The Dharma-Blog by DharmaBuilt.com

India’s Great Warrior Monks: Forerunners of Hatha Yoga, Ayurveda, and Chinese Kung-Fu

2009-06-27T18:16:00.008-05:00

Sat Guru Dharmananda Swaroopa Hanuman Das Swamikil

Dana and I have the honor of hosting our beloved teacher from Kerala, India the weekend of July 10, 11, and 12, 2009. We will be having a sitar & tabla performance by Andrew Mendelson of RagaMalaProductions.com (director/producer/star of the documentary fim “A Cricket in the Court of Akbar: An American Sitar Player in India”) followed by a photo presentation, lecture/interview, and question and answer session regarding Swamiji’s life’s work – the preservation and propagation of the ancient Indian martial art, Kalaripayattu , the related healing system, Kalarichikilsa, and the Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram.

Swamiji Hanuman Das is the founder of the Dharmikam Ashram, which is forty-five minutes outside the southern Indian city of Trivandrum in the state of Kerala. The ashram, Kalari, and spectacular Hanuman Temple is located in the verdant Keralan countryside amongst beautiful banana and tapioca fields.

Swamiji Hanuman Das is one of the few surviving great masters of Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial arts system that pre-dates Chinese Kung-Fu. Kalarchikilsa is a body of knowledge with its roots in Siddha medicine. The Siddha System of Medicine also known as Siddha Vaidya in India, is the oldest among the Indian Medical Systems - namely Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani and it is also the oldest medical system in the world.

Westerners unfamiliar with Kalaripayattu or Kalarichikilsa need only look to the wide-spread practices of Hatha Yoga, Chinese Kung-Fu, and the ancient, but more well-known healing system of Ayurveda for understanding. These systems are in many ways, direct descendants to those of Kalaripayattu and Kalarichikilsa.

Swamiji’s lineages can be traced through his great teachers: Panniyodu Louis Gurukkal, Moolachal Narayanan Gurukkal, and Jagat Guru Maha Prabhu Swaroopananda Swamikal.

If you have any interest in learning more about one of India’s greatest living warrior monks, please come join us on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 6:00PM at the Ashtanga Yoga New York and Sri Ganesha Temple, 430 Broome Street #2 New York NY 10013

Private consultations with Swamiji – recommended for individuals with physical and/or spiritual issues or questions – are available by appointment ($100 each hour). Please call 347-387-4918 or 917-439-3580

Jai Hanuman! Breath of Ram

OM Shantih,

~b

Check Out the Interview Podcast with Darlene Van de Grift and Paul Campbell of SoulUnion.com

2009-03-31T08:33:00.007-05:00

What is it about ourselves that prevents us from being truly happy?

Unknowingly, through conditioning and acculturation, I’ve been defining ‘happiness’ as an external ‘arrival’ or event – something that is always in the future, ‘just out of reach’, or something that I’ll attain once I’ve created a particular set of external circumstances. Why do I do this? And continue to do this once I’ve become aware I’m doing it? And how do I stop?

The awareness of our self-imposed limitations is the first step. And it will take a compassionate, concerted and continuous effort to dismantle this individually unique construct, in order to reveal my true nature – my true self.

Darlene Van de Grift and Paul Campbell are two gifted human beings who can help teach us how to be truly happy through the art and practice of ‘allowing’ and through communion with our ‘guides’ and supportive energies in a sacred, healing space and context. When you ‘work’ with Darlene and Paul, you become aware of the greater purpose of your life – the greater reality. And by dialoguing with them and the guides (or information to which they have access), you are able to illuminate for yourself the answers to questions that wouldn’t be forthcoming otherwise.

Many people will get hung-up on the idea of spirit, spirit guides, the Akashic records, ascended masters, etc. What I am asking of the listener is to temporarily suspend any judgments or preconceived ideas that you may have regarding these ‘labels’ – as what we are simply talking about is the ability of certain individuals to access information that we ourselves cannot. And the great mystical traditions – and there are great mystical traditions in all the major religions –speak of shamans, priests/priestesses, rabbis, monks, gurus, lamas, medicine men/women, ascetics, warriors, prophets, oracles, seers, healers, intuitives, pandits, clairvoyants, astrologers, etc. who had the ability to ‘access’ much more information than the average person – particularly in a sacred context. Why would today be any different?

This new series of podcasts on DharmaPodcast.net comprise a 3+ hour conversation with Darlene and Paul in their beautiful home in the rural Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York on January 17, 2009.

You can contact them via their respective email addresses:
Darlene Van de Grift (Darlene@soulunion.com)
Paul Campbell (Paul@soulunion.com)
Or you can call them: (518) 734-3334 or (917) 763-9677

You can also check out the new DharmaBuilt.com produced podcast for the magnificent Elena Brower of Vira Yoga here in NYC (SoHo). It can be found here: the virayoga podcast

OM Shantih,

~b

DharmaPodcast.net

DharmaBuilt.com

“These teachings have been brought to you from Padmasambhava’s enlightened heart, across centuries, over a thousand years, by an unbroken lineage of masters, each one of whom only became masters because they had learned humbly to be disciples, and remained, in the deepest sense, disciples of their masters all their lives. Even at the age of eighty-two, when Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche spoke of his master Janyang Khyentse, tears of gratitude and devotion came into his eyes. In his last letter to me before he died, he signed himself “the worst disciple.” That showed me how endless true devotion is, how with the greatest possible realization comes the greatest devotion and the most complete, because the most humble, gratitude.”

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
by Sogyal Rinpoche

NYC Bulldog Exercise!

2009-03-15T05:37:00.004-05:00

1/1/2009: Bringing The Mind Home

2009-01-01T23:12:00.002-05:00

I am grateful to all my teachers, to all my practices, to all beings everywhere that struggle to become truly free. It is this collective effort of so many that serves to realize the good, the true, the beautiful – and to fulfill the eternal promise of redemption and reunion.

What is peace?

Peace is the still, quiet place when the cacophony of samsara (delusion, pain, suffering) is vanquished.

What is love?

Love is the realization that of all the things, of all the worlds, there is but ONE thing and this means that I will never, ever leave you – and that you will never, ever leave me.

What is mind?

Mind is that which you seek. Some call it God, some call it Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva, some call it ‘Buddha Nature’, some call it Allah, etc. You are mind. You are already home.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present." ~ Master Oogway in “Kung-Fu Panda”

OM Shantih,

~b

The American Oligarchy

2008-11-23T10:11:00.010-05:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligarchy

I decided to use a much shorter article title than what I originally intended:

The Corporatization and March toward Fascism of the Government of the United States of America: The Very Sophisticated & Systematic Means of Control of the U.S. Public – and Ultimately the Globe – by the Fortune 500, the Extremely Wealthy, and the Power Elite

Let me definitively state that I am aware that I am not without my own issues and complex defense mechanisms. I am on a long, painful journey of self-rediscovery and am learning (incrementally) that my systems of denial and unconscious patterns of beliefs and behaviors are still very much in control of my ‘waking life’ to a great degree. The fascinating thing to me is that what is ‘on the outside’ tends to be reflected ‘on the inside’ – or just as appropriate, vice-versa.

Notwithstanding the recent election, I have come to the conclusion that we live in very dark times. I didn’t always believe it to be so – I didn’t want to. But that’s because I was habitually and subversively ‘conditioned’ (indoctrinated) to believe that it’s not the case. I was – we all are – constantly fed a steady diet of ‘You Can Have the American Dream’ – and having that ‘dream’ systematically defined and reinforced in every aspect our development as human beings in this time, in this place. The problem with the ‘American Dream’ is that it is ultimately a fabricated farce meant to create and foster a culture of runaway, fear-based consumer capitalism and unquestioning servitude – stripping our planet of resources, leaving behind toxins and refuse of a magnitude that is destroying it, and making the already extremely wealthy and powerful even more so.

This is much larger in scope than the short-sighted view that the Cheney/Bush regime and the Conservative Republican agenda are the primary things that are destroying this country.

The original United States of America – the beautiful, idealistic, original idea – is stated in our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is being corrupted, subverted, edited, eroded, distorted and misinterpreted more-and-more by those that can afford and have the opportunity to create the circumstances that allow for such changes to occur – purely for their own selfish agendas and benefit. Every echelon of our system of government is being attacked and overwhelmed by insurgent forces that have superior numbers, superior weapons/technology, limitless funding and unending resolve. I am talking about the vast, powerful ‘armies’ of the Fortune 500 - perhaps even from a scale much smaller – perhaps even as exclusive as the Fortune 100 and their powerful cabal within the highest offices of industry, finance, government and the military.

Imagine if you will, having your own battalion of high-priced attorneys and lobbyists who constantly and legally manipulate the system in your favor - for your own benefit.

