At certain points in my life I have been "in the flow." However hippy and floaty that sounds, these moments of intuitive guidance have sometimes lasted a week, sometimes a day, sometimes a moment. And all it is, is that I feel like I am right on track. Have you ever felt like that? Like everything is aligning perfectly so that effortless effort can be accessed. You go shopping, you find exactly what you were looking for. There is one parking space left for you. Or you meet a friend serendiptiously that you had been thinking of.
It reminds me of alignment in yoga. After doing my wonderful training in Open Source Yoga under the humble and incredible Dan Clement, I realized more than anything that I am a student. I often felt like there were huge gaps in my knowledge of yoga after doing mainly kundalini and restorative for so long. I did not know about specific muscles, about how to protect your body from harm in poses. I did not know that setting the foundation in your feet was so important, nor the wonderful effects of physical adjustments. Most intriguing to me was the energy work that we did around chakras and the inner body. Make your inner body bright. This is such a beautiful refrain.
So when we are in the flow, in yoga, it is often difficult to maintain alignment. Because we are moving quickly, the teacher cannot give adequate cues and enough time to really get in to the specific cells and muscles of the body. Yet is possible to find alignment in flow? Absolutely. At times, we may feel the pace of yoga, the pace of life, to be faster. Or we may feel the intuitive nudge to slow down. We may need to pause. We may let our fingers do the talking as they type away on our keyboards or we may consciously frame our thoughts in the most efficient way. We have choices.
I have been reading Pema Chodron recently - she is a marvelous writer and soul. My great friend Christina recommended her and I am so grateful. Chodron suggests placing reminders throughout your day (eg. on your computer, on your wall) to take 3 conscious breaths and become present. I have been trying to do this and it is working wonders. To just breathe and let everything go. To take the opportunity of a mounting emotion, a rising situation, and just breathe to recalibrate. Just breathe and get back in touch with your body and heart. To move the energy down and away from our minds where it just circles and circles furiously and to no end.
I have met some amazing people recently - often these meetings felt orchestrated by something bigger than me. But I just feel like the world is full of friends, of souls that are in alignment, of people that are aware of their souls, and of breathing - that connects us to our true self whenever we choose. Whatever you believe, whatever religion you may follow, you are a human being. And that is a miracle in itself.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Dancing in the Park
A few days ago I had the enormous pleasure of dancing in the park. Near where I live, there are free dance lessons every week in a popular park and people who don't know each other dance together...it is an innocent and lovely way to build a community. In this age of insulated, separate lives, where doors are triple locked and alarmed, when we are so fearful simply walking down the street alone - I think this dance initiative is so beautiful. It gave us the chance to connect without words and from our hearts. There was humour, positivity, and movement. There is something beautiful about letting your body melt with the music, and being surrounded by other souls lost in honest expression.
source: http://www.deconcrete.org/2010/02/14/barefoot-in-the-park/
source: http://www.deconcrete.org/2010/02/14/barefoot-in-the-park/Sunday, July 15, 2012
After So Long
After so long, I have returned to my trusty keyboard and my non-existent readers! Haha. Well maybe you exist? It doesn't really matter though. I'm happy I am writing again.
The last few months have been a whirlwind of adventure, emotion, new places, new friends, new spaces. I was travelling for a month, getting my yoga certification for 5 weeks, and now I am settling into a new home. I have been learning to trust the process of life again.
When I moved into my new place, I finally had nothing to do but simply live and settle in. This was strangely unsettling. My family and I were mostly alone in a very densely populated place where nobody would say hi. After my experiences at Pearson College and university residences, this was a huge shock! How many other places in the world are like this? We are constantly staring into other peoples' houses, literally a window into their lives, but we hardly know who they are. It is saddening. So last night I was grateful to finally meet the lovely lady across the lane from me and it was a huge relief.
But moreover, loneliness was a repercussion of emptiness. I felt like I had no purpose settling in here, I was simply purchasing furniture and existing. I was being and that was it. I was confronted with my own mind and my need to stay constantly busy (and perhaps distracted). It was only until I began volunteering at a daycare, a farm, and a fair trade organization that my life began to feel the infusion of meaning. Is this because meaning comes from our relationships? Our communities? Our work? Or does it come from being in alignment with your true nature?
