We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. The world comes to us by way of the five senses and is then assembled, judged and felt within. The raw data of sense experience becomes enmeshed with one’s identity to unconsciously produce either a pleasurable or unpleasurable experience. Interpretation is the […]
Years ago, I was introduced to the concept of a ritual-calendar. Of course the idea has been around a lot longer than that; Christmas (yes, it’s coming soon), Easter and Ramadan are other obvious examples. But what about a personal ritual-calendar? Family dinners could be on there, along with game night. As could more spiritual/intimate […]
Perhaps you’ve heard…. Yoga isn’t about the handstand—it’s about the quality of attention we bring to whatever we do. You could never touch an asana–or your toes for that matter–and still live yoga fully. A truer measure of yoga sounds more like a widening capacity for love, compassion and sensitivity. As someone once said, the […]
If you are like me, you were taught that life is an outward-facing mechanical process—Darwin’s investigations in the Galápagos being a prime example. From this perspective, consciousness is merely the product of unconscious matter arranged just so. No doubt, the material creation is wondrous, starting with the miracle of your bodily intelligence, the delicate perfection […]
The word “anga” means limb, and it shows up in poses like bhujangasana and in philosophical discussion. Specifically, I’m thinking of the distinction between bahir-anga, the outer-limbs of practice, and antar-anga, the inner-limbs of practice. Examples of outer limbs include ethical precepts and asana. In its quest for existential knowledge, the yoga tradition left no […]
What is your go-to yogic teaching “off the mat”? Personally, a few valuable virtues come to mind—patience, acceptance, or the simple act of giving of oneself. These sound beautiful in theory, yet a real challenge to implement when things get rough. It takes practice to cultivate the highest version of ourselves. Yoga, at its heart, […]
Often, yogic teachings, and wisdom in general, comes down to stating the overlooked obvious; seeing what was in front of us all along with fresh understanding and greater appreciation.. This week, I want to share yet another lesson from the Colorado Trail, one that you will likely recognize. In a word, this is a story […]
I’ve been a closeted lover of story for a long time–myths and bardic tales stir the rusted chambers of my mind and kick-up dusty shafts of light and portholes of insight. The ancient myths echo with time, culture and age-old lessons about the human experience and how to tread in an uncertain world. While these […]
Early on in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika–a 15th century yogic text–Svātmārāma draws a comparison between the breath (prana) and the mind (chita), and likens them to two fish swimming in tandem. Where one goes the other follows. Our breath follows our thoughts and vice versa–they are two sides of the same coin–if you are anxious […]
“Self Development” is a salient feature of any yoga system. However, the traditions don’t stop at refining our personality, improving self-esteem or strengthening our position in the world. Rather, they recognize these surface characteristics and aim to discover what lies beyond the topical narrative of one’s thoughts, sense impressions, or circumstances. In the words of […]