YogaEverywhere 12/2000 section 1

Welcome to The Living Practice by Megan Lurie McCarver

Welcome to The Living Practice - our monthly newsletter from YogaEverywhere.com and friends. Thank you so much for showing an interest and connecting with other sentient beings via the internet. Every month we will be shining just a little bit more light and yoga your direction from our worldly eclectic team of experts and writers. Enjoy and breathe.

Did you know that there are four main types of yoga: Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga? I was fortunate last month to stumble deeper in to the teachings of Karma Yoga with the help of my friends and The Bhagavadgita. The Bhagavadgita, meaning "Sacred Song" in Hindu, is one of the great scriptures in the world arising around 200 BC.

Swami Chinmayananda’s commentary on the Karma Yogi is one who understands; 1) That his concern is with action (Karma) alone, 2) That he has no concern with results, 3) That he should not entertain the motive of gaining a fixed fruit for a given action and, 4) This does not mean that he should sit back courting inaction.

In December, practice Karma Yoga. Stay awake and listen. Go beyond action, stay very clear on your thoughts. After all, our thoughts become our actions which in turn pour in to our existence. Practice reflecting human kindness and compassion.

"To understand truth one must have a very sharp, precise, clear mind;

not a cunning mind, but a mind that is capable of looking without

any distortion, a mind innocent and vulnerable.

Only such a mind can see what truth is.

Nor can a mind that is filled with knowledge perceive what truth is;

only a mind that is completely capable of learning can do that.

Learning is not the accumulation of knowledge.

Learning is movement from movement to movement."

- J. Krishnamurti

Featured Article by Rhonda Funes

Sensational Reflexology

Traditionally, the feet have been considered to be a valuable source of nerve and energy correspondences to the rest of the body. Pressures applied to areas on the feet, hands and ears have been anecdotally and scientifically proven to help relieve tension that creates pain and discomfort in other parts of the body, including the muscles and organs.

Today, professional Reflexologists offer integrated methods of pressure and stretching to facilitate relaxation of the feet thereby assisting the rest of the body to feel relaxed. The hands and ears also offer more accessible reflex points for release of common aches and pains when you're at work.

Try these simple ear reflex points for yourself.

Grasp your earlobes gently, using a slight pinching motion.

Pull and press slowly downward on the entire lobe area.

Continue with the same pinching pressure along the ear's outer edges.

Work all of the way up each of your ears from lobe to top.

Begin deep breathing.

Focus on sensations that may be tender or that feel good.

Pause occasionally with each hold and breath for a deeper experience.

Continue long deep breathing for five minutes.

Experience your stress melting away.

Body Mind Spirit by Megan Lurie McCarver

This is one of my favorite lessons that I hope is interesting to every one. I heard it from one of Jack Kornfield's teaching audio tapes. It is a Burmese tale ... .

A merchant was traveling in through the countryside when he became very sick and feverish. A villager found him and brought him to his home. He nursed the merchant for two weeks until he was well enough to travel. The merchant parted saying "You are my brother, you are my friend. How can I repay you?" The villager responded "My brother, my friend, that is not necessary". The merchant said "My brother, my friend, please come to my home on the lake for a visit. I have a boat."

Time went by until the villager decided to visit with the merchant. He rode his horse to the big city on the lake. The merchant was very glad to see his new brother and friend. The next day the merchant asked "My brother, my friend, may I borrow your horse to run some errands?" The villager responded, "Of course my brother and friend." For three consecutive days from sun rise to sun set the merchant rode the villagers horse until the third day he had to return because the horse became lame. The villager as very angry and upset. He wanted revenge. He said "My brother, my friend, may I please borrow your boat?" So for three days, the villager wildly drove the merchant's boat up and down the lake until he had to stop. The villager's hands were so sore from grasping the steering wheel and his back was so sore from speeding over the waves and his skin was so burned from the sun ....

The action of forgiveness is profound. We choose what to hold on to, what to carry on our shoulders and in our hearts. We also choose when to let go of our holdings and forgive. Remember forgiveness is an ongoing process. It starts within on a cellular level, your body and your mind. Compassion comes from the same infinite well as forgiveness, our hearts. That's how we practice compassion, "co" meaning two people, or your body and your mind having compassion for your self. You forgiving your self or another over and over, again and again.

The Family Corner by Denise Levinson Ross

Every child wonders about God. What does God look like? Where does

God live? How does God make rainbows? Parents might find these questions

difficult. I have found four children's books to help answer these questions.

Each one has beautiful illustrations and simple meaningful explanations

about God.

Where Does God Live? by Holly Bea - A young girl named Hope asks all

the adults in her live about God. Her Grandmother is able to explain

to Hope that God made everything, seen and unseen. "And when God makes

a person, a star or a wave, a part of God stays with whatever God's made,

so God lives in the sky, in the meadow and stream, God lives everywhere,

and God is not a dream." Grandmother also explains that "when yo meet

people who are loving and good, they are letting God out, just as everyone

could. This book is appropriate for any child preschool and up.

What is God? by Etan Boritzer - This book highlights all religions with

simple messages. The illustrations enable the reader to follow the examples.

This books is appropriate for children ages 8 and older

Does God Know How to Tie Shoes? by Nancy White Carlstrom - This gentle,

affirming picture book is ideal for parents to read aloud with young

children, particularly ages 4 - 8. Through the words and pictures on

these pages, children will grow in their understand of God.

God's Paintbrush by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso - Children speak about God

in ways that are different from adults. They ask many questions about

God, questions that often are startling direct. Oftentimes adults, parents,

grandparents and teachers feel uncomfortable answering them.

Through fantasy, involvement and the imagination this book invites children's

of all faiths and backgrounds to encounter God openly through moments

in their own lives and help the adults who live them to be a part of

that encounter. This book provides a gift of images which nurtures

and encourages children in making meaning of their world.

These books are available at your local library or bookstore.

Reading to your child is a unique way to share a special moment with

them. Take a moment each day to give your child quality time reading

a book together.

Denise Levinson Ross is the owner of Love 2 Read personalized children's

books. She enjoys reading with her daughters, Emily and Hilary each

day. Denise and her husband, Mark share the joy of reading with their

children each day. They have enjoyed the meaningful discussions about

God with their daughters and have found the reviewed books to be very

helpful.

Happy Reading! Denise can be reached at: love2read@onebox.com

If you are in the Los Angeles area and wish to schedule an appointment with

Rhonda Funes, Nationally Certified Reflexologist, please call (310) 899-6289.