|
Will Doran Yoga
Newsletter - March, 2007 _____________ <<< ☼ >>> _____________ Dear friends, Greetings and salutations! This month I am taking a turn from sharing the classical concepts of Yoga and am taking it personal. It is my hope that in reading my words about my life and perceptions you may find a common ground or thread of insight that touches you in a meaningful way. We are all on the journey together and it all leads to an open and expansive heart. May your journey be filled with much joy, love and kindness. In this issue: Yoga Philosophy: The Path To My Heart
____________________________________ Yoga Philosophy: The Path To My Heart Turning fifty has had some interesting effects on me. One of these is an introspective view of the paths I have taken to get here. In its most simplest of terms I have learned that in actuality there has only been one path, the path to my heart. I have had many wonderful teachers in my life; each has carried me for a time on my journey and each has left a pearl of wisdom or insight. I thought I would share a bit about myself and some of those pearls. I have learned that we live on so many levels and experience so many stages of growth, each unfolding in accord to our capacity to understand and integrate them. Sometimes the understanding comes and sometimes it doesn’t, we progress and we stand still. We progress through levels of experiences that feed each other and add substance to our being. Every thought, emotion, word, deed, desire we create and experience has a cumulative effect on the sum of who we are at any one time. Who I am today is what I have lived, aspired to and discerned as compatible with my highest vision for myself. What I will become will depend on how well I have learned from my life and what it has taught me. The bottom line is we are all at a constant state of choice and are responsible more than any other being for how we live and experience our humanity. From the advantage point of years I realize that I have lived the path of integration, journeying through both the metaphorical and actual energetic qualities represented by the chakra system. They are what make us human and serve as guide posts along the way to discovering our humanity: accepting and grounding into the physical body, defining the quality and experience of our relationships, learning the power of intention and creativity through the application of will, making peace with ourselves and the world by moving into the heart, learning to voice our truth, accessing inner wisdom and guidance, and at the pinnacle of our being, applying all these qualities to life so as to make a deep connection to Spirit, the source of all we are. Through the stages of my growth I have experience diverse cultures and world views. They have ranged from the culture of my family of origin to the cultures of other peoples and ways of perceiving the meaning of life. Eventually I find myself in the process of helping to form a new culture that takes the wisdom of diverse teachings and insights and weaves them into a new way of being that honors the old yet acknowledges the value of crafting something new and appropriate for the times. The key, I have found, is in recognizing that each source of insight is integral and ultimately no more worthy of praise over the other; from the very personal to the more diverse cultural aspects we are all shaped and molded into our unique selves. My upbringing in a large Catholic family taught me discipline, the value of belonging in a cohesive unit, of ritual and tradition; it opened my eyes to the questions of the nature of God and our role as its creation intertwined in the diversity of other person’s wills and influence. The various stages of growing up taught me about relationship, the pains and sorrows of the heart, desire, and wanting to be part of something while also seeking independence. As I moved into exploring my relationship with the Divine I became a Pentecostal Christian. In the time when our culture was rampant with the onset of drugs and the turning of the tables on our parent’s values I experience my first reprieve from a rebellious mind by tasting what I would later learn to call Bhakti Yoga, pure devotional love of God expressed through praise and one-pointed living. I also learned in the experience that one-pointed living can include the extremes of conviction that shut out the validity of others and blinds one to diverse views and values. I found respite from the confusion this caused through the study and practice of Buddhism. It gave me refuge and helped me focus my mind as I began to deepen my journey inward. I experienced an unexpected new level of knowledge by adopting a way of thinking that had no focus on God at all, but rather promoted a way of thinking that brought the focus to the conditions of existence in the here and now. Zen stilled my mind while seeking to make sense of the diverse aspects of my relationships and longings of the heart. In time I learned to following my heart’s longing for love and opened to the incredible experience of creating my own family and household. Marriage and parenthood have been fundamental teachers on more levels than I could relate in this space. The primary lesson learned, though, is that love will carry the day and warm the heart; it is the closest energy that reflects the nature of God. Relationship has shaped my capacity to experience life through the heart in both times of extreme joy and profound sorrow; it has been my deepest teacher of humility, service and unconditional love. It has kindled my passions and fueled my aspirations. It has made me bigger than just myself, and the growth continues. My journey into metaphysics led me to a new and deeper experience of God. It taught me that there are multiple dimensions of existence defined by varying degrees of vibrational energy. Our awareness and sensitivity to it is there to be integrated into our life or completely overlooked; it is both complex and simple for it is the nature of all things created that they are distinguished by their rate of vibration. From the densest of physical forms to the most resplendent of higher-vibrational existence there is an almost limitless diversity to nature and the cradle of intense love that holds us together as one. I learned new terminology and concepts for who God was and how I was part of the picture. I learned that I/we are not alone and there are beings of awesome love and light, as well as those that hunger and feed off of our intense emotions; the