Be Here Now is the title of a 1971 book on spirituality by Ram Dass. It was a revolutionary book bringing eastern studies and practices to American soil. Its title, now a coined phrase, has been repeated by spiritual teachers throughout the world.
Be here now. Show up fully. Pay attention to what you are doing. While growing up, we heard it from our parents and teachers. As adults, we are reminded of the importance of paying attention on our busy roads, at our fast-paced computers and on our yoga mats.
Woody Allen said, “80% of success is showing up”. Just show up! It is so simple yet so challenging with a list of things to-do a mile long and a calendar that is busting at the seams. Why can’t I drive to work, text my friend, look at my GPS and listen to the news at the same time. Why not?
The answer is painfully simple. Overdoing and over thinking creates stress in the mind and body. Paying attention and focusing on the moment as it arises, cultivates peace.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Excitement or Happiness?
Many people think of excitement as happiness. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace. ~ The Art of Power by Thich Nhat Hanh
Reading this passage a few days ago literally took my breath away. How many times per week do I mistake excitement for happiness? I would answer hundreds of times.
Our society craves excitement because we mistake it for happiness. We are excitement seekers searching for a thrill to quench our thirst. We thrive on experiencing the fast roller coaster, the thrill of purchasing a new car, the last minute of a championship game. Those moments are fleeting. The excitement wears off, the hangover begins and we find ourselves searching for the next big thrill. In the process, we exhaust ourselves both emotionally and physically.
“When you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” “True happiness”, says TNH, “cannot be purchased, it must be cultivated.”
This master teaches us how to cultivate happiness. It begins with conscious breathing and focus on the moment at hand. In other words, “be here now!” It continues with conscious movement such as yoga or walking meditation. Our peacefulness is then strengthened through seated meditation practice.
No rollercoaster, no last second touchdown, no Porsche will ever “make” us happy. Think about this. Notice if you too confuse excitement with happiness. I believe that observation will help us break free from the delusional search for excitement. I would love to hear your comments.
In peace.
Reading this passage a few days ago literally took my breath away. How many times per week do I mistake excitement for happiness? I would answer hundreds of times.
Our society craves excitement because we mistake it for happiness. We are excitement seekers searching for a thrill to quench our thirst. We thrive on experiencing the fast roller coaster, the thrill of purchasing a new car, the last minute of a championship game. Those moments are fleeting. The excitement wears off, the hangover begins and we find ourselves searching for the next big thrill. In the process, we exhaust ourselves both emotionally and physically.
“When you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” “True happiness”, says TNH, “cannot be purchased, it must be cultivated.”
This master teaches us how to cultivate happiness. It begins with conscious breathing and focus on the moment at hand. In other words, “be here now!” It continues with conscious movement such as yoga or walking meditation. Our peacefulness is then strengthened through seated meditation practice.
No rollercoaster, no last second touchdown, no Porsche will ever “make” us happy. Think about this. Notice if you too confuse excitement with happiness. I believe that observation will help us break free from the delusional search for excitement. I would love to hear your comments.
In peace.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Practicing the Power of Now
Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life. Whereas before you dwelt in time and paid brief visits to the Now, have your dwelling place in the Now and pay brief visits to past and future when required to deal with the practical aspects of your life. Always say "yes" to the present moment. -Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
The words of Tolle are simple. It’s really about being fully engaged in life. Living every moment completely and being a part of 100% of the Now. The bottom line is that you are most powerful, most intuitive when you are present. When you learn to disengage from your mind, your thoughts, your worries and focus fully on the Now you find stillness. You find peace. You know what you need. You know what to do.
Focusing on the Now disconnects you from the mental chatter that controls your emotions and drains your energy. Mental chatter and worry is the cause of stress. Disconnect from incessant thinking and you will no longer create stress in your mind and body.
Children and animals are the best teachers of how to live in the present. They are not controlled by thought. Observe them as go in and out of moments in their lives. They show up fully for whatever situations arise. Watch them play and notice their authentic power shine through. They are luminous. Children and animals spend their days disengaged from their minds and fully engaged in the Now. They know of no other way to be. They don’t live in the “yesterdays” and they don't care about the “tomorrows”.
How does one stay present in the moment? Tolle suggests that you, “"Be the ever alert guardian of your thoughts". Guarding your thoughts is the first step. Make a commitment to “check-in” mentally every 10 minutes. Notice when you leave the Now. Notice when your mind flutters away to past or future stories. Catch yourself and reel yourself back in to what you are doing. Ask yourself throughout the day, "Where am I right now?” “Where did I go?” And then with a smile and without judging guide your mind back to the moment.
Practicing yoga and meditation is an ideal way to experience the power of Now. These disciplines allow you the time to observe mental chatter. On your mat or cushion you have the space to observe your mental trips to the past and the future.
Learning to live in the present moment is a life long journey. It starts right now.