“Over the last decades, we have suffered through a massive transfer of financial assets from the poor and middle class to a tiny elite of the extremely wealthy. By a recent count, 691 billionaires had a combined net worth of $2.2 trillion. At the same time, an estimated 2.8 billion people survive on less than $2 a day. In the United States, fewer than 7,500 individuals control "almost three-quarters of the nation's industrial (nonfinancial) assets, almost two-thirds of all banking assets, and more than three-quarters of all insurance assets," according to Thomas Dye's Who's Running America? Members of this tiny group are found in the top echelons of our most exclusive law firms, investment banks, federal government posts and military commands. Our current system is one of financial apartheid that rewards the most ecologically destructive and sociopathic behavior.” – Daniel Pinchbeck

In today’s society and the global business world there are many known and recognizable industry ‘verticals’ or sectors/markets. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

The Wholesale Trade Industry, Chemical Industry, Health Care Industry, Leisure Industry, Life Sciences Industry, Agriculture Industry, Personal Care Products Industry, Energy Industries, Financial Services Industry, Food and Beverage Industry, Security Industry, Retail Trade Industry, Construction Industry, Mining Industry, Information Industry, Electronics Industry, Aerospace and Defense Industry, Education Industry, Consumer Packaged Goods Industry, Public Administration, Computer Industry, Real Estate Industry, Professional Services Industries, Utilities Industry, Travel Industry, Transportation Industry, Manufacturing Industry, IT Industry and the Automotive Industry.

The market leaders in each of these verticals are typically members of the Global Fortune 500 – many of whom are American-based companies. Now, I don’t know what percentage of these corporations are publicly-traded, but I think it’s a fair assumption to make that these behemoths are in the business of making profits – and many times the pressures by investors – whether public or private – are so great that ‘the bottom line’ is the order of the day – and more often-than-not, the investors prefer ignorance when it comes to their lavish profits and dividends. The profit motive is undeniable. The lengths to which companies will go to drive profit, destroy competition, and cover-up unethical business practices are fodder for both Hollywood and the headlines (e.g. PG&E, Enron, Arthur Anderson, Tyco International, Fannie Mae, Haliburton, Bear Stearns and the latest Wall Street and credit default swaps debacle, etc.). The customer or ‘beneficiary’ of the products or services of these organizations are even more ignorant with regard to ‘corporate ethics or conscience’ – often as a result of a highly sophisticated PR and marketing apparatus. And when it is required, the previously mentioned battalion of high-end attorneys is always at-the-ready to make sure that the ‘brand’ remains untarnished and that it’s business-as-usual. The ‘disconnect’ between the investor and executive management of a company and then the subsequent disconnect between the executives and the ‘boots-on-the-ground’ of an organization is usually significant. Then there’s the even greater (and contrived/controlled) disconnect between the corporation and the consumer…

Accountability and conscience is lost when a greater-and-greater degree of anonymity and reward for the few is built into any system of governance

Many people – many great minds – saw this coming and have tried to warn us – (with the exception of Hermann Goering’s case, who tried to educate us regarding the methods of the pathological). Here are but a few resources:

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_cave
Brigadier General Smedley Butler and the Attempted Overthrow of FDR
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler and http://www.fas.org/man/smedley.htm
Hermann Goering’s Quote - Nuremburg Trials (post-WWII)
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/goering.asp
The ‘Asch Paradigm’ regarding Social Pressures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Asch
President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his famous farewell speech warning about the rise of the American “Military-Industrial Complex”
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Military-Industrial_Complex_Speech
Edward R. Murrow and his famous speech as dramatized in “Good Night, and Good Luck”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_R._Murrow and http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/commentary/hiddenagenda/murrow.html
Former Govenor Jesse Ventura and his interview with Independent Journalist Meria Heller
http://www.venturaforums.com/showthread.php?t=196
Robert Forte (Scholar of the history and psychology of the ancient and modern use of psychedelic drugs)
http://erocx1.blogspot.com/2008/11/robert-forte-cultural-healing-lecture.html
Robert David Steele (Open Source Intelligence advocate)
http://c-realmpodcast.podomatic.com/entry/2008-09-10T16_56_12-07_00

There are many, many sources of reference, inspiration, and truth - for someone who has a little time and a little interest – to begin to develop a fairly comprehensive understanding of the real “State of the Union”. That’s the real beauty of the internet. It is currently the purest expression of democracy in action and I sincerely hope it remains so. I am a Web data analyst by vocation. My orientation (and perhaps my somewhat dubious gift?) is one of multi-factorial analyses and insights derived from the correlations of many disparate sets and points of data. The evidence of my claims – although somewhat circumstantial in nature – is so voluminous, so compelling – that even the layperson can no longer deny the obvious.

Call me a conspiracy theorist if you will. Call me a subversive. Definitely call me a dissident. I agree with the historian Howard Zinn who said, “dissent is the highest form of patriotism” [ http://www.tompaine.com/Archive/scontent/5908.html ] I’ve always had what I call a ‘healthy skepticism’ when it comes to authority – it’s a direct result of my upbringing and the existential forces that shaped it. Perhaps the memes that the late Timothy Leary seeded our society with have been effective after all i.e. “Think for yourself and question authority”. As my spiritual journey has deepened, so has my open-mindedness to ideas that at one time seemed completely ludicrous. I was what you might say – ‘mainstream’ – or at least trying my best to become that which our society-at-large finds successful, respectable, acceptable, etc. My basis for this desire was what’s been fed to me by our educational systems, our religious institutions, our media outlets, our government, my lovers, my friends, and my family - that are all under-the-influence of the same ‘society shapers’ and existential pressures.

‘Wake up, wake up, wake up!’ – is the mantra. But given our current circumstances, this is no longer enough. We must compel others to do the same – even at the risk of being marginalized.

All my beloved, great teachers and influences– Abdi Assadi, Richard Bachrach, Darlene Van De Grift, Rolf Gates, Tim Miller, Ram Dass, Terence McKenna, Rupert Sheldrake, Aldous & Laura Huxley, Timothy Leary, Al Hubbard, Eckhart Tolle, Nick Sand, Betty Eisner, Myron Stolaroff, Leo Zeff, Ann & Sasha Shulgin, Lorenzo Haggerty, James Fadiman, Gary Fisher, Peter Furst, Stanislov Grof, Michael Harner, Carlos Casteneda, Albert Hofmann, Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, Huston Smith, Daniel Pichbeck, Richard Grove, Dr. King, Ghandi, Yogananda, Krishnamacharya, Patanjali, the ‘Course in Miracles’, Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein, Balachandran Nair, Ramesh Balsekar, Iyengar, Jois, the Dharma, Joseph Campbell, Allan Hunt Badiner, Rick Doblin, Alex & Allyson Grey, Rolland Griffiths, Dan Merkur, Dimitri Mobengo Mugianis, David Nichols, Freud, Jung, Dana, Lefty, the entheogens, etc., etc., etc. – would rightfully implore us to not to simply focus upon the negative ‘external’ – as it only reinforces it. i.e. -

Your Judgement = Your Projection = Your Perception
and Your Perception is a result – not a cause

However, we can take these many observations (and many lessons) and rather than place them into an ‘external’ construct of fear and denial, ‘internally’ integrate and transform them into positive, assertive, and peaceful thoughts and actions. We can start asking ourselves and others to ‘question authority’ – all authority – and to hold it accountable - and to make conscious choices to consume information and products from truly independent, ethical, and fully accountable and transparent sources.

As for the changes I’d want to see in our country:

Step 1: Make illegal all forms of Lobbying and Special Interests at every level of government – to include corporate campaign contributions and ‘gifts’. Demand a return of the sense of duty and public service to politics.

Step 2: Demand from the media-at-large, news and information that is free from corporate influence, the ‘infotainment’ model of ‘ratings=profits’, and fear-based marketing/consumerism. Demand a return of the sense of duty and public service to mainstream journalism.

There are many more I can rattle off (limited terms and limits for all public offices and cognitive liberty would be right up there), but these simple but profound strokes would transform our government and our society and would empower the citizenry to once again have information and representation as was originally envisioned by our founding fathers. At every election and after every crisis, these simple measures are strategically ‘buried’ or side-stepped because they represent the fundamental flaws with our current system and the media – and the incomprehensible flow of cash through the halls of power and influence. These issues are too big to address by a single individual in a contemporary ‘sound bite’. Remember “Low Technology, High Concept”?

Elitism + Separatism + Secularism + Rationalism + Capitalism + Materialism + Consumerism + Reductionism + Racism + Imperialism + Colonialism + Cronyism = Fascism
i.e. -
The War on Drugs
9/11
The War on Terror
The Patriot Act
The Hurricane Katrina Response
The ‘Immigration Problem’ and the Hardening of the Borders
The Vietnam War
The Iraq War
Torture!!!!
A Foreign Policy of 'Shock & Awe' and 'Cowboy Diplomacy'
The Economic Bailout(s) and the Wall Street Robber-Barons
Corporate Media the Dumbing-Down of America

Disaster Capitalism and Fear-Based Economics
Corporate Agribusiness and the Slow Poisoning of the Population
The Deplorable State of U.S. Health Care
The Model of Indoctrination as Opposed to Real Education
The Raping and Polluting of The Earth
The ‘Indenturing’ of Subsequent Generations Due to Unfathomable National Debt
Poverty and Hunger in the U.S. (much less the world)
Constitutional and Human Rights Violations
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.

I believe that we’re not too late. I believe that we can realize what Plato called “the good, the true, the beautiful”, what the Hindus call Sat Chit Ananda – infinite being, infinite awareness, infinite bliss, and what Terence McKenna called “the approach of a major ‘concrescence’ in human history”. I also believe that we must first fully realize these things within ourselves – in order that they may manifest in our world. We must all accept the conscious/unconscious, the light/dark, and the revealed/concealed – and move toward integration, so that we can be a voice and a force for real and fundamental change.

