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

With a theme of ahimsa for January and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his life’s work of peace and love for all, I’ve been sharing the following over the last few weeks: 

“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

“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.

Ahimsa is often translated as non-harming, non-violence, non-killing towards all beings, or kindness for all beings. It is the first and overriding/overarching Yama (ethical precept or guideline) of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.  The importance of the Yama of ahimsa may be demonstrated by it being the very first step within the first of the eight limbs — the path to freedom from suffering and enlightenment/self-realization.

Inspired by Lynne’s focus on ahimsa for Back Bay Yoga teachers for the month, I tried to maintain this theme throughout all my classes and with more awareness in my own practice in study, thoughts, words and actions.  It is interesting to note how often I forget or am challenged in maintaining this towards myself.

Playlist: Exhale Chill Sunday 2/3/2013

Here you go Sam!

Bliss – Yogini
Heavenly Day – Patty Griffin
Breathe – Cinematic Orchestra
Never Let Me Go – Florence and The Machine
Welcome Party – Noiserv
Crosswinds – J. Tillman
Draw The Stars – Andreya Triana
Maria Jose – Federico Aubele
Guru Mari – Shri Anandi Ma
Your Love Means Everything, Part 2 (Faultline, feat. Chris Martin) – Cold Play
Gonna Make it Through This Year – Great Lake Swimmers
Wishes – Beach House
Lost and Found (Gang Colours remix) – Lianne La Havas
Leave and Let Go (Niva Remix) – Navet
Beautiful Night – Ani Difranco (during Savasana)

Reading From Class: Ajahn Sumedho’s wise words revisited

“To practice we must start exactly where we are. Of course, we can always imagine perfect conditions, how it should be ideally, how everyone else should behave. But it’s not our task to create an ideal. It’s our task to see how it is and to learn from the world as it is. For the awakening of the heart, conditions are always good enough.”

– Ajahn Sumedho, The Way It Is (featured in The Buddha is Still Teaching by Jack Kornfield)

Reading from Class: My New Year’s Wish to you All!!

This is a special reading I’ve been sharing at the start of each year for the last few years. I share an abridged version. From the bottom of my heart, here is the full show:

Untitled by Sandra Sturtz Hauss:

 

May you find serenity and tranquillity 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.

Christmas Wish and Reading from Class:

“I would like to pass on one little bit of advice I give to everyone. Relax. Just relax. Be nice to each other. As you go through your life simply be kind to people. Try to help them rather than hurt them. Try to get along with them rather than fall out with them. With that, I will leave you, and with all my very best wishes.” – Nyoshul Khenpo

In One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism by Joseph Goldstein (taken from The Buddha is Still Teaching by Jack Kornfield)