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Yoga Bits
Morsels of yogic wisdom and information
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Feb. 3 - 10, 2013
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For my teaching schedule,
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What Is Insanity?
Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.
"Stare at the flames until the flames bow before you." -- Yogi Bhajan I'm a little bit preoccupied with Downton Abbey. I recorded the season premiere a few weeks back and here is my confession: I watched it more than once. Sure, the first viewing was wholesome entertainment. I could have even justified the second viewing as necessary so I could keep up with the next day's water cooler conversation. But when I realized I was watching the same episode a third time, I had a rather sobering thought:  | |
Maggie Smith, one of the stars of the popular series Downton Abbey
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"What would I be doing if I wasn't doing this?" Distraction can be necessary and helpful. Entertainment, relaxation and recreation are absolute essentials in life. But a distraction that actually takes away from our conscious connection to present has become something else. It's become a problem. Now, granted, this particular diversion seems harmless enough. Being a fan of Downton Abbey isn't like being addicted to crack cocaine (although I'm willing to listen to dissenters on this point). However, regardless of the gravity of the distraction, both pursuits are designed to remove you from the experience of your own life.
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Our motivation for wanting to escape this way boils down to fear. Fear has many methods for shutting us down, using messages like we can't, we shouldn't, we won't, we're wrong and we're alone.
Unfortunately, once fear takes hold, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. While immersed in the distraction that shields us from confronting that fear, we aren't succeeding or failing. We are paralyzed. In that stagnation we often perceive ourselves to be trapped in our circumstances when, in fact, we aren't trapped at all. We are simply making the fear-based choice of hiding to minimize or eliminate risk.
But before you judge yourself a Miserable Lazy Coward, understand that episodes, phases or even lifetimes of this paralysis are perfectly human and even necessary for your growth. If you find yourself in such a state, it's important to embrace it rather than berate yourself for it.
You can begin to ask yourself why you are where you are and, by removing the shame and stigma of your "stuckness," you have the safety to answer that question honestly.
This acceptance is necessary to pursue authentic change that brings about awakening. Otherwise, we just keep sitting on the couch with the remote in hand, watching the same program over and over, waiting for someone or something to show up and prove that we can have that happiness we want. Every time "it" doesn't arrive, we draw the fresh conclusion that our fear was correct: we can't, we shouldn't, we won't, we're wrong and we're alone.
If your life is not supporting your happiness and higher purpose, begin gently asking yourself what you are accomplishing with your retreat into your distraction(s). Don't rush or push -- after all, your fear won't like that and will just become louder. Instead, be kind to yourself. Start with small, manageable changes. Do you need to say "no" to something or someone? Do you need to say "yes"? Do you need help and support to even look at those questions?
It may take a while to locate the answers for yourself. This way is unfamiliar and the outcome unknown so it's perfectly natural to proceed with caution.
But do proceed -- however slowly -- because one thing you can be sure of: nothing changes if nothing changes.
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Kundalini, Hatha and Restorative classes at my home studio in North Hollywood are now $25 each and can be scheduled upon request. Private sessions are $75 and consist of a 30- to 60-minute consultation, a custom recipe for a personal practice based on your individual needs, and 30 minutes of follow-up instruction by phone or in person.
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The techniques and suggestions presented in Yoga Bits are not intended as medical claims or to substitute for proper medical advice. Consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program. If you are elderly or have any chronic or recurring conditions such as high blood pressure, neck or back pain, arthritis, heart disease, and so on, seek your physician's advice before practicing.
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