Let Me Sing Some Praises...

to my new "Magic Bullet" blender set. I know, it sounds like something I ordered from a strange catalog and received in the mail discreetly wrapped in brown paper...but it isn't. It is just a high-powered blender that has a convenient set of different sized cups into which you screw the blade. Why am I so smitten with this particular kitchen gadget? Well, as a vegan health nut, I find that I often wish to make quick raw meals like smoothies, guacamole or hummus. Using the food processor is quite a project. My old blender, a pretty sturdy Cuisinart model, did a great job, but was still a bear to clean, and god forbid I didn't clean it right away because once smoothie goop dried on it during the day, I was in for an extended scrubbing session.

The "Magic Bullet" allows me to put the materials I want to blend right into the cup I will drink or eat out of. After the blending is accomplished, I unscrew the blade and wash it under the faucet immediately (takes about thirty seconds). When I've eaten or drunk my meal, I simply wash out the cup (again, about thirty seconds).

I'm not being paid by the "Magic Bullet" people. But if you are trying to eat healthfully, this is a great addition to your kitchen toolkit. I got mine at Target. And I've used it nearly everyday since I purchased it. That's saying something as even at the height of my blending, juicing and food processing kicks of the past, I've not maintained a daily usage of any kitchen appliance for more than a week.

I made some great guacamole to put on my hashbrowns tonight. And my morning smoothies are delightful. Give it a try.

Cleanse Kula Memories

Soooo cute!

Pygmalion 21st Century Style

As I was driving to work this morning, I had the radio turned to a radio station that I do not frequent, and I heard an ad for plastic surgery. That's right, a radio advertisement for becoming the "best you" you can be. I laughed derisively when I realized what was being suggested. Then, my mind immediately went to Africa. Why would plastic surgery make me think of Africa? Well, because I am preparing to go to Africa on May 17, and I have been planning how to pack, what kinds of gifts to take for the Africans I meet, and how to deal with the emotional impact of spending time in Rwanda post genocide. So, the fact that in this country one can pay to have fat removed while in other places food is a luxury is particularly striking right now. The idea that one would spend her money to get bigger breasts to impress a man (the ad included men talking about how their wives were now returned to their former confident selves by having breast "enhancement") and suddenly all problems disappear just seems wrong on so many levels.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that because parts of our world do not have the technology and infrastructure that we have in the United States, we should feel guilty or not avail ourselves of it. That's not it at all. What I am saying is that I believe we have so much capability, so much excess, that we create needs. While women and men in this country have always been body conscious (witness "Muscular Christianity" in the late 18th and early 19th century), they did not always have the opportunity to pay a surgeon to give them a body wholly new and different from the original. What does it mean to be able to buy the body you want? What does it do to the meaning of living within this body to see it as infinitely malleable and capable of being improved upon with technology? What happens to us when we buy the bodies we want and still find that we haven't become the people we want to be?

New breasts or a trip to a place in the world that might open me up to parts of myself, parts of humanity, that I've yet to explore -- I know which I think is the better way to spend my money and time. And my yoga practice has taught me that the body I have, while maybe not the body the magazines tell me I should want, is beautiful in its own way and capable of housing and hosting the Infinite Self. No human intervention to change the surface look comes even close to the wonder of that fact...

My Sentient Riley (an 11 year old mini-dachsund)

I love those inspirational stories about animals connecting with people, but I never thought I'd experience one like this myself. A few days ago Paul (husband) and Abby (daughter) went out of town for a long weekend, which meant I was the only pair of eyes and hands caring for my playful 3-year old twins, Nicholas & Sam. Or so I thought.

The boys and I were all enjoying the warm sunshine outdoors in the backyard. They were gravitating near and around the swing set. I decided to run indoors for a brief MOMENT--can't even remember for what now. As usual I got distracted and the moment turned into moments when I heard my dog frantically whining at the back door. I thought, "Oh he just wants to come in because I am". He was unusally persistent and his whining becaming much louder. I quickly went to check it out and glanced to the swing set. No boys in sight! I then checked the backyard gates and sure enough, one of them was wide open. I ran through the house to the front to get to the front yard as quick as possible and there they were, standing at the edge of the driveway. Nicholas was actually a foot into the street, with his daring mischevious gleam.

