Manuel and I are going through life's changes. Trying to adapt and trying to learn to have more patience. Patience is defined as: an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay1. I think our patience stems from willingness and not ability so this is something that must be worked on. Manuel and I practice Kundalini yoga at our teacher's home in Santa Ana, California. We have been practicing and studying for some years now and are making the changes to survive in this fast paced world. As I have stated before, we are vegetarians and everyday we are learning more and more about this lifestyle. Having both grown up in a carnivorous home, it is important to learn about correct diet in conjunction with vigorous exercise.

The yoga that we do definitely teaches patience. The class doesn't bend us in pretzel poses for three minutes at a time. Our teacher has us work on kriyas (a sanskrit term for physical action) joined with a mantra (sacred syllables used in meditation) which help us to focus and meditate for periods up to 22 minutes each. Twice a year, there is also a white tantric which I call the marathon which has participants hold poses for 31 or 62 minutes at a time for a period between 6-8 hours.

Manuel has made a sign for in front of our teacher's home and is performing other works of karma yoga (a yoga spiritual path of action) by reconstructing our teacher's front entry way. Our teacher and his brothers have lived in this home since they were babies. Now this home is so old, and is in great need of repair. Manuel has volunteered his time and when others are available to help volunteer to do this work from the graciousness of their hearts, or by donating, this project progresses. I admire my yoga instructor because he invites anyone of any race, any religion and welcomes them into his home whether they have money or not. He teaches and guides. After he teaches class he feeds everyone wonderful vegetarian dinner, yogi tea, and makes the most incredible cookies- no white sugar or artificial ingredients.

I am so lucky to have two wonderful men in my life. A spiritual teacher who guides and a husband whose heart and love extends throughout.

References:

1. "patience." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 18 Aug. 2008. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/patience

August 12, 2008 Things are going to change

Gourd Art. This is our new favorite medium. We did our first show at the Welburn Gourd Farm in Fallbrook, California in June at the 12th Annual International Gourd Festival. That particular weekend was extremely hot, especially being outdoors all day in temperatures close to 115 degrees. Manuel and I spent months preparing for the show working on art to present. We set up our booth and were a little disappointed that we didn't sell as much as we had anticipated. However, last week, a person from an art gallery had noticed our work from the gourd show and contacted us. We met up with them this morning and they purchased some art from us. It was so amazing to have someone remember our artwork.