Awareness
Once upon a time I was on a yoga philosophy course in Santa Clara, CA in which at some point there was a healthy argument between two people in the class. One of them was criticizing people in countries where blatant bribery was a common way of doing business and that these people should conduct their business in a different way. The other who had worked extensively abroad said that it was very easy to make that call for someone who lives in the United States where blatant bribery (at least at the time) was not practiced. This person pointed out that in this countries it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to conduct business in a different way.
As I recall this story I am reminded that wherever we direct our awareness flourishes, becomes stronger, and more abundant. If we pay close attention to what is going on in our mind when we are practicing yoga (or anything for that matter) we will recognize the many different ways in which our awareness is going. After directing our awareness in a certain way a pattern of thought is set which will preserve itself as things that are in alignment with it stand out. In this way a particular approach to doing things is born and preserved. Direct your awareness in this particular pattern continuously and it can become so strong that words and thoughts are not even required to bring it up. It becomes an energetic impulse that almost automatically colors the way we see the world. This applies to both of the people in my story.
One of the things that I remind everyone in class is their breath. It is something that I have learned to remind myself of all the time. The breath has the amazing power to clear and focus our mind. It can gives us clarity to see the patterns of thought and feeling we are hooked on like a hamster to a wheel. The more aware we become of a pattern the more likely we will be able to change it if it is not serving us. More than anything the clarity that made accesible by the breath opens us up to possibility where before we were stuck in a particular pattern.
Being connected to possibility helps us to see the abundance that is already present in our lives and the capacity to connect to more if we choose to do so.
When we come to yoga class you can explore and learn how to stay connected to your breath. Every pose like in life is a different situation that requires something from you to gently direct your awareness back to the breath again and again.
Blessings
Jorge Nihal
