Write: Staying rooted in the memory and feeling of the specific situation, we respond to six prompts to capture our stressful thoughts in short, simple sentences. 1. We identify the emotion we feel, with whom, and why. For example, "I am angry with Paul because he lied to me." 2. We identify how we want the person to change and what we want them to do. For example, "I want Paul to see that he is wrong. I want him to stop lying to me." 3. We write down our advice for the person. For example, "Paul shouldn't frighten me with his behavior. He should take a deep breath." 4. We write down what we need in order to feel better about the situation. For example, "I need Paul to stop talking over me. I need him to listen." 5. We list our complaints about the person or the situation. For example, "Paul is a liar, arrogant, loud, dishonest, and unaware." 6. We write down what it is about the person or situation that we don't ever want to experience again. For example, "I don't ever want Paul to lie to me again. I don't ever want to be disrespected again." As we express our feelings in writing, we should allow ourselves to be as petty, judgemental, or childish as we may feel without censorship; this is our opportunity to discover our true emotions from that moment.
Turn It Around: Finally, we practice turning around each of our statements to find multiple opposing statements and consider whether they may be as true as or truer than our original thoughts. A statement often can be turned around to the self, the other, the opposite, and written in contrasting language. Each statement will be different--some have one or two opposites, some have four or more--don't force any that don't make sense. Sometimes to find a good turnaround, we can replace the subject with "my thinking." For example instead of, "My body should be more flexible," we can say, "My thinking should be more flexible." For turnarounds to the sixth prompt about what we never want to experience again, turnarounds can begin with "I welcome..." or "I look forward to..." For the above example, "Paul lied to me," we may find the following four turnarounds, "I lied to me. I lied to Paul. Paul didn't lie to me. Paul told me the truth." As we consider the truth and validity of the opposing statements, we should stretch ourselves to identify any examples or evidence that could support them. In this example we can explore how the deception was really our own wanting to believe, our own self-deception. We can explore how clear and honest we were with Paul in the situation. We can explore Paul's understanding and intentions, and his own truth in his lived experience. The Work of Byron Katie binds Satya, Santosha, Svadhyaya, and Brahmacharya as we examine the validity of our beliefs and look for other possibilities (Satya), we exercise mental inversions and create space for opposing viewpoints (Santosha), we recognize the possible differences and disparities between our interpretation of an event and how it may have been experienced by another (Svadhyaya), and we engage with The Work as an active practice in our aim to approach unity consciousness (Brahmacharya.) While The Work is challenging, this contemplative yoga bears beautiful fruits, and I encourage you to apply the practice once or twice a week, and to notice how your beliefs and experiences transform and evolve. Start with whatever experience is most prominent in your awareness, whatever has you most upset in this moment, whatever is most energetically charged, as there you will find the most helpful results. As we continue with the practice and work through different memories and situations, we may then begin to apply the practice to specific Anti-Racism work, checking in with our beliefs about what we're hearing in the news and how we interpret "the facts" of any given situation. Enjoy the practice, and please let me know how it goes. Namaste ~ Teagan
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Butterfly medicine teaches us to avoid clinging too dearly to any one state, and to appreciate the beauty in every cycle--birth of the caterpillar, cocooning in chrysalis, emergence of the butterfly, butterfly dance and migration, and eventual return to the earth. There's exquisite elegance in the perpetual dance of impermanence, a richness to each stage and epoch. The Butterfly effect: |
 | Understanding and applying this Buddhist philosophy can bring the Butterfly Effect to life in our lived experiences. In chaos theory, the Butterfly Effect refers to a phenomenon in which due to the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in later states. While the theory and mathematical definition are applied in weather pattern prediction and quantum mechanics, the popular metaphor describes the example of the minor atmospheric perturbations from the flapping of a butterfly's wings influencing the details of a tornado's formation, path, and duration several weeks later. |
The idea speaks to our propensity to try to make everything comprehensible, to provide logical and calculable models and explanations, when in truth nature always defies rules and reason. The essence of the lesson is to relinquish our dependency on our ordered reasoning, our ideas of cause and effect, our evaluations of undesirable and desirable events, and our maps and plans about how to avoid or achieve them. Instead, when we emphasize aligning our intention, expectations, and vibrations to feelings of peace, joy, and appreciation no matter the circumstance or situation, we generate an energetic field around us for more such experiences to take form and be drawn in. We create our own energetic field with every thought, every word, every prayer or intentionality in mindful action; our figuratively flapping butterfly wings can quell tornadoes and restore a sense of balance and cohesion. It's about aligning in a particular heart-space and head-space, about maintaining a particular posture or attitude in our expressions, a rhythm and ritual to our way of being, that may ripple out and environ our peaceful place.
Butterfly Design, Pattern, & light
We often admire butterflies for their intricate designs, shapes, colors, and plays of light. For example the Morpho Butterfly, one of Costa Rica's great prides, exhibits a striking contrast in its wings from the top and under sides. With wings closed together, they show natural hues of browns and yellow, with several round 'eyes,' but when they take flight with wings open, their scales diffract the light and shine with blue bright.
