Parinama

  Sutra III.53  Many people die without having lived. This is true cellularly as well as psychologically, by perfect positioning in asana, we flood our cells with life which is nothing but present awareness.   The cells too will die – but first they will have lived. BKS Iyengar, Light on the Yoga Sutras   My deepest wish is to live as fully as possible before I die at the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual levels.   To live fully is to discern what life is calling from me and to wholeheartedly embrace its pursuit with as much courage, energy, and faith as I can muster.   Discernment relies on a clear knowing of soul's calling untangled from familial expectations, stereotypes, biases, and other potentially damaging forms of social conditioning.   Engaging in the quest requires not shying away from what scares me, what I think I am incapable of, what I fear I will be ridiculed for trying.   Jungian Psycholo...

  Old English bihaldan (West Saxon behealdan) "give regard to, hold in view,"   Compassion is a place from which we can bear witness to the pain and suffering of this world and connect with others without attachment to self, other, or outcome.” Joan Halifax, Edge States   But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another… David Whyte, Contemplations   In a pure friendship, we hold each other in view.   We bear witness to the suffering and pleasures of our beloveds without clinging, resentment, jealousy, or agenda. This requires our cultivating the capacity for great generosity, open-heartedness, and tenderness. ...

  Moral outrage has been defined as a response of anger and disgust in relation to a perceived moral violation…..When moral outrage is episodic and regulated, it can be a useful instigator of ethical action.   There is plenty to be outraged about in the world, and our anger can give us the energy we need to confront injustice.   Strong emotions can help us recognize an immoral situation and can motivate us to intervene, take a stand, even risk our lives to benefit others…However, when moral outrage is self-serving, chronic, or unregulated – when it becomes the very lens through which we view the world-it can be addictive and divisive. Joan Halifax, Standing at the Edge:   Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet   Ill will, when dramatized in a human being, becomes hatred walking on the earth…hatred destroys finally the core of the life of the hater….above and beyond all else it must be borne in mind that hatred tends to dry up the sp...

  We never promised we would stay the same, But only we would shape our change, From this now single clay. Mary Catherine Bateson   There is also the question of depth; we may have taken a certain path but only half-heartedly, without conviction, sacrifice, bravery or sincerity. David Whyte, Consolations   Thirty-five years ago, an unexpected event happened that changed the course of my life.   I was biking from Florida to Louisiana along the northern gulf coast to meet my friend Jen for the Christmas holiday.   It was the weekend after Thanksgiving when I flew down from Boston to Tallahassee to begin my trip.   Jen and I met at college but we had both dropped out not sure what to do next. She was planning a move to Colorado.   Maybe I would follow.   A week into the trip however my plans were thwarted when I was hit by a pick-up truck.   The impact knocked me off my bike and left me unconscious for sev...