I'm Invisible

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response,the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phoneand ask to be taken to the store.Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not;no one can see if I'm on the phone,or cooking, or sweeping the floor,or even standing on my head in the corner,because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer,'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude- but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone! One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. M y unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this. ' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.

I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees. 'In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, afterwhich I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it. 'And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.' I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. Isee the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.
No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.' At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction . But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my ownself-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime, because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I reallly think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and dresses all the linens for the table. 'That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.' As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM! 

Author UNKNOWN

Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know...

I just did
Namaste

Seasons Greetings

A special wish for peace at this beautiful season from my family to yours

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Namaste

The Buddhist teaching of Non-attachment and Relationships

Right from the start in this life we are bound by relationships. First our relationship to world then to our relationship to others who eventually find there way into the fabric of our lives. Relationships are tricky business and require true skill to navigate through the mirky waters, to weather the storms and survive should the ship sink. Many of us love and hurt and love and hurt over and over again until we are lucky enough to find a way to navigate through the boundaries of relationships. I like many have issues with attachment.

Buddhist teachings from 2,500 years ago say that Buddha (Siddharta Gautama) victoriously overcame the suffering of his own mind. One aspect of that spiritual revolution puts forth that the cause of all our sufferings, confusion and delusions lies in our inability to remain unattached. Unattached to experiences both of pleasure and pain as well as from eachother in both the material and unmaterial worlds.

By remaining unattached it is said we can find true enlightment to serve the truth through generosity, kindness, appreciation.  Achieving this state of non-attachment is created through meditation, prayer and by living the 4 noble truths, and the eightfold path to enlightment.

The First Truth:
Life by it's very nature is unsatisfactory, some level of difficuly exists for all unenlightened beings in creation. We face sickness, old age, and death; the sense of pleasures we do experience don't last; and physical and perhaps emotional pain is a given in life.

The two levels to this truth, the first, the pain we can do nothing about and the second is the suffering and unhappiness we create for ourselves due to our lack of wisdom and in attempts to control the uncontrollable. Change is constant. Everything is dyeing. Our need to become attached to impermanent experiences is what causes us sorrow, lamentation and grief because eventually we are separated from everything and everyone we love.

Buddha's teaching say it is our lack of acceptance and understanding of these facts that make life unsatisfactory. Hence pain is unavoidable and suffering is self-created.

The Second Truth

The cause for all our dissatisfaction and suffering is our craving for life to be filled exclusively with pleasure. This truth is seen as a lack of acceptance, our unwillingness to accept the pleasure and pains as they are, clinging to the experiences we like and trying to get rid of the one's we don't. Desires are natural, but craving - which brings pain - is the extreme of desire.

The Third Truth
Freedom from suffering is possible. There are ways to relate to all experiences that are in harmony with the reality of constant change. When we can let go of greed, hatred and delusion, a state of peace and happiness are all that remains. This state of freedom from suffering is referred to as Nirvana.

The Fourth Truth
The path to freedom consists of eight factors (the eightfold path). These eight important areas of comprehension and practice, can be broken down into three sections:

Wisdom
1.Understanding
2.Intention
Conduct
3.Speech
4.Action
5.Livelihood
Meditation
6.Effort
7.Mindfulness
8.Concentration

Studying and contemplating on these eight factors, is said to bring about enlightment and freedom.

Buddha's journey to enlightment was not done without what some of us would call a cost, as this he believed was his destiny. On a quest to put an end to human pain and suffering, this is a man who left his wife, child, family and existance as it was known to go off on his own personal journey, through his journey he found freedom through non-attachment and enlightment. He found Nirvana.

The question being if these steps are required to find true enlightment and if non-attachment is absolutely necessary to find freedom and bliss? How can we as Mother's, Wife's, Husband's, Father's, Sister's, Brother's, Friend's, Human beings within our own live's as well as within our earthly relationships obtain and live in true freedom?

Buddha's belief that our attachment to what was in any relationship and our inability to accept change, especially if that change is painful or unwanted is truly a cause for suffering for many of us. We see it with our partners, our children, our parents. Love changes, children grow and loved ones pass on.

If I was to say that like Buddha I had come to enlightment regarding non-attachment and life at this point, I would be deluding myself. My life is as wrapped up as ever in the fabric of my existance with those whom I live and love on a daily basis. I look within to find answers and I work daily to work toward peace and harmony within myself and my life and my relationships. The question for me remains, how do we as human beings continue to live with passion, faith, love and hope if we release ourselves from the attachment to those who are so intricatly bound within the fabric of our bodies, minds and souls? I will continue to search, my hope is one day I will have an answer and maybe even...Nirvana.
NamasteFor more information on Buddha and his teachings go to www.aboutbuddha.org

Forging Forward

The summer has come and gone and we are literally (Fall)ing back into a whole new rhythm. It has been almost a year since I first started the DIVINE YOGA & Dance blog and as much as I have experienced a world of change in my own personal and professional practices, I am still yet to break through some old blocks and mental patterns. The journey takes alot of work, never must we become complacent, comfortable or believe that we have finally got there. This will only lead us right back to the spot we started from. You must continue to learn, grow, challenge whether it be the Mind, the Body or the Spirit. We must continue to nurture, rejuvenate and revitalize, lest we become to complacent and before you know it you have stopped creating, giving, experiencing, enjoying.....LIVING......

