Had a lot going on - all that transition stuff, coming back from Holiday, trying to get myself situated. Sorry I've been sporadic, I'm ready to get back at sharing my thoughts and trying to co-create a dialog around what we are doing here in the ole yoga world - thanks for taking the ride!
I'm inspired (breathed into) by that little quote I led with, from the funniest of sources. A little background - I drug out to the TV sometimes, mostly stupid and absurd stuff, but it works. I choose really shitty programming and I get that it can be like 'environmental pollution' for my wife. While I can totally tune out the commercials, I'm a dedicated 'muter' for her sake. On the contrary, I simply can't listen to like one minute of talk-radio, CNN and that stuff, and horror of horrors, if I'm ever holed up in a compound and you want to drive me out---NPR. Just grates me.
And, we've got the loner pup, who's really pretty spoiled (we call her Kennel "Condo"); we leave on NPR or sometimes the TV audio in the background on CNN or whatever so she has someone talking to her during the day. OK, I don't have kids, obviously.
So, I come home the other day to quickly get a few things done, CNN is on, and I'm trying my best to 'out-tune' it... and then, the typical story. Short version: School bus driver has a stroke, or seizure, or heart-attack; bus begins to swerve off the road; schoolkid (maybe 11) runs up to driver, shakes him, then takes the keys out of the bus, stalling it. Another kid comes up and starts CPR. Of course, modern world, I get to see it all on 'bus-cam' like it's Taxi Cab Confessions.
Pretty cool, impressive, smart thinking. They interview the little tyke; he's just fairly average, Not nerdy, but certainly not the BMOC. He's just present, I mean, real and solid. Here's my basic paraphrase of his interview, which also left the reporter gob-smacked...
KID: It was terrifying. It was exhilarating; both at the same time.
CNN: Can you explain that? What do you mean exhilarating?
KID: I didn't know if I was going to die; I didn't want to die! I didn't know if he was going to die; I didn't want him to die! It was breath-taking; it was breath-giving...
I suggest to you that this is the simplest, most straightforward rational processing of an event that someone can have. Death gives meaning to life, and we shouldn't have to encounter our fears to feel most alive. However, when we do, it's absolutely 'breath-giving'!
What are the moments in your life you've felt this way? When you are stalled by fear, or terror, can you reach back to why you would take the action, what is at stake, and what may be gained!? Perhaps, an entire life!
Use this breath-taking and breath-giving practice to help you confront anything that comes your way, with equanimity, calmness, action, discernment and service! Give thanks and praise!
I'm inspired (breathed into) by that little quote I led with, from the funniest of sources. A little background - I drug out to the TV sometimes, mostly stupid and absurd stuff, but it works. I choose really shitty programming and I get that it can be like 'environmental pollution' for my wife. While I can totally tune out the commercials, I'm a dedicated 'muter' for her sake. On the contrary, I simply can't listen to like one minute of talk-radio, CNN and that stuff, and horror of horrors, if I'm ever holed up in a compound and you want to drive me out---NPR. Just grates me.
And, we've got the loner pup, who's really pretty spoiled (we call her Kennel "Condo"); we leave on NPR or sometimes the TV audio in the background on CNN or whatever so she has someone talking to her during the day. OK, I don't have kids, obviously.
So, I come home the other day to quickly get a few things done, CNN is on, and I'm trying my best to 'out-tune' it... and then, the typical story. Short version: School bus driver has a stroke, or seizure, or heart-attack; bus begins to swerve off the road; schoolkid (maybe 11) runs up to driver, shakes him, then takes the keys out of the bus, stalling it. Another kid comes up and starts CPR. Of course, modern world, I get to see it all on 'bus-cam' like it's Taxi Cab Confessions.
Pretty cool, impressive, smart thinking. They interview the little tyke; he's just fairly average, Not nerdy, but certainly not the BMOC. He's just present, I mean, real and solid. Here's my basic paraphrase of his interview, which also left the reporter gob-smacked...
KID: It was terrifying. It was exhilarating; both at the same time.
CNN: Can you explain that? What do you mean exhilarating?
KID: I didn't know if I was going to die; I didn't want to die! I didn't know if he was going to die; I didn't want him to die! It was breath-taking; it was breath-giving...
I suggest to you that this is the simplest, most straightforward rational processing of an event that someone can have. Death gives meaning to life, and we shouldn't have to encounter our fears to feel most alive. However, when we do, it's absolutely 'breath-giving'!
What are the moments in your life you've felt this way? When you are stalled by fear, or terror, can you reach back to why you would take the action, what is at stake, and what may be gained!? Perhaps, an entire life!
Use this breath-taking and breath-giving practice to help you confront anything that comes your way, with equanimity, calmness, action, discernment and service! Give thanks and praise!
