Friday, October 16, 2015

Diet and Weather.

Last night I ate chicken, grilled but processed.
I did not eat the alfredo sauce with my pasta.
I ate a light salad with vinaigrette.
I had a cereal bar for dessert.

I would like to have it so I do not need the cereal bar for dessert.
I had a banana, I could have eaten that.

High of 68F today, sunny.
I wore my hat this morning, I will continue to wear it as I leave the house.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 6, Day 5.

16,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Diet managed, now on to my meditation routine.

Today I started to not wear my hat as I did not need it yesterday.
I started to pull my hood over my head as I was walking because I felt cold.
Then I stopped and put my hat on because I was cold.
Tomorrow I will wear my hat when I walk out the door.

Last night I again had yogurt and cereal for dinner.
I feel better now than when I was eating too much for dinner.
I can feel my body realign to enjoy feeling light rather than feeling full.

I sometimes crave frenzy.
This means to me walking through the streets of a busy city at night.
I like watching the lights of the cars and of the trains and I like to hear people talking.

Now that I have my diet better managed I will try to better my meditation routine.
I like it when I crave stillness.
This means to me meditating in the afternoons and so I feel calm and healthy.


End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 6, Day 4.

15,10. 2015. Washington, DC.  

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Black Tea and Yogurt because I am eating better.

I am back on an eating schedule that I enjoy.
Last night I could have had cheese lasagna but I instead had yogurt and cereal.
It is not yet so cold that I require a hot meal at night.
It will be soon so I enjoyed eating my yogurt and cereal.

I have been sleeping better so that means I get more black tea.
I should buy herbal tea so as to build my immune system for winter.
I already drink green tea and that will help to build my immune system for winter.

Yesterday I got a new jacket and I wore it this morning.
I did not need my hat this morning.
No rain today, high of 70F.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 6, Day 3.

14,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Native American religions.

Native American religions are to do with interacting with nature.

What is the eagle saying to the wolf?
The eagle is likely telling the wolf where to find water.

What is the wolf saying to the eagle?
The wolf is likely thanking the eagle for the information per where to find water.

Why does the eagle share this information with the wolf?

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 5, Day 2.

13,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Monday, October 12, 2015

Are people the same as matter?

Hinduism is such that a tangible substance connects matter and people.
Are people the same as matter?
Buddhism is such that we need to feel the pain that other people feel.
Buddhists understand that people are not the same as matter.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 6, Day 1.

12,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Friday, October 9, 2015

Often yoga sequences begin with sun salutations.

So hum. We are here.
So hum. We are here.
So hum. We are nowhere but here.

In yoga teacher training we learned that if we cannot practice yoga with our bodies, 
we can visualize the sequences in our minds.

Often yoga sequences begin with sun salutations.
Standing at the front of your mat, Tadasana. Mountain pose with hands to heart center.
Inhale arms all the way up, reverse back bend, palms touching each other.

In yoga teacher training we learned that some people do 108 sun salutations every day.
In yoga teacher training we learned that some people do 108 sun salutations every day.

Patanjali. Patanjali.


End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 5, Day 4.

9,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Job and the Bhagavad Gita

Yamas are how we relate to others.
Niyamas are how to live your personal life.

Judeo-Christian religions are deeply rooted in bipolarity.
Job is the oldest book in the Bible;
It is a conversation between God and the Devil about human nature.

Bhagavad Gita is an ancient Hindu tale;
It is a conversation between God and a soldier about life.

Job is about human suffering.
God tells Job that there is a universe beyond suffering, such that suffering is negligible.

Bhagavad Gita is about human suffering.
God tells the soldier that life is not as horrible as it might seem in any given moment.

Yamas are how we relate to others.
Niyamas are how to live your personal life.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 5, Day 3.

8,10. 2015. Washington, DC.  

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Eating habits of the Americans....

Europeans do not jog and run as much as Americans do.
Americans do not walk and stroll as much as Europeans do.

Americans eat many items during one meal.
Russians eat one food item at a time.

On a Russian plate can be one entrée or side item;
That is the entire meal.
On a Russian plate can be one entrée or side item;
That is the entire meal.

Americans often if not always have an entrée as well as one or two side items.
On the same plate, at the same time. 
French meals arrive in courses.

Americans have a meat on their plate, and they eat from the meat.
At the same time, Americans will eat from the vegetable.
Americans will then return to the meat.
At the same time, Americans will eat from the bread roll.

