MODERATION IN ALL THINGS

Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras are at a codified spiritual path written down between 500-200 BC.  That's a long time ago!  Yet, they resonate today and the truths contained within them seem timeless.  What does change, as always, are how they are interpreted.  Just as with any revered teaching, as time goes on human interpretation may change, re-define, or update the meaning as language changes and as we learn more about the subject.

For example, the Yama (or "restraint") which begin the Sutras has as one of its number, Brahmacharya. While the literal interpretation from the Sanskrit means "walk with God", it has also been translated as "chastity",  and "continence".  This Yama came to be associated with sexuality and to practice Brahmacharaya, meant to practice celibacy.  According to the source I am using for this discussion, the much loved and much read book at Yoga Circle Studio -- Meditations from the Mat -- the word is more accurately a call to temperance or moderation.  Moderation in ALL things -- sex, yes, but also food, drink, money, possessions, work -- anything that taken to excess causes us harm.

So, if even those things that seem "good" can be overdone, I thought of Brahmacharya as I watched my husband dismantle a dangerously ready-to-topple old outdoor fireplace on our property.  He'd decided to take it apart boulder by boulder and move them to the front of the house to repurpose as a rock wall around a new patio space.  This meant moving an estimated 5000 pounds of old rock, then preparing the space with 5000 pounds of fine gravel and carrying another 2750 pounds of flagstone -- all of it up the long front staircase to the worksite.

As I write, he is leveling the flagstone and filling the cracks with sand.  He's been at this job for 2-1/2 weeks.  I'm watching my 67 year old Super Man in amazement, and also noting that with age comes wisdom.  He used to tackle projects like this with a single-minded fervor and a blinders-on goal directness that would have guaranteed he'd be done with it in short order and ready to move on to the next project.  But now I note the back brace he wears, the slow, steady steps, the deliberate consideration of how many rocks to carry at a time and the many breaks for hydration and rest.  He also has taken days off for time with grandkids, a long weekend trip with the family, time with friends, and more relaxing gardening chores.  He works about 6 hours a day, not the 10-12 he would have put in on things like this in the past.

I watch him practicing Brahmacharaya.  Moderation.  I am reminded that the lessons of Yoga go far beyond the studio and way off the mat.  In all we do, the ancient wisdom of self-care is there for us to utilize in order to live a life of meaning, health, and spirit.

Looking forward to a tall glass of sun tea on that new patio, giving thanks for the many acts of slow and steady, one rock at a time, moderately paced labor that my husband employed to create a beautiful respite space for us.  Come on by...I'll pour a glass for you too, as we all practice Brahmacarya in our busy lives.

Namaste,   donnajurene

SHANTALA MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

A Friday morning.  Three hundred and twenty miles ahead of us.  Stuck in traffic.  And more traffic.  And crazy, impatient drivers who cut in and out of lanes with barely inches to spare between the vehicle in front or behind them.  People!  Chill out!

We were headed to our annual few days retreat at Breitenbush Hot Springs in Oregon.  It is a place of great spirit, such beauty, and the quiet of nature that is all encompassing, only interrupted by the rushing Breitenbush River and frog song at night.

The intentional community of Breitenbush is owned and operated by its inhabitants, providing a year round calendar of programs and workshops, rustic but comfortable accommodations, and organic homemade creative healthy meals three times a day, so bountiful it is impossible to get hungry in between.  Also those hot springs -- bubbling up into pools that soothe the weary muscles of a weary I-5 traveler.

Our reason for going this year, same as last, was to spend three days with Shantala, the duo of  Benjy and Heather Wertheimer who sing sacred chant, lead Kirtan, and dazzle with musicianship extraordinaire.  Joined this year by an outstanding musician in his own right, Sean Frenette, and yoga led by Seattle's Elizabeth Rainey, we knew we were in for a welcome respite from the tensions of the "real world".

The weather was cooler than expected, but still lovely.  Flowers bloomed, hiking trails beckoned, the soaking pools especially welcome.  Our two daily sessions with Benjy and Heather were filled with sharing, music, meditation, and grounding into a place of peace and calm.  Morning yoga helped get our bodies moving in ways that honored our individual needs and prompted us to be gentle with expectations and outcomes, accepting and loving our unique "earth skins".

We stayed two days beyond our workshop with Shantala to continue to soak in the Breitenbush magic, then it was back on I-5 again for the trek home.  We timed it mid-day, mid-week, so it wasn't quite so bad, but still noted aggression on the highways.  It's a wonder there are not more accidents and road rage incidents!  Everyone really should take a Breitenbush break to find out what is truly important -- and it's not speeding to any destination faster than everyone else!

So, do you wish you could get a taste of what we had?  YOU CAN!  And absolutely NO long road trip (if you live close to Yoga Circle).  Shantala is coming to AngelArmsWorks in Snohomish on June 25th.  Visit the Yoga Circle Studio website for more information under "workshops" or click here: http://www.yogacirclestudio.com/events/  You will be enveloped in love, beautiful music, sacred song, and a sense of peace you may be craving.   It's a rare opportunity to have these folks in our community.  Come!

Namaste,   donnajurene

PS.  What's Kirtan?  Here's a link to a previous blog post. http://circlingthemat.blogspot.com/2015/12/make-joyful-noise.html

Benjy and Heather offer a great introduction to the practice and even if chanting isn't your thing, they weave in more instrumental music than many Kirtan artists do, so you can sit back and drink in the soothing, mysterious sounds they create with their variety of unusual instruments. Try it.