FOUR AIMS CENTER

Dear Friend of the Four Aims:

I seem to begin these updates lately with references to the weather, and today, a surprisingly rainy day in late Autumn, is no exception. A huge thunderclap just rocked our little neighborhood, and set off numerous car alarms. Daisy dog is stuck inside again while mom works, and the deep grey of coming night reminds me of a different season altogether. The vagaries of the weather seem to affect people so differently, and this, according to Ayurvedic medicine, has to do with different constitutions and temperaments. Ancient spiritual traditions, such as yoga, reference the weather as a metaphor, reminding us of how easily the weather shifts, and to keep track of our inner stability and equipoise by connecting to the Source of that which is unchanging. We are taught that being extremely affected by hot or cold, hunger, insects, or any other bodily discomfort points to some instability in body or mind, and to take measures to find inner stability (ideally through meditation). Now if you are anything like me, when I think on that, I immediately say: yeah, yeah, but India never knew Seattle’s ten months of rain! And that is actually true, which is why it is extremely important for those of us in this climate to do practices that awaken the Light within. (See my November workshop for Depression: Beating the Blues—The Yoga of Light, Breath and Sound under “Yoga & Movement”).

In classical yoga, there are two extremely important prayers that invoke the Light, for light is considered a Divine principle of Life, and a source of intelligence, a source of clarity. One of these is The Gayatri, whereby the practitioner connects her own consciousness to the light of the Sun (as a manifestation of Divine Light) and asks that it may totally illuminate her body-mind-spirit. The other is an ancient invocation:

asato ma sat gamayaa
tamaso ma jyotir gamayaa
mrtyor amritam gamayaa

Lead me from the unreal to the Real
(or, From illusion lead me to the Truth)
Lead me from darkness to Light
Lead me from mortality to Eternity
(The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28)

These are ancient invocations chanted in India and abroad as far back as, perhaps 1000 BC. The effect of chanting of and concentration on specific mantras is one of the important contributions by yoga and Tantra for the energy systems of the human body, and something I hope to explore in-depth as well, in the Weekend Workshop Everyday Transformations: 7 Steps for Awakening from Suffering (under “Special Events”). In this weekend immersion, which is NOT just a yoga workshop, we will work with all parts of the healing process, utilizing an integrated approach to transforming suffering into joy, imbalance into equipoise. Consciously connecting the cells of the body with the cells of the soul, we will play with movement, sound, breath, relaxation, concentration, meditation and creative ritual. In this way we will get to know ALL PArts of ourselves, and ultimately, continue the creative exploration all the way into the "shadow material" lying in the darkness of our unconscious.  This is the deepest path into Integration and Union.

 A Course in Miracles teaches that we come face to face with the idea that "darkness cannot hide.. and the recognition that there is nothing you want to hide even if you could.  When you have become willing to hide nothing, you will not only be willing to enter into (com) union but will also understand peace and joy." (Chapter 1, p.28).  This mini-Retreat, where connecting with self and others in a unique and authentic way, will open the energy-body to receive the Light of Greater Awareness, allowing for the release of personal and collective stories that hold one back, the experience of deeper levels of healing, and the experience of unburdened joy.

Who doesn’t want more of that?!

I’m also excited to announce that Yoga for Fertility classes, originated by an old friend, Lynn Jensen, will be taught by one of her senior teachers, Kathy. If you know any woman trying to get pregnant in West Seattle, this Monday night series is for her/you!

As well, Tim Loerch’s Sunday Zen Meditation begins weekly meetings starting September 7^th, and I’m so happy that we will have more chances to study with this wonderful teacher and guide.

For the complete yoga schedule, go to “Yoga & Movement,” but just a note: the orientation for Kat’s Monday 5:45pm class for Fall is the Yoga Dharma (philosophy and spiritual teachings woven into a a body and breath practice), while Wednesday mornings with Karen Armand are still open to anyone, with a lovely blend of stretches, slow flow and relaxation.

Finally, think about jumping into Fall with a chance to taste your own inner sweetness, with Kat’s Nourishing Meditation through Breath & Movement, on Saturday afternoon, September 6^th. If you are drawn to exploring meditation, but have difficulty with sitting still, or think it too solemn (boring?), then this workshop is for you! Uplifting movement and yoga is utilized to open and train the body to be a vehicle for greater awareness. Part 1: Warm-up through releasing, creative movement and breathing. Part 2: Yoga postures as meditation; diving deeply into simple asanas. Part 3: Sitting for mindfulness practice, entering into the stream of our Life Force and experience pure presence. Vipassana, or “awareness of everything” meditation guides us to remain in the now, observing without judgment. This workshop is truly for everyone, beginner or continuing practitioner!

If you are keen to explore the field of Yoga Therapy more fully, Soleil Hepner and I are once again teaming up to offer an experiential 2 day workshop on the Evolving Yoga Therapy. Soleil is the only NW advanced practitioner and instructor of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, and will offer theory and practice, while Kat presents the Yoga Therapy model of T. Krishnamacarya, and the Pancha Koshas, or 5 Sheaths. Kat will also introduce ways of working more fluently in the one element missing in this model, the Emotional Body. This workshop is a pre-requisite for those interested in going deeper into training in Yoga Therapy, as we are preparing a more comprehensive course in 2009.

Another chance to take the ever-popular Financial class, Wealth of an Ordinary Life, with Justin and myself, happens the 3rd weekend in November—check back for exact dates and times under “Conscious Finances.”

Finally, for women who are interested in group work, we have continued our women's group for Body Psychotherapy and Spirituality, meeting for 3 hours once a month on Saturday mornings. If you might be interested, I’m opening the group up for Fall, so be sure to call for a phone interview!

I wish you all a very happy, attuned and grounded transition into Fall. Keep moving, keep breathing, keep singing (or at least keep listening to music) and keep the faith!