OM Shantih,
~b

Various other Resources:
Lorenzo Haggerty and The Psychedelic Salon
http://www.matrixmasters.com/podcasts/
KMO and The C-Realm Podcasts
http://c-realmpodcast.podomatic.com/
Black Light In The Attic
http://blacklightattic.podomatic.com/
Zencast
http://www.zencast.org/
* Serving the Beloved by Ram Dass (Zencast #’s 90 & 91) is ‘everything’
Horizons NYC 2008
http://www.archive.org/details/Horizons2008 and http://www.horizonsnyc.org
Meria Heller
http://www.meria.net/

And Others:
http://www.realitysandwich.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychology
http://www.8thestate.com/joomla/
http://www.thelasthope.org
http://www.federaljack.com
http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/
http://www.maps.org/
http://www.erowid.org/
http://www.heffter.org/
http://www.mindstates.org/
http://www.entheogenreview.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Gordon_Wasson
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2006/GriffithspsilocybinQ
http://www.esalen.org/air/essays/frank_barron.html
http://www.enlightenment.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_for_the_New_American_Century and http://www.newamericancentury.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ray_Griffin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crony_capitalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp and http://vcr.csrwire.com/node/6540
http://in.integralinstitute.org/ and http://in.integralinstitute.org/podcast/

Abdi Assadi and Shadows on the Path

2008-07-11T12:50:00.015-05:00

Spiritual seekers often think that evolving one's consciousness requires simply stepping into the church, temple, mosque, monastery, yoga shala/studio, ashram, meditation hall, or dojo. Others feel that by pursuing the shamanic path and the plethora of sacred rituals and medicines that they’ve ‘got it’. And if you memorize a few chants or rituals, or read a bunch of spiritual books, then you're on the fast-track to enlightenment. Welcome to the shadow.

Psychotherapy is still required for the vast majority of us... yogis and spiritual seekers especially. It’s a long, arduous multi-lane road and there aren’t any shortcuts. Just because you may have developed a certain lane or path to the point of expertise doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve eliminated the necessity to do the distance and hard work in one or more of the others.

Abdi Assadi, a highly-skilled New York City acupuncturist and healer for the last 23 years has had a wealth of first-hand experience in helping people of all walks with their issues - whether physical, emotional, mental, energetic, psychic, or spiritual. His ‘baptism by fire’ came with the AIDS epidemic in the 80’s before the Western medical community had the tools necessary to deal with this merciless disease. Learning on-the-fly, Abdi assisted many during their transition from lives full of vitality and promise to agonizing and brutally drawn-out deaths – made all the worse by the social stigmas of the time.

Drawing from his significant personal experience and his observations in a clinical setting where he skillfully holds healing space for his clients, Abdi has seen it all and can help us more clearly see our own ‘blind spots’. His new book, Shadows on the Path: Revelations and Pitfalls on the Spiritual Journey is a powerful study for those interested in understanding that we are all unconscious to differing degrees – and how to begin the extremely difficult process of really waking up. Abdi clearly shows us that our experiences, suffering, and questions are not unique – even if the path to the answers is. And when the answers continue to elude us, Abdi reminds us that the most powerful space to be in is that of ‘not knowing is knowing’.

This isn’t another “Forty Days or Ten Steps to a New You” book, rather it’s a beautiful and painful lesson that we constantly dupe ourselves by creating these highly complex stories that serve to hide vital portions of ourselves – pieces that we will do almost anything to avoid facing. But we must face and accept these shadow parts of ourselves that reside firmly in our unconscious, in order to become whole. As the real “spiritual path” is the path to our true selves.

My girlfriend and I recently made a trip to Abdi’s home in Upstate New York to discuss his book and the greater context of the human struggle. The podcasts found on DharmaPodcast.net comprise this fascinating and in-depth conversation.

OM Shantih,
~b

I don't know anything. Nothing at all. Thank you.

2008-05-25T16:46:00.003-05:00

I heard these words (title) from Manuel Rufino, an Ayahuasquero and Healer from Native American traditions during his talk given as part of the 2nd Annual Ayahuasca Monologues on April 17th.

April/May shaped-up to be pretty big for me and I had a sort of prescience for it (as described in past posts) – an anticipation that seemed to be building since the beginning of the year. The change of seasons has indeed brought with it many shifts – and many blessings.

Dana and I traveled to Encinitas/Carlsbad, CA to spend some time with our West Coast and senior yoga teacher, Tim Miller, during the first two weeks of April. My 42nd birthday was on April 21st. April 29th the great Dr. Albert Hofmann, ‘the father of LSD’, passed away at the age of 102. On May 2nd I installed a photography exhibit at The Shala. I lost a full time, on-site freelance contract on April 11th, but started another one on a work-from-home basis on May 9th. At some point during the last month, my yoga teacher, Barbara Verrochi, gave me the final pose (setu bandhasana) in the primary series of Ashtanga (the Mysore-style practice). Completing the primary series was something I thought I’d never do – at least in this lifetime. And lastly, I received some interest in my doing a bit of journalism – something I’ve always dreamed of pursuing.

I wonder if the shifts I seem to be undergoing are being experienced on a more universal level. No, I know they are. It’s hard NOT to see the synchronicities – and the drastic changes. Eckhart Tolle and Oprah completed their 10-week online series. Barack Obama appears poised to take the democratic nomination for the Presidential run in November. The housing/foreclosure crisis is further traumatizing the middle class – and calling into serious question the societal 'programming' (and lending practices) surrounding the so-called ‘American Dream’. Gasoline prices are so alarmingly high that the senate hearings with the oil tycoon CEOs regarding the astronomical oil company profits harkens-back to the ‘Big Tobacco’ hearings of the late 90’s. Everywhere and at every level of our culture, the sheer greed of Wall Street and the continuing corporatization of every aspect of our lives are beginning to send catastrophic shock-waves throughout the entire planetary existence. One need only look at the environmental collapse, the rapid rise of religious fundamentalism and related violence, the micro-and-macro impact of these out-of-control, robber-baron conglomerates, the increasing insensitivity of the population when it comes to blatant acts of violence and depravity in our media or otherwise, the perverse fascination with ‘celebrity culture’ and voyeurism for those in our society that seek only to further expose their own vanity, the disturbing level of government complacency and duplicity for the lobbyists and special interests, etc.

I want to believe that we are in the midst of a paradigm shift in consciousness - the old ways giving way to the new. It has to be this way – we cannot evolve as a species without something BIG taking place - even if that something big brings with it significant suffering in the course of the grander scheme. The ripple in the still pond is always greater near the epicenter.

On a more personal level, I often wonder EXACTLY how to be in this world – how to conduct myself in my day-to-day existence. My struggle the last several years appears to be around holding my personal power and manifesting (and holding) abundance. How do I do this? And I don’t need any more metaphors or mystical analogies. One of my issues is that I am such the anti-establishment kind of person, so non-mainstream that I’ve basically alienated myself from a lot of our culturally-sanctioned paths to success. By being the ‘outsider’ but all the while secretly wanting the trappings of success that define the ‘insider’, is a hypocritical stance to say the least. I don’t know how to reconcile the two worlds. All I know is that my mind is my hindrance and my worst enemy. What I’m left with as a practice is to try – no, to risk losing everything all the time just to make damn sure that I’ve tried to do my absolute best in this life to ‘carve-out’ an existence that is inline with my ideals and my dreams. I would rather risk everything day-in-and-day-out and suffer the constant unease due to that seemingly never-ending struggle – than to remain ‘asleep’ in some cookie-cutter, societal idea of ‘a decent life’. As a friend of mine once said about a corporate gig in the typical sea of cubicles: “Man, that’s a slow death.” I couldn’t agree more.

If I have any advice for the reader it’s this: Follow your dreams no matter the cost, because if you don’t the price you’ll pay will be your very soul. This life is yours and HIS/HERS. What you do with it is between the two of you. In the end it won’t matter because you’ll return to HIM/HER. And all this will have been his folly. But if you waste this precious gift, HE/SHE may have you come back and do it all over again, and again, and again – until you get it right. So, carpe diem my dear friends and face your lives in the only skillful way that I know at this point: “I don’t know anything. Nothing at all. Thank you.”

OM Shantih,

~b

Awakening

2008-03-28T16:33:00.004-05:00

It’s been some time since my last post and it seems that a lot has happened in the last month or so. Of particular note is that a great teacher has been ‘thrust’ upon the world stage; Ekhart Tolle has been collaborating with Oprah Winfrey on a weekly Webcast that’s scheduled for ten weeks. It’s an unprecedented event in many respects. The basis of the event is Eckhart Tolle’s book, “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose”. It’s difficult not to see this as being a significant event in the context of the spiritual or consciousness evolution of the planet.

Oprah Winfrey has become such a major force of inspiration for so many people that I am so very happy that she has taken this latest step in her quest to help as many people as possible given her position, resources, and estimable character. I only wish that others in the media spotlight and of the financial means would take advantage of them for the good of all – rather than the good of the one. Oprah Winfrey is raising-the-bar for many celebrities and setting an example for us all. These facts will surely be her most significant and lasting legacy.

