Keep Going on Your Path
Nadi shodona alternate nostril pranyama practice with my trusty life coach Rose.
Any practice designed to strip away distraction is the most potent tool you have to fully live from your true Self.
When we can’t access that Self because of wounds and hurts, we are reacting from hurt and we put that hurt into others.
I have heard some grumbles about us airy-fairy hippy-dippy yogi types repeating again and again to do your own work and take care of yourself first. These grumblers are grumbling about how selfish that is and no amount of contemplating your own navel is going to get us out of this world of a mess we find ourselves in. I get it, I really do. And I also disagree. It’s not an either/or, it’s a both/and. To be effective in all this craziness and not be taken down by it, we need a certain reservoir of Self, of care in the Self, of attention to Self. If we don’t have that, it is wise to spend some time building and filling that reservoir. If you’ve got it and you know your Self and what your work is in the world and you’re not drowning in all the suffering and noise, by all means, go for it! And I hope you also care for yourself along the way.
When it comes down to it, I don't know what to say about this world of a mess other than to repeat that we must keep moving forward. I’m saying this because I need to hear it too. The news stays the same, brimming with every reason to feel desperately afraid and tumble into despair. But it occurs to me, what else stays the same are the principles of yoga and all the spiritual traditions, the value of practice, and the power of a mindfulness-based way of life. We each have our part to play in the evolution of humanity. Any practice, any path, any Way designed to strip away the multitudes of distraction piling on us is the most potent tool we can commit to so that we each might fully be our true Selves. When we can’t access the true Self because the Self is covered up by wounds and hurts and we are reacting from that place, we put that hurt into others. Compassion is simply not available.
I fervently hope that you find your Way, that your Way evolves you and you let your path evolve as you grow. I hope that you come back to it again and again when you get distracted and overwhelmed and tired because we ALL get distracted and overwhelmed and tired. The best news is that these tools and these pathways remain here, accessible to all, no matter how long it has been or what condition our bodies or what state our minds. The invitation keeps gently calling back, come back home, come back to your Self, draw your attention back to aligned harmony, and the part that is yours to enact will be clear.
It’s true, it’s not enough to just sit at home forever more and contemplate your inner experience without somehow radiating the shifts that come outward. We need to be active participants too. My teacher Tony Briggs often says that it is the yogis who will bring the next wave of social change. Whether you identify as ‘yogi’ or not, let’s bring it! Whatever builds your capacity for greater compassionate presence is a gift to the universe.
Let us not give the power of our precious attention to what is devastating. This is not a call to live in denial and ignorance. However, we must not allow our minds, values, and sense of self to be hijacked by that which perpetuates more of the same. Look to what promotes all that gorgeous Lightness of Self that is inside each and every being. We have the ability to choose to stay curious. Curiosity breeds understanding, and from understanding blossoms compassion. Stay curious my friends.
You are such a tremendous, unmatchable gift to this world. What lights you up? What is guaranteed to bring a smile? What benefit do you gain by hooking your attention into darkness? Truly, there is some perceived benefit or we wouldn’t do it. Can you tease out what it is and find a life-affirming method to meet that need instead? What unique skills, talents and abilities do you have in your resource circle just waiting to support you if you only ask? There are mountains and streams, trees and flowers, birds and furry friends, ancestors and angels all just waiting for us to remember them, to lean on them and ask them for support. Support is here for you, you are so not alone.
