I remembered this tonight.
My friend Olga has written a series of blog posts reflecting on the Certified Teachers’ Gathering and what it means to her to to be a part of the Anusara community. I found most interesting the reflections on how Anusara is growing as a community, even as an “institution.”
One of the things that I ponder in connection with being a member of any group is how deeply to be involved, whether I can pick and choose from among the teachings and practices offered and still be regarded as a true participant? Whether I can be uncomfortable with some of the organizational structure, but still be true to the ultimate goal or teachings? What does it mean at the workplace — for me the giant bureaucracy of the Department of Labor? What does it mean if we are a member of an organized religion (I’m a member of the Friends Meeting of Washington)? A group of like-minded practitioners? A neighborhood? A society?
I am delighted to be going on a short trip to a warm place (Tucson) to do nothing but yoga and visit with friends and acquaintances.
My work life is such for the next several months that I cannot take a long vacation. I can find a few days here and there, though, and it is critical to my working well. I find if I work with too much effort or for too many hours or days in a row, I lose my sense of humor and my creativity. These are truly essential components of doing a good job.
If you cannot get away for a day or two or five, take five minutes to just breathe without following your thoughts. It is not a vacation. It is meditation. It will not serve in the way of a vacation, but it will provide a needed break from attachment (perhaps to the point of misalignment) with the mindstuff (citta) and will enable you to continue with your efforts more at peace with both the efforts and yourself.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
I have been meditating more in recent weeks than I had been for quite some time. It is providing a balance to all the intensity.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
