Dear Yogis,

ZOOM AND CLASSES:
Monday: Studio Yoga Class – 1pm (class full)
Tuesday: 7.45pm Rumi Study Group – This is a highlight of our week.
Wednesday: 5.30 Studio Yoga Class – (class full)
Friday: 6.45pm Free pendulum/tarot class.  Last week we discussed the vibrations of food, and our body,  and using the pendulum to determine the freshness of food and the usefulness to our health status.
Saturday: 2pm Art class.  You can bring projects you started, or do something new and different.  This coming week could be a studio class if we get class consensus.
Sunday: 10am Gita Study Class – Our second time around (doesn’t mean there is no need to be committed).  We are up to Chapter 3.

Everything has changed….. however, we have settled down to a “Post Lock-down” routine – until the next time.  Believe me there will be a next time, and it may not be Covid next time.  It might be a different kind of flu altogether, but still difficult.  So start preparing your immune systems NOW.  Don’t wait until it sneaks up on us.

With regard to vaccines.. According to “Scientific American” magazine , if you do decide to vaccinate it will be a whole lot more effective if you have a good night’s sleep the night before, plus about 45 minutes of exercise immediately prior to receiving the vaccine.

 

FOUR SIMPLE TIPS FOR LIVING A BUDDHIST LIFE

1.SET OUT GOOD ROLE MODELS AND MENTORS.
Although it has been 2,500 since the Buddha passed into parinirvana, his teachings are upheld and transmitted by TRAINED and qualified dharma teachers.  In my case I have had  teachers of great note.  Margaret Segesman, Phra Kantiphalo, Aya Khema,  and more down through the years,  both here and overseas.

Now, although I find leading a teacher training school, studying and teaching both asana and philosophy is a challenge I feel that my practise has been enriched my this complexity.  It would have been easier in a temple, but would not have been helpful to me.  Having mentors who managed the same and more complications helped me to see it was not only possible, it was suitable to me.  I needed and still need mentors for when things fell apart – they did, and still do.

2.GATHER MERIT
This particularly means to practice compassion.  Any time when i think I am making headway (especially in the area of patience) , God sends me a student who stretches my “elastic” further than it has gone before.  A person who has a characteristics I find difficult.  I know what is happening when it happens and can learn adapt, and lean back into my teachers. Even though they have passed over to the other side they are still with me.  Remembering to make offerings UPWARD and and practice compassion and generosity DOWNWARD.

3. APPROACH ALL ENDEAVOURS WITH MINDFULNESS
No matter what you are asked to do, in the sangha or in the home,  approach them with intelligence.   The question you should ask is “What qualities are needed to fulfil this role?”  It can be difficult to learn from others in order to move forward, but we need to do it.  As teachers we need to receive genuine dharma teachings, from genuine dharma teachers, reflect on them genuinely, and practice them genuinely.

4. NURTURE DIGNITY AND CONFIDENCE
In these difficult times of change more than ever we encounter problems and challenges.  At these times we should not let circumstances rob us of our confidence.  Here in the middle of the worldly confusion and anxiety (samsara) I can help my family, I can support my sangha and my teacher, and benefit sentient beings, and in this manner I can live a joyous, meaningful life.

“God’s joy”, wrote Rumi
“moves from unmarked box to unmarked box”.

 

MEET ME ON THE MAT.

NAMASTE – JAHNE