THE OBSERVATION GAME
DECEMBER 5TH, 2009: Yoga requires that part of the mind be trained as an observer, known as the Witness, the other, or the higher self. Once you see yourself in the role of the observer everything takes a different look. This point of reference is sometimes called getting a cosmic perspective. Although watching ourselves is often pretty comic too!
Last night I finally went rock climbing! I almost can’t believe it, after so many years of just talking about it I did it. There is a wonderful place right here in Crystal Lake. Anyhow what I found interesting is the similarity to yoga: You are moving in a fluid way smarter and not harder. You can’t think too far ahead but instead you must be present to just what is in front of you in order to make the wisest next move of hand or foot, you can’t get “mad” at your options you just have to work with them managing your mental energy and remaining positive.
This is why yoga works. It helps us practice being. Scoop Nisker writes, “We habitually try to analyze and adjust our environment, as thought it were never quite right. Meditation practice is the antidote to our fears and worries, a way to allow ourselves to be in the world as it is.” You see there is no need to rearrange the outside stuff instead we should focus on the inner world of our thoughts, slowing down and observing ourselves before we take that next move. This helps us step outside ourselves in order to get some distance on our own little dramas. This process helps us understand the personas we wear as the masks that they are. Yoga helps us evolve from seeing ourselves in the third person to the first person.
Well on my climbing adventure this observation game works on two levels: you can learn tons from watching others move up the climb and if you stay calm and clear headed you can actually watch yourself as you are taking the actions to move. Each move reminds you to stay really present to your heart. As Chade Meng says, “A life-time is not what's between, The moments of birth and death. A life-time is one moment, Between my two little breaths. The present, the here, the now, That's all the life I get, I live each moment in full, In kindness, in peace, without regret.”
I hope with all my heart that this practice of yoga helps us all to be more present to the miracle of living life one moment at a time and as we watch ourselves we see how happy we are. I leave you with these words from Dhammavadaka “Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown. Speak quietly and kindly nurture love within you and strive to be a friend to all. Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself. Cast off pretense and self-deception and see yourself as you really are. Your essential Mind is pure. Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remorse nor dark foreboding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.”
Love to you, Silvia
12/5/2009
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Last night I finally went rock climbing! I almost can’t believe it, after so many years of just talking about it I did it. There is a wonderful place right here in Crystal Lake. Anyhow what I found interesting is the similarity to yoga: You are moving in a fluid way smarter and not harder. You can’t think too far ahead but instead you must be present to just what is in front of you in order to make the wisest next move of hand or foot, you can’t get “mad” at your options you just have to work with them managing your mental energy and remaining positive.
This is why yoga works. It helps us practice being. Scoop Nisker writes, “We habitually try to analyze and adjust our environment, as thought it were never quite right. Meditation practice is the antidote to our fears and worries, a way to allow ourselves to be in the world as it is.” You see there is no need to rearrange the outside stuff instead we should focus on the inner world of our thoughts, slowing down and observing ourselves before we take that next move. This helps us step outside ourselves in order to get some distance on our own little dramas. This process helps us understand the personas we wear as the masks that they are. Yoga helps us evolve from seeing ourselves in the third person to the first person.
Well on my climbing adventure this observation game works on two levels: you can learn tons from watching others move up the climb and if you stay calm and clear headed you can actually watch yourself as you are taking the actions to move. Each move reminds you to stay really present to your heart. As Chade Meng says, “A life-time is not what's between, The moments of birth and death. A life-time is one moment, Between my two little breaths. The present, the here, the now, That's all the life I get, I live each moment in full, In kindness, in peace, without regret.”
I hope with all my heart that this practice of yoga helps us all to be more present to the miracle of living life one moment at a time and as we watch ourselves we see how happy we are. I leave you with these words from Dhammavadaka “Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown. Speak quietly and kindly nurture love within you and strive to be a friend to all. Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself. Cast off pretense and self-deception and see yourself as you really are. Your essential Mind is pure. Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remorse nor dark foreboding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.”
Love to you, Silvia