Words of Wisdom. So close to what I have been writing about recently. Be present TODAY. Tomorrow will come and you can deal with it later.
“A person who worries about previous or future lives is not really enjoying the present one. I would say: Live this one well. Take care of today and you have taken care of tomorrow, because what you sow today, you will reap tomorrow. Keeping a nice fruit in the hand, you are wondering, ‘Suppose I eat this and plant the seed, it will grow into a nice tree. It will bring forth fruits. But what if I die, who will water it?’ No. Don’t worry about the past or the future. Don’t worry about reincarnation. Simply remain in the golden present."
Thank you Sri Satchidananda. By the way, nice relaxed photo!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Snowboarding!
This weekend I got to get out and snowboard on my own. Damn, it feels good to do it!
Both mornings were spent teaching my youngest son to ski. This is a physically challenging feat. But I enjoy being with him and he likes to get out there like his big brother.
After, when they are all settled with hot cocoa and cookies, I had time to myself to ride.
Both mornings were spent teaching my youngest son to ski. This is a physically challenging feat. But I enjoy being with him and he likes to get out there like his big brother.
After, when they are all settled with hot cocoa and cookies, I had time to myself to ride.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sahaja Samadhi
Satchidananda's Weekly Words for today: “Many people think that samadhi means you just sit like a rock, motionless, going into an unconscious state. If you stay in that samadhi, you are of no use to anybody. Sahaja Samadhi means a natural samadhi, always present. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, your body and mind are involved in those activities, but your inner state is always the same, unaffected. Self-realization means you realize that you are the Self. You are different from the body and mind, so you remain in that state of Self and allow the body and mind to function for the benefit of humanity. You can be in the material world and still be in the samadhi state. Then nothing can affect you and you can perform your duties well."
I love this!
We talk about this all the time in class. It links directly to Kathy's assignment to list 100 things we do that is yoga. Everyday, we can attain samadhi. Just by being present, clear minded, focused. When we live moment-to-moment, our lives become easier to manage. See the beauty in our work. Work for the process of working, not the anticipated goal of finishing.
When we separate our mind and body from our Self, we can keep our Self clear and unwavering even if our minds ripple or our bodies fidget. The Self can calm the ripples and still the fidgets.
I love this!
We talk about this all the time in class. It links directly to Kathy's assignment to list 100 things we do that is yoga. Everyday, we can attain samadhi. Just by being present, clear minded, focused. When we live moment-to-moment, our lives become easier to manage. See the beauty in our work. Work for the process of working, not the anticipated goal of finishing.
When we separate our mind and body from our Self, we can keep our Self clear and unwavering even if our minds ripple or our bodies fidget. The Self can calm the ripples and still the fidgets.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Attachment
I have lost my engagement ring and wedding band. It will take some time to detach, esp for my husband.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Focused practice
Tonight my practice was very focused. I have something on my mind. I did not need meditation or asana to cease the fluctuations this evening. But, yoga felt good and I am noticing som more flexibility in poses.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Your Mind on a Leash
This week's Words of Wisdom from Sri Satchidananda has an interesting analogy for the mind and why it is restless when we want to sit and meditate.
Mastering the Restless Mind
“When a dog is allowed to roam about, it enjoys its freedom and appears to be very content—but, the minute you tie it up, it will start howling. In the same way if, all through the day, you allow the mind to go wherever it wants, think whatever it wants, it also appears to be very quiet—until you try to restrain it in meditation. So if you are going to just try to bring the mind under your control during meditation and allow it to run, as it want, all the rest of the day, naturally you will find it very difficult. Though the mind appears to be under your control at other times, the minute you sit and concentrate, it will begin to revolt. But once it comes under your control, it becomes a very nice instrument. You will only be victorious in all your undertakings, if you have your own mind under your control."
Mastering the Restless Mind
“When a dog is allowed to roam about, it enjoys its freedom and appears to be very content—but, the minute you tie it up, it will start howling. In the same way if, all through the day, you allow the mind to go wherever it wants, think whatever it wants, it also appears to be very quiet—until you try to restrain it in meditation. So if you are going to just try to bring the mind under your control during meditation and allow it to run, as it want, all the rest of the day, naturally you will find it very difficult. Though the mind appears to be under your control at other times, the minute you sit and concentrate, it will begin to revolt. But once it comes under your control, it becomes a very nice instrument. You will only be victorious in all your undertakings, if you have your own mind under your control."
