A long lunch with Tye

Knowing that this was the only time I'd have today, I set up the surrender clock when we sat around the table. What I said I did from my truth, no agenda and no predetermination. Noticed how easy it was. Spoke about intentions, about some experiences on Monday, listened, responded.

It is easy to do in the presence of some people and difficult with others.

Ultimately, the bottom line is the feeling of safety, as opposed to feeling the energy of judgment, pity, envy, cold observation (lack of connection).

Yoga

Today, it was an hour of Yoga. When I do yoga, I start seeing the artifacts of my mind not as content but as... artifacts of the mind. And realize that fixing the mind is is the trap, the thousand-headed hydra.

Letting it go rampant, just watching, realizing that it is just a phenomenon, observe it's lava-like boiling is an exciting new experience.

Yesterday, at the precise second I gave myself a moment of surrender, Mark sent the center of attention my way and I let the room shift, offering it as a space for creation.

The new dancers

Today I had the chance to co-create with two dancers from what I call the "new generation." Their approach to movement and dance comes organically, from the integration of their art, lives and bodies. Beauty radiates from their movement and presence, so easy to capture.

Here are a few photos from the shoot this evening:

A Dear Friend

Spent the evening with John, a dear friend of mine. John brings with himself space for deep awareness and learning.

Edited photos

Mainly because I wanted to see them.

Greg and Sharon are inspiring beyond words. The space they create is magical, just like their lives. I know it takes one to recognize one... here's what I'm talking about:







And the other Greg:

Yesterday and today: Rest

Sundays are the day for surrender and listening.

Today is the day to jumpstart the week at work and meet with my men, then sleep.

Reflecting Light

Today I spent a few hours with a couple, photographing them being together, being in love.

I think my call as a photographer is to reflect the light I see in people. Literally and spiritually.

Went into the shoot with some performance anxiety and then chose to just follow. Follow the intention to capture their connection and the core of their relationship, the moments where the man and woman met, connected, felt.

Photos soon.

Cleaning again

I hate cleaning and tidying. When I *have to do it* I get very anxious and uncomfortable, and my mind serves dozens of better options.

Tonight I set the timer to one hour and waited for an impulse. I felt the need to tidy and simplify my stuff. Moved one of my two guitars to its case, with the intention to take it to the shop for nut replacement (buzzing issue) tomorrow, and then sell it. Posted a bunch of crap I never use on craigslist for free and already got one response.

I feel energized. Listening to Jarret's Koln concert.

The man walked in, sat at the grand piano and just played for a couple of hours, imagine that.

I feel I need space. Space as in less clutter, both object- and commitment-wise. Simplify, so I can hear what's next.

This was me doing my practice as intended.

People to connect with

I saw some old friends tonight. People I am fortunate to have in my life, their presence feels like a breath of fresh, cleansing air.

John, Greg, Bill, Brynn... Bill and Brynn's music is pure magic, these two can improvise for hours.

I feel re-aligned with my commitments, back on my feet. Clear and focused.

Wed - the evening course

What are the qualities of a teacher?
What are the qualities of a facilitator?
Parenting from the inside out - an amazing book.

Tue night: Reading

I'm continuing my reading. Tonight: Parenting from the inside out.

Monday: my men

Spent my time with my men's circle. Mentors, brothers, mirrors. Wish everyone had a place like that.

Dance Day

With my tribe.

Photographs all mine, more available at www.TheDancePhotographer.com - Dance and Yoga photography in Los Angeles.

Full day class

Full day class today (11am - 9pm), lots of reading yesterday.

Another 3 Hours of Reading on Nonviolence

Lots of examples, including very difficult situations during Nazi Germany.

My issue is that current armies are being trained via brainwashing, and current military operations can easily be led from great distance, with long-range weaponry and even unmanned/robotic weapons. It's impossible to influence an automated machine gun with nonviolence.

This is an extreme, example, but it should be taken in consideration.

And in the break, this:



Enthusiasm is so refreshing!

Martin Luther, Nonviolence and Riding the Tiger

I read three essays on nonviolence.

The first was by Martin Luther King Jr., "My pilgrimage to nonviolence." The most valuable aspect for me was following along the history of his education, his discovery of various schools of thought and beliefs in the works of many philosophers, from Plato and Aristotle, to Nietsche, Marx, Lenin, Hegel. And with each of them he would say "all these masters stimulated my thinking ... and while I found things to question in each of them, I nevertheless learned learned a great deal..." It is humbling to see how this man was learning, examining the works of these titans of thought, still trusting his critical mind, never forgetting thheir humanity, and never judging them.

Then, "The violence in ourselves" by Dorothy T Samuel, distinguishing between anger and violence. Anger towards a situation is different from anger against a person. The former gives much needed strength to face challenging circumstances while the latter contains the seeds of violence. Learning to "ride" one's anger, to channel it towards the resolution of a given situation, is a useful skill. Suppressing the anger, on the other hand, is self-destructive, and violent, and ultimately leads to violence.

The third essay is a homage to Ghandi's work, distinguishing between pacifism and passivity. Mentions the need to create peace within one's heart first, and then relate to the world from that space. Emphasizes the fact that each of us, given the circustances, is capable of both the most terrible and cruel crimes, and the highest sacrifice.

Chop wood, carry water

I set the kitchen timer to one hour so I don't have to worry about looking at a clock and thinking about the time. Then I found myself looking at the in box in my office, overflowing with papers I haven't filed. I picked up the top one, a receipt for a rental from Samy's camera. Thrashed it. Then shredded a credit card offer. THen filed all model releases, emptied a couple of folders, found an article from a martial artist about learning and read it.

The last page of the article contained the gem. In a few paragraphs it explained the principles of learning refined in music practice, which may be applied in learning a martial art and other kind of training.

I stopped reading the paper, filed it an started looking at some old shoots on my backup hard drive. Exported and posted two sets of photos - one for a dance client and one for a friend.

The timer rang, and I continued the flow of actions.

Stumbled upon three photographs from an old shoot, retouched them and posted them on flickr.

An image flashed through my mind and I spent 10 minutes creating it.

Here it is: (click to view a larger version)

The Practice

The practice is simple: For one hour a day, I listen to and act from the wisdom of my higher purpose, fully aligned with my integrity.

This is my diary.