In our yoga practice we are asked to practice detachement, and for me detachment from an ideal form has been very freeing and allowed me to really cultivate compassion for myself as I accept my body where it is today. This has of course spilled out into my daily life in a way that was so unfamiliar to me that I had to question this detachement. I was fearful that I had become uncaring but what I realized is I had found a much healthier way of being.
Till recently I was a huge sympathizer, I am sure you know the kind. I took on everyone else's pain as tho it were mine. (I would cry at commercials!) I felt at times that I had a sign written across my forehead that said "Have a problem, share it with me!' I allowed others feelings to affect me and I would get so swept away by my own feelings that instead of offering support and attention, I was making it about me!
A few years ago as I became aware that I was no longer taking on others pain, I thought I had become hard and insensitive. What I now have come to realize is that I am actually now able to offer support to others who are in pain in a healthier way. Compassion with detachment allows me to offer understanding and compassion without immersing myself or taking on the responsibility to make things better. Now I am able to really pay attention to someone in need in a more constructive way. I can offer support and encouragement.
It all started on the mat!
Today as you see you, on the mat, Set an intention to cultivate compassion for yourself as you detach from the ideal form of an asana, and accept your body where it is today. Visualize yourself in the yoga expression and simply allow the process to unfold. You many find your are not ready to go there yet or that there is a better way!
As you catch yourself trying to force or push something that really does not want or need to happen, back of and ask yourself "IS this really what is best for me today?"
It is important to remember that you do not have to exert effort to get where you want to go. Keep in mind where it is you would like to go, then patiently and with compassion allow the body to express itself in a more effortless and harmonious way. As you let go of the attachement to form, you free the body up. As you open up to the flow, you can still hold on to the vision of your goal, but remain flexible enough to change it if there appears a better way.
As you leave the mat today, set an intention to practice compassion detachement as you release all feeling that are not your own, care but do not carry. As you practice detachement on and off the mat you will find that you are better able to provide support comfort and encouragement to yourself and others.