COUNTING MY BLESSINGS (Part I)

I'm home alone wrestling a stubborn flu bug the past few days and I am happy to announce I am winning! And while I count down to 2009 amidst the long and boring fight, I took the opportunity to count my blessings. It was truly an insightful 2008 for me. There isn't too much travels with my three-month long-staying trip to San Francisco cancelled, but I have gained lots, nevertheless, and I have learned.

My teacher recently asked what my biggest accomplishment was in 2008. Even though a friend volunteered an answer on my behalf which I never denied - he said I got myself a boyfriend, I chuckled at how surreal his answer was in true reflection of my life.

Events from the past, especially the passing of my father, still haunt me in the early part of this year. Even though an Anusara retreat with Jonas Westring and Jivamukti workshop with David Life & Sharon Gannon shed some light, it wasn't until I came across Echkart Tolle's teaching, and the sharing of his insights with Oprah over the book 'A NEW EARTH' did things started falling into place.

I was profoundly moved by his teachings and I was consumed by relief and lightness. I stepped out of anger, resentment and the need to prove to myself. I stopped fighting, let go of thinking and I sat with allowing. I reconciled with myself; forgive and forgiven. And for the first time, I was home; free, alive and blissful. Its was a tremendous change and no words could describe my experience fully. Arun noticed the change, for he told me he is happy to see me smiling through my eyes again. I could not explain, I just kept smiling, straight from my heart, ever since.

The other major event was I put on braces. It was a major decision contemplated over two years before I took the plunge, and it was the best decision ever. My bite improved, my looks changed, and my smile widen. My orthodontist's door says 'mouth under construction', and I laughed at his humor every time I see it. He constructed my mouth, yes, and he will construct hope for many. Thank you, Doc Lim.

Of course these can't be all. Events in life aren't really too significant if there are nobody to walked the path with you. I am blessed to have many beautiful friends who held my hand in time of distress, and carried me on theirs backs when I am too tired to walk. They have showed kindness at the least expected moments, and are always there to laugh with, listen and prowl the jungle with me in good faith and love. I could never love them enough... to be continued - part II.

ENLIGHTENMENT

You brought me through countless point breaking moments,

where ocean of thoughts left imprints prevailing in my heart.

Essentially so,

that willfulness and desire gave birth to love and consciousness;

Like a dew, untethered,

basking in the glow of the morning sun.

Dedicated to Lester L

~ bec, 30 aug 2005 ~

ANUSARA IMMERSION & TEACHER'S TRAINING

I was in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia recently for Yoga Workshops and Teacher's Training with Senior Anusara Teacher Desiree Rumbaugh. It was a blast and I felt totally empowered. It was a 60-hour training spread over 10 days and most of the time I was dwelling within a sense of excitement, eagerness to learn, burnt out from information overload, and fried from physical exhaustion. Nonetheless, the experience was beyond what I had imagined and I love, love, love it!

I have been learning Anusara yoga for the past three(3) years and among all the many good things I like about Anusara Yoga, one I love most is it teaches people to look for the good, in others and in yourself. It sounded easy but being brought up in a family who constantly pushes you to achieve with little words of encouragement, being critical seemed to have enacted itself in me. Also as yoga teacher, I was so used to look out for misalignment that I often forget positive reinforcement actually makes a person go further.

Because of the heart language it uses, flourishing from the Tantric Philosophy I resonate with so deeply, Anusara Yoga is one of the most inspiring practice I've ever known. All certified teachers are so well versed in that after many years of very strict training and self study, it is no wonder it takes as much hard work and money as getting a Master Degree to reach where they are. Nonetheless, it is absolutely worth it because I have seen the change Anusara had brought about in me; more open, appreciative, positive, accepting and compassionate.

It is truly an amazing experience to learn to teach Anusara Yoga, and even more so an honour to be teaching and passing down the good. Thank you, teachers, and the teacher's teachers for sharing such poignant wisdom.