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Maybe Once in a Blue Moon -  A Gratitude Practice.

31/8/2012

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Hey y'all - big things in the air, both literally and figuratively. It's the blue moon today - whether you ascribe to the newer rendition of 'twice in one month' or the more archetypical of 'fourth in one season', it's a special day, with some added gravitas.

I love the solar and lunar cycles - I celebrate the 'eight-spokes' of the wheel year, where the solar equinoxes and solstices, as well as the quarter days are to be celebrated. But, that cycle also takes into account the moon and it's complementary, yet unique cyclical relationship. Irrespective, it gives one a lot to celebrate and time to honor. Time to set aside experience from daily observance, and to mark moments as ritual.

So, adding some 'gravitas' - that's interesting. In Sanskrit, the planets are known as 'grahas', or points of attraction. The 'gravity' that draws us in, that effects us. We also find 'graha' in 'aparigraha' - often translated as 'non-attachment'. I would give it this - 'a' is the Sanskrit negator, like we say 'asexual' to mean 'non'. 'Pari' is like 'perimeter', or at the edge of, or around. 'Graha' is the planet. So, a translation of 'aparigraha' might be 'don't circle like the moon, a helpless satellite, forever orbiting the earth due to it's gravitational draw'; escape the pull!

But, I digress. It's the blue moon, the Purnima - the night of the full moon that is treated auspiciously. We are past Lammas, but not yet to the equinox. We have seen the first tastes of the harvests... the fruit hangs on the tree, the grains grow on the stalks. Nirali Purnima, or we call it the Grain moon, or Red Moon, or Green Corn Moon, Lightning Moon, or Dog Moon. These are the Dog Days of Summer, with Sirius and Canis Major in full effect.

We say 'once in a blue moon' because it takes about 3 full years for it to occur. That's a long spell, almost a 1,000 days from cycle to cycle. A time for reflection beyond the simple seasonal... And, perhaps a time for ritual and observation.

It's been a great summer, and a heavy one. Doors have closed, windows have opened. Friends of gone, colleagues have emerged. Time has been spent both in the planting and tending, and now the harvest and the reaping. What will truly come from much remains out of sight, but it's been a good season.

This period leading to the fullness of the blue moon has felt really heavy, very gravid, very full of import, but not of motion. All potential, but very little kinetic. What presents as prepared is actually still ripening. It's a time to take time, to wait, to allow the full ripening, the full maturity. Then, will we enjoy the fruits of our labors.

In the meantime, today, tonight, early the next morning... turn your face to the sun, then to the moon. Thank each, for the projection and reflection, their fire and their coolness. Find space in each for gratitude... honor each, give more to that which you naturally tend away from, and come to your wholehearted fullness.

Reap what you've sown, give thanks and praise!

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Wanderlust, Whistler, Wahe Guru!

26/8/2012

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Been a GREAT few days here in Whistler. Wanderlust has been really fun, challenging, comforting and celebratory. The music has not disappointed, I got me a new yoga crush on, and made some really great, interesting and exciting new friends.

Yesterday started out with a great class from Janet Stone - we focused on creating a sacred fire in the altar of our own being, so that we could do "Svaha" - what I would call 'propitiation by fire'. Burning up, offering into the flames, all of that within us. That which works and serves, in honor and glory; that which limits and binds, in respect and reverence.

Really a great practice - but to be honest, I'm so glad to have left my ego at the door years ago, because I practiced that Warrior Four throughout the practice. Let's be clear; I'm not in the world where I can do three, 90-minute vigourous flow classes a day anymore - especially when I'm more than a mile high. And, then add to that, lots of action during the day, and great music at night. The dancing alone is often it's own 'asana practice' and it gets right into all the same muscles and joints.

It feels great, it also leaves me beat!! So, after a great Svaha experience, we just chilled for some lunch, and then I treated myself to a too-expensive birthday massage. That was great and worth it; excellent therapist, and just some straight-up deep tissue work. I was surprised to be complimented on being a pleasure to massage - my breath and energy and acceptance of her work was noteworthy according to her. She confided in me I was the third yogi she'd massaged this week and she basically just wanted to shift her focus to our community because she said we 'get it'! That was nice.

