Drupon Thinley Ningpo, my root guru, is working to expand the Dharma center he started in Tampa Florida. This is going to be a much larger, modern shrine room which will be able to hold up to 200 participants. Please help out if you are able to. Also, there are some great Dharma items you can get in exchange for donating.
Drupon Thinley Ningpo & the Green Tara empowerment November 2014
We are very blessed to have the revered retreat master, Drupon Thinley Ningpo returning to the Charlottesville area. He will give teachings, bestow the Green Tara empowerment and conduct interviews in Charlottesville and Yogaville during the weekend of November 21st – 23rd.
Friday evening will be an introductory teaching from 7 – 9 pm in Charlottesville. He will give the Green Tara blessing empowerment Saturday morning in C’ville. There will be an afternoon teaching, also in town. Then he will talk on the topic of Bodhicitta at Yogaville Saturday evening. For more info, call Kirby at 434.465.0603 or email the address below:
Drupon Rinpoche’s Full Bio is here
You can also email cvilledharma [at] gmail [dot] com for further info
We hope to see you at this event!
Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (receiving a session)
This material is copyrighted by M. Kirby Moore. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. If you want to support Kirby’s blogging efforts, you can visit his website at www.mkirbymoore.com Thank you for visiting!
Earlier today, I received my first B.E.S.T. session. Holy cow! Wowsers! Oh my goodness! It was so very potent and incredible. It was clarifying, cathartic and a bit beyond my understanding.
It seems like this is the website of the creator of B.E.S.T.: www.morter.com and it has some good descriptions of what it is.
I saw Michele Groux – a grounded, pragmatic and solid practitioner of B.E.S.T. here in Charlottesville. I would highly recommend her work. Her website is www.completebalance.net
The only disclaimer (or concern?) about receiving a session of this potent modality is this:
If you might have suppressed feelings about something (say anger or resentment or jealousy or [insert potent emotion here]) and you are willing and ready to uproot those feelings and get to the bottom of your subconscious misunderstandings and confusion, then you will most likely have a powerful session. Then if you have a powerful session, you will require time to integrate the inner shifts.
In my case, I have been receiving bodywork for years now – since 2002. So maybe my system is more capable or more ready to process some serious stuff. In any case, you might want to schedule your B.E.S.T. session on a day off. If you must interact with strangers or in an environment where speaking your full truth is frowned upon… then at least give yourself 2 – 4 hours to integrate it. Having unstructured down time after a session is good (napping, sitting in the sun and staring at the trees and the sky, etc). You might need that level of integration time.
With that out of the way, why do I highly recommend a B.E.S.T. treatment?
Here is some of what I did, all in one session: (which was close to 90 minutes)
Became clear, consciously and subconsciously about my name – I have been given more than one spiritual name so I was unsure which was for my highest good. Now I feel very clear.
I cleared confusion, shame and feelings of regret around an event which happened 13 years ago. I cleared misunderstandings about an event which happened in the late 90’s. I became clear about what a bodily ailment had to do with – it was subconscious in origin. I’m pretty sure I cleared up some stuff around one of my parents. Somehow I even cleared up some stuff around two future dates… That was pretty interesting!
And this list was only about half of what I accomplished in the 90 minutes. I left feeling pretty woozy – she had me walk around the halls of the office building, swinging my arms to help reconnect my reoriented nervous system to my body. Fortunately I parked about half a mile away so I was not driving immediately. I walked back to my car a bit gingerly (maybe I would recommend you have someone drop you off and then pick you back up) 🙂 if possible of course.
It involved eye movement, breathing, visualization, positive belief words and numbers in addition to the practitioner doing muscle testing on the arms and feet.
I have received numerous sessions of the modality called Body Talk (TM) and I would say that B.E.S.T. somehow goes deeper (it does have a lot in its protocol to access and shift the subconscious mind). Or maybe I was just ready for this particular treatment on this particular day.
Nonetheless, it was awesome!
The powerful upsurge of inner shift-oriented psycho-emotional energy was very potent. It last for about 4 hours or so after the treatment. I have only felt that level of raging emotions in two other conditions: one was where I received a multiple hands treatment in Craniosacral Therapy and the other was during and after a powerful Womb Surround Process workshop with Myrna Martin. In this case, I had a lot to process and change, so my experience would probably be on the more extreme end of the spectrum. It was very cathartic, beneficial and I was forced to face my truth – up close and personal – and I now believe that my path will be more clear as a result. Wow!
I’m excited about exploring this modality further.
Resting my big heart down, an introduction
This material is copyrighted by M. Kirby Moore. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Thank you for visiting! If you want to support Kirby’s blogging efforts, you can also view his website at www.mkirbymoore.com
Yesterday I was fortunate to receive bodywork from a solid practitioner of the modality called Somatic Experiencing (SE). I have been doing this trauma resolution type work – both giving and receiving for at least three to four years, and in fact, if you count Biodynamic Craniosacral work as being similar, then I have been going at it for closer to eight or nine years.
