10:31 AM
9:54 AM
FOCUSED on my Mantra
MY PHILOSOPHY:
When I dream, I dream BIG! As an artist, I don't think I'm alone when I look at the world as a blank canvas in which I supply the colors. Why is that a problem? If you're too busy appreciating the subtle hues instead of painting, eventually the paint dries up before you've finished the masterpiece. Or like most dreamers, before you've even lifted the brush.
Creative thinkers often become distracted which leads to frustration. If you are distracted, you are "leaking" energy. This is why I've developed the mantra of "foodshelterart." Repetition of a mantra allows for stillness of the mind which leads to clarity of the true Self. If I can see myself clearly, then I can express myself completely. Through the techniques acquired under the direct study of artist and Beloved Guru, Yogi Amrit Desai, I have developed my own mantra of how to live artfully. Simple repetition of the mantra, foodshelterart (the basic necessities of my life) has kept me aligned along my creative path.
Artful living requires an observation about whether you are CREATING a block in your energy or expressing the energy moving through you. In my experience as a photographic artist I watch the world through the lens of a camera. But it is not about my passion for photography, it is about what I am doing in the moments that I don't have the camera in hand that allow me to express myself as a photographer fully. Being present allows me to observe how I interact with the world, and then document it when I pick up my camera.
MY MISSION:
I would like make "foodshelterart" the mantra of the modern artist. Relying on the knowledge attained through the teachings of ancient yogic traditions, I will help others learn techniques about how to use their energy most efficiently through conscious, artful living.
When I dream, I dream BIG! As an artist, I don't think I'm alone when I look at the world as a blank canvas in which I supply the colors. Why is that a problem? If you're too busy appreciating the subtle hues instead of painting, eventually the paint dries up before you've finished the masterpiece. Or like most dreamers, before you've even lifted the brush.
Creative thinkers often become distracted which leads to frustration. If you are distracted, you are "leaking" energy. This is why I've developed the mantra of "foodshelterart." Repetition of a mantra allows for stillness of the mind which leads to clarity of the true Self. If I can see myself clearly, then I can express myself completely. Through the techniques acquired under the direct study of artist and Beloved Guru, Yogi Amrit Desai, I have developed my own mantra of how to live artfully. Simple repetition of the mantra, foodshelterart (the basic necessities of my life) has kept me aligned along my creative path.
Artful living requires an observation about whether you are CREATING a block in your energy or expressing the energy moving through you. In my experience as a photographic artist I watch the world through the lens of a camera. But it is not about my passion for photography, it is about what I am doing in the moments that I don't have the camera in hand that allow me to express myself as a photographer fully. Being present allows me to observe how I interact with the world, and then document it when I pick up my camera.
MY MISSION:
I would like make "foodshelterart" the mantra of the modern artist. Relying on the knowledge attained through the teachings of ancient yogic traditions, I will help others learn techniques about how to use their energy most efficiently through conscious, artful living.
12:09 PM
Other Side of the Camera
Photos: Daniel MillayI asked fellow photographer and friend, Daniel Millay to take some photographs of me practicing yoga. As with most photographers, it's rare that I'm in front of the camera, but this was a great experience! Please check out some of Daniel's work when you have a moment.
I'm really enjoying this journey of merging yoga and photography as there are so many ways in which my creativity is effected by yoga, and vice-versa. Possibly because when you are dropping into the "zone" as it is often called in sports, you are connecting with your higher state of being. Your greater Self.
You lose all track of time and therefore let go of self-imposed barriers and filters. You become enlightened from the burden of stress and get lost in the creation of BE-ing.
Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you? -Fanny Brice
7:18 PM
It's always there.
It's always there for you to discover. What is "it"?
"It" is still amongst chaos.
"It" is still amongst emotions.
"It" is still amongst all sensations.
To discover "it," ask your Self the following questions:
What techniques do I use that move me toward stillness?
What habits move me away from stillness?
I'll give you some time to experiement and I'd love to hear of your discoveries along the Way....
