I’ve been asking myself WHY a lot lately!
from job stuff
to life stuff
to patterns
to choices
to temporary upside down moments
Why?
This year I've also dedicating myself to further studies of both anatomy and philosophy - particularly the Yoga Sutras.
Why anatomy?
This has been on my education list for a few years, and I'm excited to dive deeper into this topic.
BONUS: I get to help others!
Why the Sutras (again)?
Because these lessons are always right on time. Each time I study this text I am different so the lessons hit different. I also have discovered other translations that are melting my heart in new ways.
A quick recap of other writings:
Yoga Sutra 1.1 Atha Yoga Anushasanam - And NOW begins our practice of Yoga. A reminder that NOW is always available, and that new beginnings are always possible.
Yoga Sutra 1.2 Yoga Chitta Vritti NIrodhah - Yoga is the uniting of our consciousness in our hearts (or the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind) - depends on who you ask ;)
I’ve also explored some different translations and reflections.
Which leads us to…
Yoga Sutra 1.3 Tada drashtuh svarupe vasthanam
A few different translations:
“Then the Seer becomes established in its essential nature.”
Pandit Rajmani Tigunait
“Then, the seer dwells in his own splendor.”
B.K.S. Iyengar
“Then the ability to understand the object fully and correctly is apparent.”
T.K.V. Desikachar
“United in the Heart, consciousness is steadied, then we abide in our true nature—joy.”
Nischala Joy Devī
Taken together with the YS 1.2 - we learn that by calming our minds and uniting our hearts we are able to be with ourselves in JOY!
Joy has been a motivator of mine for many years.
And to be clear - this practice of JOY isn’t meant to bypass current -ick situations, it’s more of a way through.
And also remembering the wise message from one of my favorite movies “Inside Out” - Joy doesn’t exist without sadness.
On the days when I’m more stuck in the -ick and more siding with sadness I look for simple ways to remember my innate joy. I find it useful to have a few options so I can see what feels the most possible.
My favorites:
Playground swinging
Walks around the block without my phone
Rewatching season 4 of The Simpsons (all-time favorite!)
Moody music - varies greatly from Tool to Widespread Panic to yoga playlists to 90’s hip-hop
Naps
It can be easy to feel guilty when I engage in these practices - especially when the world in on fire. And then I find myself stuck in a spiral of…WHY? HOW? WTF?
Zoom out…
Breathe…
And then zoom back in…
Why?
Tada drashtuh svarupe vasthanam
Oh yeah!! :)