The Present Trek 
BreathTrek's Upcoming Events, Offerings and Inspirations 

February 2021

Love at First Sight

                                              Where two deliberate, the love is slight.

                                          Whoever loved, not having loved at first sight.

                                                                     ~Christopher Marlowe

 

The true power of love at first sight is often missed because we insist on limiting its meaning to the sweep of falling into another person upon first meeting. To appreciate the deeper sense of this, we must uncover and reclaim the importance of first sight itself, which has more to do with seeing things essentially, rather than physically, for the first time.

   We all walk around within the numbness of our habits and routines so often that we take the marvels of ordinary life for granted. It is first sight that opens the freshness of each moment, unencumbered by any of our habits or routines. First sight is the moment of God-sight, heart-sight, soul-sight. It is the seeing of revelation, the feeling of oneness, that briefly overcomes us when nothing remains in the way.

   At its deepest and most real level, the notion of love at first sight is spoken of in every spiritual tradition as the reward for being fully awake. Such seeing anew restores our sense of being alive. Paradoxically, first sight is recurring. In the same way that we wake every day, we regularly return to first sight in the rhythm of our wakefulness of spirit. Whenever we can see with that original vision- with nothing between us and the life around us- we can't help but love what we see. To see so fundamentally is to see the world we're a part of as the vibrant, ongoing creation that it is. So, it really manifests this way: at first sight, we find love; at our first true seeing, the love that is already there touches us.

   In this regard, first seeing is an ever-present threshold to the majesty of what is. Certainly and beautifully, this happens with other people when we, upon first truly seeing another, fall sweetly into the miracle of their presence. But this is also possible, on a daily basis, upon first truly seeing ourselves, our world, our sense of God-again and again.

   I can work across from the same person for years, and one day, because my own suffering has opened me more fully than I can remember and because the light floods that person's face, I can for the first time truly see who they are and feel love for them. I can walk by the same willow, season after season, and one day, because of the sheen of after-rain and the lowness of the wind, I can truly see the willow like never before, and feel love for the willow in all of us. I can, in the mirror late at night, after seeing myself hundreds of times, see the willow and the light and the other in my tired face, and know that sameness as the stuff of God.

In truth, it has never been about first meeting, though this can happen, but more about first coming into view. As a breeze all spun out lets the water go clear, we finally stop talking, stop performing, stop pretending, and all tired out, we go clear, and the heart that rests in everything beats before us.       

 

* Close your eyes and breathe away your mind-sight, your past-sight, your future-sight, your wounded-sight.

 

*With each slow breath feel the cool air of your birth-sight, your first-sight.

 

* Breathe slowly and imagine that the beat of your heart carries up the beginning-of-time sight.

 

*At the moment that you feel original, however briefly, open your eyes and bow with love to the first thing you see.

 

 

 Excerpt from The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

 

UPCOMING Hikes

TREKing with Love

 

Allow LOVE to fill you.

Feel INVIGORATED.

CONNECT with nature.

EnJOY the company of a supportive group by your side.

 

One of my favorite times to hike is in the winter. The crisp cold air, the bare trees offering sweeping vistas, the beauty of fresh fallen snow and the magic of ice crystals all make winter hiking a thrill even in the freezing temps.

Take a look at the hiking adventures we are offering over the next couple of months. 

 

Sunday, February 21, 10am-2pm

Allamuchy Hike

~Moderate

 

Saturday, March 20, 10am-2pm

Mount Minsi Hike

~Moderate-Challenging

 

Visit our website and REGISTER!

 

BreathTrek has a

YouTube Channel

(with over 50 videos!)

 

We created a YouTube channel with the intention of sharing our love and commitment to our yoga practices and the beauty of nature.  Our hope and intention is to serve and support our local and global community.

Currently our videos consist of chair yoga sequences/classes, yoga nidra (yogic sleep) and our LIVE recorded mudra (hand gestures) meditations.

We are committed to expanding our video library with more chair, gentle and strength building yoga videos, yoga nidra recordings, as well as mudra and other guided meditations and more!

Let your friends and family know even if they live far away (the beauty of YouTube is it can be viewed on your own time!).

Check us out and LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!!

(It greatly supports and helps us and there's no cost to you.) 

Also, let us know if you would like us to film a particular type of class, meditation or other offering. We would love to hear the community's ideas. 

 
BreathTrek YouTube Channel

 

The thought is LOVE. The word is LOVE. The action is LOVE. There is a compass to guide us and that is LOVE.

 

Take time this month to IMMERSE yourself in nature (bundle up, baby, it's cold outside!- well, at least here where we live).

