by Roxanne -

Yoga Wisdom

Photo Yoga Journal.com

The past few months I have embarked on the study of yoga. While I have been practicing yoga for awhile now I decided to learn more about its philosophy, history and traditions.

Practicing the poses of yoga are only one aspect of this tradition. Through the practice I am really learning about my own limits and how they vary from day to day. I am learning what fits my body and what works best to keep my mind focused and present for each pose. In this way I am learning to be my own teacher. Being my own teacher means being able to recognize what is healthy for me. This wisdom can be carried over into the rest of my life. What choices will keep me present and focused? What choices will keep me physically healthy? What choices will keep me healthy mentally?

Practicing yoga is one way to connect with the teacher within. Deep inside, we have a center point, a place that is our most authentic self. Access it and we can tap into our own wisdom wherever and whenever we need it. Confident in our ability to be present to this wisdom we can work to change systems of poverty, lack and injustice in the world.

Find joy and peace within. Become your own teacher.

You may also like The Human Experience, What Do You Do With Your Suffering? and Spring Cleaning – Saucha.

by Roxanne -

Stars and Spirit Sightings

Photo NASA

Do you know about Spirit sightings? Spirit sightings have some interesting qualities or characteristics. They are unexpected and turn conventional wisdom upside down. They also make us think differently. Here’s a story about a recent Spirit sighting.

A friend of mine was looking for a job, as millions are in this economic depression. She is also in school working toward a master of divinity degree. However the job that was offered to her was in a city 2 1/2 hours away. After pondering and reflecting, she made an unconventional decision. She decided to move to the city with the job and reverse commute for school. So far this is nothing unusual. What is unusual is that the job was a part time job, just 12 hours per week. Now THAT is unusual. Plus, once she made the decision to move two unexpected things happened. She found an amazing apartment (space, light, architectural details) for an equally amazingly low rent and her new employer offered to absorb some of her moving expense. I don’t think I have ever heard of an employer reimbursing someone’s moving expenses for a part time job. Have you? Sooooo, when we are willing step out in trust, the universe (God, ultimate reality) responds and supports us in any and every way that She can.

This is what we learn from the story of the Wise Men in the Gospel of Matthew. Like the Wise Men, we start out our journeys on the conventional path. Along the way we encounter star light, inspiration, or a deeper reality. If we trust, we will return to our true home by an unexpected and unconventional route.

Check out these beautiful star images from NASA. May you encounter brilliant star light on your journey!

Roxanne

by Roxanne -

What’s in a Word?

"A rose by any other name . . ."

Last year I chose a word to meditate and focus on. That word was abundance. Reflecting on that one word helped me see how much abundance I have in my life – in many places that I had overlooked. I could see how abundance was present in my life in so many unexpected ways.

The new year calls for a new word. What will it be? I will watch for a few days and see if a word presents itself . . .

by Roxanne -

After-Christmas Tree Hangover

Photo Apartment Therapy, Elle Interior

Real Christmas trees were a great idea back in the day when people heated their homes with log fireplaces. But I’m wondering if they make much sense  for the world today. It takes 10-12 years to grow a pine tree to the size needed for a Christmas tree. Trees help conserve the soil and put good things into the atmosphere. Then we cut them down by the millions to use in our homes for a month of decoration. The week after Christmas most of these trees will be wrapped in a large trash bag and set out at the curb. Hopefully some will be composted but in large urban areas most are destined for the landfill or an incinerator (ugh!). Although one study insists real trees are less damaging, why not change the paradigm completely and be kind to the environment instead?  I think we are imaginative enough to find even better options. Find some inspiration at Apartment Therapy here.

On another holiday note, we spend most of the year conserving electricity, turning down the thermostat, turning off lights and appliances when not in use. Then in December we plug in lots of lights? Just wondering . . .

Maybe we can consider new ways of thinking about Christmas trees, ornaments, holiday reminders and how we might enjoy them, beyond just getting an artificial tree.

by Roxanne -

Celebration of Family

Photo CA Air Resources Board

During the holidays we often gather with family. What does it mean to be a family? What makes a family?

Today as we look around we can see that families come in all shapes and sizes. Families often have economic, physical, emotional and psychological challenges. What they have in common, however, is love and respect that holds them together at their core. On the other hand, we often find people connected as a clan or group who claim a common genetic lineage. But there may be abuse, lack of respect or disregard for anyone else. I question whether this is actually a family in a true sense of the word.

Although our culture puts great weight on genetic links, choosing genetic links as a definition of family is really arbitrary. For example, where should we make the cut-off for genetic linking? Those one genetic link away? Two genetic links away? Three? In truth we are all connected and all part of the human family. Believing otherwise breeds tribalism and elitism.

Today is the feast of the Holy Family. What does it mean to be a holy family? It seems to me that those who are families of holiness for us, love and respect who we are as persons, encourage and support us and are open to listening and sharing with us. If we are lucky these individuals may also be part of our genetic family of origin. If we weren’t so lucky then, as adults, we must create a family of choice for ourselves.

In the end, families are our first experience in creating strong, rich and deep relationships. Think of the adults who most impacted you as a child. Did you have a teacher who took an interest in you? Maybe a neighbor opened her home to you? Throughout my childhood  I remember well four women who gave me their time, care and attention. In celebrating families, we can celebrate those who bring out the best in us, stand by us and love us.

The experience of family is the foundation by which we develop the ability to move out into the world as adults. This movement out into the world brings us the maturity to see beyond ourselves, work for change in the world and enrich who we are with diverse connections and transformative relationships. In the end, these relationships will enrich and develop our personhood as we change the world. They help us to see in ourselves a vision of who we are and who we can become.