dance, dream, chant and other weird things i do

Today I'm thinking about the things I do that help me feel balanced, that bring me happiness, and serve as general goodness. Things that help relax me, help me stay calm and carry on:

• Read a magazine (yoga journal, people, and body & soul are faves)
• Take a long bath with a lush bomb
• Walk (and sometimes skip) in the cemetery. As my brother Joel says, “it’s impossible to skip and feel sad at the same time.” We most recently skipped together at Kripalu. I highly recommend you try it.
• Bust a yoga pose….down dog & yogic squat are faves)
• Spend time in my yoga room
• Go to a bookstore
• Get a cup of coffee and write in my journal
• Go to bed early
• Pull weeds (this is something I don’t necessarily like, but it does help relax me)
• Sing positive mantras, chant, recite poems and engage in other things considered weird by lots of Kentuckians.
• Riding on a country road
• Dance wildly in the foyer of my old home
• Enjoy a glass of wine while cooking and listening to Pandora
• Dream of Mexico
• Listen to music
• Teach a yoga class. Nothing makes me focus as much as this. And when I’m focused and present, I’m usually calm and relaxed.
• Go through magazines and pull words and images out to update my vision board
• Use scents that remind me of good things and help invoke relaxation (fave candle I discovered years ago in TX, copal incense from Mexico, sandalwood incense from Chopra Center, yummy Chakra body mist spray Tracy gifted me with from Aveda, and another aromatherapy oil from Whole Foods.

How about you…..What's on your list?

mondo beyondo update

Some of you may recall that last fall I took the online Mondo Beyondo course (which I highly recommend). It's an online class full of other dreamers and the sole purpose is to dream any little thing your heart wants to dream. To "put it out there", right? Then sending a lil' message to the universe to bring only the dreams that are "divinely right for me and the best thing for the world."

I love the last part. I love the idea that the dreams that do come to me are divinely right for me, my heart, and the world. Because lets face it...sometimes dreams don't come true. So for me rather than becoming cynical about the process of dreaming I can simply rest in a place knowing that perhaps that for whatever reason, that is not a dream that's divinely right for me. For a dreamer and believer like myself, that was a really important part of the process.

My Mondo Beyondo list has been underneath my bed since last September. I only shared what was on my list with Andy. No one else. It felt right to keep my little dreams more private. Last Wednesday on my birthday I took my two pieces of paper from underneath my mattress. In the cafe at Joseph Beth I took my list out to review. I was pretty happy to see the dreams that have come true and the ones that are in the works. Here is a rundown:

**Learn more about Ayurveda - will begin my studies with California College of Ayurveda within the month

**Learn how to prepare delicious vegetarian food - this has greatly improved with the help of retreating at the beginning of January where I learned great tips and recipes from an Appalachian vegetarian. Plus learning more about Ayurveda and Indian cooking at Kripalu is greatly helping too.

**Be serenaded by Jon Bon Jovi - so it wasn't a one on one deal, or a small gathering as I have dreamed, but it was a concert in Atlanta with Andy and thousands of other fan. ;)

**Spend one to two months per year in Tulum working and playing - this is in the works for this year. Have myself scheduled to be there for over six weeks this year.

**Go on retreat to Kripalu - check, did Ayurveda Spring Cleanse in April

**Go to Mexico with my mom and sister - place tickets are purchased for July! This is actually a pretty big one since my mom has never flown and never been out of the country. Been so exciting to watch all of this unfold. Can't wait!

**Feed my body foods that support and nourish me physically, mentally, and emotionally - again with cooking more, making more green smoothies, juicing more often, doing cleanses, and learn more about cooking, the foods I'm eating are much better.

**Connect and learn from my father. Inspire him to be more healthy - I haven't put this on my blog, but three weeks ago today my dad was in the hospital in ICU. It was really scary for me. Since that day I've called him nearly everyday, I'm getting to know more about him, sharing Ayurveda, and encouraging him to make healthier decisions. And he's doing really great. 40+ years of smoking and he hasn't smoked in over three weeks! Yippee! Needless to say when I saw this on the list that I made last September, it was an eye opener.

