A yogin who is embodiment-oriented might enjoy, as part of the great dance of being, appreciating something as being enchanting.
But to let oneself be carried away enchanted or to seek enchantment heedless of the consequences seems quite the antithesis of engaging life mindful awareness.
A friend of mine who is an avid and wonderful knitter decided to make a shawl for a friend who is about to have surgery. Instead of whipping out a shawl herself in a few days, she invited other friends to knit squares and bring them to her. She is going to piece together the squares to create, in essence, a physical manifestation of a gentle, loving, communal embrace.
I loved this idea. Though I could not put name to face for the friend who is suffering (I think I would likely recognize her), to support my friend who is setting such a strong intention of sending healing, I am knitting a square or two with some beautiful handspun yarn leftover from a sweater several years ago.
As I knit, I am setting an intention to infuse the cloth with healing energy. In having been invited to participate in this project, I have been given the gift of a potent reminder of how strongly our attitude and intention in whatever we create and offer can shift how it goes forth into the world — whether it be gifts, practice, speech, food, work.
It was the kind of
Day when celestials sported
In the sunlit clouds.
How do we as teachers, yoga or otherwise, let our students find their own way, but still convey in a way that is heard that some things are best not experienced?
I told her she would not enjoy jumping up on the utility sink, but did Maitri listen?
There may be messages and meanings all around us that we might take as signs. That is all well and good as long as we respond to signs with discrimination (viveka) and do not use signs, be they in the stars or elsewhere, as excuses to abdicate responsibility for our choices.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
