The Nature of Yoga

The Nature of Yoga.

 

This is the teaching of yoga.

Yoga is the cessation of the turnings of thought.

When thought ceases, the spirit stands in its true identity as observer to the world.

Otherwise, the observer identifies with the turnings of thought.

 

These are four aphorisms which define the nature of yoga as a state of mental tranquility and spiritual freedom, as well as the means to achieve this state.

 

The Turnings of Thought.

 

The turnings of thought, whether corrupted or immune to the forces of corruption, are of five kinds.

They are valid judgement, error, conceptualization, sleep and memory.

The valid means of judgment are direct perception, inference, and verbal testimony.

Error is false knowledge with no objective basis.  

Conceptualization comes from words devoid of substance.

Sleep is the turning of thought abstracted from existence.

Memory is the recollection of objects one has experienced.

(in learning about corruption, even the most subtle and benign workings of thought are obstructions to freedom of the spirit).

 

The Sanskrit term for cessation of the turnings of thought are 'citta-vrtti-nirodha'

 

The goal of yoga is to stop the thought processes so that the spirit can be free, isolated from the turmoil of thought from which it mistakenly takes its identity.

 

The Bhagavad Gita echos this idea when Krishna says of the yogi, "He should gradually become tranquil, firmly controlling his understanding; focusing his mind on the self, he should think nothing". (6.25)

 

The cessation of the turnings of thought comes through practice and dispassion. (we'll explore this more in our next series to come, breathe in this idea for now).

Life is your Teacher

"Life itself is your teacher, So follow in your own footsteps! LEAD the way into and through your life,  rather than cling to the old, past, stale habits that no longer serve you, set forth a new path with joy! Let your new steps lead you to the joy you deserve. Manifest your hearts desire and rejoice in it!" You could look at my life and say to yourself, wow! That woman has had a lot of experiences and changes! This is no doubt true on every level. I have lived a life most people do not. I modeled at stores for years as a mannequin model, for covers of Buick, in fashion shows, newspapers and more. I even entered a beauty pageant but found myself helping others try to win and be better people and was more nervous about my own journey there. I was the National and Canadian Anthem singer for Nascar racing at Michigan and Pennsylvania tracks for 10 years and when I retired, I rode in a pace car and was given a sapphire and diamond necklace and earrings to commemorate the time I spent there (since I also worked in the media center and ran a program for kids with (dis)abilities to go on the track for a ride, meet the drivers and have lunch in the garages.) I have been married twice and both experiences were completely different. I do not regret either of them, even though the first one was extremely physically abusive. I do not have kids so that in and of itself is very different than many. I have held so many different types of jobs, gone to school for many subjects and in my words,  have had life experiences that were so transforming (like almost dying twice from crohn's disease) that there is no turning back. I am moved, changed, transformed and I feel so educated from my life experiences. I may be wayyyy out of the norm from most people however, I work with a lot of children, people, and life experiences today so I am not without 'family'. My birth family live in Michigan however I find myself quite happy about living here and visiting there. Sure I miss them deeply however, metaphysics, life and science/universe have taught me about non-attachment and living the life I believe God/Spirit/Love wants me to live, which means also to continue to teach, grow and learn; then share it. So those of you who fear change, forget that word and change it to TRANSFORM! Remember these words from Eckhart Tolle; "The past cannot prevail against the power of now". Live a life that is truly YOURS and CHOOSE to share it while continuing to grow. Namaste'

