Lotus Room

Thoughts on perfection, impermanence, and having “problems” in life...

2012-02-11T10:27:00.000-08:00

I read this quote and felt like I really wanted to blog about it, because it was one of those that really struck me and made me think... (although probably more because i had to read it a few times before I “got” it!)

‎"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." ~Theodore I. Rubin

Since I was little, I was (I’ll be honest) a massive dreamer. I’d imagine what my life would be like if it was perfect. I would spend a lot of time imagining the perfect body/face/hair (yes, even when I was a kid), but perhaps even more so, the perfect family, the perfect friends and well, the perfect life as a whole really.

It’s only as I’ve grown older that I’ve become more aware, of myself and of life, and that I’ve started questioning and deconstructing the word “perfect”. It’s subjective. And it’s subject to constant change. Perfection could be an example impermanence, the first of the Buddhist three marks of existence.

I’m finally coming to the conclusion (it’s a slow burn this one...) that I’m never going to be that perfect girl that I dreamt of being. And that’s ok. I’m never going to have that perfect body or face, or family or job... because of my own perceptions and expectations. Seeing things as they are is the key to happiness, even though it’s not easy. So rather than pretend I can and am doing that, I just need to accept things as they are and realise that actually, they’re not bad at all. The old adage that there are millions of people worse off than you, is never more true than it is now. People face hunger, poverty and violence every day. And in the scheme of things, my problems are not really “problems” - they’re blips. They’re minor. And they usually right themselves quick enough

And that brings to mind another wonderful quote that is useful to remember here:

“We're not meant to be perfect, we're meant to be whole.” Jane Fonda

Here’s to being whole...

Vegetarian dining at its finest!

2012-02-08T16:29:00.001-08:00

Feeling the need to share the vegetarian love. I just had a beautiful meal at Sagar (www.sagarveg.co.uk), a veggie only south Indian restaurant in London. Pure, non greasy and heart warming food, which was perfect for warming the cockles on this wintry night (and also for celebrating a dear friends' birthday). To start with, probably the best onion bhajis I've ever had (small, bite sized and crispy outside) and for main the creamiest dahl, mmm.

I went to the one nr Goodge St (one of my all time fave streets in London!) but there are 2 others - in hammersmith and covent garden. So as someone who's sampled one or two veggie haunts, this one scores highly!

My quest for mindfulness

2012-01-29T09:50:00.000-08:00

I have a self confessed concentration span of a goldfish, so I'm going to be working on that by developing a bit more awareness in my life. Here's how....

1. Make a daily to-do list... less is definitely more. I try to pack too much into my day (and night) so I'm going to start by making small, achievable lists of the most important things to be done each day - and not all the boring things either!! It needs to include stuff I like.

2. Forget multi-tasking... altogether - I'd rather do a couple of tasks properly than do 10 tasks badly (I've learned that the hard way mind you)

2. Eat slower - I sometimes eat too quickly, so need to remember to chew, and enjoy food more. That will definitely bring me into the moment and help develop some mindfulness of what's actually going on!

3. Simplify - there's so much stimulation and information coming from every direction that I get overwhelmed and don't know what to look at / read / do first. I need to be a bit more selective over what I'm trying to concentrate on

That's 4 aims to get started with. We'll see how we go

Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.-Buddhist Quote

I reckon that when I give all my heart, I might actually discover a rainbow (or two)

(I'm off to find the pot of gold)

Yoga - a good way to lose weight...?

2012-01-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

When I started doing yoga 6 years ago, I did it because they offered it as a class at my gym... and that to me, meant that it was just another way to lose weight!! I didn't know anything about the history, the philosophy or the complexity of it, but I've been learning about it ever since, and still have only just scratched the surface. Every new thing that I learn, makes me want to learn more. And that's the main reason that I decided to start yoga instructor training with BWY (http://www.bwy.org.uk/)

People have asked me whether yoga can help them lose weight, and the answer, as with any kind of physical activity is that it can... that might not be the original objective, but it can be one of the outcomes. Yoga - literally means "union" (i.e. the union of the mind with the body, or indeed the union of ourselves with our higher potential), but the secondary outcomes may be greater awareness of the body and the breath, increased strength, improved flexibility, etc. A couple of points to note on weight loss (that I've learned along the way!);

It is a valid exercise - it's just as good as other forms of exercise for the body, but make sure you pick a form that's suitable for you, and where you are with your body and practice. If you've never done it before, there's no need to jump straight in the deep end with a tough class, try a beginners one first and build up strength.

