“Yoga Extras:” Resources for : Fri 7/26-Tue 8/6, 2024; Your World Part I & II

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I am creating these "Yoga Extras" blog posts for those of you resonating with the public yoga classes & Yoga Teacher Trainings I am leading. Inside of these blog posts you will find extra resources that support our weekly class theme. The weekly classes I guide are themed according to the season & collective energetic "weather"–This is of course influenced by many things; for instance, not only national and global events but how masses of people are feeling about and reacting to those events. It is also influenced by space weather (see spaceweather.com) & the current movement/placement of celestial bodies ie: the sun, moon, planets, nodes, stars, etc. You can find me teaching currently at Black Swan Yoga (North-Anderson) in Austin, TX. I am on the schedule as "Erika K." Mention this webpage for a free class.

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Hi loves!

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My ramblings from last week are below. I have not, as of yet, made videos for this week's theme as this week is a continuation/deepening of last week's. If you're ever hankering for more ramblings I'm taking a crack at Tik Tok. You can find me there on occasion at @erikak. Instead of a new vid from me, I am including one from one of my very favorite teachers, Dr. Caroline Myss. Just click the image for the link to the video. And the topic starts to get pretty deep, so if you're really wanting to open new channels of understanding, I suggest listening several times, focusing, and getting into this week's writing prompts after that.

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There is a new moon in leo on Sunday. I am just now remembering this but our theme plays right into the hands of the themes of this particular new moon. No suprise to me. Truth is Truth is Truth. And when one holds the intention to be aligned with it, in my experience, it happens. I suppose it follows that universal law of ask and it is given.

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Sendinig Love in this Law/Love based universe.

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Click the image below for the music from this week's class (& last week's class which is part 1):

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For this & last week's reading, see below.

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Self Portrait

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David Whyte

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It doesn’t interest me if there is one God

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or many gods.

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I want to know if you belong or feel abandoned;

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if you know despair

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or can see it in others.

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I want to know if you are prepared to live in the world

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with its harsh need to change you;

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if you can look back with firm eyes,

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saying "this is where I stand."

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I want to know if you know how to melt

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into that fierce heat of living

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falling toward the center of your longing.

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I want to know if you are willing

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to live, day by day,

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with the consequence of love

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and the bitter unwanted passion

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of your sure defeat.

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I have heard,

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in that fierce embrace,

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even the gods

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speak of God.

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Sweet darkness

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David Whyte

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When your eyes are tired

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the world is tired also.

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When your vision has gone

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no part of the world can find you.

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Time to go into the dark

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where the night has eyes

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to recognize its own.

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There you can be sure

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you are not beyond love.

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The dark will be your womb

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tonight.

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The night will give you a horizon

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further than you can see.

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You must learn one thing.

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The world was made to be free in.

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Give up all the other worlds

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except the one to which you belong.

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Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet

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confinement of your aloneness

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to learn

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anything or anyone

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that does not bring you alive

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is too small for you.

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Below is an interpretation of this week's reading, Self Portrait, and below that are two sets of are writing prompts based on Whyte's two poems, Sweet Darkness (from last week: 7/26-7/30) & Self Portait (this week's reading: 8/2-8/6).

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I want to know if you are prepared to live in the world with its harsh need to change you; if you can look back with firm eyes, saying this is where I stand.

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These lines from David Whyte's "Self Portrait" encapsulate a central theme of the poem: the challenge of maintaining one's integrity and sense of self in a world that constantly pressures individuals to change.

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Detailed Interpretation:

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I want to know if you are prepared to live in the world with its harsh need to change you;

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In this stanza, Whyte is questioning the reader's readiness to face the external pressures of society and the world. The "harsh need to change you" refers to the societal, cultural, and environmental forces that demand conformity and adaptation. This line highlights the inevitability of change and the often harsh realities of life that push individuals to alter their identities, beliefs, and behaviors to fit in or survive.

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The poet is probing the reader's resilience and willingness to navigate these forces while retaining their core self. It’s a call to examine one's preparedness to confront and endure these challenges without losing one's essence.

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if you can look back with firm eyes, saying this is where I stand.

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In these lines, Whyte emphasizes the importance of reflection and self-assurance. To "look back with firm eyes" implies a clear and confident assessment of one's past experiences, decisions, and actions. It suggests a deep sense of self-awareness and the ability to evaluate one's life without regret or self-doubt.

