DAILY There are certain phrases, or words, even ideas in the English language fraught with oxymoronism, or imbued with moronic sensibility. Take ‘peace of mind’ for example. The mind is a restless, vibrating, multi-sensory-quivering jelly. There is nothing still or peaceful about it. We do not come to peace through the mind. If we find it at all it is through the heart. When and if we do there is an outside chance the mind will connect to the heart, and grow still enough for a peaceful prayer. Beware the book selling you, “Peace of Mind.”
“I’m afraid to take the wrong step,” is another moronic statement. There are no wrong steps. We’re walkin’ ain’t we? And if we are learning something from mis-placed foot prints then knowledge increases, growth follows. In fact, the worst wrong steps are often the best for they grow experience for our mysterious journey, the experience that really counts.
“I assume you’re right.” This follows on the heels of ‘fear in taking the wrong step,’ for as fear falls away we come to experience our truth. We assume less, especially where others are concerned. It all too often makes an ass-out of–u-and-me. Assuming comes from a belief, or a prejudice, or laziness, often- all three. The more one assumes the more intelligence takes a back seat, growing dull and lackluster. Assuming may bring peace of mind, leading to all manner of mis-steps. It may offer another’s truth, or belief, which they strongly believe, and we might assume is correct because their belief is so strong. This is the dis-aster (meaning ‘against the stars.’) waiting to happen.
Lest we forget, truth is an experience, not a belief, and certainly not someone else’s belief. Before you drink their kool aid, or buy their book, follow their commandment, or walk in their footsteps, take a deep breath, dive deeply into your gut, listen, listen closely to what the gut tells the heart, then hang upside down and let the heart inform the brain. That restless brain of quivery jellyfish will respond beautifully.
Seasonal Energies
Sam Di in Tripod-photo by Will Ceurvels
Asana: Headstand! either tripod or Salamba Sirsasanna. When fearful of taking the wrong step, not attaining a peaceful mind, or in a jam because you assumed your friend knew what she was doing-Stop! Go upsidedown, let the blood from the heart massage the brain. Breathe from the belly, and carry the instinctual, gut energy down to inform the brain. When you come right side up again, you will have a different POV and know correct action. (Learn to do headstands with a good instructor. After you are comfortable within the pose, begin increasing your time aloft. Mr. Iyengar did one for an hour a day up until his death at 91)
Health Notes: Go to ‘Poses’ under ‘Yoga’ on the site and type in Salamba Sirsasana/Headstand to read the health notes, and how to instruction.
Astrology Notes: Capricorn energy wants to lead, wants to climb the high road to the top. Capricorns fear a mis-step will take them down off the mountain, and in that hesitation are more careful than most, following the rules more diligently than most, but they are too level headed to assume much. Saturn, their ruler, works until there are few if any wrong steps, or lazy assumptions.
Ayurvedic Notes: Working Yoga poses on the mat, meditation and Pranayama/breath-work are among the best tools for keeping the body in balance, especially when the weather is extreme. Winter cold affects Kapha Dosha primarily because of mucus imbalances. Kapha, as a watery earth element, is the container for pitta and vata, holding their energy and heat. Kapha gives emotion and feeling. Its sense organs are taste and smell, It’s primary physical site is the stomach, where mucus is produced. It is steady, slow to change, and profits from a strongly physical Practice that reves up is slower pace.
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