Russians eat meat, then they will save the vegetables for later.
Or Russians eat meat, then they will eat their vegetables.
French meals arrive in courses.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 5, Day 2.

7,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Weather forecast....next 10 days....

I am feeling the positive effects of my diet.
The season is changing.
Now in the mornings, I wear my hat.
Soon I will also wear my gloves.

Today the high will be 74F.
Tomorrow the high will be 78F.
Thursday the high will be 73F.
Friday the high will be 78F.
Saturday the high will be 61F.

Only Friday and Saturday have a chance for rain.

Sunday the high will be 67F.
Monday the high will be 72F.
Tuesday the high will be 75F.
Wednesday the high will be 72F.
Thursday the high will be 67F.

Only Wednesday has a chance for rain.

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 5, Day 1.
6,10. 2015. Washington, DC.

Friday, October 2, 2015

I am eating better.

I am eating better.
We can adjust what our minds understand as comfort.

Is it more comfortable to eat big meals?
Is it more comfortable to eat small meals?
Is it more comfortable to be full?
Is it more comfortable to be a little hungry?

Much of the time we think we are hungry;
We are thirsty.
If we feel hungry, we should first drink water.
If we still feel hungry, we can eat something.

I try to have bananas around.
I try to have cashews around.

I will drink more green tea today if I struggle with food cravings.

End Meditation. Novena. Week 4, Day 5.

2,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Chanting and Duke Ellington....So What.......

What do we do when we feel overwhelmed?

In yoga teacher training we learned to chant in Sanskrit.
Three different songs that I like, but only two I can sing while I walk.
Pantanjali. Patanjali.
So hum. So hum. So hum.

The music we listen to affects our stress level.
I can feel my brain waves either fill will adrenaline or calm.

I am a fan of minimalism in music, minimalism and repetition.
Duke Ellington and "So What".
…….So What……..
..So What…………..So What……..


End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 4, Day 4.
1,10. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

How Jesus perceived things.....

I endeavor to understand how Jesus lived.
I endeavor to understand how Jesus perceived things.

Jesus is often confident when he speaks in the Temple.
Jesus is vulnerable when he is tired and people close to him are struggling.

Jesus spent a lot of time by the sea.
Jesus was often traveling across seas by boat.

Joseph died.
Mary struggled because her son was often down by the sea.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 4, Day 3.

30,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Weather Patterns in Washington, Summer and Fall

Weather patterns in Washington are such that it rains in the afternoons;
Often it does not rain in the morning but it will rain later in the day.
Weather forecasters predict showers starting around 3pm;
Sometimes it rains and sometimes it does not.

Winters here are mild in temperature but it often snows.
Our last 90F day was Sep 9.
I suspect our last 80F day will be Oct 9.
Perhaps our last 70F day will be Nov 9.

I will watch this year to log each of these markers.

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 4, Day 2.

29,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Monday, September 28, 2015

How do we function when we do not feel well?

How do we function when we do not feel well?

Exercise gives us energy when we already have energy.
Exercise can overwhelm our immune systems if we do not have enough energy.

Yoga Nidra and Meditation allow us to regain energy, when we have little energy.

We want energy, such that we can be mobile and in tune with our surroundings.
We want energy, such that we can maintain our dietary goals and read books.
We want energy, such that we can listen to the goings on of the lives of others.

Yoga Nidra and Meditation allow for this.
Ashtanga Yoga or running or biking might take from us the energy we need.

In terms of maintaining dietary goals when we have no energy;
I struggle with this.
I eat bagels in the mornings when I would rather fast until noon.
I drink more green tea and less black tea;
I integrate more herbal teas into my routine.
Foods like donuts, I know I should never eat them.
Foods like pizza, I know I can eat them sometimes.

Foods we know we should  never eat; we also should not eat when we do not feel well.
Eat fruit instead of donuts.
Eat bananas for dessert.
Eat a bagel if you need energy.


End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 4, Day 1.

28,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Friday, September 25, 2015

Meditation in the here and now is peaceful.

Meditation in the here and now is peaceful.
Stillness of the mind, allowing us to know that this too will pass.

Jesus must have meditated, I wonder what meditative techniques he preferred?
Seedless meditation is sitting without any direction.
Seedless meditation is sitting without hoping to imagine anything.

