June 2011

Hello Everyone;
As I talk with you in my last news letter about some of the principles of a teacher I have worked with for many years such as Faith and Belief, and Acceptance of Fate I have added a few more for you to consider. Some of us may not like the family we grew up but that does not change the fact that they are still our parents. I have to say that I have been blessed by two parents that provided me with a memorable childhood experience. They will always hold a special place in my heart..
I think the hardest thing to do is sometimes to be honest with ourselves. Facing oneself requires the courage of a warrior. It is a lot easier to shove it under the rug and pretend it doesn’t exist.
Being venerable can sometimes feel weak .But breaking through the chains that are holding us back can allow us to experience a feeling of deep love of self and everything and everyone around us.

Filial Loyalty or Filial Piety In the Judeo-Christian tradition, we are more familiar with this in the form “Honor Thy father and mother” Our parents deserve our love in the form simply for the fact that they our parents. They were the vehicles for our arrival on Earth. The Chinese also believe that we are karmic ally linked to our ancestors, and by paying respect to them, we work at keeping that link open on a spiritual level. They build altars to their ancestors and believe that we can both get help from past generations and assist the souls of former generations.

Honesty
This is not quite as simple as merely “telling the truth” although that is obviously important. We must be honest in our dealings with other people. We must also live in an internally truthful or honest fashion- facing ourselves without flinching, no matter how uncomfortable we are with what we see. We must gradually learn how to break down our defense mechanisms, our blinders. We must see and honestly admit our shortcomings before we can truly work on them.

Thoughts for the Day;
“Some day, after we have mastered the winds, the waves the tides and gravity we shall harness the energies of love. Then, for the second time in history man will have discovered fire. “Teilhard de Chardin
“Each of us possesses everything that is necessary to explore our deepest nature…. No one else in all humankind can do it for us. The responsibility and opportunity for becoming aware of all that we most truly are and sharing it with others is ultimately our own.” Roger Walsh and Dean Shapiro

Lite Thoughts: In some families, ‘please’ is described as the magic word. In our house, however, it was ‘sorry’. Margaret Laurence
When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. Mark Twain
The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket. Kin Hubbard.

Announcements; I will be doing a Breath Workshop on Saturday June 18th at Give Yoga Mendenhall (behind the Belmont Grill)
Time 1-3pm Cost $25 (See Attachment for details)

Meditation Talks; at Whole Foods Poplar Ave on Sunday evening June 5th 7pm.

Blessings

Daniel Lamontagne
Memphis TN
901-685-2462

Know Thyself