Integrating InSights
Being
still ... creates space for inspiration
December 2009
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Settling back into life after
recovering from a nasty respiratory virus, 9 days of
intense yoga therapy training and a wonderful,  relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. The
training was spectacular - I learned so much on so many
layers. The easiest way for me to share is through these
video journal entries and poem:
Since then, my
head's been spinning with ideas on what to do with all
that I have learned! "Maybe a retreat ... maybe a 8 week
series?" For a change, rather than act, I am choosing to
sit in order to digest, percolate and hopefully, discern
what it truly best for me going forward.
Talk
about uncomfortable! And yet the results thus far have
been quite different than what I've experienced in the
past ... simple answers that address many needs are
emerging. I share more
about this process of sitting in my article
below.
As always, I have opportunities
for you to learn some of
the tools and from some of the people who have made a
difference in my life ... both personally and
professionally. This month's events are all about
inspiration and clearing out the old. Make sure to check
out this month's "At
Your Convenience", my way of sharing books, video
and articles that shake my foundations ... through
laughter, inspiration or knowledge.
Sincerely,  | | | |
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 A
Meditation on Discernment
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The following is a poem that I wrote during my
recent Phoenix Rising Yoga teacher training. It describes what
is revealed to me as I choose to sit. I hope it inspires you
to find some stillness in your life!
Becoming a
connoisseur of my own experience, uncovering flavors, nuances,
subtleties, textures, qualities ... always present, rarely
explored ... invisible when I am caught up in doing.
Rich, full-bodied palate ... revealed through deep
being.
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Opportunities
to Be Inspired
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Annual California
Lutheran University Choral Concert - Dec 5 8:00 pm & Dec 6
4:00pm PST: This free concert has become an annual
tradition for me and my husband. The CLU Choir sings complex
rhythms with such an incredibly pure tone that the music fills
your cells. Anyone with a musical background knows how hard
that is for a singer, let alone 40 of them, to do! If you love
music, this is a must.  Holiday
Gratitude Free Teleseminar Series -
MaestroConference has arranged yet another stellar line-up of
speakers! Last night's call was with Deepak Chopra, and next
week will be with Marci Shimoff. Take it from me, this is not
your run-of-the-mill teleseminar. You will have a chance
to answer questions, to ask questions, to raise your hand to
share your experience and to have conversations in small
break-out groups. It is like attending a seminar in
person. Click here
to register.Alexi's
Gratitude Challenge - According to Abraham-Hicks, the
energy of gratitude and love resonate at the highest
vibration. My life purpose coach, Alexi Sebasttien, invited my
group to take on a challenge with her ... to post one
gratitude per day on Facebook or Twitter or YouTube ... from
now until the end of the year. This will support you in
clearing out stagnant energy, so that you will be open to
seeing new possibilities in the new year. Join me as I take on
this challenge. Friend me
on Facebook to see what I've posted thus far
... Crystal Bowl Healing, Dec 13
2:00-3:30pm PST - My good friend, Richard, brings a
piece of his collection of crystal bowls to True Yoga in
Westlake Village and creates a concert of healing sounds and
vibration tailored to those people who attend. Usually, he
does this on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month, but due
to the holidays, this will be the last group healing session
for the 2009. All you do is lie on a yoga mat and allow
yourself to be filled by the sounds. A  wonderful
meditative, healing experience! There is a fee for this
program. For
details and directions, click here.Meenal's 3rd Annual Guided
Forgiveness Meditation, Jan 3, 5:00-6:00pm PST - I
can't believe that this will be the third time I am offering
this event. For the past two years, between 60-70 people
attended! And I am hoping for a larger turnout, so
please share this with your friends. The event is free,
hosted by the Camarillo United Methodist Church ... chairs are
provided, but bring a yoga mat or blanket if you prefer to be
on the floor. For more
details and to register, click
here. |
| Emptiness
Vs Spaciousness - The Difference is Simply a Matter of
Perspective |
I just realized that my theme for this year has
been "Out with the Old" ... old habits, old perspectives, old
office, old clothes, old health issues (thankfully this
excavation did not include my husband of 21 years and 10 year
old dog!) So much shedding in such a short period of
time! Certainly not covered in my New Year's resolution for
2009!
I felt so overextended, so thinly spread
over everything that I needed  to draw
back in, burrow down and rest. I found myself in a holding
pattern ... mostly due to circumstances of repeated business
trips, repeated respiratory infections that would knock me out
for weeks, mentoring responsibilities that threaten to
inundate me. And yet in the past three weeks, something has
changed. I am fully recovered, in town for a while, brimming
with ideas, feeling like I am back to my usual self, and ...
choosing to sit. Choosing to create my life differently than I
have done before.
You see, I've realized that my
resolution was Spaciousness. And yet, every time I would clear
something off my plate, I would immediately replace it with
something new. Often for no other reason than I was scared of
Emptiness. And yet another theme of mine for this past year
was "Mental & Physical Burnout" ... not just once, but a
total of four
times! Last month's illness was the last straw: "I am
throwing away that cycle!"
In choosing to sit, I
am challenging that old habit of mine and boy is it
uncomfortable! Almost painful at times! I can feel the itch to
act ... the squirm to do ... the on-going negotiation within
my head "just one little thing" ... and yet I am choosing to
sit. I am choosing to take time away from my addiction of
choice - the computer - and have started a series of
self-healing meditative practices from the yoga and qi gong
traditions. I am reviewing my business to determine what
absolutely needs to be done and I am seeking support to
complete those business "musts" that don't require my active
involvement. Amazingly, Emptiness is beginning to transform
into Spaciousness. Simply because I am slowing
down.
In asking for Spaciousness, I had to
confront Emptiness first. In living life with just two speeds
-- High Speed and Off - I see now that I was forced to
evaluate everything on the run, solely based on first
impressions. No wonder I mistook Spaciousness for
Emptiness. Because they really are the same thing,
aren't they? The difference is simply my perception and my
experience of them. 
In Spaciousness, I am
experiencing a richness of experience, a clarity  of thought, the luxury
to call and talk (or gasp, make lunch plans) with friends, to
choose what I am inspired to do today (being mindful of
deadlines). In the long run, I will have created the cellular
memory of Slow and Medium and Inspiration, so that I can
finally replace that infernal, internal On-Off switch with one
that has a range of settings. I am excited to start
playing with this new range ... to take a look at what's ahead
and dial up or dial down as appropriate. After all, Life does have different
rhythms ... why can't I? It is all in my
perspective!
Are
you ready to join me in experiencing Spaciousness?
Commit to the Gratitude
Challenge. But rather than take the first thing that comes
to mind, sit for a minute. Breathe deeply and ask
yourself the question "What am I most grateful for today?"
Pause and let the answer come from deep within you. You'll be
able to recognize it because there is often a sensation of
softening, or warmth or relaxing that accompanies it. Prepare
to be surprised by how simple and yet personally meaningful
the answer may be!
WANT TO USE THIS
ARTICLE? You can, as long as you include this complete tag
with it: Mind-Body-Spirit Educator, Meenal Kelkar, publishes
the Integrative InSights on-line newsletter. If you're ready
for simple tools that will empower you to transform your
stress into peace, go to www.integrative-insight.com.
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| Quotable
Quotes |
Deepak Chopra ~ In
the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
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Just
For You ... At Your Convenience
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This section usually contains a collection of
articles, videos and books that made me get out  of my
usual train of thought ... either through an emotion, by
learning something or making me think or laugh.
Enjoy! A gift from me to you for the holidays ... the space
where Improv and Tai Chi meet is Poo Chi! Prepare to
laugh! | |
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