Chapter Three: The Work of the Devine Architect

Main Idea – Concepts:

The body is what it is because of the Intelligence behind it. God has given each person a physical machine (body) – to adapt to his needs – to fix if broken

Keeping this Intelligence in mind – the representation of the body as “issued/governed” by divine law – the yogi philosophy is to keep this “machine” functioning to its ideal health and strength. Maintaining the idea that there is always that intelligence presiding over every function of the body, that intelligence “the soul” needs to inhabit a fleshy body to prosper.

• when man goes against this divine law (intelligence), disharmony results and disease presents itself
• That Intelligence, what we call the manifestation of “nature” is how the body invites and rids disease.
• Disease is the body stepping away from the body’s natural cycle – warning signs that pieces have become out of alignment with nature
• The pieces though, can be put back on track – diseases are fought against by resorting back to nature – disease is a beneficial action to rid the poisons we have put in our system
• The soul needs the following (fulfilled by the body): a mind (brain) – still in evolution as much of the brain % is not used currently, nerves to connect between the brain and different parts of the body, means to communicate with nature, muscles to move around the world, a framework of muscles to keep it firm – give it strength

New Concept:

This entire chapter’s concept is somewhat new to me. I think of my body as a temple – and what I ingest or put in it (food, drink, medicine etc) ultimately results in different effects, but never before have I though of the concept of divine law. The idea of my body being governed by a force more powerful then my own mind is something I need to debate in more depth with myself at this time.

Questions:

Why then if each body is governed by its own divine do diseases pass from mother/father to child in conception?

Chapter Two: The Yogis’ Regard for the Physical Body

Main Idea & Concepts

Yogi’s believe the body is the “temple for the spirit” – they physical body is not in fact the “real man” – but rather a house that the spirit occupies and uses. In addition the development and care of this body is of utter importance. The development is ultimately regarded as coupled with the development of the mind. A strong mind needs a physically strong body and vise versa.

• A yogi would insist the body be brought under perfect control of the mind – the instrument is finely tuned to be responsive by the mater; the spirit.
• When the body is cared for and properly nourished only then can it undergo its highest form of transformation and development – its responsiveness flourishes.
• A yogi tries to attain control over the voluntary and involuntary parts of the body to breed mastery – every muscle, cell, organ is important
• To attain this control and mastery over the body is the ultimate goal – comparable to a master violinist’s conquering of famous compositions.

Interesting Concept:

A mastery over anything is an ultimate goal when practicing at something. It is the ability to achieve the highest possible connection to that feat with ease; because at the point of mastery it has become second nature. This concept when applied to the maintenance and development of the mind and body is an umbrella or starting point to achieving all the other imaginable goals. Master the mind and body – master the self and nothing is impossible anymore.

Questions:

Can we quantify the results – should such studies be conducted? Measuring for example the monetary success of those who practice yoga on a regular basis (living the hatha yoga philosophies) against those who do not?

Is it important to measure the benefits of yoga in such a way? Who is to determine this?

If research results with a higher number of person’s practicing on a regular basis achieve larger monetary success – is it ethical to use these facts and directly link them in marketing campaigns to sell “yoga for increased income”

Chapter One: What is Hatha Yoga?

Main Idea - Concepts

The yoga of physical well being, hatha is a branch of yoga that deals with the physical body – its care, its well being, its health, strength and all it takes to maintain a healthy body in as natural as state as possible.

• The body is like the temple for the spirit – the healthy body is the ultimate instrument for the spirit to “be”
• This book is not designed as a “doctor’s manual” but does touch upon important functions of the body – to provide reference to the “western” terms and diseases. The goal of hatha yoga is to venture back to the natural state – and to conquer illness/disease in such a way. No specific cures are mentioned only the concept that the body is eager to return to its natural state.
• It’s believed that what will keep a healthy man healthy will also turn an unhealthy man healthy.
• The following chapters in this book proceeds to detail what hatha yoga is – on the philosophy that any man or woman can follow the hatha yoga path to bring their body to a naturally healthy state. Entrusted is also the idea that if we observe a healthy man or woman’s habits – how they are as healthy as they appear, how they have combat illness – then we too can try to do the same.

