The Karma Diaries

New directions

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:24:21 -0400

A few of you have noticed that I haven't been writing in this space very much.

It's true. And to be completely honest, it has not been intentional. My energies just seem to be dispersing elsewhere into people, projects, real-life-relationships, hobbies and my work.

Although I'm not abandoning this space entirely, I will no longer be posting publicly.

If you are a long-time follower of my blogging adventures, please stay in touch (You can find me on gmail, karmadiaries). I'll keep you posted on my new directions.

Love and peace, everyone.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

March is the new January

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:06:29 -0400

Snow tree

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Steve Jobs & Competent Tyrants

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:28:46 -0400

"The degree to which people in Silicon Valley are afraid of Jobs is unbelievable. He made people feel terrible; he made people cry. But he was almost always right, and even when he was wrong, it was so creative it was still amazing." Says Palo Alto venture capitalist Jean-Louis Gasse, a former Apple executive who once worked with Jobs: "Democracies don't make great products. You need a competent tyrant."

Fascinating article from Fortune Magazine/CNN Money: The Trouble with Steve Jobs

(via The Ruminator)

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Consolation lunch

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:33:15 -0500

Today was a hard day. This is amusing, given that I had enjoyed last Saturday so much, I simply *expected* this Saturday to be absolutely fabulous too. Ah, the perils of attachment!

I hate being late to anything, but especially to my classes. The King streetcar, never terribly reliable, wasn't running on time and after just barely missing a streetcar (it was pulling away as I ascended from the subway) I waited for over a half-hour for the next one. Fortunately, I allow extra time in case this happens, but it meant that instead of having a leisurely coffee at the club, I was sprinting down Sherbourne frantically trying to make it on time.

I was beset my a whole variety of other mishaps, but I have a favourite - it still makes me giggle (in retrospect) when I think about it:

I was at the market and feeling peckish so I decided to treat myself to a samosa from my favourite vendor in the North Market. I lined up politely and was just about to ask for a vegetarian samosa when a couple cut in front of me. They were very demanding, so in the interest of harmony, I let it slide. I was in no hurry and besides, there was a whole bucket of samosas. They proceeded to buy the entire lot - in fact, there was one vegetarian samosa left and the guy said “Oh, give me that one too.” By the time it was my 'turn', the only remaining samosas were chicken. Bah.

So I had a peanut butter cookie for lunch and was just a bit sulky about it. ;-)

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Winter Obstacle Course

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:18:25 -0500

Baddha Konasana

“Remember, Yoga practice is like an obstacle race; many obstructions are purposely put on the way for us to pass through. They are there to make us understand and express our own capacities. We all have that strength, but we don't seem to know it. We seem to need to be challenged and tested in order to understand our own capacities. In fact, that is the natural law. If a river just flows easily, the water in the river does not express its power. But once you put an obstacle to the flow by constructing a dam, then you can see its strength in the form of tremendous electrical power.”

- Swami Satchidananda (1:17)

I have a bit of a confession: I'm in a bad mood. February has been a rough month for me, as it often is. There's something about the combination of cold weather, lack of light and seasonal melancholy that really nails me this time of year. It seems oddly unjust that I'm struck with exhaustion and lethargy just as the days are starting to get longer, but each year the pattern repeats itself (one of my students suggested that it's the sheer accumulation of winter angst that makes February so difficult.) I've been simply enduring life recently, dragging myself through what seems like a series of gray, soggy, cold weeks.

It's official: I have the 'winter blues'.

When my sleep schedule starts to get wonky, I know what's coming. I've been staying up 'late' recently - late for me being past 10 p.m. or *gasp* 11:00. Of course, all of this not-sleeping leads to napping during the day, which leads to more not-sleeping at night...and you can see where this is going. This morning, I was so groggy and tired that my body just wanted to grind to a halt.

When I have 'the blues,' my usual high energy levels take a plunge and I lose motivation for the big stuff, then the little stuff and finally, the routine stuff. It becomes increasingly difficult to hold myself together. The thought of completing the smallest task fills me with dread. The other day, I had to give myself a big pep talk in order to walk into the kitchen to do the dishes. I sometimes 'don't 'feel like doing anything' and lay morosely on the futon feeling victimized by my to-do list. Laying in bed at night, I'm sometimes struck with a sense of melancholic despair because tomorrow, I'll have to wake up and DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

*sigh*

Of course, my yoga practice has suffered. I'm still making it to the mat six days a week, still doing my full yoga practice. But it feels like I'm just going through the motions these days. I'm not making any real progress - in fact, I'm backsliding. I've stopped binding in poses I know I can bind because it's just so much WORK and I don't have the energy for drama or challenge in my life. Reading back in my journal, it's difficult to believe that mere months ago, I was jumping out of bed eager to do my yoga practice and embrace the day.

