Category: Spirituality

Spirituality

Mindfulness Community of Hampton Roads

Jivani Lisa

The Mindfulness Community of Hampton Roads was founded in May 1992. Its mission is to provide a sangha, or community, to support those who practice Buddhism in Norfolk and elsewhere in Hampton Roads. Although formation of the Mindfulness Community of Hampton Roads was inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, it became evident soon after its inception that there was a need to expand its scope to embrace the support of practitioners from all Buddhist traditions, as well as those who practice secular mindfulness and have an interest in Buddhism. 

The sangha was on hiatus due to COVID-19 protocols, but is now meeting again. All are welcome to join us in our practice, including beginners. We meet on the first and third Sunday (10:30AM-12:30PM) of each month. Although basic meditation instruction is available for beginners, many in our group have received meditation instruction in some other context.

 “A sangha is a community of resistance, resisting the speed, violence, and unwholesome ways of living that are prevalent in our society… A good sangha can lead in the direction of harmony and awareness.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh

Find more information here: Mindfulness Community of Hampton Roads

Photo by Eric Smart on Pexels.com
Poetry, Spirituality

Heron

Jivani Lisa

Heron
swoops in
before me,
wings rustling
the wind.
Light footsteps
barely brush
fertile earth.
Feathers fluff,
eyes take in all.
A quiet, gentle
spirit is.
Then beak jabs
soft ground –
some small snake
captured.
Heron shakes
and shakes
his head
to effect
sure death.
A good meal
on a clear day.

Spirituality, Yoga

Why Resistance is Necessary

Jivani Lisa

“Resistance is Necessary” by Sri Swami Satchidananda….

We are all searching for the happiness and peace that we once experienced. Now it seems to be missing. Certainly we want to find it the quickest way possible. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come that easily. We have to go through many kinds of resistance. Why? Because only by passing through resistance do we become stronger. Resistance is necessary.

A seed needs some sort of resistance. That’s why you dig a hole, put the seed in and cover it up. Then it says, “Oh, you think you are going to stop me here? I’m going to come up!” It pushes through and grows strong.

So don’t look for the way of least resistance. No matter how big that resistance is, face the situation. Your own strength, your own mental courage will help you a lot. Once you feel that, “Yes, I can win it!” you will win. Don’t say, “Ah, I don’t know. I’ll try.” No. With that attitude, you have already lost seventy-five percent of your strength. Be bold. Be strong. “I will achieve it. Today or tomorrow I am going to get it.” That’s very important. You need that will to achieve what you really want in life.

Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash
Spirituality, Yoga

Jnana Yoga study group

Jivani Lisa

Namaste! I’ve been reading and re-reading this book by Swami Vivekananda. I absolutely love it! First published in 1902, it’s a compilation of lectures given by the Swami to large groups of people. Here’s the book’s description:

“In the pages of this book, one comes across a brilliant exposition of the philosophy of Vedanta and its practice through the method of enquiry and discrimination. These lectures were delivered by Swami Vivekananda at London and New York. The great Swami’s exposition of a subject so abstruse in a style which makes its comprehension easy even for an ordinary man is nothing short of a miracle in the English language. One of the best books dealing with the path of discrimination for attaining the summum bonum of human life and hence very important, not only for the seekers of truth, but also for the academicians and students of Vedanta.”

I’m beginning a weekly study group for this book beginning on Wednesday, January 12th at 1:30PM eastern time. Please contact me if you’d like to receive the Zoom link to join our discussions.

Peace to all!

Spirituality, Vibrant Health, Yoga

Layers of the Body

Jivani Lisa

While Yoga isn’t primarily a “workout,” it balances all types of activities from golf to racket sports to running and weight lifting.  It also brings safe, healthy physical activity to those who find themselves sedentary on many days.  The reason Yoga helps us feel so good is that it works through what’s known as the five koshas (“sheaths” or “layers”) of our bodies. 

The first, most obvious kosha is the physical body itself, annamaya kosha.  The Yoga poses (asanas) keep the body both strong and flexible, and assist with balance and coordination. 

Deeper than the physical body is the energetic body, pranamaya kosha, which we most easily access through working with the breath in our Yoga classes.  A good Yoga class leaves us feeling refreshed with just the right amount of energy – not so much that we feel restless and not so little that we feel exhausted or lethargic. 

The next layer is the mental kosha, known as manomaya kosha, which includes our thoughts and emotions as well as our “witnessing” mind, the part of us that knows how to simply be “present” and aware of what’s actually happening moment to moment.

Deeper than this is the wisdom body, vijnanamaya kosha, which contains all knowledge, understanding, and intuition.  We experience this when we get a flash of insight seemingly out of nowhere. 

The deepest layer, anandamaya kosha, represents deep contentment, peace, even bliss.  According to Yoga philosophy, this is the deepest, truest part of who we are.  No matter what’s happening externally in our lives or in the world, we always have the ability to connect with this deep inner peace and contentment. 

When we do Yoga poses, breathing exercises, and concentration/meditation in a practice session, we automatically access all five of these koshas (because they’re interconnected), cleansing them and freeing us to face whatever we need to face in our daily lives. 

Yoga is for everyone! Please practice on your own, or locate a suitable in-person or virtual class to suit your needs. BE well!