Taking the lead of the season to which we now move forward. Allow the soft gentle breeze to rustle your senses and awaken you to the true depth of the Body, Mind and Spirit link. Gracefully allow the season to change the colors of your leaves and then let go and allow for the shedding. Back to the Basics, your bare necessities. Don't stress over the nakedness, be free, strong in your stance. You are preparing for a long, cold winter ahead, your stance in this season gives you the strength, stability and flexibility needed to not only sustain yourself through the next season but to stand strong and tall, grounded in your roots.

May the wind be gentle upon the tips of your branches as you gracefully dance through all space and time.

Namaste
Laura

To view FALL 2007 Class Schedule go to http://yogadivine.wetpaint.com/page/class+schedule

YOGA IN THE PARK Presented by DIVINE YOGA & Dance
Sunday August 19th, 2007

Admission $20 donation at park
Park Admission 9:30 am

Nobleton Sports Park - Nobleton Arena

(behind CIBC on Hwy 27)

Join us for a fun filled day in the Park

Experience the bliss of Yoga, Dance and the Healing Arts

Honorary Guest MaryLynn Baran - Nia Technique

The Joy of Movement -Seeking Pleasurable Sensation for your Body

'Opening the Body, Mind and Spirit'

Portion of Net proceeds to benefit Special Invitation Guests

‘Rose of Sharon’
Event sponsored by:

King Township Parks, Recreation & Culture
Schomberg Brownsville Guardian Drug
WIN $50 NATURES EMPORIUM gift card or visit to Dr. Kate Wharton - Natural Balance

YOGIC RETREAT

"It was a wonderful afternoon, hope you all enjoyed yourself ,

see you in the Spring."

Namaste

Laura

Relax and Rejuvenate

Look for Yoga in the Park coming soon.........

Spring 2007

Monday 7:30-8:30 pm - Meditation Schomberg Arena
Tuesday 8:00-9:00 pm - Yogilates Schomberg Arena
Wednesday 8:00- 9:00 pm - Yogilates Schomberg Arena


There are two more weeks this session May 28,29,30 and June 4,5,6/07

Summer 2007

Program Schedule

Registration Starts: June 1, 2007

Monday 7-8pm Meditation Schomberg 10wks Start date: June 18, 2007

Monday 8-9 pm Yogilates Schomberg 10wks Start date: June 18, 2007

Tuesday 8-9pm Yogilates Schomberg 10wks Start date: June 19, 2007

Wednesday 8-9pm Yogilates Schomberg 10 wks Start date:June 20, 2007

Thursday 7-8pm Meditation Nobleton 10 wks Start date: June 21, 2007

Thusday 8-9pm Yogilates Nobleton 10 wks Start date: June 21, 2007

To Register Contact:

King Township Park, Recreation & Culture

Chris Fasciano 905-859-0056 Ext. 224

to participate in a class email yogadivine@hotmail.com

or drop in

Back To Basics

If you are anything like me you are happy to be getting back to the regular routine of things. In yogic tradition the end of the year is a time to slowdown, be calm and look inward. Reflect, refresh, renew for the coming year. Stop there! What! Are you kidding? for at least the past month or so even though I kept it simple, simplifying as many of the yearly traditions as I possibly could, right down to buying less gifts, not stressing over what I think would make everything perfect and not trying to make sure that everyone is happy (cause let's face it, is that truly possible) and Oh! ya! my simple tree, small with hardly any trimmings. I only took out a fifth of the decorations in the basement and I must say it truly was easier, I didn't fuss, or stress and in approximately 1/2 hour everything was put away. I just removed the simple swag from the front porch and any and all remaining remnants of the season are gone, along with the fantasy of the perfect happy holiday's. The husband is back at work, the kids are next. Let's face it, being cooped up in a three bedroom bungalow, under renovation, completely a mess for even a week, with no time to practice any moments of introspection is nerve racking. But, this year was easier than previous years. Patience is a learned art. Not all things can be at all times. Peace, joy and harmony are found less now in the season than ever before because we are too busy consuming. Consuming things, food, alcohol. Even when done in moderation this can throw you off balance. Having said this, now that we have taken our first steps into the new Year, my goal is to re-establish my sense of inner calm. Only by practising the art of patience, meditation and self nurturing can we truly find our inner calm. Let all things be as they are, even when they are not in balance, knowing that what is today, will not be tomorrow.

"I seek only to reveal my true self, which may or may not be the same tomorrow, if I should learn something new that changes me."

What I have learned over this past holiday season is that no matter where you are at, no matter what situation you are dealing with, no matter how things conflict with your own agenda. If you don't go with the flow, even when that flow is out of balance, you will struggle. So I look toward next year's holiday's and think I have a year to refresh, rejuvenate and renew, working towards the balance within that will help me to make it through another year in a more joyous, peaceful and harmonious state.

Wishing you a joyous, peaceful and harmonious New Year !!

Namaste
Laura