Then, I headed out to a '101' class - about all I could take... Like I said, Janet Stone is my new yoga crush, and Jody, her primary assistant is a really solid, deeply caring and lovely human as well. When I get that vibe, I dive in. Thus, when I figured out that Janet would be leading Chanting 101, I was in. She's a great and ecstatic chanter who really wants to share that experience. And, to be frank, it's an area of interest to me that I've hesitated to explore. Ironically, or purposefully, the "Bhagat Singh" of my spiritual name means something akin to 'the lion who sings love songs/devotional songs of praise', so it would appear I'm supposed to chant.

Janet is able to discuss the mythology, the Pantheon and the intracacies of myth in a way that really works - it's fun and authentic and able to be assimilated, and theres' qualities of hip-hop and Beastie Boys references, so it works for me! Then, there is deep, devotional, face-cracking-into-a-blissed-out smiling ecstasy. Really well done.

My favorite part was where she got us all into a nice call and response, and then once we were in it, she threw in the 'duck, duck, goose' element, where Jody came around and would wait for the call, then on the response, touch your head and you did the next call - solo!!

Sure, terrifying, exhilarating, challenging and beautiful. Now, I've got a big personality, and when I chant along, I boom! And, I'd been playing and funning and enjoying connecting with Janet and Jody, so i knew my head was gonna get that tap. 

It was a really great experience, to just process it, but stay in the moment... to not NOT show up, but to also not perform. It was such a grace and a boon to hear so many of my brothers and sisters find their own voice and to have a community of 'callers' who were then supportive 'responders' as that wheel spun and spun. In the words of the Kundalini tradition - Wahe Guru! You can think of that as "I praise the teacher and teachings" or just go with "WOW - Groovy!" Both work!

Then, a little mendhi - the henna tattooing. I got a lovely hand mandala done, while enjoying a conversation with a lovely Aussie - oh, a little sidebar on meeting folks... I love playing in languages, and I'm at that dangerous point where I can play a little in a few. Thus far, I've used my 4 sentences of Mandarin; the massage therapist, Vladmira and I did all of our niceties in Ruski, I did almost a mini lunch exchange with Yolande, en Francais.

Best of all, after coming out of the grocery the other night, I found 3 Israelis eating something that the one guy kept saying was "Ta'ami" or 'It's tasty to me!". So, I walked right up, dropped the Hebrew, asked them what's up and what they're eating. After they picked their jaws up, we had a lovely conversation and they gave me half of one of those brownies and, it was tasty to me! Love Canada for the real melting pot/tossed salad culture, where the diversity is present, so it doesn't need to be artificially celebrated.

After my mendhi, I watched Kumare, which if you are in our community, I believe is a deeply 'must see' film. Vik Ghandi, the filmmaker and Kumare himself, was there for a Q&A, and I was delighted by how 'gentle-spirited' this guy was. Check out the film when you can, but know, it's not mean-spiritied or mocking like Borat or Bill Maher, it's a really exploration on a pertinent topic. And, well done.

Dinner, and again, let me love Canada. Even the big ole bartenders in the tourist places here a nice guys; genuine, they learn your name and give you theirs, they play and joke and are total professionals. If you've been to Canada, you might have noticed. I'll put it this way: most 'service' in the US is based on learning an adopted attitude and taking on a persona "how may I help you today?" when you would never hear them talk to a friend or family member that way. Here, they are genuine and helpful and engaged, and it's a real pleasure. Granted, my sample is small, but it's been universal. Completely refreshing.

A little Spearhead, then the fantastic stylings and experience of Quixotic, and the Thievery Corporation awoke from their nap and delivered!
 
About 1am, you realize you've been up and flowing and chanting and enjoying folks and dancing like a deadhead for about 20 hours, so I packed it in.

First day of my 47th went well; nice kick-off to the year. Going back to get "Stoned to my Soul" - my term I've adopted, with Janet and friends this morning; also need my last dose of DJ Drez - thanks and praise my brother and I have discovered one-another - and then we head down off the mountain.

Happy Happy, Joy Joy - it's right there, so wake up and grab it. Be well, breathe deeply, flow in your own way, and make connections. Make joyful noises, or pray silently - just commune!

