"You are as free as the freedom you extend to others. Those who understand this will no longer 'fall' in love, they will rise in love."
~ The BHAGAVAD GITA
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Life, on purpose...
Do you see the beauty in life? No doubt, we have our moments where we stop and say, "Wow, that's beautiful" but are your eyes (and ears) open to it all the time? Are we desensitized? Do we take the beauty of the world for granted?
In Washington, D.C., at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule. 
The following is a study organized by The Washington Post in Washington, D.C.
In Washington, D.C., at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule. .
About 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
About 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
.
At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
.
At 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
.
At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
.
After 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
After 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
*Why do the children seem to have a better "classical ear" than we do? I think children could teach us something about living in the present moment.
.
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
.
We all have heard that we must "live in the present moment" and there is this amazing "power of presence." So if it so amazing, why don't we all try more to live in the moment and live our lives as if on purpose?
.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Gift of Yoga...
Stop by your local Lululemon store and get a certificate for a free yoga class! And look around while you're there, they have some pretty cool yoga stuff!
http://www.lululemon.com/giftofyoga
Why free?
"There's no catch. We've purchased these passes from our yoga studio partners to connect you, our guests, with our communities. Why? Because we think that yoga can bring us all together and change the world." (from the Lululemon website)
In Birmingham the store is in SoHo Square in Homewood next to SoHo PiYo. Click here to find the store near you!
Om Shanti,
http://www.lululemon.com/giftofyoga
Why free?
"There's no catch. We've purchased these passes from our yoga studio partners to connect you, our guests, with our communities. Why? Because we think that yoga can bring us all together and change the world." (from the Lululemon website)
In Birmingham the store is in SoHo Square in Homewood next to SoHo PiYo. Click here to find the store near you!
Om Shanti,
Monday, November 22, 2010
Daily dose of Gratitude...
With Thanksgiving on my mind I started thinking about what I was thankful for... Truly Thankful. This thought actually started when I got a card from one of my preschoolers parents that said, "Thank you for taking such good care of our little angel and for planning fun activities for the class. We are thankful for you." In addition to the large smile to my face, my insides were glowing. Telling someone how much they mean to you large or small, in few words or many words, will make their heart smile. To this parent the care of her child is most important and she let the teacher know just how thankful she was. What a novice idea!
To get more Gratitude into your life, use these words daily; grateful, thankful, gift, lucky, fortunate. Realizing and acknowledging all the wonderful things that surround you will make you feel like the richest person in the world.
So this Thanksgiving I challenge you to understand the importance of giving back - and being thankful for what you have - to tie it all together. Gratitude is the antidote to materialism. Materialism is obsessing on what you desire. Gratitude is appreciating what you have, whether it be a person or the roof over your head.
To get more Gratitude into your life, use these words daily; grateful, thankful, gift, lucky, fortunate. Realizing and acknowledging all the wonderful things that surround you will make you feel like the richest person in the world.Remember, there is always something to be thankful for.
Why do Yoga?...
The short answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit. Yoga lets you tune in, chill out, shape up -- all at the same time.
For many people, that's enough of an answer. But there's more if you're interested.
For starters, yoga is good for what ails you. Specifically, research shows that yoga helps manage or control anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases.
What's more, yoga:
Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina
Reduces stress and tension
Boosts self esteem
Improves concentration and creativity
Lowers fat
Improves circulation
Stimulates the immune system
Creates sense of well being and calm.
And that's just the surface stuff. In fact, most of the benefits mentioned above are secondary to yoga's original purpose.
Developed in India, yoga is a spiritual practice that has been evolving for the last 5,000 years or so. The original yogis were reacting, in part, to India's ancient Vedic religion, which emphasized rituals. The yogis wanted a direct spiritual experience -- one on one -- not symbolic ritual. So they developed yoga.
Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the classical language of India. According to the yogis, true happiness, liberation and enlightenment comes from union with the divine consciousness known as Brahman, or with Atman, the transcendent Self. The various yoga practices are a methodology for reaching that goal.
In hatha yoga, for example, postures and breathing exercises help purify the mind, body and spirit so the yogi can attain union within himself.
So, why not do yoga?
For many people, that's enough of an answer. But there's more if you're interested.
For starters, yoga is good for what ails you. Specifically, research shows that yoga helps manage or control anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases.
What's more, yoga:
Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina
Reduces stress and tension
Boosts self esteem
Improves concentration and creativity
Lowers fat
Improves circulation
Stimulates the immune system
Creates sense of well being and calm.
And that's just the surface stuff. In fact, most of the benefits mentioned above are secondary to yoga's original purpose.
Developed in India, yoga is a spiritual practice that has been evolving for the last 5,000 years or so. The original yogis were reacting, in part, to India's ancient Vedic religion, which emphasized rituals. The yogis wanted a direct spiritual experience -- one on one -- not symbolic ritual. So they developed yoga.
Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the classical language of India. According to the yogis, true happiness, liberation and enlightenment comes from union with the divine consciousness known as Brahman, or with Atman, the transcendent Self. The various yoga practices are a methodology for reaching that goal.
In hatha yoga, for example, postures and breathing exercises help purify the mind, body and spirit so the yogi can attain union within himself.
So, why not do yoga?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Quote of the Day...
"Within these sacred portals revenge and hate must cease. The souls of straying mortals in love will find release."
~ Mozart's The Magic Flute
(Still California dreamin'. I saw this quote carved into the wall of Deetjen's Big Sur Inn dining room during my stay. Magical place.)
~ Mozart's The Magic Flute
(Still California dreamin'. I saw this quote carved into the wall of Deetjen's Big Sur Inn dining room during my stay. Magical place.)
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