“Just watching an animal closely can take you out of your mind and bring you into the present moment, which is where the animal lives all the time-surrendered to life.”

Above are excerpts from the book “Guardians of Being,” with words by Eckhart Tolle and art by Patrick McDonnell.  Throughout the book the author and artist skillfully illustrate the primal wisdom animals impart on humans.

Today is a thoughtful day for me. It’s the birthday of a dear friend of mine who did not survive cancer,  and at age 45,  almost 7 years ago,  passed away. I’m remembering her goodness today. She and I met during a time in our lives when we were both students and seekers on the path. I introduced her to the man she would marry a couple of years later.  She worked with disabled children and was a truly loving soul.  She would have loved the “Guardians of Being” book. I was lucky enough to spend some time with her right before she passed. We talked about many things but mostly she wanted to tell me something that she realized about life, now that hers was close to ending. She told me that in her mind, the most important thing in life is the love you share and receive,  with all beings. She was a huge dog lover and at the time of her death had a lovely dog named Beau. She will always be truly missed and remembered frequently with a smile. Her life was about giving and it was inspired by that.

Today I pause and give thanks for all of the love shared and encourage you to do the same. Peace-Yoga Jane

Scotchie the love dog

I hosted 3 retreats this summer and they were each unique and inspiring. The locations all vastly different ranging from Lake Superior Mn., a natural marshland location in WI and a ranch in Montana. I was able to really be present in each setting.  I’m grateful so many open minded people were willing to break away from routine and commit to going outside their comfort zone.  Hooray.

I experienced a breakthrough in my Buddhist practice and meditation this summer. I guess it could be called a “turning.” What I mean is that I stayed with something that I had been feeling for a long time and came through it to the other side. It was a bit like realizing that there really is no enemy. That each day we might wake up feeling inadequate and like we need to improve or get to the bottom of something. We put our energy into a defensive posture. Kind of like running around in a maze. And if we really go down into it we might come up out of it realizing that there was really nothing there. No matter what it was. The boogeyman doesn’t really exist and we don’t have to believe in an “obstacle” based reality.

What if we lived our lives in a more open-ended way? In other words, we don’t need the ultimate answer or truth. We would be okay knowing that “no one really knows.” Which in my opinion is true. No one really knows. There are a multitude of incredible teachers and gurus and practitioners and writers and dedicated souls on the path.  They all have philosophies, pieces of the puzzle, style and form. Yet none of them really know the answers either. To grasp this could be really liberating.

It might mean that we really don’t have to conquer anything or get to the arrival gate of spiritual awakening. Each day we are given ample moments to simply stay on the path. Keep going. No matter how crappy you feel, how wonderful you feel, how bad the news is or how good the news is. Stay with it.

Much love,

Yoga Jane

What is fear? According to Buddhism, there is unhealthy fear and healthy fear. For example, when we are afraid of something that cannot actually harm us – such as spiders – or something we can do nothing to avoid – such as old age or being struck down with smallpox or being run over by a truck – then our fear is unhealthy, for it serves only to make us unhappy and paralyze our will. On the other hand, when someone gives up smoking because they are afraid of developing lung cancer, this is a healthy fear because the danger is real and there are constructive steps they can take to avoid it.

We have many fears-fear of terrorism, fear of death, fear of being separated from people we love, fear of losing control, fear of commitment, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of losing our job, the list is never-ending! Many of our present fears are rooted in what Buddha identified as “delusions” – distorted ways of looking at ourself and the world around us. If we learn to control our mind, and reduce and eventually eliminate these delusions, the source of all our fear, healthy and unhealthy, is eradicated.

Right now we need the healthy fear that arises from taking stock of our present situation so that we can resolve to do something about it. For example, there is no point in a smoker being scared of dying of lung cancer unless there is something that he or she can or will do about it, i.e. stop smoking. If a smoker has a sufficient fear of dying of lung cancer, he or she will take steps to kick the habit. If they prefer to ignore the danger of lung cancer, they will continue to create the causes of future suffering, living in denial and effectively giving up control.

Just as a smoker is vulnerable to lung cancer due to cigarettes, it is true that at the moment we are vulnerable to danger and harm, we are vulnerable to aging, sickness, and eventually death, all due to our being trapped in samsara-the state of uncontrolled existence that is a reflection of our own uncontrolled minds. We are vulnerable to all the mental and physical pain that arises from an uncontrolled mind-such as the pains that come from the delusions of attachment, anger, and ignorance.

