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As I was pondering the topic “Allowing Receptivity,” I realized I didn’t have a clear set of words to describe it. I believe I have a deep internal sense of what “Allowing Receptivity” means. And, because Rodney didn’t really define this term, I thought maybe I should just check the actual meaning. So I turned to Webster – Merriam-Webster that is. But - Do you remember when we were kids, we were always taught that you can’t define a word with the word. Well, that is exactly what happened. Receptivity is the ability to be receptive! Thanks. Since that didn’t help very much, I looked some more and found this: receptive is “willing or able to accept new suggestions or ideas.” And by new, I’m guessing they just mean different than the idea or thought that you might be carrying around with you. And you can change out the word “accept” with words like “listen” or “consider.” Rodney uses the term “allowing.” I think he is spot on. Because we can be receptive – to a point. We can begin and then stop. But if we allow then we get to go deeper. But receptivity is more than just a couple of words. To me there’s a feeling associated with the sense of being receptive. There’s an openness, a lightness, and a sense of curiosity. And, there’s a sense of letting it in. Whatever it is, you are allowing this new idea into your being, into your thoughts, into your body with a welcoming heart. No judgements, no rejection. In our bodies, we can use our breath to facilitate receptivity. We breath in to create an opening in the chest, we exhale and allow a softening. We breath in and receive the breath, we exhale and receive the stretch associated with the softening. In our minds we can be open. When we rest our minds in meditation, it creates space that allows attention to roam and new ideas to arrive. By being receptive to ideas, suggestions and the like, we can try them on for size. Allowing doesn’t mean that you’ve made a decision. That this new idea is permanent in your world. Nope. You’re just trying it on. How does it feel? You get to explore this new concept. And once you decide that this new idea is acceptable, or worthwhile, then you make the decision that it truly becomes part of your life. Or maybe we should look at it from a different perspective. Because I now see that this new idea is more acceptable, I can let go of this old thought or belief. Allowing Receptivity opens us up. It moves us forward. Being receptive opens muscles to relieve tension, opens our hearts to welcome in love and inspiration, and opens our minds to new ideas. It helps us live life in a more full, loving and meaningful way. I’ll see you on the mat to practice “Allowing Receptivity.” Blessings to you, Vicki 
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 This dog looks like he is laughing so I thought it appropriate for today's post. Paying attention to what is occurring around us (or in us) is necessary in daily life. In that same vein, what we don’t observe or don’t attend to, we don’t respond to appropriately. I have a funny story to tell you about Being Present or being mindful of what we are doing in the moment as a way to illustrate this concept. I will tell you all about it tonight at 5:30 pm. I will leave you with two more related concepts. The first - Paying attention fully, or at least the best we can, is essential for our Presence to awaken and observe. The second – “What we pay attention to grows stronger.” This means if we pay attention to the noisy neighbor when we are trying to read a book, that “noise” and the annoyance that comes with it will grow stronger and probably “bug” us and disrupt our quiet afternoon reading. If we don’t pay attention to it and shift our attention to the book or our breathing, we will enjoy our time reading. I hope you can join us at 5:30 pm to enjoy a funny story, move a little, and practice being present so that our lives can be more full and enjoyable through Presence. Click here to sign up: app.ubindi.com/Vicki.Schneider Namaste & blessings, Vicki PS - We forgot to use the paper and pencil last week. Have them handy today and we'll make it happen.
For this week’s class, I have a poem for you to ponder. It was untitled but was written by Erin Hanson. I think it captures how many of us approach life today. So if you can, take a moment now to read the poem, then read on…….. You can access it here. We are doing so many things so quickly that we don’t “really” experience any of them – or at least not fully. We might check them off of our list, but we don’t remember the details. We don’t make memories. Why? Because we aren’t present in the moment. We are often caught up in thought – worrying about the future, what’s next on the list, or being consumed by something we just did that is in the past. But we didn’t do it good enough – or so we think. And when we are carried away by these stories of thought, our Presence is covered up, hidden. We are unaware of our own Presence. You see, when we are attentive to the present moment, we open up space, and we let our Presence shine through. Our Essential Nature that is always here. Our Presence, our Soul – the Essence of who we are. It is this Presence; it is this Awareness that observes all of our sense perceptions (thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensations, images, ideas) and experiences life. This Presence is who we are. Tonight’s (or maybe tomorrow’s depending on when you read this) and next week’s practices will focus on being attentive to our bodies, emotions and thoughts that occur in the moments during our asana practices. And in our meditations we will practice recognizing our own Presence. If you’d like, you can sign up for class here. I have a second request for you. If possible, please have a pencil/pen and a piece of paper handy for class. I’ll explain on Wednesday 😊. With Blessings for a moment to moment happiness throughout your day. I’m looking forward to seeing you in class. Vicki
 Let me tell the tale
Of a girl who didn’t stop, Who climbed up every mountain Without a pause upon the top. She’d dance until each blade of grass Was clothed in drops of dew, And the sun knew her by name But the silver moon did too. For a fear had settled in her bones; A fear of sitting still, That if you’re not moving forward It must mean you never will. So in time her dance got slower And she looked at all she’d seen, But found gaps inside the places That she’d never fully been, For she was a human doing Human moving, human seeing, But she’d never taken time To simply be a human being. 2015 Erin Hanson |
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