(A couple of photos from the One Love event.  You can view more pictures here.) 

Finally, I have the opportunity to write and share with you what’s been going on.  I’m increasingly inspired these days to write on the True Yoga Blog.  Perhaps those 6 weeks of not being able to post anything, filled me with even greater inspiration and passion for blogging and updating the blog regularly.  It’s my intention you will be hearing from me much more often.  Ideally, I’d like to update the blog weekly with a personally inspired post of my own free-flowing thoughts and inspirations related to all things Yoga, which, by the way, Yoga is everything if you haven’t realized.  Yoga is everything and everything is Yoga.  I love Yoga! Yoga is life, life is Yoga.  OM 

Anyhow, in addition to my own personal weekly posts, I will also be posting information about things going on in the Dallas Yoga community and beyond.  And, of course, in time, I will be producing online Yoga videos, which you will be able to download, and there will also be an online store full of my favorite products on the True Yoga website.  One of my favorite products is Asana Kisser.  I use Asana Kisser on people’s necks at the end of every Yoga class and everyone loves it.  People have been asking me for years where to buy it.  Well, soon, I’ll be able to say the True Yoga Website!

So, what a succes the One Love event was last weekend.  It was incredible to take part in such an inspired collaborative vision in the Yoga community.  This was the first year this event took place.  Basically, myself and 11 other Yoga instructors from Dallas encouraged our students to raise $108 for Off the Mat, Into the World, a non-profit organization funding grassroots non-governmental charities in Africa, to help with the prevention and cure of the AIDS epidemic there.  We learned astonishing statistics.  Every year 350,000 people die in Africa from AIDS.  That means, every hour 170 people die.  That’s unfathomable.  So, as you are reading this post, people are dying from something that is treatable, preventable and curable with the proper education and medicines.  Did you know there’s a rumor in Africa that if a man sleeps with a virgin he will cure himself of AIDS?  This is why education is so important and part of the charities we supported help with educating people in Africa.  Through the 12 of us, we encouraged 160 people to join us this past Saturday as we collectively went throuh 108 Sun Salutations together to raise money for this cause to help save lives.  There were also 40 people who donated, but who couldn’t be there.  So, together, with about 200 people donating we raised $25,000!  And, this was only with 3 months planning.  Can you imagine what will be possible in years to come?  It’s incredible to realize the positive difference we are capable of making when we join our hearts and minds together for Good.   If you are reading this post and are inspired to participate in this event next year, which will be happening annually in alignment with the Summer Solstice, you can take part by donating $108 whether you are able to be there physically or not.  Think about how easy that vision is.  I’ve had a long time wish of being able to tithe every month.  Tithing is giving 10% of one’s income back to charitable causes or one’s church/spiritual organization, etc.  It’s a biblical and spiritual practice and it’s strongly encouraged as a practice to awaken the flow of God’s abundance in our lives, realizing we always have enough, and therefore, we have enough to give.  It’s a practice of living with faith that God supplies all of our needs in life.  And, that we have everything we could ever need.  The Bible and all faiths tell us this.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:25-34

I’ve wanted to tithe for a long time but have often found it difficult to develop this discipline.  This event had me realize starting, from any place we can, is good enough.  In the past, I used to think if I didn’t feel like I could donate 10%, my efforts would be waisted or insufficient on some level.  Now, I realize even if I put $10 aside each month, and after a year, donate $120 to the One Love event or any cause I’m inspired by, that’s a worthwhile, positive and powerful effort.  I’m doing what I can to make a difference in some way.  We can each do this.  It’s so easy.  I hope you’ll be inspired to contribute to this event in years to come.  You can begin by putting some money you wish to donate aside each month.  And, next year, in June, you’ll be amazed at what you are able to give.  I’m going to be reminding us, often, to cultivate this discipline in our lives and encouraging you to donate to this cause, because, through the efforts of Off the Mat, Into the World, we have the power to impact so many lives and alleviate the widespread suffering in Africa where so many people are suffering and dying everyday. 

You might be feeling the passion as you read this post, well guess who says that?  Tony Robbins.  Live with Passion.  I’m going to reawaken that mantra in my life.  The passion is the Light, the fire of Life.  The inspiration behind all of our actions.  What inspires you to move, get up and get out of bed each morning?  And, we are living in times where it feels like some of that passion is dwindling, at times.  Maybe because we have forgotten what the real joy of life is.  Serving others.  Somewhere along the way we thought it was about getting our own fill (which that only resulted in filling up landfills) when it wasn’t about that at all.  Inevitably, on the Yogic path, it awakens us to Seva or Karma Yoga.  (selfless service)

I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold service was joy.
-Tagore

