"This is a tough time in our history; its chaotic, confusing, disquieting, and it feels as though we're losing the plot entirely.  One remembrance we can maintain, one of the best tools we've got is our PRACTICE.  Practice being present.  Practice devising new ways to help someone close to you feel connected.  Practice contemplating how the words you're saying in your mind are either adding to the jumble, or smoothing it out.  Practice listening to your intuition, then quietly and patiently allow your knowing to tell you what's next.  Stay available to how you can help.  Your smile, your courtesy, your kindness can really effect a change in someone else's contracted mindset.  Do your practice with a whole heart, as a daily offering to all you hold sacred.  It helps us all."    ~  Elena Brower, Yoga & Meditation Teacher

The Buddha, Shakyamuni, our teacher, predicted that the next Buddha would be Maitreya, the Buddha of love...
It is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and loving-kindness, a community practicing mindful living. And the practice can be carried out as a group, as a city, as a nation.            ~ THICH NHAT HANH

My new bookmarks.  Ask me for one next time you are in class.

Peace.  Love this shot!

"The fountain of beauty is the heart, and every generous thought illustrates the walls of your chamber"

~  Francis Quarles

I want both of us To start talking about this great love As if You, I and the Sun were all married And living in a tiny room. Helping each other to cook, Do the wash, Weave and sew Care for our beautiful Animals. We all leave each morning To labor on the earth’s field. No one does not lift a great pack. I want both of us to start singing like two Traveling minstrels About this extraordinary existence We share, As If You, I, and God were all married and living in a tiny room.    ❃ Hafiz ❃

We already have everything we need. 

There is no need for self-improvement. 

All these trips that we lay on ourselves...the identities that we so dearly cling to...never touch our basic wealth. 

They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun. But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here.

This is who we really are. We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake.

~  Pema Chodron

Desiderata
     Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

❃ Max Ehrmann ❃

Love is who we are ...
     And freedom is our natural state. When we feel a lack of love and freedom, it is because the body and mind are somehow obstructing the constant rising of love from within us.
Love is the only true source of power. It shines like light. Fear and darkness are not powers on their own. You cannot shine darkness into a room. Darkness and fear are simply the result of love’s light being shadowed.
Our practice is to increase the glow of our true light until one by one our shadows disappear. It is imperative to remember that these dark places are NOT who we are. In fact, they are who we are NOT. And that is why it feels so good to release them. Each layer that we release brings us closer to remembering the love that we are, and fearlessly expressing it.
The discipline of yoga helps us recognize and release the unconscious habits of body and mind that shadow our love and obstruct our freedom. It is the practice of cleaning the mirror each day so we can see our reflection more clearly. As more of us take this joyful responsibility, we inspire others to do the same, and in this way our practice changes the world.

❃ Jennifer Lynn Flow Yoga ❃