My Body | My Temple

Great Summer Reads - Meditations on the Word

You've booked your time off - stay-cation, cottage, voyage accross the sea - the only thing missing is a list of amazing books to download or lug with you.  Here you go - with love from my office tower colleaugues.  Enjoy the inspiration.  

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

 The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey  

 The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch

 Something Borrowed – Emily Griffin

 Anything by Robert Munsch (kids author)

 Fall on Your Knees – Anne Marie MacDonald

 The Sister’s Brother – Patrick DeWitt

 The Firm – John Grisham

Little Bee – Chris Cleave

 The Life of Pi – Yann Martel

 Wheat Belly – William Davis

 419 – Will Ferguson

 This is How – Augusten Burroughs

 Gone Girl – Gillian Flynne

 Drive – Daniel Pink

 Born to Run – Christopher McDougall

 Ready Player One – Ernest Cline

 Total Recall – My Unbelievably True Life Story – Arnold Schwarzenegger

 Steve Jobs – by Steve Jobs

 The Road – Cormac McCarthy

 Spellman Series – Lisa Lutz

 Apathy and Other Small Victories – Paul Neilan

 A World Elsewhere – Wayne Johnston

 The Antagonist – Lynne Coady

 The Immortal Life Henrietta Lachs – Rebecca Skloot

 Anything by Harlan Courbin

 Anything by Lee Child

 Secret – L. Marie Adeline

 Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini

 A Thousand Splendid Suns ­– Khaled Hosseini

 Slave – Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis

 Any parenting book by Alyson Schafer

 Dreams of My Father – Barack Obama

 Act Like a Lady Think Like a Man – Steve Harvey

 Do They Hear you when you Cry – Fauziya Kassindja

 Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden

 Some Girls:  My Life in a Harem – Jilliam Lauren

 Bad as I Wanna Be – Dennis Rodman

The Wisdom of No Escape

In search on inspiration recently, I turned to my trusty iPad.  With a deep inhale I opened the first book my finger took me to: The Wisdom of No Escape.

 

“Generally speaking, we regard discomfort in any form as bad news. But for the practitioner or spiritual warrior – people who have a certain hunger to know what is true – feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we are holding back.  They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we would rather collapse and back away.  They’re like messengers who show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we are stuck.  This moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are.”

 

Her words remind me the path is always present. 

 

Ane Pema Chodron was born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown in 1936, in New York City. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children and three grandchildren. Her exploration of the spiritual life began as a result of her divorce from her husband.  She credits this experience with being the catalyst for her exploration of Buddhist teachings. 

While in her mid-thirties, Ane Pema traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. She received the ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.

She has written five incredible books: The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times and The Places That Scare You and No Time to Lose are available from Shambhala Publications.

 

Her spiritual guidance on the topic of meditation is loving and gentle.  She shares her own stories of rage and pettiness and shares techniques to deal gracefully with all that is. 

 

On the topic of fear, she tells this story of her own teacher.  “One boy asked him if he was ever afraid.  Rinpoche answered that his teacher had encouraged him to go to places like graveyards that scared him and to experiment with approaching things he did not like.  Then he told a story of travelling with his attendants to a monastery that he had never been to before.  As they neared the gates, he saw a large guard dog with huge teach and red eyes.  It was growly ferociously and struggling to get free from the chain that held it.  The dog seemed desperate to attack them.  As Rinpoche got closer, he could see its bluish tongue and spittle spraying from its mouth.  They walked past the dog, keeping their distance and walked through the gate.  Suddenly the chain broke and the dog rushed at them.  The attendants screamed and froze in terror.  Rinpoche turned and ran as fast as he could – straight at the dog.  The dog was so surprised that he put his tail between his legs and ran away.”

 

In this simple story we learn to face our fears and see that it holds only the level of charge that we allow. 

 

In addressing fear, Pema Chodron says “There has to be some kind of respect for the jitters, some understanding of how our emotions have the power to run us around in circles.  That understanding helps us to discover how we increase our pain, how we increase our confusion, how we cause harm to ourselves.”

 

And in this act of accepting what is, we give ourselves the strength of a spiritual warrior.  And with these simple teachings, Pema helps to point the way to liberation and sovereignty.   