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Universal Self
I was standing the hallway moments ago. I had a thought I had to write. It's a good example of how knowledge does not set you free; the application of knowledge does.
I have been reading in the yoga books that we are all a part of the Universal Self. Not just the Earth...the Universe. The epiphany I had in the hallway at first was that if I believe in an Universal Self, then my fear of something catastrophic happening to the Earth is alleviated(more on that in a moment). My second thought was, Oh! This solves my past lives dilemma, too.
Buddhists believe that you are reincarnated. But skeptics say (as I been thinking) well, there are more people on Earth now than there were before, how can there be so many incarnations? The logic is that we could have been other things like microorganisms. BUT! If you believe in the Universal Self, then you could have existed on another planet. Ah-ha! To extrapolate on that thought...your True Self, as light or energy, traveled to Earth to be incarnated here. Once your body dies on Earth, you return to the Universal Self and can travel anywhere in the Universe. Radical.
Back to the Catastrophic Event. I do not think I have blogged about it before. But my greatest fear has always been a world-ending catastrophic event. A supervolcano or an asteriod. I also fear losing my kids, being attacked, etc. but those are things I feel that I can control somewhat through precautionary living. No one can control Mother Nature.
I fear it the most because I saw a program that said if a large enough asteroid hit, it would not just end life on Earth, but incinerate any record of our existence here. Life may never occur on Earth again. I thought that this was awful. Even if I died, I would still have my children as proof I existed. But if everyone dies, there is no trace that I, or humanity, ever existed.
I have been reading in the yoga books that we are all a part of the Universal Self. Not just the Earth...the Universe. The epiphany I had in the hallway at first was that if I believe in an Universal Self, then my fear of something catastrophic happening to the Earth is alleviated(more on that in a moment). My second thought was, Oh! This solves my past lives dilemma, too.
Buddhists believe that you are reincarnated. But skeptics say (as I been thinking) well, there are more people on Earth now than there were before, how can there be so many incarnations? The logic is that we could have been other things like microorganisms. BUT! If you believe in the Universal Self, then you could have existed on another planet. Ah-ha! To extrapolate on that thought...your True Self, as light or energy, traveled to Earth to be incarnated here. Once your body dies on Earth, you return to the Universal Self and can travel anywhere in the Universe. Radical.
Back to the Catastrophic Event. I do not think I have blogged about it before. But my greatest fear has always been a world-ending catastrophic event. A supervolcano or an asteriod. I also fear losing my kids, being attacked, etc. but those are things I feel that I can control somewhat through precautionary living. No one can control Mother Nature.
I fear it the most because I saw a program that said if a large enough asteroid hit, it would not just end life on Earth, but incinerate any record of our existence here. Life may never occur on Earth again. I thought that this was awful. Even if I died, I would still have my children as proof I existed. But if everyone dies, there is no trace that I, or humanity, ever existed.
Pranayama Saturday session II
I attended another Saturday session on pranayama today. I will just add things I learned in addition to the session I attended in June 2008.
We discussed the diaphragm. It would be a good idea to see a diagram of it to understand the concepts of inhaling and exhaling, and what this does to muscles and ribs as you breathe. I found one on this Web site that includes good information about diaphragmatic breathing and yoga.
Kathy also described that the effects of doing yoga packs in so much light and energy into your body that you actually become more dense. Think about drawing in the energy as you practice asana, pranayama and meditation.
Viloma Pranayama
"Three-lobed" pranayama, it is done by inhaling and exhaling in thirds, with a pause between each third of the breath. The ways of practicing this pranayama are:
This is an easy form of pranayama to do. It is good for beginners, especially those who are not in tune with their bodies. It is good for them to reflect on their breath, and find out exactly what is 1/3 of their breath.
Puraka Kumbhaka Rechaka Kumbhaka
Another basic pranayama technique focuses on four stages of breathing: Inhale, Pause, Exhale, Pause. During this pranayama, the bandhas are locked during the pause. "Cleansing" of the body and breath are done through compression (holding inhale) and suction (holding exhale).
When you are pacing your pranayama, the ratio of inhale to exhale should be even. However, it is much harder for us to hold an exhale as long. Do your best and what feels comfortable for you. Generally, pranayama can be altered to one's needs.