March 20th was the vernal equinox or the first day of Spring and with the season’s change I am inclined towards thoughts of potential or the future. Remaining grounded in the moment is difficult for me during this period. I’ve noticed a pattern in my life since having begun diligently practicing yoga that the transition from Winter to Spring is the most difficult for me. My body just wants to seize-up and I find it a challenge just to get out of bed in the morning. I usually get sick around this time as well – as I am right now while writing this post. I’m traditionally laid-low by a nasty cold or flu-like bug around this time of year. I always think it’s related to the crazy temperature fluctuations of the Northeast exacerbated by even crazier fluctuations inside the old NYC buildings I typically work in. I can go from freezing cold to out-and-out sweating several times a day – and that’s even when I’m feeling well. So, much of my thoughts are geared towards ‘fair weather days’ in the literal as well as the figurative senses.

Spring is the time of awakening from the 'slumber' of Winter. Its coming heralds the change of the landscape and this change reverberates throughout our lives and throughout our consciousness. It is the proverbial time of new beginnings and of being reborn. Never in my life have I been so aware of this shift. And it’s reflective of the fact that never in my life have I been so aware in general. Seeing change as it comes-and-goes, actually experiencing it, feeling it, and then having it pass – all the while remaining aware of the phenomena is a significant step. The next and more difficult step is to not be attached to the experience. That’s the trick isn’t it? Yes, indeed.

The tool that I’ve come to believe in with regard to attachments to experiences – attachments to the outcomes of change – is intention. If I am able to visualize a particular outcome and create an intention for a particular outcome, then I can ‘put it out there’ (in a myriad of ways) and then simply let them go. This is my exercise around attachment. As Eckhart Tolle and many of the spiritual masters tell us, present moment awareness is the only true place of being. So, we must each find our own ways to keep ourselves grounded in the moment, but not completely shut-off from skillfully living into our dreams and aspirations.

During this phase or transition, I’ve noticed that events in my life have seemingly sped-up to a great degree. It’s as if things that have laid dormant have all-of-the-sudden burst forth or otherwise come to fruition or resolution (or close to it). I’ve been told on good authority that things are speeding up for me, but I feel it’s true for all of us. My task is to just try to be the best person that I can be, do the absolute best that I can, and to be open to alternative points-of-view.

I want so much to be able to help others. This generalization is difficult to explain, but it is represented in multiple ways or examples in my life: I want to help Dana and I buy a house in the country or by the ocean, I want to help myself heal old wounds and live as a completely authentic being, I want to help my family and friends in any way that is needed, I want to help my immediate family (Dana, Lefty and I) live our lives in such a way that promotes peace, health, happiness and prosperity, I want to help inspire others to look deep within themselves for the answers that seem to always elude them, I want to help leave our dear Mother Earth a better place than when I came here, I want to help catapult the evolutionary shift in human consciousness to the next level. Baba Ram Dass explained it best when he says, “My karma is my dharma; meaning that what my life is presenting me with is the vehicle through which I can become free.” He explains further that his particular path is one of service or of that of a karma yogi. And Baba Ram Dass has been of great, great service to us all.

I want to end this post with a mention of another of my great teachers and inspirations, Terence McKenna. He is probably my greatest teacher in that he has inspired my thinking and my desire for empirical knowledge in terms of spirituality and human consciousness (my own consciousness) more than any other human being. I take great joy in hearing his archived words (props to Lorenzo at The Psychedelic Salon) and am constantly amazed at his seemingly bottomless wellspring of wisdom, courage, compassion, humor, and vision. I wish he was still among us. He was in my humble opinion, one of the most brilliant thinkers of our time – and probably the most important for the evolution of our species. A giant among giants. If I am to be ‘awakened’ one fine day, it is with all due credit to unsung heroes such as him.

OM Shantih,

~b

The Eye of the Needle

2008-02-02T13:38:00.000-05:00

I recently spent some time with another of my most important teachers of late – Darlene Van de Grift. I always look forward to seeing her and at the same time realize that I’ve still got a lot of work to do and a long way to go, so there is always a little sadness followed by depression. I’ve also been working in a corporate environment again, so I guess I feel a little depleted due to my old nemesis. I just don't seem to work well in that environment - on so many different levels. Or maybe it’s that I’ve been listening to the renowned Advaita sage Ramesh S. Balsekar of Mumbai, India speaking of free will, destiny, non-duality, etc. His words have been in my mind for a couple of weeks now, so carrying around his concept (THE concept) in my head and turning it over-and-over is tiring. I think it’s when trying to integrate something that you might just begin to grasp intellectually – but cannot totally, or within your heart - that you can become literally exhausted. Then there’s the bitter, unrelenting New York City winter. Then there are all my other issues: lack of money, struggles with work, struggles in personal relationships, struggles in my Ashtanga practice, struggling in the relationship I have with myself, etc. Ultimately, this all represents one thing - my struggle with my place in this world.

Another teacher of mine, Abdi Assadi, recently published a book called Shawdows on the Path and it is a powerful and essential study on the pitfalls of the so-called spiritual path and the irrepressible shadow archetype as describe by Carl Jung. With his guidance and that of my other teachers, I’ve come to realize that we have multiple paths in this life and just because we may believe we’re on a spiritual path, this does not alleviate the necessity to do the extremely hard work on the others – particularly the psychological and therapeutic. I must admit that I am someone who believed that if I ‘got far enough along’ the spiritual path, that this process would somehow serve to mitigate all my faults and issues. Ironically enough, my spiritual seeking just became yet another issue to add to the list!

I often wonder why I am the way I am and why my life is the way it is. On one level, I completely understand (and accept intellectually) that this is all God’s will. On another level I see that I’ve got work to do and try to do it to the best of my ability. If I am depressed or if something doesn’t go according to my grand scheme, I often find myself in the place ‘between’. Actually, I often find myself in this place no matter my emotional state. It’s as if I’m caught between God’s will and my own mind. And letting go or ‘letting God’ as some might say has never been my way. I had for many years – all my life – believed that by my sheer force of will, I could make things ‘right’. The tragedy is that we believe that we’re in control when in fact we’re flailing through life desperately trying to grasp something that will allow us a measure of sure-footing. This is the ‘seeking’ part of our nature. At this step on my long and winding road, I’m mostly interested in the ‘finding’ part, because I’ve found that the ‘seeking’ doesn’t seem to work.

It’s these diametrically opposed points of view (God’s will and Individual doer-ship or free will) that I’ve been preoccupied with since returning from India. And it’s as if the argument in my mind is becoming more-and-more concise, or worn-down to a fine edge or line between these two opposites. Call it the razor’s edge or a sort of middle way according to Buddhism. My trouble with the ‘enlightened’ perspective of ultimate non-duality (God’s will) is that it doesn’t help me get through the day per se. It appears only good for meditations on suffering and death where I need to be able to grasp the ‘gestalt’ of all things. Now I’m oversimplifying the Advaita concepts and my understanding and the daily application of them, but you get my point.

I am struggling right now. And these struggles span all aspects of my life. The knowledge that God is experiencing through me an aspect of duality and inter-human relationships as a separate ego entity with the idea of personal doer-ship does not help alleviate my very immediate suffering. At the end of the day they all become interesting words and fascinating concepts – but they do not pay the bills, build a future, heal a relationship, heal me, etc.

I’ve come to believe that the psychological work (or path) is absolutely necessary for us to progress at all along the spiritual. I recently discovered a talk given by Ann Shulgin regarding her work in psychotherapy in dealing with the shadow. The context was the use of hypnotherapy, MDMA and 2C-B, before these drugs were scheduled by the Federal Government. Her detailed explanation of the shadow and how she came to help bring it into consciousness in psychotherapy practice is compelling – even if the use of MDMA and psychedelics puts you off.

More-and-more I am realizing how this shadow aspect of my unconscious mind wreaks havoc in my conscious or waking life – through projections of our shadow selves onto others. I am not whole. I have shunted-off vital parts of myself and in doing so, became a fractured person. I think we’re all fractured to an extent - unless you’ve done the work necessary to fully integrate. Often in the spiritual and yoga community there is talk of ‘being authentic’ and I feel that this miss-used platitude's true meaning isn’t fully explored. Denial is a powerful, addictive pattern in our lives and the work necessary to open one’s eyes to the subtleties of your own shadow is not easy. If anything, this process is at the very least, daunting and monumental.

As Ann Shulgin so eloquently related, coming to face and accept your shadow is probably the most difficult and brave thing one can do in one’s life. I am not completely sure how best to do this in my own experience. It’s a unique and individual pursuit in every case – of this I am convinced. For me, I am compelled in several directions - individual and couples psychotherapy, deep-tissue body work like Rolfing or KMI, a disciplined yoga practice, work with skilled ‘alternative’ therapists/teachers and the path of indigenous, shamanic healing. Your direction or list would probably look much different.

Darlene said to me, “The universe is trying to force you into conformity - forcing you through the eye of the needle.” Of course ‘conformity’ is one of my hot-button words and issues and I reacted defensively. I now see that the metaphor is appropriate. I need to fully integrate all aspects of my conscious and unconscious mind in order to become myself fully. As I do this fundamental work, I am able to become the integrated thread or stream that flows through my life – and through grace.

You must seek and find your own path to heal and integrate your shadow. It’s probably the most important thing you’ll ever do.