Give thanks and praise!

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Today I Met Warrior Four...

23/8/2012

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Having an excellent time here at Wanderlust, BC - Whistler is beautiful, and rainy, and Canadian, and just sweet!

I'm here with my buddy, Damion; it is his birthday today, and mine tomorrow (and we did meet someone whose is on Sunday, so if we can find a Saturday - it's rush-week). We've been celebrating, and goofing on it.

I'm not unhappy to report that even though we tried it at every opportunity today, from Starbucks to lunch to beers to LuLuLemon, no one gave him anything or any discounts today!! And nothing will prevent me from asking all of the same places tomorrow! It's just been fun and frivolous, and I should admit, we've actually received lovely well wishes, just no free drinks!

Started the day with an incredible experience - I feel like calling it a class would diminish it. Janet Stone, from San Fran - she really has that authentic connection and is dedicated to being a conduit to the teachings and to joy. She opened us up with a lovely storytelling through the Pantheon of the Gods and Goddesses to tell the story of Durga Ma. She was so eloquent and real, and the story was flowing, and in the course of telling it, the revelations each presented.

I don't want to mangle it, but what I took from it still resonates with me, half a day later. Durga had every weapon in the book, all of the boons and skills to defeat the demon that had been devastating creation. All else and all others had failed, so she shows up, eight-armed and armed in all eight, and proceeds to use each one. And just as each weapon is finally about to vanquish the demon, he rallies and destroys that weapon. 

Finally, she has exhausted all of the weapons and skills and boons. It appears to be done. But, in that most unlikely of truths that those on the mat discern, the end is always the beginning. Durga finally defeats the demon by using the sole of her foot - the most vulnerable and least protected part of the body. Her greatest vulnerability is the key to the battle.

The lesson for me is that pushing through, fighting it, looking to check it off the list or proclaim 'nailed it!' is never the end... in fact, just when we think we've persevered enough and fought it out, that approach, or tactic or method no longer works. When we exhaust all of those options, and are finally faced with surrender - exposing our vulnerability - that is when we can overcome!

I really mangled that, I hope you get the gist!! 

As for the title of this blogpost? Well, I can't recall who Janet quoted, but she shared that one of her teachers always called Balasana or Child's pose "Warrior Four"... it takes the most accomplished, most secure, most vulnerable and the most readily surrendered Warrior to know when to quit, and just back out of the battle. Love it, as I'm the first one to head into Bala when the breath gets ragged!

Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling, but suffice it to say that the day was great, Janet Stone is a phenomenal teacher and I was a willing student. Happy birthday to Mandy E and Sanjay S - those are my birthday buddies celebrating their days tomorrow with me!

Give thanks and praise - and while I have your attention, would you consider offering a donation to let me be your advocate? My Global Seva Challenge is in effect and I need your help to do the work!

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Are You Prepared For the Prick?

21/8/2012

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The other day, I was video-posting, and I got on the riff of vinyasa, sequencing, the mala and it's relationship to the Catholic Rosary.

To consolidate it, if you didn't catch it... the mala is a devotional tool. It is similar to the Rosary, as there are 108 beads, arranged in a strand, and are an opportunity to create devotional space for the meditator, the chanter, the prayer.

The Rosary is named after the latin word, Rosarium, which means 'rose garden' or 'garland of roses'. Thus, in the way that a garden is carefully, artfully and symettrically laid out and pleasing to the senses, with many little stops along the way for reflection, so is the rosary, so is the mala.

When doing the chants, or the mantras, or the prayers, each bead is one individual moment. They are connected on the strand, and the whole makes more than the individual - yet each individual bead, each moment, each reflection, is still greater than the whole.

That's the beauty of what we call 'jaap' - or 'repetition of devotion', moving through the same actions, over and over, to create devotional space. 

If we think of it as a garden, and the mala or rosary the path, then maybe the message is that each bead is a rose, and our most devotional action is to give that rose our full attention. To, as we coin the phrase - to stop and smell the roses.

