Dharma at Risk
I have decided to continue working in two psychiatric hospitals as a yoga therapist as the state of Texas has not issued a stay-at-home order. I have been teaching online yoga classes from the yoga studios. Two of the yoga studios that I teach at have closed. I have been in so much pain recently that I made the conscious decision to risk my life in the service of others. I believe that serving others in a hospital environment is a better way to risk your life than attempting anything else. I am not afraid to die and would welcome death if it's in the service of others. I believe I am making a significant life saving impact when I offer yoga and meditation to inpatients and outpatients. I pause though as I'm willing to drop everything as a non-essential hospital employee and be with my parents if a stay-at-home order is issued in Austin / Texas. I wonder though if I would be of any value to my parents. I still feel obliged to teach here in Austin. Ultimately, if stay-at-home is ordered, I'll stop working all jobs and just do what I can online from my folks house. I believe I'm safe for now, though you never know...
On to others. I spent some time with DN today. She was recently dumped by the guy she was dating. I felt bad for her and I know she is saddened by the break-up. She came over and I made chai for her and we went to Rada Madhav Dham. We attended Arti and we meditated there. The environment was serene and I enjoyed being reminded of Lord Krishna and Swamiji. I remember his warmth and peace. I remember that what he offers is peace. Radhe Radhe. I know my path is different, but still enjoy thinking about Lord Krishna and Swamiji's path. I still remember our first meeting in 1995 and how he was so calm when I told him I was an Atheist at that time. I wonder if he had seen something I did not. I wonder if it matters. I wonder what we are to be a witness to and what to take action on in life. As we witness / gain insight / intuition into others, are we to be a witness to this / do we help support / potentially change the outcome to improve another's life. I believe the effect depends upon the circumstance. I would hope to inspire positive change to improve others lives.
Regarding RT, I hope she will make it to Tuesday's outpatient visit. I think she has some deep seated challenges to work through. I believe outpatient therapy can help her, but wonder what change she could benefit from through the spiritual path. What's the right balance between spirituality and allopathic psychiatric medicines? Can meditation replace allopathic medication? I believe sometimes intensive allopathic medicines are needed.
On to DF. He celebrated his 69th birthday yesterday alone. At this time, isolation is recomended, so I did not feel bad, but I was concerned that he was alone. He seems to not want to engage in socializing / service. I was happy that his psychiatrist recommended he just continue with outpatient visits. He seems to be in a better place now, but I feel that we all need some form of community. I hope he can find a community of some sort.
In regards to silence, I'm uncertain what the goal is any longer. I struggle with the physiological pain and this makes me want to stay in action. I believe the pain in psysho-somatic and I'm unable to overcome it. I simply have to make peace with it, but I feel better staying very busy. The busier I am, the better I feel. I believe this is why I'm willing to risk my life in the service of others.
Life is difficult. The first sentence of The Road Less Traveled. I feel grateful to have visited with an enlightened master in this lifetime. Regardless of whether I live / die through this epidemic, I hope people will be able to turn inwards and dwell on something else besides the pandemic.
May our minds feel free and may we find some silence through this.
In devotion to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Love & Jai Guru Deva,
An Aspiring Yogi
I have decided to continue working in two psychiatric hospitals as a yoga therapist as the state of Texas has not issued a stay-at-home order. I have been teaching online yoga classes from the yoga studios. Two of the yoga studios that I teach at have closed. I have been in so much pain recently that I made the conscious decision to risk my life in the service of others. I believe that serving others in a hospital environment is a better way to risk your life than attempting anything else. I am not afraid to die and would welcome death if it's in the service of others. I believe I am making a significant life saving impact when I offer yoga and meditation to inpatients and outpatients. I pause though as I'm willing to drop everything as a non-essential hospital employee and be with my parents if a stay-at-home order is issued in Austin / Texas. I wonder though if I would be of any value to my parents. I still feel obliged to teach here in Austin. Ultimately, if stay-at-home is ordered, I'll stop working all jobs and just do what I can online from my folks house. I believe I'm safe for now, though you never know...
On to others. I spent some time with DN today. She was recently dumped by the guy she was dating. I felt bad for her and I know she is saddened by the break-up. She came over and I made chai for her and we went to Rada Madhav Dham. We attended Arti and we meditated there. The environment was serene and I enjoyed being reminded of Lord Krishna and Swamiji. I remember his warmth and peace. I remember that what he offers is peace. Radhe Radhe. I know my path is different, but still enjoy thinking about Lord Krishna and Swamiji's path. I still remember our first meeting in 1995 and how he was so calm when I told him I was an Atheist at that time. I wonder if he had seen something I did not. I wonder if it matters. I wonder what we are to be a witness to and what to take action on in life. As we witness / gain insight / intuition into others, are we to be a witness to this / do we help support / potentially change the outcome to improve another's life. I believe the effect depends upon the circumstance. I would hope to inspire positive change to improve others lives.
Regarding RT, I hope she will make it to Tuesday's outpatient visit. I think she has some deep seated challenges to work through. I believe outpatient therapy can help her, but wonder what change she could benefit from through the spiritual path. What's the right balance between spirituality and allopathic psychiatric medicines? Can meditation replace allopathic medication? I believe sometimes intensive allopathic medicines are needed.
On to DF. He celebrated his 69th birthday yesterday alone. At this time, isolation is recomended, so I did not feel bad, but I was concerned that he was alone. He seems to not want to engage in socializing / service. I was happy that his psychiatrist recommended he just continue with outpatient visits. He seems to be in a better place now, but I feel that we all need some form of community. I hope he can find a community of some sort.
In regards to silence, I'm uncertain what the goal is any longer. I struggle with the physiological pain and this makes me want to stay in action. I believe the pain in psysho-somatic and I'm unable to overcome it. I simply have to make peace with it, but I feel better staying very busy. The busier I am, the better I feel. I believe this is why I'm willing to risk my life in the service of others.
Life is difficult. The first sentence of The Road Less Traveled. I feel grateful to have visited with an enlightened master in this lifetime. Regardless of whether I live / die through this epidemic, I hope people will be able to turn inwards and dwell on something else besides the pandemic.
May our minds feel free and may we find some silence through this.
In devotion to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Love & Jai Guru Deva,
An Aspiring Yogi