OM shantih,

~b

PS – I’m almost finished completely re-designing DharmaBuilt.com and there I hope you’ll find content and links that may help you along your own path(s).

Re-Entry

2007-12-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

“I guess it’s time for me to abide in faith”. These words from “The Dark Night of the Soul” by Gerald G. May, M.D. really struck a cord with me. The context is when you are undergoing a ‘spiritual crisis’ of sorts – when you ask yourself if you believe in anything anymore or even care about it. I think we are so caught-up in the need for results or the need for clarity that we often fail to see the wisdom in the uncertainty. This great book talks about the ‘darkening’ of our senses, perceptions, intellect, intuition and soul in terms of divine ‘obscurity’. It is in the obscurity of our lives that God is doing his greatest work in us and through us. This must happen at a level that is inaccessible to us, obscure to us – to the ego – in order to allow for the miraculous to happen. We simply get in the way of grace and the ‘darkening’ or obscuring is the way in which God makes it ‘safe’ for our passage – otherwise we wouldn’t go where it is we have to go.

I have been questioning everything these last few years. My relationships, my family, my work, my decisions, my values, my faith, my yoga practice, my teachers, my ideas, etc. Sometimes my frustration with one or all of these facets of my life leaves me in a place of despair. Why can’t I seem to ‘get better’? Why doesn’t my life ‘improve’? Why is everything difficult? Why are my decisions all crap? How can I find peace? Why won’t God talk to me?

Then, in a moment of ‘alignment’ (grace?) everything appears to be fine – perfect even. I experienced such a moment a couple of weeks ago at an ashram in southern India. I was at the nightly puja in the magnificent Hanuman temple. Swami-ji was chanting something beautiful in the background and the Pundit was performing the ritual for blessings in the inner temple and tears just started rolling down my face. The moment was exquisite. The moment was pure beauty and that indescribable mix of joy and sorrow. Joy for the ‘perfect’ moment and sorrow for the knowledge that the moment wouldn’t last.

I was blessed to have been able to spend three weeks in Mother India. It was my first trip there but it most certainly won’t be my last. It’s as if I found another home-away-from-home in as much as Encinitas, CA was (is) for me – as I related in a previous posting. The Dharmikam Ashram is a very powerful and beautiful place and Swami-ji (Guru) Hanuman Das (Balachandran Nair) is a great, fierce man of God. A true warrior sage and healer. To witness his life’s work (the Dharmikam Ashram), his unconditional love and sense of duty, everyone's love of him, the healing work (Kalarichikilsa), the Indian children learning Kalaripayattu, the indescribably beautiful Hanuman Temple, the villagers, the staff and workers, the volunteers, the humbling devotion, the disciples, the other visiting westerners, etc. is a very moving experience and leaves one feeling very blessed to have been a part of it - if even for a short period of time. And the poverty of the people and the area (and the country) makes you count your blessings and be grateful for having been born an American. Yes, gratitude is one of the principal lessons that the Guru and the ashram teach.

The ashram is quite small – currently seven rooms for visitors – but this is what makes it so special. I feel as if I’m one of the lucky few that have been able to spend time with Master (Swami-ji) while the ashram is still small. Who knows what the future will bring? I’m just not someone who goes for the large ‘crowd’ or organization. So I feel very fortunate to have found my way to him – perhaps before he is ‘discovered’ by a larger audience. While a visit to a large ashram with hundreds if not thousands of other devotees may be a special experience of its own kind, I prefer an intimate situation.

Now I am back in New York City. It made the change to winter while we were gone. So coming back means many adjustments – a different practice, different clothes, different food, different pace, different season, different energy, different me, etc. I decided to quit my job. I’m tired of living in fear and holding onto something (a miserable something) just for fear of losing it (especially a paycheck). I want to live a life where fear isn’t a factor in my decisions. I want to live a life where love is the universal factor and the motivating force. I don’t know what’s next for me. I have lots of ideas but no planned steps. The path ahead is obscure. I guess it’s time for me to abide in faith.

OM Shantih,

~b

PS – I’ll try to post my India photos gallery ASAP. It’ll be on DharmaBuilt.com

Burn away that which does not serve me

2007-10-26T23:01:00.000-05:00

It’s my new mantra, but with it comes a certain amount of trepidation. Often personal and spiritual growth comes as a result of upheaval or drastic change. I can honestly say that my own ‘growth trajectory’ always shot up after first having various circumstances of my life plummet or fall apart. A loss, a break-up, a breakdown, an injury, a realization of a long-standing denial, suffering the consequences of shameful behaviors, uncertainty around work or income, catastrophe, tragedy, etc. Why is this? Why must we suffer so much before having a moment of clarity? My own personal metaphor/vision is that of being in the prizefighting ring and having the living shit beaten out of me by some colossus (Mike Tyson in his prime comes to mind) – only to keep staggering to my feet to defiantly offer-up my chin for the next blow. It has taken me years to understand that this is another of my own self-imposed conceptual models that manifests itself to my unconscious bidding. Once again Abdi Assadi helped me recognize my own twisted masochism in this. Who is this person that takes, no, WILLS and even WISHES the beating in the first place?

Why not envision another way? Why not become your own proverbial phoenix and simply burn away those ideas of ‘necessary suffering’ as well? With Abdi’s help I’ve recognized in myself something that is so prevalent in Western society – self-loathing. It permeates our being (and society) to the very core and we have been force-fed this idea that we must suffer in order to ‘get somewhere’ – in order to break free – in order to become a ‘better’ person – in order to finally accept ourselves as who we truly are. No pain, no gain. Bullshit.

It’s fear. We hold onto even our ‘suffering’ in the midst of the mystery or possibility of something else – something different – something unknown. Sometimes I feel that I would rather hold onto something ‘bad’ as opposed to not having that something to hold onto at all. Fear of the unknown is a very fundamental thing. Fear of the possibility of even more suffering – but unfortunately it’s that very fear that keeps us trapped and ultimately keeps us from the possibilities of true freedom.

I have been living in fear for most my life. This has been a very recent realization. I had often thought that I was a fearless man. I’ve faced harrowing circumstances, often just to ‘test’ myself – to face my fears, but I now know that these were distractions for the ego. Smoke and mirrors. My most harrowing ordeals simply stare back at me from the bathroom mirror every day. They lurk at the base of every breath I take and reside in the tension I carry in my hips and shoulders. What would it mean to really live in the moment without fear? What would it mean to not continually grasp at the future with greedy, clawing fingers hoping to ‘get something’ that will satisfy us to the extent that we’re at peace with ourselves in our lives?

Sometimes it is in the letting go that we actually gain the most. For me it’s the letting go of the fear of being alone, the fear of never having enough, the fear of never being able to take care of myself, the fear that I’m not good enough, the fear that I’m in the wrong place, the wrong time, for the wrong reasons, the fear that my decisions are all crap - all ultimately based upon the fear of dying. As Abdi told me, it’s like you’re holding onto something so hot it’s burning you – but you refuse to drop it because you’re afraid to. And for what? So burn me then. Burn me until I drop you. Burn me clean. Forge me anew. Cleanse me. Heal me. Free me!

We can’t have a conditional relationship with God. We can’t pray for healing, clarity, peace, abundance, love, etc. and yet have the conscious (or unconscious) desire to hold onto the things that keep us from having all that in the first place - blindly hanging onto some dysfunctional status quo. Just as the prayer in the last posting says, we must surrender our fears – we must surrender EVERYTHING to God and the universe. Offer-up yourself to the fire (or the light if that’s easier for you) of purification so that you can finally live a life without fear.

To live such a life would be a wondrous thing.

OM Shantih,

~b

Just be open - you are guided

2007-08-31T12:01:00.000-05:00

Lord, I know not what I ought to ask of thee;
Thou only knowest what I need;
Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself.
O Father, give to Thy child that which
he himself knows not how to ask.
I dare not ask either for crosses or for consolations;
I simply present myself before thee,
I open my heart to Thee.
Behold my needs which I know not myself;
see and do according to Thy tender mercy.
Smite, or heal;
depress me or raise me up;
I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them;
I am silent;
I offer myself in sacrifice;
I yield myself to Thee:
I would have no other desire than to accomplish Thy will.
Teach me to pray.
Pray Thyself in me.
AMEN.
- François de Salignac Fenelon,
Archbishop of Cambray, 1651-1715, AD

My closest, greatest teacher (Abdi Assadi) has to constantly remind me of this fact (posting title) but I’ve struggled with the idea of it my entire life. More-and-more I look at myself and see the problems with my mind – the way it works – the ‘monkey mind’ as it were. It’s extremely difficult NOT to be your own greatest obstacle/enemy, especially when you have significant ‘childhood woundings’, caretaker tendencies, and self-esteem issues that you’re working through.

I recently came across the Web site for Steve Pavlina and specifically his blog posting for working with intentions: http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/06/how-intentions-manifest/

Steve says, “Whatever you imagine with enough energy will eventually manifest. If your thoughts are clear and focused, you’ll manifest your desires relatively quickly and easily. If your thoughts are jumbled and chaotic, you’ll manifest a seemingly random and haphazard life for yourself.”