The words of Tolle are simple. It’s really about being fully engaged in life. Living every moment completely and being a part of 100% of the Now. The bottom line is that you are most powerful, most intuitive when you are present. When you learn to disengage from your mind, your thoughts, your worries and focus fully on the Now you find stillness. You find peace. You know what you need. You know what to do.
Focusing on the Now disconnects you from the mental chatter that controls your emotions and drains your energy. Mental chatter and worry is the cause of stress. Disconnect from incessant thinking and you will no longer create stress in your mind and body.
Children and animals are the best teachers of how to live in the present. They are not controlled by thought. Observe them as go in and out of moments in their lives. They show up fully for whatever situations arise. Watch them play and notice their authentic power shine through. They are luminous. Children and animals spend their days disengaged from their minds and fully engaged in the Now. They know of no other way to be. They don’t live in the “yesterdays” and they don't care about the “tomorrows”.
How does one stay present in the moment? Tolle suggests that you, “"Be the ever alert guardian of your thoughts". Guarding your thoughts is the first step. Make a commitment to “check-in” mentally every 10 minutes. Notice when you leave the Now. Notice when your mind flutters away to past or future stories. Catch yourself and reel yourself back in to what you are doing. Ask yourself throughout the day, "Where am I right now?” “Where did I go?” And then with a smile and without judging guide your mind back to the moment.
Practicing yoga and meditation is an ideal way to experience the power of Now. These disciplines allow you the time to observe mental chatter. On your mat or cushion you have the space to observe your mental trips to the past and the future.
Learning to live in the present moment is a life long journey. It starts right now.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Welcome to Your Life!
Last Thursday my mom had her second knee replacement in three months. At 72, her joints had failed her to the point that she was just about considered disabled. Her first knee replacement in January had gone so well that she pushed up the date for her second one by six months.
So on Thursday, only a few hours after my mom’s surgery, my 15-year old daughter called her to see how she was feeling. In her usual infectiously enthusiastic manner, my daughter blurted out, “Grandma, welcome to your life!”
Her words took my breath away. They were perfectly timed, perfectly delivered and incredibly empowering. Here was a 15 year-old, reminding a senior that at any moment we have the opportunity to start anew. “Grandma”, she said, “now you have two new knees and now you will be able to do all those things that you couldn’t do before”.
What an invitation. Welcome to your life.
The Buddhists teach us about the “fresh start”, and that at any moment we can choose to begin again. They teach us that with each breath we have an opportunity to start over. Our yoga practice teaches us that each pose can be compared to a little life and when the pose is over we begin again we new focus and new breath. The final and arguably most important pose of our yoga practice, savasana or final rest, reminds us to “die” to who we were when we started our practice and to begin anew. We rise from our mats, fully renewed and refreshed and as some will say with new eyes and a fresh start.
So I invite you all to do as I have done in the past few days. That is to adopt my daughter’s words as my new daily mantra. Chant them when you arise in the morning. Remind yourself of them when you transition from home to work. Go to sleep with them as a reminder of how blessed you were to have experienced another day.
Whether you have new knees or just a new outlook, welcome to your life.
So on Thursday, only a few hours after my mom’s surgery, my 15-year old daughter called her to see how she was feeling. In her usual infectiously enthusiastic manner, my daughter blurted out, “Grandma, welcome to your life!”
Her words took my breath away. They were perfectly timed, perfectly delivered and incredibly empowering. Here was a 15 year-old, reminding a senior that at any moment we have the opportunity to start anew. “Grandma”, she said, “now you have two new knees and now you will be able to do all those things that you couldn’t do before”.
What an invitation. Welcome to your life.
The Buddhists teach us about the “fresh start”, and that at any moment we can choose to begin again. They teach us that with each breath we have an opportunity to start over. Our yoga practice teaches us that each pose can be compared to a little life and when the pose is over we begin again we new focus and new breath. The final and arguably most important pose of our yoga practice, savasana or final rest, reminds us to “die” to who we were when we started our practice and to begin anew. We rise from our mats, fully renewed and refreshed and as some will say with new eyes and a fresh start.
So I invite you all to do as I have done in the past few days. That is to adopt my daughter’s words as my new daily mantra. Chant them when you arise in the morning. Remind yourself of them when you transition from home to work. Go to sleep with them as a reminder of how blessed you were to have experienced another day.
Whether you have new knees or just a new outlook, welcome to your life.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
On Finding My Feet
We talk about feet all the time at Verge Yoga. If you’ve ever taken class with us you have probably heard your teachers say, “press into your big toe’ or “anchor into your inner heel”.
For years I have been listening to my teachers and observing my body. And for years I have been trying to communicate with my feet. I have backed off of poses and modified with the intention of understanding how my foot works in the pose. I have studied my feet without much reward. I’ve walked barefoot and brushed my teeth on one leg for years. The process has been long and sometimes painful……
Well, I am happy to announce that the connection is finally being made. My feet are coming alive in my poses and I feel more grounded and much more stable in my practice than ever before. I certainly am not the master of my feet yet but these days I can feel little light bulbs turning on in my feet. It is very exciting. (scary, but true)
As I write this, I recognize how silly this all may sound (to a non-yogi that is). However, most of us that have been practicing Hatha Yoga for more than a year get how important the feet are to the health of not only our bodies but also our minds.