After firmly directing the escapees inside I realized the magnitude of what just happened. Any other given opportunity of the back gates being flung open, my sweet Riley would normally run out to the front yard just as the boys had. But this time he didn't. Instead, he sensed the danger for them and in his own way worked very hard to get my distracted attention. I am grateful beyond words.

My connection with Riley began as love at first sight and only evolved into what some of my extended family members just couldn't understand--but accepted. I often joked that there is a part of my (deceased) mother in him. He has loved me like no other! He has been dedicated to me, eagerly wanting to be near me where ever I go. Surviving 3 toddlers is no easy feat and he's been gracious at accepting the "intruders" of his space.

I believe my relationship with him simply reinforces the abilities of animals to care, love and protect their human companions. How blessed we are!

Blog? What blog?

I have no idea what you're talking about.  No, really, I don't.  Really.

Darn! I guess that method for avoiding responsibility doesn't work very well for me in this case. I'm beginning to understand some of the advantages of passive, indirect communication, though I can't say that I feel any closer to the truth of what got me here... I am healthier and I feel clearer about what I need to do to set my course again, and I suppose I can be plenty grateful for that, regardless of the means that brought the clarity about...

And, while communing with the ocean in California in the past week, I had a profound revelation about the nature of addiction. Though addiction has been a major issue in my life, I've always known that the objects of my addictions (food, sex, "drugs", rock-n-roll, martyrism, rightness, and what-have-you) were not what was I was actually after, in the end all were of the same essential emptiness.  Instead, it was the intensity that I brought to the experience that kept drawing me back again and again. Perhaps it is not true for all, but for some of us who were harvested a certain way, a continual catharsis seems to be necessary for renewal and balance in life. I've found the same intensity in the tough-loving arms of the ocean, or in the vast majesty of the rocky mountains,  and I'm sure I would find it in the Amazon jungles and the sensorial overload of many world cultures. And so I embark upon taking full responsibility for my own yoga practice now, channeling my intensity into my craft and saving my every cent for more travels...the more permanent roots will have to wait for the insistent wings to do their thing.

And so, Oliver and his elvish non-dual twin Revilo extend a humble bow of Namaste and a sincere thank you to all the Kansas Siddhi Yoga teachers, teasers, and students alike, for everything and nothing all at once, a full embrace-release of you all and of the trouble in paradox that drew me into your circle for this time. As more time passes, I am sure that more depth will arrive in my perception of these lessons, and all the more gratitude will be yours, from wherever I go. If you see me, say hello, I don't bite (unless you ignore the rattle). 

Paz y Amor y Fuerza y Luz

Oliver

Blog Question

Being new to blogging, I'm trying to figure out how to get to some of the earlier posts. When I scroll down the posts now, it gets to Oliver's blog from last Wednesday, but I can't seem to get anything older than that. I was hoping to watch the video Sara posted, look at the recipes, etc...I tried to click on "archives" but nothing happened....thanks for your help!

How Are They Now?

Just as any Unsolved Mysteries show needs it's "Update" and any One Hit Wonders show needs it's "Where Are They Now?", our cleanse needs a "How Are They Now? Update".

How have days 1 and 2 OFF the cleanse been ?

For my part, I successfully averted a potential fresh baked bread overdose on Saturday night and on Sunday was then subjected to a meal at Lidia's, of all places. And if you didn't know, they make their own pasta and breads. Oy vey. I made it though!

Last night I started work on a new moyoga blog site that will be a repository for vegetarian and vegan recipes. I'm hoping this will become a resource for some of you that are new to cooking for yourselves. I also hope you'll all contribute when you've made something delicious! More on this new site when it's ready for launch!

Love you all,
Gina

Feeling that high

One of the joys of completing the cleanse is feeling that high of my having been with some wonderful people. Sitting down last night I had the thoughts of having been with you-all. Thanks for being my teachers.

