YOGA - WEST OF THE NARROWS

Each New Year comes with the allure of renewal. If we don't instinctively take note on the past and make plans to move towards a better version of either our selves, our situation, or any other details of our lives we may want to readjust, then the media certainly reminds you.

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What about you? Did you make any resolutions full of hope and eagerness to welcome change? Well, my friend - how does it feel now that we are rolling towards the end of January? Probably not as sparkly. Maybe a few excuses sneak in and tack on to the end of the goal? Maybe self-doubt has crept in as you realize the burn and sizzle of real change.

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The Yoga Sutras refer to this sizzle as 'Tapas.' The heat (a.k.a. resistance) you experience is not often welcomed, but should be greeted at the door with open arms and offered a cup of tea. It is the heat of real change. My favorite analogy I've heard of is that of an egg. In order to move from a raw egg to a deliciously fried one, it must be transformed by the heat of the frying pan.

 

YOU'VE GOT TO JUMP INTO THE FRYING PAN.

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"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates

 

By fighting the old, your attention is drawn to the old pattern, ultimately reinforcing it by feeding it your energy. The Universe does not understand "I don't want to eat cookies every night anymore." The Universe just hears, "COOKIES." and sends them your way. This is why focusing on the new way/habit/version of yourself is not only more fun (a feeling of expansion rather than contraction results), but much more effective.

 

So you envision the new, you begin your change, and Ouch! The heat is turned up. Do you stay and let the heat transform you or do you look for your escape route? You must want it.

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It's no coincidence (or is it?) the the first word of the Yoga Sutras is 'Atha,' which can be translated as 'readiness and commitment' and carries with it the connotation of an auspicious beginning and a successful conclusion.

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"How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a catepillar." - Trina Paulus

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You want it, you are ready, you feel the sweet heat of resistance burning away the old.....then what? The Sutras would answer back, "Abhyasa."

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Abyhasa is diligent, focused, continued practice. It involves a committed effort to maintain your chosen new goal long enough to reap the rewards. Lasting change results from this and is more effective when done slow like a stream, rather than hard and fast like a waterfall.

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What a relief! Change isn't overnight (or over a month!). Just because January brought on the frying pan, doesn't mean you already need to be a fried egg. Take your time. Be ready and commit to the whole journey (Atha), welcome the sizzle of resistance and of building new pathways (Tapas), and keep at it in a steady pace (Abhyasa). I have no doubt that you will find what you are looking for.

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Happy New Year, Yogis!