Simple and obvious once you know, but truly profound

One of the most important teachings in yoga came up in the yoga studio the other day.

The Sanskrit term used in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is ‘vritti svarupya’. That is, mistaking the thoughts for reality. What? That’s right, our thoughts do not reflect reality.

What do you mean? My thoughts are real, I hear you say. I don’t get it.

OK, I’ll try again.

Your thoughts (and mine too) are your brain functioning. Just as your heart does its work by beating ceaselessly, one of the functions of the brain is to create thoughts.

Let me say it again. The thoughts that your mind comes up with can never be a true reflection of reality. The brain takes the cues and information available to it and creates a thought. When you consider that, then how can thoughts ever reflect reality? (They can’t.)

Yes this is BIG.

So whatever I think about something … its good, its bad …whatever … doesn’t actually change anything.

‘It is what is is’.

Regardless of what the mind decides!

You may have come across another quote that reflects this understanding:

‘We do not see things as they are, we see them the way we are.’

Ok, so what is the value of thoughts then? I hear you say. I thought it was good to have a mind?

It IS great to have a mind. The mind is a wonderful tool that helps us as we make our way in life, plan, talk, solve problems etc. But the trick is to recognize what a mind can and can’t do. Yes of course you can have thoughts. Great thoughts and ideas!

It is quite funny.  We spend our whole life deciding what we like and don’t like, shaping our world views, becoming the sort of person we want to be. 

In fact we even create a ‘mini-me’ in our head, our mind-generated sense of self. Sanskrit also has a term for this, ‘asmita’. It is also the ego.

Here’s the good news! We don’t have to give up any of that. We can just recognize what our mind can and can’t do, and accept that our thoughts are ‘brain events’.

When you think about it, this is very freeing. We can recognize that there’s no need to be too attached to our thoughts, they are really not that special! Our sense of ‘me’ is afterall, just a thought!

Did I figure this out all by myself? No way. I am indebted to my teacher *Swami Shantananda, (affectionately known as Mataji) who gently helps people to see this through the practice of meditation and study of the Yoga Sutras. She says that people rarely figure it out without a teacher, as it is so hidden until it is blindingly obvious!

It is one thing to get this in an intellectual sort of way, and quite another to get it in life. So I watch my thoughts in meditation, and at other times, and feel the freedom that comes from not having to be so attached. Don't take my word for it, see for yourself!

So simple, and yet profound.

"By constantly keeping one's attention on the Source, the ego is dissolved 

in that Source like a salt-doll in the sea." 

~ Ramana Maharshi

*Read Mataji’s reflections at http://www.swamishantananda.com.au/

 

Doing less … and cleaning out the clutter

Did you slow down and do less as I was suggesting to yoga students before Christmas? Were you able to do this?

What I found (after a period of rest and holiday) was that I wanted to clean out clutter.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m in my usual routine of work (teaching yoga and running a yoga studio) there’s not much time for tackling some of those big clutter jobs. And we’ve been in this house for 12 years now so it has definitely built up.

So it was really nice to have time to tackle de-cluttering the house in a take-your-time, non-frantic way. So far the fridge and wardrobe are looking fantastic. Clothes have been distributed to the op-shop, or rubbish bin or become cleaning rags.

I’m not a big shopper but still there was a stack to remove. It makes me realize how much stuff we collect and I hope this informs my future shopping.

A friend of mine asks a question ‘Will it fit in the caravan?’ when she goes shopping. She says would be happy to live the simple life in a caravan, and if whatever she is looking at doesn’t have a place there, then perhaps she doesn’t need it after all.

Somehow cleaning out the physical clutter has supported a feeling of easing into inner spaciousness as well.  

Perhaps there is less mental chat pulling me in different directions … ‘I should be doing … housework, deskwork, tending the vegetable garden, on it goes …’ when the space around is more zen-like?

Of course there are things to do, the phone is ringing, people are making enquiries and booking into classes, for example. But when my physical space is clear it seems to create more room for inner spaciousness.