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 | We can appreciate the dichotomy between a butterflies' neutral tones to camouflage and blend in, and their flashiness to scare away predators, which makes them stand out. We can appreciate the dichotomy of the butterfly and the moth, diurnal and nocturnal, resting with wings closed or wings open. We can appreciate as well how butterflies express and often reject the male and female dichotomy, expressing in many different asymmetries and new patternings. |
Sacred SInging CIrcle
 | The first two Sacred Singing Circles with Angel and Adriana have been a pure joy to attend, coming together with like-hearted souls and building positive energy within a charged container, singing in English, Spanish, Japanese, Sanskrit, Lakota, and Nahuatl. In our first circle we sang the Mariposa / Butterfly song, appropriate for the new beginning in sacred and transformative circle, and in our second group we developed the felicitous theme with a Nahuatl butterfly song, 'Huey Papalotl.' Lyrics, translation, and some explanation are outlined below. Please join in the Sacred Singing Circle every other thursday evening; see the facebook events for up to date details and information. |
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Everywhere is "Roar"
 | Leo season has been rich with blessings, new experiences, understandings, manifestations, and information. The Lion theme has been ever-present, presenting itself seemingly from all sides. Here I explore the symbolism of Lion through different traditions and how the themes relate to our current atmosphere and global situation as fears around Corona endure, the anti-racism movement requires continuous boosts of momentum, and we all navigate and re-knit new realities in our distinct and drastically evolving communities. To begin, let's look at a Lion's pride, leadership, confidence, a time to shine, grace in manifestation, kings and kingdoms, religious tribes, and nobility. |
Here Comes A lion's Pride
 | In Disney's The Lion King, the memorable song The Circle of Life heralds the birth of Simba (Swahili: Power, Lion), as the Shaman Rafiki (Swahili: Friend, Ally, Comrade) exalts the young cub on Pride Rock for all the lion pride and animal kingdom to see and to witness. South African composer and producer Lebohang "Lebo M" Morake wrote and sang the opening Zulu lyrics, "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba Sithi uhm ingonyama. Nants ingonyama bagithi baba Sithi uhhmm ingonyama Ingonyama Siyo Nqoba Ingonyama Ingonyama nengw’ enamabala," which translate, "Here comes a lion, father, Oh yes it’s a lion. Here comes a lion, father, Oh yes it’s a lion. A lion we’re going to conquer, a lion, a lion and a leopard come to this open place." |
Leo Season aStrology: Time to SHine
 | July 22 - August 22 marked the 2020 Leo Season. Ruled by the Sun, Leo the Lion embodies the zodiac's Fixed Fire Sign. Bold, boisterous, bright, beautiful, and full of good vibes, this creative, connective season showed us enthusiastic self-confidence, positivity, and a little more luminosity to shine out into our world, to embrace joy and brilliance, and boost others with feel-good energy. Accented at the auspicious 8/8 Lion's Gate, the blazing Leo sun linked with star system Sirius in cosmic alignment and showered us with manifesting abundance, supporting us to dream big. Bustle's Nina Khan says, "Sirius in astrology is associated with wealth, passion, honor, and even fame and riches, while the glittering sun is all about confidence, willpower, and self-expression." |
Have a Lion's Heart, Be Confident!
the 8/8 Lions Gate Portal:
A Lion's Grace in Manifestation
 | According to ascension guide and quantum shaman Laura Brown, "Civilizations as far back as the Dogon tribe of Africa, Sumer, and Ancient Egypt tracked the Sirius star system across the sky, despite lacking any modern technology... Sirius' alignment with Earth coincides with the Orion constellation aligning perfectly with the Pyramids of Giza, creating a trinity of alignments which open the lion's gate portal." |
 | Numerologically speaking, Leo Season is capped with two 22s, July 22 - August 22, in conjunction with double 20s hindsight, and two to the third is 8. Put that together with the 8/8 Lion's Gate and you've got a recipe for pure luck and success. While the number eight traditionally represents prosperity and abundance and looks like the infinity symbols turned on its side, this portal represents more of an Irish Triquetra, or Tri-finity, and relates to our tribal affinities. Brown continues, "Leo is a raging fire sign, and its energy can attract all it desires like a moth to a flame," which sounds like some potent Butterfly Medicine to me, drawing in my Leo mama to meet her first grandchild. Incidentally, my brother had the Orion constellation tattooed on his heart, with a triple infinity and Roman Numeral III on his back; he was the third of our three siblings, and we're of Irish descent--all symbolism relating to 2020's 8/8 Lion's gate. |
The Lion OF JuDAH:
The Three KingDoms, Tribes, & Nobility
 | Wikipedia tells us that The Lion of Judah (Hebrew: אריה יהודה Aryeh Yehudah) embodies a Jewish national and cultural symbol, traditionally regarded as the symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah. According to the Torah, the tribe consists of Jacob's fourth son Judah's descendants. We first find the association between Judah and the lion in Jacob's blessing to his son Judah in the Book of Genesis. According to Christian theology, the Lion of Judah mentioned in the Book of Revelation represents Jesus, however the Rastafarian religion recognizes these namings as acknowledgements of the Solomonic Emperors of Ethiopia. |