Jesus was often very tired; he must have enjoyed sitting quietly alone and closing his eyes.

Meditative practices can sometimes involve imagery.
We are asked to imagine logs floating by in a river.
We are asked to imagine the sun shining down as we nap in the clouds.
We are asked to imagine the sound of the ocean.

I now prefer to sit in silence without imagining anything.
I like to sit and to enjoy my limbs not moving.
I like to sit and to enjoy being warm and dry and not working for a few minutes.
I appreciate not being hungry or sick or upset.

When I meditate now it is, How do I interact with my senses?
I am likely not sitting in complete silence, How do I interact with the sounds?
I am likely not sitting in complete solitude, How do I interact with the people around me?
My feet are touching my shoes.
My shoes are touching the ground.
My mind interacts with my shoes that are touching the ground.

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 3, Day 5.

25,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Yamas and Niyamas, Compassion and Yoga.

Yamas are how to relate to others.
Niyamas are how to relate to your personal life.

Compassion links Buddhists to those whom they have never met.
Yoga links Hindus to those whom they have never met.

We are here. We are nowhere but here.
There are many of us here in the here and now.
What links us together?
Buddhists are linked to those whom they have never met via compassion.
Hindus are linked to those whom they have never met via yoga.

Are we able to understand compassion as it relates to yoga?

Please take the time to thank yourself for coming to your mat today.
The light in me, honors the light in you.

Compassion is understanding that everyone is suffering.
Compassion is understanding that everyone is suffering.

Yoga is sewing our bodies into the fabric of the universe.
Yoga is sewing our bodies into the fabric of the universe.

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 3, Day 4.

24,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Mindfulness in the context of mobility and longevity.

Mindfulness in the context of mobility and longevity.
We want to be able to walk when we are old.
We want to be able to stand upright when we are old.
We want to be able to eat apples when we are old.

Mindfulness in the context of currents of good will.
We want to surround ourselves with what is healthy.
We want to surround ourselves with people who have goals.
We want to have friends who can walk and eat apples with us when we are old.

When is the next full moon?
What is the price of sugar in terms of the global commodities market?
Where in the world are there major droughts?

Mindfulness in terms of tangibles, things we can keep track of, that affect people far away.
What affects those whom we have never met?
How does this affect us in terms of mobility and longevity?

Mindfulness in the context of mobility and longevity.
We want to be able to walk when we are old.
We want to be able to stand upright when we are old.
We want to be able to eat apples when we are old.

Mindfulness in the context of currents of good will.
We want to surround ourselves with what is healthy.
We want to surround ourselves with people who have goals.
We want to have friends who can walk and eat apples with us when we are old.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 3, Day 3.

23,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Keeping Track of Seasonal Markers, Mobility and Longevity.

Physical activity habits that promote mobility and longevity.
Eating habits that promote mobility and longevity.
Mindfulness habits that promote mobility and longevity.

Yamas are how to relate to others.
Niyamas are how to relate to your personal life.

Mindfulness is eating while not watching TV.
Mindfulness is walking while not listening to music.

Mindfulness is also keeping track of seasonal markers.
September 9 this year was our last 90F day in Washington.
Mindfulness is also keeping track of seasonal markers.
Putting away summer clothes and bringing out fall clothes.
What do we save for next year?
What are we eager to get rid of because we never wore it?
What are we tempted to save but really should discard?

Calendars keep track of a variety of orbits per celestial objects.
Lunar calendars and solar calendars.
Eastern Orthodox churches always celebrate Christmas and Easter on a different day,
than Anglicans and Catholics.
Pivots in time that are meaningful, periods of transition into something different.

Time is that which occurs between events.
Time is that which occurs between events.


End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 3, Day 2.

22,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Dietary habits in terms of mobility and longevity.

Dietary habits in terms of mobility and longevity.
Protein and fiber allow for energy to last all day and for food to move through.
Water, bananas, apples all day make for a healthy routine.
Cashews, water, bananas, apples make for a healthy routine.

I am at my best when I do not eat before noon, and then I eat cereal, plain yogurt, and cashews.
Muslims during Ramadan eat protein in the morning, this gives them energy all day.
Energy from protein lasts longer than energy from sugars.

When we interact with food, notice how much sugar is in what we eat.
Carrots are wonderful throughout the day, they are difficult to eat and they fill you up.
Say, "I will not eat bread until I finish these carrots."
Say, "I will not eat bread until I finish these carrots."