This is another pranayama that is easy to do reclined. A side benefit to this technique is the ability to hold OM longer, and keep the pace of your chants going without the need to inhale often.
We discussed some of the things we noted during the first two pranayama. I noticed that my sinus arrhythmia was not as strong, my heart beat seemed to even out after doing the pranayama for a while.
Another asked the question about exhaling. When doing so, there seems to be a pause, then you can exhale a little more. The question was do you wait, then exhale a little more or jsut to the first level of exhale. I noteced this as well and foudn that I can not compress my exhale as if I try to get it all out. So, I exhale to where it is a comfortable exhale to hold.
Kapalabhati Pranayama
This form of pranayama is also known as "skull-shining" or cleansing breath and the effect gives the practitioner a clean energy rising to the skull. It is done by inhaling to full, and "punching" the exhale out.
This pranayam is best done in a seated position. Kathy had us try different levels of intensity (high, medium, low) to feel how they effect us and to find one that is right for us. She also had us do it with our arms straight and elbows engaged versus arms relaxed. Kathy does this form of pranayama most often and think it provides the best benefit to her body.
Bhastrika Pranayama
The "bellows breath"--a forced, long, full inhale and forced, long, full exhale. Some who practice this type of pranayama find the eyes tingle, a light-headed sensation, and they may feel the upper lip and cheeks tingle or go numb. This pranayama we also practiced with different degrees of intensity. It is also done best in a seated position.
Nadi Shodana
Alternate nostril breathing that is a form of nerve or energy purification. The benefit of this technique is to cleanse the nadis, or nerve channels, particularly the two main channels that twist around your spine: Ida and Pingala. Since these two nadis end close to each nostil, alternate nostril breathing is found to regulate imbalances in the nadis.
To practice this technique, fold the middle and pointer fingers of your right hand. Use your right thumb to close the right nostril and inhale through the left nostril. Immediately close the left nostril with your right ring finger and little finger, and at the same time remove your thumb from the right nostril. Exhale through the right nostril. This completes a half round. With the ring and little fingers still on the left nostril, inhale through the right nostril. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and exhale through the left nostril. This completes one full round.
This pranayama (unlike others that limit the flow of oxygen) are ok for pregnant women and known to be good for hearth disease. It is best done in a seated position, and in "Shiva's pose."
We tried a form of this pranayama that is supposed to be good for people who are depressed or feeling low on energy. It is a circular breath, al inhale done through the left nostil, all exhale done through the right nostril.
We end the session today with practicing our own asana and trying different pranayama techniques in poses we though might be difficult to take full breth in. My examples are utkatasana (fierce), trikonasana (triangle), urdhva mukha svanasana (upward facing dog), salamba sarvangasana (shoulder stand), halasana (plow), urdhva dhanurasana (backbend), and paschimottanasana (seated forward bend).
We discussed the diaphragm. It would be a good idea to see a diagram of it to understand the concepts of inhaling and exhaling, and what this does to muscles and ribs as you breathe. I found one on this Web site that includes good information about diaphragmatic breathing and yoga.
Kathy also described that the effects of doing yoga packs in so much light and energy into your body that you actually become more dense. Think about drawing in the energy as you practice asana, pranayama and meditation.
Viloma Pranayama
"Three-lobed" pranayama, it is done by inhaling and exhaling in thirds, with a pause between each third of the breath. The ways of practicing this pranayama are:
- Inhale in thirds, exhale normally
- Inhale normally, exhale in thirds
- Inhale in thirds, exhale in thirds
This is an easy form of pranayama to do. It is good for beginners, especially those who are not in tune with their bodies. It is good for them to reflect on their breath, and find out exactly what is 1/3 of their breath.
Puraka Kumbhaka Rechaka Kumbhaka
Another basic pranayama technique focuses on four stages of breathing: Inhale, Pause, Exhale, Pause. During this pranayama, the bandhas are locked during the pause. "Cleansing" of the body and breath are done through compression (holding inhale) and suction (holding exhale).
When you are pacing your pranayama, the ratio of inhale to exhale should be even. However, it is much harder for us to hold an exhale as long. Do your best and what feels comfortable for you. Generally, pranayama can be altered to one's needs.
This is another pranayama that is easy to do reclined. A side benefit to this technique is the ability to hold OM longer, and keep the pace of your chants going without the need to inhale often.