 | Already we can identify the Lion's association with three distinct religious lineages, tribalism, imperialism, and royalty. Having grown up in an Irish Catholic family, this makes me wonder who were the three kings from the orient bearing gifts for baby Jesus. It makes the below song's 'star of wonder' sound like an energetic-body Merkabah activation in line with the Sirius Star system portal as describe in Merkabah Mysticism, given that in recent weeks the mathematics of squaring the circle around Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian man have been explained a new in simple, clear, mathematical terms. |
The Lion of Judah, The Israelite Tribe,
& The Kingdom of Jerusalem
 | The Lion of Judah (in Hebrew: Yehuda) has long been the heralded coat of arms emblem for Jerusalem (formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Jerusalem), and of Judaism as a religion, representing the tribe of the Israelites, from the blessing patriarch Jacob gives to his son Judah in Genesis 49:9, in which he calls him "Young Lion," (Gur Aryeh גּוּר אַרְיֵה יְהוּדָה, ) Usually the iconography depicts the Lion of Judah standing proudly, often with one foot lifted to hold a flag or banner. |
Lion of Judah, Christianity,
& The Holy Trinity
 | In Christianity, the Lion of Judah ("Thesouro de Nobreza", 1675) appears in Revelation 5:5, "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." While some scholars regard the lion symbol as Jesus' first coming, and the paradox imagery of lion appearing as a slaughtered yet risen lamb, others regard the reference as Jesus' second coming, a traditional messianic image of deliverance through military might. C. S. Lewis, inspired by the Lion of Judah, represents Jesus in The Chronicles of Narnia with a lion named Aslan. |
The Lion of Judah, Ethiopian Empire,
& Rastafarianism
 | Rastafarianism regards Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia as a king in the line of Judah with the given title "Lion of Judah", featured symbolically on the Ethiopian flag from 1897 to 1974. The Italian Jobi Ludolfi published in 1683 a map of the Upper Nile describing the Lion of Judah symbol as the Royal Insignia of the Ethiopian empire, and the Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia claims that its patriarchal lineage originates in the Israelite Royal House of Judah. Thus, the Lion of Judah served as the hereditary title of the Solomonic Ethiopian emperors including King of kings Yohannes IV, Menelik and Haile Selassie. |
A 13th-century treatise, the Kebre Negest, records and elaborates on Ethiopia's history, asserting descent from the Israelites who returned with Makeda, the Queen of Sheba from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem. The Queen of Sheba had conceived with King Solomon the Solomonic dynasty founder Menelik I, continuing the patriarchal line passed directly from king to king until Emperor Haile Selassie I, ostensibly the 225th king from King David, was deposed in 1974.
All three Christian, Jewish, and Ethiopian histories document their immigration of the Tribes of Dan (Hebrew: דָּן, meaning "Judge") and Judah that accompanied Makeda back from her visit to Solomon; hence the inclusion among the Solomonic Dynasty Emperors titles the Ethiopian Orthodox language Ge'ez motto: Mo`a 'Anbessa Ze'imnegede Yihuda or The Lion of Judah has conquered. The Lion of Judah motif figures prominently on old imperial flag, stamps, and currency, and still may be seen as a natinal symbol gracing the terrace of the capital.
The Rastafari movement regards the Imperial Flag Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, with the Lion of Judah, the cross scepter, and five Stars of David as prominent symbolism representing strength, kingship, pride, and African sovereignty. Rastafari consider the mention of "The Lion of Judah" in Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5 of The Bible to refer to Emperor Haile Selassie I. Rastafari revere Haile Selassie I with the titles "KING of Kings, LORD of lords, Conquering Lion of Judah, Elect of God, the Light of the World".
[Citations from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]
All three Christian, Jewish, and Ethiopian histories document their immigration of the Tribes of Dan (Hebrew: דָּן, meaning "Judge") and Judah that accompanied Makeda back from her visit to Solomon; hence the inclusion among the Solomonic Dynasty Emperors titles the Ethiopian Orthodox language Ge'ez motto: Mo`a 'Anbessa Ze'imnegede Yihuda or The Lion of Judah has conquered. The Lion of Judah motif figures prominently on old imperial flag, stamps, and currency, and still may be seen as a natinal symbol gracing the terrace of the capital.
The Rastafari movement regards the Imperial Flag Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, with the Lion of Judah, the cross scepter, and five Stars of David as prominent symbolism representing strength, kingship, pride, and African sovereignty. Rastafari consider the mention of "The Lion of Judah" in Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5 of The Bible to refer to Emperor Haile Selassie I. Rastafari revere Haile Selassie I with the titles "KING of Kings, LORD of lords, Conquering Lion of Judah, Elect of God, the Light of the World".
[Citations from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]
Lion, Tiger, & Bear Medicine:
The COnnection with Yoga,
anti-Racism, White Imperialism,
& the CORONAVIRUS?