Also well put was, “Regardless of whether I think the universe is objective or subjective, I know that my dominant thoughts are the key determinants of my results in life. My thoughts control my decisions, and my decisions over time control my results. When I really understood that, I assumed a new level of responsibility for every thought that went through my mind. I decided to take conscious control of my thoughts no matter what. I saw that I could no longer afford to have my mind haphazardly dwelling on things I didn’t want.”

I read his posting a couple of times and really appreciated his message. I looked at his biographical information and came to appreciate it even more. It seems that some of us must hit ‘rock-bottom’ before we can begin our ascension. Another teacher of mine (Rolf Gates) said that (and I’m paraphrasing from memory), “I had to be utterly and completely humbled before I was willing to surrender to guidance from a higher power”.

It is an interesting type of masochism that works in me (us?) that wants to continually validate the idea that the universe is conspiring against me or at least ‘deaf’ to our intentions and prayers. I can honestly say that my mind has an unhealthy affinity for gravitating towards the negative. It’s self-sabotage at the level of thought – and these tendencies are the ‘intention killers’ that Steve Pavlina talks about. Every time I think that I can’t do something, I’ll fail at something, something won’t work-out, something will go wrong, I won’t be supported, etc. – that’s EXACTLY what happens. I’ve grown extremely adept at manifesting the things I don’t want because I focus on them at the level of thought MUCH MORE than the things I do. Interesting stuff! I mean, my ego is EXPERT at this – and the ego LOVES being the expert. The great masters tell us that this is the ego mind continually trying to CONTROL everything – and it asserts control by negating the limitless possibilities of the universe. Basically, the mind doesn’t want us to believe that there is another power (other than itself) that is actually in control – another power (the only power) that we’ve forgotten by design – the power we must strive to remember, honor and access.

I remember Myron Stolaroff (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myron_Stolaroff) speaking about “being above the line or below the line” in meditation (podcast: http://www.matrixmasters.net/blogs/?p=110 - an astoundingly beautiful tribute to Dr. Albert Hoffmann on the occasion of his 100th birthday). My understanding of this concept has a lot to do with the noise of the mind, a kind of ‘thermo cline’ – like barrier that separates realms of thought/being (emptiness/receptivity). If I can remain ‘above the line’ I am in a place where the negative tendencies of the ego mind can’t go – if I fall ‘below the line’, I am at their mercy and lost in suffering.

I am not a good meditator. I do not have a consistent practice. My Ashtanga hatha yoga practice is the type of ‘moving meditation’ that I can easily grasp on a consistent basis because it suits my personality type and perhaps my level of spiritual development. I wish I could do better in this regard. I am too easily distracted. Consistent meditation is too difficult for me. Funny thing about these thoughts – I’ve done it yet again…

OM Shantih,

~b

Pranams at Thy Lotus Feet

2007-07-14T20:24:00.000-05:00

I have recently returned to NYC after a week-long trip to the North County area of San Diego, California. The main reason Dana and I went was to study/practice with Tim Miller of the Ashtanga Yoga Center in Carlsbad. Tim is the first American certified by Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga and began studying with him in 1978. Guruji (Jois) teaches according to the methods taught to him by the legendary Sri Tirumali Krishnamacharya. Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta. This text was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900's by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927 - courtesy of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute. Guruji also calls Ashtanga yoga Patanjali Yoga because the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are the spiritual and philosophical foundation of Ashtanga Yoga.

Tim is a sweet, funny, humble and supremely generous and gracious teacher and his studio has a light-hearted and yet profoundly dedicated vibe to it. A very different energy than that of NYC yoga studios in general. Almost the polar opposite – very nurturing and light (sweet? playful? feminine?) as opposed to the frenetic and dense (driven? competitive? masculine?) energy of NYC. It was a magical vacation and I have a very special place in my heart for Tim and the Encinitas/Carlsbad area. The surfing, the fish tacos, the yoga, the California beach-town vibe, etc. Not only is this area the birthplace of Ashtanga Yoga in the U.S. - I should also mention that there is a long spiritual tradition in that area, specifically that of the Self-Realization Fellowship founded in Encinitas in 1937 by Paramahansa Yogananda. It is at the Hermitage where he wrote the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, one of my transformative influences. Because of this trip and the experiences, I feel as though I’ve had a breakthrough of sorts. I had been feeling rather stuck for a very long time prior to this vacation and I feel that I’ve finally taken another important step in my own progress along the path (I wrote about feeling stuck in a previous posting). I don’t know if was Tim, surfing, the big fight I had with Dana, walking in the footsteps of Paramahansa Yogananda or what - but I felt a lot lighter coming back into NYC and I’ve been able to hold (somewhat) that feeling since. I spoke to a friend about this feeling and I think it’s about recognizing the fact that no matter what transpires, that we always have possibilities in our lives. I forget who, but I remember a great teacher speaking of the fact that because we’re alive, that anything is possible. I couldn’t see a life for myself in any place other than New York prior to the trip, and now I see that there are other places that would (could) sustain me. Not that I’m through with New York by any stretch, but it’s nice (crucial?) to have another possible home - even the fantasy of it. It’s the associated feelings of expansiveness that I’m trying (with great difficulty) to describe. It’s as if due to this trip, that I’ve expanded the boundaries of my perceptions in inumerable ways – ways that I hadn’t anticipated. Travel (experience) really is the greatest teacher one can have. The famous cook book author Anne Willan taught me that - but that's another story...

Sri Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Ammachi) was just here in NYC for her Summer 2007 tour. I again tried to receive her darshan only to fail due to my own impatience (cynical ego?) and scheduling conflicts. You really need to set aside an entire day (or night) to see her. You can get a token for the darshan line and then time/estimate how long it takes for a few of the letters of the alphabet (represented on the tokens) to cycle – each alphanumeric combination representing a large group of people waiting to receive her darshan. You can then leave and then go back to the center at the appropriate ETH (estimated time of hug). I tried this methodology, but came back too late and missed my opportunity. This is my second attempt. The first time on her previous tour, I went at night and was looking at a very, very long wait – into the early morning hours at the very least. When you’re looking an early start and a long one at work the next day, it becomes an issue of resolve and dedication. I bailed that time too. A dear, sweet friend was able to go and I’m happy to say was successful in her quest. She attributed my advice and tips to her successful experience, but we both know that there was another guide at work. She related to Dana and I a story that sent shivers down my spine – that a complete stranger commented on her tatoos (symbols for enlightenment) and said that she “needed to do more work on that”. Prior to this point my friend was on the fence about going to see Ammachi – knowing very well the possibilities of a formidable undertaking. Upon hearing the admonishment of this complete stranger, she made a bee-line to the Manhattan Center and in under an hour was able to embrace the living saint who has embraced somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 million people (talk about LinkedIn!). According to my friend this was no ordinary embrace and her story (and glowing aura) was testament to the blessing she received by the divine mother. It was an amazing recounting and one that filled me with joy not only for her, but also that I had a small part in such a profound experience. There are no coincidences. Thank you Blessed Mother and all my teachers, pranams at your lotus feet.

OM Shantih,

~b

Amazing Grace

2007-06-23T09:11:00.000-05:00

How do you describe ‘grace’? How do you capture it? Would you recognize it if you saw it? All I know is when you are honored to be a witness, it is undeniable. Your heart resonates. We were all just so honored when the painfully shy and supremely humble Paul Potts mustered the courage to step toward his dreams. It is glorious to behold.

OM Shantih,

~b

If the YouTube Flash object doesn't appear above, simply use the following link:

Paul Potts Audition on 'Britain's Got Talent'

Recognize the Value in Uncertainty

2007-05-17T16:33:00.000-05:00

This particular installment came to me with great difficulty - hence the length of time between posts. So, I decided to incorporate this dilemma into my essay. Many times what happens to me is that ideas come in a torrent – and the challenge I face is in the separation of them into some sort of distinguishable and understandable cohesive thought or theme. And I’ve got so many ideas and themes – the proverbial fuel is never-ending! Example ideas are Daniel Ellsberg and the ‘military-industrial (and congressional-executive-think tank) complex’, ‘expanding consciousness with entheogenic/sacred medicines’, ‘the American middle class no longer exists’, ‘the mystery of 2012’, etc. – and part of the challenge is to keep these ideas/themes separate, to do them justice - I don’t want to ramble and have these topics blur into each other. And then I come up against a block of sorts – an upwelling of self-doubt that represents my fear that what I write – what I have to say – is irrelevant or pegs me as some sort of nut case- or both.

I have been living in a sort of energetic limbo – almost as if I have an impression of a life or evolutionary ‘staircase’ that climbs-up away from me and I am hanging on the upward impulse of my next step. It’s an awkward position to be in and I don’t quite know how to ‘be’ with it. A great teacher (Dr. Robert Svoboda) with whom I had the pleasure of a private consultation said that I need to “recognize the value in uncertainty”. That’s the trick isn’t it? But at what point does the ‘uncertainty’ become pleasant or at least comfortable? It seems that struggle is an inherent part of my path. My Rahu Dasa period as Dr. Svoboda said. And it doesn’t look like it’s going to change much any time soon - until 2012 - and that’s the difficult part for me. It’s all part of my karma – a playing-out of the consequences of my actions in the past. However, I am the eternal optimist and I have more dreams and aspirations than almost anyone I know and I reserve a secreted-away little space in my heart for these dreams to live and breathe. They are with me always and can never be taken away. It is from this little wellspring that I find my strength and hope – no matter the circumstances of my day-to-day life or my relationships. My Mother used to call me ‘smiley’ as a child and I often reflect on this as a means of remembering how profoundly beneficial this disposition is for our well being and of those around us. The eternal optimism of a happy child – isn’t that a blessing worth manifesting and holding?

