Return from the land of the lotus

A couple of weeks ago after a stressful summer of house hunting, I decided I would go on retreat to Padma Samye Ling Retreat Center and Monastery (Inconceivable Lotus Land) which is located in Delaware County in upstate New York. Set near the top of a mountain in the western region of the Catskill mountains, the outstanding facilities are contained within five hundred acres of forests, meadows, and natural springs. This is the first time I went to the Shedra retreat which means "place of learning." It has been 3 years since I have been back to the land. I used to go frequently when I lived in Chicago. It was easy to drive up with my friend Dawn and there were times we would drive up 6 times in a year!

This Shedra was a particular study of our inner universe of our channels, winds, and essence elements according to Anuyoga Tantras. This was intensive study based on teachings of great masters of Vajrayana Buddhism. Unlike summer retreats that I have attended this retreat had 2 teaching periods where we would learn ancient Buddhist practices. I really enjoyed the extra time learning from my beloved teachers. They are so knowledgable and filled with love and compassion. I also enjoy connecting with sangha (like-minded practitioners) and sharing experiences.

What I find most beneficial is being in this beautiful natural setting and learning how to relax with special meditation techniques I can bring home to practice so that I can benefit myself and others. I find that going on retreats is much more relaxing than going on a vacation sipping margaritas and I am aware that the happy feelings last much longer.

If you would like to know more about Padmasambhava Buddhist Centers or support by contributing to many of their ongoing projects, please visit: www.padmasambhava.org

May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness.

To the land of the lotus. Time for Retreat.

Hey, We are 'Branching Out'

Wow!  That was so exciting to be interactive with all you listeners and viewers tonight on Spirit Jump's live podcast (see wafs.tv on Tuesday eves from 7-9p.m.).  Last time I checked, we drew 890 visitors (not bad for our first visit).

The subject:  Healing with CranioSacral Therapy.  We opened the 'cast explaining what CranioSacral Therapy is and how it works.  I mentioned the work I do with the Sari Asher Center for Integrative Cancer Care.  Then, Meaghan talked about her personal experience with me in her first CST session and how it helped her to feel lighter and an overall sense of well-being.  Questions were coming in from the chatroom, like "is it good for pre-surgery," and "cluster headaches," and "vertigo."  Then, we took questions from callers, going over things like how to find the right CranioSacral Therapist for you, and also my three-step meditation to assist one caller with their anxiety.

I appreciate Meaghan for inviting me to come on the show, so it can help me educate others in how to heal and enrich the lives of those who suffer from cancer and other dis-eases.  You know, uneasiness creates dis-easiness.  Please stay well tuned because soon Shade Tree Yoga and Wellness has some exciting seeds to plant.

May all beings be free from sickness and the cause of sickness.  May all beings be happy and free!

Please visit our new website:  www.shadetreeyoga.com

BIG LOVE

Whoops!  I must correct what I wrote on January 1.

I wrote that post from the top of my head and just stumbled across Buddha's quote like this:

The thought manifests the word.

The word manifests the deed.

The deed develops into habit.

The habit hardens into character. 

So watch the thought and its ways with care,

and let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings.

I like this way better.  Especially the last line which basically is speaking about bodhicitta.

Bodhicitta has many meanings but simply put it is about having an awakened heart.   The motivation to watch our thoughts with care, love and concern for all beings is the practice.  It is the aspiration to care for oneself and others unconditionally.  Much like a mother's love.   There are two types of bodhicitta according to the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism.

Relative bodhicitta is where the practitioner works for the good of all beings as if it where his/her own.  Absolute bodhicitta relates to wisdom, openess and spaciousness.  The aspiration is loosening the ego and becoming free from attachments of self and the acceptance of life as it is.   So according to Wikipedia, the term bodhicitta, in its most complete sense, would combine both:  

*The arising of spontaneous and limitless compassion for all sentient beings and

*The falling away of the attachment to the illusion of an inheirently existant self. 

What an aspiration!  This could take years or many lifetimes.  One thing I know is that if you start right now, little by little, love drop by love drop, practice in this moment, moment by moment, breath by breath, relaxing with life as it is, be in your own naked awareness, you will connect deeply with your own intrinsic nature.  It is your true nature to love and be loving.  All else is an illusion.  So go ahead notice your thoughts, connect with your heart and Make Love Big.  

Pure Potentiality

Veiw from Mount Batur, Bali

I love New Years Day. It is most likely one of my favorite days in the year. It reminds me of what happens after a hurricane here in Florida. Hurricane holiday comes blowing through then the calm of New Years Day brings an opportunity for a fresh new start. New Years resolutions can be a great time to change habit patterns and create new ones. But why do so many of us struggle with this? I feel compelled to share Buddha's words of wisdom:

The thought turns into the word,
The speech turns into action,
The action turns into to habit,
The habit hardens into character,
So watch your thoughts for the good of all beings.

Sounds simple right?  It is, if we are gentle with ourselves and bring awareness one breath at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time refocusing again and again.  Gentle persistence. This becomes the path, the journey of shape-shifting your ordinary life into an extraordinary life,  just by shining the light of awareness here, now, in this moment, pregnant with infinite possibility.  Which thoughts do you want to nourish?

Find Your Inner Guru

"Find Your Inner Guru" Yoga Retreat in Bali, Indonesia
Jun 1, 2009 - Jun 11, 2009
Asia
561.714.6131
www.exoticyogaretreat.com
aummm@mac.com
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Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, the smell of frangipani, the sounds of distant gamelan, and the generosity of the Balinese people. Discover and Liberate your own true inner-self.

Your retreat experience includes...
Airport transfers (you will be met personally by Patrick)
Balinese Spa Treatments
10 night accommodation with gourmet breakfast (optional vegan menu)
Daily Active Yoga and Meditation Dinner at a private home in the silver village
Morning yoga on ocean
Holy water blessing
Balinese cooking lesson
Kecak dance
Farewell dinner in Ubud

Other features of Bali include surfing, volcano hike, monkeys, elephants, birds, dogs, the coffee, white water rafting, mountain biking, gardens, forests, and so much more.

This is the adventure vacation retreat of a lifetime!
Receive a $200 DISCOUNT if registered by Febuary 28, 2009.
Space is limited.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Exotic Yoga Retreat Treat: Eye Candy

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

Welcome to our new blog.
We are so excited to share a little teaser of our dvd experience from Bali In July. Eric & I have been geeking away in front of the computer with so many projects under way we can't wait to share with you. Check it out! Share this with others :)





Stay tuned for the full DVD experience as well as other extra-ordinary co-creations.