Letting Go!

So maybe you are thinking, 'What is with the Chinese Lanterns?" Well, I love the idea behind the Chinese New Year: It is a time where everyone can leave their sorrows behind and start anew with a new look upon life. It is a time where families and friends get together and set aside petty differences. The lanterns remind me of my inner drive to see things anew. Isn't that what we crave;  To let go of our burdens and to experience peace and true joy?  It is for me.

Life is hard enough to understand for ourselves, let alone to understand for others. The inner workings of our own mind are baffling enough when we really dig deep inside. The genius of our ego, our past, and our defenses can daunt even the most sincere attempt to find clarity. So much of the work along the spiritual path of yoga is devoted entirely to finding out who we really are underneath all the layers of our personality, past and culture. When we do find out what is right for us, there can be no denying the unshakable faith needed to follow our dreams to completion.

Along the way it is totally normal for the full spectrum of emotions and distracting thoughts to surface when you start out on your journey. You might get caught up in the gossip of what other people think, you might even gossip yourself. Envy and jealousy might get the better of you. Paralyzing fear might stop you dead in your tracks. Depression and self-defeating attitudes might threaten to drown you in your own personal pity party. The key to finding the freedom to follow your dreams does not lie in the permanent silencing of these little whiny voices. We would be kidding ourselves if we said we never felt these emotions. Yoga asks you to watch whatever arises in the passion play of your mind without getting attached to it.

Whenever distracting thoughts or challenging emotions arise, yoga teaches you to redirect your mind into the task at hand. At first, you practice letting the emotions 'be'  while redirecting the mind to the posture, your breathe, and your gaze in physical asanas. But then, once you master the ability to maintain a steady,  calm focus, you can choose to replicate this  same technique in life. For example, if your goal is to open a small business, you will encounter: elation, excitement, pride, doubt, fear, anxiety, envy, jealousy and much more. If you are a yoga practitioner you will observe these emotions for what they are, the surfacing of your mind, and then calmly, quietly redirect your mind to the task at hand-- opening and running your business. When you hear negative comments about yourself or feel envious of others who you perceive as having more success, the yoga practice gives you the strength to observe what the mind produces and then choose your path according not to circumstance, but to your will. Then you can be in the world and not of it, "play" with creation but not be bound by it and in essence be free to enjoy the ride.  We are God's children after all!

Learning how to enjoy the ride is all about learning how to make peace with yourself and your experience. Yoga is not an escape from life, but a way to take you deeper into its ultimate meaning. Even if you take off amidst a crazy thunderstorm, when you get high enough there is always the blue sky and sunshine waiting to greet you above the cloud cover. No matter how grey it gets, if you can rise above the rain, the light is always ready to welcome you in illumination.

Namaste,

Trish