Waiting for the Water to Settle

the dilemma of waiting for clarity

In last month’s newslettler, we discussed how the season of autumn ushers in change and sometimes uncomfortable, but necessary upheaval.  Those ‘winds of change’ often bring up issues or situations to examine, decisions to ponder and opportunities for new direction.  And speaking from an Ayurvedic perspective, in this season of Vata, these circumstances can bring up fear, anxiety and nervous uncertainty that can be potentially derailing.

In our do-now, have-now, get-it-done world, waiting patiently isn’t exactly encouraged, while speed, confidence, and having the right answers are rewarded.  So what incentive do we have to live comfortably in the uncertainty?  Is it OK not to know?

In his book, “The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life”, Mark Nepo writes:

With each circumstance or confusing situation, things appear muddy and stirred.  So, we can act with urgency, guessing what’s underneath all the agitation, or we can dare to wait until the water clears, until we can see what’s at the bottom of it all.  Of course, the press to respond prematurely is hugely distracting, and it often gets the better of us…

Waiting for situations to clear is a perennial challenge.  Written 2,600 years ago, the ancient Tao asks: “Can you wait till the waters of your mind settle?” Frustrating as it is, human beings have always had to wait for things to become clear, and even then, the clarity is all too fleeting.  But authenticity takes time to rise in our blood.  Beauty takes time for us to fully see.  It always takes longer to hear with the heart, but the song heard there is lasting and precious.

There are reasons behind the recommendation to find a calm, grounding rhythm over the next few months.  We are invited to move inward, more deeply into ourselves and to spend time in silence, finding the patience to let the water settle, for clarity to emerge.  This is a process that can not be forced.  But as Nepo says, it is a process worth waiting for – if we have the courage to be authentic and wait in a state of present observation, in a state of patient listening, only then may we honor the whisper of our soul’s highest knowing.

• Pranayama simply means “breath control”, and refers to breathing exercises that use breath, our prana, or life-force, to affect our mental, physical and emotional state.
• Sitali pranayama is a cooling breath.  Here’s how to do it:
  • Sit in a comfortable meditative posture with the spine straight.
    
  • Curl the tongue and protrude it slightly past the lips. If you can’t curl the tongue, try to bring the edges of your tongue up with your lips.
    
  • Inhale deeply and smoothly through the tongue and mouth. Exhale through the nose.
    
  • Continue for 5 minutes.
    
  • Then inhale — hold. Pull in the tongue. Exhale and relax.
    
  • Repeat as needed for up to two more 5-minute periods.

• Place a half cup of cooked rice in a glass.
• Fill cup to cover rice with twice as much water.
• Let sit, (covered) overnight at room temperature.
• First thing in the morning, strain liquid from rice and drink just the liquid.
  

***

Posted:

Yoga has an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases that include the recurrence of heart attacks, hypertension and coronary heart diseases. Yoga influences the hypothalamus directly, the area of the brain that controls endocrine activity, and helps prevent heart attacks.

Links to the study articles:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137950,00.html

http://www.medindia.net/yoga-lifestyle/yoga-heart.htm

Today, with the fast pace of life, repeated changes in jobs, homes, frequent divorces and marriages and advancement in modern technology with which we cannot keep pace, numerous tensions are created. We are the victims of a monster we have created for ourselves, the monster of progress and sophistication. In this unrelenting struggle for existence, we try to keep a calm exterior but conceal a disturbed mind. Mental stress and strain is the penalty we pay for becoming more civilized…The real problem is that mental stress and strain plays a vital role in the lives of millions today…”

– “Yoga & Your Heart” – Dr. Datey et al

… AND we have learned to live with it, self-medicating with drinking, smoking, television, or other addictions. We hear that healthy habits like yoga and meditation and simply breathing (by golly!), can really help us.

Do you ever wonder “how”, exactly?

A recent Yale Study showed that people who practiced yoga and meditation at least three times a week may reduce their blood pressure, pulse, and risk of heart disease. Volunteers that participated in a six-week yoga and meditation program saw a 17% improvement in blood vessel function (the way the vessels contract and expand to aid blood flow), and participants who had heart disease saw close to a 70% improvement. The group’s average blood pressure decreased from 130/70mmHg to 125/74.

And the best news, it doesn’t require a lot. The participants in this study saw these dramatic changes with 40mn yoga, 20mn deep relaxation, 15mn of yoga breathing and 15mn of mediation, (1.5 hours total) over a six-week period. Even 15-30mns a day consistently will create long-term benefits.

If you’re concerned about heart disease in your life, remember that this is a problem of modern times. Heart disease is psychosomatic in nature. Improper lifestyle, poor diets and negative thinking play an important part in triggering heart disease. Our thoughts, feelings and emotions affect our body and mind. Negative emotions spark chemical processes through the entire body.

So start with observing your thoughts, keeping them positive and practice quiet activity like yoga with joy and gratitude. Most importantly, LOVE YOURSELF.

I like this quote from J. Krishnamurti as it represens a core theme of his teachings -  go inside for the truth!  We often spend our days looking for leaders, gurus, teachers, books…outside help and the truth is only within ourselves.

PERCEPTION

. . Something To Think About. . .

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin pl ayed six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurrie dly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:

The musician played continu ously.  Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

The questions raised:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing?

Holiday Gift Certificate Specials

I’ve created modified packages with special rates so you pay less than full price for a sampler, full, or extended session.  Give the gift of self-care and peace to someone you love.
This offer is for new clients only.
30mn Intensive Session
A lot can happen in 30mn!  This can be a phone session or a live session. For those who are unfamiliar with phone sessions, usually we pick one thing to focus on – the result is often a significant opening supported  by specific breathwork or visualization. $35

60mn Regular Session
In addition to the above, we can focus more on body mechanics as well as breath or anything that the client wants to delve into, including Ayurvedic health consultation.  $65

90mn Extended Session
An relaxing journey into the self, we can integrate multiple modalities into this time.  Great for individuals needing more support or couples who want to practice together! $85

See www.privateyogatherapy.com/services for detailed information on all offerings
Please contact me to purchase a gift certificate

Many Blessings to you this Holiday Season,
Gianna