The condition of the ethical life

"To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own control, that can lead you to be shattered in very extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something very important about the condition of the ethical life: that it is based on a trust in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a plant than like a jewel, something rather fragile, but whose very particular beauty is inseparable from that fragility.
" 

- Martha Nussbaum

Lean in...

In life, we think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem. The real truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together for a time, then they fall back apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that.

Personal discovery and growth come from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

Suffering comes from wishing things were different. Misery is self inflicted, when we are expecting the "ideal" to overcome the "actual", or needing things (or people, or places) to be different for us so we can then be happy.

Let the hard things in life break you. Let them effect you. Let them change you. Let these hard moments inform you. Let this pain be your teacher. The experiences of your life are trying to tell you something about yourself. Don't cop out on that. Don't run away and hide under your covers. Lean into it.

What is the lesson in this wind? What is this storm trying to tell you? What will you learn if you face it with courage? With full honesty and - lean into it.

 

- Pema Chodron

The flow of life

"We must look at the lens through which we see the world, as well as at the world we see, and understand that the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world." - S. Covey

 

con-tent-ment [kuhn-tent-muhnt] noun

1. the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind.

 

Everything in life is about perspective. My perspective defines how I view the world, situations, opportunities, events and circumstances. Life is in the eye of the beholder. Feeling content with life, at this moment, right now, is most deffinitely the key to being at peace. And, enjoying my own unique life journey to the fullest. It defines the life I am living. And there actually is no where I would rather be, than right here. Right now.

 

"Becoming a great enjoyer, a great doer and a great renouncer will result us in leading a content and peaceful life." - Unknown


Love,
Saraï

 

 

 

 

Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ladies Summercamp 2012

Eindhoven, August 24 2012

 

The third edition of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ladies Summercamp Holland is about to start. Over 50 ladies registered for a weekend full of BJJ, grappling and fun. Ladies from Norway to Spain, Germany to Austria, and from the UK to the Netherlands. All sharing the same passion: Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Why I think women should practise BJJ or grappling? Being a female, and being generally smaller and less strong than most guys, we get knocked down more easily. Considering that a large percent of altercations end up on the ground, it is important for us ladies to know what to do in that situation. So from a self-defense perspective it's valuable that we are able to think clearly and defend ourselves on the ground. Furthermore BJJ shows that you don't have to be the biggest or strongest to be successful. Practising BJJ makes you feel empowered and confident, in any situation. And it's so much fun!

So, photographers Phillipp Schmidt and Kevin Kwee, both BJJ practitioners, took pictures during this awesome weekend. Please take a look:

First class on Saturday

 

 

Mixed class, ladies and Gracie Barra NL

Gi's

Warming up @ grappling

Headinstructor Yasmin during grappling

Helping Brechje with a choke

Instructions after take-down

Grappling take-downs

Ezi-kiel choke with gi

All smiles :-)

 If you are interested in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, take a look at www.brasateam.nl and join us! :-)

Saraï

Happiness is a manner of traveling

Since we can control our thoughts, we have the ability to influence our feelings and thus change our attitude. By making changes in our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs our life will begin to change. Seek a mind-set with a balanced perspective looking fondly on the past, enjoying the present and setting goals to strive for in the future. Remember that happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.  

May all beings have true happiness.

Love,

Saraï

 

To love oneself

I believe there is a certain mind-set that needs to change within you in order to be happy with the person that you are or have become. If not, a certain mind-set is needed to beat the system and ultimately win that stare down competition with your mirror.

Now why do you need to love yourself?

Fully and truly loving yourself will never lead to anything less than complete joy. With full belief in yourself and who you are you will have the confidence, internal power, and endurance to not only reach your true potential, but constantly exist in that state, and be able to make any dream or goal become an accomplished reality. Love for the self is being able to see someone with a strong mind, free spirit and a love life attitude. It is the ultimate source for joy, success, and truth. Lack of love for the self is the easiest source for pain and misery. To love oneself doesn’t mean doing the morally right thing and pleasing everyone all of the time. To truly and completely love yourself means you are man enough to face the music. Know your faults. Know your darkest qualities and never forget what The Universe told you in the light. Accept yourself for the person that you are. You are.

As Oscar Wilde stated: “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.”

Love is not easily definable. LOVE IS. However, it does have certain characteristics. Self-love is a consuming passion for your own happiness. It is an ongoing choice you make to be glad to be alive, here on Earth, in your own body.


Love,
Saraï

Conscious creation

The moment during the day when we very first open our eyes and come into consciousness is a precious opportunity. It sets the tone for all that comes after it, like the opening scene in a film or novel. At this moment, our ability to create the day is at its most powerful, and we can offer ourselves fully to the creative process by filling this moment with whatever inspires us most. It may be that we want to be more generous, or it may be that we want to be more open to beauty in our daily lives. Whatever the case, if we bring this vision into our minds at this very fertile moment, we empower it to be the guiding principle of our day.

We can reaffirm our vision or affirmation as we shower and eat breakfast, as well as recalling it at various times throughout the day. We can write it down and carry it with us on a little slip of paper if this helps. Simply by being aware of those first moments, we set the stage for a more conscious, enlivened experience, and we become active participants in the creation of our lives.

DailyOM