A Teaching on Pride When I was younger, I was a student at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. My girlfriend at that time and I took a summer bicycle trip through New England. When we got to Vermont, I thought the State was so beautiful that I dropped out of school, waved goodbye when […]
Meetings with Yogis Part 1 Read More »
I have been reluctant to write about my personal experiences for this newsletter. I want this to be about yoga, not about me. In the last issue, however, I wrote about some of my time with my teachers and lessons I had learned. I got a good deal of positive feedback and requests for more
Experiences With Yogis and Lessons Learned: Part 2 Read More »
A gentleman is taking an evening stroll when he notices a friend down on his hands and knees, crawling along the street. He asks, “What’s the problem?” “I lost my keys,” replies the friend. The fellow lowers himself to the cement and helps his pal search. The two look for quite some time with no
What’s the Problem? Read More »
Stop your yoga! Do not recite your mantras! Dismantle your shrine and hide from your heart! You are making too much progress on the spiritual path. If you keep this up, soon you will have to stand all alone. For you will have destroyed the illusions which keep the wheel of ignorance spinning. You will
Before It’s Too Late Read More »
Before you were born into this world,the angels warned youthat you would forget your self. At that time, in that world,this seemed ludicrous,ridiculous, unimaginable…impossible. You laughed and told themyou could never forgetyour very self!Then you all laughed together,the angels smiling so compassionatelyat your boldness.Well, to make a long story short,it turns out they were right,weren’t
Another Case of Amnesia Read More »
Perhaps you should envy the junkie, my friend.He will lie, cheat and stealto satisfy his yearning.He bemoans the stars risingand the dawn, too,for neither brings him relief.His mind remains focusedon his habitregardlessof where he goesor what he does.He cares not if he has home or family.He wanders the world independentof cares,of social acceptance,of career,of fame
Perhaps You Should Envy The Junkie Read More »
The guru was giving a discourse before a group of attentive students. Suddenly, the assembly was interrupted by a woman rushing to the feet of the sage. Holding her lifeless child, she announced between sobs that her only baby was now dead. She declared her faith in God and the great sages and implored the
Turn your hand so your palm is facing towards you. Now spread your fingers wide. See the distance between the tip of your thumb and the tip of your pinky? That’s about the size of the Philadelphia phone book when I was growing up there some 25 years ago. At that time, in that enormous
An American Yoga Odyssey Read More »
Three men see a homeless little girl, and each is moved by her plight. The first recognizes the social and political influences that result in her fate. He sees the pain of the child but is so consumed with his own life and burdens that he cannot find a way to help. The second man
Yoga has only been in this country for about 100 years, and the transmission of this spiritual art from India is still taking place. American yoga will, and should, be different than the yoga of India. The essential teachings and practices must retain their integrity if they are to be effective. However, the manner in
Yoga American Style Read More »
