Readings From Class: ahimsa inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons.  Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter.  As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love.  Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence. ….I still believe that love is the most durable power in the world. Over the centuries men have sought to discover the highest good. …  I think I have discovered the highest good.   It is love.  This principle stands at the center of the cosmos.  As John says, ‘God is love.’  He who loves is a participant in the being of God.”   — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., taken from a 1956 sermon titled, The Most Durable Power

In honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I reflect on his work for freedom and equality through non-violence and love.   It is a great reminder to go back to the Patanjali’s Yogs Sutra’s and review the Yamas and Niyamas.   And start reflecting on the first and over-arching Yama of Ahimsa, most often translated as non-harming.  I like to use the translation of kindness.  

As we can only control our thoughts and actions, we can use our practice to cultivate kindness and non-harming as we navigate our limitations and our mostly unfriendly/self-loathing minds.

I shared these readings last year.  Here they are again:

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must ever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Readings from Class: Buon Anno 2014 – Peace and Love!

Happy New Years 2014!

Starting off 2014 with L’Amour!!.. Louis L’Amour:

“Up to a point, man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, & movements and changes in the world about him; then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be . . . Everyone has within his/her power to say, this I am today, that I shall be tomorrow.” -Louis L’Amour

 

The start of the calendar year serves as an opportunity to get present with clarity, acceptance and kindness.  Gently accept where you are on your path and remember you are never stuck. What feels right/not?  What’s whispering or calling for your attention?  What scares you and why?  And what inspires your heart? 

I have also read the following from Sandra Sturtz Hauss around New Years for the last few years.  It is my New Years wish to you all — a beautiful reminder and inspiration to come back to again and again:

Untitled by Sandra Sturtz Hauss

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand. May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism. Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone. May you discover enough goodness in others to believe in a world of peace. May a kind word, a reassuring touch, and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending. 

Teach love to those who hate, and let that love embrace you as you go out into the world. May the teachings of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touched and whose have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than the form. 

May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart. Find time each day to see beauty and love in the world around you. Realize that each person has limitless abilities, but each of us is different in our own way. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future. May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience. May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another’s judgment of your accomplishments.
 
May you always feel loved.

 

Playlist starting Dec. 9 2013

In my playlists I aim to share and move people to appropriate music that inspires and moves me.  I  so LOVE these songs and this playlist.   Please Enjoy.

Playlist Dec 9 2013 -

I included a song I heard and video I saw while in India by a Pakistani artist Mooroo – some beautiful offerings.

Kahaani Puraani – Mooroo from Aflatoon Studios on Vimeo.

Reading from Class: “The Power Needed in Yoga” by Sri Aurobindo

Thanks to Kate for reminding me of this reading I shared in the past

“The power needed in Yoga is the power to go through effort, difficulty, or trouble without getting fatigued, depressed, discouraged, or impatient and without breaking off the effort or giving up one’s aim or resolution.  A quiet vigilant but undistressed persistence is the best way to get the sadhana done.” -Sri Aurobindo

WOW!  This is a powerful reminder and very translatable to our path in life.

“All life is yoga” -Sri Aurobindo

 

 

Playlist inspired by Autumnal Equinox: as of 9/17 — Blessings for the Fall!

Autumnal Equinox 2013 playlist as of 9-17

 

I want to give credit to my good friend Sho for the beautiful Savasana song “Sarvesham” by Jack Harrison (an Irish devotional singer and yoga teacher).

The lyrics or Mantra is part of Hindu (Vedic) Universal Peace Mantra.
Here is the Sanskrit used in the song, followed by translations:

Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatu
Sarveshaam shantir bhavatu
Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu
Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu*

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Sarve santu niraamayaah
Sarve bhadraani pashyantu
Maakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet*

Meaning:
Auspiciousness (swasti) be unto all;
Peace (shanti) be unto all;
Fullness (poornam) be unto all;
Prosperity (mangalam) be unto all.*

May all be happy! (sukhinah)
May all be free from disabilities! (niraamayaah)
May all look (pashyantu)to the good of others!
May none suffer from sorrow! (duhkha)*

Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino bhavantu’**
Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi

Meaning:
May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
Peace, Peace Peace

*  Text and translation from Sri Swami Shivananda (The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh)
**  Sanskrit, not of the Vedic Sakha (branch)