The Flood of Others' Words...

All the books, cd's, notebooks, workbooks, dvd's, post-its, blogs, websites. I am surrounded by so much literature to build me up as the Donald Trump of yoga. For years, I have been in conversation with such beautiful, powerful, intense people through their words, experiences, chants, ideas, and theories. I read them and highlighted, I listened and wrote. I stole everything I believed was of value and gently stacked away the rest, secretly knowing in a week, a month, a year I would be in another place, searching for another word, phrase, chant to hold on to, to guide me through the day...

I got home today craving a boost of inspiration, love, and peace from any of the words that flooded my studio. I closed the door, I frantically walked over to a book shelf of Deepak Chopra, Rumi, Patangali, and Yogananda. None of their creations were calling me. I turned to my stack of Paulo Coahlo, Stephan Covey, Debbie Ford, and Victor Frankle, again nothing. I was feeling a sense of panic, a sense of loneliness, fear of, "if I don't have my books, cd's, dvd's, etc. calling me, then who, what, how will I know what to do next?" I released myself from anxiety for a moment and looked at my alter. The beautiful, soulful, peaceful area that I created for these exact moments.

Enough with running to another bookstore, another yoga retreat, another detox session. They are all fabulous and beneficial, but once the book is completed, the yoga retreat is miles away, and the detox session is all cleaned up, I am usually left with beautiful memories and educational insights that I store away and hopefully remember to revert back when needed. But, I usually end up moving to the next trendy book, yoga retreat, and detox session of the year.

My mind, body, and soul were screaming for me to just sit and be. Stop with all the "books" and just enjoy the peace of closing my eyes and going with in.

Finally, I gave in. After a few internal arguments, some cursing, and fidgeting..my 20 minute meditation melted into pure peace and acceptance. As I slowly opened my eyes , I realized how full of "words" I am.




Simplest way to meditate:

There is a story that goes like this:

Once upon a time, a student went to a great sage to ask about the meaning of life and how to attain the direct experience of the Highest.
He asked his question, but the sage gave no answer. He just sat there.
Again, the student asked about how to find and fulfill the Purpose of life. Again, the sage just sat there.
The student tried different words, and appealed with great emotion. The sage just sat there, as before.
Finally, the student became frustrated, and blurted out, in an angry tone, "Why don't you answer me!"
The sage smiled, and said, "I have been answering you, but you were not listening. The answer you are looking for is to be found only in Silence."
To sit in stillness and silence for even a few minutes each day is a very useful thing to do.
May you find that silence which leads to Silence.
Story by: Swami Jnaneshvara

Live Like You Were Dying

New post on amyapplebaum.com. Life coaching for the female entrepreneur.

Our lives are full of routine. Some parts of the routine are enjoyable, like the first blissful sip of morning brew, kissing your lover good morning, and watching your favorite TV show after dinner. But, most routines come with an overwhelming feeling of boredom and stress. Throw in envy as well when your BFF tells you after she just got offered her dream job that she is going to treat herself to a yoga retreat in the Himalayas for her birthday. Your response to her constant spontaneous ideas is, “I live my life vicariously through you.”

Why?! If you have such a desire to pursue your dream job, or you have always wanted to go on a yoga retreat, or you think skydiving would be the ultimate high, why isn’t your Facebook page filled with albums of these experiences?

There are so many excuses: financial problems, too comfortable, too old… or is it just fear of the unknown? You will never make the wrong decision if your gut and your heart are filled with passion. I guarantee you, the minute you take that step forward, your dreams will turn into a reality. The universe will guide you. It is that simple.

Ask yourself again, “when was the last time you did something for the first time?” Hopefully tomorrow your response will be, “Yesterday!”

Certified yoga teacher Susan Singer recently moved back to La La Land from the City of Gold (Dubai) to embrace her dreams and the new phase of her life. Every pocket of free time is spent researching, freaking out, writing, crying, meditating, laughing, and self-doubting about her new business endeavor. She hopes her daily entrepreneurial experiences are an inspiration to her fellow fabulous females.

Osho...

A lesson:
"All great discoveries are found by amateurs." - Osho

It is good to attain a skill, but it is not good to settle with it forever. Whenever the feeling arises in you that now the thing is looking stale, change it. Invent something, add something new, delete something old. Again be free from the pattern - that means be free from skill - again become an amateur. It needs courage and guts, to become an amatuer again, but that's how life becomes beautiful.

Just one amazing lesson from the great Osho....

"Please don't try to understand me intellectually. I am not an intellectual, in fact I am anti-intellectual. I am not a philosopher, I am very anti-philosophic. Try to comprehend me. Listen silently with no inner chattering, with no inner talk, without evaluating. I am not saying believe what I say, I am not saying accept what I say. I am saying there is no need to be in a hurry to accept or reject. First at least listen - why be in such a hurry? When you see a roseflower, do you accept or reject it? When you see a beautiful sunset, do you accept or reject it? You simply see it, and in that very seeing is a meeting. If what I am saying has anything of truth in it, it will be understood by your heart. But the mind has to give way. And then you will not need to change your life according to it, it will be changed of its own accord."
Osho

If you are not famalier who Osho is, click on this link below and dive into a rare, but spiritual cool divine being.

http://www.osho.com/Main.cfm?Area=Shop&Language=English

Vedic Astrology News for August

On August 1, 2010 the planet Venus enters the sign of Virgo, its sign of debility, until August 31, 2010. Venus will join Saturn and Mars, as these three planets now travel together through the sign of Virgo this month. The debility of Venus, a benefic planet, means that the planet may not be able to express all its positive energies now, and will have some challenge protecting itself as its

Venus in Virgo, in her quest for perfectionism, can create a more critical attitude with those we love, as we are inclined to analyze love more than appreciate the love we have. With the added energies of Saturn and Mars, we may not understand our loved ones' motivations or needs, or feel out of synch somehow. The Saturn aspect with Venus may give some delay or restriction, while the Mars influence can create passion, action, or conflict. This is a good month to focus on spiritual love, be unpretentious with others, and be helpful and of service in some meaningful way. Let this Venus in Virgo desire for perfection and purity help you to improve your own personal expression of love. Focus daily on creating harmony and peace.

On August 28th and 29th, Venus will be at 27 degrees Virgo, its exact degree of debility. So the last week of August presents a wonderful opportunity to practice increased integrity and heightened sensitivity in all your relationships.

Also this month, Mercury turns retrograde for the second time this year, on August 20, 2010, going direct on September 12, 2010. As Mercury rules communications of all types, be extra clear with speech and what you put in writing. Use this time to review and revise any future plans or projects to activate once Mercury goes direct after September 12. The Mercury retrograde period is a great time for deep reflection and meditation practices.

Debra Infante, Vedic astrologer, can be reached at (928) 639-0623 for astrological consultations, either in person or by phone.