The Columbia City Yoga on-line Moving into Meditation class met this morning. We explored ways of developing a more sustainable relationship with energy. We practiced deep rest with calm, patience and gentleness. Our inquiry was about resting as awareness: letting go of doing by allowing being.
We drew inspiration and guidance from Oren Jay Sofer’s new book: Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices for Meeting a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love. We reflected on how energy animates our lives. How do we develop a more sustainable relationship with our energy? Can we balance our striving with mindful rest and self care?
We heard from Tricycle Magazine’s recent interview with Oren: Nurturing the Energy for Change. Oren discusses how reclaiming our right to rest is a radical act in a culture that is centered around continuous growth and productivity.
We also heard from poet David Whyte’s essay, Rest, from his collection: Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words. David writes lyrically about the “conversation between what we love to do and how we love to be.”
We were inspired by Wendell Berry’s beautiful poem, The Peace of Wild Things.
Our guided meditation was informed by the teachings and work of Kelly Boys. You can find Kelly’s guided meditations on her youtube channel.