Sounds glorious, doesn't it? But, the garden is full of hazards and hidden nuisances... You don't get a strong plant without fertile dirt... and dirt full of crawling and creeping creatures. You can't enjoy the dappled sunlight without the shade, and most every blossom on the rose bush has a thorn.

Are you prepared for the prick? As you deeply inhale, dive down into the bloom, sip in the fragrance as you stop and smell that rose - what's to come of it when your lip finds the thorn? Will you still be able to see the beauty and the necessity of both the bloom and the barb?

Don't stop smelling roses, keep on the devotional stroll and take the time to notice. Walk barefoot and let your toes wiggle in the cool and damp earth. Go boldly in the sun and the shade; notice the blooms and the boons.

Smell the roses, even if that means getting dirty and a prick here and there - and, give thanks and praise!

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The Pickle Jar, Maybe Just One More Twist...

17/8/2012

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Ever had that moment, where you are trying to open a jar and it just won't open?? You know, you just grab that jar of pickles, and you twist and grasp and strain - then, nothing.

You go to the drawer, you get the knife out and use the edge of the knife to bang that lid, hoping to break the seal. Nothing; twisting, grasping, exasperation, futility.

But, you are resourceful - so, you run it under the tap; hot water, that'll loosen the seal and let you open it. Nope - white knuckles, sore fingers, beads of sweat on your brow - no gherkins!

Your friend walks in, looks at you and laughs - then you hand them the jar. They take it, twist and off comes the lid, just like that, with that little satisfying 'pop'.

What are you going to do, except say "Hey, I loosened it up for you."

Asana practice - teachers ask you to persevere, to hang in there, to not back away from the edge. To honor the breath, but to continue to move deeper. Sometimes, while teaching (or practicing), I notice that we might be doing some core work,  repetitive and difficult. I know, I see it, and I feel it when I practice.

There is that point, right near the edge. The monkey mind, it just leaps and shouts "stop, knock it off, take a break!" It acts like you might be killing it and fights for survival... But that is the moment. It is being effectively confronted, this leaping and screeching internal dialog; it fights for it's very survival through a variety of methods - "I'm hurting;" 'This is stupid." "Screw it, I'm not doing this."

Don't do it for the teacher - but do it. Do the rest of the work. Take all that prior knuckle-whitening and brow-furrowning and stay in that moment. Right into that sensation, then under it, then beyond it.

Because, I offer, within you, there isn't friend to walk-in and do the rest of the twisting. And if you put it down, or walk away and cast is aside, you just don't get the pickles...

I'm asking you to consider this - when you are doing core work, when you are in that quad-burning Warrior, just stay with it. Endure, persevere, hold on loosely, but don't let go. And, stay until that final effort opens the pickle jar.

Make any sense? Give it a try! Then, give thanks and praise!

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What Should You Say; What Should You Ask?

15/8/2012

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Good morning from Seattle; pardon me for my lapse, but I've been immersed in a really sweet experience up here, and it's been a few long days.

Just wanted to share some thoughts, do some firm but gentle confronting, ask some questions and offer a perspective. 

And, since this always seems so surprising when I do dialog about these blogs with individuals - yes, this is me, "working it out." I share it with you, but when I'm writing these and pointing out the vagaries of our minds, the natural reluctances, the 'games' - well, I'm speaking to 'all of us' through me.

Let's make that clear - being a yogi, or a teacher, or 'experienced' at something doesn't bestow enlightenment. It does bear discernment, and it indicates a desire to engage with and to really get into refining your life. But I don't have the answers. I'm on the same path, just at another pace or around some bend...

That gets me to the point of this - and it starts out right here in this tone. Admit, own, clarify, examine. We each find ourselves in separation at times; distanced from individuals or others by our own emotional experience. At these points, it's not uncommon to completely internalize our 'dialog'... 

Here are my questions, and I'm hearing them in my head - almost in Morgan Freeman's voice!