We discussed some of the things we noted during the first two pranayama. I noticed that my sinus arrhythmia was not as strong, my heart beat seemed to even out after doing the pranayama for a while.
Another asked the question about exhaling. When doing so, there seems to be a pause, then you can exhale a little more. The question was do you wait, then exhale a little more or jsut to the first level of exhale. I noteced this as well and foudn that I can not compress my exhale as if I try to get it all out. So, I exhale to where it is a comfortable exhale to hold.
Kapalabhati Pranayama
This form of pranayama is also known as "skull-shining" or cleansing breath and the effect gives the practitioner a clean energy rising to the skull. It is done by inhaling to full, and "punching" the exhale out.
This pranayam is best done in a seated position. Kathy had us try different levels of intensity (high, medium, low) to feel how they effect us and to find one that is right for us. She also had us do it with our arms straight and elbows engaged versus arms relaxed. Kathy does this form of pranayama most often and think it provides the best benefit to her body.
Bhastrika Pranayama
The "bellows breath"--a forced, long, full inhale and forced, long, full exhale. Some who practice this type of pranayama find the eyes tingle, a light-headed sensation, and they may feel the upper lip and cheeks tingle or go numb. This pranayama we also practiced with different degrees of intensity. It is also done best in a seated position.
Nadi Shodana
Alternate nostril breathing that is a form of nerve or energy purification. The benefit of this technique is to cleanse the nadis, or nerve channels, particularly the two main channels that twist around your spine: Ida and Pingala. Since these two nadis end close to each nostil, alternate nostril breathing is found to regulate imbalances in the nadis.
To practice this technique, fold the middle and pointer fingers of your right hand. Use your right thumb to close the right nostril and inhale through the left nostril. Immediately close the left nostril with your right ring finger and little finger, and at the same time remove your thumb from the right nostril. Exhale through the right nostril. This completes a half round. With the ring and little fingers still on the left nostril, inhale through the right nostril. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and exhale through the left nostril. This completes one full round.
This pranayama (unlike others that limit the flow of oxygen) are ok for pregnant women and known to be good for hearth disease. It is best done in a seated position, and in "Shiva's pose."
We tried a form of this pranayama that is supposed to be good for people who are depressed or feeling low on energy. It is a circular breath, al inhale done through the left nostil, all exhale done through the right nostril.
We end the session today with practicing our own asana and trying different pranayama techniques in poses we though might be difficult to take full breth in. My examples are utkatasana (fierce), trikonasana (triangle), urdhva mukha svanasana (upward facing dog), salamba sarvangasana (shoulder stand), halasana (plow), urdhva dhanurasana (backbend), and paschimottanasana (seated forward bend).
Friday, January 9, 2009
Self-knowledge by Sivananda
Dharma Mittra's New Year's recommendations mentioned reading Sivananda's Self-Knowledge. However, it is out of print. The wonderful people at Divine Life Society have offered it for free distribution on the web site here. I sent it to Kinko's print via online. We'll see if this works!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
One of those (good) days
I was able to practice my mantra/nauli session this morning by the fire. The weather was slick, but we traveled well and on time to preschool. Julien did throw a tantrum at the store, but I felt no embarrassment. In fact, it provided much amusement for the cashier and me. My oldest was in a good mood after preschool and both boys were good while we went to another store. I spent a lot of time at home with the boys, reading and playing. The laundry was finished. I shoveled the driveway while my oldest got fresh air time outside. We built a snowman together. I had dinner made early and even baked some bread that the family said was delicious. Tonight's asana practice was in the studio and I felt very good. Savasana and closing OMs were amazing and very blissful. I connected with my mom for almost an hour.
It all felt good.
It all felt good.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Why you're not happy (WebMD article)
Found an article on WebMD today called, "Why you're not happy" that gave six common reasons for unhappiness and some ways to overcome them. I was interested to see what it had to say, and not surprised that it quoted Buddhist practitioners and recommended many philosophies we learn in yoga.
