Well I’ve just finished a book that I’ve been wanting to read for a long time, The serpent rising: a journey of spiritual seduction by Mary Garden. The book was originally published as a work of fiction under a pen name in 1988. However, in 2003 a revised autobiographical version with an updated epilogue was released.
Mary’s story is quite extreme, and her naivety is shocking, but the power of the transcendent experience is laid bare in her very candid account of seven years in India, under the thrall of various gurus and godmen. (more…)
Tuesday – Coming out of the bubble
Well yesterday afternoon went well but I hardly slept last night, three hours at the most. Believe it or not, I feel over stimulated by meditation which is a bit crazy considering there has been so little external stimulus and the objective has been to achieve a calm and peaceful state. But I’m at the point where I just feel like I want to keep meditating because my mind is primed for it, if that makes sense?
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I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s YogaFest in Brisbane. Last year I had a very enjoyable day trying different styles of yoga, listening to lectures on alternative health and just lying in the sun drinking chai, my idea of a perfect day. I’m planning on trying as many classes as possible this year, so I’ll be getting there early with my mat and $30.00 entry fee.
This is a really good value day if you’re into yoga or would like to get into yoga. Come with a friend and do as little or as much as you would like. This year there are 3 studios running concurrently so there’s plenty to choose from – 23 sessions in fact. A number of schools have information stands so you can chat to practitioners and find out all about their particular brand of yoga. There’s food, yoga stuff for sale, a chai tent with live music and a good vibe.
If you want to do one of the 9:00 sessions I recommend getting there at 8:30 because it might take a few minutes to register and find out where to go.
Facts
Where: The Old Museum building cnr Gregory Tce and Bowen Bridge Rd, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
When: Sunday 7 June, 8:30 - 6:00
How much: $30 [includes entry to all classes and workshops]
Website: http://www.yogafest.com.au/YogaFest/Welcome.html
Monday – Expanding consciousness
Slept well and the morning meditations were better. I’m making a real effort to relax into the ‘outside’ beyond the confines of the physical body. The Instructor read some poems by Lalla, the 14th century Kashmiri saint and mystic, and something struck me about getting outside your mind. So I’ve been trying to do this and expand away from the confines of thoughts.
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Sunday – Struggle
Woke up really out of sorts today. Got angry at my friend for ‘stealing’ the last piece of toast from me at breakfast… Wooooaahh very irrational … I’m cranky and irritable and increasingly annoyed by the actions of others, hogging food is my particular irritant… oh boy not good… But this is what meditation is all about right? To illuminate what is really going on, or not going on, in your mind, and to realise how out of control it is? There was no escape I just had to sit with it.
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