The crisp coldness of Pennsylvania's January inspires a cozy, introspective, get-down-to-business feeling that is ripe with possibility and ebullient with excitement. With so many delightful obligations fulfilled, it seems only fair and appropriate to inquire into the nature of what it is that YOU want. What will make you happy? How will you feel fulfilled, actualized and expressed? This, I believe, is the root of our New Year's Resolutions: a personal inquiry into what will bring genuine, authentic happiness.
Yoga practice is teaching so many valuable lessons in the pursuit of living a fulfilling life. The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali advises two complementary disciplines for achieving the goal of yoga; we could even see them as two sides of the same coin. The ultimate goal of yoga is the realization of truth, discovering who you really are. Even if that is not one of your conscious goals right now, Patanjali's advice could be applied to the pursuit of any goal.
The two disciplines, according to Yoga Sutra 1.12 are Practice and Non-Attachment. Practice is defined as the pursuit of the goal: whatever it is you are doing to achieve that. He goes on to say that practice becomes firmly grounded when it is attended to for a long time, without interruption, with reverence.
What is 'a long time?' To a young child, summer is a long time; to an elderly person, 60 years may seem like a long time. Waiting for the kettle to boil, or the bus to come, or the 5-minutes to pass in a deep hip-opening yin yoga pose each may seem like a long time. In the context of reincarnation, 7 lifetimes may be a long time. The point here is that meaningful results could take a while. This seems to indicate that it's important that you actually enjoy the steps on the path that may take you to the goal. If your goal is to complete a marathon, you better enjoy running! Many people profess to want to achieve one thing or another but discover they loathe every step of the way. Choose a goal with a pathway that you will relish traversing.
'Without interruption' requires a steadfast commitment to your goal. This means that you can't pursue one goal today, a different one tomorrow, and change gears again next week. If you want to learn a foreign language, for example, you can't get the Rosetta Stone for Italian and then sign up for a class at the Alliance Francaise, and look for a Spanish tutor, only to enroll in a sculpture class, and then get a personal trainer. In fact, the opportunity cost of pursuing any single goal is all of the things you cannot do as a result. If your goal is to visit China, for example, then all of your vacation time and savings has to be allocated toward realizing that trip. If you are pursuing a Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, 'without interruption' means that you have to forgo all of the other things you might have done with your time and money, at least for the duration of the course. 'Without interruption' requires you to not change your mind, to have no exit strategy.
'With reverence' indicates a recognition that you are not ultimately in control, and so all of your alleged achievements are in some way connected to grace, or at least to something you cannot take credit for. "With reverence' invites humility, wonder and awe. It means that you are not in pursuit of your goals solely for your own benefit. You pursue your dreams and visions because that is what you were born to you, and you see how your own happiness can benefit the whole world. When you are happy and fulfilled, you are probably a lot kinder, more patient, and more willing to extend a hand. When you are happy, you become a source of happiness and inspiration to others. Pursuing your goal 'with reverence' acknowledges that other people are involved in your achievements; there is precious little you could actually 'do' by yourself alone. It invites gratitude and generosity.
Non-Attachment, the other required discipline, is defined as not being pulled away by objects seen or heard about. You don't get distracted. It's also what is required in order to remain committed when challenges arise, or things are not going as hoped. Non-attachment means that you devote yourself fully to the task at hand, but you let go of the need to measure where you are and assess how you are doing. We can all get discouraged by setbacks; Non-Attachment is not giving in to the discouragement.
Fortified by this sage advice from Patanjali, what do you feel inspired to pursue in 2012? What will bring you genuine happiness? How better could you 'spend your life?'
Wonderful information,with the breakdown as comprehensive & clear,as crystals ! I had my first yoga experience(in about 34 yrs),shortly before New Years Eve,& I have felt more inspired to pursue some of my passions more diligently,which I have procrastinated on for quite some time.Also,my daughter & I enrolled at Wake Up Yoga West's Brand New Beginner course which starts in a few weeks.I am pumped for that !! Optimal health & flexibility is my goal,& then I feel as though I can have a clearer vision & focus on one or two interconnected goals that I've put on hold over the years !
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