 | Lion & Tiger can represent our greatest joy, abundance, our pride or tribe, highest royalty and religious king of kings, as outlined above, or conversely, can symbolize our basest animal instincts, as described below. Royalty, the crown, highest honors paradoxically either can be well harnessed, won, and deserved, or usurped with fear and manipulation. It is up to us to connect with our deepest truth and exercise discernment (Satya) to sort the conflicting narratives and fake news, and navigate the paradoxes (Santosha). |
 | Is the Coronavirus a state of mind? In spanish 'Corona' translates as crown or halo. Is the virus rooted in our own fear, greed, dis-ease or self-deception as we surrender to the 'powers' that be and believe what they would have us believe? What makes some groups and individuals vulnerable and unable to defend, while others seem unpenetrated? There are certainly many factors to consider, and we must look logically at the total gestalt of our current environment to put the pieces together in a way that rings true. Below we explore Lion in terms of animal instinct, greed, prejudice, courage, trust, truth, and self-empowerment. Then, we approach the Buddha-Nature, the deepest truth of non-dualism and our capacity for self-empowerment through thorough study and fearless practice. |
Shiva Wears & SIts Upon A tiger Skin:
Tiger as Baser Animal Instinct
 | According to Shiva Puran, Lord Shiva would wander the forests naked. Once, he reached a forest where various saints stayed with their families and his bare body distracted the village women who were drawn to follow the young sage. Although Shiva was unaware of his effect, the village saints became agitated with their wives wondering attentions, so they dug a pit in Shiva's path and left a tiger in it. Still Shiva remained unaffected, killing the tiger within seconds. He tore off its skin to cover his body, and ever since wears the tiger skin, symbolising the divine force's victory over basic animal instincts. |
Durga RIdes A lIon Or Tiger:
Lion as Greed, Jealousy, Prejudice
 | The Hindu Mother Goddess Durga, the combined form of Goddesses Lakshmi, Kali, and Saraswati, reigns over rulers and warriors, bringing prosperity and dispensing food to human kind. She represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral ethics, order, and righteousness in all creation, as a protected fort or refuge, safeguarding humans from evil and misery by destroying negative energy and vices like arrogance, jealousy, greed, anger, hatred, and prejudice. Goddess Durga represents the feminine Shakti energy that wards off wickedness; her shakti contains the gods' combined energy in the form of her many weapons and emblems. Satya Kalra identifies in her image: |
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- A bow and arrow in her second left lower hand symbolizes character like Lord Rama, that when we face difficulties in our life we should maintain our character and values;
- A lotus flower in her third lower left hand symbolizes detachment, that like a lotus flower we accept the muddy waters of the external word and smile our beauty unto others;
- A club in her third right lower hand, the symbol of Hanuman indicating devotion and surrender, that whatever we do in our life we do with love and devotion and accept the outcome as the Almighty’s will;
- A trident/trishul in her fourth left lower hand symbolizes courage, that we have courage to eliminate our evil qualities and face our lives' challenges;
- The mudra of Her fourth lower right hand symbolizes Her blessings and forgiveness, that we forgive ourselves and others for mistakes and any hurt we have caused;
- Durga Maa rides on a lion or a tiger, symbolizing unlimited power and her reign over the uncontrolled animalistic tendencies or vices like anger, arrogance, greed, violence, jealousy, judgment, and desire, reminding us to control these attitudes that we are not controlled by them;
- She is shown usually wearing a red sari symbolizing action and her role to actively destroy evil and protect humankind from pain and suffering.
Dorothy Meets the COwardly Lion:
A Lion's cowardice or COURAGE
If I Only Had the Nerve | I'm afraid there's no denyin' I'm just a dandelion, A fate I don't deserve. I'd be brave as a blizzard... I'd be gentle as a lizard... I'd be clever as a gizzard... If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve. Then I'm sure to get a brain, A heart, A home, The nerve! |
THE YEAH YEAH YEAHS
Gold Lion:
Lion As Manifestation
(Working with the Lion's Gate)
| Gold Lion Lyrics Gold lion's gonna tell me where the light is, Gold lion's gonna tell me where the light is, Take our hands out of control, Take our hands out of control Now, tell me what you saw, Tell me what you saw, There was a crowd of seeds, Inside, outside, I must have done a dozen each It was the height I threw, the weight, The shell was crushing you, I've been around a few Tell me what you saw, I'll tell you what to... Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ohh ohh Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ohh ohh Gold lion's gonna tell me where the light is, Gold lion's gonna tell me where the light is, Take our hands out of control, Take our hands out of control Outside, inside, This is the moon without a tide, We'll build a fire in your eyes, We'll build a fire when the cover's getting brighter, Cold as I, makes the moon without a tide Tell me what you saw, I'll tell you what to... Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ohh ohh Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ohh ohh Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ohh ohh Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ohh ohh |  This song illustrates the power of manifestation and Merkabah activation. The Gold Lion descends into nothingness, the "Zero" point triangular vortex, to see the illuminating light, the 'crowd of seeds' understanding the Seed of Life pattern, the manifestation point of everything in our universe. "Gold Lion sees beyond the epoch of slavery, domination, division, and false ego within which we are living. Our true selves are moons without a tide..." This is the tipping point, the divine love, the pole reversal, where the twin sun with Sirius connects, from the height and throwing weight, reverberating throughout the world. The inside out moon without a tide speaks to the currents of chaos coming into order. Gold Lion's message is to recognize fear and deceptions, to lay down vanities, false idols, narcissism, biases, and racism. Rather than be slave to fake news and false ideology, toxic seeds of hate, division, strife, dominion, and manipulation; have faith in health, cease judgments, recognize true guides and symbols, and build awareness, forgiveness, and interconnectedness. Transcend the mind control. "It is our destiny, if we want it to be....We will allow color to be free of its shackles... |
Connecting with our Deepest Knowing:
Blue Bear as truth
 | In Native American Shamanism, there is no Lion or Tiger symbology, but one analog might be the Bear, who "teaches us to go within. Asks us to look at our lives, at all aspects and all costs, to find the truth that lies within. To look at things in an adult way and be mature about decisions. To understand that individual thoughts come from within." Blue represents "Truth, Healing, Proof, Clarity, Introspection, Depth, Faithful, Understanding." ~ Rainbow Medicine: A Visionary Guide to Native American Shamanism by Wolf Moondance, copy rescued from a burning desert temple in 2013. |
Buddha-Nature, Fearlessness,
Non-Dualism, & the Lion's Roar
 | In D. T. Suzuki's Manual of Zen Buddhism, from the Chinese Zen Master Yoki Daishi's "Song of Enlightenment" we may read, "Let us be thoroughgoing not only in inner experience but in its interpretation, And our discipline will be perfect in Dhyana as well as in Prajna, not one-sidedly abiding in Sunyata (emptiness); This is not where we alone have finally come to, But all Buddhas, as numerous as the Ganga sands, are of the same essence. The lion-roaring of the doctrine of fearlessness--Hearing this, the timid animals' brains are torn in pieces, Even the scented elephant runs wild forgetting it's native dignity; It is the heavenly dragon alone that feels alone that feels elated with joy, calmly listening [to the lion-roaring of the Buddha.]" |
Dhyana refers to the Hindu and Buddhist practice of profound meditation considered the penultimate stage of yoga. Prajna means direct insight into the Buddha's teachings of truth as a faculty required to attain enlightenment. We are all capable of achieving Buddha nature, if we are thorough in our study and fearless in our practice.
