With Awareness Comes Choice

Learn More | Books and Audio | The Pema Chödrön Foundation February 24, 2012 THE COURAGE TO WAIT When you’re like a keg of dynamite about to go off, patience means just slowing down at that point—just pausing—instead of immediately acting on your usual, habitual response. You refrain from acting, you stop talking to yourself, and then you connect with the soft spot. But at the same time you are completely and totally honest with yourself about what you are feeling. You’re not suppressing anything; patience has nothing to do with suppression. In fact, it has everything to do with a gentle, honest relationship with yourself.

World English Dictionary  vulnerable  (ˈvʌlnərəb ə l)— adj 1. capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt 2. open to temptation, persuasion, censure, etc Ponder that.... entry coming soon!

When considering what my fourth and final inquiry would be, I must admit that I wanted to return to a few I had already practiced.....and practice some more.  However, our assignment was to pick a new one each week and since I am the student, not the teacher, I shall be an obedient one or at least try.  I will continue to informally address Santosha/contentment and have much to say about my discoveries so stay tuned.  In the meantime I shall explore Satya, or commitment to the truth.  I have attached the link once again if you wish to gain a better understanding of the Yamas/Niyamas as related to the Eightfold Path.  On the surface, this was the last one I thought I would choose for an inquiry as I consider myself to be a pretty open and honest person, straightforward and truthful and not one for gossip or caddy talk.  When I looked a bit deeper at the definition given in the readings, I did find the area of Satya in which I struggle and thus, that will ...

I was just reading a FB entry from another yogini when I saw the word Santosha .  My mind immediately started to think about my recent blog post on Saucha and something didn't feel quite right.  I googled (my favorite verb) because it was quicker than grabbing my journal from Kripalu to see where I had erred.  Imagine my horror when I realized that I had been practicing contentment but calling it the wrong name! I can only imagine that you are equally as horrified. For those of you that have used the word Saucha in casual conversation and received odd stares, I humbly apologize.  I am, as I loudly proclaim, still a baby warrior and some of my falls are harder than others. Saucha, in fact, refers to purity and cleanliness- on the inside and out.  That could really be why you were receiving odd stares---just sayin'.  Anyhow, Santosha is the word for contentment.  Since I didn't receive any laughs, rude comments or corrective language, I can only assum...