Tag Archives for life lessons

Ego in Yoga

This is a re-post  especially for those on the spiritual path of yoga.


hydra

“Ego can take many different forms and shapes. It is like the hydra. You cut off one head and another head replaces it. You cut off that head and see a third head and a fourth head ad infinitum.

This is because in the manifest dimension, ego identity is the root of life, and if the ego identity is lost, then life as we know it no longer exists.

It exists as light; life becomes light.”

Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

I enjoy reading the different metaphors explaining the complexity of our ego, and can relate to the idea of a hydra. Our ego will do everything in its power to survive – especially adapting and changing shape.

The ego is very clever. It will allow one version of our body-mind to die and create a better version that fits in with either (1) how it wants to be seen in the world or (2) what is perceives is needed to stay alive in its physical body.

In my experience with others on a spiritual path, the newer version of ego is likely to be a more evolved version of the previous one. It may show up as being kinder person, a more patient parent, a wiser leader, a humble follower, a beacon of sanity in a world judged as mad…

These are still roles that the ego plays. Less damaging perhaps, yet still ego driven.

Recognizing the hydra heads of the ego is the gateway to le

The answer however is not to keep cutting its heads off. After all this would be an ego motivated act!

Instead embrace ego for what it is. A part of our very human nature that clings to life. It is neither good nor bad. It simply is.

Then we can wake up and realize we really are the divine light beyond ego and our human form.

Namaste

Just When you Think You’ve Got it

unseen events

“Forests Edge” Photo by Mike Bizeau at http://www.naturehasnoboss.com

Many of us continue our path into 2019. We are on a journey of curiosity, inner exploration, trying on new ideas, committing to better behaviors, taking care of ourselves … and taking time out to nourish mind, body and spirit.

We see ahead clearly and then something comes along to bring doubt, temptation, discomfort or rejection.

So soon… Really?

The most significant lessons are unexpected. And they often come along just when we were hoping or counting on something else.

Let them be wake up calls rather than obstacles in your mind.

Be alert. Wake up.

The class of your life is in session.

Take time to pause and reflect on the real lesson waiting to be seen.

 

p.s. My thanks to Mike Bizeau for the permission to share this image.

 

You Can’t Always Get What You Want, But…

This is such an insightful post from Chris at Creative Systems Thinking.
“What your soul needs is deeper connectedness and peace, freedom from fear and anxiety, loving relationships, creative activities, meaningful projects, time alone with Nature, a sense of spiritual or emotional connection to life, humanity and the Universe.
… To be truly happy on this planet humans need to understand the difference between the fake narratives our consumer society feeds us, (about who we are and what to desire), and what we need as creative, social and spiritual beings. Happiness arises naturally when we feed our souls rather than our egos.”

Enjoy the whole article.

Creative by Nature

“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need.” ~The Rolling Stones
Screen Shot 2017-04-04 at 1.17.22 PM
 
Right now, millions of people suffer on our planet because what we want distracts us from what we actuallyneed. The Rolling Stones made this observation decades ago, yet still we struggle.
 
For example, you may want to be admired by others, to gain a high status job, make a lot of money, have a successful career and buy a big house.
 
Unfortunately, such dreams could make you miserable. What we need for happiness is work that feeds our souls, that helps us to improve skills and grow, that provides us with a living but also makes us happier and wiser human beings.
 
Here’s another example. Because of the competitive “rat race” mentality of modern life, many people look forward to their “free time” as…

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Inspiration – Your Joy is too Small

I came across these words from one of my earlier posts. It really resonated. Time to break out in celebration of nature and Existence. No event required. xo

joy

Photo from Pinterest

Joy Is Big

Your joy is too small, caged by the jailor of your thoughts.

It lives in the land beyond Infinity and is big beyond measure.

It teaches each tree to dance her own private blissful dance with the wind.

It is what the moon sings every night, holding us as we sleep with her streaming light-song.

Joy lives in your own drunken electrons, billions of them, spinning and dancing without end in their own intimate Universe, longing for You.

Do not look for joy anywhere else.

It is living in you, and gives meaning to all Existence.

Turn your heart’s eyes inward right now, and let them gaze in awe at the immensity

~ Judith Lasater

* Inspiration – Be Ignited or be Gone

let the inspiration flow

What I Have Learned So Far 

Meditation is old and honorable, so why should I
not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside,
looking into the shining world? Because, properly
attended to, delight, as well as havoc, is suggestion.
Can one be passionate about the just, the
ideal, the sublime, and the holy, and yet commit
to no labor in its cause? I don’t think so.
All summations have a beginning, all effect has a
story, all kindness begins with the sown seed.
Thought buds toward radiance. The gospel of
light is the crossroads – of indolence, or action.
Be ignited, or be gone.

~ Mary Oliver

 Do you feel it?

* Inspiration – Life lessons

life lessons

Life offers its wisdom generously

Everything teaches

Not everyone learns

~ Rachel Naomi Remen

It is all there for us, yet we continue to be blind.

We find sparks of wisdom in conversations, walks, places of worship and classes

And then forget once again when we leave that space.

Be open to learn from the wisdom that surrounds you every day.

The answer lies within you as you connect with the wonder of it all.

Open your eyes and live your best life.

* Tao Inspiration – Excess

Let things be

On tiptoes is no way to stand tall.
Walking over others is no way to get ahead.
Showing off is no way to shine.
Self-righteousness is no way to respectability.
Boasting is no way to achievement.
Complacency is no way to endure.

Minimalism is the way of Tao .
Too much indulgence,
Too much interference,
Lead to the opposite of the intent.

Since excess is excrement,
The followers of Tao
Move on and let things be.*

Lao Tzu

The third last line in this translation got my attention. What surprising wisdom!

Check in with yourself …

Are you physically, mentally or emotionally overloaded and constipated?

Here’s to acknowledging the ability to excrete excess and move on 🙂
 

 

*Braun Jr., John; Tzu, Lao; von Bargen, Julian; Warkentin, David (2012-12-02). Tao Te Ching (Kindle Locations 374-383). . Kindle Edition.