Hey everyone. I apologize for the immense delay in my posting. I have been travelling, and instead of glueing (is that how you spell it?) myself to the computer screen, I chose to immerse myself in my travels instead. I'm sure some of you have seen my pictures from India on Facebook, and if you have not, perhaps you will soon. I am not here to speak of my experiences overseas. Rather, I am compelled to share with you some insight pertaining to a book I've been reading. Actually, I can't really call it a book. It looks like a book, but it happens to be a collection of discourses based on ancient yogic texts. The author of this compilation is a Jivamukti Yoga teacher and Sanskrit master, Ruth Lauer-Manenti. When I was working at the Jivamukti center last year, I attended as many of Ruth's classes as I could (she doesn't teach often, so the timing had to be right). At Jivamukti, there are many wonderful and inspiring teachers, many of whom have a very strong following of devoted students. Ruth's following is immense. It's not good or bad, it's just immense. I had been told once that people would pay to take Ruth's class and simply listen to her lecture at the beginning of class and then leave. When her book, 'An Offering of Leaves', was published, I was extremely eager to be in posession of this fine piece of literature. My mom surprised me with this book for my birthday and suggested I take it to India with me, which I did. It was (and still is) the perfect travel companion. The reason I was brought back to this book today is due to one of the excerpts I read (I read all of them twice because they are that inspiring). Ruth speaks of actual life experiences that have somehow managed to tap into something deeper, some intricate understanding of our spiritual nature and connectedness. This particular excerpt has to do with our 'practice'.
If you are a yogi, you have a practice. If you are a dentist, you have a practice. If you are a butcher, you have a practice. We all have a practice, whether we call it that or not. Ruth states that it's normal and okay to have a practice... it is part of being human. However, a practice can get tricky if the practice exists solely on an egotistical level. For example, Ruth gives the example of standing on our heads (for you yogis out there). It it wonderful and beneficial for you to stand on your head, yet if you are standing on your head for hours each day, it is serving the ego. How is it helping others? Or say you are very successful at your job. That is great, but what is your intention behind it? Are you taking the money you make and indulging yourself in unnecessary luxuries? Could you be contributing your earnings to a greater cause? It is not until we develop a sense of humility and 'stick our heads in the mud' that we can truly experience purity of mind. It is said in the book that 'humility is the greatest virtue'. If we can enter the present moment with a fresh perspective, letting go of the past, letting go of perceptions and judgements, perhaps that sense of awe and wonder will fill up our beings.
I encourage you to experiment with doing something that may be difficult or new for you. It doesn't have to be anything major; just something out of the ordinary everyday 'routine'. We usually feel safe in our routine, however there is no growth to come out of that illusion. Growth rises from spontaneity, making mistakes, taking risks, and trying new things. Most of all, growth stems from helping others. Life is constantly flowing...just like the holy Ganga Ma in India....Ganga Ma translates to "Mother Ganges". In India, they actually see the river as their mother...always serving without asking for anything in return...unconditional love and nourishment. It is fine to have your practice, but participation with other beings and without ego gratification will lead to bliss.
