365:236:44
Good days cannot always be filled with all happiness. There always has to be something that happens. A struggle here and a struggle there most of which just pass by with a shrug of the shoulders but today perplexity has interned my mind.
The practice of yoga, not just on the mat but off of the mat. The five yamas—Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha & Brahmacharya. These are ways that we should treat others as well as ourselves and they are very important. They do create harmony among people if in practice.
Ahimsa or non harming, guides us in a way to create or build peace around us in the environment, within us and with others. The warrior of the asanas is a perfect example of this, Virabhadrasana, Vira means warrior or hero and bhadra means with great virtue. A hero with great virtue, a kind person, who makes good decisions on what is right and not self serving. Not harming other people or oneself, a warrior.
Satya or truthfulness. To be honest with our words with ourselves and those around us. Sat nam ( my name is truth) a possible chant while positioning into the Crescent lunge.
Asteya or non stealing, having the mindset of we have all that we need, a life of abundance. The warrior III is the pose for this reaching the arms forward with the palms cupped ( hasty mudra) as if offering our gifts to others and receiving gifts as well.
Aparigraha or non grasping or be able to detach from things such as jealousy. Not to want things that others have and be happy with what we have.
Brahmacharya or maintain vitality. The art of continency, sustaining energy, and not depleting your vitality.
They look easy enough but it also can be very tricky. Each person has their own version of all of these things and who are we to say that anyone’s version is wrong. A person may really be trying to be kind to others but still come across as criticizing, a persons truthfulness maybe to truthful and a little harsh to the ears that hear, abundance to one maybe nothing to someone else. Detachment of ill will is very hard for most people. We all have the tendency to hang on as long as possible. Maintaining vitality, read in today’s text are not as strict, as it once was, it seems like this is a subject that all religions and groups are very detached from. My views differ, but I will save those for another time. My point is it is hard to be a good person all the time, no mater what moral code you follow. Sometimes people wrong us or criticize us one time to many. Sometimes people are just down right rude and do not care. Is it far to say that we cannot stand up for ourselves and not be a doormat. I think so if we do it in a manner of great virtue. If we can become the hero or the warrior than any fight is worth the battle.
Much Love 💜 Much Life
