This book by Christopher Willard & Amy Saltzman practically jumped off the library shelf at me yesterday. ❤
THIS IS RAJA YOGA!! 🕉
Step 2 of 3 anyway!
[Have you taken a yoga class in the past 20 years? You’ve taken Step #1.]
So many awesome quotes….
Kabat Zinn, 2011: “Mindfulness is paying attention without judgment in the present moment.” ❤
.…and exercises (from page 2):
Place one finger on the center of your forehead, close your eyes, and simply place your attention on the sensations.
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Notice what your forehead feels like against your finger…..
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Notice what your finger feels like against your forehead…..
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Bring awareness to the sensations…..
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Notice temperature…..
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Texture…..
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Pressure…..
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Moisture…..
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Can you feel your pulse?
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Stay with this for a moment; when your mind wanders, just notice that and bring your attention gently back to the sensation of your finger on your forehead.
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And then open your eyes and notice how you feel.
❤❤❤
They’ve adopted Patanjali’s concentration and meditation exercises to help children! The book has contributions and support from dozens of well-respected academic and mental health professionals!
NOW – STEP #3 (YOU’RE SOOOO CLOSE!)
So what’s the point of learning physical and mental self-awareness and control at any age?
Ultimately? To find and develop faith in your Self [with a capital “S”]
How?
Patanjali’s advice? Never give up. Always let go.
The object is to identify with the aspect of you that sees through your eyes [rather than with your eyes]: your consciousness – the awareness OF your thoughts: the aspect of each of us that NEVER changes.
It requires a paradigm shift but when you “see” it for the first time it’ll blow your mind.
Part of us IS eternal.
It’s not a story.
THAT realization will change your life.
God bless.
Allan (Skip) Dowds, Raja Yogi