So there they are....the dreams that I put out there last fall that have or are becoming a reality. If you haven't allowed yourself to dream in a bit, I highly encourage it. :)

PS - the pic above is a note I wrote at the beginning of the Mondo Beyondo class and have taped on my bathroom mirror. It's a daily reminder to dream. :)

thank you

I've had quite the delight-full birthday. Greeted the day with self massage (abhyanga). A practice I brought back from the ayurveda spring cleanse at Kripalu. Followed by neti pot, shower, then 30 minute meditation. There is truly something special about starting the day in this way. Giving myself time and engaging in self care.

I got ready and took myself to one of my fave places in Lexington...Joseph Beth. I got there when they opened at 9:00. Went to the cafe and treated myself to a cappuccino and lemon poppyseed scone. I sat down at a table and pulled my Mondo Beyondo list out. It's been chilling underneath my mattress for months now. I thought today would be a great day to review it. I went through my list and was totally surprised and happy to see some of my Mondo Beyondo dreams coming true (plan to dedicate a whole post to this). I also browsed through a new book I recently purchased and thought about the theme for the free yoga classes I would be teaching.

I spent over two hours at Joseph Beth. Perfect. I went over to Whole Foods and purchased myself some aromatherapy oil to keep in my purse. I've been playing with this idea of practicing santosha (contentment) as often as I can, as often as I think about it. Truly hoping to embody this word someday (which somehow seems a little counter intuitive to the whole idea of contentment...but). I purchased a scent with the hope that every time I use and smell it it will take me to a place of contentment (perhaps another blog too). Also got some treats to share with the yogis today post class. Little baby bundt cakes and two bite brownies. Yum

Classes were really good for me. We talked about the idea of purna, which in Sanskrit is this idea of wholeness and completion. Since I'm always trying to improve myself and always striving for more, I thought my birthday would be a great day just to Be. And feel perfect, complete, and whole....just as I am. Also played a sweet cd gifted to me by Anne Dean, darling yogini she is. :) It was titled "A Yogi Birthday." Love it.

Andy gifted me with exactly what I've been wanting, a new blender. During our cleanse in which I was making 12 drinks a day, I quickly realized it was time for a new one. Can't wait to try a new green smoothie out with it.

Andy and I went for a yummy dinner to Asian Wind. I've only been here two times now. And oh my it is so very delicious. The vegetarian food is so perfect that even Andy opted for a veggie dish. Also got ice cream from Graeters. Andy and I are a bit of ice cream fanatics. This was definitely not a ayurveda eating sorta day. Back on the wagon tomorrow.

At home I took a nice long bath (with a Lush bomb) in the dark, no lights, no music, none of the extras I typically love. Just closed my eyes. breathed, and felt so very thankful for the celebration of another birthday. For being surrounded by such kind people. So much love today. Really really special.

Now off to bed early to watch "The Lovely Bones". I really have no idea what it's about. But totally looking forward to slithering into bed early and watching a movie.

Again thanks to all of you. You fill my heart with much gladness. Much more than you could know.

PS - Silly pic of my brother during our time at Kripalu.

birthday treat

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."
-Audrey Hepburn

I'm pretty excited to be celebrating my 33rd birthday today! I consider myself so very lucky for many reasons. One big reason being that each of you support me in doing what I truly adore.

I recently heard this quote, "When asked what gift he wanted for his birthday, the yogi replied: "I wish no gifts, only presence."

Today I am welcoming each of you to join me in celebrating my birthday with a FR*EE yoga class. I teach at 12:00 and 4:30. Would love for you to be present.

Cheers,
Sharon

PS - Andy has field day today and tomorrow! Such a BIG BIG day for him and the kids. Asking the weather to kindly cooperate with him. :)

baby zoey

It's easy to forget the stresses
when I look into her sweet sweet eyes
and see her smile.
A smile that lights the room up
from far far away.

There is a sense of such joy
with this little babe.

On the day before my birthday
I celebrate this sweet little gal.
Am thinking I can learn a thing or two
from her.

daily affirmation

Feeling quite inspired by this young gal. Never too young to begin. :)

mesmerized

by this idea....