AWARENES

Namaste' Kula
Awh.......What a grand ride it has been. Thank you!Food for thought till we meet again!
What you fight you stengthen..........What you resist, persists
Accept what is ..............................And make peace
Relax into (tension, the poise, conflict, the job), LIFE ...............and BE PRESENT
Then take action from PRESENCES

I think this is from Eckhart Tolle

Everything is done in Love
In Lak'ech ( I am another you ),
Mike

I figured out my resistence!

Thank you for your loving support fellow travelers!

These past few months, with these past 2 weeks in particular, have culminated in a release and a relief that I knew was on the crest of the wave for me.

The Missouri poet John Michael Hall says, "Learn to love the question." The question that I have been embracing was, "What is my lesson from my recurring emotional pain?"

My answers have come in layers. I wanted a few swift answers, be finished with this issue and ready to move on to the next. Nope, not happening! I learned from my pain that I don't have to have it. Yes, it is that simple.

I tearfully said I feared judgment of me by others, knowing that I do this very thing. I figured out this was the beard to a deeper lesson. I feared my self criticism more. This keeps my pain returning. The evening following Gina's morning introduction of the chant Om Gam Ganapatya [spelling?], I stopped generalizing this judgment issue and got into its details; thus more insights. During the remainder of this cleanse week I did what I promised myself and all of you – to fearlessly, courageously go through this cleanse, not around it but through it to get to the other side.

I added items to my altar, made extra time for giving specific prayers to the best & highest good for those with whom I have the internal struggle. I committed to do just the opposite of judging - understanding their world. I could laugh and enjoy the folly of taking myself too seriously when I finished my prayers. Thank Goodness!

I learned a deeper layer tonight. It is a belief that propels my recurring self criticism. I know I copy-cat-ed my mother's & step mother’s victim role and perfected this in my own way throughout my life. I skillfully wove the small pieces of self doubt, self criticism, fear, judgment of others, keeping up my "looking-good" as I call my armor, and staying isolated into a tight tapestry. I think what I knew was that I could possibly stay in this vicious cycle and this was truly my deep, painful question, “Would I continue to embrace my self victimization / pain or release it?”

My answer is - I TRUST MYSELF! I had forgotten this truth. I did let go of my pain. I AM NOT MY OLD STORY! I had also forgotten that I like me and I so love this life I've been given. I am joyful, spontaneous, generous, creative and I listen deeply. This is my authentic Self !

Thank you for tenderly loving me, sharing your supportive spirit, and sharing yourself with me so that I learned too. THANK YOU!

All my love,
Linda

My subconscious wants in on the cleanse too...

The weird and weirdly vivid dreams continue: last night I dreamt that I was in a very very crowded restaurant (like, to a claustrophobia-inducing degree, shoulder-to-shoulder) and received a salad I did not order: a gnarly, wilted bed of colorless iceberg lettuce piled with cocktail shrimp, Andy Capp's Hot Fries and some sort of milky Ranch-related dressing. The elderly waitress mixed it with her bare hands on the table before me and then said, very authoritatively, "Here, eat it, YOU LIKE THIS." And eat I did. Only some time later in the next dream scene (in which I heard noises beneath my bed and, produced of superhuman strength, lifted it to find a living tomb beneath with slumbering bearded men packed together shoulder-to-shoulder) did I realize I had transgressed the dietary guidelines of the cleanse and felt extreme remorse.

I hate shrimp. Freudian analysis, anyone?

Please excuse my trivial aside here, and thank you to everyone for sharing your revelations. Namaste!

Ashley B.

Thank You Teachers

Dearest Kula,

Our time has almost came to an end and I just wanted to thank you for your energy, your hearts and lessons you've taught me. I am so grateful for this space and all that it represents and most importantly the diverse people that fill it. All with something to offer and recieve from one another.

