Consciousness Rising

A little over a year ago, I met a very sweet and beautiful girl in Atlanta at a party for my book, Do You!. We talked at length about our vegan diets and common interest in yoga. She too was feeling the shift that is happening in America right now of people looking inward. Both excited and energized by this consciousness, we found that we share a common belief -- that without our yoga practice, we would not be the people we are today. As our relationship deepened, so did her interest in the science of yoga. Our daily morning ritual of meditation and afternoon yoga classes fueled her passion to take her practice even further. Eventually, she decided to pursue a high certification of yoga that would, after ten months of vigorous training and one month of living in seclusion, license her as a teacher of Jivamukti Yoga. It has been inspiring to see her work so hard towards such an impressive goal. Her name is Porschla Coleman.

It has been an honor to watch her commit to memory the content of some of my favorite books such as The Yoga Sutras, The Bhagavad-Gita; The Song of G-d, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Textbook of Yoga Psychology and Jivamukti Yoga (Practices for Liberating Body and Soul), Autobiography of a Yogi, Diet for a New America and more.

Her training included a month away from home where she committed to study for eighteen hours a day. While away, she studied anatomy, the holy language of Sanskrit, and of course learned how to teach asana (the physical practice of yoga). Porschla's education came through a scholarship that I initiated with the Jivamukti Yoga Center years ago.

The scholarship was created to provide certification opportunities for women of color, since there were literally no women in America certified in this science. I believe that each of us can change the world, one investment at a time. Sadly, many times we fund philanthropic and social initiates without seeing the result. What a joy it is, through this program, to see how new teachers can create such positive change.

I hope to see the continued results of this program, and other similar efforts, utilized in communities around the globe. I have long been concerned about the way Americans, especially African-Americans, eat and exercise. Certified Jivamukti teachers eat a vegan diet. But first and
foremost, I believe the true gift of the practice of yoga is to speed up one's evolution towards the calm state that is promised to each of us in almost all religious and spiritual scripture. The collective human consciousness has to evolve. Our inner depth and our understanding of community has to advance at the same pace, if not faster, than the marvelous advances in technology. It is our only option, or we will be staring at the destruction of the human species.

Today, Porschla told me she is working on doing a program with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which is truly a fantastic step. Finally, my dream for everyone is to realize a state of yoga, or Samadhi -- which is the same state Christians refer to as "heaven on Earth." With help from superstars such as Oprah Winfrey promoting brilliant authors like Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra, I am very hopeful about the future of the world right now. There seems to be a swell of new authors writing many new books on consciousness -- even Arianna Huffington and I have written best selling books on the subject.

Senator Obama is the candidate for the furthering of this phenomenon -- his spiritual concern underlies a deep compassion and also a toughness that comes from being in touch with and at ease with yourself. This is what mindfulness is all about. It makes you strong in every way. Many new seeds are being planted by new authors and teachers coming into their own every day. Who knows what new gifts are set to bloom.

Congratulations, Porschla, and thank you for the inspiration.

Comments

[orangepetal]

Whats this got to do with mc bama, it is possible to do yoga, be a vegan and also be a puma.

[rationalthought1]

I like Simmons' point of linking Obama to "mindfulness". This is, of course, his source of power and is in dramatic contrast to the Bush era and its overiding focus on "mind-LESS-ness".

[Ferdberfle]

While this is all well and good, all the cajoling teachers in the world will do you no good: if you do not find it within thee, you will not find it without thee.

[CindyMax]

Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for your post. It was an excellent reminder that we need to get out of ourselves and move toward greater empathy and compassion.

[Jazzylady26]

Oh? You mean to tell me that you know one sister in your life who is not a female dog, slut, whore, or any of the other derogatory names you call black women? Sorry, that those you promoted call black women and still do to my knowledge. Has your mind been elevated enough to tell black men to stop using that language towards sisters, or is that impinging on their ability to make a dime? His bio doesn't tell you that he made a great deal of money promoting rap artists who's lyrics referred to black women in this manner, and worse, but he can still find the beauty in some of us. All that money must have been the thing that elevated his mind. Sorry Russell, but as far as I'm concerned you're much akin to R. Kelly. I love his music to death, but he will never get a dime out of me for it. Can't say that I care a fig for you, and never will, but certainly I will always remember your mealy mouthed words in not putting down rap "artists" who write those lyrics about sisters just for a danged dime.

[GoodNews]

Jazzylady26...please practice deep breathing...inhale, hold, exhale. Feel the calming energy as it flows into your lungs and out the soles of your feet and fingertips.

While I have my own beef with rap lyrics, this post by Mr. Simmons is an example of the evolution of spirit, mindfulness, and consciousness. What matters not is what he did in the past but what he's attempting to do now.