We can choose to live in denial of this, thereby giving up what control we have, or we can choose to recognize this vulnerability, recognize that we are in danger, and then find a way to avert the danger by removing the actual causes of all fear (the equivalent of the cigarettes)-the delusions and negative, unskilful actions motivated by those delusions. In this way we gain control, and if we are in control we have no cause for fear.

A balanced fear of our delusions and the suffering to which they inevitably give rise,  is therefore healthy because it serves to motivate constructive action to avoid a real danger. We only need fear as an impetus until we have removed the causes of our vulnerability through finding spiritual, inner refuge and gradually training the mind. Once we have done this, we are fearless because we no longer have anything that can harm us.

His Holiness enjoyed performances from local dancers in traditional Tibetan dress, and was entertained by artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts at the Main Tibetan Temple in Mcleod Ganj.

Reflecting on his 75 years of life and work, which was projected on a ceremonial banner he said, “I know my life has not been wasted.” His audience and spectators donned umbrellas and stood in the rain for the near two-hour ceremony, to be a part of the celebrations.

What an amazing man. We are very fortunate to be living in a time where we can experience his teachings each and every day. A particular favorite learning tool which he authored is “The Art of Happiness.” It’s a classic. All of the secrets are contained in this simple and steadfast writing. Read it or listen to it often. It is very useful and deep at the same time.

A few days ago I had the good fortune to spend time at the Deer Park Buddhist Temple in Oregon, WI. I was magically impressed.  The temple is absolutely beautiful. It has been remodeled in the past few years due to the big visit from the Dalai Lama several years ago. The Dalai was also there this past May for one day.

This drawing represent the 8 auspicious symbols and is located at the beginning of the drive into the park. It was created in May to celebrate H.H's visit.

The 8 auspicious symbols represent certain aspects of the Dharma. My picture doesn’t do justice to this lovely work of art.

I met many very kind people at the temple and was gently guided into the evening. The experience of visiting is highly recommended. Geshe Tenzin Dorje-la led the teachings. He was ordained at 6 years old. He is known for being a brilliant scholar and accomplished teacher and yet is very down to earth and practical in his approach.

http://www.deerparkcenter.org/

What is the intention of going on a retreat? We discussed this quite a bit and discovered that the intention is to bring our attention to our intention, in other words, what we are doing, how we are living and why. Reflection. Paying attention. Slowing down and opening to something new with a curious and non-judgemental mind. We retreat to spend time getting away from our usual crazy lives and schedules. We go somewhere different. We meet new people. We eat different food and see different landscapes. We do things differently. We practice lots of yoga and we meditate. Sometimes we are quiet and sometimes we are talking to other like-minded people which is really nice and refreshing.

Usually we come back feeling inspired about life and happy. We affirm or realize new things while we were gone. We have fun and laugh. Here are some genuine pictures from the “Go Yoga Jane” June retreats. OM OM OM

Two Harbors yoginis:) Don't they look relaxed and happy?

Even though it rained much of the weekend, we still had a lovely time. We had a great opportunity to practice detachment:)

Jane and Marilyn are so calm. OM OM OM

Smiling was the norm all weekend. Fun!

Perfect pigeons!

Here are some of our Christine Center group. Josh is hiding in the back row:)

All of our Christine Center group gathered here Saturday nite. A bullfrog in the pond nearby entertained us along with fireflies:)

Michael, Sharon and Sam helped us through the weekend. Sharon is an amazing chef!

When I woke up Sunday I spotted two deer coming out the woods. Can you see them?

The weekend was ending...everyone looking peaceful and radiant:)

A respected teacher & mentor of mine was there and discovered a great lesson before he even began speaking. The lighting on stage where the Dalai sits on his throne are very bright so that everyone can see him. He takes the stage and is wearing a tiny tennis visor to soothe his eyes from the bright lights.  Later at a luncheon he was asked about the visor and said that he wore it to shield his eyes from the bright lights. Instead of asking the stage managers to change the lighting to his liking, he turns it into a lesson. Work with things as they are.

We have moments every day to employ this lesson. It is so habitual to want to change, fix, complain about and control our environment. We spend quite a bit of energy doing so. Truthfully most of what we spend time changing or fixing isn’t permanent anyway. There might be a little relief but then organically things return to their natural state.