This cleanse has been eye opening in so many ways.i have to say i was able to really be a witness in my own actions more than ever. i have realized that it is not the coffee that makes me feel alive in the morning, it is my life force, my prana. i have noticed how easy it is for me to fill my free time with busyness. i am making a point to live more fruit full by thinking before speaking, committing.i am practicing looking behind the heart of the person and why they are reacting the way that they are, having compassion. i have learned how wonderful you feel when you eat well! I have learned how easy it is to be an example! You never know who is watching and what they are picking up! i am learning to be fearless is freeing and not scary at all! i am learning i have so much to learn and i love it! What an adventure!

May the cleanse serve you well,

NAMASTE! from my heart space to yours,

Leslie

Cleanse our planet, cleanse ourselves

As most of us know by now, Yoga translates as “union” - union within ourselves, union with others, union with the universe, and that includes our own dear Mother Earth, without which we could not survive. Just as cleansing and nourishing ourselves ultimately has a positive affect on those we interact with, cleansing and nourishing the earth directly affects our own well being. This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot as we near the end of our official cleanse week, and I’m sure it’s not a new concept to any of you, my kula friends, and I’m sure many of you incorporate these practices in your lives already. It’s just that we all can use a little reminding and extra inspiration sometimes, and I thank Oliver for providing that reminder for me most recently.

So if you’ve enjoyed the purification and sense of accomplishment that this cleanse has provided you this week, I’d like to invite you to join me in taking it further with any steps you can to cleanse the source of this wonderful food we’ve been eating, the air we breath and the water we can’t live without. I’m not saying that we all have to kill our televisions, sell our cars (taking 4 kids to school on a bike would be challenging!) and start an organic farm collective (though that sounds rather fun, don’t you think? - I’d be happy to dig in the earth each day with all of you!) But here are a few steps I’ve been inspired to take to renew my commitment to sustaining our mother planet, and thus myself and my practice of Yoga. This is my pledge, and I’m making it public so that I can be held accountable. I would be honored to do this together with you. Think of it as an act of Devotion.

Join a CSA. For those unfamiliar, this is Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, you pay a fee and essentially become a shareholder in a local farm and your dividend is fresh produce. How awesome is that! Support the local economy, organic farming, and your body all at the same time! There are many out there - here is a great resource. You can email them and they’ll help connect you with any CSA’s still available for this season: www.kcfoodcircle.org/KCCSAC/

Use my library even more! Devin and I already meet most of our book and media needs either online or at our absolutely fabulous downtown KC library, but I can use it even more. I have to remind myself to always look there first for a book or a movie, before succumbing to the seduction of inviting bookstores. I already have too many books on my shelves! And then if it’s not there, look for it used and support the local businesses (yes, I love amazon, too, but I hate the shipping packaging!) The KC library has so much going on - great entertainment, lectures and exhibits - check it out! www.kclibrary.org

Join the Green Yoga Association http://www.greenyoga.org/index.html To help keep me inspired and committed, and to help promote awareness of the connection between yoga and our planet.

Ride my bike more often, even when I don’t feel like it. I didn’t even own a car until my early 30's, and I’ve spent almost half my life employed as a bike tour guide, but a serious health condition, hauling around a massage table, and, I fully admit, more than occasional laziness have kept me off my bike more than I’d like to fess up to, so I’m pledging to do better! If you’ve never commuted by bike, or are worried about doing so but would like to give it a try, it’s ok to start small! There’s a great opportunity coming up during Bike Week May 12-16. There are over 62 events planned throughout the metro for cyclists new and experienced to get us out there enjoying the 2-wheeled life! Even if you don’t commute all the way to work, try just running an errand, riding to church, or going to a matinee - it’s fun, it keeps you fit, and you can do it in a group during bike week! Check out all the details at www.kcbike.info. PS - walking counts, too.

Take the bus more. As I get older I’m much quicker to bail on the bike when the weather’s bad or I don’t feel good. But instead of defaulting to the car, I am committing to taking the bus more often. Yeah, it takes longer, but I have a lot of reading to catch up on...

Consume less, re-use and recycle more. I am discovering that many of my material needs can be met at second hand stores - no, they’re not as glamorous as Plaza shops and not as convenient as online shopping, but it’s cheaper (more money to spend on organic produce!), uses fewer resources (think of shipping), keeps things out of landfills, reduces production waste, and usually goes to a good cause. As for recycling, I know from experience how difficult this can be in the suburbs here, but it’s do-able with some effort! And for anyone with a yard, composting is fun!

