Bettelinn Krizek Brown, our special guest at the 2nd YogaBizz Teacher party on July 12, 2008 read, "A Message to Yoga Teachers", a letter written by Rama Jyoti Vernon to her students back in 1983! Here it is, even more powerful, important, and poignant...
Together we ascend lifes ladder, groping for the light within the darkness. Laden by Karmic burdens, some cannot climb as swiftly as others. Those on rung six reach out to help those on rung four at the same time embracing guiding hands of those on rung seven. Infinite variety of positions enable us ALL to be of service to humanity in the quest for peace and enlightenment.
In moments of doubt do not dissipate the positive forces of energy in remorseful feelings of unworthiness or self-pity. Remember . . . . you are a necessary part within the cosmic machinery. Insignificant as this part may seem to you . . . without it . . . . the machinery cannot function.
Transcend environmental obstacles. View them as a test of the Divine. Within the cosmic plan there is a reason for each and every opening of life's pathways. If you are led to the path of a teacher, then practice what you preach . . . . LET GO . . . . and the Divine will work through you and the barriers to spiritual growth will drop away.
Teaching Yoga is not a profession but a privilege and a blessing. There is tremendous responsibility. Place heart and soul within the Yoga teaching. See the divine within your students and let the teachings be the worship of this universal truth and beauty. Avoid indulgence in distorted proportions of self-confidence or power fantasies. Be fearless and confident but not overly so. You are a humble servant and as a fellow-seeker, joyously share with others the riches you yourself have found. We are all perennial students of Yoga. There is always more to learn . . . . more to know . . . . more to realize and more to SHARE.
'Whoever does the work to be done without resort to its fruits, he is the Sannyasin and the Yonin, not the man who lights not the sacrificial fire and does not the works.' ~~Bhagavagita: Ch. 6, vs. 1
Avoid attaching yourself to the desire for results. Once we leave an asana, the posture belongs to the archives of the past. Think of the classes and your teaching as an asana. Move within it to the very best of your ability . . . but . . . when it is over . . . . LET GO (physically, mentally AND emotionally.) Do not concern yourself with spiritually enervating thoughts as to whether it was a GOOD class or a BAD class . . . whether you are a GOOD teacher or a BAD teacher . . . be not affected by insult . . . . or compliment. As we teach . . . se we will be taught.
'Nor do these works bind Me, ODhananjaya, for I am seated as if indifferent above, unattached to these actions.' ~~ Gita: Ch. 9, vs. 9
Yoga is non-dogmatic. All of creation emanates from the one universal source. When we once again reunite through the experience of oneness and union with all fellow creatures, we become established in Yoga (Union). Union is Yoga and Yoga is the pathway to Union or Reunion. To follow a path of yoga we follow a designated practice for the achievement of this experiential knowledge of universal oneness.
The network of paths and methods are numerous and at times appear to be in conflict with one another. Within the confusing framework of learning . . . . . REMEMBER . . . . . there are as many methods as there are masters and teachers. Be respectful to all. Do not condemn, ridicule or vehemently oppose any system. We all gravitate towards that which seems more in harmony and keeping with our inner nature. Those balanced on the outer rims of independence and individualism would surely be excluded if there were only ONE way . . . . ONE method . . . . . ONE teacher . . . . ONE pathway to self and universal awareness.
Teaching is not an excuse to neglect your own practices. Believe and practice what you teach. If you neglect your own practices, your words and teachings will become ineffectual and your own stagnation will result in spiritual dehydration.
Be secure within the knowledge that the cosmic intelligence is working through you . . . . remove YOUR will so that THY will may be done. You are the instrument in the hands of the divine . . . . allow this instrument to be moved with ease, harmony and the graceful precision of LOVE.
There are no teachers . . . . . we are all students . . . . bound together in infinite expansion of growth and exploration. We are not teachers . . . and yet . . . . we SHALL teach . . . teaching not with an attitude of a teacher or GREAT Yogi or Yogini, but as a servant, as a fellow seeker joyously sharing with others the knowledge and training we ourselves have found.
In moments of doubt do not dissipate the positive forces of energy in remorseful feelings of unworthiness or self-pity. Remember . . . . you are a necessary part within the cosmic machinery. Insignificant as this part may seem to you . . . without it . . . . the machinery cannot function.
Transcend environmental obstacles. View them as a test of the Divine. Within the cosmic plan there is a reason for each and every opening of life's pathways. If you are led to the path of a teacher, then practice what you preach . . . . LET GO . . . . and the Divine will work through you and the barriers to spiritual growth will drop away.
Teaching Yoga is not a profession but a privilege and a blessing. There is tremendous responsibility. Place heart and soul within the Yoga teaching. See the divine within your students and let the teachings be the worship of this universal truth and beauty. Avoid indulgence in distorted proportions of self-confidence or power fantasies. Be fearless and confident but not overly so. You are a humble servant and as a fellow-seeker, joyously share with others the riches you yourself have found. We are all perennial students of Yoga. There is always more to learn . . . . more to know . . . . more to realize and more to SHARE.
'Whoever does the work to be done without resort to its fruits, he is the Sannyasin and the Yonin, not the man who lights not the sacrificial fire and does not the works.' ~~Bhagavagita: Ch. 6, vs. 1
Avoid attaching yourself to the desire for results. Once we leave an asana, the posture belongs to the archives of the past. Think of the classes and your teaching as an asana. Move within it to the very best of your ability . . . but . . . when it is over . . . . LET GO (physically, mentally AND emotionally.) Do not concern yourself with spiritually enervating thoughts as to whether it was a GOOD class or a BAD class . . . whether you are a GOOD teacher or a BAD teacher . . . be not affected by insult . . . . or compliment. As we teach . . . se we will be taught.
'Nor do these works bind Me, ODhananjaya, for I am seated as if indifferent above, unattached to these actions.' ~~ Gita: Ch. 9, vs. 9
Yoga is non-dogmatic. All of creation emanates from the one universal source. When we once again reunite through the experience of oneness and union with all fellow creatures, we become established in Yoga (Union). Union is Yoga and Yoga is the pathway to Union or Reunion. To follow a path of yoga we follow a designated practice for the achievement of this experiential knowledge of universal oneness.
The network of paths and methods are numerous and at times appear to be in conflict with one another. Within the confusing framework of learning . . . . . REMEMBER . . . . . there are as many methods as there are masters and teachers. Be respectful to all. Do not condemn, ridicule or vehemently oppose any system. We all gravitate towards that which seems more in harmony and keeping with our inner nature. Those balanced on the outer rims of independence and individualism would surely be excluded if there were only ONE way . . . . ONE method . . . . . ONE teacher . . . . ONE pathway to self and universal awareness.
Teaching is not an excuse to neglect your own practices. Believe and practice what you teach. If you neglect your own practices, your words and teachings will become ineffectual and your own stagnation will result in spiritual dehydration.
Be secure within the knowledge that the cosmic intelligence is working through you . . . . remove YOUR will so that THY will may be done. You are the instrument in the hands of the divine . . . . allow this instrument to be moved with ease, harmony and the graceful precision of LOVE.
1 comment:
This is so simple and moving, thank you for sharing this wisdom with us. What perfect reminders!
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