I’m realizing, more and more, that helping, making a difference and serving others is what really makes me happy.  My life used to be very inward focused, i.e. all about me, etc.  But, it’s increasingly becoming more and more outward focused, i.e. how can I help others.  This means everyone…family, friends, even ‘enemies’ (bc there are no such things as enemies when we love, pray and wish well for our enemies, then even our ‘enemies’ become our friends) my community, country, world.  It’s so incredible to think our efforts are making a difference with people in Africa.  That’s really the hOMeland of all of us.  I hope to travel to Africa one day.  A longtime friend of mine and fellow Yoga instructor, Jennette Zimmerman, (we’ve known each other since we were 8.  She was a troublemaker in the 3rd grade.  I got in trouble because she would wear Dr. Pepper chapstick because it was colored and looked like lipstick, and I would borrow it from her.  Our teacher, Mrs. Padolik, was not into that at all.  Mrs. Padolik may no longer be living.  It’s surreal to think of those teachers in our lives who made such a difference, even if they were hard on us sometimes.  In looking back I can feel all the love she had for us, and to realize she may not be here anymore, physically.  I guess I need to let her know how much I appreciated her love and guidance in my life, even though she wouldn’t let me wear Dr. Pepper chapstick.  Thank you, Mrs. Padolik, for all the love and energy you gave to us.)  Anyhow, my beautiful friend, Jennette, has traveled there several times for humanitarian work.  I’m so inspired by that and looking forward to the opportunity to get to do work like that one day, as well.  So, live with passion and live with love. 

Speaking of living with love, I’ve been wanting to share a story with you for a while now.  A couple of weeks ago I went to NYC, unexpectedly.  My friends father passed away on June 7th.  This is a friend of mine who moved to Dallas last Fall.  When he came to my class there was an immediate spiritual connection with us.  This has happened to me many times over the years that I’ve felt that special connection of friendship right away with someone in class.  Nathaniel has been a dear friend over the last several months.  He and his friend, Paulos, came into my life right at a time when I needed real spiritual friendship in my life, as well.  One of the things Paramahansa Yogananda says, is that wherever you go, you shall be met with friends on the path.  They have been true friends.  Nathaniels father had to have surgery on his heart at the end of May.  When Nathaniel told me about his fathers upcoming surgery back in May, I remember feeling uneasy about it.  I wanted to pretend like I hadn’t had that feeling, but the feeling was very distinguishable at the time.  I remember thinking, ‘Leanne, don’t think that… everything will be alright.’  The reason I had the uneasy feeling is because there were so many similarities between things with Nathaniel’s father and my father.  As many of you know, my father passed away about a year and a half ago.  Losing my father has been such a surreal experience, it’s hard to put into words what a loss like that is like, unless you’ve gone through losing someone that close to you. 

My father had me when he was 50.  Nathaniel’s father had him when he was 50.  And, both of our mothers were 15 years younger than our dads.  When I started to realize all these similarities, that’s when I had the uneasy feeling.  I pushed those feelings aside and hoped for the best, of course.  Plus, some part of me felt the fear and uncertainty in Nathaniel.  I believe the more attuned we become, (which happens through the purification of the Nadis/Meridian/psychic channels in Yoga by living healthy, eating healthy, practicing Asana, breathing techniques, meditation, etc.) we have a 6th sense about a lot of things.  And, yet we oftern discard it.  A lot of the times, perhaps, because we believe it’s not true.  It’s better to be optimistic and hope for the best, always, and yet, we know death is an inevitable reality of life.  Can we sense when the time is coming that we will lose a loved one?  Perhaps much more than we realize.  Even though we want to hold on forever, we know we can’t.  And, I believe we, often, intuitively know when it’s time to let go.  I never realized that until after my dad passed away.  But, I believe I have a much greater sensitivity to that now.

So, when I learned the news of Nathaniel’s father passing away, my first thought was I want to be there for the funeral service.  Then, I told myself that was an irrational idea.  But, later in the day when I went to teach and I saw Paulos, he told me he was leaving the next day for NYC and maybe I’d be able to join him.  As soon as he said that, I knew it was a sign I was meant to be there.  So, thanks to Priceline, I was able to buy a ticket and go.  And, I’m so grateful I did.  Nathaniel’s fathers name was Al Milner.  I never got a chance to actually meet Al, but what an incredible impression he left on my life.  I want to share a little about Al Milner with all of you.  He’s a man we would all have wished we could have met.  What an awesome human being.  In the Jewish tradition, a funeral is called a celebration of life service.  And Al’s life was certainly a life worth celebrating.  He lived a life with a heart full of passion and love. 

Here is what I originally intended to post a couple of weeks ago:

I had the experience of attending a celebration of life (funeral) service for the father of a dear friend this past week in NYC.  It may sound strange, but it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.  Other than my own father’s service, I have never experienced so much love expressed for another human being than what was expressed by this loving man’s family and friends.  I didn’t ever have the chance to meet Al Milner in this life, but he was obviously an amazing person, a mench, which is what someone like Al is called in Yiddish.  I had never attended a Jewish service, but it was incredibly moving and sacred and rich with a depth of spirit and heartfelt love I hadn’t ever experienced quite like that before.  I was moved to tears, as family members and friends, shared their stories and love for this incredible human being.  Al Milner was a holocaust survivor.  I had never met a holocaust survivor before in my life.  And, one of his dear friends was at the service and shared his unbelievable story.  Al was born in 1932.   At the age of 11, Al witnessed his mother and sister shot in the ghetto.  Not long after, he was taken away to the concentration camps with his father and brother.  They amazingly survived the concentration camps, escaping to the woods, somewhere in Poland, where they lived and hid for two years. 

