In reviewing Chapter Five in The Living Gita: The Complete Bhagavad Gita, I ran across Sloka 23 and I wanted to share my thoughts."While still in a human body, if you can stand fast amid the forces of desire and anger, then surely you are a yogi destined for happiness."
This sloka speaks of persistence and reminds me of the fourth month of a teacher training program and how this month is typically the toughest one. This month requires great discipline and patience. But this sloka says it all. Stand strong and stable amid these challenging times. This month tends to be overwhelming. Your desires to run from this discipline may be stronger. Anger and many other emotions may even appear. But as the Gita suggests - Stand firm this month, keep your mind calm and joyful, equalize your breath and do not be distracted by external things. If you can do this - " you surely are a yogi destined for happiness!!"
We have an exciting month coming up! Keep your head up! You are doing great!
In Joy and Support,
Vicki
In keeping with the "while in a human body" theme...
ReplyDeleteI told y'all that I would let you know, so here is the final word on the "story" of my foot trouble.
I did see a doctor and he took a culture, which came back negative for any bacterial growth. This is good because it means it wasn't staph or anything scary. Doc's best guess is a spider bite (Mary Michael, you were right) and besides the venom there was probably some infection. Prescribed a few different antibiotics just in case. So, the swelling is completely gone, and the sores seem to be healing quite nicely. However, I had an allergic reaction to one of the meds, so I am now walking around with a rather unsightly rash covering most of my body. Thankfully, God gave me a sense of humor; every time I catch a glimpse of it, I laugh, and say to Him, "yes, I know - I need to appreciate every single thing about this body." Nothing like complete malfunction to remind one of that!
Sometime very soon I will be back to "normal." When I opened the blog to check the new post, I loved that the first thing I was given was a big "Hang in there, baby!" Thanks Vicki!!
Hope everyone is having a great month!
Well, I have been so busy and i just now checked the blog in Oct...I wish I would've read this on the 1st and maybe it would have helped me with some insight. Alas, we are all exactly where we need to be and when we need things the most they come to us. Presently I am fighting back a rush of tears and near sob fest because of a number of things including a friendship that seems to be crumbling before my eyes. My stubbornness wont is hard to let go of.....This month is a GREAT challenge. Its like everything is settling in and my old habit of wanting to run from the pain is rising up around me like flood waters. Can I really do this? Can I really be who I want to be?? It seems like conflict between the Big and little I is at the peak of battle. I havent drank, but I have missed some practice time due to my bff visiting and giving up practice time to spend with her. My inlaws are visiting too and it seems when company is in town I feel guilty for going to a yoga class instead of spending time with them. But, now I feel like this. This is hard this month. VERY hard for me. I have been angry, SAD, and lustful(believe it or not one of the hardest things for me to control)Ive been pulled in a million directions. Im trying to be the eye of the storm. I need this weekend so desperately. Timing is perfect.Yoga citta vritti nirodha
ReplyDeleteJana....hang in there Baby! Today I sent an email to Vicki....I told her I was going to dis-continiue the Yoga TT because I feel like money and lack of effort and falling behind this past month was an excuse for me to quit. Well, to be honest I have fallen behind and money is still an issue. What is wriong with me? Yoga really is my passion and when I am with you girls and at the Yoga TT I feel like a better person and I feel a sense of peace all around me. Too be honest, I have not been reading, have not been practicing...instead, I have been drowning in long hours of a new job, new trainings, new challenges, and on top of it all my in-laws are here from Germany.
ReplyDeleteWhat shall I do? These past two months have been extremely hard for me. I feel conflicted, and at this very moment don't what to do. I do know, that I miss all of you....oh, so, so much!
Mary
The yogis figured out in ancient times that “when the breath wanders, i.e. it is irregular, the mind is also unsteady, but when the breath is still, so is the mind, and the yogi lives long. So one should restrain the breath.” (Hatha Yoga Pradipika).
ReplyDelete“Bring your mind and breath under control…..and you will attain the unitive state.”
Have a nice Friday everyone!
Olga