Cats in My Suitcase

It must be Friday because my cats are sitting in my suitcase, hoping -- as always -- to stow away to Rancho la Puerta. Once again, I'll have to break it to them that they won't clear customs. I don't blame them for trying, though. I'm anticipating an amazing week, with all the usual joys of the Ranch, and more.

I'm signing off for now until I re-emerge in Baja. I'm planning to practice meditation on the plane, which should prove more rewarding than watching the movie. I'm pleased to say that since meeting Swami last year I've actually kept up the practice more than in the past. But it will be wonderful to have a reboot.

Now it's time to move the cats to make way for my hiking shoes, yoga togs, swimsuit, and something cool and colorful for the Friday night fiesta.

Hasta luego mis gatos...

What is Himalayan Yoga?

If you're coming to one of the upcoming Himalyan Yoga weeks at the Ranch, or just curious about the title of this program, I'll share with you something I read in one of Swami Veda's books, Superconscious Meditation:

"There are three types of yoga of Yoga known to the West," he writes. "I call these Hollywood yoga, Harvard yoga, and Himalyan yoga.

Hollywood yoga appeals to the people who aspire for a fit body, eternal youth and physical beauty...

Harvard yoga...[appeals] to a scientist who is interested in analyzing the power of the brain [and] control over the nervous system...

The highest aim of Himalayan yoga [is] called samadhi, the knowledge of the self that is pure Self."

The photo here is of yoga teacher Michele Hebert. one of the instructors who will be teaching 11 a.m. yoga call during these special weeks. Want to find out more? See you at 11!

A welcome from Swami Veda

It has been a quick year since Swami Veda Bharati of India last conducted teachings at Rancho la Puerta. I'm so happy to be going back to participate and, once again, to be able to offer a daily chronicle. In anticipation of the upcoming Himalayan Yoga weeks, I asked Swami Veda if he had a message for all of you who will be there in person or in spirit. His response:

God-Ocean:

Beauteous bounties of nature, wondersome constituents of the personalities of living beings...and our very luminous soul are all part of a unitary continuum. The life in rocks, plants, sub-human and human beings is all waves, tiny or awesome, in the Ocean.

"Rancho la Puerta is an ideal place to contemplate this reality and to realize it in our very consciousness."