Yoga Sutra 1.14
Sa Tu Dirgha Kala Nairantarya Satkarasevito Drdhabhumih.
Awareness through continual practice and devotion that becomes effortless and deeply grounded to the point that there is no doubt left, is living yoga.
After taking my friend Heidi's yoga class yesterday, I overheard her conversation with a new student. How many times a week should I do yoga? How do stretch my tight hamstrings? How long before I can do that (referring to forearm balance I was practicing)? On and on. Heidi explained that if she decided she would walk to Oklahoma today from Katy, that maybe should get as far as The Woodlands, if that far! And, then the next day, a little farther.... and the next. It's just simply not possible to do it in a day or even a week. It takes time, patience and practice- one foot in front of the other. But most importantly, you have to look around you (on the inside), observe yourself & the journey will unfold.
Yoga is like anything you want to learn- to paint, cook (well), play baseball, design web sites, parenthood, to be a good friend... after you practice enough you become more skilled at the art form itself. But unlike baseball or websites, we practice yoga to "become skilled at the art of living" (E Lesser).
"Our life is an endless journey; it is like a broad highway that extends infinitely into the distance. The practice of meditation (or yoga) provides a vehicle to travel on that road. Our journey consists of constant ups and downs, hope and fear, but it is a good journey. The practice allows us to experience all the textures of the roadway, which is what the journey is all about." --Chogyam Trungpa
Comments
Post a Comment