Mary Oliver's Council

"You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves." -Mary Oliver " ... My son does this as easily as breathing, while I struggle with it most of the time and every once in a while experience it as unbidden grace. I look at him as my teacher in this way. Also, I take my own mothering instincts as teachers. I look upon his body and my mother's heart loves it and marvels at it. So I turn this same quality of vision on my own body, my own yard and home, on the Earth, and I love them and marvel at them in the same way. They are equally holy and beloved."

from Nature & the Human Soul, Bill Plotkin

An Essential Part of the Whole

From my perspective, class was a little .. wonky today. We had sideways snow, and after finally upgrading my Pandora account, it wouldn't work, then iTunes on the computer wouldn't work and finally, the speakers subtly went in and out with use of the cd player - I abandoned music about half way through. I was distracted, but determined and dear student friends - you were all amazing - focused, present, and flexible in response to my somewhat distracted requests. We continued exploring the theme dharma. What is your purpose?

The root of the worddharma is dri which means "to support" or "to hold up." In it's largest context, dharma is the unseen and limitless web of intelligence that sustains and supports both the universe as a whole and each individual creation within it ... Dharma supports you, as an individual, in your role as an essential part of the whole ... We each have a unique role to play in the service of sustaining and advancing the whole of which we are a part ... Dharma is the compelling force in each of us that longs to thrive, to become who we were meant to be.

- Rod Stryker

Resolve to evolve

From an article by Catherine Guthrie, www.yogajournal.com

POSITIVE POWER A Sanskrit word, sankalpa means "will, purpose, or determination." To make a sankalpa is to set an intention—it's like a New Year's resolution with a yogic twist. While a resolution often zeros in on a perceived negative aspect of ourselves (as in, "I want to lose weight, so no more chocolate chip cookies or ice cream or cheese"), a sankalpa explores what's behind the thought or feeling ("I crave chocolate chip cookies or ice cream or cheese when I'm feeling stressed or sad. I will set an intention to become conscious of this craving and allow my feelings to arise and pass, rather than fill up on fats").

EFFORT COUNTS A sankalpa also praises the nobility of the effort rather than focusing on what you are doing wrong. "New Year's resolutions leave me feeling guilty and mad at myself for not keeping them," says Wendy McClellan, a yoga teacher in Louisville, Kentucky. So, last year, in a conscious effort to reject the resolution rut, she taught a special New Year's Eve yoga class and encouraged students to look back and let go. Her intention, or sankalpa? To open her heart to new possibilities. "An intention has much more of a global sense than a resolution," she says. "It helps me be softer with myself." With a sankalpa, the self-loathing that comes from dwelling on past transgressions can begin to dissolve. In its place is an exercise in effort and surrender—create an intention and open yourself to the universe.

Sankalpa Setting LOOK INWARD For several days, set aside time to write in a journal and meditate. Mull over your typical resolutions. How do they make you feel? Anxious? Unsettled? Incomplete? Now contemplate how you would like to feel during the coming year. Is there any way you can reframe your results-oriented resolutions into something that will make this year's journey more joyful and worthwhile?

REPHRASE IT Create a short sentence or phrase for your sankalpa. Be careful not to set limitations based on fear. For example, instead of "May life bring me only happiness and joy this year" consider "May I be happy and open to what life brings me."

BE FIRM BUT FAIR Change doesn't happen overnight. When you stray from the essence of your sankalpa, don't berate yourself. Instead, gently remind yourself of your intention. But be firm in your resolve—it's a good idea to incorporate your sankalpa into yoru daily routine. Use it as a mantra during pranayama or meditation practice; post it on your computer, phone, or mirror; or simply say it to yourself quietly before going to sleep. —C.G

Dharma Code

Today in Lunch Hour Flow, we conclude our last day of a month long exploration of dharma or purpose, with the assistance of the book The 4 Desires by Rod Stryker. Rod lays out the importance of creating a Dharma Code - "your soul's driving reason for being" ... This is something we must uncover in ourselves, according to the Vedas, this has been hardwired in us since the beginning of time. And by uncovering it and connecting to our "life's purpose, we gather the forces of Nature in the same way a seed does when it starts to germinate." To help discover our Dharma Code, we can ask ourselves, "What values, principles, or deep sense of purpose do you want your life to have exemplified?"

Here I have laid out an exercise, modified from the book, to help create a Dharma Code.

Step 1 Imagine yourself celebrating a significant birthday near the end of your life ... what would you like look like if you lived "mightily" - if you invested all of yourself?

Step 2 Then imagine 4 individuals who might pay tribute to all of you have accomplished. They will talk about: things your overcame (internal & external), patterns, life lessons, philsophy, values, relationships and accomplishments. Each speaking on the topic of each desire, dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Dharma How do you contribute to the world? What actions/intentions contributed the most meaning? What were the results of following your heart? How did you life ripple out and benefit others? Artha What does success look like? What state of health and other means do you have? Kama How do your actions/thoughts bring joy? How do you celebrate life? What role does art, Nature, play, the things of senses, family, etc. play in your life? Moksha How would you describe your spiritual evolution - freedom, fearlessness, awareness, closeness to God? How have you achieved freedom from anger, grief, insecurity, anxiety, etc. How comfortable are you will yourself and your Creator.

Write in the voice of 4 different people - one for each area. Have each describe each area as if you lived your best possible life? Write for 15min - 1 hour in each area.

Step 3 Read through, reflect and highlight words/phrases that are compelling to you?

Step 4 Which words/phrases are most compelling? Which words express vital thems? Which words energize you? Which do you genuinely aspire to?  Circle these and write them all down.

Your dharma code must be evocative, it must speak to you, motivate you, compel and inspire you. It must be strong enough to compel you through fear and doubt.

From the circled words, create your dharma code in present tense. Your dharma code must be clear and practical, a call to act, a source of guidance, a guide to meet challenges.

For more on this, please check out the book, The 4 Desires, by Rod Stryker (www.parayoga.com)

Dharma

This month, we are exploring the theme Dharma.

Dharma, is the drive to fulfill your potential; it is the inherent drive of every being to thrive. Dharma is also the impulse toward altruism, the inner longing, known or unknown of every individual to add his or her unique luster to the gem of creation ...the inherent drive or desire for dharma is to fully realize everything that we are capable of and, in doing so, positively affect the world....

- Rod Stryker For more information on The Four Desires visit www.rodstryker.com

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