Here is a little experiment which might be fun. Take one week out of your life and try to just deal with things as they are without the need to change them. It’s going to be hard…yes. Obviously if it affects your safety  that doesn’t count. Common sense. I mean just the dumb little things that drive you crazy. The things you habitually complain about that really don’t matter. Your energy is very powerful. Direct it creatively and see what sort of freedom and joy come along. Write about it.  Each day pay attention.

Peace,

Yoga Jane

Boboli Gardens-Florence, Italy

The notion of a salutation to the sun is to pay respects to the universe - specifically the sun, our source of light and life. It organically reminds us of our connection to the sun because intense heat is generated through the continuous movement. You will get hot and sweaty, which feels purifying, like taking a bath from the inside out.

In many cultures, light has long been a symbol of consciousness and self-illumination. Our primary source of light is, of course, the sun. When we look at our closest star, we may see nothing more than a big yellow ball. But for thousands of years, the Hindus have revered the sun, which they call Surya, as both the physical and spiritual heart of our world and the creator of all life itself. For the Hindus, the sun is the “eye of the world” (loka chakshus), seeing and uniting all selves in itself, an image of and a pathway to the divine.

One of the means of honoring the sun is through the dynamic asana sequence Surya Namaskar - better known as Sun Salutation.  The Sanskrit word namaskar stems from namas, which means “to bow to” or “to adore.”

The familiar phrase we use to close our yoga classes, namaste—te means “you”—also comes from this root. Each Sun Salutation begins and ends with the joined-hands mudra (gesture) touched to the heart. This placement is no accident; only the heart can know the truth.

The entire sequence of Surya Namaskar contains the entire practice within it. If we look at each posture that makes up the sequence of the sun salutations, we get a wide range of movements: forward bend, back bend, being still, lengthening the spine, grounding the feet, strengthening the upper body, stretching the hamstrings, expanding the lungs and more. By hearing the breath, holding our gaze, these movements allow us to center ourselves and to quiet our wandering mind.

Today is a great day to go outside and practice Surya Namaskar!

Enjoy-

Yoga Jane

As we continue on the path of awakening our heart to others and offering loving-kindness,  the simple act of  “being there,” is profound.  Awareness. Presence. Being with. Sitting. Deep listening means to practice not preparing a response while listening. This requires humility. We are an observer instead of the problem solver. We may even think we know the answer and should help. SSSSHH. Be very very quiet. Just be there for that person with an open heart and loving intention. Looking into someones eyes can be very powerful. See them.

Life is full of speedy interactions and we are overwhelmed with sound and sights. There are times when we just need some space to be quiet with another caring soul. Recently I spent time with a friend who is working through some big stuff and I realized while being with them that what they needed most from me, was to just simply be there with no agenda, solutions, grand ideas or schemes to fix or solve. They just needed to feel the energy of another caring human.

In essence we are practicing with another how to stay in “the middle,” while at the same time allowing another to honestly feel the sadness or uncertainty, and to be okay with the experience of  “cool loneliness.” With cool loneliness we may feel like no one gets us, we really and truly are all alone and feeling  very uncomfortable and not sure what to do. It’s okay to be in that state now and again, and we can help others be there by reminding them of that through our quiet presence.

Slow down and help others slow down. Remember that when people are experiencing important personal growth or change, they have a period of unrest and unknowing before they gain clarity.  It might be a short time or a long time. Don’t judge. “The Beatles” wrote a song called “Let it Be,” with good reason:)

Notice your patterns. If you are always the fixer or rescuer try to step out of that role by listening without response. It might feel better for both parties. Whew, what a relief. Too many words or advice almost never create the powerful change people are seeking.

When walking walk. When listening listen. When sitting sit.

Peace,

Yoga Jane

Getting quiet and seeing with eyes and ears was my intention.  I found a spot at the edge of the woods and witnessed: two wild turkeys slowly walking through the woods with their heads bobbing…funny! Perfectly plump pine cones swaying in the breeze…tulips fully bloomed reaching up to greet the sun….geese meditating with daffodils..cardinals…wrens and hummingbirds…

freshly blooming apple trees

simple beauty

Happy Spring. Enjoy the simplicity:)

Yoga Jane