Simplify in general. Less stuff, less fuel, less electricity, less processed food, less packaging...less. If anything, cleansing shows us what we’re capable of doing without....

Thanks, Kula, for being there to inspire, support, and help hold me accountable for my intentions. I look forward to continuing my practice with all of you!

Kansas Siddhi Yoga

Without a doubt, the thing I love most about Kansas Siddhi Yoga is our diversity. It fills me with true joy to know that one would be hard pressed to precisely categorize who practices here. Because, who practices at our studios could very well be a little bit of everyone imaginable. We are young and old, we are fat and skinny. We are Christians and atheists, we are householders and renunciates. We are lawyers, artists, bank VPs, dancers, healers, accountants. We are employed, self-employed and unemployed. We're gay, straight and bramacharis. We are students, teachers, at-home moms, single dads. Bodyworkers, pilots, salespeople, analysts. Tattooed, curling-ironed, wear suits, wear sweats. We come in different colors and have followed different paths to get where we are now. Which is together.

What brings us together is that we are all seekers. And this particular transmission of the path of yoga is piquing our interest enough to investigate further and/or speaks to and nourishes the deepest part of our being. And I believe that's what we're striving to see first in each other. Then what binds us, or in other words, keeps us together, is RESPECT. I think our diverse little community is an inspiring example of how people from many different backgrounds, life experiences and lifestyle choices can live in harmony with the common threads of respect and inquiry.

One reason I regularly solicit questions/feedback/additions to my talks at the beginning of class or create blogsites is to cultivate a democratic learning experience. I do this with absolute trust that we'll all practice the first, and arguably, most important yama, ahimsa. Non-harming of others. The practice of ahimsa is challenging - when it comes to communication, it seems to live in that slender space between repression and harming. Evaluating our intentions before communicating is an excellent practice in navigating towards that space of ahimsa communication. In being impeccable with our words, we must always honestly evaluate our motives. Clearly, this process isn't foolproof because we're humans who are practicing and learning as we go. I appreciate the respect and wide berth you've given me and the other teachers in our quest to share the teachings that have shaped our lives. I also appreciate the wide berth you've given each other all along since our inception, which makes you tremendous ambassadors of this path and your studio. This respectfulness has made us the diverse and harmonious community we are and I am filled with both pride and love. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

Pranams,
Gina

"Wait long enough and people will impress you" Randy Pausch from The Last Lecture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4614281&page=1

Unselfish Love

Harmlessness, caring, compassion, kindness, giving, creation

The Four Agreements

Be impeccable with your word
Don't take anything personally
Don't make assumptions
Always do your best

From The Four Agreement by Miguel Ruiz

Meet Randy Pausch...

Have you heard of Professor Randy Pausch? In my opinion he is one of the most yogic "non-yogis" on the planet at this time. Diagnosed with fatal pancreatic cancer he has been spreading his "Last Lecture" - basically a dynamic and inspiring approach to living that we can all learn a great deal from. I can't do it justice in describing it - you just have to watch. It's a perfect pick-me-up for a cleanse week to remind us all of the delicate, beautiful and wonderous gift of life. You'll be glad you checked this out!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184

What a morning!

Big hugs to Gina for seeming to know exactly what we all needed this morning. That was a glorious practice - I know I'll be smiling all day.

Oh, to bottle this feeling! :)

Namaste.

I Felt the Earth Move

Hello friends,
Day 3 presented mounds full of introspection for me. I spent most of the day bouncing from thought to emotion. I tried to distinguish reality from my perception of what I was seeing and feeling. I tried to keep quiet most of the day as to not disturb the peace--I "tried". I felt an uprising of truth in how unbalanced I feel with the daily tasks/chores set before me as a mother of 4 and wife. (I include my oldest child who is a young adult, married, living outside my home but yet very present in "needing" me). I often struggle with the precise defintion of my role and balancing out my energy to the needs of my children. It's as if I was witnessing everything I do on a daily basis with clarity. This brought me disappointment, laughter, frustration, anger and joy. Now I must sift through this process carefully and seek a path to restoring balance. Oh boy...the real work has began.

