How did you meet your mate?
A note about relationships
Today I want to challenge you to think about how you met your life partner. Or, perhaps you’re in your second marriage or relationship. What brought you together? We can often gain a different perspective by looking at how different cultures treat these same topics. For example:
The Hindu system has four stages in life: The second stage might peak your curiosity. It is called Grhastha. It is about bringing together your knowledge and strength with the knowledge and strength of someone you love. As a couple, you should come together not because of beauty. Beauty will fade. The real beauty is inside--in your character, your noble ideas, your aim in life. Together, you become a stronger force. Together, you have more tools available in your life journey.
The Grhastha stage is filled by Vānaprastha, where the couple has finished their worldly responsibilities and become totally immersed in spiritual pursuits. They take vacations or pilgrimages together. They pursue ways to help other people or other causes. They find more time to read and study history or art.
This is a very condensed lesson that comes from Book Two----Sādhana Pāda, of the Yoga Sutras. The version that I am writing was translated and commented on by Sri Swami Satchidananda.
The ideas that come from this cherished study are very concentrated and terse. Each idea is there to help us forget our personal selfishness and broaden our minds more and more. As Master Swami Sivanandaji used to say, “Just be good and do good”. Let us check our progress and see that we grow a little better. Every day should elevate us a little, broaden our attitudes, reduce our selfishness, and make us better masters over our own body, senses and mind. This is the kind of Yoga that will really help us!
Bill and I have changed our journey in a very satisfying way. It all started when my family rented a B&B in Fredericksburg for a concert Debra and I sang at in the downtown Marketplatz. There was so much joy in spending time together. We recognized that we are not getting any younger. How many years of mobility and health will we be blessed with? It led Bill and I to decide to invest in somewhere we can all come together more than just once a year.
With the stock market in a downturn, it seemed like the ideal time to invest in real estate. I’m happy to report that we are the proud owners of a fully furnished, fully operational B&B in downtown Fredericksburg.
Our first rental is September 1st! For this reason, you may see a few cancellations here and there as we feverishly renovate and repair all the electrical and AC issues. It brings us such joy to prepare a place for others to make their pilgrimage or to simply enjoy time together in a sweet surrounding. More details to come.
Towards the end of August, I will also be investing in my personal yoga education. Many of you have heard me speak of Linda Lack, who has a PhD in Yoga Therapy AND Movement Therapy. She sparks my life force. She motivates me to do better, to learn more, and to inspire my students (all of YOU!). I’ll be away at training August 24-30th in Los Angeles, CA. Come September 1st, prepare to be excited about your yoga practice with new moves and deeper understanding.
And finally, congratulations to my sister-in-law’s new grandbaby, Emma. She’s having a bit of a hard time right now so I ask you to keep Emma and her mom in your prayers.
Now for this week’s rocking yoga schedule:
CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE! AUGUST 15, 2022
MONDAY makes me smile
8 am Welcome Carol!
9:15 a.m. Welcome Judy and Andy!
10:30 a.m. Welcome Christine!
12 p.m. Delicious Deep Stretch
1:30 p.m. OPEN!!
3:00 p.m. Welcome Kendall!
TUESDAY totally rocks
9 a.m. Welcome Christina!
10:30 a.m. Brookdale Assisted Living
12 noon Perfect Posture Yoga
1:30 p.m. OPEN
4:30 p.m. Welcome Susan and Paula!
5:45 p.m. Welcome Christopher and Michelle!
WEDNESDAY wiggles
8 a.m. Open for privates
9:15 a.m. Open for privates
10:30 a.m. Open for Privates
12 noon Delicious Deep Stretch
1:45 p.m. Welcome Jenny!
3:15 p.m. Welcome Susan J.!
4:30 p.m. Welcome Carol and Chris!
THURSDAY thrives
9 a.m. Welcome Christina!
10:30 am Welcome Belmont! (via video)
FRIDAY freedom
8:30 a.m. Welcome Paula and Susan!
9:45 a.m. Perfect Posture Yoga