I do not mention this “time-in-service” to boast. I mention it to show how long it can take to truly peel away the layers for healing and renegotiation of trauma. In previous posts I have discussed both of these modalities, but I am nearly always amazed at the creativity and uniqueness of SE’s methods of gently yet firmly going through the layers of frozen tissue and organ systems, uprooting misunderstandings and wounded emotions wherever it encounters them.
What I am trying to say is: “WOW!!!” And “Holy Toledo!!!”
Yesterday’s work felt like a little culmination of a few years of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology (read Birth Process) work I have been doing in addition to insights into my Astrology Chart in addition to this work in Somatic Experiencing. Yes – you read this correctly; many pieces and many layers – it was pretty big!
I know I tend to say that phrase often. Or at least I used to say that fairly often – I would come home from an SE treatment or from a class and go, “WOW! That was big and amazing!” And that was true. Each layer tends to produce deeper and more complex discoveries and insights. And you neither know how each layer will unfold, nor in what order the layers will unravel. One of my fellow students said it best yesterday (it was an all day class in which I received such an incredible gift of open hearted embodiment):
She said, “Most people think that true freedom is being able to do what we want… But actually, true freedom is being open to the mystery of the unknown.” I think that sums up what is possible with Somatic Experiencing pretty darned well! And she could easily be a teacher in her own right – these classes tend to attract some amazing and wise folks.
I am hesitant to describe the session without supplying some background context information. Because how else could I possibly convey how big this is without doing so? And I want to be compassionate about showing how much information and how many layers must be resolved before one can start to get to the “bottom” of the layers of trauma. I mention I am getting to the bottom of my traumas, but I’m not sure. I suspect I will be pleasantly surprised by all the discoveries still to come. But once you are ready to start the deep mediastinum work (mediastinum is the complex matrix of connective tissue connecting and embracing and wrapping around all the tubes, nerves, organs and glands in the chest – the pericardium is a part of the mediastinum), it means that you have unglued many stuck parts and melted a number of frozen layers to get there! So I must be doing something right.
So in a future post, very soon completed, I will elaborate. 🙂
Thank you for reading!
late summer 2014 update
Hello dear readers,
I have started going back to school (again). This time I am more prepared and disciplined, so I anticipate applying to nursing schools within 18 – 24 months if not sooner. I am presently enrolled in Microbiology and the accompanying lab.
The possibility of an e-book on astrology is floating around in my mind, however, considering the fact that I am working 32 – 45 hours per week to support my school and life endeavors, I’m not sure if / when I would have time for such a fascinating enterprise.
I may not have time to post much between now and December, but I will try.
Thanks for reading!
Bodhicitta in the workplace
Not too long ago, a fellow sangha member was supporting me when I was sick. I am grateful for his support (in the form of hearty soups and other good food) and I am very grateful too for the fascinating conversation we had at the time.
We discussed non-duality and what is possible for a serious practitioner of Dharma (or any authentic spiritual path). Basically we can change our perspective on the world and therefore change our world!
And at one point in the conversation, he mentioned that one of our mutual friends had been in a situation (work environment) that was less than healthy. Our friend, who is a dedicated practitioner, dropped in the question: “What would it be like to work in an environment that was informed by Bodhicitta?” (or something along those lines)
And apparently, within a few weeks, major reforms started to happen at his job sites. The toxic management was told to leave and things started to improve within a few months! Whoa!
So I am a skeptical guy. Yes I have had some experiences which should lead me to have more faith, but I feel that some level of skepticism is healthy 🙂 I am a Pisces after all, so I actually have much more faith than I am letting on to. But in my skepticism, I said to my friend, “Well my work environment kind of sucks as well. But I don’t think I could create any change by dropping in a question.” To which he just sat with me, present. I think he disagreed – I was sick at the time. He probably did not want to rile me up.
But guess what? Soon after talking with him, after I started feeling better, I did drop in the question for my own work situation. I said, “What would it be like to work in an environment that was supportive and inspired altruistic conduct?”
And within the past month, I was a part of meetings which involved the corporation that owns my employer coming in and stirring the pot in a good way. There have apparently been a couple of anonymous letters written to the local papers about the less-than-morale-boosting environment at my job… And that apparently got this ball rolling. So yes, the reforms which are slowly happening at my job began many many months ago. And I just dropped in the question not too long ago. So of course I did not cause this current stream of reforms. But, I wonder if it is somehow connected. I did stick around with the job long enough to see these changes start to happen.
So if you are in a toxic environment at work and you have some form of spiritual practice, maybe you could drop in an “innocent” question while you are there. Ask something along the lines of more happiness, more compassion, more recognition or more of a team inspiring environment. Maybe things will start to change soon thereafter.
It is for me. 🙂
Thanks for reading!
Wonderful, Heart Warming Movies
I have been watching a new genre of movies recently with my girlfriend. It has been fun to see these creative and outside the box types of films. I’m not sure if all these movies fit in the same genre, but they are definitely worth watching! Plus all of these movies are suitable for any ages (at least most are).
How To Train Your Dragon (1 & 2 are very good)
Howl’s Moving Castle
Dark Crystal
Princess Mononoke
Wall-e
Anything by Hayao Miyazaki
Plus I love a lot of Wes Anderson films – in particular Darjeeling Limited and The Grand Budapest Hotel
Let me know what you think!
