When we practice yoga we flick out our mat, set it on the floor, place ourselves inside it and intend to stay there for a specified length of time. We have created a space for us to be with our breath, our mind, and our body. The way we structure our brain seems to be largely built upon this idea. Our mind being like chunks of realestate that we can split up, designate as commercial or residential, decide which is prime and which is industrial, which we’ll live in, which we’ll sell. We are inundated with choices of what to spend our time doing, who to spend our time with, and how to look at the time spent. With so many choices, quickly, unconsciously, our mind realestate becomes monopolized with the everyday, with the skyscrapers of unnecessary information.
These plots of land, being so malleable, must be maintained through our awareness, lest they be taken over by the Wal-marts of convenient habit. And though this concept can relate to dozens of different aspects of our lives, as it is February, I shall focus on one in particular, Love.
Now when I say love, although people tend to automatically relate it to intimate love, I am talking about any love, all love, that we experience in the many and varied relationships we may have, have had or wish to have throughout our lives.
In the beginning, when love is new, it is like a new house. We are very aware of our surroundings, we take in each angle and curve, the different colors of paint, the bright clean carpet. We learn every nuance of our dwelling, to become familiar with it, so that we can rest comfortably within, so that we can feel safe, secure, at home. Yet, as familiarity grows, the awareness fades, our body and our mind have learned our home and maneuver through it unconsciously, taking for granted that things will remain in their place. In that time, the paint dulls, the carpet wears, the house settles. Now, how many of us, established in our home, wait until a hole forms in the carpet to replace it? Wait until the wood is rotting to replace the roof?
I suppose this analogy comes to mind because I am replacing a broken sewer line in my home, but it seems so relevant to relationships as well. How often do we proactively create a space to show love for the people in our lives? It seems to be the trend to focus on what we don’t have, on what is wrong with what we have, on what needs to be fixed or changed or removed. We often, usually unwittingly, create tremendous space for hurt, anger, stress, resentment, guilt, judgement, and imperfection. How often do we step back for a moment and appreciate what we do have? To acknowledge the love we have, and why it is there for these people in our lives? To set out our mat, sit within that place of love, and just be?
Every February 14th, Valentines Day rolls around. In it’s truest form I believe this day is trying to facilitate the creation of that space. Yet, once again, people frequently fall into the habit of focusing on what they don’t have, on the expectations and the judgement. I invite a change in perspective. I invite us all to take a moment, more than a moment, and create a space. Sit within, and reflect on love. Who do you love? Why do you love them? Why have they been such an important part in your life? What have they shown you? Taught you? How do you feel when you are with them? Can you allow your love for them to be in that place, despite the past, despite baggage, despite what you think they feel toward you? Pay attention to the sensations in your body as these thoughts arise, notice what happens, be with it, allow it, express it.
As you are here, realize there is no wrong, no bad, no imperfection with any thoughts or feelings that arise. In creating this space where love abounds, don’t forget one of the most important persons to remind of your love for – you.
Happy Valentines, Much love, and Namaste.
These plots of land, being so malleable, must be maintained through our awareness, lest they be taken over by the Wal-marts of convenient habit. And though this concept can relate to dozens of different aspects of our lives, as it is February, I shall focus on one in particular, Love.
Now when I say love, although people tend to automatically relate it to intimate love, I am talking about any love, all love, that we experience in the many and varied relationships we may have, have had or wish to have throughout our lives.
In the beginning, when love is new, it is like a new house. We are very aware of our surroundings, we take in each angle and curve, the different colors of paint, the bright clean carpet. We learn every nuance of our dwelling, to become familiar with it, so that we can rest comfortably within, so that we can feel safe, secure, at home. Yet, as familiarity grows, the awareness fades, our body and our mind have learned our home and maneuver through it unconsciously, taking for granted that things will remain in their place. In that time, the paint dulls, the carpet wears, the house settles. Now, how many of us, established in our home, wait until a hole forms in the carpet to replace it? Wait until the wood is rotting to replace the roof?
I suppose this analogy comes to mind because I am replacing a broken sewer line in my home, but it seems so relevant to relationships as well. How often do we proactively create a space to show love for the people in our lives? It seems to be the trend to focus on what we don’t have, on what is wrong with what we have, on what needs to be fixed or changed or removed. We often, usually unwittingly, create tremendous space for hurt, anger, stress, resentment, guilt, judgement, and imperfection. How often do we step back for a moment and appreciate what we do have? To acknowledge the love we have, and why it is there for these people in our lives? To set out our mat, sit within that place of love, and just be?
Every February 14th, Valentines Day rolls around. In it’s truest form I believe this day is trying to facilitate the creation of that space. Yet, once again, people frequently fall into the habit of focusing on what they don’t have, on the expectations and the judgement. I invite a change in perspective. I invite us all to take a moment, more than a moment, and create a space. Sit within, and reflect on love. Who do you love? Why do you love them? Why have they been such an important part in your life? What have they shown you? Taught you? How do you feel when you are with them? Can you allow your love for them to be in that place, despite the past, despite baggage, despite what you think they feel toward you? Pay attention to the sensations in your body as these thoughts arise, notice what happens, be with it, allow it, express it.
As you are here, realize there is no wrong, no bad, no imperfection with any thoughts or feelings that arise. In creating this space where love abounds, don’t forget one of the most important persons to remind of your love for – you.
Happy Valentines, Much love, and Namaste.