"Each day I do the dirty work, the effort that attracts no notice but my own, and in this very place I find the ordinary ingredients for genuine fulfillment."
Karen Maezen Miller

I read this quote (it's from the Book Hand Wash Cold) on a blog a couple of days ago and I'm pretty blown away by it. Definitely not there most days, probably not most moments. But I'm holding the idea of it close to my heart. And reveling in the beauty and simplicity of the thought of it.

how knowing my values helped me make a big decision

I've been debating on something for a couple of weeks now and still hadn't come up with a clear answer until today.


I tried all of my "old" tricks for making decisions....

Getting input from trusted people that know, love, and support me.

Setting an intention of getting clarity during my yoga practices.

Meditating on it.

Making a list of the pro's and con's.

Journaling about it.

Asking the universe for a sign, then flipping open a book and seeing what I land on (I know you've tried this?!).

Nothing seemed to be working. I still couldn't make a decision.

At 6:30 this morning I was up in my yoga room at home. Incense and candle lit, a soft glow just outside my window, nice soothing music playing in the background. It was a beautiful morning, a beautiful moment. I glanced over at one of the few items in my yoga room, my vision board.

I scanned the images and the words, all of which have some sort of meaning for me. Then I asked myself, "Is this the right time to embark on a new training?"

One at a time my eyes landed on the values that I identified for myself the last time I retreated to Tulum, Mexico. I saw them there on my board....

personal growth
wisdom
service
spirit
freedom
abundance
creativity

I thought again about my desire to learn, study, and practice Ayurveda (the science of life, also known as the sister science of yoga).

One by one I went through these values that I had identified for myself. I got a clear "Yes" on each one. Becoming a student of Ayurveda aligns with each of these values. I love how these values are a compass of sorts for me. As I'm navigating life and making decisions I keep coming back to them and they continue to guide me.


I just sent my application in to the California College of Ayurveda. If accepted I'll be participating in distance learning and hands on training that equals 545 hours of study. I'm super excited in taking this next step and learning even more about the "whole" person - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and how creating harmony and balance with each leads to a vibrant and healthy life. And of course I can't wait to share what I'm learning with all of you!

PS - Above pics of me and my friend Debra in Tulum, writing our biggie word in the sand.

PSS - If this sounds like something of value to you, join me this Saturday from 11:00-2:00 and explore your own values!

what propels you forward?

That's the question I'm asking myself today. I looked up the definition of propel and it says...
To cause to move forward or onward.
To impel, drive, or cause to move forwards.

I got to thinking about what propelled me forward in the earliest days of my teaching career. It was all about a vision I held dearly for myself. One that included embarking on a journey of healing on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. A vision that allowed me to be creative and flexible in my job and how I spend my days and time. And a huge part of my vision was being surrounded by other like minded, good hearted, soul-full beings that want to be healthy in the fullest of ways and wanting to live life with passion and purpose.

I have also spent time asking myself what continues to propel me forward today....day by day. I'm feeling like some much of it continues to be about my own personal journey. A journey towards sound health in body and mind. A journey towards wholeness in every sense of the word. It's in this process of discovering, learning, and living, that I heal a bit more(on a good day:). Then sharing this with others with the hope, the wish that it helps them in their own personal journey. Living, learning, sharing....that's what is propelling me forward.

So I ask you the ever important question...what propels you forward?

may goodness

Mark your planner for these events!

Free Mother's Day Yoga Class
Sunday May 9, 4:00 - 5:00
call 859-433-7787 or email
barefootworks(at)hotmail(dot)com to
reserve your space!

Radiant Yogini
with Sharon Tessandori
Saturday May 15, 11:00-2:00

Community Yoga
Sunday May 16, 4:00
Free

Beauty: A New Definition
with Sat Purkh
Sunday May 23, 1:00 - 3:30

Barefoot Works Book Club
(our knitting group is breaking till fall, but we've replaced with a book club!)
Sunday May 30, 12:00





Barefoot Works Book Club
The Untethered Soul

The Barefoot Works community is starting a book club! Our plan is to meet monthly to discuss books that are relevant and resonate with the Barefoot Works community. We will read and discuss one book per month.

