Vet Judy

I wrote this one day after a discussion with my brother Gord. I dedicate this thought to him and may his life and “your” life always be a manifestation of the greater good.

Meditation (focused concentration) on getting things for ourselves for the purposes of comfort, security, pride, a sense of accomplishment is a very immature use of the true power within us.

Think of anything you do as affecting the people in the next lives (karma) and pray and meditate that your concept best serve the world and its people who all struggle for the same thing: happiness, purpose and freedom from pain.

Consider releasing the project (your life, your work, your efforts in your family) to the universe and work diligently in a direction to which you feel guided to work, but ask deeply for IT to be done through you (not because of you).

This is a mature use of the soul within us and brings quicker alignment to a vision that is usually bigger than the one we have in our head. I mean who can really know what is the best use of your life, your project or your skills. Life has a much bigger manifestation for us but we are usually stopping it by petty wishes for comfort in our physical lives (money and success).

Let positive loving thoughts predominate your thinking at all times. Quiet the ego and give your amazing talents to the universe to use and true happiness is yours for the taking. Did you know that the universe never gives us a big garden to tend to when we can’t tend to a small corner that is given to us every day from a loving heart and a sense of service.

Just a thought to contemplate today:)

This week is for the practice of Ahisma. The essence of Ahisma is non-judgement and non-harming. Today I considered the practice of Ahisma as it pertains to your yoga study itself.

If you practice yoga, maybe you have noticed that not only are you struggling with some postures but you also struggle with the judgement you have about your ability to achieve the postures.

Yoga means “becoming one”. As long as you stand in judgement of your ability to achieve a posture or a practice within yoga, you will miss the experience of the integration that is yoga. We all have to experience boredom, discomfort, irritation, impatience, hesitation, and even distraction during the postures at some time. In a culture that promotes “full speed ahead, excellence at all costs, no pain no gain” we shall find it hard to just be observant of these feelings. We have not learned to watch them come and watch them go. Rather we sit in judgement, get discouraged and sometimes even quit.

In the western culture, the predominant focus is on the Asanas (postures) and  this makes us susceptable to the ego’s process of continuous judgement. It makes us susceptable to quitting the practice due to the feeling listed above. We cannot sustain ourselves through the judgements of ourselves, our teacher, someone elses behavior in the class, the time of day and just about anything to keep us from the true learning in yoga: which is allow and let go.

We can learn that the development of some of the other aspects of yoga such as brahmacarya (meditation), santosa (contentment), and svadhyaya (self study) can make the practice more enjoyable. We can then take rest while in an active posture instead of reaching total exhaustion by fighting ourselves.

If you practice Ahisma: non judgment in yoga practice itself I and sure you will find the whole process a lot more enjoyable.

Are you in NEED of INSPIRATION. Do you feel like the world has conspired to eat you up? Have you tried and tried again, only to find yourself in the same spiral and a similar circumstance. Ever wonder why you have seemingly failed so many times?

We have all been there. So here is a little reflection to help lift you up.

In YOGA,  Abhyasa refers to both the practice and the attitude of practice. In any case the “practice” is not limited to the physical practice of yoga. It really includes the bigger practice of life. Practice is supposed to be the unconditional and unswerving application of energy to what you believe in. Each of us must attend to our practice in our own way, giving and surrendering to the universe.  Doing so, does not however mean you will have a pain free life.

This commitment to life’s practice should not be based on results. At times your life will be great and it will seem as if cloud nine is your permanent address!

Then at others it will be unbearable, painful, and filled with mental, physical and emotional pain. It feels as if “this too shall pass” is a cliche that represents someones idea of a sick joke.

In the roughest parts, this is the time to let go, to surrender, to continue to “practice” and to know that there is a purpose outside that of your ego’s interpretation of life’s journey.

Practice does not mean you get free tickets to the pain free life, it just means you get to experience fully YOUR LIFE.

For an illustration of Finishing Strong: Take a look at this video. It will lift you up, help you reflect on your circumstance and how you too may have one more stand left inside of you!

Cheers to the power of the human will to survive and thrive! If you are still miserable after watching this, then you should stop believing your thoughts:)

FINISH STRONG