Drink water all day.
Drink green tea early in the morning and black tea later in the afternoon.
Drink water all day.
Drink green tea early in the morning and black tea later in the afternoon.
Never drink fluids with sugar.
Never drink fluids with sugar.

Drink milk in the afternoons.
Drink milk in the afternoons, as this has lots of protein.

Water, apples, bananas, cashews, plain yogurt, milk, and carrots.
Water, apples, bananas, cashews, plain yogurt, milk, and carrots.

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 3, Day 1.

21,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Friday, September 18, 2015

What are the differences between Hinduism and Buddhism?

What are the differences between Hinduism and Buddhism?
What are the differences between Anglicanism and Catholicism?

Largely, Buddhism is an emptiness in terms of a deity.
Buddhists see in other beings suffering;
they endeavor to feel compassion for those who suffer.
Do Buddhists ask God to assist in this endeavor?
Buddhists empty their lives of debris, but what fills the vacuum as the debris is emptied?

Hinduism is about connecting people together, hypnotically.
Buddhists are connected to those whom they have never met,
because they feel compassion.
Hindus believe there is a substance that connects them,
to people whom they have never met.
Do Buddhists ask God to assist in this endeavor?
Buddhists empty their lives of debris, but what fills this vacuum as the debris is emptied?

Hindus speak of enlightenment at times.
Is enlightenment the goal in Hinduism?
Buddhists speak of enlightenment often.
Is enlightenment the goal in Buddhism?

Is the Dalai Lama a guru?
Is there a Hindu version of the Dalai Lama?


End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 2, Day 5.

18,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Morning Prayer, from the Book of Common Prayer.

Every morning I begin with the same morning prayer, found in the Book of Common Prayer.

Heavenly Creator, today is a new day.
I do not know what it will bring, but help me be ready for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, let me do so bravely.
If I am sit still, let me do so quietly.
If I am to lie low, let me do so patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do so gallantly.
Make these words more than words, and give me to Spirit of Jesus.

I say this in the mornings, every morning as I walk to work.
I try to think in terms of 24hour periods, the burden of the stress I can manage.
I try to picture the Red Sea parting when I need it to.
I think about the times the Red Sea did not part when I needed it to.

There is a Gospel story about Peter taking a few steps on the water and then falling in.
Did God allow Peter to fall into the water?
Was Peter angry that he fell into the water?

What will I endeavor to do?
What will I endeavor not to do?

I will endeavor to be still.
I will endeavor to rest when I have the opportunity.

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 2, Day 4.

17,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Shavasana, Corpse Pose. We will begin class.....

Perhaps the most import posture in yoga is Shavasana.
Shavasana means corpse pose, we lie on our backs at the end of class and prepare for death.

Vertebrae by vertebrae, roll your spine down and lie on your back.
Legs are mat distance apart.
Arms extended out to the side of the mat.
Palms face up.
Eyes can be either closed or slightly open.
(Shavasana lasts for about 8-10min.)
Slowly bring awareness back into your fingers and toes.
Open your eyes and return to the here and now.
Roll on to right your side, bring your legs into your chest, pause.
Plant your hands into the floor and lift yourself up back up into a seated position.
We will end class with an OM and three Shantis.

As we practice yoga, we make the sound OM.
Shanti means peace, we are inviting peace to fill the here and now.

Last weekend I attended an Iyengar yoga class, we began class in supported Shavasana.

Do we begin class standing?
Do we begin class seated?
Do we begin class in Balasana?
Do we begin class in Shavasana?

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 2, Day 3.

16,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Yoga in the Here and Now, Means Universe.

We will begin class standing at the front of our mats.
Our primary intention is the stabilization of movement and breath.

We will ground down through the four corners of our feet.
We will point up toward the sky through the crown of our head.
We will link our third eye to a spot on the horizon.

As we rise up we inhale.
As we lower down we exhale.
As we expand we inhale.
As we contract we exhale.

We are here.
We are nowhere but here.
We are in the here and now.
We are not alone in the here are now.
We are warm here.
We are at peace here.
We want everyone in all places to also be warm.
We want everyone in all places to also be at peace.

