When the Dove Cries

Photo by Bob Mata.

When the dove cries
Will it be for joy or pain
When the dove cries
Will you feel the gentle rain
As His Glory falls around you
Will your life be changed.

When the Dove Cries by James Moore.

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That's not me in the photo but my friend Fritz. Still working on kapotasana and this morning... I can feel it coming. The words in James' song speak some truth with regards to one's asana practice.

When we perfect certain asanas, does it mean we have conquered ourselves and have reached some level of enlightenment? Will our lives be changed? Is practicing yoga simply mean getting the pose and flying through the vinyasas? The shastras warn the sadhaka about the rollercoaster ride that he/she will experience in the course of his/her practice. Until the sadhaka learns detachment, he/she will surely experience doubt, impatience, and boredom.

Patanjali said the keys are abhyasa and vairagya... practice and non-attachment. In Zen, it means always maintaining a beginner's mind. There's nothing wrong with having a goal or aspiration. It's getting attached to it that brings suffering.

Let us be reminded of Guruji's eternal words, "practice, practice, practice... all is coming!".

Om shanti, shanti, shanti.

French Toast & Earth Hour

INGREDIENTS
4 slices of whole wheat multi-grain bread
2 eggs
1 cup non-fat milk
1/2 tsp salt (or less)
butter or oil

Mix eggs, milk and salt. Dip both sides of bread, one piece at a time. Cook each side for 40-60 seconds over low heat. No need to use butter or oil if using a non-stick pan, although you would want butter on your french toast, who doesn't?

Toppings: banana, toffee butter pecan, cinnamon, brown sugar/caramel syrup.

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EARTH HOUR 2009

New Look

Check out the new Yoga Manila website at www.yogamanila.com.

Sinigang

Filipino Sour Soup with vegetarian (fake) tuna.

Carrot, Apple and Ginger Soup with Cheese Crisp

Shared by M. Click here for the recipe. Looks really delicious.

I just learned that I shouldn't be adding photos actually which are posted by other people. Read here for details. I'll change it with my own photo soon. Hope the owner doesn't mind. It's a personal blog anyway and I've properly documented the site where it came from, including the recipe.

Om shanti, shanti, shanti.