If you’re a parent you know there are few things in life that bring more joy and sorrow than our children and parents. Obviously, spouses are in a separate category altogether!

Of course, that means the people WE are most capable of hurting or bringing joy to are our parents and children.

Cleaning up my desk and just reread John’s most recent note to me. Personal notes have become something of a family holiday tradition at the Dowds house.

I’m leaving out the soupy bitts at the end, but otherwise proudly sharing it with you verbatim.

Sue, Sarah & I were blessed 26 years ago when this young man came into our lives. Love you Buddy [Can’t wait to hear Sarah’s reaction 😉 particularly to my choice of picture! Love you guys!!!]

Dad,

 Even on my worst days I like to think and believe that there is some point to all that we do, some goal we’ve been working towards on our own throughout the years, and that with every step we take, no matter how trying, or stressful, or traumatic – we are that much closer to some greater achievement or understanding. My perceptions have shifted and evolved over the years, and my views, values, and ideals have been challenged and in some cases been rewritten – but not this.

 My belief that we have some goal, some great achievement awaiting us years ahead, that remains unchanged, though I understand it a bit more now. That achievement we clinch isn’t some plaque on a wall, a statue in a courtyard, a string of publications, or fans that herald our words; the achievement that each of us reaches is the legacy that we pass on, and the mark we leave upon the world.

 Every moment of our lives, every choice we make, every word we speak, every thought we share becomes a part of that legacy; most importantly of all the contributing factors though is the way that we treat others. We are remembered more for our compassion or our indifference than we are for wealth or fame. Anyone can achieve such fame to be immortalized in a statue but it takes someone truly in tune with themselves to leave such an impression that people would WANT to learn about who such a statue was cast of.

 Though, for all of us there ARE instances in our lives where we’ve done wrong to others. We can’t undo those moments, however we can promise ourselves to never repeat that, and to do better, and treat others with respect and compassion.

 John Dowds 

 

Hey God – it’s Allan again. Thank you for Sue, Sarah and John. <3

AUM, the original AMEN          #BringBackPatanjali

I’ve battled three demons since I was 15. Here’s a clue: the third one isn’t rock ‘n roll, though in hindsight, perhaps my parents should have let me go to Woodstock with my friends (I was 12)!

Habits

As long as I can remember, my life has been a series of various obsessions – driven by some intangible deep-rooted need or desire. As a kid they were arguably age-appropriate, but one thing about obsessions or habits (consequences of time + ability + desire) is they are very difficult to break – some more so than others.

Trust me, you don’t want to wrestle with 45 year-old habits.

Here’s another thing about habits: like antibiotics, the more we rely on them, the less effective they become, further fueling our misery. So we double down, move on – or both – until we can’t.

Dancing with the Devil

Borrowing an expression from my Pentecostal friends, we dance with the Devil until our behavior catches up with us and we hit our personal bottom (where unfortunately things get truly ugly) and we essentially give up and turn to God…

-OR-

…if we’re particularly pigheaded, we keep searching for some THING (or some one) new to provide more than just temporary relief.

Ironically, sooner or later the cycle of karma – the cumulative consequences of our behavior over time – catches up with us and we end up in the same place – just more battle weary: desperate and ready to “try God”, whatever that means to you.

Me personally…..

The pigheaded addict in me, fueled by an enormous ego, kept upping the ante and doubling down over the years.

What’s the theoretical extension of how that plays out? Right: I’m either dead or I find the ultimate high.

Ironically, guess where you’ll find the most powerful high in the universe? Right. So meditate! Try to “touch God” for yourself!

Never give up….

If you never stop trying, you’ll eventually find your way there. This practice has survived since prehistoric times for a reason. 😉

Although Patanjali’s science of mind control or meditation is simple it’s not easy. It takes practice, practice, practice.

Unfortunately, It’s not possible to get it by reading about someone else’s experiences. You have to get there yourself. YOU HAVE TO DO THE WORK!

How?

Thankfully, several millennia ago someone named Patanjali left mankind a 200-line poem, outlining a practice to literally prove (to yourself) THE EXISTENCE OF GOD!

The bottom line – so you know what to look for – is that the awareness OF your thoughts is as distinct from your thoughts as they are from your body.

Mic drop.

Re-read that. Again. The awareness OF your thoughts is DIFFERENT THAN YOUR THOUGHTS!

Patanjali’s science of Raja Yoga is based on the understanding that unlike EVERYTHING else, our consciousness or awareness isn’t subject to time and space. As Amma says, it’s essentially divine.

THAT realization…

…..that part of YOU isn’t subject to time and space – i.e., is not “of-this-world”?!….that you DO have a soul?!… wtf?!

THAT realization trumps desire and sets you free. Until then meditation is an invaluable FREE resource to add to your arsenal in your struggle with whatever temporal demons distract you from living to your full potential!

Meditate. IT’s what’s good for you!

Public service announcement: if Patanjali’s practice of seated meditation is like trying to TOUCH God, the more recent Chinese practice of medical Qigong (think Tai Chi) is akin to trying to DANCE with God. After all, they had a couple more millennia to work on it! Stay tuned! <3

Hugs & love, Allan

January class schedule