New Concept:

There are such radical perceptions of the yogic lifestyle and how people define a “yogi”. Understandably yoga may appear as “foreign” to many westerners, but in India, the birthplace of yoga, there exist “yoga freaks” so they could be named. Those who pose as hatha yogi’s but do not have the slightest conception of the underlying principles of the yogic lifestyle. Gaining muscle control over the digestive organs – inserting objects in the anus to reverse the peristaltic action of the bowls – completely reversing the action of digestion. This is just one example of the fanaticism of these “false yogi’s pitied by real yogi’s who value the principles of hatha and include them in their life’s philosophies.

Paros Island, Greece - A Windy Paradise

The seasons are changing in Greece. Its hard to drive my scooter around the island without fear of being blown into the bamboo stocks that hug the gravel roads. But i manage ;)

I have been in Greece for over one month now. Zakenthos was my home for one week. I lived in the "cockroach motel" - this horrible one bedroom apartment for the first three nights. i am not exaggerating either...i had one crawl onto my hand ....eww. Luckily for me, i met some really nice English people; they offered me a place to stay for free at their 4 star resort with a pool. There was a group of about 6 of us. We explored the lush island of zante on 4 wheelers, and took a boat cruise to remote beaches. There is a beach with a shipwreck in the sand...story goes, that the captain and his crew were all doped up and crashed into land...............i can believe it..haha.

I have my own apartment on the island of Paros. I have been here two weeks and i will be staying for another 3. I spend all my time at Tao's Centre for Meditation. My days consist of studying yoga, tai chi, hangin out with friends, going to the beach, walking in the little town of Naoussa...It is a very peaceful time that i am thoroughly enjoying. The practice room has a majestic feel - a sacred space that we honor each time we step foot in to practice. Its a peaceful paradise that I call home.

This island is full of life and rich with culture. Its quite an amazing experience spending my time at Tao's. It is owned and operated by 3 families from Israel. I can loosely claim I have been to Israel, living with them, experiencing the way they live, their food, culture and interactions - I am fully immersed.

Greek island, Israelie people, Thai food, Indian influence, Zen, Buddhism, and infusion of wonder...truly unique.

I miss Toronto and everyone at home. But life is good, happy, and healthy.

Great story...i was at my place the other day just doing stuff in my apartment with the door open...and in come a pigeon...he swoops right in! The little black bird was just hanging out, walking around my place, going under the bed and table. It was too funny, he didn't want to leave. I finally got him out, then he strolls in again! haha. I guess he knew he was safe with me...he sensed that i have a love for birds...and i miss my own little birdies so much.

Have a great weekend.

Peace and love

Ashley

on "running with the bulls" in spain

PAMPLONA, Spain

"PAMOLONA is the last legal drug...a delirium that doesn´t stop, a communion with absurdity"
"you give yourself when you run with the bulls...you let it all go...your time, your money, your belief, your life, your self, into the wild forms of joy and fiesta!"

"Pamplona´s fiesta is the last remaining stop on the romantic road. Those who gather here each year dance to their own drummer. The drumbeat they hear is not so different as it is distant. It is a faint rhythm which the romantic hears all year long; a soft, strong sound which is never heard by others, much like the heartbeat of a lover long asleep in your arms.
This ancient city in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains with its high stone ramparts and walled citadel transforms each July to a place where the nights are never ending and the mornings majestic, as noble creatures, beasts of mythology made by a patient God, race through the streets for a brief moment ordering the whole universe, creating an energy field unlike any other on earth.

Fiesta has accurately been described as one of the most exhilarating experiences on earth. The sun rises over Pamplona gently, lighting this northern corner of Spain with a fragile first light. Dawn approaches Pamplona subtly and slowly. In summer, on the seventh day of the seventh month, early sunlight is shielded by the Pyrenees Mountains which divide Spain from France. This, seventh day of the seventh month, is the day of the Saint. Pamplona is home to approximately a quarter-million residents, and that number will more then triple during Fiesta.
Well i survived my first running with the bulls...tomorrow awaits, after another night camping out under the stars.
all my love.

Ashley