Are you ready to Be a Beginner?

With a clear understanding of the deepest meaning of Yoga (as an experience, a set of practices and a life style) we can begin the process of uncovering who we are, what we are capable of and to pursue our highest potential as individuals and a global humane  community. 

The way we endure is by going deeper into ourselves, to face our fears, to see them as illusions and allow them to relax, to transform them into respect. In that to find a new understanding and strength of who we are and what we can do as Humane Beings.

Yoga is a tool in that effort. It is first of all anchored in Ahimsa, non-violence, and Satya,  truth.

I love this definition of Ethos from Wikipedia: 

Ethos : "... a Greek word meaning 'character' that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence emotions, behaviors, and even morals ... "

We must have that guiding inner light of the Ethos of Yoga, to help us navigate in the journey of yoga; the journey into ourself, which is non-different from the journey into All. 

Atman is Brahman....

Now is Eternal...

OM...

Are you ready to Be a Beginner? 

How do you hear that question? The way that question touches your core reveals many things on this path. The way we respond to that calling, to know that there is much more that we do not know than what we do know! That is the path of Learning, of our ever Evolving thirst for Knowledge.

We must recognize this eternal truth. All great students, and those who became our great teachers, have realized this. 

Those who say they know, do not! Those that are true seekers know that they do not know! 

Humility is essential to our evolution. With a thirst for knowledge, and wisdom, we can continue the journey begun by our wise ancestors. It will not be finished. That is the mark of a truly great practice.

There is always more to learn, a greater depth to fathom!

The words Silent and Listen hold the same letters! To learn to Listen, in Silence, to what IS as it IS! That is a practical definition of Yoga.

This realization leads us to the real "Beginner's Mind!"

From the deep fertile soil of ancient wisdom the roots take hold as we grow and question, Authoring our own story, rather than submitting to an external authority. 

We strive to become ever more Authentically ourselves, on an ever deeper and deeper level. Evolving from following instructions to being free to explore using the tools we are gathering from our ancestors as well as through our own direct experience.

Each of us, as absolutely Unique Individuals  (with more in Common with each other than there are differences), we can help each other on this Path we call Yoga. 

That works better with a spirit of Cooperation and Collaboration. 

We can choose to cultivate that rather than getting caught up in comparison and competition, although those qualities are not without merit if tempered by humor, humility, wisdom and compassion for self and other!

It is not that we discard ancient wisdom, we use it, we build upon it. Yes, we are allowed to question it! We MUST! If it is true it will endure and continue to be relevant, in our individual practices and for all of us collectively.

The weakest links will reveal themselves and if we are intent to find them we can find them sooner and sooner. This leads into to very deep praxis of Ahimsa! Non-Violence, The Great GrandMother of all the other practices.

The True Wisdom will smile upon our questioning! It is not threatened by our questions! 

"I would rather have questions that cannot be answered than to have answers that  cannot be questioned!" Richard Feynman, (perhaps quoting someone else!?!).

This is our Common Heritage. 

Share it!

We need the freedom to ask our questions!

To seek our answers, and to know that they are incomplete and yet continue to seek improvement, with humor, humility, and compassion. 

Yes! Question Authority and to each become Authentic and act true to our deepest selves.  In that way we develop compassion and our highest Humane Ethos. Eventually we require less and less external 'authority.' It is a long path and will require many, many more generations of practice!

This is the purpose of our Practice.