Onward

I tramp a perpetual journey,
My signs are a rain-proof coat and good shoes and a staff cut from the
woods;
No friend of mine takes his ease in my chair,
I have no chair, nor church, nor philosophy;
I lead no man to a dinner-table, or library or exchange,
But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll,
My left hand hooks you round the waist,
My right hand points to the landscapes of continents, and a plain public
road.

Not I, nor any one else can travel that road for you,
You must travel it for yourself.

It is not far...it is within reach,
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not
know,
Perhaps it is every where on water and on land.

Shoulder your duds, and I will mine, and let us hasten forth;
Wonderful cities and free nations we shall fetch as we go.

If you tire, give me both burdens, and rest the chuff of your hand on
my hip,
And in due time you shall repay the same service to me;
For after we start we never lie by again.

This day before dawn I ascended a hill and looked at the crowded
heaven,
And I said to my spirit, When we become the enfolders of those orbs
and the pleasure and knowledge of every thing in them, shall we
be filled and satisfied then?
And my spirit said No, we level that lift to pass and continue
beyond.

You are also asking me questions, and I hear you;
I answer that I cannot answer...you must find out for yourself.

—Excerpt from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Peace, Love and Vegetables

Vegan Food at Heathrow Airport

A few weeks ago after the amazing Jivamukti Tribe Gathering I was flying from London to Munich to teach at the Jivamukti schools there. I had not had anything to eat before leaving and was not expecting much maybe just some beans and toast. After walking around terminal 2 for about 15 minutes I can across a restaurant called Giraffe. After looking at the menu I realized they had a few vegan options even veggie sausages. The waiter was extremely nice and was very much aware of what was and was not vegan and in fact the sausages were vegan! I was able to get a whole vegan breakfast. First time ever in all my travels that I was able to have such an easy time with vegan breakfast. If you are passing through London please check this place out. It is incredible how quickly things are changing and it is all because people are asking for it. Whenever I am in a restaurant I ask what is vegan even if I already know as it makes the wait staff question and let's the management know that there is a demand for vegan food. It is a good practice and you can do it anywhere.


Peace, Love and Vegetables.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Praha

This blog update is brought to you by the amazing internet access at the Vodafone store in the center of Prague. About 6 inches of snow here but as with all cities it melts quickly with salt, cars and general dislike of the snows impact on the daily routines. Teaching an open class in a few hours with Martina an amazing Jivamukti and presence here in Prague.

I wanted to share a story that happened on December 7th my birthday. I was fortunate to have so many birthday calls and wishes in so many forms. I do not usually celebrate my birthday and ask people to donate to an animal charity instead of giving me gifts.

Emma Henry a dear friend and Jivamukti teacher in London was with me on my birthday and siad she had gotten me a surprise present. I was not excited. I picked her up after class and I was surprised indeed. She had put together some nuts and seeds for us to feed to the birds on our way to dinner. I was touched and the birds were very thankful. The winter is hard on us humans but especially so on the other animals. Where do birds eat during the winter. We have taken over so much of the land and given back to so little.

So please next time you go for a walk this winter bring some seeds and feed the birds or whatever animals that you find are in need humans or otherwise

Peace, Love and Vegetables

With That Moon Language

With That Moon Language

Admit something:

Everyone you see, you say to them, "Love me."

Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still, though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye

that is always saying,

with that sweet moon language,

what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?

Hafiz as translated by Daniel Landinsky from the book Love Poems From God.


This poem was shared by Sharon Gannon at the Jivamukti Immersn at Omega this past September and it has stayed with me. Daniel Landinsky has some very contemporary translations. A great resource for teaching but also for sharing...read it to a friend a stranger or a beloved.