Farewell to Yogiraj Achala, Spiritual Teacher

This is a picture of Yogiraj Achala (nee Charles Bates), who left his body unexpectedly on June 18th, 2012.  He was a spiritual teacher in the Hatha Yoga tradition, to me and to many, many others--some who had studied devotedly with him for over 30 years.  Yogiraj had studied with Swami Rama, who brought Hatha Yoga to the West from India.  I had the lovely privilege of being a student of Yogiraj's, attending workshops at the Yoga North Duluth studio, as well as a couple of silence retreats.  Yogiraj was a brilliant man, who explored and expanded for our western minds the concepts of Hatha yoga.  He taught me so much about yogic philosophy and about meditation.  His presence for me was as an amazing spiritual teacher, and a gentle man, who provided a crucible for my growth.

I had the amazing good fortune to attend the ancient Vedic ritual that proceeded his cremation this Saturday in Minneapolis, MN.  The Vedic priest chanted and guided us as Yogiraj's sons covered him with herbs, and ghee, and incense, and fragrant woods, and I'm not sure what else, preparing his body for cremation.  He invited us all to use this moment to forgive Yogiraj, or for us to forgive ourselves, and let it all go, so that we were free to let Yogiraj go, and Yogiraj was free to speed to his next and "joyous" transition.  When these offerings were complete, insuring that Yogiraj had everything he needed (and acknowledging that he loved good food), the priest instructed us in our chants as his sons opened the door to the crematorium and his coffin was guided into the fires.

Later in the afternoon, we attended his memorial service--a service of many colors and many faiths (including a Tibetan monk, an Imam, a Jewish man, the Vedic priest, Christian evangelicals).  There were many speakers, family and others, sharing their love and connection with Yogiraj.  Many members of his amazing family, sang and played instruments.  It was a wondrous occasion.  Vv, his wife, was so loving and gracious, and even nurturing to all who were there.

We adjourned to enjoy the amazingly delicious vegan food in the fellowship of the church, The First Unitarian Universalist Church.  It was a long and momentous day.

I thank you Yogiraj for being my beautiful teacher.  The first time I met you, was the first time I meditated when my mind never wandered from my mantra--not even once.  I know that was because of your amazing ability to hold the space.  I look forward to meeting you in a new way in my life and meditations.  All my love to you, Yogiraj.

(The picture above was the one on his memorial service bulletin.

BIRTHDAYS AND BIKING

Happy Birthday to me!  Today I'm 77--it's a big deal.  I just returned from biking--OK, triking.  I hurried home because I didn't want to get hit by lightning, so it wasn't as long a ride as I had hoped.  I have a tradition of celebrating my birthday with an early morning bike ride.

I laughed this morning as I remembered going over my handle bars (regular bike) on my 65th-birthday-early-morning-ride on the Lake Walk.  For some reason I held onto my handle bars, so that miraculously, I didn't go flying.  After I rested for a moment and saw that I was all right, I got back on my bike and biked home to our home that was then on Park Point.  I did say, "I bet I'm the only person in the world who went over her handle bars today on her 65th birthday!"

Many birthdays, we biked up the shore from Brighton Beach and had lunch at the New Scenic Cafe, a favorite ride (and food stop) for me.

I am lucky to be able to bike, now trike, and to have such a beautiful city to bike in, all close to where I live.

Fly the flag today--it is Flag Day as well.  I give thanks for my sweet life.

Testing Preoccupations

It's been so long since I have written in my blog.  My life has been taken up with dealing with health issues.  Nothing serious, but still lots of tests and evaluations--for both Lauren, my husband and me.  Somehow I became preoccupied with them and their results, so that I didn't feel I had room for "other" in my daily life.  I am getting a better feeling for older people whose lives are filled with health issues.

I know, I'm old already, but most of the time I don't feel old like "them."  Mmmm...what happened to "We are all one?"

I have also traveled--once to Seattle and once to Berkley, and had company for the weekend.  Plus, I was able to purchase and then plant my pots, which look so lovely--that is such a satisfying activity!  So I have been busy.

I have another teeny test later this morning.  I would like to do better at joyously living in each moment--tests and all!  No sense in getting worried without something definite to worry about.

MICROSCOPIC LEANINGS

Musings while meditating.                       

 I have been diagnosed with microscopic colitis--microscopic meaning it can only be "seen" in a biopsy.  So tiny, and yet it can wreak havoc with one's digestive system, which in turn  influences what one does and doesn't do--the domino effect ripples throughout one's life.  I thought this is a metaphor for life as well.

What microscopic habits or samskaras ripple throughout my life, infecting my whole system?  I notice how I ever so slightly lean in toward something, or minutely lean away from something I wish to avoid.  I am barely leaning into my breath, but that ripples throughout my nervous system and my muscles in tiny waves--each one influencing the next, eventually influencing the whole.  Those teeny tiny leans take me off center, away from the perfect now.  

Everything makes a difference.

Sankalpa

I have been practicing Yoga Nidra--the deep relaxation meditation.  I listen to CD's and let them guide me in my meditation.  In one of them, we state our Sankalpa, or intention for our life.  I have had two: "I live without fear."  And "I am open to my life."  Whatever our Sankalpa is, as we state it, we know that we have already achieved it, and that it is absolutely true!

On another note, I've been trying to figure out how to write about issues that are normally private and yet also say something.  I have been dealing with a health problem which won't go away.  I tried everything I could on my own, and nothing seemed to be effective.  I found myself being very ATTACHED to not having this affliction.  I was also very ATTACHED to doing it on my own.  This attachment was a powerful force in my psyche--actually dragging me down.

Then I remembered my Sankalpas:  "I live without fear," and "I am open to my life."  And yes, they are true.  What does this health issue have to teach me?  Tomorrow I am going to see a doctor about it.  Yet, even that decision came from a freedom to be open and not have to continue resisting seeing a doctor, because of a past experience.  I am without fear and open to my life.  How freeing!

Church Thieves

I attend Hope United Methodist church, and we've been collecting food bags for CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) the entire month of March, as anything given in March is matched by a grant.  Those bringing in their bags of food items put them in a big canoe just inside the door of the church.  The canoe was nearly full.  (We had a very successful food drive for CHUM last year doing this.)  This weekend someone came into our church--while the pastor was there--and stole all of the bags out of the canoe.  We assume they are the same people who had come in earlier asking for gas cards, which we keep on hand to give out, and who then asked for some of the bags of food.  We gave them 4 bags of food.

I felt sick when I heard what had happened.  It is especially difficult because we are nearing the end of March, the time when all contributions are matched, thereby insuring that CHUM gets even more of what it needs to serve those who are without in our community.  I also felt really angry.  I found it very hard to let go of my anger and to be able to pray for those people who snuck in and took all of the collected food.

I struggled to put them in the light and to remember that we are all one, that we are all God; my anger was getting in the way.  Then I reminded myself that these thieves are already God, they just don't remember who they are, and that, whether or not I can get to this place of serenity has no effect on their holy status.  Then I was able to surrender and let go ~ I could pray for them, remembering our oneness.  I hope they feel the light coming their way.

I do think they are building up quite negative karma for themselves, however.

Uninvited Guest

Uninvited Guest

It was a surprise ~ 

No one invited this guest,

and yet she snuck in.

Lurking in the shadows,

she became a real nuisance

and tried to take charge.

So I asked her to

come in and draw up a chair

and join me for tea!