tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78825756105872287822024-03-13T13:00:58.283-07:00Main Line SutrasSitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-81973844310037830262012-04-22T18:02:00.002-07:002012-04-22T18:02:31.355-07:00New Material at Sitaramdas.com<a href="http://sitaramdas.com">I am producing great new content, including podcasts with really interesting and wonderful guests at sitaramdas.com. click here to go there.</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-37679369839236254292012-04-22T18:00:00.001-07:002012-04-22T18:03:05.476-07:00New Great Material at sitaramdas.com<a href="http://sitaramdas.com">I am producing great new content, including podcasts with really interesting and wonderful guests at sitaramdas.com. click here to go there.</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-24304866983395815212011-05-28T20:36:00.000-07:002011-05-28T20:40:13.363-07:00Q & A, Healing SciaticaSomeone asked how they could use yoga to help with some sciatica that they started experiencing during their pregnancy.<br />Having never met them, this is what I felt like i could safely offer.<br /><br /><br />most generally, sciatica is caused by the irritation, compression, and/or inflammation of the sciatic nerve.<br /><br />see, the sciatic nerve comes down the vertebrae and weaves through the pelvis, it passes under a part of the pelvis called the sciatic notch (bone). then it travels down through the glut and the hamstring.<br /><br />often, what can happen, is through alignment, tension, injury, etc, is that the notch rubs against, or crushes the nerve. this is irritating. also, if there is a possibility that the nerve can get squeezed by the glute and the hamstring pushing, or being stuck together. <br /><br />the best thing to do it to create space in the jammed areas, and be really mindful of your not making it worse by doing poses that jam up the area.<br /><br />some poses that might be useful:<br />*pigeon pose while lying on the back, you can do it the normal way, if your hips are really open<br />*pascimottanasana with the knees deeply bent and the spine straight, to peel open the tissues in the back of the legs and butt. deeply bent knees, really really<br />*try putting two straps around your hips, pull one to the left, and pull one to the right. this can help open the pelvis nicely. you can keep them on while you do your practice, and it might support you nicely<br />*twisting triangle<br />*easy locust pose that will strengthen the low back muscles<br /><br />avoid<br />*deep forward folding with legs straight<br />*deep backbends that jam the sacrum<br /><br />hope it helps.Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-43227000839507993602011-05-15T08:35:00.000-07:002011-05-15T08:36:54.534-07:00Aquiring a Taste for Your LifeYour life might be an aquired taste. Do you remember the first time you had a glass of wine, how awful it was? Do you remember the dawning of awareness, as you realized the depth, the complexity, the beauty? Have you ever listened, as a vintner discussed what goes into every bottle, the effects of the soil and the atmosphere and the wood of the casks? Or as a connesiour encourages you to absorb every last bit of flavor? Have you seen their faces light up as they describe what they love about wine? <br />This is your life. Your life is an acquired taste! You have created your life. You have done the best you could, given your particular environment, genetics, and karma. You have crafted something, that just might be wonderful. Sit back, light a candle, and taste it. Savor it's complexity. Consider the possibility that nothing in your life needs to change except the way you taste it. Extract every nuance. Give yourself a chance to sift through what you may have initially written off as unpleasant. Allow the flavors to open and reveal themselves to you. Let the bitterness, the grit, the swarm of seemingly conflicting impressions melt into a harmonious blend of experience. Marvel at the richness and the beauty.<br />In my favorite Bukowski poem, 'The Laughing Heart', he agrees, <br /><br />'Your life is your life, know it while you have it. You are marvelous, the gods wait to delight in you.'<br /><br />Join them, all the gods, masters and holy ones. Join the winos, and the beats. Delight in your life.Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-14673901141194698202011-03-24T12:53:00.000-07:002011-03-24T13:01:18.778-07:00My response to Yogi Ram's Denouncement of Shiva Rea.<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8368854/Yoga-row-between-Indian-purists-and-Western-free-form.html">Here is the Original Article In The Telegraph<br /></a><br />So Shiva Rea wears stretchy pants and sports bras. And she teaches wild, undulating vinyasas. She brings in live drum orchestras. She quotes ancient tantric texts, and mixes it with her own brand of inspirational cheerleading. The few times I’ve worked with her, I had an excellent time. Really enjoyed myself, and also I felt like I grew, spiritually. I felt my prana flowing, my body opening, my mind clearing. All good in the hood, as far as I’m concerned.