Timeless Gentle Yoga

The quieter we are, the more patient and open we are in our sadnesses, the more
deeply and serenely the new presence can enter us…
~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~

That deep sadness is back. I feel it moving through the internal organs of my body. It doesn’t actually stay in my heart; that’s where I think it should be found. But no, it’s in my stomach and my kidney and even moves into muscles, like my calf, or deep fascia, like my foot’s plantar.

Under the sadness is something so real it is beyond expression. Maybe it is my essence. I’m not sure, but it feels unchanging and truly is always there. It brings comfort and certainty. Each moment simply unfolding…

Life feels unsteady, even rocky; and sharp edges are everywhere. I’m not sure of where I’m going or what lies ahead. But if I can remain in presence, the sense of well being restores my body, my inner strength, and my mind’s clarity. This presence reminds me life is good.

Make everything in you an ear,

each atom of your being,
and you will hear at every moment
what the Source is whispering to you,
just to you and for you,
without any need for my words or anyone else’s.

You are– we all are– the beloved of the Beloved,
and in every moment,
in every event of your life,
the Beloved is whispering to you
exactly what you need to hear and know.

Who can ever explain this miracle?
It simply is.
Listen and you will discover it every passing moment…
Rumi

In Yoga Nidra we practice the art of blissful relaxation. Last month, I chose this Rumi poem to begin the meditation. Rumi has the amazing gift of reaching over centuries of time and mountains of cultural differences to touch me with the perfect word or idea. Exactly what I need to hear or know.

Yoga Nidra offers the gifts of deep relaxation and profound inquiry. As the body/mind softens and releases tension, effort, thoughts, emotions and images, the practice begins its magic. Travelling inward this journey explores the inner realms of consciousness.

Peeling back layers of habits and thought patterns, moving through emotions and deeply held beliefs, we settle into that sacred space, the spiritual heart. From the vast inner place we find comfort, healing, nourishment, joy, acceptance, loving kindness and compassion.

This is where you connect with that eternal being ~ who you really are. From here you know, without knowing, exactly what you need to know as each moment of life unfolds.

It has taken a while, but I certainly do know it now-
the most wonderful gift I had,
the gift I’ve finally learned to cherish above all else,
was the gift of all those perfectly ordinary days.

~Katrina Kenison

Lately I’ve been struggling with a severe case of plantarfasciitis in
both feet and tendinitis in my ankle. The doctor said it might take
six months to heal. I’m faithfully engaging in various stretches
incorporating them into my daily Yoga practice. I’ve curtailed my
walking, apply ice and sometimes heat to tired, sore feet and spend
more time with my feet up.

More than one friend has suggested the universe might be sending
a message to slow down. I’ve certainly received that message before
and it usually comes more than once (stronger each time) until I
listen. I’m listening, I promise!

Ordinary days, everyday moments fill our lives in ways that often go
unnoticed. As a longtime meditator, I like to believe I pay attention.
That I really notice things around me. But the reality is mindfulness
and being present are lifetime practices. Like chopping wood and
carrying water, we put one foot in front of the other, moment
after moment and wonder, “can we stay alert, awake, alive to
all that is?”

It’s a practice and each time I miss the mark, I feel gratitude for
the chance to try again. Don’t be discouraged if you are forgetful or
thoughts take you away from what is here in the present moment.
Just allow the realization of not being present to be a pointer back
to presence. Remember even our forgetting is perfect. Let go of all
expectations and appreciate the gift of ordinary days.