Come join us for our first session on May 30, 2010, at noon. At this meeting, we will discuss our first book, "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself" by Michael Singer. We will also select books for upcoming sessions, so come prepared with your suggestions.

Bring your book and a vegetarian snack, if you wish, and join us for interesting discussions. We hope to see you there!

"The Untethered Soul" is widely available at local booksellers or online. Amazon has it for $11.53 - http://www.amazon.com/Untethered-Soul-Journey-Beyond-Yourself/dp/1572245379/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272630557&sr=8-1.


More details here!!

hellllooo

Greetings Yogis!

Feels like I've been away for a really long time. My trip to Kripalu last week with my brother was pretty amazing. I have pages and pages of notes and things I want to share. I met some special people and the teacher was phenomenal.

Since returning home I'm dealing with some challenges that have thrown me for a loop. When this happens I find myself needing to get quiet and deal with the rawness of emotions.

Which isn't easy for me (staying present with the sadness part). But I'm trying. And really making a conscious effort of applying so much of what I learned last week like waking early, doing a self massage, netti pot, cooking nutritious food, connecting to the earth and so forth. Doing the things I know I need to do to have a healthy mind and body.

So looking forward to getting back into the groove of things and getting back to teaching my classes. I do miss them....and you too. :)

Have a beautiful Tuesday.

PS - I still want to share about the last days of mine and Andy's cleanse which really worked out great in the end!

last night's kirtan

it was pretty darn cool. and special too. :)

magic moment

I just saw this over on Superhero blog and it took my breath away....had to share with you.

"Every day, God gives us, as well as the sun, a moment when it is possible to change anything that is causing us unhappiness. The magic moment is the moment when a "yes" or a "no" can change our whole existence. Every day, we try to pretend that we do not see the moment, that it does not exist, that today is the same as yesterday and that tomorrow will be the same too.

However, anyone who pays close attention to his day will discover the magic moment. It might be hidden in the instant that we put the key in the door in the morning, in the moment of silence after supper, in the thousand and one things that appear to us to be the same.

This moment exists, a moment in which all the strength of the stars flows through us and allows us to perform miracles." Paulo Coelho

Wow...happy Friday.

PS - Detox details coming later. :)

it's called a deotx for a reason....did you think it was gonna be fun?

So clearly by the title you can see that the emotions were not totally stable yesterday. It was a bit of a roller coaster for me. The day started off beautifully. I woke at 6:45 naturally, quite a bit earlier as times when my alarm goes off at 7:30 I could still use a few more zzzz'sss. Started the day with shower, then meditation, and my first green juice of the day made with spinach, kale, cucumber, apple, and lemons.

Made a strawberry banana smoothie to have a bit later and put it in the fridge. It was so pretty yesterday. I decided to stroll down the street to CVS and get a few things for my upcoming trip to Kripalu.

As I was walking I had one of those special moments when life just feels full, and good, and you feel awake and alive. Yet nothing BIG or special is happening. As I walk I observe the green of the grass, a beautiful tree filled with pink blooms and a carpet of pink on the sidewalk. I hear my footsteps. This is true contentment, santosha in Sanskrit. In the moment I wished I had memorized these words by e.e cummings, cause they felt so appropriate:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes.

I was really able to appreciate the moment for what it was without wanting it to be different, without wanting to hold onto to it. I breathed the moment in knowing that later in the day I would likely encounter hunger, thus resulting in crankiness.

Guess what? I was right! I had my smoothie just before I taught my noon class. I didn't have another drink prepared for myself and I wouldn't be leaving the studio till 6:00 after I taught another class. My plan was to go to Whole Foods and get a green juice to hold me off.

Guess what? They don't have a juice machine any longer. Or a smoothie bar. It's been replaced by the wine bar. I would have been fine with this notion had I not been cleansing.....and hungry. So I back track past all the goodies that delight my eyes at Whole Foods and make my way further down the way to the Co-op.

I try orderng a wheatgrass shot + 16 ounces of their green energizer. Hey I needed all the energy I could get. No wheatgrass. So green juice it was. All green juice. No fruit at all. Even I had a hard time drinking this one down.

