Practice with giving…

25_dkc6nn

https://igg.me/p/a-new-hanuman-temple-at-the-taos-ashram/x/11058908 – HELP BUILD A NEW TEMPLE AT THE TAOS, NEW MEXICO ASHRAM TODAY

There is nothing more beautiful than discovering this place inside that is “giving,” even if both feet aren’t totally walking yet. This ashram is a powerful place that literally DOES gracefully infect even the biggest of skeptics to the power of deities and their symbology, uses for today, importance of ritual – sacred – initiations and milestones we all face through life which can make us feel separate when indeed… we even unite from a lack of uniqueness in suffering. What any of it has to do with you or me, cannot be explained, no matter how much I once wished it. This is what is meant by experienced based practice. A direct participation for each of us as part of this life, individually and collectively, as humans. The Hanuman Temple in Taos, NM is not trying to collect anyone – they exist, literally, as a home for love and devotion – so perhaps this new temple they are trying to build should be looked at as a brave first step for seekers to give to something that is not their typical way to give because in truth, this giving is a giving to the undiscovered self. That self which has no thought to being sure, to who or what deserves money, to the judgment of weirdos who worship statues, for what you will get in return. It just gives what it can. $5, $10, $50 or more. Part of the practice of giving is what it can unfold in us when we give that which we are attached to (including the mind finding logical sense to okay it), and that which we need for survival, and that which we do not. So I am giving tonight. I am not giving so I have no money to eat, yet I am giving just past what this mind reports as “the limit,” that which shows me that a potential lives and breaths in me that like most things in life, may never be fully explained. Because I know that most of us walk around unable to explain how an arm lifts or if love is a biochemical and neurological reaction or an energy from beyond the beyond – yet we keep lifting our arms and loving. So perhaps, not everything has to make logical sense, and in fact, when it doesn’t, you may just be a Yogi. Please give what you can to the new Hanuman Temple today. with loving grace, Katrina

referenced links from Podcast, Ep. 30!

The man quoted on “Role of Man” from Zooming in the Lens Podcast episode #30 is Mr. Robert Bly! He is an incredible poet, speaker, storyteller, mythologist, and philosopher that effected change for men in many ways with talks like the one below. I am happy to introduce him to some, and reconnect his wisdom, for others. Michael Meade is a renowned storyteller, author, and scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology. He combines hypnotic storytelling, street-savvy perceptiveness, and spellbinding interpretations of ancient myths with a deep knowledge of cross-cultural rituals. For more info on Michael Meade – MM. Very thankful these two men got together and graced us with such important interpretations and to me, directions for how to help ourselves and the culture.

The below video is 1 of 6 videos and all are available on youtube – we are VERY lucky this is the case. Part 2 was referenced as well. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy!

On Being A Man Pt.1-6 (1989) Robert Bly Michael Meade – YouTube Video –  9:03
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLSKMFb88dw

On Being A Man Pt. 2-6 (1989) Robert Bly and Michael Meade-YouTube Video – 10:58  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcJqMuzsmw8

Ep. 30 – “Role of Man”

village elder, initiation from boy to man

village elder, initiation from boy to man

Do we truly see men today? Do men today see themselves? Are man in THIER truth, or is the pull too strong to be sociates man, informing what they should and shouldn’t be? The village mentality for the most part has slipped away in our culture and was replaced with an experience in isolation since the industrial revolution took elder men from the home to work (or nearby). Without these seen and unseen male initiations at the forefront, what is rising a boy to become a man? It may be youtube and corporations raising men today. Related or not, do men today cultivate and pass on the conscious male relationship? The work of Robert Bly claims that men in our culture suffer from this lack, by unconsciously carrying and passing on a “deep shock.” In episode 30, hear from two men (Tommy Stewart and Adam Elzarou) who join Katrina to ponder how men today are supposed to learn to be men. Is today’s man thriving or struggleing from lack of village elders? “Something has to die to be born and what will have to die is the boy.”

Intro voice is the late Mr. Robert Bly – To hear the lecture referenced in this episode go to https://functionalyogaonline.com///blog/ / Music and editing by Ian Hatton – www.ianhatton.com

Connect with us! subscribe on Itunes – Bit.ly/ZITLPodcast / Functionalyogaonline.com  / https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalYoga / https://instagram.com/functionalyogaonline/  /   soundcloud.com/functionalyogaonline / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-A0_gpubDXxgWtsGk6nstQ

Connection of differences for self-practice in relationship. By Katrina Chester

“Internal compass” Connection of differences for self-practice in relationship. By Katrina Chester

In relationships, arguments and disagreements may seem completely unlike or related, to other experiences in the past. Arguments in romantic love, family, and friendships, even strangers.

When you investigate thoughts, fueled by beliefs (known and unknown) patterns are revealed – connecting dots we thought were “different.” This connection of differences lay down some breadcrumbs back home, to truth. I have felt this almost like an internal compass. I have witnessed, as a friend and teacher, how this has helped many others facing difficult choices and life events. Decisions like whether to stay or leave a relationship.

 

“I have seen it time and time again at the bedside of so many – you die as you live.”