[MagisterLudi]

Yoaga as physical manifestation of the spiritual practice, has NOTHING to do with the religion of the Book, aka Christianity. Even the water-down Vinyasa style.

And especially Hinduism is in direct opposition to the hate-filled and neurotic brand of Christianity practiced by Obama and his church.

I find it astonishing that ANYONE would attempt to equate the two.

[Jules1]

Eckhart Tolle A New Earth, talks so much about getting rid of your ego, this is what Mr. Obama said in a pep talk to his people, he said you must drop your ego, no drama, he is everything I admire in a person and I can only hope to aspire to be as good as he and Michelle are. I admire Mr. Tolle also and his book is always with me, I refer to it daily,he also talks about a great movement happening now to evolve higher or the human race will die out . Everyone should read his book................

[VFed]

I love the music Russel has been involved with, but come on. Everyone-including myself-is voting for Obama in November, but people need to stop fooling themselves. Obama isn't going to do shit different in the White House 'cept be Black. George Carlin had it down in 2005 during his HBO special when he was talking about the "Owners of America". Big money, corporations and special interest has, is and always will control how this country is run. Obama can talk all he wants about the American people and their quest for "Change", but Obama's all TALK. The most we're going to be able to change is the name of the political party running the show. Obama's going to win easily. He knows it and the "Owners of America" know it. I guess my biggest problem with Simmons' blog is that he's mischaracterizing Obama and hyping the guy into something he's not. The irony of the whole thing kills me. The American people are supposedly so hungry for change and the guy they nominate (and will most likely to elect) is the guy whose promising to change things the least. And I guess it's fair to say that maybe he's just leaning to the middle to get elected(so then he could REALLY change things), but I wouldn't hold your breath. All I'm saying is that all this hype is setting a lot of people up for disappointment. Fool me once....

[qdog112]

"the guy whose promising to change things the least"

Who's your guy/girl who will change the most?

[VFed]

Mike Gravel was the one talking about real "change" and he had a plan to actually deliver. It's a shame so many people get fall for empty promises and made-for-television hype. Look Gravel up at wikipedia.org

[wanttruth]

Good column. Nice job.

[Sportswoman]

Being a child of the 60s I am glad that my generation --with a little help from our friends The Beatles--embraced eastern philosophy, yoga, meditation, and an organic lifestyle. Everyone can benefit from reading some Krishnamurti and Gilbran. Of course, over the years one also comes to realize that balance feeds into harmony, so I make sure I also watch some Three Stooges, Marx Brothers, Sam Peckinpah movies, occasionally blast "Badlands," '"Gimme Shelter, Purple Haze," and ,"Ball and Chain," drink some Patron when I tailgate before finding some zen moments in football and basketball, and curse out a few choice drivers on the 405--with the windows rolled up, of course--and, yes, evil as it sounds, laugh when McCain gets mad because he reminds me of my 7th grade math teacher yelling at the boys who threw spitballs when he demonstrated a problem on the board.
Call it yin and yang, cognitive dissonance or just a recovering Catholic who subconsciusly feels all sins can still be washed away in Fr. Flotsky's confessional.
Anyway, great post and I wish your friend well.

[JustifiablyParanoid]

Yes, so true -- I always attempt to find what I call my "happy balance".

[TaosJohn]

Your last paragraph is right on the money. That's what turned me on to Obama in the first place, the deep compassion and toughness that comes from being in touch with and at ease with himself. Very well put.

[Gma11]

Wonderful post. Thank you.

I agree that a spiritual practice/meditation is a key for furthering consciousness.

And I LOVE the Bhagavad-Gita. One of my all time favorites.

[lady49]

Thank-you Mr. Simmons for the post.
There is so much negativity floating around this site. I appreciate you words regarding inward reflection.
I know that Senator Obama is very centered and that is one of the reasons that I gave him my support early on in this campaign.
Thanks again... Please post often

[SiberianRat]

You're right about the negativity, and it's easy to get sucked in! This is a good reminder of what's really important and worth spending energy on--peace, not strife.

[Melimelo]

I've struggled with a halting yoga practice for years now, but lately I've felt increasingly drawn toward the practice and philosophy, so I appreciate your list of recommended readings. Thanks for a great post, best wishes to you, and Namaste.

[JamesRiddle]

Great post Mr. Simmons. Can you tell me what meditative practice ( besides yoga) you follow.? Do you use a mantra, listen to your breathing, etc.? I'm curious because whatever you are doing seems to be working for you. One look at your beaming face can tell that. Thanks.

[takeamericanback08]

Great post