Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment.  Only this moment is life.
– Thich Nhat Hanh

Day 262 – Today, Rolf instructs us that our breath should be like the energy we put forth in asana practice:  “steady and relaxed, calm and deliberate,” which brings us an “evenness of vision.”  Indeed, this quality in all of life brings us opportunities to learn, to see anew, to wonder, and to grow and to love.

I began my morning with the washing dishes, slowly and methodically, steady and relaxed, calme and deliberate, listening to a podcast on mindfulness with a social psychology professor from Harvard, Dr. Ellen Langer, who promises us that mindfulness is not a practice.  This is totally a different way of thinking than I have considered since I have set a course to become more mindful, truly more mindful, working my yoga off the mat.  As I wend merrily through the time spent in various “yoga” practices to start my day and build mindfulness, I have learned many things; some of which, Dr. Langer asserts are all, such as mindset.

My question has always been:  How does one change mindset?  And then there are:  How does one become more passionate?  How does one cultivate mindfulness?  Which should I devote my time to–yoga or meditation?  Is meditation the same as pranayama, or should I have a practice for that to?  When will I know that the internal work is manifesting itself outwardly?  Does meditation truly alter your health?  Is there an answer, or is this more of a process, a journey?

Today, Rolf writes that the “early training we receive…to meet each posture with the same intention, each breath with the same intention,” the better.  He writes:  “We will come to see neither good nor bad people, neither good nor bad creatures, only brothers and sisters.”  My meditation today with was Thich Naht Hahn, who recited a Buddhist prayer for peace.  And so, I will continue to strive.  Let my heart’s garden bloom flowers of peace.