I read the Tao of Pooh recently (by Benjamin Hoff) and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Taoism and the Inner Nature of things and the practical sense of living in harmony with the world around us. I highly recommend it.
Last night I listened to some fantastic live music - here's a taste of the artist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3jKOCttrKs&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL710A36EB1D5AEC6B
As always wishing you all the love that exists in this magnificent world.
Let the sun shine
Let the moon glow
Let the rain fall
Let the sea flow
The last few months have been a whirlwind of adventure, emotion, new places, new friends, new spaces. I was travelling for a month, getting my yoga certification for 5 weeks, and now I am settling into a new home. I have been learning to trust the process of life again.
When I moved into my new place, I finally had nothing to do but simply live and settle in. This was strangely unsettling. My family and I were mostly alone in a very densely populated place where nobody would say hi. After my experiences at Pearson College and university residences, this was a huge shock! How many other places in the world are like this? We are constantly staring into other peoples' houses, literally a window into their lives, but we hardly know who they are. It is saddening. So last night I was grateful to finally meet the lovely lady across the lane from me and it was a huge relief.
But moreover, loneliness was a repercussion of emptiness. I felt like I had no purpose settling in here, I was simply purchasing furniture and existing. I was being and that was it. I was confronted with my own mind and my need to stay constantly busy (and perhaps distracted). It was only until I began volunteering at a daycare, a farm, and a fair trade organization that my life began to feel the infusion of meaning. Is this because meaning comes from our relationships? Our communities? Our work? Or does it come from being in alignment with your true nature?
I read the Tao of Pooh recently (by Benjamin Hoff) and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Taoism and the Inner Nature of things and the practical sense of living in harmony with the world around us. I highly recommend it.
Last night I listened to some fantastic live music - here's a taste of the artist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3jKOCttrKs&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL710A36EB1D5AEC6B
As always wishing you all the love that exists in this magnificent world.
Let the moon glow
Let the rain fall
Let the sea flow
Friday, June 22, 2012
Inspiration
So thanks for hanging in there, dear reader! I have just finished my 200 hour training and I am now a certified yoga teacher, and on our last day some of my peers shared some beautiful thoughts. I thought I would share them with you.
--
If I had my life to live over again
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I’d relax.
I’d limber up.
I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances,
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would, perhaps, have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones.
you see, I’m one of those people who was sensible and sane,
hour after hour,
day after day.
Oh, I’ve had my moments.
If I had to do it over again,
I’d have more of them.
In fact, I’d try to have nothing else- just moments,
one after another, instead of living so many yeas ahead of each day.
I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I could do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had to live my life over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances,
I would ride more merry-go-rounds,
I would pick more daisies.
- Nadine Stair
---
And one I like:
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,the world is too full to talk about.Ideas, language, even the phrase each otherdoesn't make any sense."
-Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks
--
photo by Mark Kelsey
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I’d relax.
I’d limber up.
I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances,
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would, perhaps, have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones.
you see, I’m one of those people who was sensible and sane,
hour after hour,
day after day.
Oh, I’ve had my moments.
If I had to do it over again,
I’d have more of them.
In fact, I’d try to have nothing else- just moments,
one after another, instead of living so many yeas ahead of each day.
I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I could do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had to live my life over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances,
I would ride more merry-go-rounds,
I would pick more daisies.
- Nadine Stair
---
And one I like:
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,there is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,the world is too full to talk about.Ideas, language, even the phrase each otherdoesn't make any sense."
-Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Long Time, New Country
So much time has passed I don't know if you remember me! I am writing this post from the bedroom of a very kind UWC grad who has so kindly allowed other UWCers to couchsurf- even if she isn't home. The leaves are fluttering elegantly in the breeze outside this historic building made of stone in Edinburgh.
I am currently travelling in the UK visiting old and new friends. It has been an absolutely spectacular journey so far. So many people have reinstalled my faith in humanity and I am so grateful to have had many spontaneous experiences thus far!