existence of both the benevolent and malevolent live within our human dimension as well as in ever-expanding rings of being around us. Knowing how to identify them, accept, reject and/or integrate became an aspect of personal mastery and eventually led to the understanding that where one places one’s attention, that aspect will grow. The law of attraction is an example of this force and can be used for profound empowerment. I chose to focus on love and light and am still in the process of learning my power and capacity to influence and shape my world. What has helped me to integrate this eclectic path into a cohesive way of being and spiritual practice has been Yoga. It has brought me into a comfortable relationship with my body and physicality housed within the energetic field of my life force and spirit nature. The discipline of practice has honed my awareness of the power of living in the present moment. I am fascinated with the exploration of how each breath holds enlightenment as it amps up the inner light of appreciation for the divine found within and around me. Yoga has taught me the dance of life can be both fierce and joyful at the same time. I love being in human form for the joy of simply being and the opportunities to refine my highest aspiration of how I chose to express my existence. Studying the techniques of alignment has taught me that attitude and intention lead me into the pure essence of each moment. I now value all aspects of my being, from the passions of being physical to the sublime moments of meditative rapture, as being of value as long as I can be authentic in my experience and loving in my expression. Through Yoga I have expanded my capacity to be still in observation of what is showing up in the moment. Working with balance, strength and flexibility becomes metaphorical for both my time on the mat and off. They are my teachers as I strive for mastery of the body and the flow of life force as I try to express inner harmony and guide my choices and responses in life. Surrendering to the wisdom of the body to reveal the wisdom of the soul had contributed greatly towards my progress in the process of becoming whole and integrated. I now live with as much attention to my inner world as to my outer environments; centering into my awareness of my divinity always produces the optimal result. When imbalance occurs I know it is because the inner voice has succumbed to an overwhelming intrusion of external stimulus or self doubt. Returning to quiet and stillness sets me right once again. Yoga has helped me regain balance time and again and it has always brought me deeper into my heart; I now perceive that it is all Yoga and it is all a path to the heart. ____________________________________ Applied Yoga: Living With an Open Heart Approaching all life as Yoga is a way to look at our existence, experiences, thoughts, actions, intentions … as all being part of the goodness that created all things. It can bring meaning and clarity to life to perceive our existence as being the playground of the Divine; by this I mean that how we are "being" in the world is an expression of our awareness of our deeper spiritual nature at play with our material nature. We think, act and express ourselves in varying degrees of consciousness as we balance the two. Being human is an opportunity to refine our highest image of who we want to be and then live by those values. We are also given the choice to experience what life is like when we don’t. Through the process of moving away, and then towards, those values we eventually return to love, the ultimate expression of the Divine. This is the meaning behind the concept that ultimately there is but one path home. I have personally found that exploring spiritual growth and cultural traditions that promote developing a deeper connection to the higher realms to be of great interest in my life. It has lead me to study many religions and spiritual practices allowing me to weave a unique and individualized understanding of the big picture into my personal practice and teaching. The more I have studied, though, the simpler the learning has become. Through my experience I have distilled it down to a philosophy that holds our primary purpose to be a journey into the heart. As we ground into our inherent nature of goodness and light we can guide our thoughts, words and actions towards the optimal expression of love. Compassion, inner strength, peace of mind, flexibility and forgiveness all reflect our capacity to love and come from our heart in all our interactions and relationships. When we study the chakra system that maps the energetic centers from the root of our pelvis to the top of our crown we find that the heart is the bridge between grounding into our body and ascending into spirit. The lower three centers are all about making peace with our physical nature as we learn to create healthy relationships and expressions of our personal power. The upper three centers house the energies of our higher being as we work to find and expressing our truths and divine nature. The heart is what connects the two and opens us to understanding of a balanced, healthy human existence. Through love we learn to accept the transitory nature of being human, the sweetness of our vulnerability, and the power of our intention and will. The heart connects us to others by the very tenuousness of our shared physical existence. We are compelled to make sense of it all and hopefully come to see our place in the divine scheme of things; the journey inward reveals the truths without. Those who choose to take a look are presented with the opportunity to see how aligning the energetic qualities within creates an empowerment that connects them to the higher forces that govern nature and the ebbs and flows of life. Seeking the truth is the beginning of the journey. With age and experience I have found that seeking can have its drawbacks if it becomes the total focus of our being without applying the learning along the way. I have found a more rewarding focus in exploring the ways to live the teachings without over-analyzing the concepts into a mental numbness. There are too many interpretations and alternative perspectives to comprehend and integrate. The attempt to do so can be confusing at best and detrimental at worst. Rather than rely exclusively on the guidance of others, I have found that there is a way to honor the diversity of teachings while also assuming responsibility for our way of being in the world. Have you ever met