Bhikkhu Ñanamoli begins The Lion's Roar: Two Discourses of the Buddha with the following introduction:
Among the hordes of animals that roam the wild, whether the jungle, the mountains or the plain, the lion is universally recognized to be their chief. The living embodiment of self-possessed power, he is the most regal in manner and deportment, the mightiest, the foremost with respect to speed, courage and dominion. The expression of the lion's supremacy is its roar — a roar which reduces to silence the cries, howls, bellows, shrieks, barks and growls of lesser creatures. When the lion steps forth from his den and sounds his roar, all the other animals stop and listen. On such an occasion none dares even to sound its own cry, let alone to come into the open and challenge the fearless, unsurpassable roar of the golden-maned king of beasts. The Buddha's discourses, as found in the ancient Pali canon, frequently draw their imagery from the rich and varied animal life of the luxuriant Indian jungle. It is thus not surprising that when the Buddha has occasion to refer to himself, he chooses to represent himself as the stately lion and to describe his proclamation of the Dhamma, bold and thunderous, as a veritable lion's roar in the spiritual domain.
Bhikkhu Ñanamoli begins The Lion's Roar: Two Discourses of the Buddha with the following introduction:
Among the hordes of animals that roam the wild, whether the jungle, the mountains or the plain, the lion is universally recognized to be their chief. The living embodiment of self-possessed power, he is the most regal in manner and deportment, the mightiest, the foremost with respect to speed, courage and dominion. The expression of the lion's supremacy is its roar — a roar which reduces to silence the cries, howls, bellows, shrieks, barks and growls of lesser creatures. When the lion steps forth from his den and sounds his roar, all the other animals stop and listen. On such an occasion none dares even to sound its own cry, let alone to come into the open and challenge the fearless, unsurpassable roar of the golden-maned king of beasts. The Buddha's discourses, as found in the ancient Pali canon, frequently draw their imagery from the rich and varied animal life of the luxuriant Indian jungle. It is thus not surprising that when the Buddha has occasion to refer to himself, he chooses to represent himself as the stately lion and to describe his proclamation of the Dhamma, bold and thunderous, as a veritable lion's roar in the spiritual domain.
 | As stated above, to achieve this understanding we must be thoroughgoing in our study. I hope to study soon, The Lion's Roar of the Ultimate Non-Dual Buddha Nature by Ju Mipham with commentary by Tony Duff, which details how the Buddha taught buddha -nature in three progressive steps, focusing on the last step -- The Lion's Roar that is A Great Thousand Doses of Sugata Essence--regarded as the crux of Buddha's message of the ultimate non-dual buddha nature . [In these Tibetan Thangka paintings, the Bodhisattva Manjushri is seated upon the snow lion, symbol of power and strength] |
INVOKING OUR INNER POWER
WITH THE MEDICINE OF LION, TIGER & BEAR
I've declared 2020
International Year of Mama Bear Pride
"No More Lies, Everywhere is “Roar!”
All people, all colors, all tribes. Take pride in what you see; take pride in who you are. Take pride in what you do; take pride in what you’ve done. Take pride in where you are; take pride in where you’re from. Care for your pride, care for your tribe, care for your community; deny the lies. Tell the truth, and love everyone! #HappyInternationalYearOf Pride
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 Known For:
Special Skills & Powers: Skills as a Singer, Songwriter, and Musician, with the power to unify people across race, religion, and generation, around music and messages of peace, Jah, unity, and one love. For further exploration of the Bob Marley Li-ger mythology, read my previous post: The Legendary Dick Gregory: A Total Human Being. | Bob Marley's Song |
My Leo Season Manifestations
& Tribe Pride
Getting my mom here from California while borders remain closed encompassed my greatest manifestation this season, and I'll expand more on that in a future post on the Year of the Rat. Our family has some Harley's Angels winged helpers in the sky who I'm sure helped bring her through the Lion's portal. Secondly, solidifying a kindred spirit tribe of friends and family of like hearts and minds has been a great joy this Leo season.
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Incidentally, there have been recent jaguar sightings nearby here in Costa Rica. |
Amandla Festival
"Amandla, Festival of Unity, was a world music festival held at Harvard Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 21, 1979. The goals of the concert were to support and celebrate the liberation of Southern Africa as well as the ongoing efforts of people in Boston to end racism in their families, schools, workplaces and communities." [From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia]
Dick Gregory
ViRtual Activism Playing Card
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The following Biographical Stats and Wikipedia Activism Abstract were copied directly from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, August 20, 2020 at 1:11 pm Costa Rican time.
| Birth Name Richard Claxton Gregory Nationality American Born October 12, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Died August 19, 2017 (aged 84) in Washington, D.C., U.S. Spouse Lillian Smith (m. 1959) Children 11 | Active Years of Activism 1954–2017 Mediums
| Notable Works and Roles
Website www.dickgregory.com |
Dick GreGory
Real & Current WIkipedia Activism ABstract
Richard Claxton Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017) was an American comedian, civil rights and vegetarian activist, and conspiracy theorist. He spent the last decade of his life speaking regularly about numerous conspiracy theories.[1][2] His writings were best sellers. Gregory became popular among the African-American communities in the southern United States with his "no-holds-barred" sets, poking fun at the bigotry and racism in the United States. In 1961 he became a staple in the comedy clubs, even appearing on television, and officially releasing comedy record albums.[3]
Gregory was at the forefront of political activism in the 1960s, when he protested the Vietnam War and racial injustice. He was arrested multiple times and went on many hunger strikes.[4] He later became a speaker and author, primarily promoting spirituality.[3]
Gregory died of heart failure at a Washington, D.C., hospital at age 84 in August 2017.[3]
For the Canadian football player, see Dick Gregory (Canadian football).