A fast flowing, energetic form is ashtanga yoga, which is great as it's quick and follows a set pattern -
so once you know it you can do it at home as well. Another option for a cardio style workout would be hot (bikram) yoga - which for me was like torture, but some people love it! It'll help you work up a sweat and shed the pounds at the same time. Iyengar yoga holds each pose for longer so it builds muscle strength and tone, and focuses on getting the posture right (but it's less of a typical "workout")

You don't need to make a choice - it's not exclusive, you don't have to do either gym or yoga, why not do a mixture of both? Variety's the spice of life after all - mix up the routine by adding in running, cycling and weight training - that'll work out the whole body

Weight loss needs a holistic approach - it's not just about the exercise, if you're going on a new health regime, food will play a massive part. It might mean swapping the kebab for a salad, but you'll see it pay off when you hop on the scales

My top eats as a vegetarian yogi are: loads of fresh fruits and veg, nuts, mushrooms, eggs and lentils.... though in this weather I'm mainly living off soup! and in the Summer I'll be back on the salads

A beautiful quote from Deepak Chopra about yoga (this is lush)

“The true purpose of yoga is to discover that aspect of your being that can never be lost. Your job may change, your relationships may change, your body may change, your beliefs may change, your desires may change, your ideas about your role in the world may change, but the essence of who you are is the continuity of awareness that has no beginning or end. Your thoughts, beliefs, expectations, goals, and experiences may come and go, but the one who having the experiences — the experiencer — remains.”

(See also: http://yoga.about.com/od/yogafa1/f/loseweight.htm, http://peacelovenutrition.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/deepak-chopra-the-true-purpose-of-yoga/)

Confession: the truth about my New Year's resolutions!

2012-01-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

I've just realised that it's 20th January and so far I've totally failed on 2/3 of my new years resolutions. And I thought that by only going for three I was giving myself a chance...

1. Develop a good skincare routine (my spots so far don't have anything to thank me for...)
2. Be good with food / start a regime / exercise regularly (thus losing a stone or a dress size)
3. Meditate at least 5 times per week (and I was being kind to myself, it should really be every day!)

But I've decided that dates just like age (and weight) is nothing but a number, so I'm going to start again, from now!!

I've joined up to the fab Glossy box scheme (http://www.glossybox.co.uk/), which will now deliver me on a monthly basis a wonderful box full of beauty treats (check out this month's lovelies below), hopefully that will help me with point one! I even got a fantastic Rituals product called "Yogi flow" (I think it's a sign!)

I joined the gym in November and have been going almost every lunchtime. It's the most fantastic way to break up the day and get a good burst of energy in time for the afternoon (a time when I'm usually pretty lethargic). Food wise, I've cut way back on bread and muffins - snacking more on fruit and oatcakes

I haven't gotten back into a meditation routine, I think the best way to to get up early - morning meditations work better for me than any other time.

But, this week is a new week.... I can't be upset about the last 20 days, I haven't got time to worry about them now!

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." Buddha

The joys of dissertations and (religious) ritual!

2012-01-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

I've just finished my dissertation (MA, Religious Studies started in 2009)... it's been 6 months in the making and the relief (not to mention anti-climax) has left me with a serious case of fatigue!

It was all about ritual at the London Buddhist Centre (LBC)... I looked at a few things (as you might hope for 15K words!) including what makes rituals Buddhist, why anyone (religious or not) can join in and what benefits it has - for the person and for the sangha (spiritual community).

There's one quote that I used because I loved it, courtesy of Vajragupta (2010) "[ritual] speaks to the unconscious depths and those aspects of us that just aren't going to be moved by a purely rational explanation of a teaching."

Ah, bliss - forget the intellectual enjoy the sensual.. for once... Here's a visual to give an idea :)

What to do with your old yoga mat...

2011-11-08T14:55:00.000-08:00

"Did you hear what she's got planned for us?"

It's a sad fact of life, but eventually the time will come that you have to say goodbye to your old favourite yoga mat, *sob. But fear not! It doesn't need to be a complete waste, there are plenty of great uses to put your mat to.

Here's my top 10 ideas to get you started...

1. Cut out circular pieces and stick them to the bottom of plant pots, bottles, pet dishes, table legs etc as a way to pad them out and/or keep them from slipping - the sticky texture is perfect for just that!

2. Cut into random shapes and hang on your garden trees to brighten them up (well, at least you know they'll be water proof!). Or you could cut them into less random, Christmas themed shapes and use the cheapo decorations for your tree!

3. Use it as padding under your sleeping bag when you go camping, or better yet, offer it to the local homeless shelter for them to hand out to those who need it

4. It's a great play mat for your kids!

5. Line your outdoor dog house with it, or donate it to a local pet shelter, it'll make a nice warm bed for a deserving pooch

6. Use it as a bottom layer to your newer yoga mat... if it's only just ready to retire, you could instead use it as the second layer - your knees with thank you for it :)

7. Take it on your beach trip (or even just in the garden) and lie down on it - it'll be more comfortable than just a towel

8. Use it as extra padding for your stuff when you move house - either line a box with it, or just roll the delicates up in it

9. Cut into strips and use to wedge into drafty doors or windows

10. Keep it in the boot of your car and then on a hot day, you can roll it out under the front window to try and keep the car cooler - and as it's already living in the car, it'll also come in handy for those spontaneous picnics!