  • Who  have you been 'talking' with in your head?
  • How's that 'conversation' going? 
  • Are you getting truthful answers and helpful information?
  • What motives or assumptions are you holding or ascribing to them?
  • What's the risk of finding out the truth - of owning the fact that the dialog in your head is a fiction One that doesn't allow the other person the option of being truthful or themselves?
  • Who are you not talking to? Why? 
  • What's the risk of finding them in person today, or within the next 15 minutes picking up the phone and calling them?
  • What if you started from a place of "I'm hoping to hear you, and understand this situation. I feel like I've carried some of my own reactivity into this situation and I'd like to clarify what your intentions or thoughts on it are." and then listened?
  • Why is it easier for us to continue a totally fabricated drama in our head - taking us out of reality and out of the present and right back into the past - then it is to simply check in and talk with folks?
  • What hasn't been said that you should have said?
  • What have you said that should be acknowledged, or owned, or apologized for?
  • How would you want to be cared for by 'others' if they were projecting on you, if they were holding separation rather than engaging with you?
  • How would you want to hear the information? 
  • How can you create space for greater clarity, for forgiveness or for thanks?

I don't have answers for you; but I'm working on answers for me. I'll share, as appropriate, if I'm finding successes and when I'm not holding myself to the account of showing respect by talking with folks, instead of about them.


In closing, I've offered this before, and I shared it last night in class, and it really begins to resonate. Don't know what to say?? Start with the Hawaiian Hoʻoponopono - it contains succinctly and eloquently every way to 'start a conversation'.

Thank you - I love you - I'm sorry - Please forgive me....

Start with it, make it your mantra, make it your daily mediation, make it your reality. Say those things that scare you most, until they don't... until you are not simply saying them, but living them.

Tough work, you're up to it, we are all... give thank and praise.

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Disproportionality and Despair or Divinity: Within and For All.

11/8/2012

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What makes a yogi decide to get involved with 'rocking out the vote' and getting y'all Off the Mat and Into the Polls? Well, it's a big word, and a little bit of a story...

Disproportionality - that's a mouthful. But, it breaks down pretty simply, and I'll offer you a couple of common definitions.

Disproportionality refers to 'being out of proportion.'  Simply, it is the over- or under-representation of certain groups, whether that be racial or ethnic, gender, age, community, geographical, or any other method of marginalization.

This word is most often evoked in a public welfare agency work and advocacy - relative to any group’s proportion in the general population and how services are allocated. Disproportionality is caused by disparities that are existent both in society but also in the agencies created by government and private enterprise.

The inevitable outcome of disproportionality leads to disparity: disparity is the unequal or inequitable treatment of one group as compared to another. Disparity occurs when services to one segment of the community, relative to other segments, are presumptively allocated, poorly provided or inadequate in addressing the community’s underlying needs.


It also means that these differences in service delivery are not justifiable based on the community’s identified need, available agency resources or other objective criteria. At its base, disparity tends to imply that 'someone is missing out; someone is lesser.' That's not a good thing -- at least not for them.

The effect is that differences may appear capricious, unnecessary, avoidable, unfair, discriminatory or unjust. For any community, division and disparity are generally bad. We know, from history, that divisions created by humans tend to mean conflict, and conflict means stress. Societal stress, stress on the families and the citizenry. Stress causes ill-health, disease, separation and even trauma.

Often, because of poor coping mechanisms, stress leads to violence. All of these scenarios are clearly bad for health; both of the individual's suffering, but also for the societal costs. Disparity means 'some don't have what others do,' and as has been shown time and again that the continued accumulation of stress (disparity) on the individual is the root cause of much of what ails us - again, as individuals and as a society. Disparity leads to despair.

What to do? Get involved! I know it sounds trite and tedious, but voting. Not for a 'perfect' candidate, but for the values you see that are most important, and that address these issues; there are no perfect candidates, but there are a lot of issues to get to work on. Pick one, educate yourself and then act, in the best way you can.


This stuff is for real, right here in the 'purple' ATX. There are a lot of haves, and a lot of have-nots. What involvement are you taking in making sure our community is equitable, serves the citizens and represents individual and community needs justly and adequately? No guilt, just a gentle challenge!

I'm challenging myself here, as well; I've been bad about voting in the past. I'm sure many can relate, just the major elections, or just 'giving up' and dropping off. That is the natural tendency - but we're in this yoga community that invites and persuades us to do that which isn't easy, but rather that which does service. To keep investigating the reluctance, the resistance...

