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Dear Friends,
There's a notion that you can be anything you want if you set your mind to it and dedicate yourself fully. In fact, this is encouraged over and over again in self-help manuals and new age books.
The truth is, you can really only be one thing.
Yourself.
Unique, Amazing, and Perfectly Imperfect.
The challenging part is figuring out who that is.
Each of us has been given a gift. If you look around, it's really not that hard to see it in others. When we're young, we're naturally drawn towards that gift. Whether it's hours spent strumming a guitar through the night, playing with electronics in ham radios and walkie talkies, tinkering with go cart engines, creating gourmet meals from leftovers in the fridge, dedicating ourselves to writing poetry and prose, or costume designing dolls, we are all pointed in the direction of our gift through our inner compass.
For some of us, this gift is encouraged and supported by our parents, teachers or other authority figures; for most of us, as children this gift is seen as a distraction, something that stands in the way of what really needs to be focused on. And when that focus isn't directed towards the suggested subject matter, and we can't be corralled in with the rest of the group, they put letters next to our name and label us with a "disorder".
And we are continually steered in the direction that society and culture require us to follow.
But what's the tradeoff?
We become unmoored from the gift; we drift further and further out to sea away from the quiet whisperings within.
Until sometime later in life we feel an ache, a longing, a calling, perhaps an emptiness inside. Some label this a "mid-life crisis" but really this a mid-life opportunity.
When you're feeling disconnected, separate, unsure of your direction, look to the gift. Look to your dharma. Over and over and over again.
We have a responsibility to the Gift. The Gift is God in disguise.
Our work is to make choices that create the right conditions for dharma to flourish. The gift itself is indestructible. It is a seed. We are not required to be God. We are not required to create the seed. We are only required to plant it wisely and dedicate ourselves to its growth and nourishment.
p.s. I have been thoroughly inspired by Stephen Cope's recently released book "The Great Work of Your Life"; highly recommended, thank you Stephen for letting me borrow some of your powerful insights.
NEW CLASS OFFERED! WEDNESDAYS 9:30-11:00am
I was shown a gem of a space at the Superdome in Waldwick, NJ (thank you Cindy Kresch) where I'll be teaching a 90 minute class starting next Wednesday, November 14th from 9:30-11:00am. This will be a Powerful Vinyasa Flow Practice in a lightly heated room (80 degrees approximately). Investment: $20.
Location:
The Superdome
136 Hopper Ave. Waldwick, NJ
201-888-9295
From the parking lot look to the left of the main entrance (past the cafe) and you'll see a sign in the window that says "E-Motion Fitness & Nutrition". This is the space. Go in the main entance and make your first left past the cafe and you'll see the door ahead. Please take off your shoes as you enter the doorway and place them in the cubby's across the room.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE & EVENTS:
TONIGHT! FRIDAY NOV 9TH CANDLELIT YOGA
My signature Candlelit Yoga Class returns tonight from 5:30-7:00 Yoga Synthesis in Chestnut Ridge, New York.
Assisted by candlelight and carefully sequenced music, this class starts with a slow building 60 minute Sweet & Strong Vinyasa Flow followed by 30 minutes of a Cool Down and Restorative Postures to help you transition from the work week into the weekend; or from off the grid to back on. Open to All Levels. Modifications are offered.
Yoga Synthesis
787 Chestnut Ridge Road
Chestnut Ridge, New York 10977
201-818-9642
GARDEN STATE YOGA GLEN ROCK NJ
530 Broad Street Glen Rock, NJ 07452
973-680-1400
November 10th Saturday 10:00-11:30am OPENING DAY!
November 11th Sunday 8:00-9:15am
November 15th Thursday 6:15-7:30pm
November 16th Friday 9:30-10:45am
Friday Evening November 30th~6:30-8:30pm~
LIVE MUSIC with Yoga Practice
Location:
Ramapo College
Center for Innovative and Profressional Learning (A-233)
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
201-684-7370
cipl@ramapo.edui
Berrie Center Rehearsal Hall
BC-216
PRIVATES & SEMI-PRIVATE OFFERINGS:
- Restorative Practice including Meditation & Pranayama (breathwork)
- Vinyasa Flow Practice~Beginner & Intermediate
- Yoga Teaching Skills Development
- Yoga Practice & Conscious Conversation/Life Guidance
- Intro to Yoga Series for those Brand New to the practice
I have 2 spaces available to teach private or semi-private sessions, 60 or 90 minutes. This can be at Garden State Yoga, my home or yours. Please e-mail or call to inquire about pricing and details.
HARMONIUM LESSONS
I offer my lifetime of experience in musical practice and performance to help you efficiently learn to accompany yourself on this sacred instrument to chant for yoga class, for kirtan, or just for your own enjoyment. This is an opportunity for those just beginning to learn to play the harmonium as well as for those interested in developing their prowess on the instrument. Please call or write for details and pricing.
201-888-9295
All good things to you,
Ben
www.facebook.com/BENWISCHmpoweryoga
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