Witnessing and being easy with self

"The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of consciousness becomes activated. You then begin to realize that there is a vast realm of intelligence beyond thought, that thought is only a tiny aspect of that intelligence. You also realise that all the things that truly matter - beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace - arise from beyond the mind. You begin to awaken." ~Eckhart Tolle 

Today is the last day of the second week of yoga teacher training. We've been talking and learning about focusing, witness consciousness, meditation and the various asanas - physical poses and how we can assist with them. Apart from the actual physical practice it is all stuff that I have heard before. I have been introduced to these ideas and thoughts from an early age and as long as I've been involved with the Blue Star, awareness of such has been a part of me.  

This week I have been sad and gloomy, thinking about my mom and just overall missing her... Then we had a conscious listening class in which I said what I was feeling and cried and then later I talked about it with the roommates and cried some more. I think sometimes for us to acknowledge stuff we need to speak it... let the words come into form and be released into the world for us to hear what's going on in our own heads.

I was sick the next day... flu-like symptoms. Perhaps it was a release of sorts because after that I felt so much better. I am missing my mom and that's ok. Her spirit is forever with me and instead of thinking of her absence, I  shall think of her presence and share with her as I have always done. 

The participants of the teacher training programme are amazing. We each come to this space with our own stories and ideas and learn from each other. As is normal with me it has taken some time for me to warm up to people... or open up... loosen up? I have three roommates who are wonderful and a few others who I feel a true connection with. Perhaps it is to be expected that for something like this there will be people who are searching in their own deeper way?

I've always thought that there's a reason we find ourselves in certain times and spaces with certain people. I have wanted to come to Costa Rica for this programme since 2010... I am now here. It is the perfect moment for whatever I need right now.

I was frustrated with myself last night... there was a group sharing session and although I strongly feel that there is much I could share in terms of thoughts and experiences I have not yet been able to bring myself to speak in front of such a large group. Am sitting with that feeling. When the time is right I shall say what I feel like saying and if the time does not come then that's alright. 

I'm being easy with myself. It is very freeing. 

Sending love to you all, and the wish that you go easy with your self as well. We all need care and the best person to provide that care is ourself. 

peace,

Ren

My brother is blogging...

"The word 'enlightenment' conjures up the idea of some superhuman accomplishment, and the ego likes to keep it that way, but it is simply your natural state of felt oneness with Being." ~Eckhart Tolle

It's my blog's birthday today... two years... wow. I haven't been writing much - been hiding from my computer when I'm not at work. Today is a day for writing though... if only because it's my blog's birthday!

This was the first post... and this, the one-year post. I find it interesting to read about what I've been doing and what space I was in at those points. I know that I've grown, changed, matured. I feel differently. My thoughts and emotions are more... settled? I guess I'm entering into a new stage of being... Age + experience + who knows what else.

My brother has started his own blog... you can find it here. It's... far more serious than anything I write as it's based on his perspectives and analysis of the Blue Star's forty day observances. I think he's more serious about transformation and enlightenment and such than I am. I'm content to move through my days experiencing what there is to experience.

I think that two years after the start of this blog I'm almost where I want to be with regards to living in the moment. Being present. Appreciating and celebrating the little things. There are moments of frazzled craziness... and sadness... and gloom... but... even within these moments I think in my core that I am centred.

Something that needs to be remembered. I'm feeling very awesome these days...

Happy Monday all!

peace,

Ren

Happy Earth Day 2010!

What do I have to blog today? A prayer ... a selection of quotes ... dedicated to today and all days cuz Earth Day shouldn't just be remembered/celebrated on one day but every day ...

Earth Day Prayer:

O GOD,
we thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass.

We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn's fruit, and rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.

GRANT US a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory.

~Author Unkown 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead 

"It is the stillness that will save and transform the world." ~Eckhart Tolle  

 

"Take me to the places on the earth that teach you how to dance, the places where you can risk letting the world break your heart, and I will take you to the places where the earth beneath my feet and the stars overhead make my heart whole again and again."
~Oriah Mountain Dreamer  

 

love,

Rtr