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Will Doran Yoga Newsletter
~ Fall 2009
Certified Yoga Instructor and Life Coach
Dear friends,
Seasons
greetings to you all. Life
has been full and personal and familial transformation has brought in a
new sense of insight and delight. Not
the least of these has been the lesson that conflict and strife can be
powerful tools for seeing the divine hand of God at play.
Showing up to do the work at hand and surrendering the fruits of
my action has opened many new paths to perception and has brought in
enhanced intimacy on many levels. This
newsletter is dedicated to our shared condition of shifting perspectives
and the art of cultivating the highest in our actions and perceptions.
I hope my words serve you and help to inspire your days.
In this issue:
·
Yoga
Philosophy: Revelation
·
Applied
Yoga: The Brilliance of
the Moment
·
Life Coaching
Pearls of Wisdom: The
Art of Being Present
·
Notices:
-
Pre-Christmas Restorative Yoga Workshop (12/20/2009)
-
New Years Day Workshop
-
My teaching schedule
-
Suggested resources ____________________________________
Yoga
Philosophy:
Revelation
The philosophy of Tantra,
the underpinnings of hatha yoga, holds that Absolute Consciousness
desired to experience all possible aspects of itself, and as such,
manifested into innumerable realities
and worlds, including the material world we humans are born into.
With our limited senses we perceive nature and the machinations
of our mind, yet we are designed to know that there is more to reality
than what we perceive. Additionally,
a powerful aspect of our nature is to seek out and explore that sense of
“more.”
Our desire for more is expressed on the mundane level in the act
of accumulation of things and possessions. Yet, with a growing maturity
we learn that the deep desire for more is not satiated and made complete
through acquiring possessions; indeed they often leave us empty and
frustrated. I pose the
question of whether or not this natural compulsion for more is a human
flaw or a blessing in disguise?
My investigation into the matter revealed that the
question is as ancient as civilization itself.
The most satisfactory answers I found come from the
life-affirming teachings of Tantra
and its view that our desire is a clever game of higher-conscious hide
and seek; our compulsion to desire more and more eventually leads us
through the material world and into the transcendent.
This teaching holds that we can find contentment and joy in this
world by recognizing that the Divine is present in all that exists; it
delights in our discovery that there is no separation between our self
and God. This revelation
creates unity consciousness and is the key to making peace with our life
experience.
Tantra
holds that the absolute nature of the universe is innate and intrinsic goodness.
We are born to desire the full spectrum of the physical and
emotional aspects of life so as to learn both their joys and
limitations. Eventually our
attachments reveal their transient nature and we are drawn to desire
that which is universal and beyond limitations; we are created to
explore singularity, separation and duality so as to find transcendent
unity in the very heart of the finite.
This process reveals that there is an intrinsic goodness to
everything in this world because it is all an expression of Supreme
Consciousness; all creation is brought into being as an embodiment of
absolute and unbound love delighting in its own pulsation of being.
The ancient masters called this the Dance of Consciousness (Shiva)
passionately embracing mother nature (Shakti)
in the rapture of creation, sustainment and dissolution.
Because there is no intrinsic or absolute evil in the universe,
that which we perceive as being bad is but an expression of free will
moving one out of alignment with the Divine in a way that creates
suffering, pain and harm.
Revelation comes to us through varied ways, all relative to the
unique diversity and will of the individual or group consciousness.
I contend that we are in a time of accentuated revelation;
possibly out of our necessity we have created a moment in time that
calls for a group experience of waking up to our interconnectivity.
Possibly the calamitous conditions we have created are the very
catalysts for opening our doors of perception to the “bigger
picture” of our unity and as such this will transform our reality into
something more brilliant. Now
more than ever we need to call upon the revelatory power of Grace
to take us to the next and higher level of perception and being, then
act upon this knowledge. Our
desire for more has played itself out on the mundane level and now the
profound needs to be exalted. Everything,
from the interpersonal to the global, is on the line. I would love to
believe that there is a new world coming for us to experience within our
reach. Now we have to
explore how to get there.