Oh yes I can meditate when it is a bit messy around, after all, when I close my eyes I can’t see it anyway. But I find it is easier to be free within when the space around is clear. As I said, it feels more spacious.

And things are coming to me, priorities are becoming clear. It feels good. This is the access to inner wisdom that I referred to in my New Year blog.

I feel able to focus on the here and now. It feels like I can see with fresh eyes.

This is the true practice of mindfulness. Informed by past experience, but also bringing openness and freshness to each moment.

The great sage Patanjali recommended practicing Sauca, cleanliness and purity, as a practice (one of the Niyamas) to help towards experiencing a state of Yoga, or union. This can be explored in many ways, both as a mind state of purity, and cleanliness of physical surroundings. I’m pretty sure he was on to something! What do you think?

PS. I'm no expert in de-cluttering, still got a lot to learn. The quote on the blackboard above came from someone who is, Denise at http://www.systemsfororder.com.au/

Happy New Year, and a different take on New Year resolutions

We are starting to see all the predictable New Year resolution stories and ads – detox programs, diet and exercise ‘8 weeks to (insert considerable weight loss …)’ programs – gosh, I’ve even been invited to a one month planking challenge*. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with making a resolution to look after ourselves better, although we all know that many fail.

There’s also gratitude practice**. I suspect this is a really good practice to help us see things differently, especially if we are not feeling fully satisfied with life right now.

But I am going to suggest something different. I’m going to suggest listening to your inner wisdom. We actually know what is and isn’t good for our body and for our digestion. (Keep a food diary if you are not sure).

We know our bodies want to move.

And don’t forget rest, which is important too. There are times when rest is more important than moving, so that the body is allowed to heal.

This is what my time on the yoga mat and meditation cushion teaches me. Yes I enjoy the physical benefits from the practice. But my practice also reminds me that I am whole and complete and enough. Right here and now. I feel connected, peaceful, grounded and free. My natural state of joy and ease. My inner wisdom shines forth.

We have forgotten how to trust ourselves, and instead turn ourselves over to supposed experts who have packaged up the latest diet or detox box. Sit. Try listening to your inner wisdom. Then you will be much more likely to eat what truly nourishes you.

(By the way, I am not saying that we ignore the advice of experts or don’t consult medical opinion when sensible to do so.)

For myself, I have learnt that I am tempted to eat the wrong things when stressed, worried or even procrastinating. I can see myself reaching for the Cadbury dairy milk chocolate when feeling overwhelmed with things to do or feeling annoyed with others. I can now see the cues (and I still sometimes ignore them, but can at least see what I am doing) and know I will feel better if I listen and act on what my inner wisdom says.

I do love Cadbury chocolate, by the way.

I have also learnt that eating some foods aggravates my digestion and bloats me up, so I try to avoid those things. Do you know what works best for you?

You may recognize this practice of mindfulness. It is not something that has been dreamed up recently, it is ancient; it has stood the test of time. (And deservedly enjoying a surge of popularity as people look for meaning in their lives.) If we are mindful of what our body needs we don’t put junk in. If we are mindful of our mental state we can acknowledge it and see it for what it is and not be drawn into behavior we may later regret.   

So how to tap into your own inner wisdom? Close your eyes. Let your thoughts dissipate a little, step back from them. Or do some yoga practice. Or go for a run. Or maybe knit. Remember those moments when all feels OK with the world and when you feel connected? Don’t think that you don’t have wisdom. You do.

Swami Shankarananda says, ‘When the mind is still, the self shines forth’.

I do wish you all a wonderful year ahead, one in which you feel connected and whole and good enough. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

*Planking challenge

The practice of doing what we call ‘the plank’ and building up to a 5 minute hold over a month. Yes I accepted the challenge! (If you are interested I can add you to the group, but let me know ASAP as it started January 1)

**Gratitude practice

You can write down something that you are grateful for every day and put it in a jar. Then read the contents of the jar when you want a lift, or just for fun. So much to be grateful for!

Things like:

·          A cuddle.

·          A roof over our heads.

·          Enough food to eat.

·          The smell of rain

·          A comfy bed.

·          Yoga practice