Moonday

Faithful Lover

The moon came to me last night

With a sweet question.

She said,
“The sun has been my faithful lover

Toward my beauty.

For millions of years.
Whenever I offer my body to him

Brilliant light pours from his heart.
Thousands then notice my happiness

And delight in pointing

Hafiz,

Is it true that our destiny

Is to turn into Light

Itself?”

And I replied,

Dear moon,

Now that your love is maturing,

We need to sit together

Close like this more often

So I might instruct you

How to become

Who you

Are!

Hafiz, c. 1320 to 1389, mystic, Sufi poet.

from The Gift.

New Moon Eclipsed – painting by Rob Gonsalves.

“ What’s the rush? ” Revisted.

As I continue to make progress in my recovery and my asana practice,  again I’m facing a question a dear teacher once asked me .  “ What’s the rush? ”

Back then it took me months  to figure out the message in that  question.

These last couple of days in practice, I’ve again become impatient with myself as well as feeling badly about losing all of primary plus  my second series practice.

Impatience is  himsa. My impatience with my asana practice then and now is an act of malice toward my Self. I have to continue to keep in mind that  Ahimsa starts with oneself.   Choosing to be kind and gentle with myself,  will overflow to my life of the mat  – which is where yoga is really practiced.

Our mat is a mirror, an echo of our progression on the Path. If we  truly would like to  progress, we must sincerely want to look into this mirror.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Sadhana Pada

2.35

ahimsa pratishthayam tat vaira-tyagah

We are all one. Please share this video.

Finding Solace.

The Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali both communicate the marrow of yogic principles. Yoga is the unification of the restricted consciousness and the universal consciousness. One joint theme between the scriptures is the devotional relationship between the divine. The Bhagavad Gita names this path Bhakti Yoga, whereas the Yoga Sutras refers to the path as Ishvara-pranidhana. The shared concept is the trust in something higher than ourselves. Both concepts ask for complete self-surrender and service to the Divine. Bhakti Yoga and Ishvara-pranidhana are one of many ways to triumph over life’s interruptions. Thankfully, I have found comfort and nourishment in these sacred writings.

Book I- Samadhi Pada, Sutra 23

Ishvara- pranidhanad-va

or by devotional surrender to God.

Book II- Sadhana Pada, Sutra 45

Samadhi siddhir Ishvara-pranidhanat

By total surrender to God, samadhi is attained.

Chapter XII- The Yoga of Devotion, Shloka 2

sri-bhagavan uvaca
mayy avesya mano ye mam
nitya-yukta upasate
shraddhaya parayopetas
te me yuktatama matah

The Blessed Lord spoke:
Those who are eternally steadfast, who worship, fixing their minds on Me, endowed with supreme faith, I consider them to be the most devoted to Me.

Chapter XII- The Yoga of Devotion, Shloka 7

tesam aham samuddharta
mrityu-samsara-sagarat
bhavami na cirat partha
mayy avesita-cetasam

Of those whose thoughts have entered into Me, I am soon the deliverer from the ocean of death and transmigration, Arjuna.

Ch-Check It Out!

Crazy how I woke up with this song in my head. This is one of my favorite Beastie Boys video.

going to my mat.

will write again later.

Didn’t mean to write so late in the day. I guess I don’t have much to say.

Practice this morning was agonizing. I had to stop during standing postures and I cried from the pain.

I have faith in the practice but, I have to admit, some days are really difficult.

All I can do is keep trying and try I will.

practice.

What a rainy morning – well, I’m up and getting ready to do my home practice. Body doesn’t feel as stiff as usual but, I’ll see what happens on the mat.

will report back later.

December 8, 2009 – photo by Yogamaiden.

December 8, 2009 – photo by Yogamaiden.

It’s later, the rain has stop and  aside from hitting a mental  wall  during standing postures, practice went considerably well. I’m still in pain but, the level of intensity was turned down some. Prior to becoming  sick, I was practicing 1st series and 2nd up to Eka Pada Sirshasana.  Now, on  days I am able, I can practice  half primary.

This illness has been a great teacher in acceptance, non – attachment, gratitude, and  patience. Qualities I thought I had – boy, was I wrong. This is a whole new level of learning.  I hope to continue to learn and grow from this experience.

Chikungunya and I are not living in harmony.

Still battling with the cantankerous  Chikungunya monster. Some days are OK,  others aren’t and I look forward to the  future good days. I don’t wish this on anyone. So, I figure I can offer a Chikungunya 101 -  from what I’ve learned and experienced.

Meet The Evildoer -  Aedes aegypti.

Chikungunya fever, is a viral illness that’s spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The Aedes aegypti  is the  primary carrier agent for CHIKV, Chikungunya virus. Transmission  can only occur through mosquito bites. So, direct human to human transmission is NOT possible.

The Chikungunya virus is native to tropical Africa and Asia and  the word chikungunya is an African word meaning “that which bends up”. This speaks to the stooped posture of those impaired with severe joint pain caused by the virus.

The time between  a bite of a mosquito carrying the CHIKV and the start of symptoms ranges from 1-12 days. Symptoms of Chikungunya commonly starts with sudden fever of up to 40 °C (104 °F), headache,  severe fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, rash, and joint pain. It  is usually nonfatal.  Even after the virus has left the body many patients experience debilitating joint pain,  which may last for anywhere between a couple of months to a year.

There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment currently available for Chikungunya Fever. Treatments to relieve the discomfort of fever and aching include ample  rest, lots of fluids, and a healthy diet of fruit and vegetables.

The best way to prevent Chikungunya is through the control of  mosquito breeding.

Besides breeding control, the other way to  prevent Chikungunya fever is not to get bit by a mosquito! I know, totally  easier said than done in a tropical area like India. Some of the following precautions may help decrease the risk of mosquito bites If you are visiting an area where Chikungunya is reported.

• The Aedes aegypti attacks mostly during the day, use mosquito net when sleeping during the day.
• Wear clothes  which covers most of your body.
• Use mosquito coils or repellents (which contains Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or DEET). But, please note, that prolonged use of these are not recommended. Also, give adequate ventilation when these are used.
• Use curtains or window nets which prevent entry of mosquitos to the house.
• Use a anti – mosquito  cream or spray that can be applied on skin. This helps to mask your body odor and essentially make you invisible to mosquitos.

Hope this was helpful information. I wish you all Health, Happiness and Joy!

Namaste.

listening to padmasana

What do you mean it’s a Moon Day?!! It can’t be!  Today my body was finally feeling half way decent to practice. Ugh! Will I EVER have a steady practice again?  I’m so over this frakin virus – WEAH!!!!!!

Warning: B*tching and moaning alert

SO, It’s been almost 3 months since I return from India with Chikungunya Fever, a nasty virus from a mosquito bite,  and I still can’t get through the standing poses. WEAH!!!!!!  I just want a breather  from the  pain. There is a part of me that believes this  is all part of a magnificent opening and   transformation, but sometimes i just wanna say,  WTF.

I’ve been through my share of hardships in my life. I understand life throws challenges so we can grow – I get it. Yoga was and still is my deliverance, Yoga has healed  and gotten me through those  terrible times.  Now,  it’s as though  my practice is being taken away. I love this practice. I need to be able to practice. I want to Practice!

I will try again tomorrow.   

Mumbai taxi | CNNGo.com

Mumbai taxi | CNNGo.com. There is nothing else like it,  enjoy the ride!

January 2009. photo by Yogamaiden.