Article about the Lake Worth-It Festival with a photo I did of John Ralston.
Click Here.
3:17 PM
8:31 AM
Just Add Light.
While staying with a friend I was intrigued by these shadows.
You would think by this view that the whole house is covered in ivy but I went outside and the only place it was growing was in front of this window, making for an interesting illusion. You can only see shadows when there is light.
Stay bright ;)
You would think by this view that the whole house is covered in ivy but I went outside and the only place it was growing was in front of this window, making for an interesting illusion. You can only see shadows when there is light.
Stay bright ;)
10:18 PM
One of the voices I hear in my head....i.e. An Amazing Instructor
Senior Amrit Yoga instructor Eric Walrabenstein or "Yogi E" has been an inspiration in my ever expanding yogic journey. Please visit his website after you read these words of his that I found inspiring:
"Zen Master Dogen once said: “Practice as if saving your head from fire.” And in this, he was half right. The unfortunate truth is that for many of us, we practice ardently and with the best of intentions, all the while making strident gains in the wrong direction. The problem is that the ego stands perpetually ready to co-opt the practices that were originally intended to set us free—digging us deeper into the pit of the sense of a separate self.
I practice diligently; I am a good meditator, I am at peace, I am compassionate, I am humble, I am pure divine bliss, I, I, I, I, I. To become free, we must get clarity regarding who or what this “I” is—and not just intellectually, but experientially. Our practices were not conceived to make us calmer, more compassionate, or more pleasant; they were created to ultimately set us free from that which is capable of being calm/agitated, compassionate/greedy, or pleasant/irritating. They are offered for the purpose setting us free from the ego, not to spruce it up making it the shiniest, friendliest, and most spiritual ego on the block. In other words, it’s about freedom folks."
While at the Amrit Institute I was fortunate to be taught by Yogi E. The clarity in which he describes the practice of authentic yoga allows me to focus my intention of connecting with my Truth, so that I may teach others from this experiential space. His teachings inspire me to stay present with what is and let go of the rest, allowing my Self to be revealed which is the greatest present that I could ever (but would never) ask for.
"Zen Master Dogen once said: “Practice as if saving your head from fire.” And in this, he was half right. The unfortunate truth is that for many of us, we practice ardently and with the best of intentions, all the while making strident gains in the wrong direction. The problem is that the ego stands perpetually ready to co-opt the practices that were originally intended to set us free—digging us deeper into the pit of the sense of a separate self.
I practice diligently; I am a good meditator, I am at peace, I am compassionate, I am humble, I am pure divine bliss, I, I, I, I, I. To become free, we must get clarity regarding who or what this “I” is—and not just intellectually, but experientially. Our practices were not conceived to make us calmer, more compassionate, or more pleasant; they were created to ultimately set us free from that which is capable of being calm/agitated, compassionate/greedy, or pleasant/irritating. They are offered for the purpose setting us free from the ego, not to spruce it up making it the shiniest, friendliest, and most spiritual ego on the block. In other words, it’s about freedom folks."
While at the Amrit Institute I was fortunate to be taught by Yogi E. The clarity in which he describes the practice of authentic yoga allows me to focus my intention of connecting with my Truth, so that I may teach others from this experiential space. His teachings inspire me to stay present with what is and let go of the rest, allowing my Self to be revealed which is the greatest present that I could ever (but would never) ask for.
11:13 AM
The Gentle Power of Tonglen
I was first attracted to Pema Chodron's writing after seeing a beautiful photograph on the cover of one of her books. Note: I was not judging, just appreciating the artwork. The photograph was black and white of a steep wooden stairwell that led to the moody, wavy ocean below, appropriately titled; Comfortable with Uncertainty. Now I must admit, I have not read the book in it's entirity so if you are expecting a synopsis of the helpful information that has dramatically changed my life as well as lessons in how to change your own without spending $14.95 plus tax and hours of reading, you may be disappointed. However, if you are interested in the roundabout way in which a simple decision led to a gradual transformation of my ability to consciously turn pain into compassion, read on...
On this particular day I was playing the game that I often play with the Universe of, "flip the pages of a book and whatever sentence I land on is the Divine message that I am supposed to acknowledge." I also used to play this game as a kid with the omniscient Yellow Pages to find my true profession, although, so far the prophecy of me becoming a plumber has yet to fully take seat. So I flipped through the pages of the book whose content I was not judging based on the well designed cover and the profound message that was brought to me was, well, honestly I can't remember. However, I do remember that I loved everything about the cover of that book, so much so that I made a mental note to research the author.