Random acts of spontaneous compassion
In case you are new here, I am attempting to blog every day for a month. I think this plan will actually end up as 30 posts – some random, some insightful, some moaning and groaning… Maybe it will take me 45 days to accomplish this, we shall see.
In this post, I want to mention something which crossed my mind yesterday. In Buddhism, you hear about certain masters who could only attain a certain level of realization after they had done some act of pure compassion. And keep in mind that by pure compassion I mean unadulterated, unconditional, agenda-free conduct – just wanting to be kind or generous or helpful to another being with nothing promised in return. I think pure compassion is difficult for most people.
This thought came to mind last night as I am presently cat sitting and house sitting at a friend’s apartment. I was wearing a fairly nice shirt as I lay down on the bed next to their ancient cat (he is 13 or 14 and he seems very arthritic). He is also very friendly so he immediately came closer to me, attempting to get his paws on my hip. That did not work, so I picked him up and put him on my chest. After a few seconds of lying there, my stomach gurgled in a good way (indicating I was comfortable and safe and moving toward a state of relaxation).
So I would say I did an act of pure compassion – wishing the cat well – but then, later, I realized that he had been lying on my nice shirt! So suddenly attachment crept back into the equation. However, this made me wonder about something.
If I felt compelled because of certain vows I have taken to recite a certain number of prayers every night, how much benefit is that actually bringing me? How much merit is continued or created if I have inner resistance toward doing my practice? While at the same time, if I am truly doing an act of pure compassion, how much merit is created in that instant – if it is actually possible to practice purely? I wonder.
I might think that in terms of a day to a day comparison, the random act of pure compassion might be more beneficial than a mala round of mantras done with resistance and angst. However, at the same time, continuing the momentum of doing that practice, resistance or not, would probably be the better bet.
These are just my thoughts on the matter. I am not realized to know which is more correct. And…
After sleeping there the first night, that friggen cat must have woken me up five or six times… so I’m no longer sure there will be much pure compassion being bantered about! 🙂 Especially after it lay down on my head several times, for no obvious reason (it had food in its dish).
Thanks for reading,
K
Abusive relationship with your job?
Remember how I said I was going to blog every day for a month? … Yeah, well a few days in and I’ve missed my timeline 😦
At least I have a viable excuse! I have been working and due to my co-workers being on vacation, I have been working longer hours and busier shifts, meaning I need more time to recover.
As for the title, I sometimes wonder if I’m in an abusive relationship with my job. I am a waiter at an upscale resort in the Charlottesville area (which is all I will say! [and all I can say due to a certain form I signed]) and from time to time, we are short staffed or unprepared for the mad rush of bodies we get through our door. Of course, most waiters who are comfortable being stressed and strained for hours on end (and making money hands over fist) would love this situation. Well, considering I am someone who cares first and foremost about practicing self-care and having a few moments from time to time to check in with my mind and body and say, “Hey body, how ya doin’ ?” So I struggle through these busy shifts and from time to time my manager buys me dinner or saves a cheese cake for me as a treat…
It almost sounds like someone who kicks you and then later says, “Oh, I’m sorry, here are some flowers…” Just kidding! It’s not that bad!
I threw the I Ching about my situation earlier tonight and it said that I need to stick with it for the short term foreseeable future. The plus side is that I get to attend class in the morning, I do get one guaranteed day off per week to go to my lab (class), and from time to time, I can make relatively easy money. Oh and I don’t take any work home with me.
So I guess I need to stop whining and get on with class and eventually I will graduate out of this occasionally roller-coaster-stressful job.
As an aside, I think most waiters get through these stressful times using various chemicals – coffee, 5-hour energy shots, other drugs… But that is not where I am at. So I think I am now looking at saying “No.” more often. There are hundreds of details to take care of in a given shift, and once I cross my threshold (like if I have not eaten in over 6 hours for instance), I will just slow down and eventually become the weakest link on the team. I’m tired.
Anyone feel like sponsoring a semester of me taking classes? 🙂 🙂 I could be your embodiment coach in exchange.
Just a thought!
Thanks for reading (my griping)!
Svaroopa Yoga
In this post, I will mention a teeny tiny bit about Svaroopa Yoga. I was first introduced to this gentle and supportive form of yoga about seven years ago. I was fortunate that the teacher lived in my neighborhood and she offered an early morning class just a few blocks away. Else I might not ever have attended.
Svaroopa Yoga is very beneficial for the pelvis and the spine and for opening the heart. It uses about as much support (blocks, blankets, etc) as I have ever encountered in a yoga method. And even today I still do one of two core sets of exercises – there is the bed yoga set and the chair yoga set.
I have a dream to attend Svaroopa yoga classes and to become certified to teach it one day. It is not at the top of my list of priorities, but hey – if you are looking to sponsor someone, then look no further and let me know! 🙂
Here is a link to their main site: http://www.svaroopayoga.org
Thank you for reading!
Meditation Informs Healing Facilitation 