Be the change you want to see in the world. —Mahatma Gandhi

I was contemplating the above quote and sort of meditating on the essence of its meaning.

Ultimately, I understand it to mean that the world around me is what I have made it to be within my mind. That my perceptions of the world IS what I make of it, and that I am responsible in regards to my perceptions of the world and how I respond or react to the stimuli coming from that world.

I’ve come to realize that whatever yoga and meditation I do has a profound effect on how I perceive the world. After practicing yoga and meditation I am calm and serene. And the world transforms around me and has become more vibrant, peaceful and my mind’s view of the world has changed.

I guess there are things in this world I have no control over… things that I can not change, but I can change the way I perceive everything around me. And I can change the way I react to everything as well. In reality, we can’t help but be a part of this unfolding universe. We can’t really keep ourselves from becoming a part of it, because we are at one with it. But at the same time our universe lies outside and within. And we ultimately make it what it is.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
—-Buddha

In essence, if I am struggling in life, then that is how I perceive my life to be at that moment. If I feel I am being mistreated then that is how I am reacting to a given situation in life. Ultimately, a way to a more peaceful and improved existence is to simply change the way we view the world, and how we react to it.

What is stress? We could say that stress is the effect this world has on our psyche, our spirit… our mind and body. But the key to overcoming stress and the obstacles and challenges we face in life, is to change the way we react and respond to them.

So, one way to do this is to change our minds… how we react… and how we respond. We seem to have a way of reacting to outside stimuli. We just have to change the way we respond and react. And maybe…. just don’t react.

Control our minds in that respect.

Anyway, it’s easier said than done, because we are beings with emotions and we tend to react in such a way. But at the same time, the mind is a powerful thing and collectively humans have had the power to build so many wonderful things, and at the same time had the power to destroy them.

The mind can be powerful. And we can change the world. But it is up to us to change it within ourselves.

At least that is how I understand Gandhi’s words. That many times we look to change people, things, etc… outside of us… when the change should take place from within…..

Be the change you want to see in the world.
—-Mahatma Gandhi

Not that my life is a bowl of cherries right now, but, I do wish to travel more, and find the time to meditate. I do yoga daily and I had a nice routine earlier today, but perhaps I’ll do a short relaxing routine tonight and do some meditation. Go inward…

I wish to travel to India, Nepal and the Himalayas. For some odd reason this is something I’ve wanted to do since my teens. Meanwhile, I’ve been getting into all things Indian… especially cooking. Lately, I’ve been getting into curry dishes, and I’ve been studying recipes online and from books.

I found a site that has a really good basic curry sauce, which can be applied to all sorts of dishes. And I am practicing by making curry everyday so that I’ll be able to create a presentable curry dish. I’ve been using this vegetable curry recipe as a platform for adding my own mix of vegetables, chickpeas, potatoes, etc.

Anyway, my obsession with India has become rather serious. I recently bought a DVD about the actual Indian ascetics, the true yogis who roam around the country, practice yoga and meditation, and live in caves, etc. Then I bought a good book on authentic Indian recipes. And I bought a DVD about India and the Royal Bengal Tiger (now an endangered species).

So, I’ve made a promise to myself that one day I will visit India, Nepal and The Himalayas. Maybe that’ll get this obsession out of my system… or trigger more hopes and desires… who knows.

Maybe in a past life I lived there already? And deep down I am wishing to return….

[ well, i'm back... i guess i couldn't stay away for too long... and i had to write some things down for my benefit... ]

“An outside enemy exists only if there is anger inside.”
—Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This piece of wisdom has been on my mind lately. Someone had this as her signature on one of the vegan forums that I participate in….

I think that this is the ideal… that there is no outside enemy if one is completely peaceful and enlightened within.

But, people seem to find enemies outside, and that is why we have so many wars in this world, and hatred still abounds here and there. People DO want the upper hand, and they DO want to have control over you, or to prove you wrong. It happens.

Yet, I will reflect on this quote and try to understand that all hatred begins within the mind. Still, it is a hard concept to understand because of the fact that there will be people who are enemies who would NOT look out for one’s best interests other than their own.

And there are those greedy and power hungry individuals who would take advantage of the meek and the down trodden… that seems to be a fact of life….

Still, I will dwell and ponder upon those wise teachings that tell me that wisdom and understanding lies within…

Sometimes. I don’t know what to write here anymore. I mean, sometimes I feel burnt out regarding the whole blogging and online journaling scene.

Maybe I’ve been doing this long enough and it’s time to either go on an extended hiatus, or just keep a low profile.

I don’t think I would ever quit, but at the moment my heart doesn’t seem to be into it.

Maybe it’s because everybody and their grandmother has a blog nowadays. Perhaps the common-ness of having a blog or journal gives me the feeling that it’s no big deal now.

And in the old days, when I felt I was part of a small niche of people willing to pour their heart and soul online… willing to expose and document a life on the world wide web.

And, perhaps it’s always best to take a break and give it a rest.

Maybe I’ll come back re-charged and with a new inspiration to write. I really do feel that my heart’s not in it lately……

So, we’ll see…..

I was in Santa Barbara over the weekend, from Thursday through Sunday… got back Sunday afternoon. It was my niece’s 18th birthday and we gave her a surprise party, which turned out to be a lot of work but was a big success.

So now I’m back in San Diego and I’m pretty tired.

During my stay in Santa Barbara I did 3 really good yoga routines. And last week I was fasting on liquids, juices and water, which I think helped with the yogic experience.

It was fiesta time in Santa Barbara and on Saturday I went with the family to the downtown farmer’s market to buy some organic produce. I forgot to get some money so I ended up walking several blocks looking for an ATM.

I was lost and walked around and finally ended up at a small yoga store called “Drishti: Yoga Essentials” and chatted with Bethany the store person there. I couldn’t believe all the yoga stuff they had there… especially a few hard-to-get DVDs. I ended up buying a DVD called “Ashtanga, NY: A Yoga Documentary”, which was filmed during the month that the 9/11 attacks occured. It’s a very good film about the Ashtanga Yoga movement, and about Sri Pattabhi Jois, the beloved guruji and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. The film also includes interviews with actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Wilhem Dafoe, who can be seen briefly, particpating in the yoga workshops that went on for a whole month of September 2001.

Anyway, I’m glad the weather has cooled a bit in San Diego. The day today has been sunny yet comfortably warm and slightly breezy, just the way I like it. No one has called me for rehearsal so I guess there is none tonight. So I’m just taking it easy and working in the garden.

I have a gardenia bush and it finally had one flower! I’ve been taking care of it by keep the soil moist and giving it a slow pellet fertilizer plus the quick acting Miracle-Gro stuff that’s for acidic plants. Hopefully there’ll be more flowers and I’ll be able to take some photos.