Impeccability

im·pec·cable (im pek′ə bəl)

adjective

1. not liable to sin, incapable of wrongdoing
2. without defect or error; faultless; flawless

"Develop a sense of impeccability in everything you do. Impeccability is to do your best in whatever you are engaged in." -Carlos Castedenda, Tales Of Power

My husband Doug will be amused when he reads this post and discovers I am quoting Carlos Casteneda. Actually, I am quoting Castenada quoting the Sorcerer Don Juan.

For a Trailing Boomer such as myself, I view Castenada as part of the Baby Boomer's Trinity, along with Zen Buddhism and Socialism. You simply did not receive a college degree in the late 60's or early 70's without having read something of Castenada's, along with doses of the brand of Buddhism brought to our Pacific shores by Vietnamese monks escaping their war torn country and flirting with Europe's problematic social-political experiment. I have watched documentaries on Castenada but, on principle, have managed to avoid to read an entire book! I am not all that sure that I buy it. I'll keep my thoughts about Socialism and non Asian Buddhists to myself...however, I was instantly grabbed when my Baby Boomer Pilates teacher spoke of impeccability as she quoted Castenada. It is a word I hear Doug use. No wonder, he has a entire bookshelf upstairs dedicated to the work of Don Juan and Carlos.

Prompted by my hearing the word in a new context, I looked it up. Impeccability means the absence of sin and is an attribute of Christ. Roman Catholics believe the Virgin Mary was impeccable through the special grace of God. For the rest of us, it is a state that one aspires to but cannot attain. This is why I like the second line in the Castenada quote, that impeccability is doing our best in whatever we are engaged in. Now that is something I can do. I found a Don Juan point I agree with, that the warrior derives power from being impeccable.

I am pleased to be reminded to develop my sense of impeccability. In this case, Pat meant in my practice and performance of Pilates as a student and teacher. But I will do well to do all things with a commitment to flawlessness. As for opening up to the teaching of Don Juan, in spite of the messenger being a drug abusing anthropologist, perhaps there is a lesson or two there for me.

This October

This October holds lots of activities in store for Doug and I. We are notorious for filling every available space on the calender, in spite of some sincere intentions to do otherwise. We really do like to be home. But when an invitation to a special event or occasion comes, we can seldom let it pass by.

New York City
First up is the 144th Annual Riot Relief Luncheon. Doug will begin serving a term on the Board Of Trustees to this worthwhile good works endeavor. The Riot Relief Fund was the recipient of most of the dollars our Supercuts business donated in sympathy after 9/11. 100% of the Fund goes to the families of fallen Police and Firemen or Law Scholarships. We were introduced to the Fund by our friends, Peter Brown and Alexandra Stoddard. Our friends, the Aguirres and Hildes, will be on hand to celebrate and honor Doug as he accepts a leadership role.




Doug, Carolyn, Peter and Alexandra
San Antonio, TX March 2007








Maggie and Frank Aguirre
San Antonio, May 2007




Tampa
Next is to Florida for Melissa Connor and Derek Smith's wedding. Melissa and Derek are dear friends our daughter and ours as well. Along with Melissa and Derek, we will get to celebrate Jessica's 25th birthday with all her college friends. It will be a great reunion.

Palm Beach Gardens
Frank Prescuitti is turning 50 Oct 6. Frank and I met over 20 years ago at a Paul Mitchell distribution company. Frank taught me a great deal about image, marketing and salesmanship in our earlier days. I was lucky to work with Frank but even luckier that, once our industry relationship was no longer necessary, his wife, Crystal, became one of my best friends. They both seek a refined and gracious life and it is always a joy to be in their company.

Boulder
It's back to Pat Guyton's studio and the Pilates Conservatory for Unit 2 of my teacher program. This unit focuses on the entire syllabus of Joseph Pilates' Cadillac and Spine Corrector work, along with the useful adaptations of First Generation Teachers such as Mary Bowen, Kathy Grant and Ron Fletcher.

West Texas
Doug and I will join Paul and Suzan Newkirk and their friends on a trip west in Texas to round out the month. There will be motorcycle riding, fine dining, comfortable beds, star gazing, beautiful open scenery, margaritas and a few lies and false reports.







Lajitas, Texas





Oct 31 will find us at the end of our drive handing our candy to the neighborhood children.

We are blessed and we are grateful!

Meditation

Friends and I enjoyed a night a few weeks ago where we watched the movie, The Secret. It prompted an inquiry about methods of meditation.

Some years ago, I took a 3 part class on meditation giving by Rev. Karen Tudor, my current minister who was then at Unity Church Of Christianity in Houston. Below are some lessons she shared with our class...

Differences Between Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation:

Prayer - any mind/heart activity that is God-directed. (Life Of Prayer, pg 8)

Meditation - purposeful stilling of the mind and body to receive from God.

Contemplation - practice of holding an object, idea or word for the purpose of greater understanding and revelation.

Setting Up a Meditation Practice:

- Patience
- Deciding on Time of Day
- Setting Up Atmosphere

Sounds: Music, Chants, Tones or Mantras, Crystal Bowls, Chimes/Bells/Drums, Natural sounds, Silence

Sights: Lit candles, Altar w/ pictures or icons, View from a window, Light/Darkness

Scents: Incense, Scented candles, Oils

Postures: Lying down, Standing, On Floor, Bench or Pillow, Mat or Blanket, On Chair-spine straight, Walking, Kneeling, Yoga poses

Focal Points: Breath, Body, Heart Center, Scripture, Holy Word or Name, Mirror

Inspirational Text: Sacred books such as Bible or Torah, Bhagavad Gita, Tao te Ching, Poetry

Developing a Routine:

- Inspirational reading
- Prayer
- Affirmations
- Relaxation Stretches
- Journaling Insights

Recommended Reading:

Deepak Chopra - Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success, Book Of Secrets
Thich Nat Hahn - all writings
Rumi - poems
Marsha Sinetar- Ordinary Peple as Monks and Mystics