In some yoga traditions it is customary to set intentions at the first of class. This week the intention for my classes has been Faith. I'm not teaching a religion or advocating a particular theology, but rather focusing on the secular aspects.
FEAR is the earnest expectation of something bad happening, and FAITH is the earnest expectation of something good or desireable happening. We have a choice on what we concentrate on. Both good and bad (the definitition will vary according to your viewpoint) happen simultaneously. We don't always have a choice about our circumstances, but we do have a choice about our focus. I invite you today to focus on FAITH, believing in yourself and your path, that good things are coming your way.
And now for the blatant plug - my new website is up, however it is not yet complete. Check it out if you get a chance at www.guyyoga.com.
I like your lesson for the day. I figure I am a bizzare mix of the two. I am doing more public speaking events and appearances now then ever, and I tend to stress out about it before the events take place, but I also have confidence that they will turn out fine because I have been doing it so long that I my expectation is based on experience. So where does that put me? I still have the fear. I don't know that I can free myself of it. But I don't let it stop me from moving forward, because I have faith that I will overcome my personal obstacle of fear.
Once I have gotten a big event behind me I am on a high for a day or two, unless my week has several in one week like last week. I had to do two events with the Governor, which means that I really don't want to screw up because there is more at stake. They went over great, but all week long up to the last event, my stomach was all tied up in knots. I finally recovered from that one and I just found out that I have to emcee a big race this weekend, back to the knots. I have no idea why... This is one of those no-brainer things where I just stand on a stage and mess with the audience a little, then thank the sponsors and hand out awards. I also have a lot of fear with regards to finances. Jeez... If I feel this way, why the hell am I an entrepreneur?
I guess that the final answer is that I do have faith in myself, and that if I just keep pushing and moving forward everthing will somehow work itself out and turn out fine. Faith is the only thing that keeps me going, but it is against a constantly rising tide of fear.
I guess this is where you step in with advice about meditation. I am like a guy who eats McDonald's every day and knows its bad for me, but still asks trainers, "what do I need to do to lose some of this weight?" Many of us already know that answers to the questions we pose. I guess we just want to hear people tell us what we already know, but want to continue to be in denial that we possess this knowledge until someone we consider to be an authority tells the same thing to us. Quit eating at McDonald's, you dork! Or in my case, "JP, DUUUUH! Meditate, you dork!
Thanks for taking a few minutes and looking at my site. Since Steinway was mentioned, please indulge me a moment of proud reflection. I had him ten years, and he was a brilliant animal. He responded to more than fifty words, as well as complex commands. He also knew and responded to hand signals and facial expressions! (oops, did someone get hit in the eye with the button that just popped off my shirt?)
SO... when I went through my season of grief at his passing, it was tempered with the warmth of his memory and the joy of our ten years together.
'Howdy from Yogaville' was my creation after taking a photo of a teacher friend of mine. She is an excellent example of how the practice of yoga can keep you supple and healthy. (among other things!)
JP - I'm glad to catch up a bit on your activities. I've been out of the loop for a while working on the website and other projects. When tension takes over, return to the breath! Remember it's the first connection between the mind and the body, and the first defence against the stress response. Long slow inhales and long slow exhales. B r e a t h e !
Linear Mode
