Around 16h on Sunday I get this uneasy feeling that my blog post should be done. It's more of a mental thing. And I always think I have nothing to write, and yet in my mind there's also so much to share but I just cannot seem to make it into something that flows together or just something comprehensible to anyone other than me. Part of me thinks, no one really reads it, or maybe someone does and they do not like what I write. But really like practice, this is just the doing. There is no goal. Of course it is nice that it is appreciated by some, some maybe get irritated with it, I always think it's always good to draw emotion. Then you know that there is atleast feedback than just nothing.

I also try my best to put this in the latest time I can. And yet I know I always like to write. To be able to have this words strung together and just be there. And available to read to whoever is interested, to whoever needs to read something like this. At the same time I get interested on what people think but at the same time feel very vulnerable on putting my thoughts there because there can always be miscommunication, the way I type, the way I put words together or maybe just their own personal experience at that time. 

Anyway, so I get used to this habit of saying hi. And yes maybe no one is reading but it's just the thought right? It's like the practice. It's just the practice of doing it everyday. It doesn't seem to change everyday but after 8 years of practice, I think there is a difference in me, and it didn't happen overnight, there were times when I thought nothing was happening and there were also time when I felt like I just cannot handle the amount of things going on. But yeah for both it's just a matter of time. The bad things pass but so does the good things and we just keep going with it. Learning, receiving and appreciating the gifts. And of course there will be also times for pain and dealing with less pleasant things, and we get hurt, we complain, we think we will never do this again and try to learn. 

So what's the point? I'm not really sure. Do you know? Maybe you can share your thoughts with me. I'd be happy to listen.

Anyway. Thank you as always for reading. Keep your masks on when you can, stay protected, stay safe and happy. Make good habits but bad ones can be fun too. Stay strong and flexible, in the mind, body and heart <3

Love always,
​J

How have you been? I hope all is well and staying healthy. It's been a funny 2020. Definitely one for the books. I think we will remember this year quite easily. We're halfway and it seems so much has happened. We never really expected this at the start of the year. But yes I don't really think we can expect anything from our lives at any time. We make plans and we have goals however life always has its way. And we can only surrender and breathe into that.

I have been good. And even though this year is definitely one of staying alone, I think I have managed to make a good use of my time. I have started on things I never thought I would have interest in or have any talents in. But as with anything, what we cultivate grows. What we care for prospers. And of course we will make mistakes and we will have hits and misses but I think the most important thing is trying. Keeping on trying and really wanting something, putting effort in it and putting in time and just letting it grow, slowly and surely. I think this year has given me the gift of time. Just time to just detach myself and try to find other forms of entertainment maybe and in the process learn a lot of stuff. And for that I am grateful for this year.

This year is far from over, and the corona fight is not yet won. In a lot of places there is again a rise of cases, we keep being vigilant because it is the best for all. We want the best for everyone after all. I think everyone wants to do their part in this fight. Once this is done we all win. We get to see family from far, we get to spend time with our friends and loved ones, we get to explore new parts of the world. But maybe for now we practice tolerance and care. I think it is the best for everyone.

Chin up, head high, look up and smile. We will get over this. Know you are not alone. We are all in this together. We keep each other entertained and we keep each other strong. When one wins, we all win. We can take one for the team for now.

Keep safe. Keep happy.

And oh, did you check out the list? We're listed here. *happy dance*

Love always,
J

This picture always brings a smile in my face. My first trip to India, to Mysore. And of course what do you do on your first trip? Soak it all up, get slapped by a kid while doing a photoshoot. And while the idea of travelling now seems so far from reality, pictures and memories like this help in traveling in the mind. It brings back recollections of sights and sounds and emotions.

I have always loved to travel, to be in a new place, to immerse into another culture. And travelling for me lets me discover another part of myself in the process. It opens up another reality, if one is open to it. Travelling lets you leave the present worries of wherever you are at the moment and be somewhere else, physically and mentally. Your reality in your 'life' gets a pause and you let yourself be in another reality, another breathing space. And it can be overwhelming but you also know, it is a temporary state, you can come back to what it was before. There is so much in this world to discover, so many beautiful places, beautiful experiences and beautiful people to meet. 

​With the recent events, most of my travelling now is done by foot, around Antwerp. But even Antwerp, everyday I see something different, experience different things, come across different kinds of people. So for now my travel might be limited to this but I find it beautiful none the less. I feel blessed to be where I am now and to be happy and to be healthy. 

Of course I miss my family and my friends. And I miss experiencing travelling. But I know that there will be a time and place for that. I will enjoy it when I can. There is also technology nowadays that lets us be connected to loved ones and allows us to travel in the comfort of our own home. It is definitely different than being there, it does help somehow.

Stay inspired, keep travelling, keep safe.

Love always,
​Jenny

ॐ सह नाववतु ।                                        oṃ saha nāvavatu |
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।                                          saha nau bhunaktu |
​सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।                                    saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai | 
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।            tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai || 
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥                       oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ || 

Happy Guru Purnima. This day marks the birthday of Ved Vyasa and it has been celebrated to remember the gurus that have paved the way for us. 

Our parents are our first Gurus. They give us the best they can offer and they continue to shower us with their prayers and their blessings. They have provided for us and taught us to their best efforts. They have given us the gift of life. I am truly grateful for my parents for all they have done for me, 

I also thank all of the teachers and practitioners who have been before me, without them I would not be able to study this method and practice and apply it to my life. I am truly grateful. 

The mantra above is one of the Shanti Mantra and I think this is very beautiful. I have taken this translation from Green Message. 

Meaning:
1: Om, Together may we two Move (in our Studies, the Teacher and the Student),
2: Together may we two Relish (our Studies, the Teacher and the Student),
3: Together may we perform (our Studies) with Vigour (with deep Concentration),
4: May what has been Studied by us be filled with the Brilliance (of Understanding, leading to Knowledge); May it Not give rise to Hostility (due to lack of Understanding),
5: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

It asks for protection for the student and for the teacher. To protect them in their journey of study. I think this is very fitting since the student teacher relationship, as any relationship is very delicate. And it comes from both sides. The student can be quite fragile so the teacher needs to be careful. Sometimes the student also thinks that the teacher is close to a god and it becomes a form of idolism. But no one is perfect, student or teacher. So may we always be protected and may we always know that the focus of the relationship is the studying. 

I am always grateful for the teachings, and the teachers, for passing on these knowledge, for paving the way, for putting their love and their passion to passing the tradition, for studying and for teaching. Thank you.

I'm on a week break from teaching next week. I will be back the week after. I have started teaching in person. If you are interested contact me and let's talk. The online platform stays as well. 

Love always,
​Jenny