Meeting Life on Life’s Terms
Today in Fayetteville we had a monster thunderstorm come through, so we took our IMATI Yoga class inside to do our ‘inside work’. We started with a state change meditation focused on the breath and then read from “the untethered soul” by Michael A. Singer. Our theme for today’s class was “Presence in the Seat of the Self”.
We reflected on the incessant nature of our inner voice, and our attachments to our preferences in life. For example, we were meant to do an outdoor yoga practice today. The rain and wind made that impossible. There was a point in my life when I would have been upset that the weather interfered with my plans. Yes, I’ll admit it - I used to fight the weather, as ridiculous as that sounds. So we discussed the futility of fighting reality, and the peace that comes from acceptance of what is.
Benjamin Franklin said there are only two certain things in life: death and taxes. Respectfully, I’d like to add one more truth: A fight with reality is one you will lose 100% of the time.
Yet we consistently do it, don’t we? It’s cold, it’s hot, my boyfriend didn’t notice my haircut, I didn’t get everything done today, I have so much to do, blah blah blah to infinity. Have we ever paused to consider how much energy it takes? We discussed Pema Chodron’s take on it, who said if there are rocks on the ground and they hurt your feet, you have two choices: you can wrap the whole world in leather or you can wrap your own feet. Our thoughts about the outer circumstances we can’t control make no impact whatsoever - it’s a lot of energy to put out for no return!
We discussed one of the most useful tools to handle this voice inside us that’s always fighting with reality: Mantra. When you feel yourself getting all caught up in your preferences and what you absolutely must have (regardless of what’s actually happening), a Mantra can be helpful to bring you back into presence. When your mind is racing at night and you’re trying to fall asleep, Mantra can calm you and allow sleep to come. We discussed lots of different kinds of mantras:
Om Shanti
I’m okay, and I’ll always be okay
I’m safe
Be here now
Or for when life is totally bananas and we find ourselves spiraling: “Not today Satan!”
We followed this discussion with a Mantra meditation and reflected on what came up.
Next we did a visualization exercise based on the premise of “I am the witness, sitting in the Seat of the Self”. We do this by visualizing that we are seated in the back of the head, watching our life like a movie on a screen. From this perspective, we visualize a full day in our life. The safety and non attachment of the Witness perspective allows us to fully realize what our daily life is like without being caught up or hooked on our judgments and opinions. From this visualization, we ask ourselves “what is available to me when I stop resisting?” What could be possible for my life if I stop putting energy into fighting what is?”
A question that helps me bring it all into perspective is this: “Out of all the days I have left in my life, how many am I willing to not actually live and be present for?” Am I ready to meet life on life’s terms?
If this resonates with you, join us on the journey by booking an IMATI yoga class. See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Eva