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"We are stars wrapped in skin. The light you are seeking has always been within." - Rumi |
Samadhi Pada: Yoga of Being in the Now
- 1.3 Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam
Want to know something truly magical? At your core (your true nature and essence), you are divine! You are not your thoughts, you are not your emotions, you are not what you have done or not done, and you are not what others or society imposes you to be. You are simply and magically a light in the world that is embarking on a human journey. This makes you special, but it's also what makes your spouse special, or your friend, or the coworker who annoys you, or that guy living on the street. Maybe your earthly journey appears easier or more difficult, but within each one of us lies this authentic nature. The ultimate goal of yoga is to identify and experience this.
The first sutra asked us to be present, the second sutra told us that if we practice yoga we'll find stillness in the mind, and this third sutra tells us that with our mind still we'll be able to more clearly see our true nature. Now, I understand that sometimes with philosophical texts and discussions, the goal can seem far away and unattainable. I felt like this for a very long time. Practice yoga to find my light? Nope! That's not happening for me, so I'll just practice because it's fun and feels good. But the thing is, after years of practice, I've found that experiencing this place of authentic "me-ness" isn't so far off and doesn't always necessarily happen while practicing yoga. Ever been in "the zone" so engrossed in a moment or something you're doing that time quickly slips away? Ever been in nature and felt a wave of profound gratitude sweep over you? Ever had a moment where everything about you and around you for no reason whatsoever just felt right? That's it!! THAT is the ultimate goal of yoga. You may experience it outside of yoga, but this practice helps guide you to that place more often, become more aware of it and maybe for just a split second longer hold onto it.
Yoga teaches us that our true nature isn't outside. It's not something that we need to acquire or something that we need to do. YOU are special for what's on the inside. The act of simply being makes you amazing, and it is getting rid of things (the incessant chatter of the mind) and clearing out the excess that will give you space to see this. I don't know about you, but I'm loving this sutra! Even during those times that I don't necessarily feel it, my light is still shining simply because I'm me. Now, how truly magical is that?
The first sutra asked us to be present, the second sutra told us that if we practice yoga we'll find stillness in the mind, and this third sutra tells us that with our mind still we'll be able to more clearly see our true nature. Now, I understand that sometimes with philosophical texts and discussions, the goal can seem far away and unattainable. I felt like this for a very long time. Practice yoga to find my light? Nope! That's not happening for me, so I'll just practice because it's fun and feels good. But the thing is, after years of practice, I've found that experiencing this place of authentic "me-ness" isn't so far off and doesn't always necessarily happen while practicing yoga. Ever been in "the zone" so engrossed in a moment or something you're doing that time quickly slips away? Ever been in nature and felt a wave of profound gratitude sweep over you? Ever had a moment where everything about you and around you for no reason whatsoever just felt right? That's it!! THAT is the ultimate goal of yoga. You may experience it outside of yoga, but this practice helps guide you to that place more often, become more aware of it and maybe for just a split second longer hold onto it.
Yoga teaches us that our true nature isn't outside. It's not something that we need to acquire or something that we need to do. YOU are special for what's on the inside. The act of simply being makes you amazing, and it is getting rid of things (the incessant chatter of the mind) and clearing out the excess that will give you space to see this. I don't know about you, but I'm loving this sutra! Even during those times that I don't necessarily feel it, my light is still shining simply because I'm me. Now, how truly magical is that?
Sutra 1.3 Then our true nature becomes apparent
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