Many things happened today:
- I went to a farmers market and a craft market
- I found myself spontaneously in the middle of a free Palestine protest
- I climbed a beautiful hill called Arthur's seat in Edinburgh
- I made a new beautiful friend from Germany atop previously mentioned hill
- I had a lovely conversation and tea in a park
- I bought a sweater for $7 since Scotland is colder than expected!
- I skyped with a dear friend - had a spontaneous nap - finally updated this blog.
The last month of my first year at university was a whirlwind of lovely times with lovely people, studying and completing exams, packing up, and saying goodbye....I will write more reflections as soon as I can and include some photos :)
Much love to you,
Emmy
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Lucky to be Busy
Dearest patient readers,
Well it has been ages since I wrote. The last 3 weeks or so have been so jam packed, having time to find my breath has escaped me, and I have not been able to think past the next hour, never mind get onto Blogger. But everyone's busy these days aren't they? It used to bug me so much when people would make excuses: "Sorry! Can't do that! I'm busy!"
Well hello then, Busy.
What does busy mean anyway? I'm tired of being busy. You know, just as I wrote that, I thought - wow, what a privileged thing to say. What have I been busy with? Getting post-secondary education in one of the best countries, at one of the best schools. Poor me.
Nevertheless, I am going to make it my mission to fill my life with things that are important instead of getting sucked up by busyness.
I've been thinking a lot about my trip to Kenya lately with the Kule Foundation and whenever I start to feel ungrateful or burnt out I look into the eyes of the little children whose photos are up on my wall. I remember talking with the Women's Empowerment group at Kibera Hamlets. I remember the looks of amazement on peoples' faces when I told them I would be going to university. I was baffled. Why were they so impressed? Why did I never realize the true privilege of being able to attend UBC?
If the next part of the post sounds silly, it is because I am trying to describe something that is not really meant for words to describe.
I feel lucky. It never ceases to amaze me just how diverse our experiences are, all determined by something so random (or maybe not so random) as who our parents are and where we live. I feel lucky for my wonderfully supportive and loving parents. I feel lucky for my incredible brother and my enlightening, kind grandparents. I feel lucky for the roof over my head, for the books on my shelf, for the sunshine outside. I feel lucky.
I also feel lucky to be healthy. Someone close to me is very ill and I cannot imagine what kind of suffering and pain many people must be going through. I am in awe of the undefeatable human spirit inside, in awe of courage, in awe of the willingness to grow and accept what life throws at us. We don't know what could be tossed our way in the next minute, we don't know what will present itself as we turn the next corner.
Speaking of corners, I have now entered my third decade of life. No, I am not 30. But it is a milestone and it was a lovely birthday despite not being a spectacular Pearson extravaganza. The past ten years have been such an incredible and unforeseen journey. I have found myself in places and circumstances that seemed impossible or limited to my imagination...I have seen many dreams manifest, I have met many wonderful souls, I have learned a few things.
And I have a lot more to learn. Life as a 20 year old seems pretty amazing at the moment. Thank you for everything. Thank you for everything. Thank you for everything.
May you feel grateful for the blessings in your life, even if they don't look like blessings yet.
With a full heart,
Emmy
Picture from Rejoice - UBCO's first ever international fashion show, featuring clothes from UBCO students' closets and Toronto Fashion Week. For more see: ubco.tv and http://bookedstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/03/rejoice-fashion-show_29.html
Well it has been ages since I wrote. The last 3 weeks or so have been so jam packed, having time to find my breath has escaped me, and I have not been able to think past the next hour, never mind get onto Blogger. But everyone's busy these days aren't they? It used to bug me so much when people would make excuses: "Sorry! Can't do that! I'm busy!"
Well hello then, Busy.
What does busy mean anyway? I'm tired of being busy. You know, just as I wrote that, I thought - wow, what a privileged thing to say. What have I been busy with? Getting post-secondary education in one of the best countries, at one of the best schools. Poor me.
Nevertheless, I am going to make it my mission to fill my life with things that are important instead of getting sucked up by busyness.
