Centering.

Cherry Blossom Yoga Festival

I have mentioned before that I'm a yoga practitioner.  I have yet to make it a part of my every single day living, but it is something I have worked on for years.  Over this last academic year, I was taking a Power Vinyasa class at the Student Rec Center and the instructor was *amazing*.  I'm one of those get-deeper-than-just-fitness kind of practicers, so I try to find instructors who are focused on the mind as well as the body.  

I noticed some flyers at the Co-op about a month ago that featured a new yoga studio downtown.  And there was a coupon for unlimited classes for a month for $30 (quite a steal, in my opinion).  Then after reading an article about the new place, I realized the one who opened it was my yoga instructor at the rec center!  Fabulous!  And--it's closer to my house than work (which is already only 2.5 minutes away).  

Last night was my first time there and it was incredible.  I worked hard, but felt -- released.  Comforted.

I intend on making it a part of my daily practice.

Charmed Living

I’ve realized how much I enjoy a certain type of self-help books.  They aren’t necessarily how to get what you want or how to get over your controlling self, but more how to enjoy yourself and stop getting stuck in the negative, stressful rut that Western civilization seems to be obsessed with.

My most current read was while I spent a rejuvenating weekend at my grandparents cabin.  “Living a Charmed Life” by Victoria Moran gives fifty short essays on different ways to alter your thinking, change your habits and live a “charmed” life (whatever that may be).  I love Victoria for her spirituality and openness.  She is not suggesting perfection, nor is she offering salvation.  But for those who are already spiritual she shows how to further that relationship with the Higher Being and “share the light.”  Yes, maybe a little kum bai yah, but encouraging nonetheless.

I appreciate her practical suggestions as well.  Getting up early to meditate and take the time to slowly get ready, eat breakfast and drink your morning coffee (or Teecinno) is a far better way to start the day than a rushed shower and piece of toast out the door.  Regular exercise including 20-30 minutes cardio, the same of strength training and 10 minutes of stretching gives about an hour at the gym for 5-6 days a week.  For some reason, this suggestion doesn’t seem as terrible as an hour of cardio every day.  Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I hate doing the same thing for too long (this coming from the girl who refuses to quilt simply because it’s too big a project).  And then there are ideas such as the Law of Expectation.  Expect that you’ll get/do/be something and you will.  Very “positive thinking” but hey, it’s much better than being a negative nelly.  Although according to this law, if you think something negative you’ll get it.

Perhaps it’s the encouragement that life can be better if we choose to do something about it that draws me to these books.  I’m an action-based individual.  I do things.  This is just another way to make it better, even if it does mean adding a little "magic."

Live with Less

One of the most influential books in the simple living movement was Doris Janzen Longacre's "Living More with Less."  Published in the 80's, this book not only called everyone to live a life of less in order to care for those who didn't have enough, but called Christ Followers to this life as well.

In a day and age when Christianity is often linked to heavy consumerism and capitalism, this is a radical call for Christians.  While I continue to hold to the belief that Jesus was a hippie, many still continue to think that following Jesus no longer means "sell all your belongings and follow me" but "take all you can."  While this may be a severe blanket stereotype, it does hold some weight.  With elaborate church buildings, fancy car-filled parking lots and still a huge portion of starving people, it seems as though the majority of God's children are no longer attempting to care for those who are less fortunate.  But Jesus' message has not changed.  People have twisted it.

Longacre's challenge to those who claim to follow Jesus is a serious one.  And with the problems severely increasing since the 1980's, over 30 years ago, we need to take on this challenge.  We need to not let our consumerism get in the way of caring for others.  One would think that with the internet we would become more aware of those who are in need all over the world.  Instead we turn our heads, telling ourselves that we are helping those by supporting the sweat shops they work in.  "At least they have jobs" we say.

This book can also be a very helpful resource for those who claim no religion, or even a different one from Christianity.  Do Justice.  Learn from the World Community.  Nurture People.  Cherish the Natural Order.  Nonconform Freely.  These are Longacre's Five Life Principles, with which she challenges us to live by, and can be taken on by those of any faith.  While living with less can commonly be brushed off, we should at least try.  Start thinking of the these life principles when you make simple purchases.  "Does this item nurture people?  Does it cherish the natural order?"  Starting small can bring you down a path of simplicity out of caring for others.

Veganism as a Religion pt. 2

Yesterday while discussing how my diet has been changing with someone, I stated that I have been a bad vegan lately.  I also added that it's kind of like saying you're being a "bad Christian."  I think I may have offended (and I may be doing so right now), so I would like to expound on that statement.    I have made statements about the subject before, but I would like to continue.

When one follows a certain set of beliefs, be it a religion, a dietary choice or any sort of lifestyle that includes specifics on what is appropriate to do i.e. rules.  When you're breaking those appropriate behaviors you're being a bad .  I think what is taken offense here is when one equates dietary decisions with religious beliefs (even though diet is an extremely important element within several religions, including Judaism).  However, it follows the same principles.  Regulators of food production have what's called "Standards of Identity" for most products such as ice cream.  In order for ice cream to be ice cream, it has to have a certain volume of milk, sugar, etc.  If you see yourself as being of a certain religion and have in your mind the "Standards of Identity" for a follower of that religion and you aren't adhering to those, you no longer qualify as a good ________.  The same goes for diet.  If you aren't following the rules of the diet, you don't belong in that category.  You are now something else.

As Christians, I know we forget.  We forget that it isn't about the rules.  There is such a fine line between legalism and "sinning so that grace may abound."  It's difficult to not let your "Standard of Identity" be influenced by rules, regulations and outside opinions.  There's too much emphasis on expectations put on yourself, expectations put upon by others.