Al came to America somewhere in his late teens or early twenties.  (Nathaniels mom, Gloria, will be coming to Dallas in a couple of weeks and I’m looking forward to learning more about her amazing husband and Nathaniels awesome dad.  Gloria and Al were married for thirty years.  I loved hearing the story of how they met and fell in love.)   Through Al’s struggles, challenges, unbelievable trials and tribulations, he made a successful life for himself, professionally, owning a bed and breakfast in the heart of Times Square.  But, he also made a successful life for himself, personally, in the true sense of the word by living a life which was full of love and joy and enriching relationships with his beloved family and friends.  His son considered his father his best friend.  And, his wife, as well.  And everyone he knew also felt he was their best friend…from the landlord of his building where he resided for thirty years to his associates and people who he had only known a brief time.  They all felt the incredible love flowing from this man.  There is another saying in Yiddish…which is what is said from the heart flows into the heart.  I love that.  They said that Al Milner took the time to smile at everyone he crossed paths with.  He took the time to look others in the eyes, with his sparkling eyes, and ask, sincerely, How are you doing?  Are you doing ok?  (often laying his hand on his friend or loved ones cheek) They said, one of the things that upset him the most is when he would ride on the elevator with fellow tenants who lived in his building and they wouldn’t say hello.  His wife would often tell him…well, it’s New York.  But, Al was a lover of life and of people.  He made every person he talked to feel cared about because he did genuinely care.  His heart was as big as the Big Apple it seems.  You can imagine, having lived through the hardships he had experienced as a child, life was precious to him.  As his wife, Gloria said, he wouldn’t want his loved ones to go on mourning.  He would tell them…get your shit together and live your life.  Life is precious and there isn’t a moment to waste.   And, in his legacy he reminds of that infamous quote from the Beatles…the love you take is equal to the love you make.  That’s all that matters, ultimately.  We can’t take with us things, but we do carry with us the love of those we’ve loved and who loved us.  

Al Milner left us with the legacy of remembering to love.  Life is too short for anything else. 

“Life is too short for drama and playing small.  Love deeply, forgive quickly and laugh often.” – Rev. Lee

And, he reminded us to live life to the fullest and follow our dreams…whatever those dreams may be.  So, I will listen to his advice.  I am inspired by his life and the legacy he left us with.  By the way, I hadn’t been to New York City since I was 11 when I went with my family.  I will be going back soon.  I love that city.  What an incredible place.  The New Yorkers I experienced were full of love, life, inspiration.  They were totally connected and awake to the reality of their spiritual experience.  It felt like they were awake in spirit.  Having not been there since the devestation of September 11^th, I’m sure much of this spiritual revitalization is because of the collective wake-up call the city experienced when reality of death, and the brevity and preciousness of life, shook the entire city to its core.  Death is a wake up call whenever it meets us in life.  It reminds us, as Red (Morgan Freeman) in the movie The Shawshank Redemption said, to ‘Get busy living or get busy dying.’  What are you living for and what will the legacy you leave be?  How will people remember you?  As a lover and friend and someone who really cared?  Will they remember you as someone who lived with purpose and passion?  What will they say when you leave this place and all that you take is the love you have made while you were here? 

I love the synchronicity of things these days.  As I was writing this post, Nathaniels friend and my friend, Paulos, sent me at text.  It said, ‘here is today’s affirmation for all of us.  “I intend to be an instrument of infinite kindness!”  Thank you, Paulos, for the reminder, yet again.  Love and forgive.  The great poet, Hafiz, says Love is constant compassion and forgiveness.  And, Gandhi said it takes more faith and strength to be kind.  Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  And let go of judging.  This was what I wrote about in this seasons True Yoga Newsletter.  If you would like to receive it, please click here.  The lyrics of these two songs have been resonating with me this week.  If you don’t have them, I suggest downloading them on itunes.  They are awesome.  I’ve been playing them in Yoga class this week.  Oh yea, and I also had the chance to hear this amazing and inspiring singer, Phoenix Hart, play a couple of weeks ago in Dallas.  She’s incredible.  Completely beautiful and a gorgeous voice.  Her music is very inspired.  You can check out her music on her webiste www.phoenixhart.com, as well.  Her song Brand New Day is really good.  I’m looking forward to hearing her play again sometime soon. 

Waiting for My Real Life to Begin by Colin Hay 

“It is difficult if not impossible to practice the way of Understanding and Love without a Sangha, a community of friends who practice the same way.”- Thich Nhat Hanh

During this time of unprecedented change many of us may find ourselves alone with our questions and challenges. With traditional religion no longer filling our spiritual needs and scientific materialism leaving us with soulless exploitative competitive explanations, we need an expanded community of friends. Often we do not find respite from our current relationships. As Barbara Marx Hubbard points out, “Humanity is facing unprecedented, evolutionary change,” and we need others to share it with. -newsletter@prophetsconference.com

Om shanti

Live with passion my friends!