<br /> I was really surprised to hear Yogi Ram’s quote, "Wearing skimpy clothes, glamorizing or doing unusual things definitely affects the dignity of Yoga. The government needs to step in and retain the essence and authenticity of the traditional Indian art." Shocked really, and saddened. Saddened, because I naively believed that the yoga culture that I had opted into was beyond the repressive and misogynistic attitudes that I had come to associate with western traditions. I’ve seen these things pop up a few times before, but this time, I’m really rubbed the wrong way. Because Shiva clearly hasn’t done anything wrong. I’ve seen an article or two that has come to her defense, but that isn’t even necessary. <br /> It seems more useful to address the obvious underlying issue in Yogi Ram’s attitude. Yogi Ram seems to have a problem with women. He seeks to deny them of their power, their sexual and sensual agency, their place in the holy mandiram. He seeks to shame them, to vilify their bodies, and to repress their femininity. How else would you explain his words?<br /> Yoga is a tradition passed down by a lineage of naked men who cover themselves in the ashes of dead people, hang out in graveyards, drink out of skulls, and smoke massive amounts of weed. The Lord of the yogis is a naked man. You would think that ashes and loincloths would fall under the heading of skimpy clothes. Unusual behavior? Take your pick.<br /> But they are men. Men are allowed to do what they want. Men can choose what to do with their own bodies, can go naked if they want, can hang heavy weights from their members if they want. Not women, though. Women need to be kept under control, protected and locked away, like any other piece of property. We see this often in western culture, but not so much in our yoga, because we have naturally been attracted to the highest elements, of love, acceptance and freedom. We have been spared much of the dogma and backwoods rhetoric. But here it is, yogic subjugation of the female, plain as day.<br /> If another man sees OUR woman, while she is dressed in revealing clothing, he might feel lust, he might try to take her away from us. He might even use force. He might rape our woman, perhaps contaminating our bloodline. And, (and this one is maybe even more dangerous to a fearful male ego) if we see a woman that isn’t ours, wearing stretchy pants, we might feel our primal, instinctual urges, we might be motivated to use force, and forsake our spiritual motivations, and act bestial. Even if we don’t act bestial (pashukarma), we would have to admit that we live in a body that has bestial tendencies. Animalistic thoughts arise, its part of the hardware. But what to do? Best to deal with them honestly, use a yoga and meditation practice to liberate the energy from the thought forms, and move into a loving, accepting place. You don’t blame hot dancing women in stretchy pants though, just cause you can’t hold your bandhas. It’s a shallow expression of a victim mentality, and that, if anything, is what would affect the dignity of yoga.<br /><br />http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8368854/Yoga-row-between-Indian-purists-and-Western-free-form.htmlSitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-11902505285209845922011-02-02T17:24:00.001-08:002011-02-02T17:24:38.487-08:00Broaden Your Footspread your toes as wide as you can.<br />now take your attention from you toes, back a little, into the ball of your foot.<br />spread the ball of your foot as wide as you can, from the center of the ball of the foot, out to the big toes edge, and the little toe edge. <br />now relax the toes a little, and just let them gently extend forward.<br /> Focus on opening and spreading the ball of the foot.<br />snuggle the ball of the foot into the ground, and lift from the center of the arch.<br />this will send more weight to the outer edge of the foot. this is good, press into the outer edge of your foot, but don't loose your connection to the ball of the big toe.<br />visualize a line that runs across the center of the foot (left-right)<br />the front of the line reaches forward, the back of the line reaches back.<br />Draw your knee back a little to press weight into your heel, and lift the calf muscle upward at the same time.<br />let the heel flower out from the center to the edges.Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-76408798028670211882010-07-23T08:38:00.000-07:002010-07-23T12:41:12.970-07:00compostie paintings, composite goddesses<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4810518773_86a26885ae.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 276px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4810518773_86a26885ae.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I like these 'composite paintings' from 18th century india. It reminds me of a composite Durga that my friend Dave game me once. Durga was created from the power and the energy of all the Gods. All of the shakti combined made her powerful enough to destroy the evil buffalo demon, Mahiasura. It would be interesting to know if there is any relationship between the Hindu Myth, and these Mughal Paintings.