Even though I have slowly added to my dairy intake, I still call myself Vegan.  Not because I necessarily follow the stringency of these rules, but because I continue to be influenced by the philosophy of one.  My heart is still there.

And that is all that matters.

Too much information

A current survey suggests that Atheists or Agnostics tend to know more about various religions than those who actually are part of the religion.  This doesn't surprise me one bit.  As someone who struggles to reconcile my faith with the reality of what religion really is (something to maintain order and explain natural disasters, diseases, etc) I certainly have done a lot of research and reading.  The more information I find, the more questions I end up with.  It's a difficult, and oftentimes painful process.


The biggest link seems to be with those who grew up with some sort of religious background, so were already aware of what the religious claims were.  The article states that "American atheists and agnostics tend to be people who grew up in a religious tradition and consciously gave it up, often after a great deal of reflection and study, said Alan Cooperman, associate director for research at the Pew Forum.  'These are people who thought a lot about religion,' he said. 'They're not indifferent. They care about it.'  Many people seem to view someone who is unsure about their religious stance as ill informed and "lost."  Lost may be better described as overwhelmed and ill informed is likely not the case.  In fact, they are probably over informed.


As a Christian I think it needs to be acknowledged that when it comes right down to it there is a simple "accept what you're told without question" attitude.  We like to pretend that isn't the case, but if we are honest with ourselves we know this is more often the case.   And this survey is why.  It seems as though in the back of everyone's mind we realize that there are severe contradictions and unfulfilled promises that we can choose to overlook because it causes so much disruption.  It most certainly is easier to take the "ignorance is bliss" attitude.  There are many days when I wish I could just slip right back into my childlike faith.


But here is the deal.  Somehow we have to take that information and figure out if we can accept it, move past it and realize that many of the issues stemming from all these questions are man-made.  We have to look beyond these mistakes and imperfections and choose to either continue to find God in the world around us, in nature and the people we see everyday or not.  


It's your choice.

Veganism as a religion?

Lately I've been tired of my choice to be a vegan.  I get exhausted from trying to figure out special things for dinner, how to get the right nutrients, and trying to find something to eat when going out.  People are always bugging you about it as to "why?" or "what can you possibly eat" or even "I should just sneak some cheese in there and see what happens!"  It gets a little annoying and sometimes I just want to throw it out the window, say "to hell with it" and just eat the cheese.  Laziness is usually what I chalk it up to.

I think we can tend feel the same way about our religious beliefs.  Whether you're a Christian, Buddhist or Jew, the religion you practice has certain "rules" and ways of living that become a lifestyle choice, a part of who we are.  But there are times when you get tired or bogged down by that lifestyle choice.  It feels stagnant and like nothing but going through the motions.  Not to mention all the people "persecuting" you, making fun of your beliefs or just always asking the "why?" questions.  Throwing it out the window can seem a very welcoming choice, especially when you realize that the answers you have to those questions don't really sound very convincing.

These are the times when we must remind ourselves that we did make these decisions based on very passionate and (hopefully) informed grounds.  There is something that I have made a dedication to, and it isn't so easily cast aside by simply feeling weak in my beliefs for a few days.  I take this time to reevaluate why it is that I choose to walk the path I do, am reminded of the reasons why... And plow on through.

"He's got the whole world in His hands.."

It can be quite difficult to remember that there is actually Someone out there that has something to do with what is going on in your life.

I have spent from April until now attempting to obtain a job.  It appears an impossible feat.  Things change when you have more than yourself to think about and when Erik was looking for an internship, we weren't sure where we would end up for the summer.  Jobs that have been available were usually in the wrong place or offered at the wrong time.  I had turned down a job in Idaho Falls and passed up an interview because we were told that Erik didn't have an internship at the INL.  Two weeks later, we are moving up to Idaho Falls and I can find no employment.

There are moments in life that just do not make sense.

But I am reminded that this is just one moment, one little blip in the whole scheme of things.  There is hope, for beyond all the new age-y philosophies I carry I do know that there is One who holds it all in His hands.

Inspiration; From book to film

My favorite book of all time, "Eat, Pray, Love" is being taken from it's beautifully written memoir and adapted to film.

The story follows Elizabeth Gilbert, a woman in her early 30's who, after a dreadful divorce and following relationship decides to go on a journey of self-discovery.. literally.  She travels to Italy, India and Bali'i.

I was heavily influenced by this woman's story, as I felt I could really connect with how she was feeling and what was going on in her life.  How she is so impacted by finding spirituality and bringing it to her life and being able to figure out who she is, her alone, without the men she was with, is something I could relate to.  And needed to.

I am greatly looking forward to seeing this movie.  When the fear of it being ruined by filmmakers attempting to make it more "exciting" drew me to see what Elizabeth Gilbert herself had to say about it, my fears were put to rest.  She states that those involved with the movie-making process are dedicated to keeping the film true to the book as they have also been deeply impacted by what it has to offer.

"Eat, Pray, Love" Trailer

Some Socratic Teaching

Someone once asked “are you going to be a people pleaser or a God pleaser?” Sometimes this is one of the most difficult things to distinguish. People have decided what God likes, people have interpreted the Bible. But what if us being a God pleaser is what the general “Christian people” disagree with? How are we supposed to deal with this?

How can we say that one person is allowed to be God’s spokesperson? How do we know? God appointed Elijah as his prophet, along with Moses and a handful of other prophets. In this day and age when so many are self-proclaimed prophets, when you could say a bunch of things that could be interpreted in so many different ways, how are you supposed to know that this person is full of the Holy Spirit? When do you know that God is the One you’re pleasing and not the majority?