PRACTICE BEING PRESENT
Do your practice and all is coming.” -- Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
As I mentioned yesterday I had this idea that with spiritual seeking I was meant to “figure it all out then practice it.” The yoga world was greatly influenced and saddened by the passing away of Pattabhi Jois this week through his teachings like “Do your practice and all is coming.” If we get on the mat day in and day out and simply practice (Abhyasa) we will experience the knowledge we are seeking. We are not going to get all the answers we seek about the challenges of life but we will gain the discipline (vairagyam) to help us keep going and stay present to all of it. The practice is then the opportunity to BE PRESENT.
It is only in the present that all the grace and beauty of the world find union (yoga) with us.
In the ancient writings one of which is known as the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali teaches us that a practice will have a strong foundation if it’s supported by these 4 qualities:
1. practice for a long time – dirgha kala
2. continuous practice – nairantarya
3. positive attitude (faith) – satkara
4. enthusiasm (we want to do it) – adara
We can apply these to learning how to be present to the details of our lives. My friend David Romanelli once said something like, “if you jump in and out of the shower you get wet but not clean, if you jump in and out of the present moment you have a moment of clarity but not long term peace” So for us on the mat we practice and practice to not just jump in and out of the present moment but to be there for a long time, with enthusiasm and as a result of our faith it is possible. That’s what I hope for us all. End the mental torture, the disease of worry and join me in practicing being present. Be strong! Silvia