Virtual YogA Assignment
& Contemplative Practice
| FIRST, LISTEN TO DICK GREGORY'S SPEECH AT THE START OF THE ABOVE VIDEO AND CONSIDER THE LOGIC AROUND WHAT IS SAID. THEN, AS YOU TAKE IN THE REST OF THIS BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS MONUMENTAL CONCERT, AT HARVARD STADIUM IN BOSTON, MA, USA, DESIGN YOUR OWN VIRTUAL ACTIVISM PLAYING CARD WITH BIOGRAPHICAL STATS, A VISUAL REPRESENTATION, NOTABLE WORKS & ROLES, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, & ACCOMPLISHMENTS. & / OR IMAGINE YOUR OWN WIKIPEDIA ACTIVISM ABSTRACT | & /OR DRAW A PICTURE OF YOUR OWN LI-GER & DESCRIBE WHAT IT'S KNOWN FOR, AND SPECIAL SKILLS & POWERS (SEE NAPOLEON DYNAMITE REFERENCE BELOW) FINALLY, CONSIDER, WHAT HAS BEEN MISSING FROM HOW DICK GREGORY IS CELEBRATED? CONSIDER, WHY DOES WIKIPEDIA DOCUMENTS BOB MARLEY'S MUSICAL CAREER WITHOUT IDENTIFYING HIM AS AN ACTIVIST? ENJOY ACTIVE YOGIC CONTEMPLATION! NAMASTE ~ TEAGAN |
Bob Marley
Li-Ger
| | Known For:
Special Skills & Powers: Skills as a Singer, Songwriter, and Musician, with the power to unify people across race, religion, and generation, around music and messages of peace, Jah, unity, and one love. |
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A VIRTUAL ACTIVISM PLAYING CARD
& WIKIPEDIA ACTIVISM ABSTRACT
Created for Bob Marley
[OR, My thought about What it MIGHT look like
iF wikipedia Were to Frame Bob Marley
MORE as an activist than a musician]
Bob MARLEY
Virtual activism Playing Card
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| Birth Name Robert Nesta Marley Nationality Jamaican Born 6 February 1945 Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, British Jamaica Died 11 May 1981 (aged 36) Miami, Florida, U.S. Spouse Rita Anderson (m. after 1966) Partners Cindy Breakspeare (1977–1978) Children 9 | Active Years of Activism 1962–1981 Mediums
Subjects
Website bobmarley.com | Notable Works and Roles
|
Bob MArley
An IMagined Wikipedia Activism Abstract
Robert Nesta Marley, OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican activist, singer, songwriter, and musician. The United Nations awarded him the Peace Medal of the Third World in June 1978 [59]:5, and he received the Jamaican Order of Merit in February 1981. The Order of Merit is part of the Jamaican honours system, and it is the fourth-highest honour awarded by the nation of Jamaica. The Order of Merit is conferred upon Jamaicans or distinguished citizens of other countries who have achieved eminent international distinction in the field of science, the arts, literature or any other endeavour.[1] The award can be held by no more than 15 living persons.[2] It is not given to more than two people in any one year.[1]Members and Honorary Members of the order are entitled to wear the insignia of the order as a decoration and to be styled "The Honourable". In addition, they can append the post-nominal letters OM to their names, or OM (Hon.) in the case of Honorary Members. The order's motto is "He that does the truth comes into the light." The Order of Merit was originally one that was awarded to foreign heads of state, but this function was taken over by the Order of Excellence in 2003.[3]
Internationally, Marley's message continues to reverberate among various indigenous communities. For instance, the Australian Aboriginal people continue to burn a sacred flame to honour his memory in Sydney's Victoria Park, while members of the Native American Hopi and Havasupai tribes revere his work.[59]:5 There are also many tributes to Bob Marley throughout India, including restaurants, hotels, and cultural festivals.[87][88]
Marley evolved into a global symbol, which has been endlessly merchandised through a variety of mediums. In light of this, author Dave Thompson in his book Reggae and Caribbean Music, laments what he perceives to be the commercialised pacification of Marley's more militant edge, stating:
"Bob Marley ranks among both the most popular and the most misunderstood figures in modern culture ... That the machine has utterly emasculated Marley is beyond doubt. Gone from the public record is the ghetto kid who dreamed of Che Guevara and the Black Panthers, and pinned their posters up in the Wailers Soul Shack record store; who believed in freedom; and the fighting which it necessitated, and dressed the part on an early album sleeve; whose heroes were James Brown and Muhammad Ali; whose God was Ras Tafari and whose sacrament was marijuana. Instead, the Bob Marley who surveys his kingdom today is smiling benevolence, a shining sun, a waving palm tree, and a string of hits which tumble out of polite radio like candy from a gumball machine. Of course it has assured his immortality. But it has also demeaned him beyond recognition. Bob Marley was worth far more."[89]
Several films pour spotlights on Marley and his message. For instance, a feature-length documentary about his life, Rebel Music, won various awards at the Grammys. With contributions from Rita, The Wailers, and Marley's lovers and children, it also tells much of the story in his own words.[90] The film, Marley, was released on 20 April 2012.[94] In 2011, ex-girlfriend and filmmaker Esther Anderson, along with Gian Godoy, made the documentary Bob Marley: The Making of a Legend, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.[95] In October 2015, Jamaican author Marlon James' novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, a fictional account of the attempted assassination of Marley, won the 2015 Man Booker Prize at a ceremony in London.[96] In February 2020, the musical Get Up Stand Up!, the Bob Marley Story was announced by writer Lee Hall and director Dominic Cooke, starring Arinzé Kene as Bob Marley. It will open at London's Lyric Theatre in February 2021.[97]
