Another Word

In yoga we often talk about integration.  In fact it can be considered to be the very definition of "yoga".  Integrate.  Integral.  Integration.  Integrate strength and flexibility.  Integrate the mind with the body.  The breath with movement.  Energetic principles with physical expression.  Tonight in a workshop I am attending a derivative to the word was used in a different context "integrity".  Integrity as a virtue, or as defined below "adherence to moral principles; honest"  I know this word, have a working understanding of it.  I have used it in a sentence.  But how does this definition relate to the others, the yogic use that refers to unity and wholeness, harmony?  

 

World English Dictionary

integrity  (ɪnˈtɛɡrɪtɪ)
— n
1.	adherence to moral principles; honesty
2.	the quality of being unimpaired; soundness
3.	unity; wholeness
On the one hand "integrity" is tangible, even physical. The integrity of an architectural structure is dependent on the parts working together for a complete whole, take away a support beam, an integral piece, and the structure may not stand or at least its stability is compromised.  No longer a complete whole for its intent and purpose, it no longer has integrity.  In yoga we aim to, among other things, integrate the mind body and spirit - or more accurately we aim to experience the integration that already is there.  (Aha!  As I write that I think I see a link that I was missing!)  In developing awareness of the true nature of the self - that there is innate integration among the mind body spirit - perhaps we are settling into an honest perception of self.  And in adhering to these principles of the nature of things, the self can function as a whole, stable, harmonized unit.  Treating the mind as separate, autonomous, independent of the whole self is like removing the elevator from the building in order to get to the penthouse floor.  the integrity / honesty of the purpose of the elevator is compromised and the whole has lost an integral piece to the intention of its function.  So without integrating the pieces into the whole in unification, the pieces nor the whole can honestly fulfill their intention of purpose, which may result in breaking rules to accomplish a task, taking short cuts and misuse.  so in order for a thing - anything - to maintain honest expression of itself, it must be a unified whole.   hmmmm....

commitment

commitment: what is with this word that some people feel so uncomfortable with?  I have been thinking a lot about it - in reference to many things: relationships, jobs, yoga practice, plans of any kind.  It seems that a lot of folks perceive of this concept of commitment as being woven in with the concept of time - another silly liquid idea.  There is a belief that once committed it is a life sentence (you know "till death do us part...")  I see the fear of this causing contemplation, analysis, doubt.  Can't commit until you're sure it is the correct course, the right choice, until all other options have been weighed and discarded - then drudgingly agonizingly approach the barred cell as if in committing you are being committed.  Then once done - it is done.  But in truth it is not done!  At least this is what I have sensed, so I had to look it up.  Never got anything referring to "forever".  committing is not something done once and then left to be.  It is not possible to commit to something like a yoga practice only once - have you tried this?  what happens?  the next time you have to wake up pre-dawn and get back on your mat you, if you don't re-vist the idea of commitment, if you don't recommit, well you won't make it out of bed.  Commitment is something that happens repeatedly, constantly even.  It is a process of asking your self "Can I once again give myself fully to this course in this moment?  then again, what about this moment?  and especially when something really hard comes up - can i recommit to this course of action now?"  Commiting to a relationship isn't something you do once - it is a giving of the self in trust to a another person.  Only a fool would do that once and never look again to be sure that this place of the heart's safe keeping is in fact still safe.  Instead I see it as a pledge to give oneself to an intention.  In the case of relationships, the intention to give effort, energy and attention to the relationship.  Actually the same to a yoga practice - a pledge to give of ones effort, energy, and attention to the intention of the practice.  Same to a job, vacation plans.  But that commitment again requires re-visiting.  If the plan was to vacation in Miami and a hurricane is planning to terrorize - commit to a new plan!  A hurricane does not suit the vacations intention so commitment to the root of the intention remains intact.  in relationships, the commitment may be to create a happy healthy fulfilling partnership, if the current pairing no longer satisfies the intention, re-vist the nature of the commitment.  If you have committed to a six day a week yoga practice and then came love and then came marriage and then came the baby carriage, or two or three - look again and discover the root of the intention of your commitment to the practice and recommit to a new path that fulfills it, honor the changes that are inevitable in life and allow commitment to be flexible and changeable and completable.  Allow commitment to be something that gives you wings rather than a ball and chain.

Mindfulness Meditation

Close your eyes - Begin to follow the breath

In through the nose
out through the nose -
long steady easy breaths

With your attention follow the path of the breath thru the body.  Allow the breath to be a link between the awareness of the mind and the sensations of the body.  Each breath drawing your awareness deeper inward.  Becoming aware of the sensations of the breath,

in through the nose
out through the nose.

becoming aware of the sensations of the body.  acknowledge any places of tension, soreness, fatigue, or resistance in the body, allowing softness to spread, release resistance with each exhale.
Settle into a space of observation, become the witness moving through the body as the breath moves through the body

In through the nose
out through the nose
long slow even breaths

The awareness deepening now, beyond the body, acknowledging the movements of the mind.  Still only an observer, notice the thoughts that arise, what is the dialogue?  It is the nature of the mind to move, to try to distract you, to get your attention.  Don't fight it, or resist it, or even try to ignore it.

Instead remain in the space of observer, remain detached, be the witness of the thoughts as they move in the background.  Watch them without getting lost in them.  become aware of the tendencies of your mind - what types of thoughts come up?  If you find yourself attached to a thought, acknowledge it, send it on its way and return to the breath .

In through the nose,
out through the nose
slow, open, easy breaths

Taking you deeper, beyond the body, beyond the mind to your emotional experience. Become aware of how you are feeling on an emotional level, your mood.  notice what is there - what comes up for you.  Maintain yourself as witness - stand at a distance and observe.

Acknowledge yourself as this observer, the witness that is not the body, not the mind, not even you emotions.

Who is feeling the sensations of the body?
who is having the thoughts?
who is experiencing emotion?

This is the center of the self - the true self - the unchanging self.

In through the nose,
out through the nose -
long steady free breaths.

btw: I'm going to india!

I just booked my flights to India (yesterday) for my third visit to practice at the home of the ashtanga yoga lineage in Mysore India.  Time to just be a student for a while - to be completely on input mode and absorb absorb absorb.  sighhh...  def looking forward to it. India is calling me!

Eat It #1: Summertime Warm Bean Salad

now I have reached culinary perfection - this is my best creation yet!  So I had to share:

Ingredients:
baby spinach
quinoa
butter or ghee
onion
garlic
tomato
soy sauce
chick peas (ready to eat- presoaked)
black beans (ready to eat)
cilantro
cucumber
flax seed oil

Begin with Quinoa Prep as directed (just like rice basically) about 1/4 - 1/3 cup per person

Saute in butter or ghee: chopped onion, until soft nearly transparent - add chopped tomato and minced garlic until soft and saucy, add a few tablespoon of say sauce to taste and to make more saucy - simmer

In dish / bowl layer: fresh baby spinach - quinoa - chick peas and beans - cilantro (to taste) - chopped cucumbers

Top with warm onion soy sauce and drizzle with flax seed oil to taste

Eat It!  Enjoy!

frickin' healthy heaven!