Sanksrit Nonsense Becoming Life Happiness

So, there's talk out there that yoga can change your life...well, here is part of my story...clearly something is at work and getting my attention!

This weekend I attended a workshop for yoga school entitled “Beyond Asana.” Asana is the physical practice of yoga – the postures – the folding yourself into a pretzel. For many people that is all yoga is to them – a good workout and a few a calm moments on the mat. But yoga is actually so much more. Yoga is a science, a wellness system, a lifestyle, a philosophy and more than anything a path to clarity and joy.

In a nutshell, here is what I have found - Yoga clears avidya and calms citta so that purusa can attain viveka. This enables parivritti and the creation of new, positive samskaras to live in a state of sattva.

Wait, WHAT?!

Alright, stay with me.

So first off, this philosophy can't be encapsulated and simply memorized just as you can't look at a photo and perfectly emulate a complicated yoga pose. It all must be worked - felt, experienced, and lived.

At first this ancient Sanskrit language used in the study of yoga completely alluded me. Avidyiiii, parivrrr what? The lines and curves of the writing looked more confusing than Japanese, and the consecutive consonants were impossible to pronounce. And yet, there was still a deep resonance within me. I sensed a truth which is now growing and intertwining with everything in my life on and off the mat. Yoga stems from the root word “yoke” or “unite.” Everything becomes untangled and you start to seeing how every strand flows and connects seamlessly. It doesn’t matter if you understand the words and concepts consciously or can perfectly do an headstand or can practice patience in every situation – this is a journey and what matters only is that you begin.

Once you begin this path of yoga – or your own, unique effort to seek wellness and clarity with an open heart and mind - things in life effortlessly fall into place. I’m not saying it is all hearts and smiles and ease – there is work (tapas – if you want more Sanskrit) and of course some difficulty as you are faced with the task of clearing out the muck. Once the path opens, it is still your choice to follow it, to listen, to take the openings or not.

What is undeniable is that positive change and opportunities present themselves.

Desikachar (author of one of my textbooks Heart of Yoga) writes, “Ideally when we take up the practice of yoga we begin a process that offers us a way of stopping what is harmful to us. We do not have to stop doing something deliberately. We do not have to do anything ourselves, but rather whatever it is simply fades because we have redirected ourselves toward something positive.” (pgs 89-90).

Applying it to my life:

This has played out in my life recently in many ways – both obvious and subtle.

For Instance:

** I got the courage to quit a dead-end job and begin to pursue my dreams even if I was unsure of the path I would choose. I had faith that I would find it. And I believe it is unfolding now. As soon as I began to listen to myself and make some needed changes, the rut I was in suddenly began to smooth.

** A fellow Shanti classmate came out of the blue and asked me to co-teach a yoga class.

** A week later, a family I babysat for once over a year ago suddenly called me and asked me to babysit regularly for them – what is more amazing is just how much this family’s life, values and interests parallel my own and the future I dream for myself.

** On Christmas Eve, I suddenly had the epiphany to pursue a graduate degree in archaeology. Days later, after thinking I might want my archaeology focus to be studying the expression of spirituality throughout history, I randomly picked up a book called “Evolving God.” Written by a biological anthropologist, this book outlines her findings and theories on the origin and evolution of religion. I couldn’t help but to laugh.

AND, the most striking synchronicity happened this weekend at the workshop. We sat above Bittercreek discussing the Bhagavad Gitta. We simplified the main message as something to the effect of no matter your path or lens, so long as you are seeking God/a higher purpose and truth, no effort is wasted. I could not have agreed more. Then, our teacher directed us to her favorite passage about one of the main characters being shown infinity and absolute reality. I picked up a different version of the book and opened to random page. Again, I nearly laughed out loud. Out of a dense 18 chapter book, I happened to open to the exact passage we had just discussed. Astonishing - a friend next to me gaped in disbelief - I just laughed, looked upwards and said a silent thanks.

So, I could go on and on about the truths and parallels I am finding, but I can simply say I believe this is true – when you accept and take the leap of faith, life takes your hand and changes your life. “Knock and you shall receive.”

The Sanksrit nonsense clears and the words parallel other philosophies as truth has a way of always shining through in every expression. And so, all paths are good - just start one or a few. :)

My path is yoga, what is yours?