Wel, its been a nice day full of great conversations with long-time friends. After morning meditation and breakfast, I went on a walk with my friend Paula. After that I had coffee with another girlfriend, Nachama. Then Kelly and I went to lunch with a big group of folks at a local art gallery. (Check it out those of you who love Sacred Art... http://www.vigrahasacredart.com/ ) I bought a few pieces of furniture from Tibet for my puja room at home while we were there. They are awesome. Anyway, after that, Kelly and I took a 2 1/2 hour hike in the National Forest and now we are at a local cafe waiting for our friends Jim and Rakini to join us for dinner.
Really, I love coming to Prescott. So far this has been a great trip. It is the first time that Kelly has been here since we left and it seems to be going quite well for him also. I am definitely ready to be home and not be living out of a suitcase for a few weeks but it is worth the small inconvenience to connect to my friends here and in some ways just to connect to the place itself. I have been connected in some way to Prescott since 1989, when I first moved here to come to college. There is just a part of who I am that is connected to the land here- to the clean air, the vistas, the ponderosa pines and the granite rock- not to mention the solid, earthy and supportive people who live here.
On another note entirely, I thought I would give a commercial here for a great opportunity for study this weekend. (Well, the first great opportunity is my workshop at Breath and Body Yoga. Check it out at http://www.breathandbodyyoga.com/ ) HOWEVER... for those of you who cannot make that workshop for whatever reason, Craig Williams is offering a lecture at Castle Hill that promises to be great. And guess what?? It is free. At least in the immediate sense. My personal opinion is that yogic wisdom is never free...one must pay for it in some way. You pay with your attention, you pay with your intention, you pay by allowing these concepts to move into you and through and to become more and more who they ask (and sometimes demand) that you become. And let me tell you, although most of you know already, that process is not free by any means. But I digress...here is the information
Embodying the Tradition presented by Craig Williams
open to teachers & students alike...
FREE Saturday, March 7th
12:30-2pm in Lotus Room at Castle Hill Fitness on 12th & Lamar - Austin, TX - http://www.castlehillfitness.com/ - register at 512-478-4567
In India the study of sacred spiritual texts or Mosha Shastras is considered a powerful and transformative spiritual practice. Unfortunately the Western Yoga tradition has virtually ignored and downplayed the important role of textual study in Yogic practice and sadhana. In this workshop we will explore the role of Svadhyaya in spiritual development and the relationship between the text and the transmission of liberating gnosis.
We will explore the role of Mantra therapy and the ability of Mantra to allow the reader to imbibe scriptural knowledge and digest its deeper message. We will explore the role of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Yoga Sutras and learn to see these texts not as “books”but as living vibrating entities that can allow us glimpses of higher realities.
And for those of you wondering who the hell this guy Craig is...
Craig Williams ( Shambhu-Das ) is a Clinical Herbalist and Acupuncturist in private practice specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and Yoga. He holds a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine and is a Professional Member of the American Herbalist Guild and the National Ayurvedic Medical Association ( NAMA ). Craig is the recipient of the prestigious “Veda Kovid” title awarded by David Frawley and the American Institute of Vedic Studies recognizing extensive training in the Vedic Sciences of Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and Vedanta. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies with a focus on Hindu Studies and has studied Mantra therapy with Ashley Thomas- Farrand. (And he is just one hell of a nice guy... okay, that was not on the flyer, that is from me.) More background information can be found at his website, http://www.ayurvedaaustin.com/.
1 comment:
That art shop looks so cool- that Buddha from Burma was stunning.
I don't know if I will ever get to Presc't ( which is how I noticed Sarah pronounces it... vs me saying "Pres-scott") but thanks for sharing the link!
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