Companioning

I was introduced to this term a few months ago and, while it is mostly used in relation to those providing support to the bereaved or dying, the essence of this teaching can be applied to almost any situation in which we are providing support to someone who is suffering. When we bring love and compassion into being a supportive presence (we are then Being, not Doing), the following will flow naturally:

-Companioning is about honoring the spirit; it is not about focusing on the intellect.

-Companioning is about curiosity; it is not about expertise.

-Companioning is about learning from others; it is not about teaching them.

-Companioning is about walking alongside; it is not about leading.

-Companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.

-Companioning is about discovering the gifts of sacred silence; it is not about filling every painful moment with words.

-Companioning is about listening with the heart; it is not about analyzing with the head.

-Companioning is about bearing witness to the struggles of others; it is not about directing those struggles.

-Companioning is about being present to another person's pain; it is not about taking away the pain.

-Companioning is about respecting disorder and confusion; it is not about imposing order and logic.

-Companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being; it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.

~ Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt

How beautiful the leaves grow old.

How full of light and color are their last days.

~ John Burroughs

This quote touched me - our old people or those who are dying can indeed age beautifully, bringing their inner Light forth to color our days with wisdom and peace.

Rejection of Form or Society?

I was mulling upon this topic this morning ...

My entire life (except for those brief periods where I sought to 'fit in' with peers and society's expectations) I have rejected restrictive clothing ... shoes, underwear, bras, tight pants or shirts. I'm barefooted except when absolutely necessary! Pretty much anything that feels like another layer of 'skin' upon my form. Loose and airy clothing are preferred. I don't have 'sensitive' skin per se and don't get rashes from tight clothing, neither have I ever been overweight so it's not a matter of 'hiding' my body -- in fact, skimpy, minimal clothing is fine as well.

So where does this rejection of restriction come from? Is this a rejection of bodily form? Or a resistance to the restrictions of Society? Or both?

Tight clothing has often infused me with the sense that I cannot breathe or expand or move. Granted, my bodily form has the Tubercular Miasm -- and I am a primarily Vata type in constitution -- poor circulation in both body and society (always having been a 'solitary' person, comfortable in small groups, one-on-one, alone, or out in nature) -- don't pin me down to one view as I always like to see the 'other side'. So there is certainly an 'air' and 'circulatory' quality to the form as I experience it.

Is there a part of me that remembers what it was like to be pure Spirit moving freely and easily through all mediums?

Over the past decade, as I made choices that consciously supported this need to feel 'free' -- leaving restrictive jobs or people while embracing things that contribute to openness like flower essences, spiritual seeking, Hatha Yoga (love those 'chest openers'!) -- I feel like a bit of me expands more with each passing moment?

Does everyone feel this growing expansion as they age? Do some embrace it and others resist it?

When we see monks or nuns in their voluminous robes, are they enveloped in robes to obscure the human form or because the loose materials allow for the sense of expansion beyond the world of form?

Nature's Disclosures to Humanity

I was drawn to Ayurveda through learning Yoga and, having taken further steps to study and understand this ancient self-healing modality, I am grateful to be able to share it's gifts with family, friends, and clients.

Ayurveda emphasizes self-care and self-knowledge because at its deepest level of healing intention is for the individual to know herself (know her Self) and be in awareness of her own life and destiny, fulfilling her purpose. Ayurveda brings a sense of deeper principles and spiritual integrity to health care - a sense that is strongly holistic - and is definitely not the kind of truncated materialistic medical system we have today that ignores any broader or deeper meaning to life.

This approach is not a theory, but a way in which Nature has disclosed to humanity the organic workings of the life force. Further, the terms used in Ayurveda ... are part of a natural language for organizing the information revealed by direct perception.

(quotes: Frawley, AIVS study course)

The self-healing of the Ayurvedic system will entwine seamlessly with the modalities with which I am already familiar such as Flower Essences, Homeopathy, Biochemic Therapy, and Reiki, as well as with Yoga as I continue to study and learn more.

