"It doesn't take long in meditation (or yoga) to discover that part of our mind is constantly evaluating our experiences or holding them up against expectations that we create out of fear. Fear that I'm not good enough, that bad things will happen, that good things won't last, that only I know anything, that I'm the only one who doesn't know anything... "When you dwell in stillness, the judging mind can come through like a foghorn. I don't like the pain in my knee... This is boring... I like this feeling of stillness; I had a good meditation (or yoga class last week) but today I'm having a bad (yoga class)... It's not working for me. I'm no good at this. I'm no good period. "This type of thinking dominates the mind and weighs it down. It's like carrying around a suitcase full of rocks on your head. It feels good to put it down. Imagine how it might feel to suspend all your judging and instead to let each moment be just as it is, without attempting to evaluate it as "good" or "bad." This would be a true stillness, a true liberation."

Yoga helps cultivate a non-judging attitude toward what comes up in the mind, come what may. It is the nature of the mind to compare and judge but we can learn to be a witness to whatever arises and learn to let go, moving towards our true potential of inner peace.

New Session

Starts at the end of March and as usual I've enclosed extra flyers for your friends, family, co-workers etc! If you'd like to reserve your place you can do so by sending a postdated check, dated to the first day of the class. I suggest you send it to the above address a week before the class starts.

Yoga and Meditation in India and Nepal

In March 2002 I will be taking a group of students and friends on a the trip of a lifetime to The Source. We will start with a 7-day Buddhist meditation retreat at the magnificent Kopan Monastery, practicing yoga every morning on the rooftop surrounded by the spectacular Himalayas. Next we'll explore Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree. And finally we'll visit one of the oldest and holiest Hindu cities, Varanasi, a spiritual place of pilgrimage where Hindus wash away sin in the Ganga River. More details will follow in upcoming newsletters or call me for information.

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I look forward to seeing you!