Falling into Freedom

As we spring ourselves forward, may we honor that which is falling away. Everything is in the process of disappearing, however we are likely conditioned to orient toward that which is appearing. Adyashanti’s satsang last week (3/25/12) was highlighting this concept (& practice) of letting go as this is the nature of the Universe: Everything comes, Everything goes. Adya was speaking specifically to our sense of psychological self ~ ego. Adya explained, the ego needs to maintain a state of being ‘in-process’ to be sustained (like wind needs sustained movement to be called, wind). The egoic ‘self’ seeks relative happiness for the sake of continuing the process of ego. When an individual experiences a momentary ‘falling away’ of this psychological process, there is an immediate ‘rising up’ of awareness, Self-realization, Freedom! The more we practice becoming aware of that which is falling away through meditation or in daily life (thoughts, feelings, exhalations, heart beats, musical notes, etc.) we simultaneously are letting go of the veils that obstructs the awareness of our core Self (the Self that survives All falling aways)! :)

Quotes and expressions shared by Adya at this Satsang (note: these are not all Adya's quotes):

“Die while you live, so you can truly live.”

“(Musical) Notes serve to highlight the space.”

“Awakening = disidentification with the psychological self.”

“To know yourself is to forget yourself. And to forget yourself is to be enlightened by the 10,00 things (everything).”

“The only thing you can hold on to is No-Thing.”

“It is all inside of you! No one has more than another. It is what is hear and now, looking and noticing, now.”

www.adyashanti.org

With Love,

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

Community-Unity (#konysurrender)

~ Humanity Dearest ~

May we, Global CommUnity, continue to open our hearts to feel the current of love that is embedded within the Joseph ‘Kony 2012’ movement. Filmmaker, Jason Russell, and co-founder of the nonprofit, Invisible Children, directed and released an introductory 30 minute video to inform the global community of one person’s crimes of power: abduction of 66,000 children forced to fight, kill and/or become sex slaves for the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda. Can we, the Collective, see beyond what nay-sayers are suggesting regarding Russell’s film; like, inflated financial allocations for the nonprofit, potential US government oil ties, controversy whether Kony is still alive, and even the opinion that the video is misleading; and see the deeper truth, the beauty of a world that is WAKING UP!

The time is now. May we, Humanity, wake up to CommUnity-Oneness-Global Love. May we continue to be overwhelmed by the intrinsic beauty of the individual and collective Spirit, that knows no borders, that lives within everyone. May we learn from Jason and Jacob’s union and unwavering commitment to end 26 years of tyranny through a grassroots social movement. May we believe in the power of the many, rather than the few. May we continue to Listen with an open heart. May we trust our inner wisdom to guide us to take appropriate Action (in any situation). May our actions also benefit globalization of Community-Unity. May we envision the end of Kony’s rule as a peaceful surrender. Let us begin Now.

To further support the ‘Kony 2012’ awareness campaign; Listen, Feel, See, Act & Share the following:

• Kony 2012, 30 minute 'must watch' video: http://youtu.be/Y4MnpzG5Sqc

• Kony 2012, website (Pledge, Culture/Policymakers, About): www.kony2012.com

• Invisible Children, website (Donate, Action Kit, Critiques): www.invisiblechildren.com

• Twitter Hashtag: #konysurrender

• COVER THE NIGHT: APRIL 20, 2012

photo by: anne marie spinner schad

~ ONE LOVE ~

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

Great Yoga Books - Bihar School of Yoga

I often Love to share yogic quotes or readings in class. Many of which come from one source in particular, the book I often refer to as the Big Orange Book (proper title to be revealed shortly). This book is a Gem! Of course it is, as all of the Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) books are rich in ancient yogic wisdom, yet written and readable for everyone. Bihar School of Yoga states (The BSY) "was founded in 1964 by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati to impart yogic training to householders and sannyasins alike." Essentially, wherever you are on the yogic path, the Bihar Yoga books are written for you. An integral aspect of the BSY books is they are backed by medical research and the applicable research is incorporated into the relevant books. If you have not already discovered these books, then know when you come across a book with '3 white stripes with a red dot' header that you have found a Bihar School of Yoga book. However, remember that the wisdom within all of these 70+ books are just road maps guiding each of us back to what we already know within..."The inner potential of the individual always exists - yoga merely cuts away the dross to allow it to show itself."