Namaste,
Anita

Grain & Nuts

Good evening yogis,

I hope that day 3 provided you with ample opportunities for insight and that slowly but surely your body is registering and adjusting to the supplements and the deprivation of certain foods. I have found it very interesting to witness a slight shift in my mind and what I notice and think about with just a removal of wheat, dairy and sugar.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Phase 2. In short, this means, if you wish, you can begin to incorporate grains and nuts from the cleanse foods list back into your diet. If you are a repeat cleanser, this might be the right time to continue in Phase 1 to allow for a deeper cleaning. But you may feel like it's not the right time either, be gentle with yourself and sit with it for a little while. If you are adding grains back in tomorrow, I wanted to encourage you to try to make one of the slow-cooked rice dishes in your packet. These are porridge-like as the rice is cooked with much more water than usual and for much longer than usual. In this form, the rice is easier for the body to digest and your agni (digestive fire) will be able to enjoy it's break more fully.

And one last note, if you're bringing nuts/seeds back in, try not to eat them after about 3:30 or 4pm so your body can have over 12 hours to process them. How strict you want to be with this is entirely up to you.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions!

Goodnight,
Gina

Organics: To Buy or Not To Buy??

HI!
If anybody is on a budget and struggles with spending money on organic fruits and veggies here is some food for thought! This is a link to an article that talks about what foods are more likely to have a higher level of pesticides than others. I found it to be informative and thought you might enjoy it as well. Have a good day!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23941484/?pg=1#COT_Organics

Here it goes

Hi Kula,
So excited to be able to blog since I have been taking a cleanse from our computer unintentionally. We had to get a new one. Now I am up and running. You really miss it when its gone, like a few of my comfort foods. (chips and salsa)

I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate each and everyone of you and all that you bring to the kula. I can relate to EVERYTHING that you have said at some level. It is quite refreshing for me to feel that connection, of I'm not alone.

Something that has really came up for me has been worry for loved ones. Long story short. My mom died when I was 10 and my dad started drinking. I love my dad and we are great friends but he is 70 now and has a drinking problem. He is alone and has made bad choices. I love him and want change for him but know I can't change him. Yoga has given me wonderful tools to help with this issue but where there are heartstrings it is very challenging. I see him daily and keep on believing that setting a living example is a start.

I also have been thinking about that saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Not meaning that good intentions are bad but not acting on them are unproductive. I have great ideas and intentions to do good but then.. get busy or do not make it a priority. I need to make it a point to find focus and clarity. Crazy thing is I feel like somehow i can make my dad or any situation better if i try hard enough but in reality i have to let it go, give it to God but i feel i have a part to play also. It's hard!

I have found that I have several trail heads I need to venture down. I am ready to face fear head on and become fearless!

I am naturally an upbeat person with a smile to offer but I wanted to let you know below the surface is also a broken heart surrendering to Agape love.

On a diet note! I am amazed at how much I can eat! I am loving all the colorful food! A little grouchy or so I am told.

Love to all,
Leslie

Spongebob Crankypants

Hi Cleanse Kula,

I believe it's my nature to think first of the positive, fun and uplifting in life, which is a good thing! But that optimism may have been what made me forget to remind you that for many of us, days 2 and 3 are marked by increased sensitivity, crankiness and an inexplicable darkness. Gone are the happy recipes, grocery lists and menu planning, only to be replaced with reports of being sleepy, weak, or barfing, having headaches, nearly shitting your pants in class this morning, of being offended and hurt or of snapping at others. We may find ourselves alternating between guilt, resentment at the imposition this process is making on our "regular" life, malicious thoughts towards the inventor of our Liver Tonic, confusion as to why we wanted to do it in the first place, questioning if we're really the kind of person that does this kind of stuff, wondering if people think we're crazy, rebelling against the cleanse and how it is being led, wondering why we're not feeling "more", wondering if this pain in the ass is even worth it???!?!?

