The Meaning Of Yoga

The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj" which means to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate the attention in order to use it for meditation. Yoga, therefore, is the art which brings an incoherent and scattered mind to a reflective and coherent state. It is the communion of the human soul with Divinity. - B.K.S. Iyengar in Light On Pranayama

A Prayer: May All Be Fed

This picture stirs so many thoughts and feelings, but what comes to my mind foremost is from the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, Aparigraha, which is to be free from hoarding or coveting. So often we overeat, worried that hunger will rear its ugly head. We over buy at the grocery store, afraid we will not have enough choices to eat later. We must have those chocolate chip cookies, or popcorn, or chips tonight in front of the TV; they are a form of security for us. We will purchase five kinds of fruit, because we are going to be healthy, darn it! Only to have it rot in the bowl before we can eat most of it.
And do we really NEED another purse?
If we take only what we need, food, clothing, shelter, perhaps there will always be enough for others. I pray that each time a dollar is saved, it goes to better use, somewhere it is needed.
May the abundance of the universe be shared equally among all sentient beings....
Amen

Sit. Stay. Heal.

When we have turmoil in our lives, our first impulse is to run, avoid, get away. By facing what the difficulty is, we can come to terms with it, acknowledge it, and lessen its power over us. Meditation is a wonderful tool to ease problems that arise in our daily lives. We can't always run away and meditate when something comes up to stress us out during our day, though, and that is why daily meditation should be practiced routinely, first thing every morning. When we learn to "sit, stay, and heal" first, the stress is lessened and dealt with more calmly later. When we begin our day with calm, we carry that with us into our everyday activities. I have found I even mow the lawn more peacefully :-)
Have a peace full day!

Meet Me In The Field

Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing there is a field. I'll meet you there. - Rumi

When diet is wrong medicine is of no use. When diet is correct medicine is of no need. -Ancient Ayurvedic Proverb-

Happy Birthday Pear Cake For Mom

Today is my beautiful goddess-mother's birthday, and she requested a recipe for upside down pear cake  that I made years ago, because she has an excess of pears from her orchard. So here it is: (Please note, this recipe is not in keeping with my current diet guidelines, so I will offer substitutions as well.)

Old English Recipe:                                  Substitutions:                  
4 tbsp long grain rice                                 whole grain rice
1/2 pint milk                                               rice milk
5 oz butter                                                  vegan margarine
2 tbsp golden syrup (?)                               light maple or brown rice
3 oz raw sugar                                            syrup
6 pears, halved
4 oz soft brown sugar                                 unrefined brown sugar
2 eggs, separated                                         egg substitute
3 oz self-raising flour                                  brown rice flour
3 tsp ground ginger

1. Simmer the rice in the milk in a covered pan for about 25 min, until tender and milk is absorbed. Cool.
2. Melt 1 oz butter with syrup and raw sugar. Spoon into 7-inch square, lined pan. Arrange pear halves
on top, rounded tops up, so when you flip it out they will be hole side up.
3. Whisk the remaining butter until soft, gradually beat in the soft brown sugar, egg yolks and cool rice    
mixture.
4. Gently fold in the flour and ginger sifted together. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the
mixture.
5. Spoon into the pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 55 minutes. Turn out of pan and serve hot with cream if desired.

Happy Birthday, Mom! Wish I could be there to make it for you :-)

Have a Mindful Day!

"Desire narrows our awareness till we see only what we crave; mindfulness helps us see other possibilities." Sandra Weinberg, Dharma teacher

Warm Cereal for Cooler Mornings

The weather is cooling off already, even here in Texas! For the first time since I started making my own cereal, I am actually considering warm versions!
Here is a recipe for Vanilla quinoa cereal from "Yoga -Your Home Practice Companion":

Serves 4
7oz (200 g) quinoa
16fl oz (500ml) almond milk (I also use coconut milk, depending on the flavor I desire)
1 vanilla pod, split
a grating of nutmeg
2 tbsp maple syrup
1.  Place the quinoa in a sieve over the sink and rinse thoroughly under cold running water until water runs clear.

2.  Put the rinsed quinoa into a medium-sized saucepan and cover with 8fl oz
(250 ml) cold, filtered water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the quinoa is light, fluffy, and cooked.

3.  Place the almond milk, split vanilla pod, and a grating of nutmeg into a small pan, place over low heat and warm gently.

4.  When you are ready to serve, mix the warm spiced milk into the cooked quinoa and stir well. Serve with maple syrup.

                                   Note: If you make your own almond milk, this is even more amazing!

                                   Namaste!
                                  

 

Looking Outside Ourselves

As much as we are taught to look inward for our happiness, one aspect of spirituality is to recognize our interconnectedness with other people. We then recognize our obligation to live morally and ethically, in ways that do not harm others. This can be inconvenient, having to think about something other than our own self-interests, but it is a part of the foundation for a spiritual life.

I highly recommend "A Burning Desire" by Kevin Griffin!

The Thirst For Wholeness

"I believe, that this fervent thirst for wholeness, as well as the discomfort with it, is the underlying impulse behind addictions." Christina Grof

We all thirst for "God", we just search for Him in our own ways.

The Path To My Tummy

One example of how yoga tastes good...my vegetarian dinner! Avocado, romaine, mushroom, tomato, cilantro, yogurt, olive oil, kelp flakes, salt and pepper in a brown rice tortilla. Makes me want to chant "Yummmmmmm"!