We come from a place of privilege - we get the time and the bodies and the freedom to do this practice. And, we live in a land that offers us our own franchise, our own voice through voting, equal across the board. There are threats to that, right now - folks who are mis-educating others on their rights to vote; folks who are actively working to discourage people from voting.

Right now, somewhere in the world, someone is dying to have this right. Literally... and I hate that word, but it means what it means here. There are hundreds of thousands of world citizens we live with on this trip; those who have looked to us, for guidance and inspiration. Many thousands of them gave their lives to help create the basis of one-person, one-vote democracies in their home countries... 


How dare we - any of us, myself first and foremost - sit here and decide we have better things to do? I'm taking the other side - I don't care for whom or for what, or in what election - school board, county seats, Presidential - just get engaged and vote.

I'm leading a "Consciousness and Fundraiser" today for YOGAVOTES - an effort lead by Off the Mat, Into the World, that is non-partisan and aimed at increasing voter engagement and turnout.

Please come out today to Austin Donation Yoga if you're local - 2:30, we'll flow, discern, contemplate, and talk about how we can get folks who aren't registered to get in the game, and get those who are but have lapsed to get off the bench!

What do you think - still stuck on the 'perfect' candidate? How much do you agree with your friends, your partner, your family?? Well, chalk it up to life. Pick the greatest congruence - if that means you have to vote 'against' one of your values, use that same political spectrum and activism to work on that issue to address your needs.

It's tough. I'm asking y'all to engage, to get informed and to act on your vision, your values and your voice - the VOTE!

Here are some Travis County Resources:
VOTER REGISTRATION
WHERE TO VOTE
HELP YOUR FRIENDS REGISTER - cool Travis County program.

Give thanks and praise!!



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The Sensation of Collaboration!

7/8/2012

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'Tis sweet, I tell ye!

I've had a great July, lots of fun but also lots of building connections, looking for synergies and like-minded folks, establishing some new connections and just being open to what is happening.

It's been a wild ride, but I'm enjoying every bit of it. And, I'm being tested and challenged, stretched and grown; but isn't that the point? That's what I'm talking about when I teach, so I'm not immune to being taught those lessons as well.

Collaboration is hard - it's work. But its real work, as in it involves people and respect and communication and amicability and humility, discernment and resources, candor and optimism. My collaborator, Leeah, is from my Off the Mat, Into the World training, and one of the co-creators of not only the Austin Yoga Tribe, but also our nascent GaneshFest, which will be happening in the ATX, at Wanderlust Live, end of September. It's been great working with her and we have found a groove.

Here's what it's about  - we share a vision, we share an agreement on 'means to an end'; we believe in self-responsibilty but also interdependence. We're both able to simply trust the other to run with what happens, rather than trying to control things or do a division of duties that is rigid. And, we communicate, a lot. Like, a new texting-plan, a lot.

Of course it doesn't hurt that we're both extroverts, who have been out there in the yoga community in ATX long enough to know a lot of folks - teachers, studios, students, vendors, supporters. So, we simply work on what we can, give a lot of updates, cheer each other one, lift each other up, straighten each other out, and get it done.

Being involved and in partnership is great - it's really rewarding. I've had a couple of good, long runs, where I was in charge. I've played that game, I don't need that role. I want to share, and to recognize where I'm limited and where I'm able to contribute. When you know what you can't do and admit it, then it's only reasonable to ask for help - when you can do something and it needs done, it's only logical to give help.

Everyone wins, we are all working together towards a shared goal that ennobles us all. So, I also need to give huge thanks and praise to all of the teachers, musicians and others who have contributed their time and skills and passion to collaborating with us.

Ultimately, it's about relationships - making them, building them, valuing them, maintaining them, and showing folks humor, courtesy and respect. We'll all need a helping hand or a skill we don't have - but we'll have friends and resources and collaborators to call on.

Asking for help - it's great and if you're authentic and not trying to take advantage, almost everyone I know likes giving help to great friends and worthy causes.How does that resonate with you - have your tried collaborating rather than falling for creating hierarchical structures? 

If you have the latitude, let go of control and watch people give you their best!

Give thanks and praise!

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Isn't it Time to End the "War On Drugs" When You Can be the Absolute Best, and a Toker?

