About: Michelle Fajkus
Posts by Michelle Fajkus:
Under the Influence of the Buddha.by Michelle Fajkus on May 17, 2013 The trouble is, temptations never end, and a true pothead can always invent a good reason to smoke. Because I’ve got a headache, a stomachache, insomnia, boredom, stress. Because it’s Saturday morning. Because the sun is setting. The list goes on forever. 108 views |
Mindfulness is Mainstream; Get Over It.by Michelle Fajkus on Apr 29, 2013 The fact is, for better or worse, the West has spawned many branches of meditation (and more of yoga), including a version of Buddhist-based mindfulness that is secular and is helping lots and lots of people who don’t necessarily classify themselves as Buddhists. 491 views |
Motherhood: A Whole New Level of Yoga.by Michelle Fajkus on Mar 1, 2013 Whether you are a parent or not, and whether you are on or off the actual mat, you are constantly practicing yoga, breathing in and out and knowing you are breathing in and out, in whatever activity you are doing or experience you are having. 173 views |
Everything You Need Is Already Within You.by Michelle Fajkus on Nov 13, 2012 There’s nothing more liberating than letting go of a struggle. It’s a delight to let go of resistance and fighting, whether internal or external. 228 views |
5 Steps to Finding Sustainable Happiness.by Michelle Fajkus on Sep 26, 2012 If you’re not already, get yourself into a healthy, meaningful relationship. First with yourself, and then with someone else. 2,146 views |
Home Is Where You Are.by Michelle Fajkus on Jul 16, 2012 Although I like to think that my love, metta and compassion extend beyond my immediate physical space, anatomically speaking, my heart is in my body. So wherever I am, I am home. 225 views |
 No Self, No Suffering?by Michelle Fajkus on Jul 10, 2012 I’d had occasional glimpses of the selfless state, but they were few and far between. I was eager to pierce the illusion, drop delusions and live presently… But I needed a push. 904 views |
On Service Learning and Inter-being.by Michelle Fajkus on May 30, 2012 No matter how alone we feel, we are not alone. No matter how isolated we may wish to be, we are inherently and necessarily connected to every other being and every other thing in this universe. 105 views |
Advice to a Young Writer from J.D. Salinger.by Michelle Fajkus on May 21, 2012 “What I want for you, kid, is to write about what you truly love, and nothing, but nothing, less than that. … with nothing less than originality and tenderness and love.” 880 views |
Dharma 101: Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path. {eBooklet}by Michelle Fajkus on May 18, 2012 For your entertainment and enlightenment, here are eight links to eight articles about the eight steps of the Eightfold Path. Which are actually not linear steps at all, but rather eight aspects to cultivate on the path toward full liberation. 1,385 views |
Wise Concentration: Moving Away from Multitasking.by Michelle Fajkus on May 16, 2012 … 270 views |
The Four Foundations of Wise Mindfulness.by Michelle Fajkus on May 8, 2012 Mindfulness. The word, like all words, is just a finger pointing at the moon. And yet, it is what we must do in order to live fully. It is the means and the end. Of what is the mind full? Of whatever is happening in the present moment. Bare attention. 296 views |
I Have Wasted My Life.by Michelle Fajkus on Apr 27, 2012 Over my head, I see countless projections of both boundless joy and bottomless stress… 333 views |
Wise Effort: Neither Slacking Nor Overachieving.by Michelle Fajkus on Apr 18, 2012 Practice should be nourishing, not draining. Mindfulness practice isn’t always rainbows and lollipops, but it needn’t be torturous either. 204 views |
Right Livelihood: What Makes Work Worthwhile?by Michelle Fajkus on Apr 12, 2012 You do your best work if you do a job that makes you happy. ~Bob Ross 829 views |
Life, Death & Punk Rock.by Michelle Fajkus on Mar 30, 2012 Anything can happen next, and you can ignore or resist or accept that fact. Life is a messy, sublime paradox. Every thing matters and no thing matters. Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form. 317 views |
Wise Action: Anything Could Happen Next.by Michelle Fajkus on Mar 20, 2012 Anything can happen next, and you can be a pessimist or an optimist or a realist about it. Life is a paradox. Every thing matters and no thing matters. Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form. 209 views |
Right Speech: May Your Voice Be Full of Truth, Gentleness & Purpose.by Michelle Fajkus on Mar 14, 2012 Buddha summarized his instructions on right speech to a simple principle: “Say what is true and useful.” 621 views |
