Practicing...

Practicing Spirituality...

if you go to church, does it mean you are sin-less?
if you meditate, does it mean you are enlightened?
if you practise yoga, does it mean your body is purified?

We are a bunch of souls having a human experience and within this experience, the practice of yoga/meditation are tools that we have to ground and strengthen us through life's rollercoaster ride. They are tools to keep us balanced and aware of our truth; the practice of seeing reality as it is...

It is easy now to ignore the truth, but the truth naturally wants to be known...recognized...acknowledged!!

Live and speak your truth for you. The ease and comfort of ignoring the truth, now, only adds layers of negative energy, which results in an awful build-up of negative thoughts, energy, and patterns. Habits are difficult to break and so if you're living in habit of lies, it is more difficult to break these patterns. Practice honesty and speaking your truth. Speak when you need to. Find your voice to gain strength and power within yourself. Blossom as you naturally are called to, letting go of limitations and barriers that keep you from living in your most authentic state. You are one with all and there is a powerful global union that we strive for...world peace! Start it within yourself.
Don't hesitate to meditate!!
Practice your yoga to go deeper, bring inner stillness and connect with your higher self!

Peace!

A Change of Perspective

I have been self employed for over a year now and I have learned much about self discipline, self motivation, and self empowerment. Having gone from being part of a large team to working solo; the transition has taken me time to adjust. For as long as I can remember, the idea of waking up everyday and going to work for me, spiraled in my mind. And now here I am doing what I do as I wished for. I am very happy! Now looking back, I went to work daily with the intention of having to go because of a committment that I made to a boss. I realize now that if I only changed my perspective of going to work as a committment to myself, I would have been more fullfilled in the end.
How long does fullfillment really last when your initial intention is "to do"  or "please" someone else?

I wake up every day knowing that I work for me and that every thing I do or say is a reflection of me and who I am. In turn this evolves my business and the motivation to report to me remains strong because I work for me. Would I have felt fullfilled having set the intention to go to work for "me" when I was employed by another?
Y'know just shifting a perspective can change alot!

Who do you go to work for? Do you do your work for you?

Be well :)
T

Story Telling

What kind of stories do you tell?
Are you speaking of your past wounds or your future worries? Are you gossiping about your neighbour or a family member?
I'm hoping that if you do all or one of these that you're not feeling horrible about yourself. This is not about beating yourself up, it's about increasing your awareness.
It's not always easy to be the one that sits back while everyone else is gossiping or to be the listener when someone is sharing their past wounds; you just want to jump in and share yours. What matters with all that comes out of your mouth is your intention behind all that you say. Share your stories to assist others, and be mindful to catch yourself in the "poor me" place. Take the stance to walk confidently in your life, regardless of what happened in your past or what may come tomorrow. Listen to the words you speak to bring an awareness of what is going on within you.

Have nothing to say?? I sometimes catch myself in this place. Silence is bliss. It is not awkward, it is only awkward when you project that it is. Share a positive experience from your past or wishes and dreams of your future or even better...get to know the people you are speaking to in the moment. Make a connection; touch each other's hearts. Why not? It really is all about love and kindness isn't it? So, why are we sharing wounds and gossip and dumping on others...it doesn't feel good!
Don't wait to be old, wrinkly and wise to be great story tellers...let's do it now!!

Make the change!

My light to yours...
T

seek inward for what you're looking for...



At Prana Yoga College



              One year ago, I was sitting in a classroom with unfamiliar people. Everyone looked new to the space and environment, which kept me at ease and comfortable. I had arrived in Vancouver 2 days before my intensive yoga teacher training began to familiarize myself with the area. I stayed in Kitsilano with a wonderful roomate Sara and her cute cat Squid. My initial intention heading out west was to remove myself from all that I knew here at home and to go out and explore. I was hoping to seek some inner peace, but I had no expectations of what the end result would be. I just had this deep trust that I was in the right place. Today looking back, I bunked with the most amazing roomate. I met an incredible teacher, Shakti Mhi. I built friendships with people from all walks of life. And, I really got to know Tina.
This escape really taught me about me and my adjustment to new surroundings and new people. I was able to observe my thoughts and my body and attend to the things about myself that I wanted to change and develop the things I liked. After one month I realized that I was already great and although grateful for this amazing month away, I already had everything I was looking for within myself. The peace, joy, happiness, love...it was always in there. I guess I thought that it was outside of me and far from home and so my desire to getaway grew strong. I remember my dad telling me before I left that, if I was running from my problems, they would be here when I returned home or they would just follow me wherever I end up. He was right. I am thankful that I chose a getaway where I was learning and doing something I loved. Something that wasn't a distraction to what was really going on, but something that helped all that "stuff" come to the surface.