But it's also a good reminder: this too shall pass. And we *are* on the brink of Spring.

As I was reading the Yoga Sutras this morning, this quote from the commentaries resonated with me. Obstacles in life - and yoga practice - challenge us and draw forth our true strength and abilities. With this in mind, I tried to reframe the entire month of February as simply a challenge to be overcome (instead of a long trial of slush and darkness). Seen in that light, it's easier to motivate myself to the mat, then outdoors into the sometimes-sunshine, and even out to my classes and through my daily rounds of meals, phone calls, class notes, errands.

I'm counting the days until March.

And somebody is sending me cookies.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

QotD: Happily Ever After?

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:49:48 -0500

How did you celebrate Valentine's Day?
Submitted by Stephen.

Lots of heart!

I spent Valentines Day making a big batch of Love to share with my students as well as other people in my life, significant and random.

I taught two yoga classes last night (was surprised to have a few couples attend together!). As my students rested in Savasana, I tip-toed around the room, laying out plates full of the sweet surprises. A few told me later that they could smell the cookies as they rested! Everyone enjoyed the sweets after a challenging yoga class!

I also shared my cookies with G-the-janitor (the janitor who cleans the school where my evening classes are held) and the friendly TTC guy in the subway collector booth, who I see each week as I make my way home.

I have three classes today - I'm taking cookies to all of them. I dropped off a small bag of cookies with the homeless guy who sits outside Union Station wrapped in a white blanket (I try to bring him something every week). I gave cookies to the sweet security guys who open the doors for everyone who comes in (even though they don't really have to).

And there are still some cookies left!

My Saturday morning class will feel the Love and I'm going to give cookies to some of my favourite vendors in the St. Lawrence Market when I go there on my Saturday shopping rounds.

I'm saving two cookies for my favourite volunteers at the soup kitchen - an older couple who have been particuarly kind to me.

I'm having so much fun, I may need to make some more! ;-)

Heart Cookies

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

QotD: Time on Your Hands

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:42:05 -0500

What do you do when you find yourself with nothing to do?
Submitted by Cassie.

Free time is so precious to me. How I chose to spend it depends on the context.

Often, I will read a book - I'm rarely without one and I read constantly: while riding on the subway, standing in line-ups, sitting in the doctor's office or while waiting for a lunch date. While riding public transit, I'll sometimes close my eyes and meditate or do pranayama (yogic breathing exercises). On subway platforms I'll sometimes even do simple yoga poses!

In spare moments at home, I love to close my eyes and listen to music, cuddle with my dog or sit and do nothing at all. I enjoy knitting (though I haven't been doing much of it lately).

In the summer months, I'll sometimes take my drum outside to the park (I play African Djembe). If I'm feeling musical, I'll practice my guitar. If I'm feeling artsy, I'll write or draw or paint.

And if I have a larger block of time available, I'll head to the kitchen to pursue my latest passion, baking. I particularly enjoy listening to CBC Radio One programmes as I knead bread or prepare the dough for cookies or muffins.

I think one measure of a full life is what you do when you have nothing to do. I'm never bored and each day unfolds full of activities, people and work I enjoy.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Contest: Sigg Bottles!

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:21:48 -0500

GreenStyleMom is running a contest to give away two free Sigg Bottles. I'm a big fan of Siggs because they're beautiful, funky and environmentally friendly. If we all opted to use refillable bottles, just imagine the impact it could have - eliminating the need to produce millions of plastic bottles and creating space in our landfills.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I like them apples

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:09:16 -0500

January 11th marked a year since I brought home my new Mac. It was right around this time last year that I was finally really using my new MacBook (rather than trudging to the Mac Geniuses every few days with my myriad PC/Macintosh transition issues) so this seems like a good time to reflect back on my first MacYear.

My inaugural year of Mac can be summed up in two words: No. Regrets. None at all. I loved it then, I still love it now. I don't miss my windows computer a bit. Owning a Mac has been a bit magical. When I think back on my first MacYear, I still find myself enamoured, like a person newly in love.

Here are a few of my reflections about my 'switch' and a year of Mac:

It works:
When people ask me what I most like about my Mac, the first thing that leaps to mind is, “It works.” My Mac never slows down or freezes up. It has never crashed in the year I've been using it. I'm satisfied with its speed and performance. The operating system is well-designed, easy to use and still surprises me with its features and capabilities.