Functional Yoga-home for the functioning spiritualist shared a page.
July 30 at 8:07pm ·

I have done a lot in my years on this earth. I have done things that may even blow some people’s minds, who knows. But to prepare for this weekend with him, I am clear I would need another 46 years just to TOUCH a worthy description as eloquent as Stephen Jenkinson and his wisdom of language, executed with tongue and heart. In other words – HOLY SHIT. If you are looking for feel-good, self-help, anti-aging positive thinking…DO NOT CLINK on this link. His work is not depressing by any means but it is dramatically real. And “real” is not a prescription our culture runs to fill, myself included. Yet the one thing we all can’t deny, all have in common, no matter what cool city/state we’re from or how many friends we have on Facebook…we are all going to die and none of us know the exact time or day. When you speak about this topic, what usually comes next is a sign of a disease this “real” RX serves best although uncomfortably – I HAVE LIVED MY WHOLE LIFE IN A DEATH PHOBIC CULTURE. How about you? I may not be skilled enough to battle you exclaiming you don’t, but Stephen Jenkinson can. Few quotes from last two days I will share with ya. “The truth of you’re dying is not in the future, it’s now. It will not become truer than now, or even as you labor under the illusion it’s coming” “…engage the god of endings and limits or endings and limits become demons…” “The prerequisite for loving life is that it’s working out for you.” ”the problem of an addicted-to-death phobic culture is in the language we use about it, or don’t.” “we’ve all lost keys and wallets, can we really use that same language about someone we love?” “What role models, elder or young, do you have as a mirror for a different way to understand death and dying?” “I have seen it time and time again at the bedside of so many – you die as you live.” “How do we think we can learn to live from death (something that happens to each and every one of us) when the culture we live in, for the most part, pushes away, denies, rejects, adds hope, says to fight, reports you have a long way to go when clearly no one knows, when the people you count on and love don’t look at you and tell you the truth to protect you, in a culture that promotes you should have no limits for what you want and worship power and control…” – It’s okay not to dig this post, no one really knows anything, but should these understandings of his intrigue you at all, check out Stephen: https://www.facebook.com/orphanwisdom

In silence now taking in all that was delivered to us and I know some of you on here asked for some notes as soon as I was back. I deliver these to them. I can tell you one thing…from engaging in this topic I love life more, not less from of talking about death and dying. xxx

Wisdom of Einstein meets Wisdom of Frog

Our most recent episode of the Imprecise Storytelling series dives into the questioning mind of an 11 year old… Frog doesn’t hold back any punches and is completely honest and open with what’s going on; his friends, his school life, and in his mind. We went in with some Einstein wisdoms (seen below) and came out with some Frog wisdoms. It was a beautiful experience to sit with a young “don’t know” mind. Please join us in the conversation!

Subscribe and listen here: Bit.ly/ZITLPodcast or FunctionalYogaOnline.com/PODCAST

Screen Shot 2016-07-28 at 12.17.33 PM

Imprecise storytelling – “kids say the most ****** ** things” w/ Frog 11-yrs old

WARNING: Have you SPOKEN to an 11-year old boy in 2016? If not, you may want to skip the first 20 minutes! Our guest is 11-yr old “FROG” again, who first assumes the role of shock-jock, dropping bombs on sex, suicide, porn and some curse words (trust me, his parents are taking care of it!) Nevertheless, things HAVE changed since we wereimprecise storytelling kids! This is our version of “Kids say the most ****** ** things!”
Frog has great parents but does struggle with labels like ADHD and behavioral issues. Just as we picked our jaw off the floor, this wise and curious, existential FROG appeared…grab your sense of humor and a notepad as this 11-year old, explains “how life is a mystery – God gives us a choice at the end of life to be a ghost or reincarnate (did you know being a ghost is an actual JOB?) He ponders death, mediums – “coincidence or connected?” How “God is in EVERYTHING,” and “what if Jesus isn’t God’s son but just a really nice guy in a long white robe?” He shares how ”Life is a game and death is an amazing thing, I can’t wait to see everybody”… okay, enough teasers ya’ll. Get off social media right now and step into the curious mind of the philosopher, FROG.

Music and editing by Ian Hatton – www.IanHatton.com / Support Zooming in the Lens Podcast now by listening, subscribing and SHARING with friends on your wall – Bit.ly/ZITLPodcast

Functionalyogaonline.com  / https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalYoga / https://instagram.com/functionalyogaonline  /   soundcloud.com/functionalyogaonline / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-A0_gpubDXxgWtsGk6nstQ

Imprecise storytelling – “God might have ADHD” by Frog Pellegrino (11-yrs old)

Get ready to hear parenting advice from an 11-year old – Donovan “Frog” Pellegrino is his name! Frog was labeled early on with ADHD and behavioral issues. imprecise storytellingWe are all aware there is no handbook for parenting. Even if there were, I wouldn’t follow it. We each express differently  in life, with and without diagnosed issues. Each physiological model can show us what it’s “like” to have these labels but we may also feel separeted from others. Perhaps if we look at diagnosis from the lens of “what it’s like” and not “what it IS,” we can create some space for parents to guide each child & not the statistic. Most of the accountings frog will share are not totally accurate (lol) – he has very loving parents – but this opportunity to practice was a gift to us. It was remarkable to witness a child who is given the opportunity to feel seen and heard. We learned a lot and are recording another one too! Questions for Frog? Send them ASAP to Zitlcourse@gmail.com ! Thank you frogs mom, and to frog for allowing this recording to take place. 

Bit.ly/ZITLPodcast / Functionalyogaonline.com  / https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalYoga / https://instagram.com/functionalyogaonline/  /   soundcloud.com/functionalyogaonline / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-A0_gpubDXxgWtsGk6nstQ

 

 

Imprecise storytelling series – Fear 6/28/16

 

Impromptu on FEAR  Presented by ZITL podcast with Olivia May (me) and my teacher, Katrina Chester. Imprecise storytelling is a metaphor – we all think we know who we are. And then we share “who we are” with those around us. But what if we are more? or Less? what if beliefs cloud “what is” – what if they stop the curiosity to explore? just imagine, if in doing that, we are our own imprecise storytellers……I’ll take off my judgement hat if you take of yours.