Practice

Okay…that was tough. 

Just being still long enough to listen to “Let it Be” was a challenge.  Is this what you are thinking?  Come on…you were multi-tasking while listening weren’t you?

Stillness is difficult because we are socialized to accomplish, to earn…earn money, earn respect, earn “our place in the world”.  Isn’t this what we think?  But just by being here, we have a place in the world.  We exist. Our life is a gift.  

Now don’t get me wrong, we still need to LIVE.  We cannot just sit around and listen to the Beatles all day.  Although I think some of us tried that in college…

You know how people say they are trying to be centered?  I like that image because in the center of us is our heart, not our mind.  Our soul, the good stuff, is in our center.  When we find our center, we find our TRUE selves.  I love the quote that says, “We are not human beings trying to be spiritual, we are spiritual beings trying to be human”.  Your true ESSENCE is your spiritual self, your soul. 

Throughout the ages, different races, religions and cultures have been challenged to find a way to stillness.  Of course, this is an individual practice…our world is busy and definitely not still.  The fun and exciting part is trying to be in this world but not OF this world. 

Now you are thinking, okay that’s great yada, yada, but how do I get centered?  This is also an individual thing.  Some people use prayer, some use yoga, some use walking the dog.  Some people literally remove themselves from the world…take a sabbatical.  For me, yoga has been the tool to awaken me and along with prayer, they sustain me.  It’s a constant battle but I now feel I have the tools to “return to my center” if I feel too worldly.  I love that we say we PRACTICE yoga and we also practice our faith.  I’m so glad I don’t need to be an expert but I can still practice. 

One time I was in a group of people complaining about all the things that were wrong with their church and I heard someone say, “We should be glad our church isn’t perfect.  If it was, they wouldn’t let all of us in!”  We are all just practicing…try “Let it Be” again, maybe it will get easier.  (You might want to step away from the laundry and the dishes and the email first.)

Ommmmm…..