“Alice in Wonderland"

Recently I spoke about the veils in my blog “Circumcision of the Heart.” These, in brief, are the layers of our experience in the body, which is not who we really are. However, these veils still exist as we identify with the ego, the stories we tell ourselves in order to be apart of the collective experience. Having a practice to acknowledge these veils allows them to drop, like shackles or skin follicle. Underneath them, like the skin, there is another layer, something new to discover. 

Recently after a veil unfolding, I peeked inside of some historic guilt that lingered. I thought for sure that I was at the bottom of this feeling. I'd been guilty for quite some time off and on. And then I realized, just when I was getting ready to congradulate myself, like "Alice and Wonderland," there was no real bottom.  I also realized that there was  no rush and there was no getting it all done.

There is, however, an opportunity for us to continue to create space in this eternal coming and going, shrinking and growing, bountiful, beautiful life we live. Space will allow you to acknowledge what you see, hear, feel…. Even a glimpse at that which fills your internal space will open your awareness to its presence. For this, it is important to find strength, length, stillness, and ultimately, surrender within your practice, on the mat and off. 

Here is the thought, and the practice....

 

When thoughts greet you, don’t try to push them out of your head. Though you may be able to do this with your physical strength, your real strength is not found in pushing things away. This is a life of inclusion. Acknowledge the thought. Maybe, say something like, “That’s interesting.” Your strength will come in your ability to remember that you are not your thoughts, moment by moment.

Don’t be confused or overly eager that is not strength either. Relax. Thoughts come and go. We think anywhere from 10-40 thousand thoughts a day. Stretch your thinking by giving yourself and others the benefit of the doubt. 

Find stillness. Don’t try to run away from what is inside you. Stay. If you can, enjoy the silliness or craziness of the thoughts that arise. Tell yourself, “Now that’s silly.” And smile at it. Be still to see that the silliness we often run from will build if we do not take the time to call it what it is now. Some thoughts persist. Be still and see. No foothold will be created when you see the thoughts for what they are.

Surrender is easier with easier thoughts, I know. But surrender to the Divine in all thoughts is where this practice takes us to another level. Sink into the knowing. Things are not just happening to you. Realize that as spirit, there is nothing that is indefinitely yours. Surrender to the idea that experiences and thoughts can come into your awareness, and they can all go just as easily. You will still be OK. Surrender feeling "like you have to be or should do.And surrender to the joy in the moment; IT is always there, even when IT does not appear to be.

Practice....

Practice sustaining a posture, holding it for 2-3 minutes or more. Breathing and allowing the posture to do 'tis work. You should obviously feel a stretch, and when gravity gets involved, you will feel pressure. Do not be afraid to stretch the muscles of the body. Listen to the body, but remember that healthy muscles are ones that are stretched, not over stretched, but stretched. We grow when we stretch and so do our muscles.

Locate your strength to go into the pose of your choosing; find your edge there. Don’t be overzealous. Choose a pose that you are familiar with, a seated pose like Baddah Konasana or Virasana, with props even; these poses will do just fine. Note: any pose where you begin focused on one leg or one arm first, must be done on the other side as well. Do both sides for the same amount of time. And be aware that one side may be, and most often is, completely different than the other.

Become still when you have found the spot into which you will succumb. Then, surrender. Keep acknowledging and surrendering. While in the pose, watch your thoughts come up. Acknowledge them. Don’t stay with any one. Just watch. Watch them move like clouds in the sky. Breathe in, exhale out and watch. Sensations like thoughts will come and go. Challenging the already established programming can be done on the mat when you do things you have never done before.

If you are a beginner, and we all are at something, there are plenty of yoga classes and teachers that offer students an opportunity to stay in poses for a time so that these layers can be felt and address and released. Check out a Yin yoga or Kundalini class to begin. Contact me if you would like to work on this practice in tandem. 

As you sit in your true strength, stillness, and surrender, you will find love and respect for all that has been and will be. You will realize the foolishness of the thoughts that are not of this nature, and you will sit beside them like an old friend and watch them behave, only to find a cookie sitting underneath them.