Friday, December 31, 2010

The Beauty of Intentions

It's New Year's Eve and if you're like me, the idea of setting New Year's resolutions looms heavy on your thinking.

I love the idea of starting fresh. Making a change or two in my life. Improving myself in some way.

But what if we decide to celebrate those things we love about ourselves instead of focusing on the things we want to change? What if we embrace the notion of ahimsa and kick off the new year by not causing our psyches any harm? What if we love ourselves instead of telling ourselves what we'd like to change?

In this country we have a cultural preoccupation with New Year's resolutions. Consider instead setting intentions. Don't focus on the negative aspects of your being that you'd like to change. In 2011, take a softer approach and identify an intention or two that will take you into the new year smiling. Namaste. ~paige

Thursday, December 30, 2010

A Clearing Out

At the end of our week long trainings with Baron, we have a huge bonfire.  We come together as a group of 100+ people and we each have a chance to throw into the fire our applications for the training.  We then take from the fire our new way of being/intentions for our lives.



OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW 





On New Year's Eve or New Year's Day sit down in front of a candle, a fire, or a fireplace.  And just take time to sit so that you can become rooted, grounded, quiet and still.  Think about what you are grafteful for, what you appreciate or have gratitude for, in that very moment. 


Take a piece of paper and with a compassionate, kind and forgiving heart write down something(s) you want to let go of.  Something(s) that you do not want to take with you into 2011.

Everything and everyone is on our path for a reason.  This reason?  To learn and grow from experience.  Your experiences of 2010 have brought you to this moment and now there can be a release.  Offer peace to this letting go. 

Take a few breaths, and on the other side of the paper write down your intentions for the New Year. What you do want to cultivate or bring into your life.  

At our trainings we symbolically throw our applications into the fire.  You can safely burn your piece of paper or toss the paper into the  fire.  Burning sage also helps to release negative energy.  

Much peace, love, and joy in 2011.  

Lori


          

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

From India

Greetings from India, FSY family!

I'm writing from an Internet cafe in Mumbai, and beginning my second week in this incredible country, the birthplace of yoga. Stepping way outside my comfort zone, I traveled here alone and have faced fear, trust, heat, and a good deal of faith. I finally linked up with the UNC School of Social Work last night, and we're so lucky to have a yoga therapist traveling with us on our journey.

As luck would have it, I stumbled upon another FSY teacher in Rishikesh - Mike - and enjoyed some yoga with him before moving on to Amritsar to the Golden Temple. Small world!

Remember that big adventure sometimes means facing big fears and taking a step over the edge into the unknown. I miss you all so much!

Live in light; live in love; live in beauty!

Love,
Jennie

Sunday, December 26, 2010

"Written on Christmas Eve, 1513"


"I salute you. I am your friend, and my love for you goes deep.
There is nothing I can give you which you have not. But there is much,
very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take. No heaven can
come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.
Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within
our reach, is joy. There is radiance and glory in darkness, could we but see.
And to see, we have only to look. I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver. But we, judging its gifts by their covering,
cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering, and you
will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love by wisdom, with power.
Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you.
Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there.
The gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Your joys, too,
be not content with them as joys. They, too, conceal diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering,
that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it; that is all!
But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together,
wending through unknown country home.

And so, at this time, I greet you, not quite as the world sends greetings,
but with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and
forever, the day breaks and shadows flee away."

- Fra Giovanni