Slacktivism Versus Action.by Michelle Fajkus on Mar 9, 2012 “How many times did the new viral video, Kony2012 show up in your facebook feed before you finally watched it?” Is it the latest internet sensation, or the start of a lasting and meaningful campaign? 736 views |
Right Intention: Surrender & Be Kind.by Michelle Fajkus on Mar 6, 2012 Very little grows on jagged rock./Be ground./Be crumbled/so wildflowers will grow up where you are. 784 views |
In Honor of Leap Day: 29 Mental Health Breaks.by Michelle Fajkus on Feb 29, 2012 All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous unpremeditated act without benefit of experience. 363 views |
Right View: Elationship. {part one of eightfold path series}by Michelle Fajkus on Feb 25, 2012 Right view is the beginning and the end of the path; it simply means to see reality as it is. 3,261 views |
Three Qualities (and 11 Benefits) of Unconditional Love.by Michelle Fajkus on Feb 14, 2012 Cultivate presence, patience & lovingkindness 1,088 views |
Love at first stretch.by Michelle Fajkus on Feb 8, 2012 Justice, they say, is what love looks like in public. I would argue that forgiveness is what love looks like in private. Yoga, above all, has taught me to forgive. 365 views |
Getting off the hook.by Michelle Fajkus on Feb 1, 2012 The vast volumes of Buddhist philosophy can be boiled down to two words: Let Go. The practice of meditation increases our awareness and equanimity. Awareness of what, exactly? Our nonstop, eternal, flabbergasting CLINGING! 785 views |
The metta sutra.by Michelle Fajkus on Jan 23, 2012 This is what should be done 212 views |
How do you want to spend the rest of your life?by Michelle Fajkus on Jan 22, 2012 Since death is certain but the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing? Just like you, I am in constant motion. Just like you, I must wake up from the cocoon of my habit patterns. We have been given the gift of life, the gift of dharma, the gift of yoga. 830 views |
Live the questions. (reverb11)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 27, 2011 “…the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke 241 views |
The most meaningful New Year’s resolution: Bodhicitta.by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 26, 2011 Bodhicitta is the authentic mind and open heart of a Bodhisattva, a peaceful warrior whose “weapons” are compassion, presence, wisdom and equanimity. 4,602 views |
 December 23-26 – Reverb11 – Writing Prompts.by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 23, 2011 Reverb is a way to reflect on the past year and envision the year to come. 63 views |
On dukkha and sukha (suffering and sweetness).by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 21, 2011 Dukkha and sukha. Yin and yang. Shadow and light. One can’t exist without the other. 655 views |
December 17-21 #reverb11 reflection questions.by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 17, 2011 Reverb is a month-long endeavor in reflecting on the past year and envisioning the year to come. 103 views |
December 16 – Viaje (Trip)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 16, 2011 Where did you travel this year? What was your best trip? 31 views |
December 15 – reverb11 – Acharya (Scholar)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 15, 2011 What did you study this year? What did you learn? What did you teach? 46 views |
December 14 – reverb11 – Jnana (Self-knowledge)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 14, 2011 Name something you did that was completely out of character. How did it feel? 47 views |
December 13 – reverb11 – Sabio (Wisdom)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 13, 2011 What lesson or piece of wisdom did you learn from a child this year? Did it surprise you? 26 views |
December 12 – reverb11 – Libro (Book)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 12, 2011 What book did you read in 2011 that was most inspirational? Why? 222 views |
December 11 – reverb11 – Gracias (Thanks)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 11, 2011 Appreciation and acknowledgement are corner stones to building trust and deepening relationships. Write a thank you note or poem to someone who impacted your life in 2011. 70 views |
December 10 – reverb11 – Ananda (Joy)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 10, 2011 How have you silenced the propaganda factory of negativity with positive thought and behavior in your life in 2011? How has this changed your day-to-day being? 148 views |
December 9 – reverb11 – Listo (Resourcefulness)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 9, 2011 How resourceful were you in 2011? What new ways could you incorporate resourcefulness into 2012? 49 views |
December 8 – reverb11 – Dharma (The Path)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 8, 2011 Wandering can be good for the over-focused creative. How did you wander well this year? 71 views |
