Thursday Quote

"Possessing more than is necessary only creates obstacles for oneself. It is a waste of time and energy. Fulfilling wants and desires without understanding needs and necessities deviates one from the path of awareness. Desire is the mother of all misery. When the desires for worldly attainments are directed toward attaining self-awareness, then the same desire becomes a means. At this stage the desire, instead of becoming an obstacle, becomes a useful instrument for self-realization.

"This can be explained by a simple simile. A candle light is extinguished by the breze very easily, but if that light is protected and allowed to catch the forest, it will grow into a forest fire. Then the breeze helps the fire instead of extinguishing it. Similarly, when an aspirant, with the help of discipline, protects the flame of desire burning within, it grows more and more. Then all the adversities, instead of becoming obstructions, in fact start becoming means. The obstacles which are supposed to obstruct the path of self-realization are not really obstacles. Our weaknesses and the values we impose on the objects of the world create these obstacles for us. Attachment is one of the strongest obstacles created by us. With the help of non-attachment we can overcome such obstructions.

"There are four ways of removing these obstacles. First, if there is no object, the human mind cannot become attached to it. Renouncing the object is one way, but it seems to be quit quite difficult for ordinary people. Second, while having all the objects of the world, if we learn the technique of using them as means, then the objects are not able to create obstacles for us. On this path, attitudes must be transformed. One who has transformed his attitudes can change his bad circumstances into favorable ones. The third way is the path of conquest, in which one learns to do his actions skillfully and selflessly, surrendering the fruits of his actions for the benefits of others. Such a person becomes detatched and safely crosses the ocean of life. Fourth, by self-surrender one surrenders himself and all that he owns to the Lord and leads a life of freedom from all attachments. This path seems to be easy but is really rather difficult."

-Swami Rama

Monday Music

From 1973's "Daag: A Poem of Love" by legendary Hindi filmy producer-director Yash Chopra - who recently passed (and whom I saw passing through the Mumbai Airport back in 2008).

THURSDAY QUOTE

"Religion, mysticism, theology, art, science and psychology give partial truths. Such truths Gaudapada does not altogether reject. They are, to him, stages in the evolution of philosophical thinking, which culiminates in the experience of Ultimate Reality. Sarvam khalvidam Brahman - 'All that exists is Brahman.' Therefore Turiya fulfills the conditions of Reality laid down by Gaudapada, namely, absence of disputes and conflicts, and promotion of the welfare of all beings rather than mere personal satisfaction.

"....Vedanta admits three criteria of truth; scriptural revelation, reflection and experience. Scripture describes Ultimate Reality as revealed to the seers, whose minds were purified and made one-pointed by the practice of self-control and concentration. By means of reflection the pupil tests the validity of what he learns from scripture through a qualified teacher. Through contemplation Reality becomes evident, 'like a fruit in the palm of one's hand.' Experience gives the final stamp of validity. Scripture proposes, but reason and experience dispose. All these three act as mutual checks on one another. When scriptural evidence, reflection, and personal experience point to the same conclusion, one can be sure of having arrived at Truth, which may be further corroborated by the tests mentioned before, namely, it must be free from disputes and conflicts and must promote the welfare of all beings."

-Swami Nikhilananda

Monday Music

Jai Jai Yajamahe!

AAMIR KHAN IN CHICAGO



The great karma yogi and Hindi actor-director-TV producer-host Aamir Khan has been in town for over a month, filming Dhoom 3.

Apparently they were shooting in Lakeview yesterday....

"Chicago is cold...." he says in this Chicago Tonight interview.

"...and it's still not winter."

He also talks about his groundbreaking TV show, which tackles formerly unspeakable issues. He says he is just trying to use his skill set - communication - to change things (and, incidentally, he is succeeding).

One can't help but ask....

What is your skill set?

How are you using it to help others?









Learn more about the filmy shooting below and here.

Thursday Quote

Philosophy Of Flesh

"The Charvakas are atheists who deny the existence of the soul after the death of the body. The materialists who worship the body as the soul and who deny the existence of a soul independent of the body, which is separate from the body, are also atheists. The Charvakas, the Lokayatikas, and the materialists believe that the body only is the soul and the soul does not exist outside the body. They also believe that the soul dies when the body dies.

"They say that the soul is formed by the combination of the five elements, just as the red colour is formed by the combination of betel leaves, nuts and lime; or just as an intoxicating liquor is formed by the combination of some ingredients. Is this not a beautiful philosophy? It is the philosophy of the flesh. It is the philosophy of Virochana and his followers.

"They believe in nothing which cannot be cognised by the senses. They will not admit the existence of anything which lies beyond the reach of their senses. They want ocular proof for everything. They must see the soul with the naked eyes. Then only they will believe in the existence of a soul. They do not know that the soul can be intuitively realised and that it is not an object of perception. Their philosophy is “Eat, drink and be merry. Have sensual enjoyment to the maximum degree. Do not think of the future. If you have no money, beg or borrow it and then eat and drink. Then again drink, because when the body is burnt to ashes, no one will have to be accountable for your actions.” Such philosophers are abundant in every country. Their number is increasing daily. There are many who do not believe at all in the existence of a soul.

