Sometimes we forget. Of course we do! We forget we are human.
What? Yes. And we forget that we are also filled with spirit.

And? Well, sometimes this makes the journey hard.
Why? Because as a human, we crave form, the seen/known and we have physical needs. And because as spirit, we crave essence, the formless, the unseen/unknown. Sounds like a paradox. It is! And that is how we grow.

So, why does re-membering this matter? 
For starters, let's recall that buddha taught us how to deal with suffering. Buddha did not teach about how to be enlightened. In my experience, re-membering (get it?) helps me navigate suffering with more ease. With ease comes greater awareness that inner peace comes from my ability to balance my human needs and my spiritual needs. With this awareness and balance a sense of freedom (from suffering) returns.

The truth is, freedom is always available to us because it's a mindset. Yes, freedom is even available when we are not feeling rooted/stable/balanced (which for is a a form of suffering).
How is freedom available? By changing mindset to see the instability as teaching us how to let go... When we are attached, we are not free. Period.

So, re-membering I am human and spirit helps me exhale when things are challenging. When I re-member, I am able to have compassion for my humanity/physicality/doing-ness and also reverence for my divinity/spirituality/being-ness. A magical paradoxical dance otherwise known as the art of awakening. As with art, sometimes it's highly emotional and provocative. It's chaotic, crazy, beautiful and messy all at once. 

Take a moment and absorb this. Allow the wisdom which comes to inform your doing, your being...YOU. It's all one energy.
Namaste,
Stephanie

Yoga is a tool. Like a hammer, yoga offer us the opportunity, if we are willing to see it as such, to help us build something.  
And yet, how often do we judge the experience? Maybe we show up on the mat, or make excuses as to why we "can't", and then judge yoga itself. That's like judging the hammer. It makes no sense. Or maybe some people think of yoga as "bad" and in conflict with some type of "religious" life.  Hmmm...yoga is a tool. Maybe "church" is also a tool?

So, if we aren't paying attention, if we aren't present, we may hammer our finger or pull a ligament. We get "hurt". We blame the hammer or yoga.

Maybe the truth is that when we aren't present as we do yoga, hammer the nail, live our life...it isn't the yoga, the hammer or life that's the "problem". Perhaps it's us? Meaning, we have not yet trained our mind "well enough" so it endlessly attaches judgment (good and bad) to everything. There is another way to live that requires a willingness to change our beliefs and the way we "see".

Yoga is a tool. Whether our practice is strong and sweaty or gentle and sweet, isn't the point. When we embrace yoga as a tool, we become present to the wisdom it gives us. Wisdom is a form of help, yes?

Take a moment to consider how your yoga/hammer/life practice supports you.
Is there anything you must you change in your mind to allow the practice to help you build the life you want? Maybe you want more love, peace, laughter, friends, money...more of that feeling of being alive...
Yes, MORE! Nothing wrong with wanting more. There's that judgment again :)
Namaste friends,
Stephanie

Chakra Meditation with Stephanie Filardi
Thursday, April 26, 2018, 6:30PM

In this 45 minute gathering, Stephanie from Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary will lead the group on a meditative journey through the chakras.  Chakra balancing herbal tea will be served. 

Time: 6:30PM
Location: Found Herbal Apothecary | 118 Kraft Ave. Bronxville, NY
Cost: $20 per person
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Pre-registration required, spots are limited.
Email jessica@foundherbal.com to register.
Bring Yoga Mat.