"The Yoga tradition invies us to train our mind to see this human dichotomy as an essential play of life, and to understand the temporary nature of things. " Kia Miller The dichotomies of life: pain - pleasure, war - peace, win - lost, and the list goes on. Early in recovery, or should I say, most of my life, my focus was on avoiding pain, conflict, disagreement, etc. Yet many times I would hear myself say: "I learn from my mistakes." I have obviously made this state

"Oh Human Beings, Wake up! Get up! Gather the fire within you. Ignite the fire upon which everything else will come to life. Wake up, live like an alive person. Do not live like a dead person, but a truly light person. Gather strength and light that can put you on the path. Be light yourself. Be light to others." Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PHD After reading this, I had to stop and examine the fire within. At 8 below zero, this was a challenge. Howeve

“I didn’t realize I was so limited until I wasn’t anymore,” I said to a friend on the night I came home from surgery. I walked upright, and felt the relief of the hernia repair already, although I was numb with pain medication from the procedure that morning. It felt easy, and effortless, in fact, I had a really good time. My surgeon is very competent, kind, and good-looking too. Oh yes, he’s also French! It took about three days for the residual pain to kick in, and for m

....when you are connected to your own truth, there is often less of a need to say anything at all. Kia Miller For a guy who really likes to talk, Kia Miller rocks me to my roots, literally. I have to reflect on my roots, my core beliefs, my dharma code/purpose in life. These are the source of my own truth. Now I ask myself just how connected I am to my own truth. How do I connect to my own truth? The Spirituality of the 12 steps is a powerful guide to my core beli

Liz Gilbert used this word in the last scene in her book, Eat, Pray, Love and it captivated me. Attraversiamo in Italian means “let’s cross over.” It’s deliberate, inviting and beautiful. And, it describes what my life feels like these days. I’ve been waiting for a chance to use it myself, and last night, I woke up with Attraversiamo floating in my head. No surprise, because I spent most of the night with my nephew Matt enjoying a great movie, dinner, and a glorious half-mo

Follow your heart. If I had a dime for every time someone told me to do that; in a conversation, on an inspirational card or in a sappy love song, I would be rich. But then again, I am rich, and it has nothing to do with money. It's a lovely and catchy phrase, but it was lacking in substance and instruction. Until I understood it as an invitation, and not a prescription. Before I could follow my heart, I had to understand what the "heart" was. And the metaphor of a pulsating

“Slow down, you move too fast. Got to make the mornin last……. Lookin for fun and feeling groovy.” Simon and Garfunkel So! Now you have a notion that I’m old enough to have heard the original version of this song. Yup! I did. I don’t remember the year but I do remember the delight I felt, and continue to feel when I hear this song. It is a great reminder of the simple joys in life when I release the burdens that I am not meant to carry. This also means I have a choi

As Once the Winged Energy of Delight As once the winged energy of delight carried you over childhood’s dark abysses, now beyond your own life build the great arch of unimagined bridges. Wonders happen if we can succeed in passing through the harshest danger; but only in a bright and purely granted achievement can we realize the wonder. To work with Things in the indescribable relationship is not too hard for us; the pattern grows more intricate and subtle, and

“All you need is the willingness to make a beginning, “ Meditations from the Mat, by Rolf Gates Mr. Gates makes things sound awfully easy. I just need the willingness to make a beginning. Yet as I reflect on my recovery, this sounds very much like Step 3 of the 12 steps of AA: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God. I have to make a decision to become willing to act. I make an act of “willingness”. This action i

"Temptation is an opportunity to make a choice." Bruce Very recently I was criticized by a close family member for an action I had taken. For several hours over two days my mind whirled with anger and resentment. I filled my mind with arguments and challenges with that person. These thoughts progressed to images of a physical altercation in which, of course, I won the fight. I blamed him for my upset stomach. All of this was taking place in my mind. I invested ho