5/8/2012

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Just some quick facts - you can make your own conclusions...

Phelps, he swims, he does it really well. According to our standards, he's not only the best swimmer we've known, he's also one of the world's greatest athletes. Like him or not, that's pretty much a fact. He's got a crazy underbite, he's not too bright, he's kind of a freak if you don't see him swimming, but he's a winner!

And, to that point, let's put that in perspective:

  • His 18 golds since the Athens Games would rank 12th overall for all nations, ahead of traditional Olympic powers like Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, Cuba and Spain.
  • There have been 48 men's swimming events contested in the three Olympics since Phelps started winning golds. He's medaled in 22. That's 46 percent! Keep in mind he's only competed in 24.
  • Phelps (population: 1) has as many medals as India (population: 1.24 billion)... interesting ratio. 
  • Argentina has produced famous soccer players (Maradona), Grand Slam tennis champions (Gabriela Sabatini, Juan Martin Del Potro) and NBA stars (Manu Ginobli), and has one less Olympic gold than Phelps in its 112-year Olympic history.
  • Add the total golds won by Israel, Panama, Peru, Ghana, Philippines, Serbia, Portugal, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria and Croatia... They still don't approach Phelps' haul.

Pretty impressive, for a guy who in 2009, after winning the world's heart and admiration and a couple pounds of medals, was shown to be familiar with the intricacies of a bong (see pic below) - good for him... 


You know, if McDonald's can be the sponsor for the Olympics, why can't athletes burn if they choose? We're talking about a country that makes Heroin, with a 35% addiction rate a Class One substance and a societal stigma and shame, but we keep Nicotine, which has an addiction rate of 80%, readily available and part of the culture.

This is the same culture that celebrates sports by enjoying legal alcohol which has a LD (lethal dosage) that is clearly in the toxic range. Most authorities agree that blood alcohol concentrations in the 0.40 - 0.50% range meet the requirements for the LD:50.  This means that 50% of users will encounter a lethal dose at the measurement. 

To put that in perspective - a 100-pound woman or man who consumed 9-10 standard drinks, respectively, in less than an hour would be in the LD:50 range. 


A 200-pound man would have to consume about 5-6 drinks per hour for 4 hours to reach the LD:50. Think that is unrealistic? Well, you haven't been out in the worlds lately... participating in drinking "games", parties, big nights out, bachelor/ette parties, hazing or club "initiations" often involves highly unregulated alcohol consumption.

How about the doobie - the pernicious weed? Well, let's be clear - google 'alcohol poisoning deaths' and there is a good chance you'll find one in the last hour, or in a longer spell, in your hometown. There actually really isn't a LD for Marijuana, because they haven't ever had a cited case of anyone dying from smoking it.

But, they've got to do studies - so check this: According to the Merck Index , 12th edition, THC has a LD50 (dose killing half of the research subjects) value of 1270 mg/kg (male rats) and 730 mg/kg (female rats) administered orally dissolved in sesame oil. The LD50 value for rats by inhalation of THC is 42 mg/kg of body weight. 


What the hell does that mean, those are rats! One estimate of Cannabis's LD50 for humans indicates that about 150 pounds of marijuana would have to be smoked within 15 minutes. Now, I've seen partying, but never anything that would be able to make that happen!

It's science, but in our culture, we hate that - Evolution, Climate Change, Diet and Obesity, etc...

Now, this year, of course in preparation for the Golds, Phelp's crew spent a lot of time talking about his 'youthful indiscretions', but as you can see if you watch the video below, at the end they are just as incredulous as I am!

Does it matter - sure it does, when we make an industry out of incarcerating disproportional amounts of our minority youth for a non-violent offense that is less detrimental to the society than the Alcohol Industry has proven itself to be. 


Obama might be the only African-American you know who can admit with impunity, then and now, that he smoked weed and actually sit in office and conduct more raids on Medical Marijuana dispensaries than ever before. He is really in love with 'war'; for all of his positive traits, this desire to wage war is incomprehensible - both foreign and domestic.

Teddy Kennedy, driving drunk and killing a girl, forgivable... Michael Phelps and Obama 'cleaned' themselves up and redeem themselves... I'm in the Bill Gates camp - best thing he did was trip on LSD and backpack the world. Why not get real.

