Sat Nam! If I may ~ Here is the wonderful quote from Sevara’s Yoga weekly e-mailing ~ Blessings!
“How would you have described your Self today? Were you kind, loving, patient, compassionate, helpful, smiling? Or maybe a little on the moody side? Or maybe just an outright grump? Or maybe all the above.
It’s interesting to observe how we flow and meld into these different attributes; how one moment we can be on top of the world and grief-stricken in the next. The good stuff in us is all wonderful and we enjoy feelings of love and happiness, so why can we not just stay there?
The culprit is the reactive mind. Someone smiles at you the wrong way and suddenly you are offended. Someone uses the wrong tone in their voice and you’re offended. Somebody cuts you off on the highway and you feel offended. There are a thousand one ways we can be offended each day.
When your mind run the show it wants drama, drama, and more drama! Thus it is a self creating drama machine that literally sets you up for emotional upheaval. An undisciplined mind is like leaving a little child in a room full of cookies and candies and telling him or her to not to eat any of them. It just ain’t gonna happen. The child is weak, it sees those goodies, and wants to devour them, lost in the moment and oblivious to the spanking he or she may get later. It happens in such a quick sequence: the child sees the goodies, wants the goodies, eats the goodies, then suffers the consequences.
As adults we have a more “mature” and “refined” chain-reaction to things. We go about our day, someone says the wrong thing that pushes a button, it triggers a reaction (probably the same one we’ve used a thousand times in the past), and we in turn react with harsh words or actions. It’s still very child-like and we need to grow out of it – sooner rather than later.
Consider the alternative: living through the heart. Through the heart we have compassion that allows us to not react when others throw their stuff at us. We can see their pain or frustration that has lead them to be cruel at that moment. If two opposing people are in the reactive mind at the same time, a disaster is sure to ensue in the form of hurtful words or cruel actions. If one can remain heart-centered then there is a chance that this person can help pull the other out of their reactive mind behavior.
We must be relentless in our discrimination of the reactive mind! Do not allow it to control your life any longer! Make a commitment today to be watchful when your reactions start to bubble within you. Calm yourself before you say the harsh words by taking a moment to breathe and relax. Slowly over time with awareness you will again regain control over the mind and assert yourself as its’ master.
Blessings,
Johannes”
Thank you Johannes for these words ~ Your timing once again is remarkable with the events in my life ~ Today was an exceptionally emotional day at work for the dark cloud of uncertainly hung over our office .. not knowing if we are to return to work on Monday~
Also tomorrow I will once again spend the day with dear Mariko from Japan who is here indefinitely .. not knowing when it will be safe for her to return to her homeland ~
So your discourse, Johannes, is taken to heart in my challenge to bring me back to my center/balance .. with so many unbalancing events surrounding all our lives ~
Sat Nam and eternal blessings ~ Coralina ~
Hola Coralina…very nice of you to post the Johannes/Sevara article for all to reflect on. The reactive mind can certainly lead us to a life full of unending complications. Living heart-centered is an amazing way to live bringing so many beautiful surprises! Enabling us to see the beauty in everything or everyone. When all else fails, Johannes/Sevara’s breathing technique has really helped me overcome a stressful moment. 🙂
Coralina I hope everything works out for the best with your situation. Blessings.
Also, I don’t know quite the full story with your friend Mariko from Japan, other than the few things you’ve posted, but…if there is anything we can do to help, please let the rest of us here on DE know. I for one would be more than happy to help with any donations etc. 🙂
That is a welcome reminder, Irma, to anyone that is moved to contribute to Japan relief~ The need is very great for all the families currently living in shelters who have lost their homes, loved ones, farms, pets, everything in the tsunami ~ Many irreplaceable temples and sacred treasures were destroyed ~ Also, the earthquakes continue daily, another large 7.4 occurred last Friday ~ Mariko has shared with me in detail how terrifying the 9.0 quake felt and she said it lasted 5 minutes! ~ She is fortunate to still have her home and finanical security but it is the emotionally toll from the events in Japan that have had a overwhelming effect and tears will flow daily ~ So I feel meditations such as the enlightening words and meditations of Johannes/Sevara are especially needed at this time for all ~
My work situation, at the last hour, was resolved by the government for now and we all will report to work on Monday but the emotional toll did have an effect ~ Once again this is when Seva wisely reminds us to leave those negative thoughts in the past so we may live in clear waters in the present and future ~
I feel the blessing of starting this week with Sevara Yoga ~
Divinely ~ Coralina ~
Thank you so much for your response Coralina. My heart goes out to your friend Mariko, please let her know that we pray for her and her family, may she find strength and comfort in all who surround her physically and in spirit. Here in Austin relief efforts and donations continue, with many events, concerts, and even yoga classes offering all donations to help with Japan’s relief efforts. Even one of our local celebrities donating $1 million towards Japan. As you know, I have a very special connection to Japan myself. I lived there for 3 years and my only son was born in Japan. So my heart was heavy with dispair & sadness when I heard the news of the devastation, however, I have made a great effort to involve myself in efforts to help donations helping at events being held for this purpose. I recently made a new friend, Reiko, who is from Japan but lives in Austin. She was visiting relatives in Japan during the devastating earthquake. For many days friends here did not know whether she was safe. She did finally contact her friends here and fortunately was safe as was her family, but very, very traumatized. She managed to fly back to Austin after a few days, being moved to sponsor yoga events for relief efforts donating to the Japanese Red Cross. I will be attending her ‘Vinyassa for Japan’ next month (she’s a yoga teacher).
Although she carries with her difficult memories, she has found great strength not only in all of us, her friends, but in her yogic practice.
Please tell your friend that if it would comfort her to speak to someone that shares some of those memories, I’m certain Reiko would be more than happy to speak with her.
Coralina, I’m happy that your work situation has been resolved, and so glad that you are finding comfort in Johannes/Sevara’s discourses, friendship, and yoga class. Please don’t forget that all of us here on DE offer our compassion and prayers for you and your friend Mariko.
With love,
Irma
Your new friend experiencing the earthquake on her visit to Japan ..must have been hard for her to return to Austin knowing what her relatives back in Japan are going through ~ That is what concerns Mariko the most is what her family and the people of Japan must face currently and for the future of Japan ~ She has been with my cousin, me and family since a few days after the big quake ..and knows her family, friends, cat and home await her return ~ (I can forward your friend’s email address to Mariko if you want to write it out in a private message) ~
I remember you mentioned before on Divine Earth that you lived in Okinawa ~ One of my friends/co-workers shares stories with me of her daughter, son-in-law and two children (one born last year) who live on the U.S. army base in Okinawa so it gives me an insight into their lives there~
Yes, the Relief for Japan effort is really wonderful and Johannes and so many celebrities are making contributions that will warm the hearts of those who are struggling in Japan ~ It is good to remind everyone that every dollar is welcome and even smaller contributions DO add up!~
Thank you for sharing, Irma ~
Blessings ~ Coralina ~
Hi Coralina…I spoke to Reiko and have sent you a private message with her contact info. I think it is lovely that we will be able to help them connect. Reiko is more than happy to help.
Have a beautiful, and blissful week.
Irma