<br />I found this painting, and many more, on "<a href="http://ajourneyroundmyskull.blogspot.com/2010/07/arcimboldo-riding-composite-camel.html">Journey Round My School</a>"<br /><br /><br /><br />Also, for your enjoyment, here is a traditional version of "The Mahiasura Mardini Stotram" a song the celebrates Durga as the Fierce Warrior who defeats the Buffalo Demon. Those of you who go to Amma's programs will probably recognize it, it is a favorite.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3m84L2H3t80&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3m84L2H3t80&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-52130120889511138832010-06-17T20:32:00.000-07:002010-07-23T14:03:10.235-07:00Fertility Awareness Method of birth controlsomeone showed me this really interesting PDF about 'the fertility awareness method of birth control. i gave it a google, and this is what came back:<br /><br /><blockquote><br />Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) is a collection of practices that help a woman know which days of the month she is most likely to get pregnant. A woman can learn when ovulation is coming by observing her own body and and charting physical changes. She can then use this information to avoid or encourage pregnancy. The most effective way to discover YOUR fertile time is to practice all of the techniques described here.<br /><br />Fertility Awareness increases a woman’s understanding of her body and her menstrual cycle.<br /></blockquote> <br /><br />from <a href="http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/fam.htm">FABC</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?nmxvj3mmmmh">Here is ths Downloadable PDF, a really neat document.</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-17897851705421766022010-06-15T09:39:00.000-07:002010-06-15T09:46:46.698-07:00Pralad Jani Passes the test!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/mambots/content/multithumb/thumbs/350.0.1.0.16777215.0.stories.large.2010.05.10.yogi_98884713.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 501px;" src="http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/mambots/content/multithumb/thumbs/350.0.1.0.16777215.0.stories.large.2010.05.10.yogi_98884713.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After 15 days of investigation, India’s Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences concluded its study of 82-year-old yogi Prahlad Jani on Thursday, May 6.<br /><br />Jani, who claims to have lived without food or water since his childhood, was under the close watch of three video cameras 24 hours a day. Researchers conducted various medical tests on him. The research team, consisting of 35 scientists, could not find any evidence that Jani ate or drank anything during the 15 days.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/35126/">From the Epoch Times</a><br /><br /><a href="http://sitaramdas.com/blog.php?id=3206007581358934661">First Article is here</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-65807028462369817662010-05-12T21:46:00.000-07:002010-05-12T21:56:41.138-07:00Lemon Pickles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kyftrxbWAu1qz4s19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 311px;" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kyftrxbWAu1qz4s19.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last week was a crafty week, i decided to make both lemon pickle and saurkraut. Saurkraut I've made before and find totally delicious, but I haven't made lemon pickle before. Arsha Vidya makes a slammin version, but it never occured to me that I could make it myself. However,I found a recipe online and decided to try it out. Funny thing is, is that now that this recipe is on my mind, lemon pickle is popping up everywhere! I just found a second method, which looks great as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/4560176798_f5259738ee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/4560176798_f5259738ee.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Although it certainly needs a little more time, i tasted it yesterday, and it is coming along really nicely. here are the two sites: (you'll love the website names)<br /><br /><a href="http://saltandfat.com/post/413282683/preserved-lemons">Salt and Fat</a><br /><a href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/lemonpickle">Evil Mad Scientist</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-30800472226813264802010-05-02T08:21:00.000-07:002010-05-02T08:24:42.025-07:00Karma, Shakti, Mantra<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="385" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W7RkZRa7mhM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W7RkZRa7mhM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><br />I've wanted to learn this Ganesha Mantra from the Rig Veda for several years now, it has always struck me as being a chant that really conveys and connects with Ganesha Shakti. For some reason, it has always escaped me. I would try to learn it, and try as I might, it would slip through the cracks of my mind. I would put it on the back burner, and when I would later come back to it, I would experience the same frustration. For some reason, earlier this week, it clicked for me. I don't know why, and I don't know how, but I suppose that isn't for me to know. It might have been the time spent with the book 'Loving Ganesha' (link below), but I can't say for sure. I'm going to chalk it up to karma, and shakti. Like our Old Friend Krshna says in the Bhagavad Gita, 'No effort on the path is wasted'. So keep on practicing.