Wholistic Fitness

Every now and then, after what may seem to us to be an endless barrage of tests, difficulties, challenging people, and Outer Worldly concerns…if we stay with our Practice steadfastly enough, a moment comes along that restores such a deep degree of Divine Grace and UniVersal Exquisiteness to the very act of living…that it makes us smile an Infinity-Based Smile…a smile that sprouts from our Hearts…a smile that was borne from staying True to our Soul. It’s kinda like we get to cash in our “Good-Karmic Paycheck” for a moment or two. I call such times as “Paycheck Moments”. Well, this entire weekend was filled with so many special Gifts nestled in and among the mundane moments that it really turned out to be a “Paycheck Weekend”! Come closer to the Tribal Firelight, Oh Noble WF Warrior…i will share a few DharmaMoments from the only true Wealth we can ever have; Inner Wealth and Outer Health, baby!
After finishing 2nd in the 50-mile bike training race Saturday, i applied my post-race effort into something REALLY important; Waxing skis!

When it comes to Engaged Zen, only throttling my Kawasaki z1000 sport bike on LA freeways in between an ocean of cars comes closer to the Ekagrata (One Pointed Concentration) i put into waxing skis. Even after several years of being away from my cherished sport of Nordic Ski Racing, the Zen of Ski Waxing was still within my fibers. I love it. There is an entire science of ski waxing that makes bicycle tinkering look like child’s play. The Nordic Warrior must learn about ambient temps, moisture integrity, water vapor, hydrophysics (because skis only glide due to hydroplaning caused by friction from the ski base structure against the snow crystals), chemistry (the brutal-on-the-environment flurocarbon ski waxes – note my mask in the pic – will certainly be the reason i don’t make it into Heaven), and snow response to freeeze/thaw cycles. the process begins with ski base cleaning, ski base structuring (‘rilling’ or ‘texturing’ the bottom of the ski contingent to the type/conditon of snow you plan to ski on), then hot waxing, then polishing. The above ski waxing pic was taken mere moments after getting back from rebounding from last weekend’s fiasco on my bicycle training race. After nearly getting dropped after three guys put in a monster attack at 32-miles, i hung tough during the attacks, went within by focusing on Mula Bandha which inspires Pratyhara (Sense Withdrawl). i was suffering like the last chip in the bag! i called upon Badger Medicine to keep my spiritual teeth sunk into the rear tires of our breakaway group and hung on long enough to recup. i then felt my Chi return, and then it was my turn to try to rip the legs off those sport-specfic punks, baby! put in like 5 madman pulls at 32mph with wind, then, with 800 meters to go on the uphill finish, launched as gnarly of an off season sprint i could muster (i have only been doing speedwork on the ice rink…speed skating intervals). i dropped two of the three guys, then, damnit if one of those mofo’s didn’t bridge to me as my Gas Gauge hit Empty and took me by less than a bike length at the finish. damn it! nothin’ like road racing to keep a yogi humble! i was totally stoked though at my performance, given the fiasco of last weekend!

Here is a pic of the Sacred Peak this morning. In a moment, i will leave to check out if the miniscule yet DEEPLY appreciated snow that Graced Flagstaff yesterday did anything significant. just to be sure Ananda and i are prepared, i will toss into the car all the priority Weapons; Atlas� Sport Snowshoes for a lot of snow, Kahtoolas� (running shoe crampons) if there is too little snow for SnowShoes, yet too much for regular running shoes, and then YakTracks� (running shoe cables) in case just a meager amount of snow fell. It’s gonna be sooooooooooo beautiful up there with fresh snow! YEAH BABY! Snow imparts a tangible and very healthy “negative ionic effect” to the atmosphere. For Mountain Yogis that are close to becoming “Breatharians” this type of negative ion effect (oceans give off the same Negative Ion Effect) is instrumental to developing deeper levels of Pranayamic Power. you can always visit the Sacred Peak live by using the WebCam on this link;
http://www.azdailysun.com/news/webcam.cfm
Our Temple Cats – Jasper and Charlie – experienced their first ever snow! The Negative Ionic Effect was in full display upon their Clear Physiologies and uncluttered-by-human-emotions Mind as they both began galloping around in the backyard like crazy cats! they were FEELING THE SNOW CHI, baby! It has been such a Divine Delight watching these two CityCats become physiologically and spiritually younger and younger as they transform by way of purified air into very fit MountainCats! Ananda rescued Charlie (the younger, littler one at top right of picture) from a North Hollywood parking garage where he was licking battery acid in an attempt to find a water source). Now he is licking Brahmanic Battery Acid now, baby; Straight Up Pran from the Sacred Peak! May all Beings be happy and free from suffering. I wish i could save all the kitties and puppies in the world…All Karma is God…

May all your Moments be Paycheck Moments this week and sit close to DL, cuz i have some important Practice Teachings to impart coming right up…and, not to be missed? Ananda’s Kickass Breakfast Special!