Find Your Middle Ground

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What was I thinking?

what was i thinking

Coming back from vacation, I realize that my time at home is more nourishing than my time away. When I am home, finding my middle ground is part of my daily life. My life is structured around yoga and teaching and there are many opportunities to become fully present in the moment.

I love to travel, but it draws me to the external world of planning, exploring, and tending to things and others. Its hard to be present when you are on the go. There is also less time or space to be alone and practice yoga and meditation.

Looking back at the photographs, there are several photos of me, sitting and looking out.

I wonder “What was I thinking?”

Moments of quiet solitude in the middle of activity are so precious. It is simply an opportunity to pause and appreciate the moment. To breathe in the air and tune into the senses. To be a witness to this place and time, without anything more.

I wasn’t thinking  at all.

This was my true yoga practice.

“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence. When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature, which is unbounded Consciousness. Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind.”

~ Patanjali

 

 

Val T Boyko
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31 responses to “What was I thinking?”

  1. nrhatch Avatar
    nrhatch

    I’m with you, Val ~> when I’m traveling, life is about “going” and “doing.” In contrast, when I’m home, I enjoy moments of just being. Aah . . .

    Love this quote:

    “Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence. When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature, which is unbounded Consciousness. Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind.”

    ~ Patanjali

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Aah … I hear you Nancy. Thank you 💕

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  2. Kate Crimmins Avatar
    Kate Crimmins

    I love vacations but there is something more peaceful about being at home.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      There’s a balance here between stimulus and peace. May we all find what’s right for our well being 💛 thanks Kate 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. Jill Weatherholt Avatar
    Jill Weatherholt

    There’s really no place like home when you need to relax your mind. ❤

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Vacations are often overrated 💕 thanks Jill 🙏

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  4. Dan Antion Avatar
    Dan Antion

    I travel often, Val and I always enjoy coming home and being home.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      So true. Thank you Dan 💛

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  5. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    I haven’t travelled overseas for close to 40 years (except for 4-5 interstate weekend trips), but your image reminds me of one taken of me sitting on a rock in the moors of Scotland in 1978 and I wonder what I was thinking at the time. There were no trees in sight, just low heather moors and a narrow winding road.

    I was always ‘travelling’ non stop each day in my youth, but now, I have the time and personal space, (not working and being single), of being in the moment and practicing Mindfulness every day.

    Both worked for me.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      At different stages in our lives, we find what nourishes our souls. Fond memories of the past, and appreciation of the present are good places to be in. Thanks Vicki 💛

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  6. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    My mind is the quietest in the garden – how I love to sit back, look up, then realize the protracted inner silence I’ve been enjoying. 🙂 No mind stillness!

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      No mind stillness in nature is such a nourishing space to be in. Thanks Eliza 💛

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  7. john flanagan Avatar
    john flanagan

    Yes, Val, going away makes one appreciate coming home and being home more because home is not only where the heart is but the spirit and the equanimity of being.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Equanimity of being … that’s it John. Thank you and hugs to you 💛

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  8. shobhna Avatar
    shobhna

    I enjoy traveling, and being away, makes coming home all the more sweeter. Thanks for your post and quote. ♡

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  9. Bela Johnson Avatar
    Bela Johnson

    Yes, I’ve always traveled but care less about it these days. Cities and airports are way overstimulating. Getting out in the countryside or by the ocean is the goal, and such a lifesaver! Glad you’re home safe and sound. Aloha 🌺

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  10. Eddie Two Hawks Avatar
    Eddie Two Hawks

    Yoga basically means ‘yoke’. It is about establishing awareness of ‘you’ and the ‘all’ or universal self (atman). Once establishment is made a certain awareness remains that creates motivation from that point onwards towards this singular goal.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Beautifully said Eddie. Thank you 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

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  11. Carrie Cannady Avatar
    Carrie Cannady

    Perhaps that is why traveling has become less and less appealing to me. Grounding in a quiet space feeds me…🙏🏻💕

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Jennifer Kelland Perry Avatar
    Jennifer Kelland Perry

    I hear you, Val. I always said the best part of the trip is the homecoming!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Smiling … and nodding. Thanks Jennifer 😊

      Liked by 1 person

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  13. Hariod Brawn Avatar
    Hariod Brawn

    I love this line, Val, which (deliberately?) neatly puns on presence and going: ‘Its hard to be present when you are on the go.’ Odd, isn’t it, that being ‘on the go’ is somehow lauded, almost as if being present, as if not always going, were some deficiency of purpose? H ❤

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you for noticing this Hariod. It did make me smile to write the words.
      I realized how difficult it is for most people in their busyness to become present. Being on the go is not for me these days 😉
      I hope life is treating you well 💛

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  14. Tiny Avatar
    Tiny

    I agree Val. I love to travel, but short trips tend to be packed with “go, go, go” and seldom offer an opportunity to pause. This summer I hope to take a long trip again, like last fall, where I have some quiet “me” time. Love the picture of you on the beach, it’s peaceful and contemplative.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Helen for sharing here. 💛 I am off to Kripalu tomorrow for a training and also “me” time. Not so much a retreat as learning and playing 😊

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      1. Tiny Avatar
        Tiny

        Have a wonderful time of renewal, Val!

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. Val Boyko Avatar
          Val Boyko

          Renewal! I love that. Thanks Helen 💕

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  15. idjourneys Avatar
    idjourneys

    I love travelling but I prefer to enjoy the experience at a very slow level: not to hurry up. Your post is a good advice for everyone!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you I’d for joining in the conversation 💛

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  16. lorriebowden Avatar
    lorriebowden

    Beautiful!
    Namaste

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thanks so much Lorrie for joining me in this middle ground pause 🙏

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