December 7 – reverb11 – Tranquilo (Calm)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 7, 2011 Sometimes the most beautiful, memorable moments are also the quietest. What quiet, beautiful moment do you recall? 141 views |
December 6 – reverb11 – Salud (Health).by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 6, 2011 What did you do for your body’s benefit this year? 181 views |
December 5 – reverb11 – Sueño (Dream)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 5, 2011 What was your dream come true in 2011? What is your wildest dream for 2012? 164 views |
December 4 – reverb11 – Guru (Teacher)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 4, 2011 What was the most important lesson you learned about yourself in 2011? Was it a sudden epiphany or a gradual realization? 133 views |
December 3 – reverb11 – Anicca (Change)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 3, 2011 What did you let go of this year? Whom did you let go?o 252 views |
December 2 – reverb11 – Sangha (Community)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 1, 2011 Where have you discovered community in 2011? What are the essential qualities of this community? 182 views |
December 1 – reverb11 – Palabra (Word)by Michelle Fajkus on Dec 1, 2011 Encapsulate your 2011 in one word. Why that word? What would you like your word to be for 2012? Why? 215 views |
Reflect & Manifest in December. (reverb11!)by Michelle Fajkus on Nov 30, 2011 “Reverb11″ is a month-long daily writing practice with prompts for each day in December. It provides us with an opportunity to celebrate life and mourn losses together. 1,035 views |
Giving thanks.by Michelle Fajkus on Nov 23, 2011 Although our breath is with us from the moment of birth until the moment of death, most of the time we take it for granted. 522 views |
Popular Lately
Katy Perry Rolling Stone Photoshop: when Beauty isn't Perfect enough. 8,191 views
Rockstar / Yoga fanman Adam Levine of Maroon 5 gets sexy for prostate & testicular cancer prevention. 4,740 views
Surprisingly Seriously Helpful Relationship Advice (for teen girls) from Jon Hamm of Mad Men. 3,018 views
Eight things I Learned from 50 Naked People. 2,754 views
A Yoga Body. ~ Meghan McCracken 2,446 views
Tornado Survivor Finds Dog During a TV Interview. {VIDEO} 2,301 views
3 Poses to Help the Psoas. ~ Heidi Templeton 2,068 views
The Bravest, Sexiest Thing You Can Do in an Uncomfortable Moment. ~ Garrison Cohen 1,910 views
The Most Inspirational Kid on the Planet. 1,266 views
Your Ugly Vagina Is Normal & Gorgeous. (Adult) 1,030 views
Growing Up Sexually. 878 views
5 Ways You Can Make a Living as a Yoga Teacher. ~ Brenda Blanco 778 views
10 Obstacles to Sane Spirituality… 702 views
How to Explain Basic Meditation to Beginners. 664 views
Playboy Yoga: Full Video with Sara Underwood. {Nude} 620 views
Popular This Week
- Playboy Yoga: Full Video with Sara Underwood. {Nude} 109,218 views
Butter, Salt & a Side of Poison: How to Protect your Family from Monsanto & Genetically Modified Foods. ~ Marylee Fairbanks 30,951 views
The 10 things you’ll do once you start yoga (that have nothing to do with yoga). ~ Lee Anne Finfinger 29,617 views- Your Ugly Vagina Is Normal & Gorgeous. (Adult) 28,933 views
- Katy Perry Rolling Stone Photoshop: when Beauty isn't Perfect enough. 26,706 views
How I lost 30 pounds through yoga & never saw them again, with embarrassing “before” picture. 19,162 views
"Be the Change you wish to see in the World." ~ (Not) Gandhi 16,691 views- Eight things I Learned from 50 Naked People. 16,476 views
- Rockstar / Yoga fanman Adam Levine of Maroon 5 gets sexy for prostate & testicular cancer prevention. 16,165 views
How to Love a Girl who Writes. 14,495 views
Popular All-Time
- Playboy Yoga: Full Video with Sara Underwood. {Nude} 969,930 views
Skip Your Morning Meditation & Watch this Instead. 515,458 views
Someone asked the Dalai Lama (?) what surprises him most. This was his response. 438,887 views- Your Ugly Vagina Is Normal & Gorgeous. (Adult) 369,299 views
Why Lying Broken in a Pile on Your Bedroom Floor is a Good Idea. ~ Julie (JC) Peters 261,628 views- Eight things I Learned from 50 Naked People. 209,275 views
- Rockstar / Yoga fanman Adam Levine of Maroon 5 gets sexy for prostate & testicular cancer prevention. 204,927 views
Shake the dust – this one is for you. 150,853 views- The 10 things you’ll do once you start yoga (that have nothing to do with yoga). ~ Lee Anne Finfinger 147,417 views
- "Be the Change you wish to see in the World." ~ (Not) Gandhi 126,656 views
A Meeting In Central Park With The Oldest Living Yoga Teacher In The World. ~ Photographed by Robert Sturman 109,678 views
This Poster Might Just Change Your Life. ~ Nicole Duncan 100,937 views
