Good evening.

Today was very productive and satisfying. I woke up and did my yoga course almost right away. It was a little frustrating this morning - I really need some tips on my shoulderstand since it is hard for me to get up without throwing my legs over my head and thus hurting my lower back. I tried to do "the stillness thing" in my head, got Zack to help me (which resulted in more frustration), but finally I got up. I feel like my legs are strong and my arms are strong (almost to a fault), but my entire abdomen is just a pile of goo that connects the two poorly.

I will work on strengthening my core through conscious effort.

I haven't gotten around to my reading yet, but I can't say it was because of laziness or procrastination. We went on a 7-mile hike in Portola State Park today that wore me out to the point that I came home, ate some burritos, and went to sleep with a headache. I hope that through conscious practice I can cure whatever is causing these damn things... it really throws me off. At least I'm awake and refreshed now, but not so refreshed that I don't think I can go back to sleep in a half hour or so. I just don't think that will give me time to read. No sense in doubling up tomorrow - I don't want to stretch myself. Non-violence includes the eyes too, I'm sure. Anyway, the hike was awesome. Not too strenuous, but long enough that I did have to align my thoughts with the present steps and not with the end. For some reason, every time my mind strayed from the right path all I could think of was hamburgers and french fries. I think that's a good way to realize that my immediate desires are fleeting and sometimes, well, stupid... or at least not what I really want. I did end up quenching my fast food thirst, but it was with 2 taco bell burritos. I'll admit, that food is not exactly organic... but at least it wasn't meaty.

I think I need to work on my faith. I am pretty solid on many of the other concepts I read about yesterday, but I find myself stopping when I get to faith. I tried it on for size today, but I think my faith muscle is very weak, like my stomach.

I will work on strengthening my faith through conscious effort.

It's funny how it works that way.