Jai Bhagwan.
"It" is still amongst chaos.
"It" is still amongst emotions.
"It" is still amongst all sensations.
To discover "it," ask your Self the following questions:
What techniques do I use that move me toward stillness?
What habits move me away from stillness?
I'll give you some time to experiement and I'd love to hear of your discoveries along the Way....
Jai Bhagwan.
10:16 AM
Great (short!) Video
Please enjoy this video of my Guru, Yogi Amrit Desai. I can almost perform the posture flow he does but am still working on bringing my feet into lotus while in headstand. Keep practicing!
The first part of the video takes place in Salt Springs (Ocala) Florida where I had the pleasure of attending for my teaching certification. Here is one of my photographs taken while meditating on the beautiful Lake Kerr.
"The Quiet Choice" by Monica Kustra
The first part of the video takes place in Salt Springs (Ocala) Florida where I had the pleasure of attending for my teaching certification. Here is one of my photographs taken while meditating on the beautiful Lake Kerr.
"The Quiet Choice" by Monica Kustra
3:31 PM
The Organic Way
Life is an organic process in which we must maintain a commitment to leaving unprocessed by the ego-mind.
8:36 AM
KARMA Yoga
Here are a few words of GRACE from Gurudev, Yogi Amrit Desai:
Grace
This non-reactive way of being is living in the "fire." It takes great courage to sit still and surrender. Meditation helps. That quiet approach to constantly alternating positive and negative experiences is the ultimate, invincible defense. Sitting in that fire is the real surrender of ego. When the ego burns, grace showers. You are taken to the unified field of all creativity - Self-sourcing. In this surrendered state, all evolutionary expressions and actions spontaneously and effortlessly emerge. In this grace, your highest desires are fulfilled without having to strive for them. Such desires are founded not in separative consciousness, but in the field of unity and integration. When intelligence is rooted in the field of unity consciousness, you are grounded in Self-sourcing, and can act with maximum creativity and efficiency. The action itself is self-fulfilling rather than the end result. Instead of reaction, there is only Reality.
Yogi Amrit Desai is a world renowned teacher and author on yoga and consciousness. Originally from India, he has based himself in the United States for over 35 years.
From the Trans Quarterly, Spring 1997, Volume 12, No. 1, Page 11-12.
Grace
This non-reactive way of being is living in the "fire." It takes great courage to sit still and surrender. Meditation helps. That quiet approach to constantly alternating positive and negative experiences is the ultimate, invincible defense. Sitting in that fire is the real surrender of ego. When the ego burns, grace showers. You are taken to the unified field of all creativity - Self-sourcing. In this surrendered state, all evolutionary expressions and actions spontaneously and effortlessly emerge. In this grace, your highest desires are fulfilled without having to strive for them. Such desires are founded not in separative consciousness, but in the field of unity and integration. When intelligence is rooted in the field of unity consciousness, you are grounded in Self-sourcing, and can act with maximum creativity and efficiency. The action itself is self-fulfilling rather than the end result. Instead of reaction, there is only Reality.
Yogi Amrit Desai is a world renowned teacher and author on yoga and consciousness. Originally from India, he has based himself in the United States for over 35 years.
From the Trans Quarterly, Spring 1997, Volume 12, No. 1, Page 11-12.
12:26 PM
Lions and Tigers and MIND, oh my!
Yoga under palm trees
Gentle breeze
Reminding you to breath
Observing the animals
You're not supposed to feed...
This sign on the way into the park made me laugh as I knew immediately I could mention it in class. What "animal" should we be mindful of? The mind, of course! We have the option to use our attention to feed our thoughts, or we can remove our attention and simply observe the problem-making monster in progress.
Gentle breeze
Reminding you to breath
Observing the animals
You're not supposed to feed...
This sign on the way into the park made me laugh as I knew immediately I could mention it in class. What "animal" should we be mindful of? The mind, of course! We have the option to use our attention to feed our thoughts, or we can remove our attention and simply observe the problem-making monster in progress.
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