Internationally, Marley's message continues to reverberate among various indigenous communities. For instance, the Australian Aboriginal people continue to burn a sacred flame to honour his memory in Sydney's Victoria Park, while members of the Native American Hopi and Havasupai tribes revere his work.[59]:5 There are also many tributes to Bob Marley throughout India, including restaurants, hotels, and cultural festivals.[87][88]
Marley evolved into a global symbol, which has been endlessly merchandised through a variety of mediums. In light of this, author Dave Thompson in his book Reggae and Caribbean Music, laments what he perceives to be the commercialised pacification of Marley's more militant edge, stating:
"Bob Marley ranks among both the most popular and the most misunderstood figures in modern culture ... That the machine has utterly emasculated Marley is beyond doubt. Gone from the public record is the ghetto kid who dreamed of Che Guevara and the Black Panthers, and pinned their posters up in the Wailers Soul Shack record store; who believed in freedom; and the fighting which it necessitated, and dressed the part on an early album sleeve; whose heroes were James Brown and Muhammad Ali; whose God was Ras Tafari and whose sacrament was marijuana. Instead, the Bob Marley who surveys his kingdom today is smiling benevolence, a shining sun, a waving palm tree, and a string of hits which tumble out of polite radio like candy from a gumball machine. Of course it has assured his immortality. But it has also demeaned him beyond recognition. Bob Marley was worth far more."[89]
Several films pour spotlights on Marley and his message. For instance, a feature-length documentary about his life, Rebel Music, won various awards at the Grammys. With contributions from Rita, The Wailers, and Marley's lovers and children, it also tells much of the story in his own words.[90] The film, Marley, was released on 20 April 2012.[94] In 2011, ex-girlfriend and filmmaker Esther Anderson, along with Gian Godoy, made the documentary Bob Marley: The Making of a Legend, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.[95] In October 2015, Jamaican author Marlon James' novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, a fictional account of the attempted assassination of Marley, won the 2015 Man Booker Prize at a ceremony in London.[96] In February 2020, the musical Get Up Stand Up!, the Bob Marley Story was announced by writer Lee Hall and director Dominic Cooke, starring Arinzé Kene as Bob Marley. It will open at London's Lyric Theatre in February 2021.[97]
BOB MARLEY'S SONG "WAR" REIMAGINED AS "ROAR"
Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is "ROAR" Me say "ROAR!"
That until there no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, Me say "ROAR!"
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, dis a "ROAR!"
That until that day the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained, now everywhere is "ROAR!" "ROAR!"
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique, South Africa, Sub-human bondage have been toppled, utterly destroyed, well, everywhere is "ROAR!" Me say "ROAR!"
"ROAR!" in the east. "ROAR!" in the west. "ROAR!" up north. "ROAR!" down south. "ROAR!" "ROAR!" Rumors of "ROAR!"
And until that day, the African continent will not know peace, we Africans will fight we find it necessary and we know we shall win as we are confident in the victory of good over evil. Good over evil, yeah, good over evil. Good over evil, yeah, good over evil.
That until there no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, Me say "ROAR!"
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, dis a "ROAR!"
That until that day the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained, now everywhere is "ROAR!" "ROAR!"
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique, South Africa, Sub-human bondage have been toppled, utterly destroyed, well, everywhere is "ROAR!" Me say "ROAR!"
"ROAR!" in the east. "ROAR!" in the west. "ROAR!" up north. "ROAR!" down south. "ROAR!" "ROAR!" Rumors of "ROAR!"
And until that day, the African continent will not know peace, we Africans will fight we find it necessary and we know we shall win as we are confident in the victory of good over evil. Good over evil, yeah, good over evil. Good over evil, yeah, good over evil.
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Derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj, which translates to attach, join, harness, or yoke, Yoga means union or coming to oneness, and speaks to how our personal experience intrinsically intertwines with the diverse realities of others. Karma means action, act, work, or deed, but differs from Kriya, which also translates as action, deed, or effort. Whereas Kriya refers more to an activity, practice, or technique in terms of applying effort and taking steps in action, Karma ecompasses a broader view of an action’s impact, accounting for the actor’s intention, and the action’s effect and result. Karma Yoga means approaching oneness through how we act with awareness around our intent and our impact.
Ram Dass taught that, “We are complex entities in the fact that part of us is separate from everything else, and part of us is not separate from everything else. That is, we are both a group of separate entities, and we are an awareness that is manifested as many entities but it is only one.” Ram Dass said, “One could interpret life as an awakening journey back to unity, not to unity as opposed to diversity, but to the unity where unity and diversity are each contained in the other.” This understanding requires our practice with Santosha, as we need to entertain in our minds a sense of unity and a sense of diversity, not as poles in opposition, but as elements like yin and yang, each contained within the other.
