on becoming an alchemist

the irony of commitment is that it is deeply liberating - in work, in play, in love. the act frees you from the tyranny of your inner critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. to commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.

sunday afternoon.

www.zeitgeistmovie.com

I watched the first Zeitgeist movie last night, with a good friend. Although obviously designed to trigger our fear impulses, this film was very informative and eye-opening. 

This will change your life - especially the last ten minutes.

I haven't seen the second one - I'm going to watch it tonight, provided I get enough homework done.

I'm going to enjoy a really good coffee with a new friend -- if you happen to be a coffee drinker, do a little (or a lot) background check on where your coffee comes from, how it is obtained, etc. Fair-trade, organic practices are far better than standard fare - and there are more than a few places you can get this type of coffee in Saskatoon. Shops like Caffe Sola (100% organic/f.t.) and Museo (while not 100%, they always have an organic option) are present, and there are a number of stores where you can buy your own beans or grind to make stovetop espresso or drip, or if you're extra lucky, awesome coffee out of a great espresso machine.

Awareness begins at home -- and change begins with you. Do the right thing.

Love and happiness,

kx

there's no way to temper your thirst/with lasting impressions or pictures of home/there's no way to grow that don't hurt

Sometimes the universe hands you really nice people as gifts and you just have to make a mention of how much you appreciate it, and them.

I am very grateful for all of my friends (and you know who you are -- chances are, if you're reading this, I'm very blessed to know you), and even for those people who may not really be friends, but moreso red flags or triggers in my own life, for me to recognize the things in myself that need addressing. Maybe especially for those people. You know, it's such a special gift and precious opportunity when someone literally STOMPS on your last nerve -- take a breath, and recognize your tendency to want to shift responsibility for your experience onto someone else...then retract your tendency, and hardwire your subconscious mind for a NEW experience, a healthy habit. Consciously make the choice to contemplate just what it is that irritates you so much, and why you're so afraid this quality may be latent in yourself. 

You are who you are because you are who you are, and you are where you are (spiritually speaking) because you're where you are. If you were meant to be someone/somewhere else, you would be. You are at the precise, most perfect place to learn what you are here to learn from your life, and the lives of those around you. We are in perfect harmony, teaching and learning from each other simultaneously. It is divinely inspired, magnificently designed -- THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS.

Of course, there are times when you can really appreciate the lovely, nice things people are doing for you, too. I've had the good fortune of meeting a new friend that appreciates good, honest, deep conversation and has the patience to teach me a thing or two about yardwork/lawnmowers that have been sitting in a greenhouse all winter. Thank you.

Having an attitude of gratitude makes space for more good things to happen in your life. Be thankful for what you have, and know that what you sow is truly what you reap, so be open-hearted, open-minded, and generous with all the love you have to offer. It will multiply and return to you, more powerful and beautiful than you can imagine. Don't be afraid. Offer it up.

Here's mine, for you - highest blessings for you and yours, wherever you find yourself today, or any days. Know that I am with you, and you are never alone. 

Namaste (the light in me sees the light in you and recognizes the oneness and unity of all),

kx

ON TEACHERS AND TEACHING.

"It is relatively easy to be a teacher of an academic subject, but to be a teacher in art is very difficult, and to be a yoga teacher is the hardest of all, because yoga teachers have to be their own critics and correct their own practice. The art of yoga is entirely subjective and practical. Yoga teachers have to know the entire functioning of the body; they have to know the behaviour of the people that come to them and how to react and be ready to help, to protect and safeguard their pupils.

The requisites of a teacher are many, but I would like to give a few words for you all to catch, understand and work on. Later you can discover many more. The teacher should be clear, clever, confident, challenging, caring, cautious, constructive, courageous, comprehending, creative, completely devoted and dedicated to knowing the subject, considerate, conscientious, critical, committed, cheerful, chaste and calm. Teachers must be strong and positive in their approach. They must be affirmative to create confidence in the pupils, and negative within themselves so that they can reflect critically on their own practice and attitudes. Teachers must always be learning. They will learn from their pupils and must have the humility to tell them that they are still learning their art."

-- B.K.S. Iyengar  "The Tree of Yoga"

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I have come to a point in my life where I must take a bit of a break from teaching, and FULLY climb back into the student's seat in order to further my own spiritual practice. If you've been reading up to this point, you will see that my old blog has been deleted, to make space for new. Following advice from a good friend and teacher in my own life, I'm revamping the new space; the previous blog was mere "fluff" that wasn't really serving to uplift anyone, or even myself. It is not serving anyone's highest purpose to read random ramblings about things that don't really matter -- mine, least of all. And being that I'm in a position to be somewhat responsible for the spiritual evolution of certain individuals who have placed themselves in my care, I intend to be more accountable and less reckless with my thoughts and words.

I will resume yoga classes in the fall -- I hope you come out to them. Have a beautiful summer, and we'll reconvene in September, bright, shining and rejuvenated.  This blog will continue, if you wish to continue following along, and even if you don't. Highest blessings of happiness and health for you!

All the love in the world, and namaste for miles,

kx