 

I learned a powerful technique from these books - Tonglen meditation.  The practice involves breathing in an uncomfortable emotion like anger, rage or jealousy.  This is open us to humanity, inhaling for anyone in the world who might be having the same experience.  On the out breath, exhale the remedy – love, acceptance, peace.  In many ways this goes against or natural inclination which is to turn and run from that which is uncomfortable.  In this practice, we stand still and we embrace it for ourselves and each other.  In being with what is we develop courage, patience and love.  Steadiness in the face of uncertainty is the way of the spiritual warrior.  Also known as You. 

  

 

 

 

Top 5 Book Picks for 2011

Here are some lasts minute gift ideas.  Hot hint:  Get these for yourself!  

In September I bought an iPad2 and since then my reading has gone through the roof.  It’s portable and I can have an entire library at my reference on the subway ride home.  I love this.  Some of the books below I read the classic way (in bed) and others I have on my iPad.  Here they are in no particular order. 

 1.    When things fall Apart - Pema Chodron

 If you’re brave enough to identify where you are – this is book for you.  It is simple, elegant and is full of complete strategies for getting through the roughest of times.  When you emerge on the other side, and you will, life will feel much better.  Pema was one of the first western women to teach on Tibetan Buddhism.   

 2.    The 5 Love Languages – Gary Chapman

Honestly, I had lots of challenges with how this book was written.  If you can get past the heteronormative language – this book has some useful information.  Essentially, everyone communicates love differently.  Do unto others is not the best MO.  It is much more effective and less ego maniacal if you can understand, appreciate and acknowledge how another person gives and received love.  I found that part inspiring.  So much so that I designed a yoga course around it.  Click here to find out more about the Love Series. 

 3.    Loving What Is – Byron Katie

A thought is harmless unless we believe it.  The root cause of suffering is how we use those thoughts to relate to the world around us.  With 4 simple questions, this book helps to literally undress our belief systems.  Once you understand your beliefs, you can make a decision to change how you interact with the world around you.  Freedom! 

4.    Manifesting Change – Mike Dooley

Mike has a great sense of humor and a fun and candid way of relaying information.  The catch phrase that he uses is “Thoughts Become Things”. This book is inspiring and a great way to start of 2012.  You can catch Mike in the movie, The Secret. 

 5.    You can create an exceptional life by Louise L. Hay and Cheryl Richardson

 Louise L. Hay was the pioneer in the mind-body connection.  She understood and taught us that our thoughts influence everything around us and manifests as either sickness or health.  In her early work she developed affirmations associated with different illnesses.  Fascinating.  Her life story is incredible.  In this book, Cheryl Richardson, career coach and author, uses Louise as a muse for this book.  It is eye opening and offers a glimpse into how affirmations can be used in just about every circumstance. 

Each of these books are an amazing investment.  Please share your recommendations.  Me and my iPad2 are most grateful. 

Happy Holidays and lots of love,

 

 

Salimah 

Subway as Metaphor for Life & Thoughts Become Things

Monday morning started off like all the others, running a few minutes late, trusty iPad in hand jumping on to the subway for work.  Except right now I’m reading Manifesting Change by Mike Dooley.  One concept that I’ve learned from his book is Thoughts become Things and to move in the general direction of my dreams every day.  On this particular Monday, I decided to ride the front car of the subway to work to shake things up and, who knows, the love of my life might just be waiting there for me!  As the train drew into the station there was a sweet spot available at the very front of the car with a view of the tracks.  I was about to watch the entire ride unfold.     

 The Extraordinary from the Ordinary

 I could feel my heart get bigger as I watched the journey unfold in a totally new way.  Instead of being glued to my Blackberry or reading, I was witnessing the ride.  Like the preverbal snake we moved from darkness to light.  How appropriate! I saw people standing and waiting for the train, others running to catch up.  All of us heading in the same general direction – eastward with a voice overhead reminding us where we were, to be careful, thanking us for taking the better way. 

 On Tuesday I decided to capture the adventure for you dear reader.  This time around it was a rainy day and a friendly stranger decided to get in on the action.  She shared her story of the subway with me during the filming.  Her curiosity and generosity was a reflection of my intention for the day as well.  By taking a general step in the direction of what I wante to accomplish, I was blessed with a narrative for the clip below. 

  

Thoughts become Things

 The phone rang last Saturday.  that is surprising alone because I almost never have the ringer on and generally let voicemail collect all calls.  The voice on the other end had an offer of a lifetime for me.  Here is a picture of yours truly teaching a Meditation at the Bell LightBox on November 20, 2011.  I was mid sentence on that stage when I realized that I was living out a scene that I have been putting on all of my vision boards for the past two years.  I’m starting to get the hang of how to live life’s magic.  I hope I’ve given you enough proof to give it a whirl too.  If it can happen for me, it can happen for you. 

