Category: <span>consciousness</span>

Published April 28, 2008 by

Self-Inquiry, Astrology, & Yoga

What happens when you integrate astrology into the yogic practice of self-observation without judgement?

Self-inquiry is a spiritual practice that directs our energy and our attention inward. It’s a particular form of self-discovery that encourages one to first recognize and then drop the social mask (also known as the persona, personality, or ascendant) and practice authenticity in every moment. (rather than productivity or some other external goal). In, The Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield, he describes a Buddhist practice of sitting quietly and repeatedly path with heartasking yourself, “Who am I”, over and over until you reach a point where something in the body/mind relaxes (?) and a subtle shift in consciousness happens. It’s one of those things that you have to experience for yourself and hard to describe.

Svadhyaya is one of the niyamas (from Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga) that encourages us to look at ourselves, clearly, without prejudice. It’s a challenging task and requires constant practice. Kripalu Yoga is the methodology that i practice. It brings the physical and energetic bodies into the mix by developing a heightened sense of awareness to sensations, breath, thought patterns, and spontaneous emotional expression.

man-astrologyAstrology attempts to find meaning in the natural order of the cosmos. Everything has it’s own time, it’s own season, and every minute that passes is unique. Astrologers observe both long term & short term trends and relate that information to the present moment. In addition, astrology also adds mythological, archetypal, & psychological dimensions that are extremely personal and relevant.

Natal Astrology looks at an individual (or oneself) thru a lens that has no prejudice. The natal horoscope does not see: gender, race, religion, economic status, socio/cultural differences, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any of the ways in which we categorize ourselves. What the natal chart does describe is our ‘energetic’ makeup and the timing of unfoldment. The ‘how’ is up to us. There are many ways to manifest the potential of our horoscope. It’s the energy pattern and the timing that are pre-determined. All else is free will. When approached with equanimity and non-judgement the natal horoscope becomes an impartial map of possibility with a built-in clock to help one connect to the present moment more intimately.

Yoga & Astrology have co-existed harmoniously in various cultures for eons.yantra cropped Each discipline recognizes the value & contribution of the other. Across the centuries, astrologers have continued to relate the movement of what is above to the movement of what lies below. Whereas, at the same time the yogi’s were discovering what lies without, also exists within. They both agree that here & now is important.

Yoga provides us with the tools to help us be with that moment in peaceful co-existence. Astrology helps us to understand the characteristics of the our particular ego-state and the nature of the obstacles that impede our path towards a higher consciousness. Yoga helps us to smooth out the obstacles, minimize the ego drives and approach life’s challenges in peace. Astrology provides us with the nature of the ever-changing present moment. Yoga practices train us to respond to the ever-changing moment with acceptance. Astrology, when properly understood, can advance us towards spiritual awakening. Yoga does the same.

As a Professional Kripalu Yoga Teacher & Astrologer it’s taken me most of my life to bring these two paths together in a way that goes beyond the mental field or intellect. After 30+ years of study and practice I have now reached a point where I can no longer keep them separate. My personal practice and the programs I offer always include the cosmic point of view in an attempt to teach the hermetic principal, As Above, So Below. For those who are ready for the practice of self-inquiry and seek to approach life multi-dimensionally, astrology & yoga together can be quite enlightening.

Om shanti, shanti, shantihi.

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Jack Kornfield kripalu niyama Patanjali svadhyaya

Published April 10, 2008 by

The yoga of communication….

monkey For years now I have been opening yoga class with a “check-in”. It’s an opportunity for those who choose, to speak without fear of feedback. It can be a difficult practice and not everyone participates, nor does everyone understand the benefits or meaning of the practice.

I will be turning over my yoga classes to my assistants when I travel later this month. We’ve been having ‘training’ sessions to cover as much as we can before I leave. “Holding the space” for a deep-listening practice can be extremely challenging. And, yet, I want the studio to remain constant and safe for those who attend in my absence.

Over the years of working with deep listening techniques, conscious communication, and silence I have learned a lot. It’s my intention to get it all down in the manual I’m writing for yoga teachers/therapists.

For today, I’d like to call your attention to some words that are best eliminated from your everyday dialogue. They are powerless and ineffective. Nothing of importance gets communicated if these words are in your sentences. And, for now, you’ll just have to take my word for it and do your own research. Let me know what you find. Here’s the list.

COULD

WOULD

SHOULD

BUT

NEVER

ALWAYS

NOT (or any word that has a n’t attached to it)

It’s a short list. However, if you begin to really listen to yourself you will probably find it quite difficult to eliminate these words.

The moon’s in Gemini today….the impulse to connect thru language presents itself. The mental field is active and the communication channels are active.