But it did the trick. I felt better. Thankfully for the yogis in my 4:30 class right?

I arrive home around 6:30 to a super cranky husband. The one that was nausea and only looking at the green juice I had on reserve for him made him more nausea. Thankfully he had sliced a tiny bit of cucumber and had this. Poor thing, he ate only a sliver of cucumber. And that was a "treat". This sorta makes me chuckle as I type.

I'm trying to be positive about how great this "cleanse" is for us. Blah blah blah. He wants no part of it. I try to excite/entice him with a "yummy smoothie". At this point he could care less. I think I made pineapple blueberry. Even I'm getting confused with which smoothies we've had at this point.

I suggest we take our smoothies and our dogs for a walk to get our minds off of food. Well lets just say that the walk this time around was the complete opposite of the one earlier in the day. At one point in which I state "It's called a detox for a reason. Have you heard of detoxing as a pleasurable experience? Did you think it was gonna be fun?"

Ouch. We've moved from a "cleanse" which sounds so pure and so sweet to "detox"...not so pure, not so sweet.

Come home and we're out of rice milk. We will need the rice milk for tomorrow's smoothies. I go to Kroger. Grocery store number 3 for the day. What's with this? I've never been to the grocery store three times in one day. And here I am....while I'm cleansing.....errr I mean detoxing.

I depart with more rice milk, fresh pineapple, and two magazines. Body + Soul for me and Men's Health for Andy. He was happy when I brought the mag home. I would soon be making make raw chocolate milk. The world seemed good again.

The raw chocolate milk tasted reallllyyy good. Soaked raw cashews for about an hour then blended them with water, raw cocao powder, coconut oil, agave nectar, vanilla, and a dash of sea salt.

Yummy goodness. Happy Andy. Happy Sharon. The chocolate milk will last 5 days in the fridge so I put more cashews in to soak. Then took myself to soak in our big, old, bath tub with my magazine.

I made more raw chocolate milk and made Andy two more smoothies for the following day (today). I counted in the evening alone and I made 8 drinks. I could make a full time job of this. :)

Check in with Andy about his numbers for the day and we're back down to all 2's. I ask him, you think you were a 2 for emotions? He says no, probably not. Lets go for a 1.

All sarcasm aside, I see such value in these cleanses. I'll get to that soon enough, I'm sure.

Happy Thursday.
Happy Earth Day. I'm feeling quite connected to you this week. One of the valuables of the cleanse.

day 2 of spring cleanse

Day 2 was another successful day of yummy good for you eating. At least I felt it was yummy. Andy was a little less impressed with today's meals. But nonetheless he pulled through like a champ and is still on board. So proud of him! This is all a BIG stretch for him. So I'm just happy to have a cleansing buddy alongside me.

Andy's breakfast smoothie was banana and almond butter, with water as the liquid. He did however love this smoothie. He has now decided that this one was even better than the previous days and has proclaimed that he would like this one to now be his every day go to breakfast smoothie. I had a strawberry and mango smoothie with rice milk. It was de-lish. Even better than I was expecting.

Lunch was a lentil salad I had made the previous evening. I used green lentils, onions, garlic, roasted red peppers, walnuts,and olive oil. I loved the lentil salad. Did the thing where you're scraping all around the corners of your bowl to eat it all. Andy however did not love as much. He ate some and put the rest away stating that, "I might want to eat it tomorrow. I'm sure I'll love it when all I'm doing is drinking liquid." We'll see if he actually does that today. I don't think he will.

Snack was a Lara Bar for each of us. I have my fave peanut putter cookie. Andy had some coconut cream thingie. I also took an apple to the studio since I wouldn't be getting till almost 8:00. Surprisingly I felt great and didn't need the apple. I did have some hot decaf tea from Starbucks while the teen yoga class was going on at the studio. Green herabl teas are encouraged on this cleanse.

I got home and Andy was upset with our dog Bella. He was trying to get her to take her flea medicine. Had the tablet all wrapped up in a neat lil' piece of cheese. I guess she decided that she would cleanse too cause she wanted no part of it. Remy however eats his straight pill form. He will eat anything you throw to him. Andy was definitely losing his cool. It seemed urgent that she eat it then. I'm pretty certain the cleanse was not helping. I convince him that I will do it later (lucky for Bella and Andy). I had more important things to do. Like fix some dinner.