Revelation and expanded knowledge on the intellectual level will
only get us so far. What is
needed is practice and application of that wisdom.
In order to get to the juicy substance of unity consciousness we
need to peel away the bitter skin of our limited views and self-centered
perspectives. Parting the
veil of perception and recognizing the divinity within and around us
will help us to make sense of our life experiences and the lessons found
within them. Refining our
life skills of discernment and discrimination will help us to see what
is life-enhancing or not and in time may help us to open to grace and
the delight of spontaneous freedom that flows from consciously being
aware in the present moment.
From these refined skills we gain empowerment and can embrace
life more fully and compassionately understand the causes of suffering.
Through diligent practice, day after day, our skill at making
life-affirming choices leads us to, as my teacher Paul Muller-Ortega
calls the progressive refinement of life over time, the deeper meaning
of Tantra; our refinement is
our contribution to adding more beauty, love and goodness to life.
John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga adds the following:
“Spiritual awakening
is the ever-expanding process of recognizing that our true nature is
perfect, full, and lacking nothing.
Spiritual freedom or enlightenment is not a fixed state of being.
Rather, it is an ever-evolving process of unfolding our
effulgence, goodness, balance, and perfection.
Progress on the path of awakening is reflected in an increase in
one’s spiritual centeredness; wisdom; trust in the Divine’s play;
capacity to lovingly honor the Divine in each other; and ability to
celebrate the Divine grandeur in life.”
No part of our lived experience is outside of practice and when
we act with conviction our effort, too, takes on a brilliant aspect of
the divine dance: spontaneous, free and aware of our interconnectivity.
___________________________________
Applied Yoga:
The
Brilliance of the Moment
The Brilliance of the Moment
In an instance of
brilliance,
Glistening awareness becomes revelation,
The heart blinks with recognition,
Intrinsic goodness pulses through the heartbeat of life,
‘I Am That’ pumps the rhythm, ‘That is me,’
The veil drops from the eyes and the heart hears the music,
Now my eyes see through the ruby light of love.
- Will Doran
Spiritual awakening, as stated above, is an act of recognition,
of experiencing the divine in every aspect of life, taking refuge in
your unity with all creation. In
the beautiful and tender words of the Lakshmi
Tantra, a Hindu scripture from about the tenth century C.E., the
Goddess speaks to this sacred way of thinking:
“My purpose in
producing the world is to give all beings a glimpse of their divine
nature, revealing the infinite to the finite, and reabsorbing the finite
into the infinite. I am the
limitless, unchanging majesty of being who creates, controls and
annihilates all things. I
am also continually evolving in the form of my numberless subjects,
whether they are conscious souls or unconscious objects.
Everything you behold is me.
The very act of seeing is me.
And, my cherished child, looking through your eyes, I am the one
within you who this very moment is seeing me.”
This tender way of perceiving the world can call forth specific
and transformative forces within the mind and heart changing the way we
see and act within the world. It
breaks down the disconnect between ourselves and the reality in which we
live. Arriving at this
magnanimous and all-embracing perception takes time and practice.
The benefits of deeply pondering the law of karma,
cause and effect, as the instrument for understanding the consequences
of your deeds, are profoundly transformational.
The Goddess expounds:
“When you experience
with the totality of your being that it is I who am the real doer, the
deed itself and the object of your action, then you, like me, will
become unbounded. You will experience neither good nor evil anywhere,
only divine majesty and grace. Then
you will devote your life to teaching, serving and protecting others.
… If you relax into your true nature, which is nothing other than my
endless bliss, then you will enjoy your sojourn through the material
world too. Live your life
consciously as my playmate. Let
us fill the halls of infinity with our laughter.
Love all, conscientiously fulfill your responsibilities, do not
become overly attached to anyone or anything, and remember in every
moment to enjoy yourself. I
love you more than you are capable of conceiving.