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Published March 21, 2008 by

Introducing Chiron…………

chiron2.jpg One fascinating way to understand the essence of something (like Chiron) is to look at the etymology of the word. Chiron comes from the root syllable, chiro which relates to the hand. Thus, chiromancy (palmistry), chirography (penmanship/calligraphy), chironomid (one who makes gestures with his hands), and of course the chiropractor who adjusts our nervous system by manipulating our spine. Chiron is the original ‘alternative’ genius.

Here are more keywords that convey the ‘energy’ of Chiron.

Maverick, Quest, Guide, Healing, Key, Doorway, Bridge, Loophole, Qualifier, Teacher, Mentor, Holistic Healer, Ecologist, Mentor, Rainbow Bridge, Shamen.

 

 

 

chironglyphThe glyph used for Chiron is meant to symbolize a key.

 

And here’s some poetry that echo’s Chiron’s theme…………

 

I am not a mechanism, an assembly of various sections.
And it is not because the mechanism is working wrongly , that I am ill.
I am ill because of wounds to the soul,
to the deep emotional self
and the wounds to the soul
take a long,
long time,only time can help and patience,
and a certain difficult repentance,
long difficult repentance,
realizations of life’s mistake,
and the freeing oneself
from the endless repetition of the mistake which mankind at large has chose to sanctify.
D. H. Lawrence

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chiron Healer Shamen Teacher wounded healer

Published January 14, 2008 by

…remember the movie, “Cocoon”?

Go here:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/

Let your imaginations happen.

om peace.

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Published December 6, 2007 by

Makes me wonder………………….

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Published December 3, 2007 by

Stumbling Thru Aquarius…….

chiron2.jpgThe asteroid Chiron is named after a mythological centaur (horse/man) who became a great healer/teacher. In astrological mythology, Chiron is the Wounded Healer and has many talents. One story tells how he became immortal and lived a life of suffering after a fatal(?) wound from a poisoned arrow. In the attempt to heal himself,  Chiron learned the magic of herbs, gems, astrology, and  other ancient healing techniques.

In our natal horoscopes, the placement of Chiron describes the circumstances of our unhealed wounds, the ones that require an integrated approach to understand. These are the wounds that are invisible to the world and sometimes even invisible to ourselves.The emotions of shame and humiliation will give you a clue as to where these wounds are located. By the time we reach our early 50’s we have had numerous opportunities to confront these wounds and perhaps we were successful in transforming this lead into gold. Also around the age of 50, the asteroid Chiron returns to the same place he was in when you were born….a Chiron Return in the astrological language. This might be considered a ‘last chance’ for healing in this lifetime the wound that binds you. It’s also a time (after 50) to share your knowledge with others and become the teacher/counselor/healer who helps others with wounds similar to your own, just as Chiron did in mythology.

The Heirophant

The success of the 12-step format is one example of how wounded healers have helped others create happy lives from painful pasts. The Wounded Healer contributes to the whole in ways that can’t be measured.We all have Chiron somewhere in our psyche. It is an archetype that the whole human race feels. The location of Chiron in your personal astrological birthmap can shed some light on the wound that follows you everywhere and has the potential to become your greatest strength. Consult your astrologer/yoga teacher for guidance on this topic.

Om shanti, shanti, shantihi.


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Published August 9, 2007 by

Twenty Degrees of Leo

Tonite I am facilitating another Yoga Nidra experience. The timing seems to be very auspicious. On Sunday, Aug 12 there will be a New Moon at 20 degrees of Leo. That degree point has been very, very, hot (!) over the past few years…..and it’s a powerful point…… I’m glad to have this opportunity to de-compress before another lunar cycle begins.

Twenty degrees of Leo, according to Dane Rudyhar (An Astrological Mandala) refers to ” a return to the glorification of natural energies.”

Hmmmm. There’s a lot of different ways that might manifest. If you are a yoga teacher this would be an opportune time to practice ‘holding’. If you practice feng shui, you might want to look around your house and identify what has NOT changed in a long time. Start to change it.

Regardless,

Let’s envision,

together,

peace,

health,

harmony,

for all.

the bridge across the street

Om shanti, shanti, shantihi……………………….

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Published July 19, 2007 by

Hiding in The Closet…the 12th House

For over 40 years I have been trying to clean out my closets. Not the physical ones that exist in my home, although they could surely use some cleaning, also. But, rather, the cluttered closets of my mind and psyche. I discovered that my internal closets were cluttered when I began to study astrology, psychology, & yoga. The first clue came in my 20’s when I was told by a reputable astrologer that the moon lived in the 12th house of my natal chart. Something deep inside of me immediately became curious and I thus began my search, my quest, my journey to fully and completely understand me.I was 57 years old November, 2006 and today I can look back farther and look out further than ever before. The journey I set out on so long ago has become a never-ending journey into what Carl Jung calls the ‘collective unconscious’. Thank God (dess) for the North Node Aries to remind me that I am here also to learn about individuality amidst the watery depths of the collective.Hiding

 

Recently, I experienced what is called a Soul Retrieval.This ‘journeying’ technique is used by many different shamans to aid and assist us in becoming whole and healed. The intention of the journey is to re-unite my current self with split-off pieces of my soul.