The barriers to happiness listed in the article were:
The barriers to happiness listed in the article were:
- Complexity
Solution: If you simplify your life, you create more space in your day, making it possible to reflect on your life. - A breakneck pace
Solution: Whether you call it meditation, silence, or prayer, taking a “pause” just a few minutes a day can help you “recharge your batteries” and make you feel happier. - Negativity (based on attachment)
Solution: Let go. Compulsive, negative thoughts have a quality of stickiness to them. How you see things and the way you experience the world are strongly linked, making it critical to adopt a positive outlook. Practicing gratitude can increase your positive outlook. - Despair
Solution: Find hope. One expert says there are three components essential for hope to thrive: 1) setting meaningful goals, and 2) a plan and 3) motivation to achieve them. Where hope falters, ask yourself, is it with the plan or the motivation? Also, daydream--it’s a wonderful source of hope and, therefore, happiness. - Suppressing sadness
Solution: Feel the "Real". Happiness is not the absence of sadness. Find constructive outlets for sadness and frustration to gain control. Talk to trusted friends or professionals to help convert generalized anxiety and depression into targeted feelings you can address with specific solutions. - Navel-gazing (self-absorption)
Solution: Connect with others. A social network not only provides support, but you recognize that suffering is universal. The fastest way to connect with others is by practicing compassion and caring. Compassion engages us with others, removes isolation, builds resilience, and leads to deep fulfillment.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Start today
This morning I awoke and chanted the gaiytri mantra by the fire several times. I practiced nauli and deep breathing exercises. It feels good to start the day off well.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Resolutions
I'm developing my new year's resolutions:
- Practice asana for at least 10 minutes 5 times a week
- Practice asana in studio once a week
- Write in my yoga blog at least four times a week
- Do not resort to TV to entertain kids, esp. before dinner
- Directly connect via books, games or puzzles with kids at least one hour a day
- Wash dishes by hand instead of dish washer
- Practice more random acts of kindness
- Practice nauli at least 5 times a week
- Chant Maha Gaitri Mantra three times a day (preferably morning)
- Jala neti once a day
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A New Year
Happy New Year. It has been almost 8 months since I began my teacher training. A lot has happened, a lot has been learned. So much more to learn, and even more to let go.
As inspiration here are Sri Dharma Mittra’s Recommendations for New Year 2009.
As inspiration here are Sri Dharma Mittra’s Recommendations for New Year 2009.
- Spend time Meditating. Meditation is unbroken concentration and the most effective type is self-reflection. Spend at least 15 minutes meditating every morning.
--I plan to make this a morning ritual - Get serious about your practice! One must get serious and simply attending class is not enough. Spend at least 15 minutes each morning doing Asana and focus on the main ones: Headstand, Shoulderstand, Plow, Fish and Cobra, etc.
--I think all asanas have importance, but I do agree I need to get serious about practice! - Drink lots of green juices and remember the first Yama, Ahimsa. As long as you are involved with violence, your meditation will go no-where.
--I'm not sure if the absence of green juice and violence have any kind of connection, but I will try to drink plenty of healthy fluids and practice non-harm separately - Understand the five subtle bodies or sheathes so that you can commence negating them at once.
--I will work to understand the koshas in more detail - How you begin something is of great significance. If you begin the New Year with a big mug of coffee, it sets the wrong tone for the entire year to come. Begin 2009 committed to the attainment of Self-Knowledge.
--I began 2009 with a big mug of coffee, and a healthy piece of chocolate cake. I think that sets a fabulous tone! - Outside of the three main texts, The Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Yoga Padipika, read and study Swami Sivananda’s Self-Knowledge as it contains all the answers.
--I will add it to my book wish list. I look forward to learning "all the answers". - Dedicate the fruit of all action and be nice to everyone.
--always.
OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thoughts on Isvara pranidhana
Staying with the Divine.
When we practice the yamas and niyamas as best we can, it releases us from attachment. The desires that cause chitta vritti are cleared and make a way for us to fill the space with thoughts of Isvara. Isvara is defined as God or the Divine, but also as the transcendental, Universal Self. When one dedicates his actions and devotes his thoughts to Isvara, then bhakti (adoration, a special love) flows through him and he realizes spiritual illumination. This is the goal of Isvara pranidhana.
This is a concept that may be easy to spell out in black and white, but hardest to grasp. Desikachar simply states that if you are practicing the other observances, "let it suffice that we know we have done our best...leave the rest to a higher power."
