Judith notes and wisdom

Reading from Tuesday and Wednesday, May 13 and 14, 2014 yoga class

I am back from 5 days with Judith Lasater in Yellowsprings.  The theme for the workshop was "Finding your Stillpoint."   Here are some of the things that I wrote down.

Stirham Sukham Asanam(abiding in ease is asana).   We chanted this to begin and end each day.  Judith always rang the bells before we chanted.  She told us that bells are asymmetrical which is why they sound so lovely.  We, as human beings, are asymmetrical, but we want to be symmetrical and that is where we hurt ourselves, mostly, physically, but also emotionally because we want to be perfect.  Being perfect is exhausting. 

The word EASE.  A sense of ease leads us to stillness.  Treat yourself with tremendous kindness and from that kindness that ease and stillness can arise.  Stillpoint is somewhere between ambition and complacency.  Searching for the middle ground which is curiosity.  You can't DO stillness.  It has to arise slowly and of its own accord.   UNDERDO... become curious and allow it to find you... like a shy kitten coming out from his hiding place.

The biggest mistake we make is that we think we have to be different than who we are.

Act for your own betterment, not from fear, or ambition, but from ease.

Habit is the enemy of being present.

Vitamin R-Rest   Vitamin P-Pleasure.  These are as important as any vitamin taken orally.  We need rest, NOT sleep, but rest... where we are still and quiet.  We need to notice and pause at every pleasure.  We grew up being told that pleasure is bad...NO... pleasure comes from a life well lived.  Like enjoying a really good piece of bread, or chocolate, or getting into a freshly made bed.  When we take in pleasure, it nourishes us.

The work is ALWAYS on yourself. 

Complaining is not the same as asking for what you want. 

Notice your consistent urge to control, especially other people, which manifests as the urge to give advice.  Controlling everything will not make you happy, loved or safe.

Honor your truth, so you can honor another's truth.

Notice how attached you are to your perspective.

Having opinions is not wrong, but clinging to them is wrong. 

There's much more, but this is enough to chew on for a while.  Judith is so human... so like us.  She is very approachable, kind and very funny.  I am SO lucky to have studied with her 3 times.