We are making the sound OM as we practice yoga.
We know that others are making the sound OM as they practice yoga.
We are not practicing yoga alone.
We are practicing yoga in the here and now.
As we practice yoga, we are sewing our bodies into the fabric of the universe.
Yoga means universe.
Yoga is the universe in the here and now.

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 2, Day 2.

15,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Monday, September 14, 2015

Standing Asanas, Yoga in the Sanskrit

We will start class standing at the front of the mat.

Yoga has several standing postures, including:

Mountain……….......Tadasana
Goddess……….........Deviasana
Warrior I……….........Virabhadrasana I
Warrior II………........Virabhadrasana II
Lateral Angle…........Utthita Parsvakonasana
Triangle…………........Trikonasana
Pyramid…………........Parsvottanasana

Notice the Sanskrit roots of these words.
Mountain, "Tada!" In Russian, it might translate at "Vot!" (Here!)
Goddess, "Deva". Triangle, "Triko".
Parsva in Sanskrit is "side".
Pyramid, "Pars vot"……side…here…."Wow…here is a big side of a pyramid..!"

Asana is a versatile word, meaning both the noun "posture";
     as well as the imperative, "take a seat".
So, Mountain pose in Sanskrit is "Tada!"…take your posture.
So, Goddess pose in Sanskrit is "Deva"…..take your posture.

Many yoga practices are asana practices, simply meaning a series of postures.

Ground down into the four corners of your feet.
Point the crown of your head to the sky.
Relax your jaw, soften your face.
Shoulders up and back.
Gaze toward the horizon.
Join your navel to your spine.
Mountain pose…….Tadasana.

What will I endeavor to do today?
What will I endeavor not to do today?

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 2, Day 1.

14,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Saturday, September 12, 2015

As we practice yoga, we make the sound OM.

So hum. So hum. We are here.
So hum. So hum. We are here.
So hum. So hum. We are nowhere but here.

Shanti Shanti Shanti.
Shanti means Peace.

We will end class with an OM and three Shantis.

Patanjali is his Yoga Sutras talks about OM.
Herman Hesse in Siddhartha also talks about OM.
OM is the sound of the Universe.
Yoga means universe.

Sounds are made by vibrations.
Vibrations travel through air and water.
It is difficult for sound to travel through space.
OM is the sound of people sleeping.
OM is the sound of thunderstorms.
OM is the sound of people riding their bikes.
OM is the sound of animals and cars and televisions.

I like to start yoga class with an OM.
Often teachers will ask students to set an intention for the class.
We return to that intention at the end of class.
An intention can be good will toward a loved one, or for those whom we have never met.
OM is the sound of those whom we have never met.

As we practice yoga, we are sewing our bodies into the fabric of the universe.
OM is the sound of the fabric of the universe.
As we practice yoga, we make the sound OM.

End Daily Meditation. Novena. Week 1. Day 6.

12,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Friday, September 11, 2015

Stomach Cramping While Running....Breathe Evenly.

So hum. We are here.
So hum. We are here.
So hum. We are nowhere but here.

Primary intention during yoga class, stabilization of movement and breath.
Balancing poses, use a block so you need no longer balance.

When we run, our stomachs cramp when we are not inhaling and exhaling evenly.
Inhale for 4 steps.
Exhale for 4 steps.
When we run, our stomachs will stop cramping when we inhale and exhale evenly.

Why are our stomachs cramping?
We feel pain when tissue is bigger or smaller than it should be.
We feel pain when water or blood is not getting to where it needs to be.
When we drink water.
When we inhale deeply.
When we exhale deeply.
We feel healthier when we drink more water and we inhale, exhale deeply.

We feel healthy when we fast a little in the mornings or in the evenings.
Food clears away and our bodies rest.
We feel healthy when we eat food that moves through us easily.
Fiber and protein move through us easily.
We feel healthy when we eat fiber and protein.

When we eat fiber and protein, our stomachs do not cramp when we run.
When we inhale and exhale evenly, our stomachs do not cramp when we run.
When we drink water, our stomachs do not cramp when we run.

End Daily Meditation. Novena, Week 1, Day 5.

11,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Spinal Cord Health, Concavity and Dharma Yoga.

So hum. We are here.
So hum. We are here.
So hum. We are nowhere but here.

Our joints are separated into groups, wrists and ankles, knees and elbows, shoulders and hips.
Perhaps also our neck and lower back.
We want concavity in both our neck and lower back.
When we have concavity in both our neck and lower back we can rise up and greet the day.