I remember one day going to the beach by myself an hour before I met with a friend to study. I judged myself a bit and labelled myself as a loner, but when I got there, I felt so good being able to sit with myself, my thoughts, my body and just take in all that was around me (especially the view of the mountains). I was worried about what other people may have thought, seeing me sitting alone. The truth was that I was manipulating myself to believe that people around me actually cared about what I was doing on my own. Think again..many people were on their own reading, engaged in their own conversation, just simply enjoying life in their own moment.

Thank you to the events that sent me out to wander out west. Thank you to my past employers who allowed me the time off. Thank you to my supportive family who trusted that I knew what I was doing. Thank you to my love who waited for me. Thank you to the fantastic people I connected with that made my trip memorable, including myself. And thank you to a fantastic teacher, who shook something inside me to wake up and realize that I already have all that I need in every moment.

Reminiscing in joy of my amazing time last year...

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti...

Dependency

Cultivate within you, three words that snap you back into a feel good place. Maybe choosing peace, love, gratitude. Words that make you feel good! Resort to these words as you need to throughout your day and begin to personal train your mind and body to respond positively to these 3 words of your choice. Post them in places you will often see them, such as in your wallet, at your desk, on your fridge, on the mirror, or computer screen. With practice, you will notice a shift and possibly a mastered awareness of the thoughts that come into your mind. Continue to filter out negativity as it surfaces, but now practice non-attachment with your chosen 3 words. Let the words be your initial guide, secondly remove the dependency you have with the words. Grounding yourself initially with a tool (3 words), but now mastering the ability to feel a calmness within you and a strong connection to yourself. A connection so strong that you always trust and know that you are in the perfect place at the perfect time and more so that you ARE perfection manifested in human form...Love and Light!

Compare this technique to a newborn baby. You are the newborn baby, very dependent on your caregiver, but there comes a time when you can fend for yourself, leading your life a little more independently. Although always knowing that you can resort to your caregiver to guide you when needed.

Seek independency in all areas of your life and where there is dependecy, without dwelling in a negative state of mind, recognize the possibilities that who or what you depend on may not always be there. Find the strength and courage within you to stand tall on your own two feet, complete and whole as you are. Allow others and things to be an addition to your already fantastic life. 

A personal story to share...

There was a time when I used another human being, who I cared for and loved, to fill in areas of my life that I could not fullfill myself and it took me many years to come to this realization. I was in fear of the truth. The realization surfaced when I was learning to fill in those gaps for myself. I could not help, but realize that I no longer felt connected to this person who I thought was my forever. Sad?! I know, very! It was this truth that was screaming out of every pore on my body. Life, is that what you call it?!?!? YES!!

So people will love you, leave you, care for you, and hurt you...just know that they served a time and purpose. Feel gratitude. Good or bad. Happy or sad. Unite both extreme emotions at center, neutrality. It is what it is. Life, it happens, right?!

Shedding some light and love to you my friend,

T       

What are you REALLY saying?

What's good?
What's right?

I was catching up with a friend yesterday and he asked me, "...so tell me what's good?"
Not expecting that question, I paused!
That is a fantastic question to ask someone. What's good? OR What's right?
Hmmmm, what is good? I carried on telling him about the great things going on in my life and I felt great afterwards catching up on what was good in both of our lives rather then an update of the not so fabulous stuff. The not so good things, they do exist. That's life. Life happens to us all, but why focus on it.
I started thinking of what I tend to ask people and it's more along the lines of "what's new?"
This is an invitation to hearing the great things, but also the not so great things.

Another one I catch myself asking is, "What's wrong?"  when I see someone that seems down or upset. In all honesty, I get all kinds of responses, but most commonly nothing is wrong.
I assume that things are wrong. WHY?? If you can relate, let's put out there that things are right and not assume that things are wrong.
Imagine I'm infront of you asking, so what's right? OR What's good? I'm all ears, tell me! : D
Let's share all the great things going on with each other and inspire each other. That's usually how it works!
My girlfriend started Muay Thai and the energy behind how she speaks of it inspired me to look into finding a hobby for myself that I could really enjoy. Inspire someone by telling them what's good or what's right in your life. Speak mindfully and ask mindfully.
Get off auto pilot and mean it when you ask someone "how are you?"
If you are not interested, don't ask.

PEACE. PEACE. PEACE.

T

Past Present Future

The past resides in the memory and the future resides in the imagination. Use the strength of your mind/memory to bring lessons forth to then acquire an in depth knowledge of the self. Attune the imagination to forsee a fullfilling tomorrow. A future full of abundance in health, love, happiness, and wealth.
Rid the junk from your past, but take the lessons to carry you forward into what it is you really desire. With no judgement of who you were or your experiences. Take each step with mindfullness and a positive intention. All that was served a purpose and all that will be, will have its purpose. Bathe in the now and set an intention to then feel that in this moment you have a purpose. Let your purpose be, living in the moment. Lose track of time and just be.

Just be. Be what your soul is screaming out for...

Love. Peace. Joy.

T