 

 

 

Ps

 

For those of you who have been asking on FaceBook and Twitter – the Veg to Vegan is coming along very nicely.  I did a 5 day juice cleanse with www.totalcleanse.ca and followed with a 3 day raw diet from www.belmonteraw.com and I feel amazing.  And even better, my sugar cravings have dropped off entirely, my insulin requirements are down and my blood sugars have found their own balance.  Would you believe I actual want to eat apples?  Weird.  I know. 

 Here’s a little breathing technique that helped along the way. . . .

 

 

More Love in 2012

 

Click here to catch live Kundalini Yoga classes in 2012

Eight Human Talents ~ Book Review

This week the YogaVision Studio was closed for Easter Monday.  Of course everyone got a little homework.

 Join the gang by practicing this meditation:   

Seven Wave Sat Nam Meditation

 Love Through the Chakras, is an eight week course that I am currently teaching at the studio.  The course is inspired by “The Eight Human Talents” by Gurmukh.  Gurmukh was one of Yogi Bhajan’s first students and runs a Kundalini Yoga centre in Los Angeles and New York called Golden Bridge.  

 During my Yoga teacher training in 2006, this book was one of my main references.  It is a clear and loving description of Kundalini Yoga, The Chakras and the science behind mantras, mudras and the power of meditation.  Yogi Bhajan’s quotes are the corner stone for Gurmukh’s writing. 

 Each chapter describes one aspect of the Chakra system - the human talent, shadow, colour, and a physical practice and meditation to work with each. It is part story telling and part self practice.    

 Gurmukh talks about her personal life experiences and those of her students to explain the Chakra system. The stories are universal and show us how to use Kundalini Yoga and Meditation practice to heal and transform our lives.    

 In her chapter on the second chakra she suggests abstaining from sex for 40 days as a practice of noticing where and how we relate to sex and sexuality in our lives.  When I first read this, I was shocked and a little put off. Now, a few years later, and having explored this practice, I understand the rewards of being a witness to my own experiences.  40 days is not an eternity.  It is just enough time to add, change or remove a habit.  Questioning habits is always a good idea.  What do your habits say about you?

Gurmukh reminds us in this book that when the body heals, the mind and soul also heal.  And you are your own best healer.  Taking responsibility, not blaming others leads to liberation. 

Kundalini Yoga helps the practitioner move past the body and into more insightful thoughts and feelings.  Years of Yoga and meditation practices can help alleviate depression and disease.  Disease is the body actualizing a message from the spirit.  When disease is present, there is an imbalance in the mind or emotions.  Intuition brings us clues from God.  This is the inner voice.  It is the voice providing a path where no other path existed before. 

I am grateful to have this book as a resource.  It is bright and uplifting.  The style of writing is simple and straightforward. I use  this book as a point of reflection and a guide along the way.  I open it up at a random page and use that as my lesson for the day.  It is always what I need. 

 Curious about Kundalini Yoga and Meditation?

 New Course Starts May 30 at the YogaVision Studio

Unbearable Lightness - Book Review

So what happens when you finally love yourself and let it all hang out? 

You heal and meet the love of your life. 

 

It’s our story, my story, your story of transformation.  Walking to the darkest part of ourselves and finding the light.  This is the Guru – whatever takes you from darkness to light.  A teacher comes in many forms.  Eating disorders and coming out stories included.  This is a story of love. 

Portia Di Rossi, most famous for her roles on Ally McBeal and Arrested Development is tall, blond, gorgeous.  And in case you think that might mean life is perfect – think again.  There are hurts, misconceptions, weaknesses, lapses, and fear. Sound familiar?

We humans fear three things – boredom, loneliness and death.   Portia swung from 82 pounds to 168 pounds navigating all three.  She describes elaborate eating rituals to keep her calorie count low.  She avoided being  in relationships for fear of being outed as a lesbian by the media.  And looking death in the eye was her turn around moment.    

 

Portia’s writing is crisp, clear and insightful. She mirrors the pain and obsession of disordered eating and her eventual recovery with a poetic hand.  She also offers us a tiny glimpse of life on the set of Ally McBeal and her love life before Ellen. 

When you read this book, be prepared to confront some of your own ideas of body image and the emphasis you may place on what other people think or do.  And in the end, your revelation may be the same as Portia’s – with love – everything is possible. 

For daily inspiration on Love check out the YogaVision Studio on FaceBook