Be joyous!”
I absolutely love the sweetness of these words.
They invoke a light-hearted approach to seeing yourself in the
world, connected and part of the whole, called forth to participate in
the dance of life with joy and loving tenderness.
We can get to this place by committing ourselves to the sacred
selfishness of spiritual practice for the purpose of freeing ourselves
and the world from suffering. It
is selfish because the work addresses the individual’s need to take
responsibility; it is sacred because one cannot reach heights of love
and compassion without honoring the collective whole.
Our shift from the profane to the profound comes through our
opening to the subtle currents of divine energy always present within
us, ready to guide us if we let it.
Divine energy pulses through us and can lead our actions into
graceful flow, transforming them into effortlessness.
An invaluable tool for expanding awareness of this energy is the
practice of meditation. Even
ten minutes a day of sitting still and opening your mind to the
expansive presence of divine energy can be very powerful.
After attending a weekend workshop on mantra meditation with Paul
Muller-Ortega I am amazed with the transformational power of practicing
two twenty-minute meditations a day, once in the morning and once in the
evening. Paul’s teaching
is simple and practical to follow stating that thought is a natural
process so don’t fight it, prefer the mantra over thought, prefer
stillness over the mantra; let meditation be effortless.
A simple mantra to utilize is hum-sa,
independent of the breath it floats like a fuzzy thought anchoring your
consciousness and gentle concentration.
Thoughts come and go and should not be wrestled with; always
return to preferring the mantra and inner conflict will subside.
Practicing regularly has its rewards due to the fact that the
experience of inner peace, no matter for how brief or extended a period
of time, is blissful and will draw us back to it time and again.
Another and highly complimentary practice to meditation is
seeking and recognizing the brilliant sweetness of the most mundane of
moments, recognizing how spirit delights in revealing itself through
your cultivated perception. Below is a small list of instances in which
you can pause to recognize these revelations and take delight. My
personal practice is to use the mantra Om
Namah Shivaya (I recognize the presence of the Divine) at these
moments. It is powerful work
and with practice you will become skilled at finding your own unique
moments of bliss and recognition.
Simple meditations on the brilliance of the moment
·
The time before the kiss and its taste as it lingers
·
Warm water, clean dishes
·
Dusk, dawn and the changing light in between
·
Between the gusts of wind through the trees
·
Retention of the breath, release, and inhalation
·
Calm moment, stillness, contentment
·
Waiting, content in the moment
·
Feeling a connection through heart and soul
·
Preparing the meal with blessings
·
Laundry: getting soiled, the wash, drying and sorting the
warm items
·
Flowing Traffic and the cooperation of strangers
·
Consciously extending your heart through your
communication
·
Skillful application of patience and restraint
·
Between the first perceived scent and the full luscious
taste of the first bite
·
Recognizing the task at hand and diligently applying
yourself toward its completion
·
Upon approaching a door and awareness of stepping into a
new space
The
Goddess states, “Know that I am everywhere, in everything, and act
accordingly.”
___________________________________
Life
Coach Pearls of Wisdom: The
Art of Being Present
Our life habits and patterns of thinking can hold us back or
become tools for transformation. When
you ask yourself what it is you desire on the highest level of being you
open the door for personal growth and fulfillment.
Getting to that place of recognizing the need for change and
exploring ways to make it happen sometimes requires outside guidance and
loving support; it doesn’t always come from your life partners or
friends because they may have invested opinions and perspectives on your
life that reflect their own views and agendas.
This is where a life coach comes in and becomes a powerful tool
for your transformation. To
begin your journey on your own practice a few basic life skills to open
your path to awareness: Listen deeply, to your inner voice and to what
others say without making assumptions or jumping to conclusions; explore
your thoughts and recognize that they change and represent who you are
from many different perspectives at different times and circumstances,
honor them as aspects of revelation; know that you are your best source
for insight and that your feelings, gut reaction and deep inner longings
are powerful voices speaking to your truth; act, observe and constantly
modify recognizing that all life is a process of refinement; honoring
your successes and learning from your failures turns all acts into
stepping stones for achieving your aspirations and goals.