Open Your Heart

Last night our beautiful earth decided to show us a wondrous display of an evening sky by being highlighted in swipes of reds, purples and blues. This is why i love to hang out in my bedroom in bed; my space is high above the other townhouses and homes and i see out into the open western sky over the treetops. We call it the setting sun but in actuality it is the earth rotating and that amazes me! I am really beginning to feel the light changing in the morning and the evening as it comes sooner and lasts longer. The sun and light DOES have an amazing energy that ignites us all! It is empowering and uplifting. I have been to some of the most amazing places to watch the sun arise and set; some even on the Pittsburgh Post's Gazettes Top 10 List. I find sitting and watching the light appear or disappear (for me) to be one of the most quieting and meditative experiences. Just for the hope and possibility of seeing another sun'rise' or sun'set' is my motivation to feel blessed in this lifetime. That sky last night continued to transform into different shapes and swipes of color as if a paintbrush came and continued to paint the canvas. It is a peaceful feeling to know as well that the sky I am seeing is most likely similar to the sky that my family and friends in other places may be seeing (if they are looking). We so easily get caught up in our lives and our world with that which is directly in front of us, most of the time a sort of 'routine' of our life and yet when we 'allow' ourselves to expand our own horizons beyond that which we see right in front of us, our hearts can be opened and unified to something greater than limitations we may have in that very moment. This is the week to open your heart more, that's what Valentine's Day means for me. I'm not into buying a card however i will make one. I will tell everyone i love them, i will make my sweetie a delicious dinner and sweet treat and i will allow Valentines' Day to be the day of expressing from my heart rather than getting all stuck in my head. It is important for us to give ourselves a gift or two as well, perhaps to watch a setting sun, to write about my gratitudes for the week in a journal, perhaps the gift of more time (hopefully on your yoga mat) and perhaps time to reflect (as i do when watching the sun 'set') reflect on what is meaningful and have more of it in my life.  We can stop spending time on useless things (surfing the net, watching tv,) and give yourself 10 minutes of ahh... Then there is the 'stuff' in your house blocking your space for.....SPACE/AIR/BREATH. That is what the vast open sky at sunset and sunrise remind me of, open space to breath and rid oneself of dustbunnies and cobwebs (in the body and mind but in the home and car too). Valentine's Day is a great time to remember 'Acceptance of oneself' which means you may have to forgive yourself of something and/or give yourself permission to be happy. We are so busy worrying about what others think of us or if our actions affected someone and yet, each of us was given this life to live and though we choose to 'share' it with others we still need to tend to our 'garden of the heart' and live the life that is within us as God/Spirit/Love intended. And only YOU know what that is for yourself because only YOU know what you are passionate about and what is meaningful to you. Hopefully you chose a partner that will walk that path with you and if not, that is ok. It is a big beautiful universe and you are meant to honor your Self. Accept 'what you have done and what you want to do'. You get this one opportunity (that i know of) to walk YOUR path, to love YOUR life and to open your heart, share your love, give yourself love by living the life you dream of and pausing to enjoy the sunrise or sunset or even to smell the roses. This is what a beautiful sky at night, with all of its colors and all of its lessons remind me of. This too is what Valentine's Day means to me, so no, you don't have to get all caught up in the Hallmark tradition. Make your own and use this time to connect to your heart center so that you too can connect to others.  

 

Lesli Kotloski

Snow Days

DO NOT PANIC! Todays media would have us thinking that a few inches of snow is reason to go stock up our fridge, pantry and lives with more stuff, stuff and stuff! I bet i could walk into each one of your homes and find PLENTY to get you by for over a week! The media wants to prepare you which is nice, but think of the old days when the pioneers didn't have the news to rely on and when the snow fell and covered the land, "they made do". It brought their family closer together. We could all learn from them on how to live more 'simply'. Why do i need 50 rolls of toilet paper or 50 loaves of bread? Did you ever hear of baking? Kids today only know how to live with the toys and energy that you provide for them.  Do they know how to 'survive' in a world with less? Wouldn't it be ok if your stomach felt a bit empty? Or you had so much time on your hands but only so much daylight to do it in?  I'm not sure if the media is in cahoots with the grocery stores (to sell more), or/and they only like to create FEAR. As if most of us don't have enough fears already in this crazy world, for ourselves and our children.

 

I say take the opportunity for snow days to gear down. Off with the tv, play a radio with batteries if you must.  Read a book, go out and play, bake, color, do whatever you love to do with now, the time you always wish you had that you now have. Teach your children about playing board games and living more simply. Teach them survival skills. One of my girlfriends a few years ago on that really big snowstorm that put so many out of power for days said to me, I can't open my refrigerator so that i don't lose that energy or my food. REALLY? The outside air temperature is cold enough that you can put your food in bags or coolers and put it in your garage, your back porch or even outside!  

 

Burn some candles, those of you with gas stoves can use those to make some food. Did you ever hear of peanut butter and jelly?  

