Ascenso

beautiful lines, seamless partnering that explores / establishes relationships b/w the movements of the trio. work is by cuban choreographer rosario cardenas

lists are like poetry to me...

this according to a friend of mine. i agree! this list especially moves me...

Tips and Pointers for Building a Spiritual Life from Scratch:

Pray
Meditate
Be aware / Stay awake
Bow
Practice yoga
Feel
Chant and sing
Breathe and smile
Relax / Enjoy / Laugh / Play
Create / Envision
Let go / Forgive / Accept
Walk / Exercise / Move
Work / Serve / Contribute
Listen / Learn / Inquire
Consider / Reflect
Cultivate oneself / Enhance competencies
Cultivate contentment
Cultivate flexibility
Cultivate friendship and collaboration
Open up / Expand / Include
Lighten up
Dream
Celebrate and appreciate
Give thanks
Evolve
Love
Share / Give / Receive
Walk softly / Live gently
Expand / Radiate / Dissolve
Simplify
Surrender / Trust
Be born anew

- Lama Surya Das, Awakening the Buddha Within

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

I heard about Randy Pausch's "last lecture" a while back when he was still alive. I finally watched it and am so glad I did. It was inspirational to hear his story of how various childhood dreams manifested in his life... some did and some didn't... and those that did often manifested in ways that he couldn't even have imagined.

Dance video of the day: Korr by sara galan, dancehall workshop ryshuset

Afro-dancehall in Stockholm, Sweden

Anish Kapoor Ascension in São Paulo, Brazil 2007

This video is very evocative and "put together"... I recently saw the current Anish Kapoor exhibit at the Institute for Contemporary Art (www.icaboston.org) and am fascinated by his work. I found this video especially interesting as it pulled in images from the city of Sao Paulo, and the video at times focused just as much on people's responses to the work as the work itself.

Effortlessness

This has been my word for the week. I've been paying attention to when things are effortless rather than feeling like I have to struggle to figure things out. I really don't believe in struggle and so if this is my truth, I realize that rather than adding more and more action to my daily routine I "add" inaction. Do less. Think less. Figure out less. Be effortless. Just be.

What reminds me to just "be"?

Paying attention to my breath. Taking deep breaths mindfully.

Dancing.

Any form of movement because it brings me back into my body and literally grounds me.

Smiling.

Who Am I?

It's one of those existential questions... I was pondering this question as I was walking the other day. I was trying to do a walking meditation only I wasn't meditating... I was *thinking*... I know the mind continues thinking even during meditation and you watch your thoughts and gently pull your attention back to the breath... well, I made no such effort. I walked and thought myself into a pretzel. Later that day my friend sent me a link and it went right back to the question I was thinking about.

I'm not going to say any more. Just one word: Puppetji.

What is Puppetji, you ask. You just have to watch. Go to: http://www.puppetji.com/ and laugh your head off. Have fun, and no thinking!