I have been blessed lately in that I’ve discovered other remarkable teachers and teachings via Podcasts in iTunes on the Internet. Of particular note are Zencast and The Psychedelic Salon. Some of the most profound thinkers and ‘searchers’ of our time have been immortalized in digitized audio recordings and then distributed freely for all of us to access if we choose. For this I am extremely grateful and appreciative. I have been listening to some of my greatest heroes; Ram Dass, Terrence McKenna, Eckhart Tolle, Myron Stolaroff, Daniel Siebert, Rupert Sheldrake, Ralph Abraham, and Matt Pallamary just to name a few. These intrepid explorers of consciousness represent to me the finest in bravery, integrity and yearning (burning) curiosity - for their work in expanding our knowledge of the human consciousness condition and its potential. Of particular note should be those people (and teachers themselves) who work to provide a forum and method of exposure and distribution for these teachers and their messages – Lorenzo at The Psychedelic Salon and the producers of Zencast – to them I am extremely grateful.

OM Shantih,

~b

The Not-So-Secret-Secret

2007-02-19T10:24:00.000-05:00

I am part of a large, diverse yoga community in downtown New York City. This community is somewhat anchored by two yoga studios – The Shala (Barbara Verrochi and Kristin Leigh) and Ashtanga Yoga New York & Sri Ganesha Temple (Eddie Stern) – and various healers/wellness practitioners/yoga teachers/meditation teachers that are known in this large and loosely defined Sangha or spiritual community. When things percolate-up in the Wellness/Spiritual realm, we tend to hear about them and share them in an interesting, 'viral' fashion. This can be illustrated when Saints or highly regarded teachers come to town, when a certain restaurant deserves a try, when a particular healer should be sought, or when a great new book or film is out. We’re plugged-in as it were. At least it seems like it sometimes.

I heard about 'The Secret' from a friend a few months ago and saw the DVD over at his house at that time. I enjoyed its message – one that’s not particularly new to me – and then after a brief period of excitement and the production of a 'vision board', this slipped-off my radar. Then I heard about 'The Secret' again from my girlfriend who heard about it from another friend at one of the yoga studios where we practice. Then 'The Secret' was featured on Oprah – not once, but twice in one week – and it has spread like wildfire.

Let me be very clear – I am (fortunately or unfortunately) somewhat skeptical. It’s just the way I am. I am a product of a skeptical upbringing and more than a few hard knocks. When I first saw 'The Secret', my skeptical (if not cynical) mind immediately went to work on the slick marketing and the professional motivational speakers that delivered the dialogue of 'The Secret'. I’ve had more than one experience in my so-called spiritual development where the teacher or organization was more concerned with promoting product, packaging, marketing, image, and revenue – than your well-being or personal growth. Sometimes the best intentions create the worst environments and infrastructure – and then the very message becomes grossly tainted simply because the very people that deliver the message are rendered pathetically hypocritical. I tend to shy away from anything that seems to be so readily scooped-up by the masses.

I used to think – no DREAM that one day I would find a teacher that could give me all the answers and unlock some confining and restrictive spiritual mechanism in my heart that was preventing me from living the life of my dreams. The longer that I’m on this so-called spiritual path, the more I’m convinced of the notion of the teacher pointing at the moon. You should look to where the teacher is pointing – not at his finger. That’s all a teacher can do – point you in a particular direction. From there it’s up to you to determine the value of that journey. It always comes back to us. There are no short-cuts or mystical beings that can simply hand us awakening. We are where we are (and who we are) and we must fully surrender to that each and every moment. It is from that place of surrender where we can finally start to operate in a way that is in accordance with divine laws – like the law of attraction.

I have much more work to do than I ever thought I needed to. The noise or chatter in my mind is so great that I find it hard to focus at times. The restlessness in my body makes a meditation practice extremely difficult. My issues of self-worth and self-loathing provide a seemingly never-ending fuel for the fires of therapy. My unconscious, habitual patterns of defensiveness seek to sabotage every relationship in my life – to lovers, family, friends, co-workers, money/abundance, etc.

So, put into diligent, disciplined practice the lessons (and work) of 'The Secret' as well as those that have served you well – like yoga, meditation, prayer, healthy eating, positive associations of all kinds, and complete surrender to this very moment. All are pointers, but ultimately it’s you that has to do the hard work and find your own, unique way.

OM Shantih,

~b

"Celebrity-ism without Merit"

2007-01-20T14:10:00.000-05:00

I put the title of this installment in quotes because I heard Lenny Kravitz use it at some point (I think) in reference to Paris Hilton. His words captured a unique phenomenon of our times and our country. Our society has become utterly and completely ‘defined’ by popular culture and its perverse fascination with over-the-top materialism and blatant self-absorption. Just when you think things can’t possibly get any worse yet another, even more incredible example of bad taste and out-of-control vanity is celebrated in the mass media and basically force-fed to us in as many ways and forms as possible.

This is how we as Americans are DIRECTLY perceived in other cultures, in other parts of the world. That’s the double-edged power of satellite television and the Web. Our messages – good and bad – are beamed all over the world for everyone to see and interpret. I dare say that the majority of the messages are of the latter.

When our mass media outlets are almost completely saturated by the type of programming that has come to dominate (reality television/shock-over-quality content/the dumbing-down of America) our culture – it comes as no surprise that we are largely perceived as clueless, Godless, and shallow idiots who are completely devoid of ethics, estimable values, integrity and compassion. And to make matters worse, as the richest country in the world we are by default set apart as an example.

It’s hard not to view these phenomena as a somewhat sinister development – a byproduct of the ‘corporate-ization’ of every aspect of American life. I feel it’s the ‘disconnectedness’ of these large corporations and how they control so many aspects of our life experiences that are to blame to a great degree. Blood-for-oil, global warming, government controlled by special interests/lobbyists, make a buck no matter what the cost or consequences, wag the dog, etc. It’s like these large, multi-national corporations are controlled by a bureaucracy that are able to side-step personal responsibility and accountability by sheer virtue of their anonymity. Safety in numbers. Let me be even more concise: In 'An Inconvenient Truth', Al Gore didn’t specifically name companies or individuals at fault because he lacked backbone, I think it’s because there is a significant layer of protection in the anonymous bureaucracy of large corporations. He just didn’t know a concise, short list of who to point out! It’s easier to broadly blame THEM, than it is to be specific or worse - take a close look at ourselves and our contributions to global problems.

All over the world, we as Americans are hated for good reason – I hate us! And that’s a good a reason as any - but the root cause is a pervasive lack of personal responsibility and accountability - at the highest levels of our society. Change must take place and that change will begin at the opposite end of the social spectrum. It has happened before. It's called revolution. And my prayers are those that express the hope that in this struggle, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's ideals are upheld - not those of the anarchists.

OM Shantih,

~b

Yogash Chita Vritti Nirodha

2006-12-29T10:04:00.000-05:00

This is the Samadhi Pada (Chapter or Book 1), sutra #2 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It appropriately follows the first, "Atha Yoganushasanam" - which basically means "And now, the science of yoga..."

This sutra (#1;2 - Yogash Chita Vritti Nirodha) has taken on numerous meanings for me. It has many different levels of understanding - as does ALL of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These aren't straightforward lessons, oh no, these are the multicolored, multilayered gems that grow with us as we grow. Never standing still. Never one dimensional.

"Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuation of the mind" is one interpretation. And as I get older and my practice(s) deepen, I am always brought back to this sutra.

My mind betrays me at every turn, at every opportunity. I am either living in the delusion of the past or in the fantasy of the future. I am ALWAYS it seems, living in some construct of my mind's own making. Living in a story of my own creation. And these never-ending stories have become a prison of which I am becoming more-and-more aware.

As within, so it is without.

I've been listening to Rage Against the Machine at work these last couple of days. This puts me in the 'fighting mood' as it were. Not to be taken literally of course. More so, it makes me look at the world we live in and feel the incredible frustration, disappointment and anger that this EXTREMELY powerful band was able to capture and convey through their music. I wish they were still around. We as a society need the kind of 'kick in our complacency' that these guys were able to deliver. Where have their like gone?

Then I read an interview article this morning with Tias Little about how he has completely embodied the teachings of yoga and expresses them throughout every aspect of his life. He is a brilliant teacher and has a simple, but powerful message. Don't do yoga, allow yoga to do you. Of course I speak of the yogic lifestyle - not just the asana/Hatha Yoga practice. The life of mindful contemplation of the present moment is the freedom we seek from the prison of our own frenetic minds. When we embody the lessons of yoga - we connect not only on the level of the micro - but also on that of the macro. I will admit that my own meditation practice (and I use that word rather loosely), is haphazard at best. The practice of asana comes much more easily to me. I am learning to 'quiet' myself a little more each year. The Mysore Ashtanga practice has helped me with this to a great degree. If it weren't for this 'quiet time', on an almost daily basis, I would have to say that I probably wouldn't be in the 'place' where I could even conceive of writing this blog - much less attempt its subject matter - namely myself under a microscope. Public therapy.