So - Michael Phelps, why not say that you smoke pot, or did smoke pot and that it just really doesn't matter? Like you had a couple of beers, like you ate at McDonalds... both of those are proven killers and culturally lovable. It clearly didn't effect your performance.

Wake up - give thanks and praise that you weren't 17, African-American, and caught smoking a doobie after school... 


Until some of our national heroes come out of the Pot Closet, we'll just keep punishing those who have no advocates, and feeling smug over our cocktails!

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Mindfulness, Minutes and Tomatoes

2/8/2012

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I like to look to various sources, all which examine and study mindfulness, attention, awareness and concentration. I find it personally interesting, compelling when you do the work, and to be of great service.

I feel like mindfulness is so inherent in the asana practice, it's almost odd to extract it as a topic. However, if we simply use it on the mat, the lesson is wasted on the student who never leaves the classroom. Asana practice is the perfect 'laboratory', as I've written, for really diving into building attention span, cultivating discernment and observation and learning how to optimize the simple experience of being a real, live, emotional person spinning around the sun.

So, today's thought combines two complementary practices - a union of complementary forces, we're already into our yoga - and accentuates and supports the best of each.

First off, have you heard, multi-tasking is dead - kaput - so last millennium. Studies have shown that it doesn't increase productivity but rather diminishes not only productivity, but also creativity and teamwork. It's something that many folks were 'raised' on or trained into, and it's hard to drop it. But truly, it's counterproductive externally, but even more so, internally.

Concentrated, uninterrupted focus on one task at hand, on one combined group of issues, or on one lofty goal... this is where collaboration, effective strategizing and creative solution-making come into play. We work best when we simply face the task at hand, minimize the distractions, work collectively and just jump in. One might consider this a business "pratyahara" - a single pointed concentration that eliminates external distractions.

And, simple mindfulness - harnessing, training and cultivating attention and attention span through easy and effective personal techniques - has also been shown to heighten productivity. As I like to say, "Slow is The New Swift" - when we slow down, we get efficient; when we are efficient then things move smoothly; when things are smooth they become swift. 

Maybe you go Steven Covey - 7 Habits, and you think of this as "Sharpen the Saw". No matter how you get there, cultivated mindfulness makes better, more rational and more creative thinking, problem-solving and decision-making.

How to combine these two practices? The first concept is Pomodoro - don't ask me why it's named 'tomato', it just is. To begin the discipline, I suggest you go with 30 minute increments in sets of four, for a two-hour work block.

Your Pomodoro - your one task, one single focused point of consideration, be that emails, making calls, a meeting, or simply working on ideas or projects - should last 24 minutes. That's significant enough to get something done, it's short enough to maintain heightened focus, and it's just about where the average mind can go and impact without losing the track.

For the remaining six minutes, you take the first three and get up and walkabout - a quick stretch, a good jolt to the metabolism and circulatory system. Ideally, walking to get a drink of water and/or use the restroom is ideal. But, limit it to three minutes. Then, return to the workspace and spend three mindful minutes. You know you've got a phone you can set to alarm you in 24 and 3-minute increments; stop fronting like this is hard!

Mindful minutes - the other three of them. You can sit in a chair, just get both your feet on the floor. Put your hands on your thighs, sit up straight, close your eyes and take 5 deep breaths. Then, just sit and observe the breath - you can avoid being distracted by mentally repeating "I am breathing in" as you inhale and "I am breathing out" as you exhale. Don't let the simplicity fool you - try this, it it powerful.

You will try this, and no doubt, you'll get really frustrated, because the mind will go everywhere. Nonetheless, sit and observe your breath, either counting the inhales and exhales as beats in and beats out, or repeating any phrases - try "I am creative" on the inhale and "without limitations" on the exhale. Whatever you need, give yourself three, focused, compassionate minutes.

Get your brain reset, and jump into your next tomato! Give it a try, modify it to serve you, but if you're interesting in fine-tuning and optimizing, then this is a plan.

Let me know if this is working! Give thanks and praise! 

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    Chrispy - Bhagat Singh

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