Our feet are our foundation. They are our connection to the earth. If you have weak feet, you have a weak foundation. If you have strong, functional feet, you will have a strong, stable foundation. Let me tell you, having just found a small portion of my feet in my practice, it is worth the work.
The easiest and the best way for us to continue to work the muscles in our feet is by walking barefoot as much as possible. Stand in Tip Toe pose when you are at your kitchen counter. Press into your big toes while standing in line and yes, brush your teeth on one leg.
You may not feel anything right away. Perhaps you’ll turn on a small light bulb here and there. Perhaps you will feel more stable mentally or emotionally in a tense situation. Perhaps you will have spring to your step. Perhaps you will feel as sturdy as a mountain.
It’s all possible. Don’t stop trying. It is worth the ride.
For years I have been listening to my teachers and observing my body. And for years I have been trying to communicate with my feet. I have backed off of poses and modified with the intention of understanding how my foot works in the pose. I have studied my feet without much reward. I’ve walked barefoot and brushed my teeth on one leg for years. The process has been long and sometimes painful……
Well, I am happy to announce that the connection is finally being made. My feet are coming alive in my poses and I feel more grounded and much more stable in my practice than ever before. I certainly am not the master of my feet yet but these days I can feel little light bulbs turning on in my feet. It is very exciting. (scary, but true)
As I write this, I recognize how silly this all may sound (to a non-yogi that is). However, most of us that have been practicing Hatha Yoga for more than a year get how important the feet are to the health of not only our bodies but also our minds.
Our feet are our foundation. They are our connection to the earth. If you have weak feet, you have a weak foundation. If you have strong, functional feet, you will have a strong, stable foundation. Let me tell you, having just found a small portion of my feet in my practice, it is worth the work.
The easiest and the best way for us to continue to work the muscles in our feet is by walking barefoot as much as possible. Stand in Tip Toe pose when you are at your kitchen counter. Press into your big toes while standing in line and yes, brush your teeth on one leg.
You may not feel anything right away. Perhaps you’ll turn on a small light bulb here and there. Perhaps you will feel more stable mentally or emotionally in a tense situation. Perhaps you will have spring to your step. Perhaps you will feel as sturdy as a mountain.
It’s all possible. Don’t stop trying. It is worth the ride.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
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Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Drain of Dwelling
Caution: Graphic content included!
After spending an hour in my yard doing spring cleanup yesterday, I headed inside for a drink of water. I grabbed my sturdy uncapped SIGG water bottle and took a swig. Gulp, gulp, gulp….
I felt something tickle my inner lip and in an instant I sprayed water out of my mouth and across the kitchen. There, in a puddle of water, sat the culprit. A disgusting, crunchy Stink Bug!
I groaned and gasped for a moment and then I ran to tell my daughters. Can you believe it? How gross! When my husband called I had to tell him right away. Can you believe it? I am traumatized!
I re-lived my epic Stink Bug story at least 20 times during the course of the evening. Each time groaning and gasping. I dwelled and dwelled over and over again.
By the time I went to bed, I was drained of reliving the Stink Bug story. “Enough already!”, I said to myself. “Just let it go and stop wasting your precious energy.” As I reflected on my silliness, I recognized just how often I dwell on my stories and dramas. There are stories from 25 years ago that I will often relive just for the pure sport of it.
Buddha said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
He was right of course. It’s much healthier to just drop the drama and get on with your life. But did he ever have a Stink Bug crawl in his mouth?
So the moral of the day… check your water bottles before you drink! (oh yeh, and “be here now” and all that stuff too)
After spending an hour in my yard doing spring cleanup yesterday, I headed inside for a drink of water. I grabbed my sturdy uncapped SIGG water bottle and took a swig. Gulp, gulp, gulp….
I felt something tickle my inner lip and in an instant I sprayed water out of my mouth and across the kitchen. There, in a puddle of water, sat the culprit. A disgusting, crunchy Stink Bug!
I groaned and gasped for a moment and then I ran to tell my daughters. Can you believe it? How gross! When my husband called I had to tell him right away. Can you believe it? I am traumatized!
I re-lived my epic Stink Bug story at least 20 times during the course of the evening. Each time groaning and gasping. I dwelled and dwelled over and over again.
By the time I went to bed, I was drained of reliving the Stink Bug story. “Enough already!”, I said to myself. “Just let it go and stop wasting your precious energy.” As I reflected on my silliness, I recognized just how often I dwell on my stories and dramas. There are stories from 25 years ago that I will often relive just for the pure sport of it.
Buddha said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
He was right of course. It’s much healthier to just drop the drama and get on with your life. But did he ever have a Stink Bug crawl in his mouth?
So the moral of the day… check your water bottles before you drink! (oh yeh, and “be here now” and all that stuff too)
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