Tuesday, December 28th

Vedic astrology states that the Lord Vishnu has incarnated as the nine planets to restore righteousness, destroy the demons, and bestow the karmas (actions needed to grow and learn) on the living beings. The Discus of Lord Vishnu is the Ecliptic, the path of the planets around the Sun.

This week we complete another trip around the Discus of Vishnu as we close out 2010. The planet Mercury, retrograde since December 10^th, will turn direct at 11:21pm Wednesday December 29^th.  Before we get too excited by Mercury’s change of direction it is important to remember that Mercury will remain in what is called its “shadow” phase until it reaches the same degree of Capricorn when it began its retrograde. This won’t happen until January 16^th, so it may take a little while for things to really get rolling 2011.  

Meanwhile, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the past year, to give ourselves an honest performance evaluation and to make those inevitable New Year’s resolutions. Looking back on the past year I ask myself: Did I learn anything? Did I make some sort of contribution? Did I treat others with kindness, compassion, understanding, and generosity, or was I a selfish, narcissistic, egotistical asshole?

These are big questions and I, like a lot of people, tend to hold myself to a fairly high standard. The things that often stand out the most are the ways in which we fell short of our expectations. Even as we acknowledge our failures, it is important to applaud our successes and realize that human existence continues to be complicated, challenging and humbling. As we conclude this year it’s important to forgive ourselves and others for our sins of commission and omission, lest the milk of human kindness begin to dry up within us.

Last year for Christmas my wife gave me a Vedic astrology reading as a gift. The astrologer informed me that 2010 would be a year of unprecedented popularity for me, based on certain Jupiter transits in my chart. Great, I thought, I’m gonna be a rock star—rich, famous, loved, and admired. Then, last January I was informed that a new Jois yoga studio would be opening in downtown Encinitas. A couple of months later I heard that John Friend was moving to Encinitas and opening a yoga studio. Soon after this I got a call letting me know that Haute Yoga was opening a new 6,000 square foot facility almost next door to me in the Forum shopping center.

At first I looked at all of these things as invasions of my home turf and was responding with a fair amount of righteous indignation. As the months have passed, I’ve begun to look at it all a bit more philosophically. Jupiter is called “Guru” in Sanskrit, and one of the meanings of Guru is “Heavy”. It is the “heaviness” of Jupiter that draws satellites into its orbit. During this past year of Jupiter transits I became very “heavy” and began to attract things into my orbit. Suddenly, inexplicably, people wanted to be close to me—Jois yoga, John Friend, Haute yoga, etc.

The whole rock star, rich and famous thing didn’t really work out for me in 2010.  My “unprecedented popularity”  turned out to be a very mixed blessing. It all played out very differently from what I had imagined, but at the same time, it provided the perfect karmic lessons during the turning of Vishnu’s Discus in 2010.

In 2011 I’m looking forward to being a little less popular and a lot lighter.

Happy New Year! 

-Tim Miller

Comments

[Jenniferjuniperap]

Great pearls of wisdom as always, perfect timing as we reflect on 2010 and prepare for 2011. Happy New Year Tim!

[Fivefootwo]

That's what they call magnetism. Very Enjoyable as usual!

[Ruth Barclay]

The vedic astrology ready sounds most interesting. First time, to have an opportunity to read your Tuesday's words of knowledge and personal thought. It was most enlightening.

[ClaudiaYoga]

Tim, this is very interesting, I have seen so much conversation in the blog space about you this year, so many people concerned and expressing admiration for you and feeling concerned about all these studios opening in your area, I guess in a way that is how fame manifested, with some very well deserved admiration from people from all over the world standing by you.

[Quentin Hardage]

although Ashtanga Yoga is not a competitive sport, competition should be good for your yoga studio. “Ashtanga yoga is for all people, old people, young people, fat people, skinny people, only not lazy people.” Now more will have the opportunity of experiencing Ashtanga Yoga as expressed through his students.

Namaste....

[Robynbirdsong21]

I find these events during our journey requires us to look deep inside ourselves. Most of us know the process isn't easy, sometimes troubling and can be confusing. As a Guru and guide to many ~ it's comforting to know we all experience similar emotions and just try to do the best we can. The reflection time seems to offer the most clarity, thank you for the reminder.