I've been thinking a lot about my trip to Kenya lately with the Kule Foundation and whenever I start to feel ungrateful or burnt out I look into the eyes of the little children whose photos are up on my wall. I remember talking with the Women's Empowerment group at Kibera Hamlets. I remember the looks of amazement on peoples' faces when I told them I would be going to university. I was baffled. Why were they so impressed? Why did I never realize the true privilege of being able to attend UBC?
If the next part of the post sounds silly, it is because I am trying to describe something that is not really meant for words to describe.
I feel lucky. It never ceases to amaze me just how diverse our experiences are, all determined by something so random (or maybe not so random) as who our parents are and where we live. I feel lucky for my wonderfully supportive and loving parents. I feel lucky for my incredible brother and my enlightening, kind grandparents. I feel lucky for the roof over my head, for the books on my shelf, for the sunshine outside. I feel lucky.
I also feel lucky to be healthy. Someone close to me is very ill and I cannot imagine what kind of suffering and pain many people must be going through. I am in awe of the undefeatable human spirit inside, in awe of courage, in awe of the willingness to grow and accept what life throws at us. We don't know what could be tossed our way in the next minute, we don't know what will present itself as we turn the next corner.
Speaking of corners, I have now entered my third decade of life. No, I am not 30. But it is a milestone and it was a lovely birthday despite not being a spectacular Pearson extravaganza. The past ten years have been such an incredible and unforeseen journey. I have found myself in places and circumstances that seemed impossible or limited to my imagination...I have seen many dreams manifest, I have met many wonderful souls, I have learned a few things.
And I have a lot more to learn. Life as a 20 year old seems pretty amazing at the moment. Thank you for everything. Thank you for everything. Thank you for everything.
May you feel grateful for the blessings in your life, even if they don't look like blessings yet.
With a full heart,
Emmy
Picture from Rejoice - UBCO's first ever international fashion show, featuring clothes from UBCO students' closets and Toronto Fashion Week. For more see: ubco.tv and http://bookedstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/03/rejoice-fashion-show_29.html
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday Sunset
I stand outside the side door
Time stops and the sky pulls me in
A warm embrace of wonder I am staring
Helpless into depths of crimson hue
And I am filled with feeling so true
It simmers down to my fingertips. I drop
What I am holding and I literally embolden
With spontaneous sprinting and I run,
I run, I run up, up, that hill I am searching for light.
I am chasing the sky. Sky chasers, you and I.
She is fading. So fleetingly
Dancing in vibrant colour
I catch glimpses of spins and turns.
And I am prancing up the gravel
Without a care in the world
I am under the influence.
I am under the influence of Beauty
And Earth's gentle caress and the wind
And the night and the coyote and the
Bear and me, we all stand there.
Up high. We stand to meet the sky.
I sit on a rock.
I watch as the sun drops
Behind the hills and I hear shrill
Cries of wolves and fear brushes
My skin but I remember
The place I'm in. It is not mine.
I ask for protection and
I take the sign of black and blue
Clouds as my moment to turn back
and now I walk in peace
Spirit filled with lingering sun
I know in my heart
What's done is done.
Time stops and the sky pulls me in
A warm embrace of wonder I am staring
Helpless into depths of crimson hue
And I am filled with feeling so true
It simmers down to my fingertips. I drop
What I am holding and I literally embolden
With spontaneous sprinting and I run,
I run, I run up, up, that hill I am searching for light.
I am chasing the sky. Sky chasers, you and I.
She is fading. So fleetingly
Dancing in vibrant colour
I catch glimpses of spins and turns.
And I am prancing up the gravel
Without a care in the world
I am under the influence.
I am under the influence of Beauty
And Earth's gentle caress and the wind
And the night and the coyote and the
Bear and me, we all stand there.
Up high. We stand to meet the sky.
I sit on a rock.
I watch as the sun drops
Behind the hills and I hear shrill
Cries of wolves and fear brushes
My skin but I remember
The place I'm in. It is not mine.
I ask for protection and
I take the sign of black and blue
Clouds as my moment to turn back
and now I walk in peace
Spirit filled with lingering sun
I know in my heart
What's done is done.
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