My Yoga Journey
Yoga has been part of my life for almost as long as I can remember, even though at first I didn’t know anything about yoga other than the stereotypical Western impression of the “pretzel 🥨 pose” known in Sanskrit as padmasana or full lotus posture.
Catalyst
by Cheech
I don't think things have ever really shifted for me without some form of a catalyst. I learn my most lasting life lessons through pain. I like to call this the two-by-four (2 x 4) of wisdom across the forehead—“crack!” Yeah. I'm talking about lumber here.
Take Me to The Happy
Some people wake up “Happy to Be Alive”. Just look at that doggy 🐶! So joyous, so free! I'm not one of those people. Dangit!
We Leave it on the Mat
There is so much crap 💩 that piles up on us, isn't there? I think that it has to be brought down out of the head and into the body, taken off the shoulders, liquified into sweat 💦 and left somewhere. Don't leave the weight of the world 🌎 on your shoulders!
My Yoga Journey
I have been a bouncer and a bodyguard, a law enforcement officer and a private investigator. I have been stabbed, shot at, set on fire and thrown down flights of stairs. I have been crashed-up, smashed-up, beat-up and considered DOA.
Who Makes One?
I remember some years ago reading a book written by Zen Master Seung Sahn, (I can’t remember which one, there are so many). He discussed the question:
“Who makes one?”
Who makes one is a question that confronts our thinking. It attacks our concepts.
Party Crashers: Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are like kissing cousins. They share a lot of symptomatology and often show up together. Anxiety and depression are party crashers. They bring the unwelcome gifts of worry; insomnia; gastro-intestinal disorders; trouble concentrating and avoidance behaviors.
Unnecessary Baggage
In this multi-media, uber-complex; complicated world we live in, it seems, we hardly live at all; at least not consciously. We are driven, by chores and responsibilities; flooded with stimuli, both bad and good; constantly. In our high-tech...
Zen
What is Zen? According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, the definition of Zen is:
1: a Japanese sect of Mahayana Buddhism that aims at enlightenment by direct intuition through meditation
2: a state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort
Zen (Not Frozen)
One of the ways I respond to stress is to freeze 🥶 in place and stop moving. Even though this is completely opposite of what would really be best for me, the immobility seems to happen before I know it. Then, it takes over and stays too long (like an unwelcome house guest).