In which of these groups do we retain the most stress?
When our hips retain stress, how does that affect our internal organs?
When our neck retains stress, how does that affect our blood flow?

We can place our hand on our abdomen so as to decrease stress in our internal organs.
We can use the warmth from our hand to heal our internal organs.
We want blood and water to flow through freely.

We can notice our feet throughout the day in order to stay grounded.
We become anxious when we lose our grounding.
As we walk, allow us to notice when our left foot meets the ground.
As we walk, allow us to notice when our right root meets the ground.
Feel the anxiety leave our bodies every time our right foot meets the ground.
Feel the anxiety leave our bodies every time our left foot meets the ground.

In the context of interacting with my feet, I will consider today:

How healthy is my spinal cord per the concavity in my lower back?
How healthy is my spinal cord per the concavity in my neck?

(Yoga allows for improved concavity in both our lower back and our neck.)
(Dharma yoga is especially useful for improved concavity in both our lower back and our neck.)

End Daily Meditation. Novena Week 1, Day 4.
10,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

So Hum Mediation and its Tibetan Counterpart

So hum meditation is sitting in the silence.
I am less of a fan of Tibetan meditation than so hum meditation.
Hindu meditation is seedless meditation.
Tibetans imagine and listen and do work while they meditate.
Hindu mediation is seedless mediation.

So hum. So hum. We are here.
So hum. So hum. We are here.
So hum. So hum. We are nowhere but here.

Martin Luther was a monk before he was a dissident, he lived an extreme lifestyle of sleeping in the cold and fasting until he became severely ill.
Martin Luther then traveled to Rome and saw that the church hierarchy did not also sleep in the cold nor did they fast until becoming severely ill.

Hindu monks wear orange and I wish they did not wear orange.
I believe they wear orange as a form of stigma, it makes them look like filth.

The expectations  of monks, do we want monks to live in filth?
The expectations of the church hierarchy, do we want elders to live in filth?
Do we want anyone to live in filth?
Martin Luther after having become a dissident was for a while housed in a castle; one day he threw a cup against the wall and shouted, "We encounter the devil every day!"

Guru means "one who helps to sweep away debris".

If the Guru insists that his followers continue to wear orange….perhaps he is creating a demand for his own services. 

End Daily Mediation. Novena Week 1, Day 3. 
Washington, DC.  9,9. 2015. 

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Intro, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The Yoga Sutras of Pantajali serve as one philosophical backbone of Hinduism.
The text is not as ancient as others, it was written about 200yrs after the death of Jesus.

Patanjali was a guru; older Hindu texts do not emphasize the guru as much.
Guru means, "Person who helps to clear away debris."

I like how it references the Seen and the Unseen.
The Seen is what has already happened.
The Unseen has not yet happened.

Yoga means Universe.
Pantajali says the whole of the universe exists in the here and now.
Sutra means to sew.
As we practice yoga, we are sewing our bodies into the fabric of the universe.
Kame Sutra, means to sew carnal nature into the fabric of the universe.

So, in the context of sewing things into the universe, I will reflect today upon:

What will I endeavor to do?
What will I endeavor not to do?

End of Daily Meditation. Novena Week 1, Day 2.


8,9. 2015. Washington, DC. 

Monday, September 7, 2015

Format, Yogic Daily Meditations.


This is a sample of the daily mediations of a yogi; yogis think in terms of what they will endeavor to do and what they will endeavor not to do. I have only this morning completed a 15 day log of my answers to these questions.

What will I endeavor to do?
What will I endeavor not to do?

I will endeavor to reserve a copy of Marcus Aurelius' meditations from the library.
I need to finish the third of three Theban plays by Sophocles.
(Sophocles lived in 500BC Greece. Sun Tzu lived in 500BC China.)
I will endeavor to generate a list of ancient mathematicians.
(I will read their books.)
I will endeavor to put as much distance as possible between my fingertips and my sit bones when in Adho Mukha Svanasana.
I will endeavor to maintain eye contact when speaking, knowing that I already maintain eye contact when listening.


I will endeavor to not eat before noon.
I will endeavor to not eat what I know is not good for me.
I will endeavor to not fidget with my hands as I know there is nothing to be nervous about.

End Daily Meditation. Week 1, Day 1. Novena.

Labor Day, USA. 7,9. 2015. Washington, DC.