My Favorites books from Bihar School of Yoga:

* A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya

(Big Orange Book)

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/a_and_p.htm#Yoga_Kriya

* Four Chapters on Freedom

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/comm.htm

* Yoga Nidra

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/med.htm

* Kundalini Tantra

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/phil.htm

* Meditation from the Tantras

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/med.htm

* Hatha Yoga Pradipika

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/a_and_p.htm#hyp

* ALL of the Health Management Books

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/health.htm

Below was read in class, which sparked this blog, taken from the Big Orange Book, "A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya":

Lesson 17

There was once a famous sculptor. One day he was visited by some people who wanted to see his work. He took them to his studio and showed them a number of pieces of stone that had been partly chipped away. None of the stone blocks resembled anything tangible and were far from being beautiful. The visitors were a little disappointed, for they came expecting to see aesthetic pieces of sculpture. Then the sculptor said: "This is where I start work on my creations; now let us go to the next room." His visitors went to the next room and were confronted with objects that were beginning to look more shapely. They were more impressed. Then the sculptor led them to another room and he showed them exquisite works of art. The visitors were delighted and exclaimed that they had never seen such delicate pieces of sculpture. But the sculptor explained that he had not finished work on them; they had yet to be polished before they reached the stage of perfection.

The gradual transformation that the visitors saw in the sculptures is analogous to the transformation that takes place in an individual when he practices yoga. At first his character is gross and unrefined. Something is lacking. Then in time, his attitude towards life, himself and others changes. His sensitivity increases. He starts to radiate that which is already within him. Yoga unfolds the inner being of the individual, in the same way that the sculptor slowly exposes the shape of his works. The shape is already inherent within the stone - the sculptor only cuts away the extraneous material that hides it. In the same way, the inner potential of the individual always exists - yoga merely cuts away the dross to allow it to show itself.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

GiveLove.Org

Why I support GiveLove (NGO) :)

Our first chakra right states, everyone has the right to be here, feel safe and secure. When our basic needs are not met or are compromised, our foundation for growth is weakened. When we trust our foundation, roots, family, origin, we feel the necessary support to grow and flourish. Like a tree, the deeper the roots the stronger the branches. When the earth shifts, we may feel a sense of imbalance and possibly fear in that which is ungrounded. Fortunately, we live in a community based society with an abundance of resources to recover quickly from earth-moving events, which may bring a sense of security and safety to our first chakra. The sense of community in Haiti before the devastating earthquake was not well established. Therefore, the first chakra issues that were already present were magnified when the 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti’s foundation on January 12, 2010.

The 2011 non-profit organization I choose to support by offering loving intentions and financial donations is GiveLove. GiveLove is a non-profit organization that provides housing, eco-sanitation, composting, green schools, and love in earthquake-torn Haiti. As love holds the highest vibration, this organization gives back to Haiti through offerings of the heart, tangible resources as well as tools and knowledge for a sustaining future. GiveLove allows Haitians to regain and reclaim their basic right for survival through shelter, sanitation and a sense of community. It is my vision that through GiveLove and our personal offerings that we can raise the vibration as well as establish a sense of first chakra stability in Haiti. GiveLove not only gives to Haiti, it also uplifts my own heart, knowing that their commitment is creating deep roots for a solid future for many living in Haiti at this time. May the silver lining continue to grow and may this love continue to spread.

In 2010, I worked with a GiveLove charity team, L.A. Gives Love, to raise donations for Haiti. The community based event was successful in offering love and raising $3,000 in donations to support GivesLove’s efforts to Haiti. May this video share the feeling of the event. With Love, Christy Evans.

http://youtu.be/fS8l6oKsjmw

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

Ask and You Shall Receive.

angels.

Stuck. My plan was for my two boys (dogs) to go play while I went to an appointment. But today the Universe wanted to play, Lila. The boys got turned away from daycare because of an expired vaccine, oops! Typical Libra fashion, I left myself no extra time between tasks. My two boys and I sat idle in the car trying to come up with a quick solution: Do I keep them in the car for an hour while I go to my appointment? No, it's way too hot out. Do I rush them home and show up late to my appointment? No, what a waste of everyone's time. Do I take them with me into the appointment? Not if I want to be productive. Do I leave the car running for an hour? Not if I want to risk someone taking them and the car. So, when all else fails (or maybe I should have tried sooner) ask for help! Enter my plea. "Guides, Angels, Universe, I need help. I don't know what to do. What do I do here? How do I play this game?"