Quiet down. Get out of your own mind - out of your own way. You are NOT your thoughts. Associate with 'higher vibratory energies' - activities, friends, work, food, media, etc.

"Does this path have a heart?" and "To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life" (Carlos Casteneda).

You (Barry) MUST lead a disciplined life. If I don't, I am lost.

Much love and peace to you all - everyone - everywhere.

OM Shantih,

~b

Be ever mindful of your thoughts!

2006-11-12T12:13:00.000-05:00

I recently worked (again) with the 'teacher plant' salvia divinorum. This is a very powerful psychoactive entheogen that I approach with a high degree of reverence and respect. It's traditional use is by the indigenous curanderos (healers) of the Sierra Mazateca of Oaxaca, Mexico. Without going into a long discourse on the nature of teacher plants and what we can learn from them, let me just say that the lessons imparted during a SD session are unlike anything you may encounter in the 'real world'. First, the 'real world' is but one of many and the true nature of it is that of energy and consciousness. I'll leave it at that. Many intrepid explorers and healers have preceded me on this type of journey - going back thousand-upon-thousands of years. Of note are the likes of Aldous Huxley, Carlos Castaneda, Terrence McKenna, Ram Das (Richard Alpert), Timothy Leary, Daniel Siebert and a host of contemporary notables - typical found in the community of alternative medicine, the study indigenous peoples healing/spiritual practices, and the study of the nature of consciousness and our physical world/reality. Unfortunately this type of study requires one being somewhat discreet as the negative connotations of 'drug use' are pervasive and negatively impact the responsible use of entheogens by respectful adults simply asking the fundamental questions of human existence and experience -"Who/what am I?", "Where do I come from and where am I going?", "How do I heal myself, others, the planet?", "How do I serve the greater good and how do I live to my highest potential?", "Can I talk to you God, do you hear me, and can I (please) hear you?".

The great masters and teachers do not require the assistance of a teacher plant such as SD to divine the answers to these (simple to them) questions. But there are very few 'enlightened' masters in the world and they are not readily accessible! So, the consummate searcher/explorer that I am requires a radical (but practical) approach. This is NOT a recreational pursuit or pastime. The teacher plant will NOT tolerate being treated with such disrespect. As it stands, I am terrified of its use. But the very core of my being is even more terrified of NOT using it and remaining ignorant of the wisdom it can impart. Let this be a warning to you.

During this last session, it became startlingly apparent that we 'construct' our perceptive reality by the thoughts we choose to think. This may sound a little vague or worse, smack of a typically overused pseudo-spiritual platitude, but the experience was that of 'real-time' construction of reality (see Terrence McKenna's reference to machine elves) according to the 'direction' of my thoughts. We can choose to think in negative/cynical/pessimistic terms, or we can make the choice to think optimistically and remain positive in our daily outlook. The choice is ours to make and I now have a new-found respect for the much misunderstood notion of "the power of positive thinking"! This practice isn't easy in our complex and sometimes harsh world. So, I think our task is to find what is important (positive) and to strip away that which is negative. We are definitely influenced by the company we keep, the media we choose to consume, the foods we eat, the practices/past-times we pursue, etc. Ska Maria la Pastora (SD) is telling us to be mindful of our habitual patterns of thought and to make a conscious effort to focus on the 'sweet' as opposed to the 'bitter'. We co-create our reality, but we alone create our life experience and it's trajectory. That journey can be full of beauty, peace and compassion, but we must make the choice to pursue and live beauty, peace and compassion. You won't find it by constantly associating with (and consuming) violence, malice, pain, suffering, ugliness, vanity, greed, envy, jealousy, hatred, etc.

OM Shantih,

~b

Does this Path have a Heart?

2006-10-08T05:58:00.000-05:00

So I woke up at 5:00AM today with my mind FULL of thoughts and memories of innumerable mistakes and examples of foolish and even reprehensible behavior. As one passed, another exploded into my mind to easily take its place. After a while I found it rather comical that I could easily 'will' another shameful example and yet couldn't remember a single example of something good I had done. It's as if my mind was 'blocked' or stuck in one mode (negative/bad memories) and refused to switch channels. I thought of the 'big mind' technique of meditation and of the various players in our mind and knew that my self-critical mind was in full control. This of course didn't help one bit and all I could do was to simply ride it out! Ugh.

I was scheduled to go on an IMS/Vipassana meditation retreat this past week. It was a 14 day program. At the last moment I chose not to go because of practicalities (money) and such. Here I am looking for work, behind on my bills and I'm contemplating going away for 2 weeks on a meditation retreat! Funny how we always seem to have either plenty of time on our hands but not enough money or vice versa.

It's so very difficult to ACTUALLY believe that things are as they should be. Particularly when you take the time on a regular basis (sadhana) to check in and simply observe. For me the practice of yoga, meditation, therapy/counseling, introspection, reading books by the great masters, etc. is that 'checking-in'. As difficult as one's external situation is or can be, it can always be comforting to find a bit of peace in your spiritual practice.

But when your internal world is under assault, it's hard to find a still point. That's when a spiritual practice shows us the way...

I am contemplating my options and opportunities as far as a new F/T position is concerned. I've been out of work since late August. The time-off has been good - more time with Dana and Lefty, but the usual stress is always present. A pattern I see repeating itself as far as the work search is concerned is that if I go for money, the commute is horrid, the environment lousy, the work stressful, the hours long, etc. but if I happen upon a gig where those characteristics are actually good, then the money isn't. What's with that? I suppose it's the reminder that you should simply take the opportunity that represents the best chance at personal and professional growth (follow your heart) and turn a blind eye towards the salary. Kind of a variation on the theme that if you follow your heart or do what you love, the money will come (eventually).

Speaking of following one's heart, I came across one of my favorite quotes yesterday:

"Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you feel you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions. To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that a path is only a path, and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you to do. But your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free from fear or ambition. I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone, one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it once whan I was very young, and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. Now I understand it. I will tell you what it is. Does this path have a heart? All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. They are a path going through the bush or into the bush...In my own life I could say that I have traversed long, long paths, but I am not anywhere. My benefactor's question has meaning now. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart and the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you."

The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge
by Carlos Casteneda

OM Shantih,
~b

A little validation goes a long way...

2006-09-29T09:54:00.000-05:00

So I got a call yesterday from a nice lady who saw our business card in Commodities Natural Foods in the East Village. It didn't result in any work at this point, but a connection was made and she liked the whole premise of DharmaBuilt - that service as path is indeed an important and worthwhile endeavor - particulary when it comes to small business or individuals. The type of work that I perform is readily accessible to larger organizations and there are innumerable agencies that are more than happy to charge a premium for such work. She echoed the idea that the 'little guy' needs such services as well and what better target markets than alternative medicine/healers, wellness, holistic services, yoga teachers, etc.?

It's the type of message that I most need to hear and this will keep me going - keep me trying to make it work.

I also had the 'traditional' telephone interview for a full-time, corporate online marketing job yesterday. After the interview was over, I felt that it's really unfortunate that we as a society condone, support and even create the need for people to assume 'roles' that are not in keeping with their (our) authentic selves. I mean, corporate job interviews are EXACTLY the venues in which we assume a particular role and portray ourselves in such a way so that we appear more pleasing to the interviewer or hiring manager. They set us up to embellish, manipulate, lie or simply censor the truth about ourselves. It's like the interviewer wants us to answer a 'one-size-fits all' script when in fact we are all so very, very different and unique that what possible script would be applicable? How can we measure the true value of individuals based upon such limited measurements? Once again it's the 'black and white' of credentials, experience and accomplishments on a resume - and nothing to do with who we really are - what life means to us, what we love, what inspires us, what makes us sad, what makes us angry, who are our heros, who are our villains, what are our dreams, etc.?

No wonder so many of us are feeling dispossessed and somewhat betrayed by our society and its pervasive and warped materialistic orientation. I find myself contemplating the extremes of the Paris Hiltons and the Osama Bin Ladens of the world - and begin to understand the forces that create both. How do we as a society and the human race find the middle way?

OM Shantih,

~b

Welcome to the launch of DharmaBuilt and The Dharma-Blog

2006-09-22T16:46:00.000-05:00

As usual this project grew exponentially and I'm finally getting just the beginnings of DharmaBuilt up. Much, much more is to come over the next few weeks. What started-out as a small project to basically serve as a portfolio/personal Web site for both Dana and me, turned into something that took on its own life. It's certainly ironic that these things take on a whole different meaning and context as we 'step into them' - particularly when they are part of who we REALLY are by nature. I suppose that if it's part of 'right-alignment', that it's a good thing. If not, then it's just another example of my own obsessing over details! I prefer and believe the former.

I've enjoyed (somewhat) my refresher course in HTML/CSS/JavaScript! A great designer I don't claim to be - that's what I've always arranged for others to do - but as a Web Project Manager and Consultant, it's certainly helpful to have some chops to throw down now and then. My thing is that I'm the consumate generalist - I know a little about a LOT of different stuff on the Web. And I've got some great friends and contacts I've developed over the years to help do some amazing things online.

I also hope that this blog finally gets me into the habit of 'journaling' and I'll try to keep it interesting and informative about a wide range of topics.

So, we'll just have to see where this goes. See if it is DharmaBuilt...

OM Shantih,

~b