"Pursue the obstacles...it will set you free."
"Ganesh is the Hindu god who is the provider and remover of obstacles. He is often depicted as an elephant. Ganesh is the lord of all existing beings. Legend has it that when given the task to race around the universe, Ganesh did not traverse the outer surface of the earth, but simply walked inwardly around Shiva and Parvati, his mother and father, who are the source and center of all existence. This is the secret understanding of Ganesh as the provider and remover of obstacles. For all too often, the obstacles that we experience are presented as ways to remember that the inner walk around the source, not the outer race, is the purpose of living. The obstacles are presented to break our trance with the race and jar us humbly back to the source, and they are often removed once our deeper sense has been restored.
It seems the truth of experience can only release its wisdom if embodied. It is the journey through the life of obstacles that is the labor we must endure in order to birth any wisdom at all."
- Mark Nepo
Often Ganesh is seen holding one of his tusks in his right hand, which he broke off in a fit of anger and hurled it at the moon. But the moon spit it back, and he carries that broken piece of himself as a remider of the earthly journey that no one can escape.
"Pursue the obstacles....it will set you free." I love this!! My mind is my own obstacle. If you learn to soften the mind, deepen the practice.... let yourself be consumed by only the breath....it sets you free. Sometimes when I am in a pose, my mind is saying..."come out of it...drink some water...rest." But if you listen to your breath and just be in the moment it is true bliss.
ReplyDeleteShanti to all of you!!
Mary
Oh Marnie....Happy Birthday! Hope you have the most perfect day!
ReplyDeleteRemoving the life preserver and diving into the deep end…
ReplyDeleteWeek one post yoga teacher training has brought me here- feeling like I am being sucked under the surface eyes open but gasping for breath. Life pre-weekend has transformed and I now see everything differently as though I am gazing through new waters, unforeseen territory. My senses are heightened as is my awareness of my own body and emotional state. It has been a roller coaster- one day waking up shaking and in tears the next with a sense of calmness and peaceful resolve.
Today I am reading Doug Keller’s “Heart of the Yogi”- Narrow is the Path, and Sharp as the Razor’s Edge…he shares the result of being in ego vs. being in self. “The ego thinks that by sitting on the cart and driving it- doing the practice and so on- it (the ego) is making the wheels turn (the Kundalini to rise, the Chakras to open and so on), while in truth everything happens only because of the horse – the Self. It is for this reason that the key element in our practice of yoga is the remembrance and opening to Grace.”
I can see my own “broken tusks” like Ganesh reminding me of my ego’s pursuit of external wants, desires- I get angry as I realize that my way is likely not “the way” to peace and joy. Can’t I have what I want- sleep late, no meditation, I don’t really have to practice every day do I? STOP!
Breathe and begin again….my head is above the water, my eyes on a new horizon. My focus once again clear I am opening to Grace. Step to the top of your mat, feet together- find your mountain once more…
Happy Birthday Marnie, may you be abundantly blessed in the year ahead!
Looking forward to seeing many of you this Tuesday at IST...
I hear and appreciate every word you wrote, Molly. It helps me to know that I am not the only one who has had/is having some sort of mental (ego) "rebellion" from time to time. Going through the obstacles rather than around them can be more difficult but does indeed present a greater reward. Letting the ego drive the cart is a deeply embedded habit and a hard one to break for me. Best thing to do is, as you said, just breathe and begin again. Trying to remind myself of this as many times as necessary. :) Thanks for sharing. May you continue to open to Grace. See you all soon!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Marney! I wish you another year to fulfill your dreams achieving your goals.
ReplyDeleteThe obstacles I have been facing are definately within. I remind myself, thanks to the second chapter of the Gita, that when I want that glass of wine with my friends at dinner, that it isnt what, I, The Self, wants, rather what my body, the vessel, craves. I have been successful in coming back to myself and staying connected to my satya.
ReplyDeleteMy body is defiantely going through some difficult processes, unsure of how related the circumstances are though. I am really looking forward to being in class again next month and hearing about everyone's experiences.
Remeber meditate on the Yamas: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Bramacharya, Aparigraha...This will get you through any challenge, any obstacle.
Shanti.
Saturday I realized I was suppose to post on this blog. 48 hours later here I am and without anything witty or clever to report. The obstacle for me since our weekend together is that I have been held captive to my thought: "what is my truth". I truly admire all of you ladies who could answer that question. Albeit, maybe my purpose in the next eight months is to discover the answer to that question?? As of now I know I am to be committed to practice, prayer and meditation. I am starting by sitting on the side of my bed each morning and saying, "God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better!! Mary-Michael, Happy Birthday --may you have a year filled with an abundance of blessings!
ReplyDeleteSonja
Vicki....I really loved the pictures of the beautiful moose that you saw in Maine. It brings me back to a memory of my childhood. I lived in Alaska for a couple of years and had the chance to see a Moose almost everyday. They are magnificant animal's and so beautiful to watch.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces in two weeks. I am in need of my yoga retreat weekend. The stress of reality and being back home has brought new challenges for me. I am currently looking for work and never expected it to be so hard since arriving back from Germany. I stay positive though and know that the doors of something great will eventually open for me. And when I come to my mat in mountain pose...breathing and letting go.....I know everythiing will be okay.
Nanci.....so nice to see you today. Thank you for the great energy you gave me.
Love to all of you!
Mary
I am setting a boundary against busyness - contemplation/meditation. Busyness has been the influence which has kept me from fully leading an abundant life. Abundant living comes when I am centered in the knowledge of God. When contemplating this message on busyness , I immediately thought of a favorite verse of mine, Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God". My ultimate goal in life has been PEACE. I began practicing the discipline of contemplation/meditation in sincerity about 8 years ago. My practice has been hot, cold and warm and not necessarily in that order. After this past week in teacher training, I now so look forward to being in God's presence. This path is never anything other than the search for a deeper, more intimate personal realization of my union with God. I thank God each day for putting me where I needed to "grow" !! The only way to find out anything about the joys of contemplation/meditation is by experience!! Jai, Sonja
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share a beautiful moment I had this morning with Janna. We went to the beach together at sunrise, setting up our mats on the crunchy hard sand and beginning to come into the moment of simply letting go.... and closing our eyes.....It was time to meditate. 20 minutes of pure heaven is how I describle it. The waves crashing just in front of us, birds above us singing there morning songs, and the sound of footsteps passing along side us. We opended our eyes and began our sun salutations to the rising sun.
ReplyDeleteI returned Sunday night from a 5-day trip. I read Chapters 4 & 5 of Bhagavad Gita. I paid attention to all my actions and related them (mostly) to the Yamas and Niyamas and it was amazing how in so doing that I kept my thoughts on these things: "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Phil. 4:8. I have also thought a lot about 4.33 in the Gita which says, "Giving knowledge is even better than giving wealth because all other sacrificial actions lead to the attainment of knowledge." You can give many material things to people, but these won't last long. But if you can give wisdom, it will save their souls...." So the gift of wisdom is the best gift. THANK YOU, Vicki and Jeanne for the giving of your wisdom to us all and for the sincerity in which you do it!!!
ReplyDeleteSonja
In the last several days I have been completely mind, body and spirit exhausted. I went to Yoga class today feeling depleted. When I left I was so very energized, alive and strong. The wonderful, positive energy of the class was the catalyst that gave me a sense of well-being!! Thank you, Jeanne for a truly "delicious" experience! I just had to report the joys and benefits of Yoga!!
ReplyDeleteJai, Sonja