You’ve probably seen the cool wind map of the US, but there’s one for the whole Earth now. (via Kottke/df)

Via Carrie Hensley 

Samadhi Pada (Contemplation)

The traditions of yoga were passed down orally from teacher to student. In fact, it is said that Pantanjali (author of the Yoga Sutras) was the first to codify the science of yoga. Students were expected to memorize the correct pronunciation of the sutras before they were able to learn their meanings and applications.

In terms of the yoga sutras, book 1 is more the theory of yoga. Pantanjali begins with the more esoteric concepts for the experienced yogis. Book 2 is the more practical application of the yoga philosophy for lay people like me, and possibly you:). I find it helpful to have a general understanding, however, so I like to start at the beginning. In this weeks article, we are asking the question, what is yoga.

We are reminded in sutra 1.1 that without practice, we will remain stagnant. One of the concepts that I, personally, appreciate in yoga is the necessity for direct experience. It is here that we set the intention (sankalpa) to learn, to peel back the layers of ignorance, and reconnect to our True Nature.

Click to read more of the yoga sutras.

Image via Carrie Hensley 

How do you position yourself to disrupt an industry?

Elon Musk: When you’re looking for an opportunity, I think it’s important not so much to focus on just disruption for the sake of it, but rather where is an industry either stagnant or in decline, where the product or service has stayed pretty much the same or maybe even gotten worse over time?  And I think it’s worth looking at industries which a lot of people think are impossible or think you can’t succeed at – that’s usually where there’s opportunity.  If everyone thinks you can succeed in an industry, they’re probably diving in.

In the space industry, things have gotten worse over time.  They’ve not gotten better.  When you consider the fact that we were able to go to the moon in ’69, with Saturn V, and then with the space shuttle we were able to go only to low-earth orbit, and now the space shuttle’s retired and the United States cannot get a single person into orbit without the help of the Russians.  That is a terrible trajectory, so I started Space X with the goal of reversing that.

On the face it, it appears to be somewhat daunting.  How can a start-up prevail in an industry dominated by giants who receive huge subsidies?  But, on the other side, what company to change the way that industry behaves.

Via Big Think

Image via Google Commons