Gratefulness, as I sit here in my beautiful home looking out thru the open windows at the lushness that surrounds me. I must say I have enjoyed the peacefulness of my home, the warmth, the quiet, the breeze and solitude. I plan on enjoying this more after I am healed and when it can be my choice to sit and be, but in the mean while I am enjoying it thru the physical discomfort.
The silence is filled with the sound of the wind blowing thru the trees, the call of the birds and frogs peaks at different times during the day. Today even Sam is still and quiet as I have the doors open. The wind is rushing and swirling around through the trees and the waterfall in the background all make for an amazing setting of healing. What is so beautiful about this peace, the calm that I feel within this perfect setting is it always there, always available.
Even in the midst of chaos and confusion, pain and suffering, it is there inside each of us. We just have to get out of the way and be aware. Be open. It is thru the mind that the suffering arises. It does not mean that we will not experience painful and challenging trials in our life, but we choose whether or not to suffer.
Contentment is a beautiful place to be in. Today I am feeling contentment. I am content to just sit here and be. I keep hearing and maybe today I am listening, read those books you have been putting off, write the blogs or just sit and enjoy the fruits of your life. Contentment often is fleeting, it is not something you do, or strive for, you just are.
Take time to just be still, to not have to be going and doing.
The thoughts are minimal as the body awakens to sensation and stimulation. The connection of all things. I am truly blessed and grateful to all of my friends, my family, my teachers and my body.
Today as you approach the mat set an intention of gratitude. Be grateful for your efforts to go to the mat, be grateful for your body. Pay special attention to the whole body as you move thru each asana, listen intuitively to the wisdom, and show compassion. Slow down a bit, don't push as hard today and as you settle into each asana, pause. Pause as long as you like. Withdraw the senses, only allow the vibrational quality of the sensations to permeate thru the body but don't lable them.
Go to a place in your practice where you can hold each asana, with out thought of doing or going deeper. Maybe even back out of each asana a little so that your awareness is not drawn to specific locations in your body, but spread evenly throughout. Find the stillness, the ease. Move slowly, stay longer. Find a place to just be. Allow the contentment to arise up with in you as you are able to hush the thoughts of doing.
Life is already crazy enough, with out all of the distractions and chaos. Don't bring that into your practice. Quiet the thoughts and practice contentment here where it is safe and easier. Practice finding the contentment with an attitude of gratitude.
When you leave the mat and return to the chaos of life, you know that this place of quiet is within in you always. Practice finding it when you find yourself frustrated with the traffic, running late for a meeting or in the middle of a confrontation. Stop, find the breath, get grounded, connected here in the present moment. Find that peace you know all to well on your mat.
If you don't know that stillness, that joy, that peace that passes all understanding in the safety you find on the mat, it is much harder to find in your daily life.
See you on the mat!