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The phrase "this is where I stand" is a powerful declaration of self-acceptance and conviction. It signifies that despite the pressures and changes encountered, the individual can assert their identity and values with confidence. It’s about having the courage to acknowledge one's journey and to take a stand based on that authentic understanding of oneself.

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In essence, these lines from "Self Portrait" challenge the reader to engage with the world’s demands while maintaining their inner integrity and to look back on their life with confidence and self-acceptance, asserting their authentic self despite the pressures to conform.

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• Below are writing prompts based on the first of two David Whyte poems, Self Portrait:

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1. Personal Resilience in Adversity:

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• Write about a time when you faced significant external pressure to change or conform. How did you respond to this pressure? Did you change, or did you stand firm in your beliefs and values? Describe the experience and the emotions involved.

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1. Defining Moments:

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• Reflect on a pivotal moment in your life that shaped your identity. How did this moment help you define "this is where I stand"? What did you learn about yourself, and how has it influenced your actions and decisions since?

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1. The Harsh Need to Change:

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• Explore a scenario where societal or cultural expectations demanded that you change a core aspect of yourself. How did you navigate this situation? Did you find a way to balance external demands with your personal integrity, or did you have to compromise?

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1. Self-Reflection and Confidence:

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• Write a letter to your younger self, reflecting on your journey so far. In this letter, convey the importance of looking back with firm eyes and recognizing your growth. What advice would you give to your younger self about maintaining authenticity in the face of life's pressures?

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1. Identity and Integrity:

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• Imagine a character who is struggling with their sense of identity in a world that constantly pushes them to change. Write a short story about their journey to self-discovery and their struggle to declare, "this is where I stand." How do they come to terms with their true self?

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1. Navigating Change:

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• Discuss the concept of change and how it has impacted your life. Are there changes you embraced and others you resisted? How do you decide which changes are necessary and which threaten your core identity?

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1. Looking Back with Firm Eyes:

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• Create a personal essay in which you examine your past decisions and experiences. How do you perceive your journey with the clarity and confidence suggested by the phrase "looking back with firm eyes"? What stands out as the most significant lesson you've learned?

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1. Standing Firm in Your Beliefs:

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• Write about a situation where you had to defend your beliefs or values against opposition. How did you handle the confrontation, and what was the outcome? Reflect on how this experience contributed to your sense of self.

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1. The Inner Journey:

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• Describe an inner journey of self-discovery that led you to understand where you truly stand in life. What challenges did you face, and what insights did you gain? How did this journey shape your current perspective?

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1. Embracing Authenticity:

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• Write a manifesto for living authentically in a world that demands conformity. What principles would you include, and how would you encourage others to stay true to themselves despite external pressures?

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• Below are writing prompts based on the second of two David Whyte poems, Sweet Darkness:

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1. Tired Eyes: Reflect on a time when you felt utterly exhausted, both physically and emotionally. How did this fatigue affect your perception of the world around you?

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2. Invisible: Write about a moment when you felt unseen or disconnected from the world. What brought you to this state, and how did you begin to find your way back?

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3. Embracing Darkness: Describe an experience where you found comfort in solitude and darkness. How did this environment help you recognize your own worth and love?

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4. Womb of the Night: Imagine a night where the darkness feels nurturing, like a womb. How does this night transform you, offering a new perspective or sense of belonging?

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5. Expanding Horizons: Write about a moment when solitude allowed you to see beyond your immediate circumstances, giving you a broader perspective on your life and future.

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6. Freedom in the World: Reflect on what it means to you to be truly free. How have you discovered or struggled with finding the world to which you belong?

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7. Letting Go: Think about the idea of giving up "all the other worlds" except the one you belong to. What are these other worlds, and how have they held you back?

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8. Sweet Confinement: Describe a period of aloneness that felt both confining and sweet. How did this time alone help you to grow and understand yourself better?

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9. Bringing You Alive: Write about a person or activity that brings you alive. Conversely, explore the realization that certain things or people in your life are too small for you and how you came to this understanding.

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10. Learning in Darkness: Reflect on a lesson you learned during a dark or challenging time in your life. How did this period of darkness contribute to your personal growth and understanding of what truly matters?

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