Are you ready?
The first word in the first sutra of the first chapter of Yoga Sutra of Patanjali -
Atha – has something significant to offer to each one of us.
Atha simply means being in the here and now. Not hanging on to the past and not
projecting to the future.
Atha also refers to readiness or willingness. A readiness that comes from
recognition that now it is time to take charge, takes control of our life and move
forward with greater conviction and strength of purpose.
The recognition that whatever challenges life throws on us, have in someway
given us an opportunity to reflect and understand, that which is not always
apparent.
Pain can be a great teacher and a very compassionate one too…
Even though problems may seem to emerge from outside, or being controlled
by an external agency and even though it may be so, to a large extent, we can do
something about it, we are not completely helpless.
When I am willing to take responsibility for my life, my actions and my
experiences, I am in a state of Atha, I am ready to explore the path of yoga in its
true sense.
This responsibility may seem to impose a great deal of burden on me, but is it
not also freeing me from feeling like a victim in many circumstances?
It is a freedom I can feel deep inside when the locus on control shifts from
outside to inside.
It is not about taking on guilt or beating us up, it is about understanding that
whatever has been the past or worry of the future, this moment is completely
mine, I am in charge and I have the freedom to choose the course of action.
We will do everything in our capacity to gather ourselves up, embrace
the broken pieces, the fragmented parts of our self with greatest care and
compassion, allow the breath to flow through and heal. Like watching over a sick
baby, nurture our body and mind with the tenderest love.
Let us do this together, for ourselves, and for each other.
I want to believe I can make a difference to my own life; I can make a difference
in this world.
I want to believe that what affects you also has an effect on me, whether I see it
or not, and so I refuse to sit back and simply watch.
I want to heal and I want to help you heal, I want to find strength within me and I
am sure you can too…
Are you ready and willing to take the step forward?