The Simple Life:
One of the reasons I wanted to switch to Mac was to simplify my electronic life. I wanted to clear my desk and move most electronic gadgets out of plain sight. I love the fact that my slim little MacBook can be neatly put away. Because I live in a small bachelor apartment, it's nice to be able to put the tools of 'work' away and enjoy a serene space. My apartment has a more natural, minimalist look now - well suited to being a yoga space.

Travelling companion:
I love being able to carry my Mac with me - to cafés, on the subway, while travelling, or even just around the apartment. I still can't get over the luxury of checking email in bed on a lazy Saturday morning, or popping in a DVD on a long airplane flight (or while in the bathtub!). Doing my weekly bookkeeping becomes a special treat when I do it in a café. In the summer time, I can take my laptop out on the balcony (or to a park, or on a patio).

Beauty:
In the past year, I've started to notice how important beauty is to me (this topic deserves a post of its own). I love and value things that tug on my aesthetic heart strings, whether it's fine craftsmanship in a teapot, beautifully presented foods, or the streamlined beauty of a well-designed computer. I've owned my MacBook for a year but each time I boot it up I'm still in awe of how absolutely lovely this machine is. It feeds the eye. I enjoy looking at it.

File Management and Backups:
When I transitioned to the Mac, I wanted to clean up my music collection, organise my files and emails in a central repository and set up a reliable system of backups. Though not Mac-specific, I found that these tasks were easier on my Mac. My LaCie hard drive runs on a firewire port and can boot directly off of the hard drive itself if my Mac were to ever crash. Music is very important to me - my iPod and iTunes both run better on a Mac. The wireless capacity of my Mac allows me to keep and access much of my information online.

And then there's the 'cachet':
There's a certain 'cool factor' to owning a Mac. You feel it when you sit down with your MacBook in a café or on a subway. Very often, I'll spot another MacBook owner and we'll exchange 'the look' - you know, the 'hey-nice-computer!' look. I like being one of the cool kids.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Top 5 Books of 2007

nobody@vox.com(Kaivalya) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:28:15 -0500

I read 52 books in 2007. Katerina asked which of those 52 books were the best written and most important to me personally. I looked at my list and came up with a 'Top 5 of 2007'.

1) The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay: This book comes in first place because it's well-written, engaging, memorable and philosophical enough to appeal to my heart as well as my mind. It's about a young boy growing up in South Africa and the important relationships he developed that helped him grow into a man of integrity. It has a surprise ending too! I love that the author doesn't need to tell you what happens after that because you just KNOW. ;-)

2) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls: A true story about a family living rough (in intentional poverty) in America. This one was so good that I recommended it to my mother and, like me, she was slack-jawed with amazement at strength and resilience of those children. They somehow managed to cope with their fabulously strange family and grow into successful adult despite it all. I couldn't put this one down and I still think about it from time to time (and when I see someone reading it on the subway, I get a tiny pang of jealousy because it was SUCH a good read).

3) Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: I read this book on my annual camping trip and breezed through it during those three days. It was the perfect book for a quiet interval in the woods - engaging enough to keep me entertained, significant enough to provide food for thought for weeks afterward. Elizabeth Gilbert knows how to tell a good story and there's something very compelling about her everyday-woman-come-seeker vibe. Not everyone loves this book in the yoga community, but I think you have to take it for what it offers: a woman who runs away from her life and follows her muse (food, meditation, love). If you enjoy living vicariously through the pages of a book, this is a good ride.

4) Healthy at 100 by John Robbins: I've been a fan of John Robbins since I read his book 'Diet for a New America' in the early 90s. At the time, I was an aspiring vegan and his stories of factory farming gave me the chills (and the motivation to forgo eggs). His latest book is well-written and very, very interesting. He explores longevity in different cultures around the world and analyzes the factors that lead to fantastic longevity. His approach is pragmatic - he examines the existing research, its findings and flaws, then suggests some steps we can all take to live longer (I'll give you a hint: the typical North American diet is found wanting). This is non-fiction that reads easy.

5) Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater: This is my favourite 'yoga book' of the year. It's a nice book to keep bedside for a chapter-a-night before going to sleep. Lasater discusses different ways to take yoga 'off the mat' and stay true to the yoga practice in your day-to-day life. Although this book doesn't even touch Donna Fari's 'Bringing Yoga to Life' for sheer profundity, it's nice light reading and true to its title.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend