Inspiration

February Focus of the Month: The Path of Karma

Written by Lindsay Sullivan

What is Karma and how does it function in our lives? Buddhists describe Karma as tiny seeds planted every time we have a thought, say a word or do an action. These seeds are stored deep within our heart center until they ripen into the way we experience our worlds. This is the same science that modern psychologists practice, calling these seeds 'mental constructs' or 'habits', explaining they are 'projected' onto any experience, which then paints the way we perceive our reality.

Just like apple seeds create apples -- each karmic seed planted produces a similar resonant result. An act of generosity creates an experience of abundance in your world. Impatience must ripen into anger directed back towards you. And like seeds, karma grows exponentially. Tiny acorns grow over time into giant oak trees -- just as simple acts of ignorance and unkindness can create a world of hurt and pain.

In the realm of Karma, this means that with every thought, word and action, we could – moment by moment, seed by seed --begin to radically change our reality. What if every seed planted was imbued with wisdom, kindness and love? Then we logically MUST experience a loving and kind world.

There are many deep and logical arguments to prove karma (from Master Vasubandu’s Abidharma Kosha to Master Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) but the most compelling has always been the experience of karma itself. Here is a simple and time-tested way to begin to garden your world, creating your own personal kingdom of heaven.

THE PATH OF KARMA

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR DREAM

Don't be shy. What is it you want? The perfect partner? Your dream job? More money? It's not bad to want these things, we've just been going about finding them the wrong way! We think it's "out there" to be found when it's really something that we have the power to create ourselves.

STEP 2: FIND SOMEONE WITH THE SAME DREAM AND MAKE A PLAN

To practice the path of Karma, you need other people. We create what we want by providing it for others first. Find someone with a similar dream and make a secret plan to help them get it.

STEP 3: START PLANTING!

If you want a partner - find a way to spend time with someone who is lonely. Visit a nursing home. If it's a job you need, connect like-minded people so they can be successful. Start scouring the want-ads – for your friend. It's money you want? Do something wild - - give what you got away! Yoga has always been a radical practice, using unexpected methods to create unprecedented results.

STEP 4: REJOICE

Delight in your good actions and hope that they made people happy whether or not you ever see the results of your work (but don’t worry, you will).Go to bed at night feeling good about your big, beautiful heart. Every time you rejoice, you make the seed bigger and more powerful!

For 2012, give the Path of Karma a try. Identify your dream and every day plant the seeds by helping others and rejoicing in your good deeds. Then sit back, relax and watch your garden grow! Once you experience results from this experiment, you’ll be energized and excited to move onto bigger, bolder dreams… maybe even a loving, enlightened world for all beings.

For more information, I recommend reading, The Diamond Cutter by Geshe Michael Roach.

With Love and Gratitude to all of my teachers for their perfect guidance. With Love and Gratitude to my students and friends who pretend to need and want things so I can plant my own seeds and live in a secret garden of my very own.

with love and gratitude to all, Lindsay Sullivan February 2012

PS For more on the philosophy of yoga and love join me for DOWN DOG OF LOVE 2 this February 12 at 5 pm!

February Yogi of the Month: Zev Jonas

Written by Jen Whitney

Zev first came to one of my classes in Novemeber 2011, shortly after I started teaching at East Yoga. His charm and lightness are evident from the first time you meet him. I have been lucky enough to practice with him for several months, and it has become evident that the source of his lightness comes from a strong inner connection. Whether asking questions about the physical body (and those tight shoulders!), or the Yoga Sutras, there is a depth of inquiry and understanding that only true yoga students touch on. Best of all, it comes with an amazing sense of humor and smile, so that he is a continual delight and honor not only to be around, but to teach.

The following is Q&A with Zev:

Why do you keep coming back to East Yoga when there are so many other studios around the city?
Nice, relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere in a small space withsupportive teachers.

How has your practice changed from when you started two years ago?
I can now touch my toes! :) In addition to increased flexibility, my breathing and focus on breath has changed. It makes me calmer, I have found it enables a more present practice and also helps me when I am not in the studio.

What poses inspire you? What poses teach you?
Like everyone I have favorites but the inspiration lies in findingthat I can now go further into a pose, whether through additionalmovement or holding the pose in a more settled manner for a longer period of time.

Why do you practice yoga?
To be calm, at least once a week … and to learn and reinforce the need to be patient.

What kinds of other activities did you do before (or still do now), besides yoga? Do you find elements of them in yoga or vice versa?
I am a fine art photographer and only shoot film. Outside ofthis being an artistic choice, I realized that I do this to slow myself down –both in a practical sense but also so that I can see things with greaterclarity. Now that I think about it, it is an incredibly similar thought process to yoga in that you reflect upon yourself and your surrounds. I also always thought that theprinting process, which can be very slow and methodical, while often done on your own in aquiet environment, was very meditative …

What is something you'd love to do/hear/etc. in every yoga class?
Jen Whitney saying: “Zev, I am so pleased you no longer scrunch up your shoulders and curl your toes”

If you were king of yoga for a day, what would your edict be?
Megan has to fly back to NY and teach class at EastYoga again! (I was also considering: "Vegemite for all!" but don't think that would go over to well)

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Inspiration

February Focus of the Month: The Path of Karma

February Yogi of the Month: Zev Jonas