As we allow for both diversity and unity to coexist within each other, karma yoga asks us to honor our separateness while we invest our attention in our sense of unity-consciousness. It’s a question of whom we see when we look at others: Them? Us? Me? There’s a difference in our intention and our impact when we act from a place of separateness than when we act in an attempt to return to the one; both the way in which we perform the act changes, and the way in which the act affects us changes. We still act from a place of ego, and we still must honor our distinct differences, but when we start from a place of separateness and act in order to return to a unity experience, we begin to apply our actions as an offering. As Ram Dass said, “I work on myself as an offering to you. I serve you as a way of working on myself.”
Ram Dass taught that, “We are complex entities in the fact that part of us is separate from everything else, and part of us is not separate from everything else. That is, we are both a group of separate entities, and we are an awareness that is manifested as many entities but it is only one.” Ram Dass said, “One could interpret life as an awakening journey back to unity, not to unity as opposed to diversity, but to the unity where unity and diversity are each contained in the other.” This understanding requires our practice with Santosha, as we need to entertain in our minds a sense of unity and a sense of diversity, not as poles in opposition, but as elements like yin and yang, each contained within the other.
As we allow for both diversity and unity to coexist within each other, karma yoga asks us to honor our separateness while we invest our attention in our sense of unity-consciousness. It’s a question of whom we see when we look at others: Them? Us? Me? There’s a difference in our intention and our impact when we act from a place of separateness than when we act in an attempt to return to the one; both the way in which we perform the act changes, and the way in which the act affects us changes. We still act from a place of ego, and we still must honor our distinct differences, but when we start from a place of separateness and act in order to return to a unity experience, we begin to apply our actions as an offering. As Ram Dass said, “I work on myself as an offering to you. I serve you as a way of working on myself.”
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The Niyama Svadhyaya combines Sva, meaning one’s self, one’s own, the Ego, or human soul, with Dhyaya, which means meditating on, from the root Dhyai, to meditate, contemplate, or think of. Often yogis translate Svadhyaya as the study of self, self-reflection, introspection, or self-observation, but this limits our understanding in the context of our 7.8 billion world-population. These common translations miss the mark in that Sva means self in a broader sense, accounting for first person myself-ourselves, second person yourself-yourselves, and third person oneself-themselves. Svadhyaya means much more than self-study; Svadhyaya connotes contemplating the 7.8 billion distinct individual selves who inhabit our planet, building awareness and understanding around our differences in perspectives and experiences. In essence Svadhyaya means duality-consciousness, or cultivating self-awareness in reflecting on our separateness or duality.
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The Yama Brahmacharya combines the Sanskrit root Brahman, which means eternal truth, ultimate reality, single binding unity, or universal consciousness, with Carya, which means moving toward, going after, following, engaging in, or occupying oneself with. Brahmacharya connotes the active practice and movement toward unity-consciousness. Often yogis equate Brahmacharya with conduct or observances consistent with the path to Brahman, managing energies, extremes, and cravings, especially around sexual abstinence, but we must understand that Brahmacharya entails more than a code of practices or behaviors. Brahmacharya means to actively and consistently pursue spiritual liberation through a lifestyle dedicated toward achieving unity-consciousness.
We must remember too that unity-consciousness depends upon everyone achieving this enlightened state; unity-consciousness by definition cannot be a solo endeavor. The mutuality around our efforts helps emphasize that there is no need to be austere in our earnest enterprise; we can maintain a playful attitude. A favorite teacher of mine likes to imagine that she remains the last person approaching unity-consciousness, and that everyone she encounters each day is actually a Buddha or Guru in disguise, posing lessons for her, and waiting on her to reach realization, that unity-consciousness finally may be achieved.
We must remember too that unity-consciousness depends upon everyone achieving this enlightened state; unity-consciousness by definition cannot be a solo endeavor. The mutuality around our efforts helps emphasize that there is no need to be austere in our earnest enterprise; we can maintain a playful attitude. A favorite teacher of mine likes to imagine that she remains the last person approaching unity-consciousness, and that everyone she encounters each day is actually a Buddha or Guru in disguise, posing lessons for her, and waiting on her to reach realization, that unity-consciousness finally may be achieved.
INTERACTION
& Sharing
Guidelines
For students new to this model, you are encouraged to interact openly, authentically, thoughtfully, and freely in the community forum spaces [i.e. the blog comments section, instagram comments, and facebook comments and within any intentional group containers.] Please discuss, debate, critique, play Devil's Advocate & God's Messiah, and monitor one another for the benefit of all.
Please honor & respect private channels. Please reserve emails & direct messages for teachers' professional colleagues and personal support systems. Be considerate of those propelled into spotlights; protect their sacred space containers, and allow their work to breath.
To share a post in its entirety, please link the URL. To quote a portion of a post, please use quotations and credit both the author Teagan Patell de Valverde and COCO YOGA AND WELLNESS .COM with a link. To share images, please tag & link @cocoyogaandwellness and any additional credits. When images incorporate a credit, please maintain the complete integrity of the image. If your initial instinct is to clip and crop, please examine that. There is no need to stamp credits on images that are intentionally preserved in free space. These images may be freely reposted, replicated, manipulated, deconstructed, reimagined & reworked to everyone's hearts content, so "flip it up & reverse it, missy!"
Thank you for your support in sharing!
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