Being Spontaneous

I have to get away for a little while. I need clarity to move forward and I cannot get it here. So this morning I made the REALLY spontaneous choice to go to Kripalu for 6 days. I will be taking the Shakti Sadhana retreat with Gurmukh, Shiva Rea and Wah.

Once again I am so blessed to have such loving friends who understand exactly how important this retreat is, right now. The JPY owner didn't blink when I told her I was going away, teacher friends immediately stepped up to cover my classes, friends sharing their support and reminding me that they are just a phone call away, a text away, an email away... I love all of you, thanks!

Bubbling with these random thoughts...
~ growth occurs between the union of opposites, not in sameness

~ i know my truth

~ new journeys await us all

~ the "spiritual path" (whatever that means...) does not make life easier

~ being dynamic means fulfillment is difficult

~ every person that we are connected with has a role in our life, no exceptions

~ my heart is so much more clear than my mind

~ don't believe anything anyone tells you, question the source

let your heart be known

Paying it forward certainly isn't a new idea. But when I see it happen, it is so beautiful!

This evening I gifted a private yoga session with a new student. He is brand new to the practice and come to yoga in search of something more. Which I love love love. That is one of the main reasons I teach yoga. I know that there are countless numbers of people looking for deeper understanding of themselves. And when they are drawn to the yoga mat, it is so beautiful.

So at the end of the session, he was expecting to pay. "no charge", I said. He beamed. Not because he was getting something for free but because my gift to him allowed him to gift another friend, who recently had twins, a professional photo session of the babes.

I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by so many loving and generous souls. People who have given so much to me without any expectation for anything in return. Today a very near and dear friend offered me a place of refuge should the time or need arise. I gained such comfort and experienced waves of peace within me that are still rolling. There is really no way I can thank her for that except to perhaps offer something that I am able to give freely to another person. Of course we don't need anyTHING. What we need is understanding and love and occasionally some help in achieving clarity.

Then later, spontaneously, I offered some help to a friend in need. He refused at first. Accepting gifts can be difficult. But it is important to realize that the gift isn't just about us. It's important to allow the giver to have the experience of being flooded with joy in giving, in helping. And once we accept, there is no greater healing for our souls that gratitude. So when someone wants to help, someone wants to genuinely offer generosity, accept it. Be responsible with it and pay it forward. So ultimately my friend agreed. I am happy for my friend and happy in knowing that someone else will be getting some help because my friend accepted mine :)

clever clever clever

i had tears streaming down my cheeks after reading an email from a sweet friend tonight. immediately, i turned to Rumi and found this gem:

The time has come...
the time has come
to break all my promises
tear apart all chains
and cast away all advice

disassemble the heavens
link by link
and break at once
all lovers' ties
with the sword of death

put cotton inside
both my ears
and close them to
all words of wisdom

crash the door and
enter the chamber
where all sweet
things are hidden

how long can i
beg and bargain
for the things of this world
while love is waiting

how long before
i can rise beyond
how i am and
what i am