 

We can all survive on so much less if we let ourselves. We would learn to spend less, have more quality moments and have more time. We do not have to keep going out and buying/spending/wasting time, when all you need is right there already in the comfort of your home; safe and sound. Protected and surrounded by light and love of your family and  forget the computer/ipad/ipod/gameboy etc.  Learn to live in each moment surrounded by loved ones and the comfort and security of your home and the beautiful blanket of snow. Nature IS beauty, so do not let this opportunity go by and get out your sleds, your snowshoes and your camera. Remember, each snowflake is completely different, how amazing is that  Just like each one of us; each unique, divine and beautiful.  

 

Have a beautiful snowy day.

Namaste'

 

Lesli Kotloski

Renew Yourself

Having perspective is a great way to learn and grow. We have to evaluate things in our life to see how we feel and what is meaningful for us. We forget to do that sometimes as part of a way to continue to know ourselves. Sometimes it is if we wait until something is forcing us or making us to change or understand, and eventually but not without some struggles, we surrender.  And something amazing happens, we actually find that we are in better situations and feeling better about ourselves, and life is handing us wonderful new things we didn't know existed or were available to us.  So let me make these suggestions that I like that I got from a book by Brian Walker called Hua Hu Ching.

 

"In ancient times, people lived holistic lives.  They didn't overemphasize the intellect, but integrated mind, body, and spirit in all things.

 

This allowed them to become masters of knowledge rather than victims of concepts. If a new invention appeared, they looked for the troubles it might cause as well as the shortcuts it offered.  They valued old ways that had been proven effective, and they valued new ways if they could be proven effective.

 

If you want to stop being confused, then emulate these ancient folk: join your body, mind and spirit in all you do. Choose food, clothing, and shelter that accords with nature. Rely on your own body for transportation. Allow your work and your recreation to be one and the same. Do exercise that develops your whole being and not just your body. Listen to music that bridges the three spheres of your being. Choose leaders for their virtue rather than their wealth or power. Serve others and cultivate yourself simultaneously. Understand that true growth comes from meeting and solving the problems of life in a way that is harmonizing to yourself and to others.

 

If you can follow these simple old ways, you will be continuously renewed."

Lesli Kotloski

An Evening of Kirtan

Stretch Boundaries

We all look at life from our point of view. It's human nature. If you want successful relationships you have to look through your partners/friends eyes and see yourself in their situation. So think about this question; How much fun are you to live with or be with? I find myself so attracted to things in life that are lighter, funnier, more fun, easy, hilarious, make me know and accept my truths and than be ok with it! Certain friends/partners bring out the best in us, even make us move forward in life. I recently saw on facebook a picture that showed two sides; to the left was aging and comfort or to the right was aging and being bold. Whichever one you pick for you is good, and you should have a partner that is gonna go there with you. I like comfort very much, but in a bold kinda way. I have learned to step out of my comfort zone and see what i'm really made of. I have learned to take risks and in doing so, found greater happiness. Comfort doesn't always let me stretch my boundaries or increase my knowledge. I like to keep growing smarter, funnier, happier because i am able to see my blessings better too because being bold allows our PASSION to ignite. I lived in a comforting relationship for 14 years where the boat was never rocked, and little did i know how boring that was until i started to live a little bit more! Finding friends and a love that goes with you on that journey is wonderful and i also need those peeps to be the kind of friends that if i get boring, old, sad or humdrum, they are gonna come give me a swift kick and say 'snap out of it' because they know what i need, what best serves me and is true to MY spirit.

 

Teasing is part of this journey and for years, in a boring relationship, there was no teasing.  My teasing experience goes back to some old family memories that i actually took personally and hurtfully. Now I know that when my guy calls me a 'coconut head' it is all in fun and love. It is Special! We can decide to find things charming or complain, and i like charming or as i call my guy; quirky! Relationships aren't supposed to be like elevator music-something in the background that doesn't merit your attention. The formula for a successful relationship is always based on a solid underlying friendship. Our friends and partners are supposed to know what we need and we have to teach TEACH them what we need; ASK. Stop expecting someone to read our mind or think they 'know' us.  Let your friends and mates be your closest companions and your playmates.  

 

Laughing, talking, sharing stories, reliving memories, being interesting rather than always complaining about their world and someone who wants to grow; a friend. This is what i have decided for myself to focus on more of this New year and i myself become the teaser, the playful one and the one to get you to laugh!  Did you hear the one about....