I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better”. — Abraham Lincoln This quote has been with me for years as part of my long journey towards developing self-acceptance and the ability to forgive myself and others. It is the essence of metta practice. Unconditionally accepting ourselves and others can feel impossible, especiallyContinue reading “Metta: Revolutionary Love”
Tag Archives: compassion
Midweek Metta Meditation
The following wisdom of Donna Farhi that I shared in class this week (from her book Bringing Yoga to Life) deeply resonates with my metta meditation and Yoga practices: “What we discipline, then, is this movement of awareness, training ourselves to stay with rather than run from all that we experience. When we choose to stayContinue reading “Midweek Metta Meditation”
Video: Guided Metta (Lovingkindness) Meditation Practice
I have been sharing abbreviated metta or lovingkindness meditation practices with each Yoga class on Zoom. Here is a longer 15 minute guided meditation practice to cultivate and strengthen love, compassion, worthiness and acceptance towards ourselves and ALL beings. Find a comfortable seated position or lie down – whatever serves you best. Repeat the followingContinue reading “Video: Guided Metta (Lovingkindness) Meditation Practice”
Spring Renewal – All Possibilities
“It’s never too late to completely change your entire life. To become a better person. To become an asset to this world. To be of service to humanity. To transcend your Earthly predicament with love, compassion and humility. Never believe it is too late to rise to a higher vision. Each day is a fresh, beautiful opportunity to attainContinue reading “Spring Renewal – All Possibilities”
Reading: Buon Natale 2016!
“La vita è come un albero di natale, c’è sempre qualcuno che rompe le palle.” — Proverbio Italiano “Life is like a Christmas tree, there’s always someone who breaks the balls.” — Italian Proverb Inspired from the teaching of Loving Kindness Meditation during the last teacher training weekend, the Metta and meditation ofContinue reading “Reading: Buon Natale 2016!”
Reading: More from WTFA
Building on the previous reading on awareness balanced by loving-kindness vs. knee-jerk tendencies towards judgement: “The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently…The ground of not causing harm is mindfulness, aContinue reading “Reading: More from WTFA”
Reading from Class: Discomfort with Pema Chödrön
“This particular teaching on the Four Limitless Ones, on maitri, compassion, joy and equanimity is really a teaching on how to take the situations of your life and train- actually train- in catching yourself closing down, catching yourself getting hard, and training in opening at that very point, or softening. In some sense reversing aContinue reading “Reading from Class: Discomfort with Pema Chödrön”
Reading from Class: Pema Chödrön on Dealing with Discomfort
“This particular teaching on the Four Limitless Ones, on maitri, compassion, joy and equanimity is really a teaching on how to take the situations of your life and train- actually train- in catching yourself closing down, catching yourself getting hard, and training in opening at that very point, or softening. In some sense reversing aContinue reading “Reading from Class: Pema Chödrön on Dealing with Discomfort”
Reading from Class: Finding Purpose Within…and Cultivating Unconditional Friendliness
“Sometimes folks will treasure your work, sometimes they won’t. Sometimes you’ll get the gig, sometimes you won’t. You’ll be on the marquee and you’ll be passé. You’ll be thanked and you’ll be taken for granted. You’ll give and you’ll get nothing in return. You’ll be “Liked” and you’ll be unfriended…Anchor your purpose within, sweet friend.Continue reading “Reading from Class: Finding Purpose Within…and Cultivating Unconditional Friendliness”
Reading from class: Patañjali’s Yoga-Sūtra 1.33
In the first book of the Yoga-Sūtra, Patañjali offers 7 practices to minimize distractions of the mind. Pada 1.33 describes how we should relate/respond to all beings/others. I.33 maitrî-karuñâ-muditopekæâñâä sukha-duïkha-puñyâpuñya-viæayâñâä bhâvanâtaå citta-prasâdanam This week I am sharing Chip Hartranft’s translation from his book The Yoga-Sūtra of Patañjali, which adds a Buddhist perspective to the scienceContinue reading “Reading from class: Patañjali’s Yoga-Sūtra 1.33”