knowing & knowledge

knowledge is what we learn in school. it's useful and good. it's facts and opinions, causes and effects, formulas and literature. it's mathematical and scientific, it's linguistic and societal. it's who won the oscar for best actress in 1994. it's where you grew up, who your closest living relatives are, what church you went to as a kid. it's the color of your skin, and the natural color of your hair. it's chemistry, quantum physics and neurobiological rhythms beyond imagination. yes, knowledge is power. but knowledge is also in a book.

knowing, conversely, is what we learn from experience. by doing. feeling. living. knowing is wisdom in action. it is your first downward dog of the day. it is applying lessons learned first-hand to future choices and activities. it's poetic and simple. it's common sense and esoteric. it is breathing, beating, every second of every day and night. knowing is moving through days with intuition more than fear, openness more than barriers. knowing is trusting in your own divine power as well as the divine nature of the universe. knowing is dropping the ego, dropping competition, possessions, obsessions, just being.

further, knowing the difference between knowledge and knowing is... enlightenment.

the gospel of equality

If Obama doesn't win, I am going to be really crushed and would even consider moving abroad indefinitely. His whole being speaks of inspiration to change, to act, and the importance of bridging the gaps between us and coming together as a nation for the good of all. In Buddhist terms, equality means that all beings are free from suffering. That all have peace, happiness, safety and freedom. The first thing we can do is meditate on freedom from suffering for all sentient beings. Next, live intentionally with peace, happiness, humility and compassion... whatever that means for you in your life.

According to Stephen Colbert, "Everyone knows that people don't pay attention in church." Be sure to pay attention in life.

The root of religion is to come together with the whole, realize your unique gifts and share them with all those around you. May we all live together as one.

dear readers

I have been working on a novel manuscript for years. it has evolved, been burned down (arson) and rebuilt, letter by letter. i don’t know if it will see the light of publishing, but the ultimate point is to finish it and like it... and for it to touch whoever reads it. I aim to complete the draft by the end of May. Meanwhile, there is much work to be done. Major scenes to be fleshed out, characters to be built, and an end to be written.

I can do it alone. But it would be nice to have fresh eyes and minds take a look. So, if you can find the time in the coming weeks, i am all ears for constructive criticism, especially with regard to what you like, what you relate to, what you dislike, what seems forced or unrealistic. Thanks!

[on] the road

my journey to the san francisco bay area has been nice, sunny, introspective, social, literary, outdoorsy and fabulous, in turn. i have spent time with dear friends, including my pregnant best friend from high school, and my yoga guru, who led a 90+ minute meditation course last night. it really helped me remember how powerful meditation is, especially when it's done for more than ten minutes here and there. good reminder.

i am reading, among other things, THE ROAD by cormac mccarthy. i have come across two thought-provoking and memorable lines:

1 - you forget some things dont you? yes. you forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget.
2 - query: how does the never to be differ from what never was?

memory. such a strange thing, isn't it? it impossible for me to visit the bay area and not, at least subconsciously or briefly, ponder -- what if i still lived here? what if i'd never fled back to texas? i assume i'd either have a lot more money and a high-powered position and hate myself on the inside, or perhaps i'd be a drifter, a full-time yogi either struggling for everything or content with my lot. i know it doesn't matter. what is, is. it is the present of the present. i live in austin. i am grateful for the ability to travel east and west, north and south, to visit old friends and new places. i am grateful for my home, which is my center, and goes with me wherever i am.

off to san francisco!

Ode to the city by the bay, where I took my first meditation course at the Ananda Community in October 2003. This video includes a short guided meditation in the Ananda style using the mantra, "I am Peace." You can substitute any virtue for peace, anything you want to invoke within yourself, such as happiness, present, compassionate, open, love, etc. Namaste~

marching on

Here are 4 quotes from wise yogis on which to meditate during this lovely month of March. Happy Spring!

First of all, accept yourself. When you do not accept yourself and imagine yourself to be someone different, a conflict arises between what you believe you are and what you really are.
-Swami Prajnapad

Fear comes from the selfish idea of cutting one's self off from the universe.
-Swami Vivekananda

The only religion that ought to be taught is the religion of fearlessness.
-Swami Vivekananda

Freedom is a state of mind -- not freedom from something.
-Krishnamurti