I Asked Jeeves about(not quite as catchy as "Googel'd" but with my level of curiosity it makes since to save four letters' typing time with "aj.com" vs. "google.com") Pema Chodron and found out that she is a is a Buddhist nun and the director of Gampo Abbey, a monastery in Nova Scotia. I also found an audio set of cd's that I bought as I find it's easiest to find enlightenment while in trying situations such as a traffic jam. I began to listen to the cd's, Good Medicine in which Chodron talks about the power of
Tonglen Meditation
This meditation practice fits in beautifully with the teachings of Yogi Amrit Desai. In fact, Yogi Desai states that "we are all born with the urge to merge..." beyond the dualities which in this case Chodron uses, "pleasure and pain." By removing the isolation we feel in times of pain, we are able to once again connect with humanity into a feeling of comfort with uncertainty. The same goes with the separation we may feel in the pride of pleasure. Instead of pride, Chodron teaches us to share the feeling of pleasure through awareness and compassion which once again connects us into the wholeness of Divine spirit that is beyond pleasure and pain.
"Practice, practice, practice.
But even deeper than that;
Trust. Trust. Trust."-Yogi Amrit Desai
On this particular day I was playing the game that I often play with the Universe of, "flip the pages of a book and whatever sentence I land on is the Divine message that I am supposed to acknowledge." I also used to play this game as a kid with the omniscient Yellow Pages to find my true profession, although, so far the prophecy of me becoming a plumber has yet to fully take seat. So I flipped through the pages of the book whose content I was not judging based on the well designed cover and the profound message that was brought to me was, well, honestly I can't remember. However, I do remember that I loved everything about the cover of that book, so much so that I made a mental note to research the author.
I Asked Jeeves about(not quite as catchy as "Googel'd" but with my level of curiosity it makes since to save four letters' typing time with "aj.com" vs. "google.com") Pema Chodron and found out that she is a is a Buddhist nun and the director of Gampo Abbey, a monastery in Nova Scotia. I also found an audio set of cd's that I bought as I find it's easiest to find enlightenment while in trying situations such as a traffic jam. I began to listen to the cd's, Good Medicine in which Chodron talks about the power of
Tonglen Meditation
This meditation practice fits in beautifully with the teachings of Yogi Amrit Desai. In fact, Yogi Desai states that "we are all born with the urge to merge..." beyond the dualities which in this case Chodron uses, "pleasure and pain." By removing the isolation we feel in times of pain, we are able to once again connect with humanity into a feeling of comfort with uncertainty. The same goes with the separation we may feel in the pride of pleasure. Instead of pride, Chodron teaches us to share the feeling of pleasure through awareness and compassion which once again connects us into the wholeness of Divine spirit that is beyond pleasure and pain.
"Practice, practice, practice.
But even deeper than that;
Trust. Trust. Trust."-Yogi Amrit Desai
8:08 AM
Yoga Day USA 2009
For anyone interested in a FREE event in the Palm Beach area to explore yoga, mark January 17th, 2009 on your calandars! Last year I helped taking photos and was so impressed with how well this event was run. Click here for more info: Yoga Day USA
This is an opportunity to try different styles and teachers while coming together as a community and it's all free! Be sure to try one of my favorite yoga instructors, Andrea Pepper. She's scheduled to teach at 3:00. (Schedule subject to change) Andrea has done fundraising for a foundation called, "Off The Mat into the World" which helps the needy in Uganda. You can read more on her website: Amala Yoga.
I'll be there with my camera and my yoga mat...hope to see you there too!!
This is an opportunity to try different styles and teachers while coming together as a community and it's all free! Be sure to try one of my favorite yoga instructors, Andrea Pepper. She's scheduled to teach at 3:00. (Schedule subject to change) Andrea has done fundraising for a foundation called, "Off The Mat into the World" which helps the needy in Uganda. You can read more on her website: Amala Yoga.
I'll be there with my camera and my yoga mat...hope to see you there too!!
5:36 PM
Photography by Monica
I am currently working on a series with horses. Inspired by the life of a friend and great artist, Clementina Brown who is an amazingly magical spirit that I feel so fortunate to have connected with. If you have a moment, please look at her website. We're planning to unveil photos from this series in May 2010. The exhibition will be in Loxahatchee, Florida and it will be an outdoor gala with all of the horses present that I'm photographing. I'll be sure to keep you updated as the event appproaches...
Photo of "Ruby" the Pony
Shapeshifting
Photo of "Ruby" the Pony
Shapeshifting
5:12 PM
Grace
When you truly let go you are able to discover that which already is.
How do you let go?
Recognize that you are holding on. (Don't get caught in your mind here, if you try to pin-point exactly what it is that you're holding onto, you will become stuck in struggle)
Accept whatever is as is.
Breath.
Let go.
Repeat as needed.
If it seems that you can't let go, accept that you can't let go.
Be okay with where you are.
Life unfolds in its own organic way.
Jai Bhagwan.
How do you let go?
Recognize that you are holding on. (Don't get caught in your mind here, if you try to pin-point exactly what it is that you're holding onto, you will become stuck in struggle)
Accept whatever is as is.
Breath.
Let go.
Repeat as needed.
If it seems that you can't let go, accept that you can't let go.
Be okay with where you are.
Life unfolds in its own organic way.
Jai Bhagwan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
