Whenever I do the tree pose in class, there will be some who would sway, while there will be others who could not balance.
I have a student who, to quote her, "just simply can't stand on one leg."
Whenever we do the pose, she would lose her balance.
Knowing her designation and job scope (she's in Finance), I would always tease her whether her accounts and figures are balanced or not.
She's a very nice lady who, like all my other students, would ignore me.
And my nonsense.
I suppose they don't have a choice - cos me and my nonsense comes together - as a package - you have one, you'll get the other - 2-in-1 ...... ;)
Sometimes, to help them, I'll tell them the trick to balancing poses -
And that is, to have one-pointedness.
There are some who would waver about so much, I wonder if there's a huge thunderstorm, or hurricane, or turbulent weather at their spot,
Cos it sure looks that way.
Like the trees which get uprooted cos their roots aren't strong, deep, thick and firm enough.
These 'human' trees also seem as if they'll fall and be uprooted anytime.
Which they did.
Interestingly though, yet there are others who are very stable, and no matter how I disturb them, they would remain still.
Very impressive.
Which reminds me, what kind of 'tree' are you?
"Calm the body, you calm the mind.
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Still the mind, and the body stays still."
"There is no concentration in one who lacks wisdom,
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Nor is there wisdom in him who lacks concentration.
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In whom are both the concentration and wisdom,
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He, indeed, is in the presence of Nibbana."
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- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 372
"To be always mindful is the pathway of the wise man."
"To be always mindful is the pathway of the wise man."
- Venerable Ajahn Mun
"Calm is his mind, calm is his speech, calm is his action,
Who rightly knowing, is wholly freed, perfectly peaceful,
And is unshaken by the ups and downs of life."
The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 96
"Whoever lives contemplating pleasant things,
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With senses unrestrained, in food immoderate, indolent, inactive,
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Him verily Mara overthrows,
.
As the wind (overthrows) a weak tree.
.
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Whoever lives contemplating 'the Impurities',
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With senses restrained, in food moderate,
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Full of faith, full of sustained energy,
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Him Mara overthrows not,
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As the wind (does not overthrow) a rocky mountain."
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- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 7,8
"Just as a firm post
Sunk in the earth
Cannot be shaken by the 4 winds
Even so do I declare him to be a Righteous person
Who thoroughly perceives the Noble Truths."
- The Buddha, The Ratana Sutta
"He who has pacified mental disturbances,
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Uprooted and removed,
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Will surely attain concentration (samadhi)
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By day or by night."
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- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 250
"For once, be quiet, be still. Shhh ......... "
"For once, be quiet, be still. Shhh ......... "
