We are the ones we've been waiting for.—Hopi Elder
I’m rereading this entry from years ago, and I’m struck again by how relevant and timely the message feels for today’s world. This entry reflects on the importance of going with the flow, and the imagery of stepping into a canoe is especially meaningful. No matter what vessel we use to navigate the rivers of our lives, we’re either carried along by the current or we fight against it. Most of us don’t intentionally choose the struggle, while some feel it’s their mission to always challenge the norm. If that’s your natural inclination, more power to you—but as I’ve said before, there’s a chakra for that, and it might be worth exploring. Do we really want to wake up every day and choose to go against the grain? How does that serve us?
But let’s say for a moment that this approach does serve some of us. I grew up watching my older siblings do exactly that—protesting the Vietnam War, supporting women’s liberation. Without them, our society would likely be much worse off. And yet...
Would some of these things have changed over time, even without all the fighting? Who’s to say? Today, there are so many issues for which we could choose to fight: voting rights, religious freedom, the right to love whomever we choose—the list goes on. Every generation seems to have its share of causes. The real question is, how do we fight these battles?
Yoga teaches us to first look at how we fight within ourselves, which is often the most difficult work of all. The physical practice can be challenging, but it’s the mental aspect that truly pushes us. Yoga can be a total mental challenge, but in a way that helps us grow if we’re open to seeing how we might be struggling against a reality we’ve created in order to seek pleasure and avoid pain. As my teacher Ramaa often says, this awareness is key.
In Day 4 of Meditations from the Mat, Gates writes about exploring uncharted waters, being open to the challenges and joys we encounter, and using our practice as a refuge from our need to control everything. Yoga helps us recognize the habits we cling to and encourages us to release them, to open the windows and let in fresh air, freeing ourselves from rigidity.
But, letting go of the roles we’ve created for ourselves—whether as drivers or passengers—can be difficult. Change brings up fear of the unknown. If we aren’t the things we’ve always identified with, who are we? Of course, we can choose to stay safely on the shore, watching others swim or struggle, but we’re meant to step into the current ourselves, to see how we navigate life’s waters and to appreciate those who are doing the same. I often tell my students to look around the room for encouragement and inspiration. To connect that instruction to today’s reading, I would add that we should also look within, not waiting for someone else to rescue us, but learning to rely upon the tools and strength we already possess, whether we readily recognize we have them or not. Sometimes, it’s only after we take the leap into the water that we recognize our own capabilities.
Once again, today’s Meditations passage speaks to our modern reality. Gates writes, “At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. The moment we do, our spiritual growth comes to a halt. All that we do now must be done in a sacred way and in celebration. We are the ones we've been waiting for.” I agree! We often take too much personally, as if life happens to us rather than for us. When we take everything personally, we’re assuming that we’re in control, putting ourselves in the driver’s seat when, in reality, we’re meant to be passengers. We’re meant to enjoy the ride, ask for guidance when needed, and appreciate our fellow travelers who are navigating their own journeys.
So, the next time you unroll your mat, ask yourself: Are you showing up as the driver or the passenger? Do you come with an agenda? Do you secretly hope the teacher will play a certain song or sequence to help you unlock something inside? I invite you to explore the last of the yamas: Aparigraha, or non-attachment. Notice how tightly you hold on to things, and then willingly let go. Push off from the shore and see what unfolds.
Namaste, and thank you for reading!
Lauri
Comments