I’m pleased to offer a new online weekend program called “Yoga of Recovery – 6 Tenets to Heal What Binds You.” This will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 & 10. The hours are 9:00AM – 6:00PM both days.
Join us as we explore the six tenets of Yoga of Recovery, combining the ancient paths of Yoga with basic concepts from Ayurveda and modern recovery techniques.
This weekend is OPEN TO EVERYONE – Yoga teachers as well as yoga students. Learn how to release addictive behaviors and unhealthy habits through these ancient teachings.
This module will include presentations, discussions, journaling, and physical practices.
My husband and I like to discuss – and meditate on – the Buddhist concepts of bliss and emptiness, particularly the teaching on the union of bliss and emptiness. We all have our ideas of what “bliss” might be, and what “emptiness” seems to be, but since they are opposites, how could there be a union of these opposites? Maybe it’s like a yin-yang sort of situation. Maybe it’s like two sides of the same coin.
Earlier this month, during our retreat with Rupert Spira and friends at Garrison Institute in New York, I was surprised to hear Rupert give very simple suggestions during a meditation session. He was pointing out our very obvious experience in meditation upon Pure Being.
When we rest in Pure Being, we notice that Being IS emptiness “which we call peace.” At the same time, while resting in Pure Being, we notice that Being IS fullness “which we call happiness or bliss.” I recognized this instantly. Yes! Sometimes, when I look deep within my Being, there seems to be nothing there. Being is empty. But this isn’t dull or boring. It’s peaceful! Sometimes, when I look deep within my Being, I seem to be full of life or energy or love. This fullness is blissful! It feels wonderful – like I have everything I could ever possibly want.
Sometimes I see the emptiness, and sometimes I see the bliss. But if I look carefully, I have to admit they are both there all the time. Being IS the union of bliss and emptiness. WE are the union of bliss and emptiness. Both. And perfect. All the time.
I often come across relevant teachings from the Enneagram Institute: “Once we have identified with our ego-consciousness, it is difficult for us to imagine any alternative, even though it brings no relief and causes us to behave in ways that hurt ourselves and others. Ignorance and fear, rather than evil and ill-will, are therefore at the root of much of our suffering and the suffering of mankind, as many of the great spiritual traditions have taught.”
Yoga practice helps us identify and live our lives from a place of Higher Consciousness where we can slow down and really listen to each other, and share understanding and compassion. May it be so!
Regular Yoga practice helps! We learn to be present and aware moment-to-moment.
“Life is our greatest teacher. Whatever we are doing can be instructive, whether we are at the office, or talking to our spouse, or driving a car on the freeway. If we are present to our experiences, the impressions of our activities will be fresh and alive, and we will always learn something new from them. But if we are not present, every moment will be like every other, and nothing of the preciousness of life will touch us.” (Riso and Hudson, “The Wisdom of the Enneagram,” 344)
Holistic Yoga & Spiritual Guidance 