But if you find yourself wanting to do more to go with Isvara, consider Satchidananda's explanation. In his commentary of the Yoga Sutras, he says that Isvara pranidhana is not just dedication to the Divine, but to humanity. He adds humanity because it is a part of the Divine that is tangible for us. God is not sitting, waiting for offerings from us. The universe is God, our world and everything in it is God, our humanity is God. When we dedicate our lives to benefit humanity, we dedicate ourselves ultimately to the Universe.
Kathy asked us to list 100 things we do that is Yoga. If a student has already begun to establish Isvara pranidhana, she could make a list in moment by just detailing her morning activities. Everything around us is Divine. Once you begin to appreciate this, you can choose to regard "work" in a different light. Handle everything with consideration and respect and dedicate your attention to each task you perform. Focus on it, rather than multitask your mind to think of several things at once. That makes everything we do Yoga and appreciate everything as Divine.
I wrote that one act I do that is Yoga is folding laundry. I used to loathe folding laundry. It took me away from other activities that I found more pleasurable. I would fold it quickly and stuff it into a basket. Sometimes the laundry did not make it back into drawers before I started pulling things out of it to wear. Sometimes I would not even match socks and fold underwear.
Recently, I began to change my attitude toward folding laundry. I now put my attention on how I fold each piece and place it in a specific pile (IE. older son's pants, younger son's pants, my pants, husband's pants, likewise with shirts and other items). If I grab a sock, instead of throwing it back in a basket, I place it aside and wait for the match to show up as I keep folding. The act of folding is a mantra, it is Zen. I zone out of life a bit as I work like a machine to finish the task.
Once I am completely finished, I can see it all before me, neatly organized and folded. It is actually quite beautiful compared to the disarray. An organized batch of laundry is much easier to put away and socks are easy to find when I need them. I find bhakti in the discipline of finishing the task of laundry. (Now, if I can just practice Isvara pranidhana in cleaning bathrooms, I might just attain samadhi!)
When we practice the yamas and niyamas as best we can, it releases us from attachment. The desires that cause chitta vritti are cleared and make a way for us to fill the space with thoughts of Isvara. Isvara is defined as God or the Divine, but also as the transcendental, Universal Self. When one dedicates his actions and devotes his thoughts to Isvara, then bhakti (adoration, a special love) flows through him and he realizes spiritual illumination. This is the goal of Isvara pranidhana.
This is a concept that may be easy to spell out in black and white, but hardest to grasp. Desikachar simply states that if you are practicing the other observances, "let it suffice that we know we have done our best...leave the rest to a higher power."
But if you find yourself wanting to do more to go with Isvara, consider Satchidananda's explanation. In his commentary of the Yoga Sutras, he says that Isvara pranidhana is not just dedication to the Divine, but to humanity. He adds humanity because it is a part of the Divine that is tangible for us. God is not sitting, waiting for offerings from us. The universe is God, our world and everything in it is God, our humanity is God. When we dedicate our lives to benefit humanity, we dedicate ourselves ultimately to the Universe.
Kathy asked us to list 100 things we do that is Yoga. If a student has already begun to establish Isvara pranidhana, she could make a list in moment by just detailing her morning activities. Everything around us is Divine. Once you begin to appreciate this, you can choose to regard "work" in a different light. Handle everything with consideration and respect and dedicate your attention to each task you perform. Focus on it, rather than multitask your mind to think of several things at once. That makes everything we do Yoga and appreciate everything as Divine.
I wrote that one act I do that is Yoga is folding laundry. I used to loathe folding laundry. It took me away from other activities that I found more pleasurable. I would fold it quickly and stuff it into a basket. Sometimes the laundry did not make it back into drawers before I started pulling things out of it to wear. Sometimes I would not even match socks and fold underwear.
Recently, I began to change my attitude toward folding laundry. I now put my attention on how I fold each piece and place it in a specific pile (IE. older son's pants, younger son's pants, my pants, husband's pants, likewise with shirts and other items). If I grab a sock, instead of throwing it back in a basket, I place it aside and wait for the match to show up as I keep folding. The act of folding is a mantra, it is Zen. I zone out of life a bit as I work like a machine to finish the task.
Once I am completely finished, I can see it all before me, neatly organized and folded. It is actually quite beautiful compared to the disarray. An organized batch of laundry is much easier to put away and socks are easy to find when I need them. I find bhakti in the discipline of finishing the task of laundry. (Now, if I can just practice Isvara pranidhana in cleaning bathrooms, I might just attain samadhi!)
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