Ambush at the ranch

[Guest guest]

I have been skipping through the hundreds of

messages posted during my week's vaca at RLP, and I

thought some of you might like to hear of an interesting

experience I had there.<br><br>ADVISORY: What follows is

only tangentially yoga-related, so skip it if you

don't have any tolerance for straying from the

subject.<br><br>Midweek, after lunch after practice (the intermediate yoga

class is like an Astanga fundamentals session, I did

find it beneficial), leaving the dining hall I noticed

a sign on the message board:<br><br>"Bandawoman,

please pick up a package at the adminstration

desk"<br><br>Well, my heart stopped a few beats because no one knows

my alter ego. The concierges were all a-twitter as I

went to collect a huge, heavy, vibrant Rug Rats bag

left by a mysterious visitor, and my husband's

curiousity was more than piqued. Back at the room, I opened

the bag; it was a Care Package from our own John, aka

Okrgr1, who was so concerned I might shrivel up without

my red wine that he delivered several bottles of

good stuff, two glasses, a book on Pinot Noir, as well

as a note that didn't really convince my dear one

that I was not being pursued by a psycho cyber

stalker. (Though I think his fears were finally assuaged

when people kept pointing out that if a stalker had

sent it, he would have shown up in class, or in the

dining hall. [To which dear husband replied, "How do you

know he hasn't?"] One staff member pointed out that

this was a truly yogic thing to do, get rid of what

you don't need, give it to someone who does want it,

but is it truly yogic to help me in my continued

corruption? Never mind, I loved it, and am far from renoucing

a great red wine.)<br><br>Well, needless to say I

was surprised and tickled, but you fundies out there

will be glad to know that I did abstain, maintaining

the ascetic path at least until Friday night when

instead of the putrid glass of fermented grape juice they

serve you on your last dinner I broke out the Billecart

Salmon so thoughtfully included, much to the joy of some

newfound friends (who then wobbled off to their

massages).<br><br>So I ended up leaving the ranch three bottles of red

wine and a great memory richer. Public thanks to John,

and I will send you a note off-line to further

express my gratitude and wonder at your nutty, generous,

act (that's a long drive from San Diego!)<br><br>Also

of note to the weather watchers: after all the talk

of perfect days of sunshine in the San Diego region,

I was looking forward to those West Coast climes.

Imagine my surprise when I arrived to gray skies and

drizzle, which continued almost throughout my stay in

Baja. And cold! It had been warmer back in beantown,

where folks were enjoying good 70 degree days of Indian

Summer. Never even broke out the shorts. Not a chance for

rooftop or even lawn yoga.

[Guest guest]

<< perfect days of sunshine in the San

Diego region>><br>there's a sucker born every

minute. it's been great! we actually had real rain--not

the usual spit that they call rain here. sorry it

dampened your trip though.

[Guest guest]

So what's up with that? The flip side is that

whenever I go to Seattle (which is not often) it is warm,

clear, and sunny, (enough to see the mountain, and even

climb it) so I have come to believe it is all

propaganda to keep us Easterners away. But what's SD's

excuse? And here the heat wave is over, it was even

snowing (albeit lightly) this morning, had to put the

heat on for the first time last night, so I missed the

warmth on both coasts. But at least it's good weather

for Amarone, a particular weakness...<br><br>General

question: I am a novice at meditation. I get caught up

wondering whether I am doing it right or not and end up

anxious. My recent visit to RLP, combined with having the

living room floors redone, has led me to rearrange the

furniture to create a meditation area. Any good suggestions

on methods, what works for you? Can anyone recommend

a good, simple book? I thank you in advance. B

[Guest guest]

>... meditation...<br><br>The fact that you

have made a meditation area is an important

step.<br>Now just sit and breath, and pay very close attention

to your sitting<br>and breathing. If your mind

wanders, just bring it back to your<br>sitting and

breathing which in it's self in an entertaining exercise.

[Guest guest]

I like vipassana meditation. It's a buddhist

style where you cultivate awareness of your mind (as

opposed to yogic meditation, where you focus your

thoughts on a single object to develop concentration).

This method works best for me. A great book to get you

started is "Insight Meditation" by Joseph Goldstein -

very readable and inspiring. He also leads vipassana

retreats at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass.

(not too far from you, right?) I also think that

"Meditation in Action" by Chogyam Trungpa is very important,

no matter what style you choose. His books emphasize

using your spiritual practice to break down the

ego/Self, rather than building it up. Powerful stuff.

[Guest guest]

Can any of you advanced ashtanga yogis describe what Guruji teaches as far as

meditation? Or is this off limits for us, since we all aren't on 3rd series?

[Guest guest]

awwww now THAT'S a heart-chakra warmer! how

sweet!<br><br>RE: meditation books. "Path With Heart" by Jack

Kornfield is a book that can be a life-changer; hey

anything Kornfield writes is a great book. He also has a

vipassana approach.<br><br>Funny you should mention

meditation; I've meditated a lot less often since doing

ashtanga because it seemed to pack the whole

kit-and-kaboodle. But the past few weeks my hubby and I have been

craving sitting more, and now are trying to get back into

the routine of daily meds; with the emphasis on

"trying" :-) no really, it's great.

[Guest guest]

Guruji has a ceremony, discuses theory and for

myself went over all the work we had done together and

the effects, presented me with a shawl to wear while

practicing.<br><br>The technique is one you should plan on getting

directly from him if you really want to know. It is a part

of Ashtanga that is handed down directly from the

Guru and I hope it stays that way.<br><br>Best of luck

with your practice!<br><br>Yours in yoga,