"The Charvakas and the materialists do not bother about reincarnation or transmigration of souls, about philosophical questions like “Who am I? Whence and where? Whither? What remains after death? What is life? What is death? What is then on the other side of death? When the body dies what conditions shall man pass into; in which world shall he find himself?” They think that those who make such enquiries are ignorant persons and that they are the only clever and wise persons. No argument can convince them or change their views. They have written volumes after volumes against the existence of the soul. Wonderful people indeed with perverted intellects!"

-Sri Swami Sivananda

Monday Music

(NOTE: images primarily depict Durga/Chamundi)

Thursday Quote

Question: How can one learn not to criticize others - without causing to much strain to a beginner?

Swami Madhavananda: It bespeaks a 'holier than you' attitude, to have this problem at all. Here is one idea: A person's sins are being washed off onto oneself when one criticizes that person. This is an old and familiar way of thinking to us."

Monday Music

Hare Hare!

Thursday Quote

"When you came into this world people laughed while you cried. Live so that when you leave the world laugh you will, but people all around will cry."


-Tulsidas

Monday Music

Wunderbar!

Friday Focus: Mysore Etiquette

Mysore Etiquette by Cara Jepsen / Kali Om, for tomorrow's Mysore 101 workshop at Yoga Now

Mysore Etiquette


You may arrive and leave at any time during the class

Enter and leave quietly. Try to place your mat without too much drama

For best results, come at least three times a week

Let the teacher know about any injury or condition you have

Once you get on your mat, stay. Take care of bathroom duties before class

Stop when/where the teacher asks you to stop

Do not drink water, as this destroys the internal purifying heat. Traditionally, no water is taken 20 minutes before or after practice, either

It’s OK to ask questions or wait for an adjustment. Just try to keep the volume low

Try to use ujjayi breath, dristi (gaze), vinyasa and bandhas as you practice

Do Primary Series the first time you practice in a new place / with a new teacher, or after travel

Traditionally, practice is not done on the new and full moon and ladies do not practice for three days during their cycle

If pressed for time, tell the teacher. In general, the sun salutations, standing poses and closing poses are most important. Do not skip the poses you don’t like.

Learn everything you can about the pose you’re working on, such as its name and meaning. Look up others doing the pose, and try to learn from them. You may do your “nemesis” pose three times in class, or hold it for a long time.

Every pose has a correct vinyasa – a specific way to enter and exit. When in doubt, ask

Those who sweat a lot should bring two towels – one for you and one for the teacher

Practice saucha (cleanliness) on your person and your clothes, mat, towel, etc.

Try not to come to class reeking of garlic, onions or meat. Yogis historically do not consume these items. A sattvic (mild) vegetarian diet is traditional, and yields the best results

Remember the words of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois: “Ashtanga is 99 percent practice, one percent theory” and “Do you practice and all is coming.” And keep in mind that the three greatest obstacles to practice are sleep, laziness and disease.




Text (c) 2012 by Kali Om. Photo (c) 2002 by Cara Jepsen

Thursday Quote

"We spent seemingly endless hours in the offices of doctors and dentists. Once after a two-hour wait in a doctor's office Swami [Madhavananda, ninth president of the Ramakrishna Mission] said to me, 'If we, who come in this train of a divine incarnation and his partners, have it like this, just think of what must be the lot of ordinary people.'

"This gave me considerable food for thought."



-Swami Yogeshananda

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Monday Music

Craig Pruess and Ananda - Lalitha Ashtotram (Sacred Chants Of Devi)

Thursday Quote

"In life, whenever one tries to attain something, one encounters obstacles. Personal karma, habits and health problems get in the way. Just like when Moses went to the desert and heard voices that spoke of temptations, the mind devises tricks. If one makes a decision to fast and just read the scriptures for 30 days, the mind will play tricks during that time. The tendency of the mind and senses is to want only pleasure. The mind is so powerful, it will discern a little headache so that one can start to make excuses for not practicing. One might say, 'I'll start in the New Year' over and over. Then the New Year passes, and one is still over-indulging and generally carrying on as before. One feels that one cannot stop and change behavior, and delays the decision until their birthday. In a short time, it's the new millennium. So it goes as you continue to do the things you do not really choose to. One acts automatically due to past habits. Then one day, you are 80 years old and it is too late.

"It's best to make a contractual promise. Write and sign the document, then give the promise to someone in whom you believe to help insure that you stick to your word and follow through with right action."



-Dharma Yoga Life of a Yogi Teacher Training Manual

Monday Music

Thursday Quote

"Vedanta is not a creed, it is, rather, the foundation of all creeds and religions - those not only of India but the world; for it explains in rational terms the eternal laws governing all spiritual life and gives aid to all men and women in the spiritual unfoldment, whatever their individual religious affiliations and beliefs may be. It is, in truth, a Universal Philosophy and REligion, belong to no one race of people, but to mankind as a whole."

-Swami Ashokananda

Mid-Week Video

MONDAY MUSIC