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the above video, its not exactly the melody or tempo that I use, but it sure is pretty.<br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gananam tva ganapating havamahe<br />[traditionally chanted <em>ganapati gm]</em><br />kavinkavinam upamashravastamam,<br />jyeshtharajam brahmanam brahmanaspata<br />a nah shrinvan nutibhih sida sadanam</span></span><br /></blockquote><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/lg/lg_ch-08.html" target="_blank">Mantra Text from the Himalayan Academy</a><br /></span></span><br /><br />Also, This book is a fabulous resource<br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shivayayoga-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=8120815068&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-32060075813589346612010-05-01T07:11:00.000-07:002010-05-01T07:14:09.527-07:00Breatharian Sustained by The Goddess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01625/food_1625954c.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 460px; height: 288px;" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01625/food_1625954c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Mr Jani, who claims to have left home aged seven and lived as a wandering sadhu or holy man in Rajasthan, is regarded as a 'breatharian' who can live on a 'spiritual life-force' alone. He believes he is sustained by a goddess who pours an 'elixir' through a hole in his palate. His claims have been supported by an Indian doctor who specializes in studies of people who claim supernatural abilities, but he has also been dismissed by others as a "village fraud."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/7645857/Man-claims-to-have-had-no-food-or-drink-for-70-years.html">The Article is Here</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-79096271764162985502010-03-23T08:05:00.000-07:002010-03-23T08:07:04.371-07:00Really interesting ceremony at the border of India and Pakistan<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cLP55ACQebc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cLP55ACQebc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Apparently, one can't cross the border from India into Pakistan. The gate only opens for this ceremony.Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-2904537555779847952009-12-11T19:24:00.000-08:002009-12-11T19:29:43.690-08:00The Accidental PrivateI am teaching a relatively new class at <a href="http://yogaonmain.com">Yoga on Main</a>, in Manayunk. Its Friday at noon. For the past several weeks, this calss has presented itself as private class. One student shows up, and we really have a delightful time working very deeply. Every week, I have been blessed with a very special student; an old friend, a fellow yoga teacher, a mother/daughter combo. It's been rewarding. So, I'd like to encourage you to stop by, and take your chances, perhaps it will just be us, and it can be all about you.Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-72226740920601048572009-12-07T11:09:00.001-08:002009-12-07T11:17:16.506-08:00Alchemical Prayers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.donaldtyson.com/herm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 369px;" src="http://www.donaldtyson.com/herm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />As we know, the work of yoga is an alchemical work. We cultivate our Shakti in order to dissolve the gross substance of our mind and ego into the nectar of blissful consciousness. For the most part, I enjoy sticking close to the teachings of the eastern yogis, and meditate on their approach to this process, and contemplate their metaphors. Occasionally, I come a little closer to home, and explore what the western occultists, and Hermetic Alchemists have to say. Usually, I find some Jewels. <br />I would first like to introduce you to the term 'Hermetic', in case you are not familiar with it already. Hermetic refers to a school that traces its lineage to a great master, The Great Master, named Hermes Trismegistus. (Trismegistus = Thrice Blessed, or SHRI SHRI SHRI!) Hermes, as most of us know, was the Scribe of the Gods. He is considered to be the God of Language, Writing, Wisdom, and Alchemy. Many legends place him all over Greece, Egypt, and surrounding areas, and he is said to have instructed the Great Patriarch, Abraham. From then until now, countless practitioners have poured over his teachings and put them into practice in their lives. These mystics refer to themselves, and their lineage, as Hermetic.