Dinner was a kale and avocado salad. Again, I thought it was great. Andy was less than impressed. I massaged olive oil and sea salt into the chopped kale then added lots of tomato, sun dried tomato and an avocado. I normally don't like kale straight up, usually choosing to juice it instead. But this was good. We also had a toasted piece of ezekiel bread.

Andy couldn't stomach the salad, he I suggested that he get something else to eat. He chose two more pieces of ezekiel bread toasted with almond butter. Thank god for the almond butter. I'm certain it got him through the day. That and the Blackhawks game he was excited to see.

After dinner I begin to prepare for the first official day of the cleanse. I make his green juice for the next morning (today) with spinach, kale, apples, cucumber, and lemon. I make two more smoothies for him also. Both are blackberry peach, rice milk at the liquid. It's been working out fine to make the smoothie the night before. I'd prefer to make the green juice totally fresh and have him drink it right away. But I don't want to get up at 6:00 in the morning. So we're trying this to see how it works.

I checked in with him at the end of the evening to see how he felt physically, energy level, emotions, intellect/focus, and happiness factor. A solid 3 for him for feeling good physically and energy level. A 2 for the other three.

I felt good yesterday. No headaches, body was good, energy level felt higher, still don't quite have the focus I'm desiring, emotions seem a little off, but feeling content.

I did get my 30 minute meditation in the morning and an hour long yoga practice. With all the cooking and juice/smoothie prep in the evening I didn't have time for the evening meditation. Completely ok with this. I'm finding that the prep work is like a whole baby itself. Preparing for two people is much more work than one I'm finding. Making some notes to make things a little easier next time.

Alrighty friend have a gllllorious day! Looks like it's gonna be a beautiful one here in central KY!

PS - pic was the fruit salad from day 1. Sadly my camera is broken now so I'm using my cell phone as needed. :)

recap of day 1 spring cleanse

Happy to say that Andy and I both made it through day of our pre-cleanse. No caffeine, no processed junk... both of which Andy and I had gotten into the habit of daily. Especially after all the road trips and traveling we've been doing this month.

On Sunday evening I prepared Andy's smoothie and our lunch for Monday. His smoothie was mango and spinach, I had banana and almond butter smoothie. For the liquid today I used 1 1/2 cups of water.

Andy and I had our morning chat around 8:00 in the morning just before he started to teach. While he did say that the smoothie was really good and even said, "maybe you can make me one of these for breakfast every morning", he was already thinking about the caffeine that he wouldn't be having.

Lunch was a Mediterranean salad with spinach, arugula, tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, sun dried tomatoes, and artichokes. Dressing was a simple oil and vinegar. Was happy to hear that again Andy was really enjoying the food. For a snack we each had a raw Lara Bar. These are my fave bars as of now. Love how simple yet how delicious they are.

Dinner was veggie tacos with sprouted tortillas. I cooked some onions, garlic, and bell peppers with olive oil. We also had black beans, guacamole, and salsa with them. I had laid the cheese out as an option to top the tacos with. Andy picks it up and says, "I thought we weren't supposed to have this." I replied, "Well we're still in the pre-cleasne phase so if you want some then have it." I was quite proud when he laid it down and chose not to have any. So of course I didn't either.

These were delicious and filling which both of us needed. Both of us had a little headache throughout the day and the energy level was certainly low. We couldn't put off mowing the lawn another day (unfortunately). Andy mowed and I helped rake and sweep us the grass clippings.

We did some yoga together up in my tiny sweet yoga room. Mostly me doing some thai yoga with Andy and then the two of us did legs up the wall together. We listened to Wah. It felt good. Andy departs and I stay for my second meditation of the day.

We even had dessert. I made a tasty tasty fruit salad and topped it with a macadamia cream that I made. I used strawberries, blueberries, and banana. The sauce was made with macadamia nuts, juice of an orange, vanilla, and agave nectar. Oh my, this was a yummy fruit salad. I made it all special by serving them in wine glasses.
A great way to close out the first day of cleansing.

