About: Cascade Yoga Studio -- Articles

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Stephanie Squibb says farewell to teaching yoga asana at Cascade Yoga; she continues teaching her monthly meditation class at the studio.

Awareness is potent

by Stephanie Squibb

Stephanie Squibb, meditation and yoga teacher We exist within a potent, vibratory field of energy. We experience a small part of this through the sensory world as humans, butterflies, trees, seasons, sound, thoughts, words, silence, inspiration, and expiration.

Awareness of this pulse informs each moment, bringing understanding and connection. This underlying truth of existence is what we call the Dharma.

A single flower will alter its vibrancy of color based on whether or not the Earth needs warmth or cooling. The flower has compassion for life. This is the nature of Life, the Dharma.

From the Bhagavad Gita, “I am the pure water, radiance in the sun and moon, the sacred word OM, the sound in the silence…the fragrance of the earth, forever present in all beings. I am intelligence in those who are wise, and splendor in all that is beautiful.”

When mind is in a state of stillness in the flow, we hear the Beloved as a whisper in the silence. The whisper feeds a longing in a way that is ineffable - no words can reach there.

The temptation here is to question the Source. If in the asking, the sound resonates even deeper, listen with intension to hear Truth. Truth is usually not convenient, but always arises from an open, spacious quality of what we call Bodhicitta, the wakeful heart.

Be wary of those who think they know.

Spend time with those who move through life continually emptying their glass, looking beyond mind, opening to the freshness of the present. Hatha yoga and meditation have allowed this mind to simply abide mindfully in uncertainty, opening the doors and windows to the glory of now.

If you feel an impulse to give, take a breath in and let the out breath be the action, no thought, just pure generosity. Don’t try to be holy. Wrap your arms around the next person you see and love them, no attachments. Affirming life is saying yes to now. Love another. Expect nothing in return and you will be happy.

Simple truth as told by Anthony DeMello, “What makes you happy or unhappy is not the world and the people around you, but the thinking in your head. There is not a single moment in your life when you do not have everything you need to be happy.”

The experience of teaching and learning with all of you as students of life has moved me from seeing tight hamstrings, a sweet smile, and funny personalities to stepping into the very center of who you are and loving you who feels pain; laughs; is compassionate; feels both the strength and the heat of boat pose; feels free in half moon; and who, some days can’t wait for savasana. The you who, in quiet moments, can recognize your undeniable inner strength and beauty.

May you dwell in that knowing all the days of your life.