Take a moment and listen deeply to your heart.  In nature comes CLARITY- a crystal-like clearness- a way to SEE more clearly and with an open HEART.  A compass points us in the direction in which we wish to travel. Our hearts connected with nature direct and point us to universal and unconditional Love.  Love is everywhere and nature is always open to giving us subtle hints as evidence. You may even start seeing the universal symbol of love – a heart! 

Go for a hike (join us!), walk, touch a tree or sit down outside and FEEL the earth beneath you. Take in a deep breath, feel the air fill your lungs, nourish your heart and invigorate your spirit. Create an intention to nurture yourself and new ways of cultivating a loving environment.

Become reconnected with your own AUTHENTIC voice. Follow the path of things that ignite a spark within you. 

Surrender to unconditional love.

Love IS everywhere; are you seeing it?

What does it look like?

What are the sounds of love?

Love your life.

What does that feel like?

 

A heart shaped rock is a welcomed sight! A definite treasure when stumbled upon.

The heart, symbolizing surrounding love, has its own personal meaning. What does it mean to you?

When nature shows you a heart, cherish it!

 

When you are in nature lean into love and be present. Be so present that your mind becomes as still and clear as a calm lake. So still that you have to consciously create a thought. Then with your heart CONNECTED with nature you create a thought to LOVE. An intention to be open to new ways of loving.  

 Questions to ponder and/or journal:

How do you show love?

Do you live it?

Do you believe in it?

Do you give it?

Do you hide from it?

Do you run towards it?

Do you withhold it?

Do you crave it?

Do you connect with it?

Do you need it?

Do you seek it?

Do you speak it?

Allow yourself to be Honest and Clear on what love is to you. This is a vital step (to recognize and become aware) so that you may make any healthy adjustments to your mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Love is the heart of the matter. And as we are all matter, we are all love.

 

 

May YOU be Well

May YOU be HAPPY and CONTENT

May YOU be FREE from danger and suffering

May YOU be FILLED with

LOVINGKINDNESS

 

May ALL BEINGS be WELL

May ALL BEINGS be HAPPY and CONTENT

May ALL BEING be FREE from danger and suffering

May ALL BEINGS be FILLED with LOVINGKINDNESS

 

Shanti Shanti Shanti

     Peace  Peace  Peace    

      

Morning Mudra Meditation

Are you looking to start a daily meditation practice and would like some guidance, support and encouragement? OR Do you have an established practice but are looking to connect more with others?

 

For the past 10 months we have been gathering on ZOOM for a Morning Meditation with the use of mudras (hand gestures). We would love for you to join our community!

We also post our mudras LIVE on YouTube. So if you can't make it to the zoom you can check it out anytime that is convienent to you on our YouTube channel! 

 

'MEETS' on ZOOM

Monday-Friday

8-8:20am 

Find Out More

Exciting News!

BreathTrek now has an Etsy shop with Bill's photography. All are digital downloads. So whether you are searching for that perfect print to hang on your wall or you just want an awesome screen screensaver, we've got you covered. They also make wonderful gifts for your nature lover friends and family. You can print at home or send to a local print shop to be printed in the size of your choosing.

Go take a look!

 
BreathTrek Etsy Shop

GIFT CERTIFICATES!

 

Give an 'out of the box'

Gift Experience 

 

Are you looking for creative and "out of the box" gift ideas? Want to surprise someone with a gift they will not be expecting? One that is sure to create lasting memories and that they will be truly grateful for?  

 

Why not surprise them with: 

A kayaking adventure... A family or group personalized hiking trek... Private individualized yoga/meditation session(s) or a group/couples class? 

 

At BreathTrek we offer customizable gift "experience" certificates that capture your vision or let the gift recipient create their own adventure!

 

We will collaborate with you to create the perfect experience for the recipient. Or let them create their own experience by giving them a "create your adventure" gift. SO many possibilities! 

Give the gift of Beautiful, Connecting Experience! 

 
'Out of the Box' Gift Experience

Yoga for YOUR Events

We would love to collaborate with you so that you can share the gift and beauty of a mindfulness-based yoga practice into your EVENT.

 
Learn More

Meet BreathTrek

BreathTrek is a collaboration and partnership of yoga teachers and outdoor enthusiasts Julie Lain and Bill Amos. 

We aspire to provide enriching experiences to our local and global communities.

Connecting people with Nature, Others and their True Authentic Self.

 

We would love to hear from YOU! Are there classes or events you wish we were offering?

We want to hear the voice of our community.

Get in Touch

All photos by BILLAMOSPHOTOGRAPHY

BreathTrek@gmail.com

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