We did go to bed at 9:30, about an hour earlier than usual. I asked Andy on a scale of 1 to 5 how we felt physically, energy level, emotions, intellect, and happiness factor. He reported a 2 on each level. I was just a tiny bit higher.

Maybe we'll get to a 2.5 or 3 today? We shall see......

spring cleanse + kitchen tour

being knowing loving

Being, knowing, loving is a program that explains the three characteristics of life as described in the ancient Indian scriptures known as the Vedas.

Sat, or the potency to be, is the energy that defines who we are, what is our individuality and is the very energy that causes us to exist.

Chit, or the potency of knowledge is our ability to know. To know who we are, what is the divine and what is our relationship with the divine.

Ananda is the pleasure potency. This is the happiness, bliss and the satisfaction we feel when connected in pure love.

At the early age of eleven, BV Vishnu Swami moved into a monastery in India to live the spiritual science of Bhakti Yoga and study the philosophy of the Vedas. Though still young, he is a senior monk andtravels the world sharing the secrets of unadulterated Love.He is a close and dedicated disciple of Tridandi Swami BV Narayana,the foremost teacher of Vaisnava philosophy in the world today.

Friday April 23 at 7:30
FREE, donations will be welcomed

Enjoy lecture by BV Vishnu Swami, Kirtana and Chanting of Mantra and Free Vegan food!
Do hope you can make it to this!!

bending over backwards

Holy moly, you've got to see this video. These cutie gals (sister act called the Ross Sisters) from the 40's sing for about 60 seconds then the feats they perform is nothing short of mind boggling!

Thanks for passing along Anne Dean! Perfect timing after working on back bends this past weekend at yoga teacher training...

west wind

Have you ever tried to enter the long black branches of other lives --
tried to imagine what the crisp fringes, full of honey, hanging
from the branches of the young locust trees, in early morning, feel like?

Do you think this world was only an entertainment for you?

Never to enter the sea and notice how the water divides
with perfect courtesy, to let you in!
Never to lie down on the grass, as though you were the grass!
Never to leap to the air as you open your wings over the dark acorn of your heart!

No wonder we hear, in your mournful voice, the complaint
that something is missing from your life!

Who can open the door who does not reach for the latch?
Who can travel the miles who does not put one foot
in front of the other, all attentive to what presents itself
continually?
Who will behold the inner chamber who has not observed
with admiration, even with rapture, the outer stone?

Well, there is time left --
fields everywhere invite you into them.

And who will care, who will chide you if you wander away
from wherever you are, to look for your soul?

Quickly, then, get up, put on your coat, leave your desk!

To put one's foot into the door of the grass, which is
the mystery, which is death as well as life, and
not be afraid!

To set one's foot in the door of death, and be overcome
with amazement!

To sit down in front of the weeds, and imagine
god the ten-fingered, sailing out of his house of straw,
nodding this way and that way, to the flowers of the
present hour,
to the song falling out of the mockingbird's pink mouth,
to the tippets of the honeysuckle, that have opened

in the night

To sit down, like a weed among weeds, and rustle in the wind!

Listen, are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?

While the soul, after all, is only a window,

and the opening of the window no more difficult
than the wakening from a little sleep.

Only last week I went out among the thorns and said
to the wild roses:
deny me not,
but suffer my devotion.
Then, all afternoon, I sat among them. Maybe

I even heard a curl or tow of music, damp and rouge red,
hurrying from their stubby buds, from their delicate watery bodies.

For how long will you continue to listen to those dark shouters,
caution and prudence?
Fall in! Fall in!

A woman standing in the weeds.
A small boat flounders in the deep waves, and what's coming next
is coming with its own heave and grace.

Meanwhile, once in a while, I have chanced, among the quick things,
upon the immutable.
What more could one ask?

And I would touch the faces of the daises,
and I would bow down
to think about it.

That was then, which hasn't ended yet.

Now the sun begins to swing down. Under the peach-light,
I cross the fields and the dunes, I follow the ocean's edge.

I climb, I backtrack.
I float.
I ramble my way home.

~Mary Oliver