, however, find the thought of limiting contact with others and limiting stimulus to be helpful guidelines.

Maybe our irritable moments are times we don't examine ourselves but merely be one with our environment. We breathe and leave as few ripples on the surface as possible. It's OK to be quiet in a busy world.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

A Chinese Proverb

A Chinese farmer has a stallion. One day the stallion runs away. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such bad luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

A few days later the stallion returns with three mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

The next week the farmer's son breaks his leg taming the wild mares. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such bad luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

A month later the Chinese army comes and demands all the young men soldier age. The farmer's son does not have to go because of his leg. The village people come to him and say, "Ah, such good luck!"
The farmer shrugs, "Good luck, bad luck, who knows?"
And so it goes...

Friday, January 4, 2008

Moving Meditations

In yoga, we move to the rhythm of our breath. An inhale brings you to downward dog, an exhale to up dog. The movement becomes secondary to the breath.

We talked about how movement becomes a meditation. What if, in everyday life, we could think of our breath and chores of rote could become meditations. For instance, think of something such as folding the laundry. Imagine if we could remind ourselves to be present in the moment. If we could enjoy the warmth of the fabric, the softness of a pair of pajamas, pride in the way we fold like laundry was origami. Think how enjoyable our lives could be? Our enjoyment would be infinite if we could remember to make our lives a moving meditation.