Florida
Yoga Journal Conference Thoughts
The
Florida Yoga Journal Conference was held earlier this month on the
east coast in Hollywood, FL. This is the sixth time I have been to
the Florida Conference. Even though I have been teaching for quite
awhile I allow myself, actually remind myself, that I know nothing
and to remain open to receiving. I want to allow myself not only to
learn but to be amazed, both internally and externally, as to what I
am being invited to experience.
There
is always a wonderful sangha like energy for those who gather,
despite the fact that some pursue one yogic path or lineage and
others a different one. Bywords could be acceptance and appreciation.
The
yogic path, which is way more than just the asanas, is one of self
discover, transformation, and evolution. Part of walking this path is
to mindfully engage in those opportunities and circumstances that
allow one to step into the ring of fire of change. This might
require a time of inner connecting, cocooning, and then emerging into
something different.
One of the workshop teachers,
Sadie Nardini, see her 2013 book “The 21-Day Yoga Body”,
asked us, mostly teachers in this workshop, to craft a statement that
says who you are. One that you identify with as truth about you that
you want to present to the world.
For
Sadie, she discovered that after a number of years of teaching and
practice she realized that what she focused on, and taught others,
her theme if you like, was authenticity and empowerment. She has a
unique physical presence, that might be off putting for some, but she
is unapologetic for it. Her core statement, or mantra, is “Know
Yourself”.
What
is your core statement? Take sometime to journal on it. Maybe
over a weekend, or even over several weeks. Who are you? What do you
invite others to know about you as you? Then write it up in short
form, only two or three words. It is not meant to be a twenty second
elevator speech. And try it on, for a few days. Say it out loud.
Ask close friends if they see you that way.
Here
is the one that feels right for me, at least at this time. Live
in wonderment.
How
will you live today? As if everything is a miracle, or nothing is?
When
you live each moment with a sense of awe and appreciation, you open
into vistas of gratitude. When living in gratitude vistas things not
seen before become visible. Synchronicity occurs and opportunities
for expression and being occur.
Of
course it is a choice. Each moment and breath is a choice. What will
you choose to allow yourself to live in integrity with your being,
your calling, your dharma?
~~~~
"To
be yourself in a world that is constantly trying
to
make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
~
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A
second question along these lines of living authentically is to
consider referencing. How do you relate to the external world
vs the internal? From where do you seek guidance and power? Is it
from other people, perhaps seeking their approval whether it is
family, friends, or society in general? Or, is it more internal, a
sense of internal intuitive alignment?
Most
of us work both sides of the street on this at various times, but the
question is – Are you conscious of doing it? And what has, or
holds, greater validity for you? Can you find a balance that allows
flow that yields mindful action that serves you and the world around
you?
And
what is the underlying energy of that flow? It is love. Cultivate
being the presence of love. The default mode for most of us humans in
regarding thoughts about the present or future is one of fear. But
as we progress in cultivating consciousness and awareness of thought
we come to establish a new foundation for action and that is love.
“The
only remedy to fear is love.
The
only place where you can choose between the intention of love
and
the intention of fear is in yourself.”
-
Gary Zukav
~~~
Daily Work
The
opportunity of a lifetime is to live YOUR life.
Don't
pass it by by being indifferent or fearful.
What
can you, will you, do today to positively impact all humankind?
Where
might you insert yourself, your ideas or acts, that will turn the
tide of events
to
help and allow all of us to live with a greater sense
of
abundance, wellness, love, gratitude and grace?
reflection
+ discernment x mindful action = positive change
~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
