liberation

By finding ways to collaborate and reach common goals-to support each other instead of competing for advantages-we free one another. Part of activism is in assisting one another to become liberated so that we can be more effective in our actions. This is a question conscious activists might ask themselves: "To what degree may I need to liberation my inner self from the very tyranny I fight in the world? 

We don't want to forests to be destroyed, but we get our food to go and drink our coffee out of paper cups. Its an illusion to think that we aren't as deeply embedded in the problem as we are in the solution. In order for us to evolved as a community I think we activists need to see just how deeply entrenched we are.  

-Aaron Kipnis

charter for compassion

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect. It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

the law of giving

The universe operates through dynamic exchange .. giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives. We lack nothing because our essential nature is one of pure potentiality and infinite possibilities .. Consciousness knows how to fulfill every need, including joy, love, laughter, peace, harmony, and knowledge. If you seek these things first, not only for yourself, but for others - all else will come to you spontaneously.

the law of pure potential

Align with the power that manifests everything in the universe. When you discover your essential nature (pure joy, bliss, simplicity, balance, silence) and know who you really are, in that knowing itself is the ability to fulfill any dream you have. Your internal reference point is our own spirit, not the objects of our experience. Your true self is immune to criticism, un-fearful of any challenges and it feels beneath no one. And yet it is also humble and feels superior to no one, because it recognizes that everyone else I the same Self. Self-power draws people to you and it also draws things that you want to you. It magnetizes people, situations and circumstances to support your desires.

Support that comes from: Nature, Divinity, Grace, bonds with people that come from True Love.

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our future

Nate shared this quote with me while we were at Back Porch this morning and it is so applicable to now and so applicable to our work through MYC. This week in asana practice, I would like to encourage you to keep the below mindset, whether you have been practice for years or days, it doesn't matter. Its the same. Look at the way you show up on the mat, look at how you treat your self, measure your joy and your ability to focus and stay present, what triggers you? What could you do to find balance? "The conversation is not so much about the future for the community, but is the future itself. A parallel way to think of this is to consider the meaning of a yoga practice. Anyone beginning yoga struggles with the postures and cannot help but feel inadequate, have doubts about their body, and think the purpose of the practice is the core strength & flexibility it produces, or not. We are told - and sometimes get - that even the way we breathe can be a pathway to a better life.

All this is true, but the larger insight, the meta-goal, is to realize that "how you do the (yoga on the) mat is how you do your life." That the practice of yoga itself is life. Creating good postures, breathing, and flexibility are simply fringe benefits. Its is your way of doing the practice itself that is the breakthrough, not some future moment in which a better state of being is accomplished. This way there is nothing to wait for, no future of objective measure of accomplishment to be attained.

The same with certain conversations. Holding them in a restorative context - one of possibility, generosity, and gifts, in relationship with others - is as much the transformation as any place that those conversations might lead you. The right small group conversation releases aliveness and intention into the community. This creates the condition where the symptoms and fragmentation and breakdown can be healed. It is only within this context and communal aliveness that our skill at problem solving will make the difference." 

-Community: the Structure of Belonging, Peter Block

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classes | see schedule private sessions | contact yogakatbend@mac.com upcoming special classes | workshops | events >for details or to register  VasuDeva | Friday Jan 29 | 7-9pm @Bend Yoga VasuDeva Shivaratri Celebration | Friday Feb 12 | 6-late @MYC Yoga in Action: Experiencing Interconnection  with Aleta Raphel-Brock, Lucius Wheeler & Kat Seltzer Saturday Feb 13 | 10am-12pm @Bend Yoga  Living Yoga Teacher Training – 200hr Yoga Alliance Certification April – Sept 2010 Rhythm of Life Nicaragua Retreat with Kat Seltzer & friends May 21-27, 2011