<br /><br />Recently, it was my karma to come across a text, outlining the seven major hermetic principles. It is called "The Kybalion", and it is only 8 bucks, and if you like, you can order it here: <a href="http://bit.ly/6KAI5a ">The Kybalion</a>. The first of these principles, is that there is a Universal 'ALL'. This all is considered to be Universal Living Mind. This All, of course, is in All, right? Universal Mind permeates all reality, and all the contents of reality, all the laws of reality, and every cell of our body. Here is a neat quote:<br /><br /><blockquote>"While All is in THE ALL, it is equally true that THE ALL is in All. To one who truly understands this has come great knowledge."-The Kybalion</blockquote><br /><br />Although, i wouldn't say that this is an exact parallel of the Vedic ideas of Brahman (universal soul) and Atman (Individual soul), it calls them to mind. It brings forth the memory of our connection to something great, and that indeed, universes reside within us. To sit and feel both; that I exist within a great universal consciousness, and that a great universal consciousness is available within me, this creates a great sense of peace, happiness, and clarity. I recommend it, highly. <br /><br />Digging around the internet produced a beautiful treasure, "The Secret Song of Hermes Trimegistus". This song, illustrates this idea, and also empowers us to feel our own divine qualities (Atman) while praising these divine qualities in THE ALL(Brahman). I'll post a short quote from it, but perhaps read the entire thing: here <a href="http://bit.ly/6o8dkN">The Secret Song</a> sit with it for a time, and let it reveal itself to you.<blockquote><br /><br />"O all ye Powers that are in me, praise the One, and All.<br /><br />Sing together with my Will, all you Powers that are in me.<br /><br />O Holy knowledge, being enlightened by thee, I magnify the intelligible Light, and rejoice in the joy of the Mind."</blockquote><br /><br />Please Enjoy Responsibly.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shivayayoga-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1585426431&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-63693158380729966822009-12-01T12:13:00.000-08:002009-12-01T12:48:56.911-08:00A good weekend for musicIt was an excellent weekend for music, of all kinds. <br /><br />on Saturday night I went to see my ole Baba, <a href="http://www.bhagavandas.com">Bhagavan Das</a>, and chant the night away at <a href="http://www.yogaonmain.com">Yoga on Main</a> <br><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/03iP8QfdE2Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/03iP8QfdE2Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br><br />Baba's main message, which I really appreciate, is the preciousness of human life. How easy to lose and how difficult to obtain. The importance of making the most of it, when you have it.<br />It was powerful times, as energy swirled, and subtle channels opened, and knots untied, and karmic residue came to the surface to find acceptance and release. Of course, as the fates would have it, Sally ended up two cushions away, and although there wasn't any eye contact or communication, the proximity added an extra electric charge to jolt my system. Challenging, but healing.<br />The next day, I came back to YOM to do Baba's Nada Yoga Workshop. Really it was a 3.5 hour Bhutta Shuddhi practice, chanting and purifying the chakras with mantras and visualization. I experienced some wonderful insights, and energetic openings. I wished it went on all day, and has inspired me to practice Bhutta Shuddi more on my own.<br /><br />Sunday night, I was invited to see a guy named <a href="http://www.graysoncapps.com/">Grayson Capps</a>. <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YlTOOMT-V9E&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YlTOOMT-V9E&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /> His wife is producing <a href="http://www.davidnewmanmusic.com">David's</a> new CD, and I got a text asking me would I let him crash the night at my place. I hauled myself down to olde city, and climbed the stairs to the tin angel, was really, really happy to watch and listen to this guy. Gritty Country Blues always moved me deep in my soul, and mad me proud to be an American. Grayson, indeed, made me proud to be an American. His songs told the story of an America untouched by time, pure and true, stories that sound like they were left to age in an old mason jar that still has a little moonshine in the bottom. And so many songs of heartbreak and loss, songs that made me feel less alone in my own secret pain. "There are some scars that just never heal," he told me after the show, "not much you can do except have a sense of humor about it." And speaking of which, this one is hilarious. He makes a good case.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iu23QakpUM0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iu23QakpUM0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And just because good things come in threes, I was gifted this really nice Jazz CD in the local book store today. Philadelphia is home to <a href="http://www.hipcinema.net">Hip Cinema's Nadine Patterson.