To practice any art, no matter how well
or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.
So do it.
- Kurt Vonnegut
In my meanderings in meditation I have heard the teaching of a great meditation teacher responding to a question from a student asking "what is self?" or "who am I really?" The teacher responded by holding up a large sheet of white paper and drawing a small V shape on it. He then asked the student what the picture was. Most of the students responded that is was a flying bird. The teacher responded, "No, it is a picture of the sky with a bird flying through it."
We usually identify as a separate small self made up of wants and fears, or successes and failures. This teaching reminds us that what we pay attention to about ourselves and about our lives determines our experience. So if we are focusing on the bird, it is like paying attention to what is obvious in the foreground of your mind, the thoughts, the sensations, the feelings. Shifting to see the sky is like opening to the context that is holding these experiences. In mindfulness practice, this larger context is often referred to as the ocean of awareness or sky like mind. This shift in how we often view ourselves and our world around us can bring a lot of freedom and a profound sense of ease in our day to day experiences.
With practice, thoughts like clouds come and go, passing through leaving no trace in the boundless sky-like quality of mind - Jack Kornfield
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sundays 4:30pm-5:30pm www.bhaktibarn.com
Mondays 9am-10am Summit YMCA www.thesay.org
Tuesdays 11:15am-12:15pm www.bhaktibarn.com
Tuesdays 6pm-7pm Summit YMCA www.thesay.org
Been awhile since you unrolled your mat? Email me if you are interested in starting back quietly for privates or small group privates at your home including guided meditation sessions
EARLY WINTER MINI RETREAT
Wednesday December 13th at 12:45-2pm
Save the date!
Gentle yoga, meditation, & sound bath
Location: Bhakti Barn Yoga Studio, Millburn
Link to sign up here (under the workshop tab) or call 973.232.6227 www.bhaktibarn.com
Pre registration highly recommended.
Is a yoga teacher training calling to you? During the training students will be introduced to concepts of the ancient yogic path including pranayama, mantra, meditation, embodied anatomy, the science of Ayurveda, the study and ancient wisdom of the Yoga Sutras and more. Students will learn the art of teaching asana, the physical practice of yoga.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you are curious and thinking about it!