And believe it or not, I think this is a great sign. These are all signs of your status quo being disrupted. Your patterns have been disrupted. Your routine has been disrupted. Your diet has been disrupted. Your thinking patterns have been disrupted. Your boat has been rocked. This, I believe is true: A fruitful spiritual practice is one that disrupts your status quo and then gives you the space to learn how to work skillfully with what arises.

The tools you'll use to work skillfully with what arises now and forevermore cannot be given to you. But the opportunity to cultivate them can and has been given to you now. First you have to open yourself to the disruption. Don't forget how skilled we are at blocking and avoiding. I believe it's part of the reason we stay so busy - it's easier to block the things that need a good looking at when they're buried under other responsibilities and activities. Next, you have to be open to learning from the process. If you already think this process is dumb or worthless - you are right! It has no hope of benefitting you if you think you're already smarter than it. And this also means not having an agenda about what you might learn, rather being truly open and respecting the process and everyone going through it with you. Next, we have to be tender with ourselves yet have the stamina to stay with it. This is where a consistent asana practice will really help you - these are things we practice on the mat too. And finally, we have to be willing to receive whatever wisdom or tools the experience provides and have the humility to receive it completely.

Yes, there are exceptions! I know not all of you can relate to what I've just written. And there may be a few reasons for that...it too soon and just hasn't happened yet...you have too skillfully blocked away what needs some looking at (or it just hadn't occurred to you yet that it's related)... or you are a living Buddha. I believe beneath all our aversions lie the lessons we need to learn most. It's always a good place to look if you want to do a thorough cleaning. And we are all here to support and love you no matter what you find.

One love,
Gina

PS - I made the happiest salad I could today and took a picture of it. Hope it brightens your day. Spring mix, halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber crescents, thinly sliced red, yellow & orange bell peppers

Ummm, these foods are supposed to be easily digestible? :-)

Well, as my wife mentioned in her blog post, I've never really done any kind of strict diet. One of the benefits of being an endurance athlete, I suppose, is I'm free to eat anything in sight. So my big concern was how I was going to get enough calories and not feel hungry all the time on just fruits and vegetables. (Even when I'm not active, I still have an extremely high metabolism.) Well, my system seems to have solved that problem by not letting any food get through at all. That colon cleanser seems to have had the opposite of the intended effect on me. Of course, western remedies tend to affect me differently than everybody else, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised at the weird way my system is reacting. Anyway, I just spent the last fifteen minutes throwing up all the food I've consumed over the last few hours...apparently it had to get out somehow. (As I was hunched over the toilet bowl staring at what used to be dinner, Skye had the sense of humor to say, "You don't even want to know how much those mushrooms cost.")

On the plus side, the sharp pains have subsided and yoga tomorrow no longer looms as a sadistic threat as it did while I was writhing in agony. While I'm intent on seeing this thing through, I am going to entertain myself tonight by watching South Park episode #407, where a New Age-y healer moves to South Park and dupes the town-folk into buying a bunch of detoxifying agents ;-)

Catching Up

Hello All!

Last week went by so quickly for me that I did not even get a chance to log on to the blog site! OK--I suppose, if I wanted to stay up past my bedtime I probably could have squeezed some blog time in, but I NEED my eight hours of sleep! :-)

Anyway, I have just finished reading each blog and every response. Instead of responding to each one individually, I thought I would thank you all here. Thank you for sharing your feelings, thoughts, experiences, recipes, etc. It is all inspiring and much appreciated.

I feel very lucky because with the exception of maybe a couple of you, I got to see all of you today either this morning and/or this afternoon. If I don't see some of you again this week, best of luck to you and I look forward to seeing you Saturday!

Big Hugs!
Laura



Meal Chant


First this food is for true practice.
Second it is for our teachers and parents.
Third it is for all nations and all beings.
Thus we eat this food with everyone, we eat to stop all harming, to practice serving and to accomplish the awakened way.
-Buddhist meal chant