The Importance of Sequencing












My goal is a harmoniously engaged mind, not an empty mind (which is the goal of many yoga/meditation traditions). But if it is an emptying to allow a natural replenishment, that’s another conversation.

Some of the yoga traditions that include a guru lineage believe that a guru can transmit grace (whatever that might mean) through their presence or touch. Back in the days when I was doing my first yoga teacher training, a fellow student asked me whether I had ever received shaktipat? My answer was yes–when I’d had the opportunity to shake hands with William Brennan. He’s not a guru, my fellow student objected. But he is a being of extraordinary grace, power, and intelligence who has devoted himself to the service of our collective well-being and my being in his presence inspires me to show my best light; isn’t that what’s supposed to happen with shaktipat? I don’t think she was ever fully persuaded by my unorthodox reading, but I had no need to persuade.
I found myself thinking about that discussion today, having gotten to shake John Lewis’s hand when he walked through the crowd to speak at day 2 of the people’s filibuster for health care. In the presence of his inspiration, I am compelled to figure out what more can I be doing.
When these trucks first came into sight, they were driving side-by-side just below the speed limit, with a number of cars tailing close behind in both lanes. The voice of the monkey mind started down the “what the f**k?” path. But soon after, Johnny law parked in the median came into view. Another half mile down the road a second police car was lurking. As soon as the trucks passed the second police car, the truck in the left lane pulled over in front of his companion, and the passenger cars were able to move a little faster.
The trucks weren’t creating an annoying obstacle. They were graciously saving the cars following closely behind from getting speeding tickets.
One never can tell, either at first glance or in retrospective review of life choices, how what might have appeared as obstruction, failure, or missed opportunity in fact either opened new pathways or saved one from harm. Best then, neither to come to conclusions too quickly or to hold onto regrets.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
this is extremely cool.