Energy Movements

A few years ago, I found an article online that described Seven Energy Movements. I decided to try them for a year and they were wonderful in helping me realize the power and vitality of conscious breathing. In fact, they led me to practicing Yoga! Use the link below and enjoy the experience!

Seven Energy Movements

calm and clear far and near

calm and clear far and near so dear

to those who call our names and spirits home

to feel the wind and see the light

and know the deepest heart's delight

as on we go through spring and snow

and seasons we enjoy to reach our

path's awakening and so we bring

our souls as one as all to Source to cleanse and

become calm and clear

shadows are my friends who share the

secrets of our changing souls to see

the truth and alert our hearts to

crossroads in the trails ahead or

those that mark a turning point

shadows stretch a blanket of revealing form

upon a resting soul

feeling a broad deep contentment with

overtones of inward energy

yet it wants to flow outward

like a well bubbling up within my chest

effervescent and lit from a source beyond

reflecting change and potential

dreams are stilled at night and real in daylight

bring a soul to feel the light

no more to dwell in dark of night

so shall we all join souls and pray

in peace and love and bliss today

like a bliss within is vibrating all my cells

to resonate with all the beauty and potential everywhere

and in everything

that our evolution is on a brink of breaking out of its channels

to overflow all areas of Being in all parts of the world at one time

Come Home to Our Self

We are rarely our Self

We are victims of our feelings, of our perceptions, of our emotions

We are like something … like a leaf floating on the ocean and the waves push us

We don’t have our own sovereignty over the situation

We allow ourselves to be carried away, pulled away by our feelings, our perceptions, and our mental formations … our wrong perceptions

And that is why it is very important to come home to ourselves

And master the situation and be the master of our Self

We do not live our own life

We allow our life to be lived by the circumstances around us

When we have been victim of what is happening

We can rarely be ourselves and become master of our situation

Therefore it is very important to come home to ourselves

~ transcript from video:

Thich Naht Hanh - Day 1 of 5 - Parts 2 & 3 of 11

I encourage anyone who wishes to "come home to their Self" to view these videos; I have found them such a joy.

Use the Light

Use the light.

Come home to your true nature.

Don't cause yourself injury:

This is known as seizing the truth.

~ Lao Tzu (the full passage text and audio clip by Eknath Easwaran website)

This portion of a passage (#52) from the Tao Te Ching held deep resonance for me this morning (I received it in my Thought For The Day email in-box), so I share it here with you. Following are a few other translations, although I have included a bit more of the full passage in some of them; the message is so beautiful.

Discover that nothing is too small for clear vision,

Too insignificant for tender strength,

Use outlook

And insight,

Use them both

And you are immune:

For you have witnessed eternity.

~ The Way of Life According to Lau Tzu by Witter Bynner

Seeing the small is called clarity;

keeping flexible is called strength.

Using the shining radiance,

you return again to the light

and save yourself misfortune.

This is called the practice of eternal light.

~ Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life - Living the Wisdom of the Tao by Wayne Dyer

Seeing into darkness is clarity.

Knowing how to yield is strength.

Use your own light

And return to the source of light.

This is called practicing eternity.

~ Website (attributed to translation by S. Mitchell)

See the subtle and be illuminated.

Abide in gentleness and be strong.

Use your light, and return to insight.

Don't expose yourself to trouble.

This is following Tao.

~ Website (attributed to translation by Walker)

See the subtle and the clear

It is the empty source of light

There is no danger in this place

That is forever in plain sight

~ Website (interpretation by Jim Clatfelter)

Mindful Alignment

“When we apply precision and mindfulness to our asana alignment, we can experience a sense of physical equanimity that supports the arising of equanimity of the heart and mind. For example, we may be tempted to power our breath through our body, but using that kind of air pressure just creates tension and is ultimately a practice of aggression. Letting go of other temptations or habits, such as muscling into a pose, is part of the process of developing a mature, intelligent, and inquisitive yoga practice. Pushing, pulling, wishing, and hoping will not create the conditions for balance, equanimity, fluidity, spontaneity, and confidence to arise. The invitation of yoga is to get organized with precision, be gentle in the process, and then relax, watch, and wait.”

~ Cyndi Lee, article titled Riding the Waves of Alignment