someone who is very intellectual and knowledgeable about religions and philosophy but they give you the creeps because of their insensitivity or egotism? To me the "proof is in the pudding" and we reveal our understanding of the nature of God and our unity with it by the degree in which we bring heartfulness into our life. I have become a minimalist in my spiritual beliefs holding that the ruling question that guides our life should be "how well can I live within my integrity and values while expressing loving kindness and compassion for myself and others?" Each of us has a unique life purpose. It revolves around the grand life lessons that our karma – the cause and effect conditions created by our thoughts and actions – has manifest for our learning around creating and expressing love. Within our personal, business, community, and all relationships, we have an opportunity to express ourselves with varying degrees of awareness that we are all in it together. As we learn to grow our inner qualities we expand our effectiveness in influencing the world and our ability to create the reality we choose for ourselves. Once we get our inner balance by settling into our multilayered existence – mind, body, spirit – we can live with more freedom and spontaneity; we can be more joyful and free in our expression and experiences. When we understand the fuller context of our play in the field of human existence we can be both steadfast and fluid, we can find ease within our effort. There are many ways to explore the journey to the heart, the most powerful ones include making time to be still and observant of the inner world. It will refine our sensitivity and ability to perceive and discern the finer qualities of energy generated around us. It will help us quiet the inner conflict when stillness doesn’t come. As our sensitivities are fine-tuned we become more adept at seeing the truth. Ultimately it all comes down to energy and the quality of its vibration; love will have a lighter attractive quality while fear, ego-based behavior and selfishness will have a denser and repelling quality. We can learn to discern and make choices that move us closer to what we want. As a teacher, I have learned to lead my students to a place where they become the ultimate master discerning through the scope of their own perception what is optimal for moving into their heart and where the learning is upon their journey. Developing my own steadfastness in living my highest vision for myself has made me a more powerful teacher and better person in general. I still feel the pain of disconnect and frustration when my vision isn’t shared or I can’t see the progress. But I am more apt to move into compassion and empathy knowing that we all learn at our own pace and perfect timing. My path has had its rocks and pitfalls along the way but in hindsight I see how they have contributed to my humility and ability to connect to other’s joys and sorrows. I have found wisdom in the understanding that failures serve a purpose if they are applied to greater learning and understanding. Honoring commitments and responsibilities creates steadfastness while remembering to play and keep it light helps me remember not to be too serious. Ultimately I find that seeking to see the hand of God in all things brings me into balance and contentment while acknowledging that all life is a journey to the heart. This being human is a guest house. --Rumi
____________________________________ Notices:
My teaching schedule: Monday: 12:00 noon to 1:15 pm at Olympic Athletic Club in Ballard Tuesday: 10:45 am – 12:00 noon at Gold’s Gym on <<Aurora >> and 97th Tuesday: 7:30 – 8:45 pm at Phinney Center on <<Phinney>> and 65th New Time! Thursday: 7:45 – 9:00 pm at Gold’s Gym on <<Aurora >>and 97th Friday: 12:00 noon to 1:15 pm at Olympic Athletic Club New Class Saturday: 10:00 – 11:15 am at Phinney Center on <<Phinney>> and 65th Sunday: 11:15 – 12:30 pm at Olympic Athletic Club in Ballard Come join me at the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center located at 6532 Phinney Ave. N. on Tuesdays and Saturdays. If you know someone who would like my style of teaching but doesn’t want to join a gym this is the place for them. Drop-in class fee is only $10.
Ranch Yoga Retreat (June 21st through 24th) Mark your calendars and begin planning your summer now. Each year I lead a yoga retreat on my family’s 650 acre ranch in the Methow Valley. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time together practicing yoga out in the beautiful stillness of the open country and to let yourself be pampered with down-home hospitality and ranch living. This year we will have both access to the family ranch house (for those who want to sleep inside) as well as a spacious orchard for setting up tents in the shade. Follow this link to learn more and see the picture gallery from past retreats: www.RanchYoga.com. It is getting close to the time to start sending in your deposit to hold a space. Will Doran, Life Coach and catalyst for change If you feel there is a part of your life that is beckoning you but you can’t seem to get there – be it career, personal relationships, connecting to Spirit, or defining your life purpose – I can help you move into your next stage of personal growth and fulfillment. Knowing how to get there isn’t always an easy thing and working with a trained specialist can make all the difference. If you are interested in seeing what coaching can do for you give me a call and we can set up a free trial session. Call at (206) 789-2321 or go online to www.TheYogaCoach.com for more information. Yoga props at great prices If you are ready to invest in your own Yoga mat and/or carry bag I have extra-thick mats and spacious bags for sale. The mat costs $25 separately and the bag $15. If you buy them together there is an extra savings for the price is $35 for the mat/bag combo. Treat yourself to a quality thick mat and enjoy the comfort and knowledge that you have your own personal, clean props. Remember, they make great gifts for your yogi friends! May your days be filled with peace, joy and light. Namaste, Will PS. Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to your friends. Also, if you are interested reading inspirational material and seeing some of my art check out my web site: http://www.expressionsofspirit.com . I just added a new painting entitled "Sparks."
If you wish to be removed from this list send a blank message with the word "REMOVE" in the subject line to wjddoran@comcast.net .
|
|
|
|
|
