The poem exemplifies the kind of courage it takes to make it on the yoga path. I found it in the movie Invictus as spoken by Nelson Mandela:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not [...]
I often wonder if I am progressing spiritually and ultimately it’s probably not possible to judge this process unless you are the master. But I found this checklist (my words) in The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita (click on the photo to review this book) written by Parmahansa Yogananada. I find it to be helpful and hope [...]
There are many forms of deep breathing practices that you can learn from ancient yoga practices.
Here’s one that comes from Deepak Chopra at http://www.chopra.com/ujjayi:
Ujjayi (pronounced oo-jai) is an ancient yogic breathing technique that helps calm the mind and body. Commonly translated as “victorious breath,” Ujjayi has a balancing influence on the entire cardiorespiratory system and releases [...]
Let’s face it, we’re all attracted to books or movies that focus on a hero who overcomes adversity and stands up for what’s right even if his or her well being is jeopardized. Look at the popularity of Avatar, www.avatarmovie.com, a total blockbuster in the theaters and now selling like crazy on DVD. Critics call it [...]
A woman at church gave a talk one Sunday about the lesson of forgiveness that Jesus taught us. I’ve never heard the story told this way, so I will retell it her words and hope that you might enjoy this new perspective as much as I did.
We all know that upon the cross Jesus said, “Forgive [...]
When you are troubled, had a difficult time in some area of your life, usually there are a host of people offering input. Have you ever noticed what kind of response from a friend or loved one has a positive effect on you? What kind of response makes a difference?
Usually it’s not the abstract stuff or [...]
Meditation happens when you are able to transcend the mind and connect with your source or what some call spirit or God. To get there requires much discipline because one needs to know how to relax the physical body and calm your mind. Therein lies the rub; it’s not easy and it requires some self-regulation.
People who [...]
Evelyn Underhill had a great quote about worship that sounds like devotion to me, she said, “Worship is the adoring acknowledgment of all that lies beyond us. It is the response that conscious beings make to their Creator.” That feels like devotion to me.
I joined the Yoga Center of California Costa Mesa, Ca almost 30 years [...]
I remember when I first learned to meditate. We were asked to meditate for 15 minutes because it takes the average mind at least 11 minutes to calm down. Then you have three good minutes, and that’s pretty much what you need to get to peace of mind and the deeper states of yoga.
After my first [...]
Kali Devi
My spiritual yearning started when I had just turned seven and was in Catholic school. I remember sitting there being so sad when the nuns told us that the babies in Africa couldn’t go to heaven because they weren’t baptized. I had a few sleepless nights after that session worrying about those babies in [...]