To
learn more about my services visit www.TheYogaCoach.com.
___________________________________
Notices:
·
Pre-Christmas
Restorative Yoga Workshop
Give yourself the gift of deep relaxation and
restoration this Christmas season.
I will be holding a special restorative yoga class on Sunday,
December 20th from 7 PM to 8:15 PM.
The class will include a gentle flowing warm-up and will be
followed by fifty minutes of luxurious poses utilizing bolsters,
blankets and blocks, ending with yoga
nidra, a deep guided meditation.
This is guaranteed to rock your world into a deep state of
bliss! Just right for an
antidote to season-induced stress.
Class will be sponsored and held at the spacious and lovely Phinney Ridge Yoga studio, lower building, south-east
corner of the
Phinney
Neighborhood
Center
. Registration is $25 per
person. Call me at (206)
861-2775 or email wjddoran@comcast.net
with questions or to hold your spot. Further details will be sent out
after registration.
·
New Years Day Yoga
Celebration- (Friday January 1st, 11 am – 1 pm)
You are invited to join
me and a gathering of yoga friends to ushering in the first day of the
year and to set your intention for your heart’s desire.
This annual celebration will include a fire ritual for releasing
the past and inviting in more of what brings you joy for the new year.
We will begin our practice at 11:00 am in my home in the
Greenwood
neighborhood of
Seattle
. A light breakfast is
included after a 75 minute yoga class.
Price is $30. Space
is limited to eight so reserve your place early with a pre-payment
deposit. Send checks to
9537 1st Ave. NW
,
Seattle
,
WA
98117
·
My teaching
schedule:
Sunday:
11:15 am – 12:30 pm at
Olympic Athletic Club in
Ballard
Monday:
12:00 noon to 1:15 pm at Olympic
Athletic Club in Ballard
Thursday: 7:30 pm to
9:00 pm 7-week class series in my home yoga studio. (Currently
full)
Friday:
12:00 noon to 1:15 pm at Olympic
Athletic Club
Saturday: 10 AM
morning class at the
Phinney
Neighborhood
Center
. $10 drop-in class fee.
Private Yoga Instruction: For those who want individualized
instruction and guidance I also teach private students out of my home.
Private classes are $40 for an hour when a commitment to ten
classes is made, or $45 for a single session.
Also, I’m
available for special group classes at your location.
Depending on details, fee is usually $75 per class.
·
Suggested
Resources:
Here is a list of books from my library that can
deepen your understanding of Yoga practice and philosophy.
Each is available used through Amazon.com at greatly reduce
prices:
1,000
Pearls of Yoga Wisdom,
by Liz Lark.
Simple, concise, aspects of yoga
teachings laid out in a day-by-day study format.
Hatha
Yoga Illustrated, by
Martin Kirk and Brooke Boon
The best book I know for showing a
wide variety of yoga poses and variations.
Yoga
Spandakarika, The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra,
by Daniel Odier
Deep, powerful and illuminating
resource for the student who wants to go deep into yoga philosophy.
Tantra,
The Path of Ecstasy, by
Georg Feuerstein
Another expansive source for
Tantra study. Indispensable…
The
Living Goddess, Reclaiming the Tradition of the Mother of the Universe,
by Linda Johnson
A beautiful and easy to read look
at the unbroken tradition of Goddess worship in
India
.
Seven
Spirals, A Chakra Sutra for Kids,
by Deena Haiber and Aimee MacDonald
A lovely and appropriately simple
children’s picture book introducing the chakras and their qualities.
May your heart be filled with peace, joy and light.
Namaste,
Will
PS. Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to
your friends. A link to
archived issues can be found at http://www.theyogacoach.com/.
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