 What the shaman revealed to me afterwards gave me another perspective to integrate into my understanding of my self.

 Here’s what the shaman saw.

 She saw me, huddling in a dark closet, fearful & afraid. My beloved family was being violently removed from our home by soldiers. I could hear the sounds and feel the vibrations of powerful movements happening just on the other side of the door. I cowered and shook in the dark, trying to catch my breath. After a while it became silent. Darkness surrounded me still. I ventured out slowly, as quietly as I could. No one was there. The place looked a mess. I was in shock…..frozen right where I was standing, paralyzed, immobilized. I am 12 years old (give or take a year or two) and I’m totally alone in a hostile world. My family is gone, either forcibly taken, or simply disappeared.
I do not survive this test. Death came soon.

 It was explained to me by the shaman that this was my most recent past life experience and has had huge impact on this life. (Our past life experiences can be somewhat found by studying the 12th house in our natal charts.)

 When we discover new pieces of ourselves, by what ever means we do this, it takes some time to integrate the information until we ‘feel’ okay again. But, what does ‘feel okay’ mean? I have struggled with the questions and confusions around feelings for most of my life. The problem with feelings is that you feel them, and not all those feelings feel good. In the moment of feeling a preference for something is born and the life of duality becomes the norm. I prefer to feel good. I don’t like to feel bad.

 But what if we just felt the feeling, in ease, without any commentary or concern as to whether or not it’s ‘good’ or ‘bad’?Can we learn to simply just feel, without the commentary or the suffering as Gautama, The Buddah teaches?For me this is where my lifelong study and practice of eastern philosophy, particularly Yoga has really paid off.

 Today, I still live in the closet, my moon in the 12th house has learned a lot thru the astrological perspective of Progression but it still has its roots in the 12th house. The difference today is that the lights are on and the walls of my closet are transparent allowing interaction with the outside world. And, I’ve made it way past 12 years old…….

Healing is another story. For that we look to Chiron, an asteroid orbiting between Saturn & Uranus. But that’s for another day.

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12th house clutter shaman soul retrieval

Published July 17, 2007 by

Out with the old, In with the new……………

Sometimes ‘trauma’ is not a result from our current life’s history. Stored cellular memory is retained in the deepest part of our brain, probably the medulla. The remnants of these old memories get carried on to the next life, and the next, and the next. If we didn’t have this, we’d have to re-learn how to walk, etc. instead of simply re-membering how to walk. Many of the things we do ‘unconsciously’and automatically are a result of stored memory patterns from ancient times. Scientists have proven this beyond a shadow of a doubt.
So consider just how much of your body is doing it’s job beyond your conscious awareness.

For instance, what’s your digestive system doing right Now? Can you control it or change it? And, which particular hormone is being passed around to the neuro-receptors, etc.?

The bad news is that your physical body is still responding in the ways that it learned from the time of wild animals and no tools. I’m referring here to the automatic stress response that works the same way today as it did in caveman days.

Karma could also be described as old behavioural patterns specific to the individual that are also retained somewhere in our being. Whether or not they’re in the brain is irrelevant for this discussion. And, whether or not these behavioural patterns get carried over from lifetime to lifetime is also irrelevant for this discussion.

sleeping

Yoga Nidra , an ancient technique that has stood the test of time, falls under the heading of Pratyahara; the practices that seek to bring more awareness & consciousness to our senses. (The yogic philosophy is inherently rich and juicy on the subject of the senses.) When we reduce the amount of sensory input we become quieter, calmer, and more internally focused. At this point the physical body begins to relax and release long held tensions.

When we practice Yoga Nidra using a sankalpa (intention) formulated to reduce negative karma we are setting the stage for increased freedom and vitality. The best part is that you don’t have to understand any of this. It just happens. Releasing old karmic patterning is like cutting the roots off a dying plant. Without the roots, there’s no chance that the plant can come back. When we release and/or fulfill old karma, we create a space for new things to happen.

Sign me up.

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Published June 20, 2007 by

Obstacles on the Path

According to Patanjali, there are quite a few obstacles towards reaching the promised nirvana of yoga. Sickness, apathy, doubt, heedlessness, sloth, (i love that one), dissipation, false vision, nonattainment, and instability.
The Buddhists speak of the three poisons…greed, aversion, and delusion.

Regardless of who you choose to listen to, the message is similar. Our human condition of wanting, worrying, and wondering clearly distracts us from the bliss of a higher consciousness.

What to do?

Just keep practicing.

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Patanjali