You Are Who You Are

A member of the Greek Orthodox religion group I attend on most Tuesdays said that Eastern traditions leave out the God as Father and are therapy. I think that other traditions, whether it is Judaism and Islam with the father figure, or Hinduism with a God that has many faces, or Buddhism with one can argue, the principles of loving kindness and Buddha as something to aspire to, all have our ideal in mind. I also think that therapy can be good, if it is not a crutch, and any religion or practice can be a crutch that prevents you from being brave, making choices, having Free Will or being you.

Rules and a parent-figure are important, and when tempered with growth, freedom and courage to grow. "To thine own self be true" is the greatest truth for me, as I wrote about in another post. "Pan metron ariston", as Socrates said, is key. Too much of anything is just too much and not arista, or excellence, Rule rigidity can turn into arrogance, as Father Frank Marangos commented last night. Too much thinking can turn into mental masturbation, as in trying really hard to figure things out and chasing one's tale, going nowhere. It can end up the same as too much hedonism or candy on the couch.

Michelle Obama this morning told Matt on the Today Show why Barak ate fattening food on the Super Bowl. She maintained, as I have on my fitness blog, it's about balance, not self-denial and suffering.

As Father Frank said, we are all sinners. The greatest and perhaps only real sin to me is not self-actualizing to be what-all you can be fore yourself and others, in a balance of selfish self and Loving self.

Multidimensional thinking is key. Ken Wilber's Integral Spirituality and Integral Psychology are must reads, but not as much as his 1995 Sex, Ecology, Spirituality: The Spirit of Evolution,[ 2nd rev. ed. 2001: ISBN 1-57062-744-4], where he describes the pitfalls in Western and Eastern philosophies, an all scientific views, and fully I as God or Thee as God views.

Check out this brilliant, simple yet deep song by Merle Haggard "I Am What I Am.". Bravo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhkVOSKI_TU

David Parsons Matinee Show February 6, 2011

I went to the Joyce Theater today to see Parsons. Their dancing was not the conventional type I like. It may be post-modern, but I am not sure. However, the originality and courage of the pieces was great. What I loved the most was the energy of the dancers that escalated toward the end of each piece,instead of their getting tired, including at the last piece.

The envelope was interesting in the costumes everyone wore, and the focus on conveying a message. We can think how mail is different than email.

Sleep Study was cute. Children laughed abundantly. It was a fun piece more than serious dancing.

Hand Dance was beautiful with the interplay of hands, light and music.

Love, Oh Love was cheesy at first, but it was supposed to be, I suppose. LOL I loved the 1970s music feel. The energy picked up at the end, and the dancers came together to conclude that it's all worth it in love.

Run to You was great with on-and-off light playing with the man's body. I preferred last year's performance of this piece by Miguel Quinones, born in Jamaica, Queens, where I live.

Yoga Journal Article on Self-Love

A January Yoga Journal article's title is Nurture the New You. The writer is Dr. Kelly McGonigal, health psychologist and yoga teacher. She says that yoga can lead to self-compassion. People who do yoga, she writes, are more likely to love themselves and not make themselves wrong when they eat too much, skip exercise or yoga, etc. They are not crippled by failure. They care about their own needs and move on from failure. The experience self-love, compassion for themselves and others, joy and equanimity. The Yoga Sutra I.33, she writes, advises to cultivate love for those you are happy (I'd say anyone is the goal), compassion for those who are suffering, joy for those who are viruous, and equanimity for those who make mistakes, including yourself!

Me, Me, Me

Did I mention me? Oh, yeah, of course I did! To me, again, all is a yin/yang balance, different levels or a multidimensional mix of each at different moments. Intuition guides you. If you don't get it, it's because it can't be explained in words. In religion and other growth and development programs, like Landmark Education, and almost every spiritual path, the we or Self is highlighted. Yet often people are really into their ego, but inauthentic about it. They have a mask. Different people have different natures. Part of it may be genetics, part can be soul or environment. We are all part of One, nd must care and make a difference. One perspective is that we are "Dust in the Wind" like the song says. The Universe is vast. Antoher is that we are perfect beings, loved by God. Another is that we have the Universe inside of us. This is all true. It is also true, that, no matter hwo much I signal to my cat to bark for food, or told her if she'd understand, she would not. She is a cat. Meow. Some people are meant to be stars; others monks. If you get a monk who is meant to be a star, he'll steal money, be corrupt, etc. LOL

This year I vow to be selfish in a transformed way. I am committed to pleasure and money for myself, my dreams come true, and having great people who are a loving and intelligent stand around me. This may lead to being able to make a greater difference for others. Oprah, for instance, has her face on all of her magazine covers, several houses, lots of clothes and jewlery, chefs AND a school for African girls, contributions to charity, and a book club.

Short Review on Alvin Ailey City Center Performance December 30

The first Robert Battle piece Festa Barrocca was too simple for me. The dancers are capable of lots more in choreography. There were too many dahcers o the stage at once many times. I started to really like it when the women play-slapped the men. Couple sthen came out and did good routines.

There was a wonderful solo by a Samuel Lee Roberts. He spun rapidly and fell on his shoulder, or so it seemed, at least two times. I stood for him.

I was going to leave before Revelations. I have seen it enough times for now. But goig to get my coat, I heard the great film with Judith and Alvin. It seems he is still alive through the screen and dancers. I'd love to see Judith dance. I am sure she can!

The piece was clean and great, and I saw it newly as a confirmation of one's self and group's identity, resilience and commitment to triumph, while being good instead of weathered in life. The baptism starting anew religious context was great.

Bravo to Constance Stamatiou, headliner of Battle's piece, who is part Greek, and to the oldest member of the dance troupe, Renee Robinson, a prime dancer in Revelations. I will go ot the Playbill and add names soon.

Saving and Spending

Saving and spending is another yin yang balance to me. I do not want to be around the energy of stingy people, who are not generous giving gifts or loans to friends at hard times, that everyone is bound to have. I also do not want to be around the energy of one who spends all of their money with no accountability or plan to save or for income. That said, there is such an action as throwing your hat over the fence where you spend money, even if you are not making it, creating your future and confident that the money will come back fourfold or more in the future. Many people who start a business, either putting their own money or getting gifts/loans or both, do this.

Dinner at Nino's on 47th Street and Second Avenue, New York City

Why not put a food blog post here? It's part of enjoying life. A movie event was canceled so I went to Nino's. The decor was too casual and sloppy, perhaps this was not their better branch. The bathroom area was disgusting: TO mount a few steps to go to the only bathroom, one viewed an alcove with thrown pieces of furniture, basically a closet with no door and the waiter area, with a view to the kitchen.

The pieces of focaccia bread the server sent us at the beginning were cold. I asked for other, warmer bread and it was decent. The olives seemed too sweet and canned. The pasta itself, linguine with marinara sauce, was very good and not too al dente. The Pizza I shared with someone was crisp and fresh with the vegetables and feta deep in taste.