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A Safe Haven in the Midst of Change
When we participate in the practice of yoga, our lives
cannot help but undergo significant change. With barely any recognition,
we are constantly presented with opportunities to address habits
that no longer serve us. As we go through our practice of opening
and freeing ourselves, many gentle yet powerful changes are to be
expected. Our paradigms shift, our responses change and we slowly
transform into more open and powerful beings. This transformation
is unavoidable. As Sri K. Pattabhi Jois said:
Do your practice and all is coming.
When this internal liberation begins, we find that
it is expressed in all different areas of life. For example, I recently
began a 3-month program, outlined in The Artist’s Way, designed
to discover or recover the creative self. In the introduction, the
author Julia Cameron promises that unblocking our creative selves
is a rocky ride and many powerful emotions and experiences are to
be expected as we begin to free ourselves from that which has held
us back. Indeed, it has been a very eventful period since I began
the program; and though I’d like to chalk it up to coincidence
that my life events and this program came together at the same time,
experience tells me this is not so. It is the same as when I began
yoga--those things that hinder me or cause me suffering are recognized
and challenged. And these tools--yoga, meditation, the artist’s
way--are enabling that awakening.
Undergoing these transformations is not easy, however.
If you are lucky (even though it feels like you are not), these
changes may seem more than you can bear. It can be very difficult
walking down this path where no light shines and no hope guides
except for the blind knowing that these steps are right and that
they will lead to greater joy and freedom. At other times, the journey
is tedious and long and feels like no progress is being made in
either direction. And at other times, it is a whale of a storm with
highs and lows and barely any time in between. You can never know
quite what to expect.
There are things we can do to support these transformations.
One of the most important things I have found is having a shelter
of support. For me, it is reading and listening to great teachers
and writings. Reading books and poetry that speak of the journey,
its trials and triumphs, have given me enormous support when I have
been weak. Maya Angelou, Rumi, Joseph Campbell, Tony Robbins, Eckhart
Tolle, Mark Epstein and many others have given me great encouragement,
not to mention other favorites like JK Rowling, AA Milne and Shel
Silverstein (I especially enjoy the ABZ’s book when I am feeling
testy).
The shelter of support can also include friends that
do not undermine or weaken your pursuits. Having someone listen
and provide insight and feedback can provide a powerful mirror to
that which we are having trouble seeing. Taking care of yourself
is another key component. Proper rest, diet and exercise can go
a long way in keeping one’s batteries charged enough to continue
the journey. Of course, sticking with a routine and discipline may
be one of the most helpful things you can do when life feels like
it is flailing about helter-skelter. Yoga, meditation, practicing
music or dance, keeping a journal, or any other discipline can help
ground you and allow you to express your feelings in a healthy way,
helping you move past them into greater awakening.
The wonderful thing is that the universe is supporting
you as well. The Artist’s Way talks about synchronicity--that
events begin to line up and support you on your journey. Over the
past few months, I have encountered amazing lectures, discussions,
and concepts that have all fed fuel to my fire of committing to
change. I’d flip on the T.V. to keep me company while I cleaned,
and Wayne Dwyer or Joseph Campbell would come on. A friend and I
were driving to the city one day, and he popped in a CD by Tony
Robbins on having faith and keeping it--something I desperately
needed at the time. Several new friends have come into my life to
support me in a particular area that was undergoing transformation.
I’ve been introduced to several important concepts about time
management, singing technique and mental thought patterns that have
all complimented this particular stage of development. It’s
all really quite amazing.
This path is challenging, but it is worth it. Continue.
Keep the Faith. Believe. Find a support system. Be open and receptive
to all that comes to you. Embrace the change. Understand that it
will come and that it will go. Set up a collection of things that
bring peace and healing so that it will be ready when the time comes
for encouragement and release--writings, pictures, a coupon to a
spa or masseuse, recordings, an artistic outlet, a sappy film, these
yoga articles…whatever works for you. And stick with your
practice. Know that coming to the mat will bring the answers you
need if you will just keeping asking and seeking. “Ask and
ye shall receive. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and the door will
be opened unto you.” It will come.
My heartfelt prayer that your life be a journey
of constant unfolding. Namaste.
Heather Antonissen, July 2003
You can write to Heather at heather@yogaisyouth.com
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