I see an emergency vet facility and for some reason I decided there was a solution by going in here? I share my story with the clinician at the front desk. I ask if they administer rabies vaccinations? No. I ask if they can board my dogs for an hour? No. She explains they are an emergency vet and offers apologies. My mind kicks in with an array of emotions of feeling stuck, worried and disappointed. Meanwhile, some quieter aspect of me was feeling a sense of wonder and intrigue about what will happen next? Then the Universe answers back. A familiar face appears from around the back office. Ahh, a supervisor from day care! She saves the day by notifying the front desk at day care to approve Tyde and Yuki despite the expired vaccine! I thanked her and my energetic support system. While hustling to my appointment, I directly ask Archangel Michael to protect and ensure that Yuki behaves at day care (i.e., no biting). He behaved. I arrived to my appointment 5 minutes late. Not bad!

There's more. That same night my husband and I attend a musical healing event. Who shows up there with us? Yup the one and only, Michael. Two of the energy workers informed my husband and I after the healing that Archangel Michael was watching over us throughout the event. Of course!

I get it. We ask for help, we get it. (Warning, sometimes it is not the help we thought we needed.) And I also get that the Universe likes to play too. I find the more we connect, the more agile we become to play the game of life.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

Mukti Class Reflections, 8/7/11.

Thank you Breathe yogi’s and yogini’s for the beautiful practice this morning. As always I learn so much from sharing the gifts of yoga. Today we explored the idea of showing up. How do we show up to each moment. Do we arrive with an expectation? Do we react to the situation? Do we anticipate a reaction or outcome? Yoga asana is a beautiful teacher for life. When we commit to showing up to life, then we accept to letting go of story. When we let go of our story, identifications, judgements, etc. then we can be present to what is actually being shared with us in each moment. The more we cleanse the lens which we view the world, then the more clearly the world is reflected back to us. The greatest gift of yoga is that it will meet you exactly where you are (on and off the yoga mat) and all we really have to do is, you know, show up!

Breathe Los Gatos: www.breathelosgatos.com.

www.livelovelila.com

ECLIPSE SANDWICH & LUNAR CYCLES

An eclipse sandwich, lunar cycles, and how these cosmic phases can influence our personal journey.

Thanks to the three eclipses this month, we are energetically charged for possible sudden shifts, grand insights and major transformations. These cosmic energies are charging the air and space around us and we can choose to access this current or alternately, ‘close our eyes’ and let nature take its course. Either way is fine, but the energy is ours for the taking!

The month started us off with a Solar eclipse on June 1st, supported by a new moon. New moons are known for new beginnings. New beginnings can be in the form of intentions, projects, relationships, challenges, cycles, etc. When a new moon is charged with a Solar eclipse, the energy behind these beginnings vibrate more powerfully. Making conscious decisions and planting specific seeds for new growth is ideal at this phase of a lunar cycle.

Mid-month we will feel an emotional Lunar eclipse, June 15th, supported by a full moon. Full moons are known for reaching our peak, climbing to the top of a mountain, physically and emotionally. From this view, it becomes more clear what we need let go of, which can be in the form of old thoughts, patterns, people, situations, beliefs, emotions, etc. Our vision becomes more clear and we can choose to release unsupportive energies and invite in new nourishing ones instead. Lunar eclipses provide an outlet for a specific and radical release. No fear of course, as this letting go opens up energetic space for new opportunities.

Finally, we conclude this months lunar cycle with another Solar eclipse on July 1st, when the next new moon cycle begins. The phase moving from the full moon to new moon is a time to reflect on lessons learned, share this knowledge and tie up any loose ends. As we move closer to each next new moon, we practice acceptance and trust the decisions we made were the exact lessons we need on our journey.

The lunar cycles are consistent, while the eclipse patterns are not. This month is unique in that the cycles are supercharged with the eclipse energy. Subsequent lunar cycles remain powerful and the same energetic patterns remain potent to our growth: planting seeds, putting in the necessary work, and then letting go with acceptance.

Namaste-

Christy Evans

www.livelovelila.com