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E W S L E T T E R.. A R C H I V E S
• Y
O G A L I C I O U S #8
— February / 2001
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Happy
Valentine’s Day! This issue offers ideas to refresh your meditation
practice or help you begin. I find that through practicing meditation
I can cultivate and experience my most relaxed, present, loving
self. The more I practice, the more present and loving I become
with others. Ultimately, our meditation practice becomes a gift
to all those in our lives, to the world. There are numerous styles
of meditation. If you haven't been “turned on” by a technique
yet, try a new one, you simply may not have found the one that is
right for you yet. Shanti, Jillian
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IN THIS ISSUE ——
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“Knowledge
is regarded as an obstacle to understanding, like a block of ice
that obstructs water from flowing. It is said that if we take on
things to be the truth and cling to it, even if truth itself comes
in person and knocks at our door, we won’t open it. For things
to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views
about them.”
—
Thich Nhat Hanh
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| SIMPLE COUNTING MEDITATION TECHNIQUE |
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This is a great technique for beginners; simply count your exhales. Either sit in a comfortable cross-leg position or lie flat on your back. Start with a deep letting-go breath. On your next exhale, count the number four. On the next exhale three, then two and then one on successive exhales. After four exhales, when you reach one, start counting down from four again. Continue this cycle for 3-10 minutes. Each time you notice you have lost your count, observe what you are thinking about, gently take a deep letting-go breath and return your attention to counting. Don't be discouraged if you have to do this over and over again. That’s pretty much the deal. Focusing on the breath this way develops concentration, quiets the “chattering” mind, and helps you observe your thought patterns more clearly. Here’s the essence of this technique: You are floating in a boat. Counting your breaths becomes the “rope” which fastens you to the shore so you do not drift aimlessly out in the current of your thoughts. And, instead of getting caught in the current, you can witness your thoughts as they float by you - while the “rope” keeps you secured, centered, to the shore. back to top |
| VIPASSANA |
| For vipassana workshops and courses call the New York Insight Meditation Center: 917-441-0915. For an Introductory Web site check out: http://www.tbsa.org/introducctionvipassana.htm or, for instructions try: http://www.tbsa.org/meditationinstrucctions.htm back to top |
| GREAT MEDITATION BOOK |
| BEING PEACE by Thich Nhat Hanh. You can find it on http://www.Amazon.com back to top |
| WONDERFUL MUSIC FOR RELAXATION |
| This is a great Valentines Day present for yourself! It’s beautiful. RETURNING by Jennifer Berezan. This is the one many of you have been asking me about. It was recorded in one of the world’s oldest temples in a chamber created for sound. http://www.edgeofwonder.com or call 510-524-4183. back to top |
| HAVE A PEACEFUL NEW YEARS? NEXT YEAR |
| I discovered a magical New Years Eve event you should put on your calendar for next year. The Annual Concert for Peace at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th St). It was a night filled with music and peace. The concert climaxed with a solo male gospel singer, bathing us in the hymn “This Little Light Of Mine, I’m Gonna Let It Shine.” As he chanted, thousands of us lit our individual Candles, raised them above our heads and slowly swayed. Our lights illuminated the spectacular, huge, gothic church. It was an incredible moment, leaving me with unshakable optimism for this New Year. Go next year! back to top |
| LIGHT A CANDLE FOR PEACE NOW |
| This is fun. Turn up your sound! http://www.webshots.com/go?candle back to top |
| FOR WOMEN: YOGA AND MENSTRUATION |
| Last month I listed reasons for not going upside down. Add menstruation to that list. In fact, as suggested by many accomplished teachers, during menses you may want to avoid inverted poses, abdominal strengtheners, extended holding of any pose, energizing breaths (kapalabhati), or any kind of vigorous practice. The issue is that these practices might interfere with the downward flow, cause discomfort, or simply be over taxing on your body during this time. In the end, it is most wise to listen to your own body and decide what’s right for you. back to top |
| WISE RIDDLE |
| Submitted by Yogi Scott: What is better than G-d and more evil than the Devil. Rich people want it and poor people have it? (E-mail me your answer.) back to top |
| INTEGRATIVE REHAB |
| Alyssa Frey and Jane Gatanis are wonderful, experienced healers (and yogis!) specializing in gentle individualized rehabilitation to resolve pain and rebuild health. They have expertise in Craniosacral therapy, myofascial release postural re-education, ergonomics orthopedic & restorative therapies. Union Square area. 212-260-5375 back to top |
| OMEGA CONFERENCE NYC |
| April 27-29, 2001. The Spiritual Adventure, at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in New York City. This event has more than 40 workshops and keynote speakers, including Caroline Myss, Ram Dass, Spalding Gray, and more. I will also be teach a yoga session on saturday. To learn more or register: visit http://eomega.org/ or call 800-944-1001. back to top |
| PARTNER YOGA WORKSHOP |
| Come join us February 17, 12:00 -2:00 pm at YMCA HOBOKEN. 201-963-4100 Call for more info or to register. You don’t have to come with a partner! We’ll do all sorts of moves and working with a partner is not only fun but helps create better awareness and alignment. This is appropriate for all levels except brand new beginners. Bring a sticky mat. back to top |
| KATMANDU YOGA TRIP |
| October 10-27 Sarah Powers, a wonderful yoga teacher from California, is leading this yoga adventure. Spend 6 days doing yoga in Katmandu followed by a 9 day Trek to Buddhist sites in the Himalayas. For details and information visit www.sarahpowers.com back to top |
| JILLIAN’s GROUP CLASSES SCHEDULE: |
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NEW
YORK CITY: HOBOKEN:
HUDSON ATHLETIC
CLUB 2ND and Washington 201-798-1811. |
| LOVE AND LET GO |
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(I found this Poem in Gulliver’s Institute catalog. Powerful Valentines thoughts.) Learning to love differently is hard, love with the hands wide open, love with the doors banging on their hinges, the cupboard unlocked, the wind roaring and whispering and then roaring again. It hurts to love wide open, stretching the muscles that feel as if they’re made of wet plaster, then of blunt knives, then of sharp knives. It hurts to thwart the reflexes of grab, of clutch, to love and let go again and again. It persters to remember the lover who is not in the bed, to love consciously, conscientiously, concretely, constructively... It hurts to love wide open, to have and not to hold, to love and let go again and again. To love with minimized malice, hunger and anger, moment by moment, balanced. back to top |
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Thanks for reading everyone! Keep your eye out for the launch of my web site this month. More info will come. As always, I would love to hear your recommendations and comments. Also, if you have a friend who'd like to receive this newsletter, have them send in their e-mail. Please let me know of any email address changes of if you would like to be taken of the distribution. Happy Day. With much joy, Jillian |