No, Yes, and WOW

Reading from Monday, April 30, 2012 yoga class.

My last class, for now.  I appreciate all of you who have come to my classes.  I am honored and humbled that I have had the chance to teach yoga at the Cultivate Center and other places around Madison for these past 8 years.  I have learned so much by sitting in the front of the room and watching all of you come to class.  What follows is what I read to the class. 

From the book "The Secret Power of Yoga"  by Nischala Joy Devi
A wise friend reminded me that there were three important words to remember: "No," "Yes," and "Wow."  Try using them in the quantity that the order represents.  Use "No" sparingly.  It will allow you to have a certain deceptive control over your life, but in excess it breeds resistance, fear, and even anger.  Overuse of "No" promotes heaviness and rigidity in your life.

A generous sprinkling of "Yes" throughout your life encourages openness and adventure as it leaves the door open for new possibilities.  "Yes" also encourages us to surrender the idea of control and let the heart take over.  Life is never dull when you use "Yes" frequently.

Saying and thinking "Wow" as much as possible will inspire a sense of wonder and gratitude, reminding you of the infinite potential of the Divine Self.

Theresa Strohl gave me the following piece written by Rabbi Rami Shapiro

"There are three major phases of life.  The first and longest is devoted to accumulating wealth and material well-being.  At some point, however, assuming you have achieved some modicum of financial success, you find this pursuit unsatisfying and shift into phase two--accumulating spiritual things the way you used to accumulate material ones.  You "collect" gurus, seminars, retreats, and mystical experiences in pursuit of the next spiritual high.  Eventually, this too proves unsatisfying, and you enter the third phase--divestment.  You simplify your life externally and internally.  You stop chasing gurus and focus on those few people who really matter to you.  You stop shopping for enlightenment and make peace with not-knowing.  You realize that life isn't a question to be answered or a problem to be solved but a gift to be enjoyed, both in solitude and with loving friends.  The first two phases are hard work.  The third is pure play.  And if you play well, the question of enlightenment no longer enters your mind."

So... I am making peace with NOT-KNOWING what will come next.  I will continue to post on my blog during my time off.  Anything I may come across that strikes me and touches my heart.  So... keep checking back to see what I am up to.  I love you all.