And so the New Year begins. How many of us make resolutions and various promises towards an improved way of being? The beginning of the year is a time when many of us take actions to be healthier, fitter, leaner, or more disciplined. It seems to be a time when we want to become a better version of who we already are.
A Sagittarius and goal-driven by nature, I used to always set myself up with nearly impossible resolutions for the New Year and I’d hit burn out by mid-February. I am not sure when I quit setting myself up with the impossible. Gradually, over time, I have adopted a way of being in which I aim to do my best everyday. Doing my best involves aiming to integrate myself and the natural world around me, being present and being my best self as often as I can, and feeling connected to my family, community of friends and students, and giving the guidance and gift of yoga to as many people as possible. I aim to tread this path all year round. If I stray from the path, I gently and patiently retrace my steps. Sometimes I find myself starting all over again. My aim, a lifetime of work, is to live the spiritual practice of yoga.
Snow covered bench
As part of living and sharing the spiritual practice of yoga, I have begun to share inspirational readings, poems, and quotes with my classes. I suppose this goal falls into the category of New Year’s Resolutions. From time to time you will see the passages I share with my classes posted on my blog. I started last week with the following reading from “Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga” by Rolf Gates & Katrina Kenison:
A spiritual practice is one that brings us full circle—not to a new self but, rather, back to the essence of our true selves. Yoga is the practice of celebrating what is. At the end of the hero’s journey, he finds that he did not need to go anywhere, that all he sought was inside him all along…. It is the aim of all spiritual seeking to bring us home, home to the understanding that we already have everything we need.
…yoga reminds us that we are already there, that we need simply awaken from our dream of separation, our dream of imperfection.
I feel the yoga practice brings us to the wisdom that we are never alone, but rather always connected. Many times after a yoga practice, I am renewed and I see everything around me with new eyes. I feel a deep re-connection to nature and find myself marveling at the beauty of trees or the richness in various shades of green. I walk, deeply rooted to a life source found inside of me, around me in every person I encounter, and in the various gifts from the natural world of earth, water, sun, wind, and sky.
Washington Rain Forest
Fran, I loved the quote you shared with our class and it really gave me pause to reflect and think about it’s message. The line about the hero’s journey reminded me of a quote I saw posted in a classroom at the Middle School where I teach. I don’t remember the exact wording, but it talked about the times we try to be like someone else and when we do that, we never discover and celebrate our own gifts, the special and unique person we are. Looking forward to the New Year and all that it offers.
Thank you, Mary! I like the quote you mention. Very great to have a quote like that in a school! I look forward to the New Year also! love, Fran
Your “Inner Peace” is beautiful Fran.
Thanks for sharing.
Jeanne
Thanks, Jeanne!