Some Greek philosophy...

This has been my weeks reading in class (not same place and students every time!)... Made my day when I saw it was Socrates :) Enjoy & maybe even try it out... 

The Test of Three (Truth, Goodness, and Usefulness)

One day, Socrates came upon an acquaintance that ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Three?" 

"That's right," Socrates continued "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So, Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though, because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

Yep, made me totally regret a bunch of things... Letting go... Tomorrow is a new day. Good luck to all of us! 

Love, 

me.

Ahimsa 

When we practice yoga, we are speaking of ahimsa (of non-harming). In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali says that non-violence is avoidance of cruelty, injustice and violence. Which is to have compassion, kindness and goodness, to others and ourselves. 

Ahimsa isn't always black and white. Violence, after all, takes many forms. Thoughts, rude comments, pollution, pushing it to hard on our yoga mats, but also physical defense when we feel our lives are in danger. Another one is vegeterianism/veganism. A question I get quite often. A question that made me rethink my choices a couple of times. 

I've come to the conclusion, that I/We don't have to give up meat to practice non-violence. There are many ways, and many small actions we can take. Back off when things don't feel right. Push negative thoughts away. Small steps in the right direction. Keep trying again and again with mindfulness and compassion. Let your goodness shine through. Ahimsa is universal, compassionate love. 

I love this story:

Buddha was traveling in the company of several other people. 

One of the travelers began to test Buddha by responding to anything he said with disparaging, insulting, hurtful remarks. Every day for the next three days, this traveler verbally abused Buddha, calling him a fool, arrogantly ridiculing him in any way he could.

Finally, after three days, the rude traveler could stand it no longer. He asked Buddha "How can you continue to be so kind and loving when all I've done for the last three days is dishonor, offend and try to find ways to hurt you? Each time I try to hurt you, you respond in a kind manner? How can this be?

Buddha responded with a question for the fellow traveller, "If someone offers you a gift, and you do not accept that gift, to whom does it belong?"   

Peace out my friends. Love is the choice. 

How to change the world...

It's a beautiful day! With all the colors of grey in the sky, and its still gorgeous! A new yoga studio has opened up in the world and it will brighten up many peoples lives :) 

My good friend Angela posted this the other day, and it just seems fitting to pass it back on.

I Wanted To Change The World 

When I was young, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as I got older, I tried to change my family.

Now, I realize the only thing I can change is myself. Suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.

(Unknown Monk, around 1100 A.D.)

and here's the link to Angela's studio:

http://solyogastudio.com