</a> Nadine is working on a film featuring a local Jazz musican, Warren Oree. The soundtrack is really enjoyable, and here is a clip and the description of the film.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5DjpeDHbTqM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5DjpeDHbTqM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><blockquote><br />Ancestral echoes of the Middle Passage reverberate through the upright bass handed down through three generations of the Montgomery family. Each generation deals with conflicts between dreams deferred, and the unfinished business of the past. Grandmom Mozelle was a pioneer in an all women’s band in the 1940’s, but she gave up her musical passion to raise her family in a segregated America. Her son Casey became a revolutionary of the 60’s and 70’s and used music to voice the ideals of the Black Power Movement. Upon his passing his daughter Zera finds herself ill at ease, struggling with her own issues of family, career and music, but also being pulled by something else. Where does this music come from? What is this music really about? Whose cries do we hear across time and space? Do we dare to listen? Do we dare to be healed?<br /></blockquote><br /><br />So, that's the week in music, Enjoy!Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-89520835132615304652009-11-16T23:35:00.000-08:002009-11-16T23:36:44.401-08:00a short storyI entered a writing contest this evening. 100 words. the theme "found in space"<br />enjoy!<br /><br />“Why isn’t the kettle boiling yet?” he thought, cold, thirsty. Walking into the next room, he saw his error; shiny fire hissed from an uncovered burner, the teapot sat, tepid, behind it. He laughed, moved the pyrex over the heat, and watched that pot until it boiled. Tea made, he ambled over to his cushion, sat down in front of candles and incense, closed his eyes. As he breathed, the walls of his cranium dissolved. The space inside his mind flowed out , and the universe poured in. In the middle of all of creation, he found himself.Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-80488608501157103052009-10-30T08:11:00.001-07:002009-10-30T08:12:54.305-07:00Happy Halloween - Zen Pumpkin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4056373871_5b67f7df58.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4056373871_5b67f7df58.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Actually painted by a child, not a grizzled old zen master<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44106264@N05/"><br />from here</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-37834903897424952712009-10-28T17:25:00.000-07:002009-10-28T17:30:10.010-07:00Tantra Reading : The Radiance Sutras<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lorinroche.com/index_files/shaktishivaplay.jpg.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 440px; height: 528px;" src="http://lorinroche.com/index_files/shaktishivaplay.jpg.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />When I was at Bhakti Fest in Joshua Tree last month, i met a man named Lorin Roche. He was a scholar and meditation teacher, and had spent several years working on a beautiful, poetic, practical, and accessible version of The Vijnana Bhairava tantra. The vbt is a delightful text that outlines powerful meditation techniques that can be used both on and off the mat, and allow one to see the sacred in all phenomenon. I really enjoyed meeting him, and taking his workshop, and I really enjoy the text. In fact, I used a reading from it in the wedding I performed just recently. <br /><br />Be Wildly devoted to someone, or something.<br />Cherish every perception.<br />At the same time, forget about control.<br />Allow the Beloved to be itself and to change.<br /><br />Passion and compassion, holding and letting go,<br />This ache in your heart is holy.<br />Accept it as the rise of intimacy<br />With life's secret ways.<br /><br />Devotion is the Divine Streaming through you<br />From that place in you before time.<br />Love's energy flows through your body,<br />Towards a body, and into eternity again.<br />Surrender to this current of devotion<br />And become one with the Body of Love.<br /><br /><br />So check him out, he has alot of fantastic readings on his website, which i have been enjoying very much<br /><a href="http://www.lorin roche.com">http://www.lorin roche.com</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-87299915282820600152009-10-13T22:50:00.000-07:002009-10-13T22:51:18.381-07:00Timothy Leary's Tao Te Ching<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.erowid.org/culture/characters/leary_timothy/images/leary_timothy4_med.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.erowid.org/culture/characters/leary_timothy/images/leary_timothy4_med.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I am reading a fantastic book.<br /><br />They recently republished Timothy Leary's version of the Tao Te Ching, "Psychedelic Prayers". (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0914171844?ie=UTF8&tag=shivayayoga-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0914171844">Psychedelic Prayers: And Other Meditations (Leary, Timothy)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=shivayayoga-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0914171844" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br />) I had an old version once, but I gave it to Paulie Zink. I was without one for a while, because I didn't feel like spending $50 on a old tattered printing from the 60's. But It's back again, and I found one on ebay for 8 bucks. it has some extra stuff in the back that is wonderful too.<br />Tim wrote his version while in india, studying with a Buddhist Lama and a Vaishnava Monk. He had nine different english translations, and carefully crafted his version based on his readings and 'meditations' (wink, wink). He writes it as a guidebook for a psychedelic experience, and gives it a clear beginning, middle, and end. The result is an elegant and transformational text, one suitable for any voyager of consciousness. any one who "floats through the universe of the body, without getting lost". It works really well as a guide through yoga or meditation practice as well.<br /><br />Here is a verse, it focuses on impermanence. I've been really into impermanence lately. Its a good thing to get a handle on. nothing fancy, its simplicity holds it beauty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I - 5<br /><br />All Things Pass<br /><br /><br />All things pass<br /><br />A sunrise does not last all morning<br /><br />All things pass<br /><br />A cloudburst does not last all day<br /><br />All things pass<br /><br />Nor a sunset all night<br /><br />All things pass<br /><br />What always changes?<br /><br />Earth...Sky...thunder...<br />Mountain...water...<br />wind...fire lake...<br /><br />These change<br /><br />And if these do not last<br /><br />Do man's vision's last?<br />Do man's illusions?<br /><br />During the session<br />Take things as they come<br /><br />All things pass<br /></div><br />****<br /><br />and this one has been my favorite for a very, very long time.<br /><br />VI - 17<br /><br />Walk Carefully When You Are Among<br /><br /><br />"holy men" and<br />"righteous" deeds<br />Distract from the internal<br /><br />"Learned men"<br />Distract from<br />Natural wisdom<br /><br />Professional know-how<br />Addicts people to the contrived<br />And the external<br /><br />Be respectful and compassionate<br />But walk carefully when you are among-<br />learned men<br />holy men<br />doctors<br />government officials<br />reporters<br />publishers<br />professors<br />religious leaders<br />psychologists<br />rich men<br />social scientists<br />women with beautiful faces<br />artists and writers<br />men who<br />charge fees<br />city men<br />movie makers<br />men who want to help you<br />men who want you to help them<br />Christians and Jews<br /><br /><br />For such as these<br />However well meaning<br />Place you on their chessboard<br />Addict you to their externals<br />Distract you from the<br />TAO within<br /><br />The lesson of the TAO is more likely to be found among-<br />gardeners<br />hermits<br />mountain men<br />smiling eccentrics<br />men who build their own homes<br />children<br />parents who learn from their children<br />loafers<br />amateur musicians<br />serene Psychotics<br />animals<br />men who look at sunsets<br />men who walk in the woods<br />beautiful women<br />cooks<br />men who sit by the fire<br />wanderers<br />men who make bread<br />couples who have been in love for years<br />unemployed men<br />smiling men with bad reputations<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0914171844?ie=UTF8&tag=shivayayoga-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0914171844">Psychedelic Prayers: And Other Meditations (Leary, Timothy)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=shivayayoga-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0914171844" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><br /><br /><br />turn off your mind, relax and float down stream.....<br /><br />Love....<br /><br />daniel<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7UtsHILCWC8/SRQQytY-WpI/AAAAAAAAAic/x2ENTIgbmVU/S760/leary-league+of+spiritual+discovery2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 420px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7UtsHILCWC8/SRQQytY-WpI/AAAAAAAAAic/x2ENTIgbmVU/S760/leary-league+of+spiritual+discovery2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-28405200587543569412009-10-02T12:36:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:56:22.059-07:00360 degree sarvangasana<p>How cool is this shot of the sunset, a 360 degree Panorama from Yoga in Daily Life seminar in Umag, Croatia with Swami Maheshwarananda.</p><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" height="315" width="425" name="_360_krpano_name_536196" id="_360_krpano_id_536196"><param name="movie" value="http://www.360cities.net/javascripts/krpano/krpano.swf"><param name="quality" value="autohigh"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="flashvars" value="pano=http://www.360cities.net/krpano/external_embed/umag-asanas-at-sunset-istria.xml&epd=http://www.360cities.net/data/embed/plugin_data/umag-asanas-at-sunset-istria"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.360cities.net/javascripts/krpano/krpano.swf" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="315" width="425" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="autohigh" flashvars="pano=http://www.360cities.net/krpano/external_embed/umag-asanas-at-sunset-istria.xml&epd=http://www.360cities.net/data/embed/plugin_data/umag-asanas-at-sunset-istria"></embed></object><br/><a title="panorama photos of Umag Asanas At Sunset on 360cities.net" href="http://www.360cities.net/image/umag-asanas-at-sunset-istria">Umag Asanas At Sunset</a> in <a href="http://www.360cities.net/area/istria" title="panoramic images from Istria">Istria</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.360cities.net/image/umag-asanas-at-sunset-istria">more images here</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-52291832843194433712009-09-30T21:52:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:56:22.129-07:00Google Image Searchsometimes when you search for "chakras" with google images, sometimes you get this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.enchanted-soul.com/sacred-body/chakras.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 420px;" src="http://www.enchanted-soul.com/sacred-body/chakras.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.enchanted-soul.com/sacred-body/shaman.html">from this website</a>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-12810761123376461452009-09-30T19:01:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:56:22.137-07:00Iyengar Yoga Joke<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y28IbFzQ6Vw/SsQNu-UFCpI/AAAAAAAAAE0/YvXhMfQrslk/s1600-h/IMG_0581.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y28IbFzQ6Vw/SsQNu-UFCpI/AAAAAAAAAE0/YvXhMfQrslk/s320/IMG_0581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387446154894314130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Q. How many Iyengar yogis does it take to replace a light bulb?<br />A. Only one !<br /><br />BUT, they will need:<br />a sticky mat<br />a backless chair<br />two blocks<br />five blankets<br />a bolster<br />six ropes<br />two belts<br />six assorted benches<br />a bandage<br />a slant board<br />two quarter rounds<br />three weights<br />one wooden horse<br />a certificateSitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-27916627099648761002009-09-29T21:49:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:56:22.145-07:00Adorned By Moonlight: Prayer of the Great Bliss Queensubdue the vagaries of mind. excellent.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bCIDG6XIYb4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bCIDG6XIYb4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882575610587228782.post-59842598076533093822009-09-16T15:57:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:56:22.151-07:00Question and AnswerQuestion (from c):<br />Just wondering from other peoples experiences.... is it good/bad to use yoga as a vice?<br />I think its what I might have been doing last month (though there was also a 30 day challenge going on at the studio) and things were great! I was feeling so good.<br />but I'm taking some time away from the studio this month with work/school/moving and my life seems to be falling apart.<br /><br />Short answer:<br />We call it a daily practice. It is no more a vice than brushing your teeth. Try not brushing your teeth for a month, and see what happens.<br /><br />Longer Answer:<br /><div id="commentContent7103402" class="message"><p>This is where the buddhists really seem to have some insight that isn't felt as fully in the yoga community.<br />For the buddhists, the purpose of practice is the relieve the individual, and all beings everywhere of the suffering caused by the neurotic, conditioned mind. That is pretty much the whole deal. there is no promise of a 'yoga butt', no promise of a stronger back, or more flexible hips. It focuses on the fact that we are tortured by our minds, all of us, and the only way out is through consistent practice. The mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. If you don't take serious time to train it, it will probably be the latter.<br /><br />Patanjali says something similar too, in Yoga Sutra 1.14<br /></p><blockquote>When yoga practice is done for a long time, without a break, and with sincere devotion, then the practice becomes a firmly rooted, stable and solid foundation.<br />(sah tu dirgha kala nairantaira satkara asevitah dridha bhumih)</blockquote>If you can't go to class, i suggest taking 10 minutes and doing just a little bit on your own. nothing extreme, just a warm up, a sun salutation or two, just to keep it loose.<p></p></div>Sitaram Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03093312723493599821noreply@blogger.com0